Scaffolding to be used in Joel building fire probe

Fire investigators will build scaffolding, or a temporary floor, in order to find the cause of last week’s Joel building blaze on South Post, fire officials said Tuesday.

Structural engineers told authorities the debris in the basement, where the fire is believed to have started, would have to be pulled out by hand, said Spokane Fire Assistant Chief Brian Schaeffer. Investigators want to look at several pieces of equipment that were recently installed in the basement of Dorian Studios.

The blaze at the downtown building, 161 S. Post St., started early Thursday and burned through all three floors of the photo studio. Churchill’s Steakhouse and several condominiums in the building suffered water and smoke damage.

The building was turned over to the business owners Monday night, officials said.

Jody Lawrence-Turner

Scholarship program expands to Spokane area

An ambitious scholarship program for students facing obstacles to college has been expanded to include Spokane kids.

The Act Six Leadership and Scholarship Initiative works with urban college students with the goal of creating leaders in their home communities. It was launched by the Tacoma-based Northwest Leadership Foundation in partnership with Whitworth University in 2002. Students who qualify earn full-ride scholarships.

Now the program is being expanded to Gonzaga, and nine scholarships will be offered to Spokane-area students.

Whitworth will enroll its sixth Act Six class this fall; of the 67 students originally selected for the program, 63 have graduated – far better than the average graduation rate.

Act Six will provide five scholarships to Whitworth and four to Gonzaga to high school seniors planning to graduate in 2009, or who graduated in 2007 or 2008. While ethnicity and family income are factors in selection, students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is Nov. 1. For more information, go to www.actsix.org.

Shawn Vestal

Man who escaped capture in chase arrested by police

An anonymous tip led to the arrest Tuesday of a wanted felon who escaped capture in a high-speed police chase last week.

Joseph A. Bercier, 27, sits in the Spokane County Jail on first-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery charges.

He first refused to come out of a home in the 1800 block of East Marshall Avenue when officers arrived about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday but soon cooperated, according to Spokane police, ending a search that began when police connected him to a July 5 shooting and robbery in the 900 block of East Illinois Avenue.

Police spotted a stolen Acura driven by Bercier – whom police consider a gang member – last week but stopped following it because of dangerous speeds.

The following day, Crime Stoppers offered a $250 reward for tips leading to Bercier’s capture.

Also arrested at the East Marshall Avenue home was Pennyjo Beasley, 48, on a charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

Meghann M. Cuniff