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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Man, woman arrested after bank robbery

A man and woman were arrested and held on suspicion of robbing a downtown Spokane bank about 2:15 p.m. Monday.

Cherie Taber, 56, and Glen Taber, 46, took an undisclosed amount of money from Banner Bank at 508 W. Third Ave., police said. Bank employees called authorities and gave them descriptions of the robbers.

A police officer drove through the parking lot of the Downtowner Motel at 165 S. Washington St. and saw two people matching the descriptions leave the motel office, said Officer Devin Presta, a police spokesman. The Tabers were detained and taken into custody after bank employees identified them. Police had not confirmed the pair’s relationship.

Police were still investigating the case.

Carley Dryden

Council to decide size of tax measure

The size of a tax increase that could appear on the November ballot in Spokane will be determined this week.

City Council will meet at noon Wednesday at City Hall to set a dollar figure. The meeting is open to the public, but no public comments will be accepted until Aug. 4, when the council expects to make the final decision about putting the matter before voters.

Mayor Mary Verner proposed last week that the city consider requesting extra taxes to raise between $11 million and $41 million for projects that city administrators label “urgent.” Projects could include a new evidence storage building and a shooting range for the Police Department, an addition to the county’s animal shelter and a new complex for the city’s garage, street department and other operations. The options proposed to City Council would raise taxes from $9 to $35 a year for the owner of property assessed at $150,000.

Jonathan Brunt

Spokane Valley

Police say man hanged pit bull who bit his son

Spokane Valley police arrested a man who broke into a friend’s apartment to hang a pit bull that attacked his 8-year-old son.

The dog’s owner, a 25-year-old transient, was staying with James R. Phelps, 31. Around 12:30 p.m. Friday, the pit bull bit Phelps’ son on the face, police said in a news release. The transient took his pit bull and another dog to a another apartment while Phelps took his son to the hospital. The boy received seven stitches.The dog’s owner found the dead pit bull hanging from the ceiling Saturday, according to the news release.

Authorities said Phelps entered the apartment without permission and hanged the dog. He was charged with residential burglary and first-degree animal cruelty. Phelps remained in Spokane County Jail on Monday on $5,000 bond.

Carley Dryden