Region in brief: Put prayer wishes in kettle, as well

Loose change isn’t the only thing Salvation Army bell ringers hope you’ll drop in their red kettles this year. Prayer requests now are welcome, too.

“The needs are so great,” said Capt. Kyle Smith, of the Salvation Army Spokane Corps. “People are wanting prayer for sick loved ones and to help them find jobs.”

The prayer requests will be gathered from the kettles each evening and sent to the Spokane Salvation Army prayer team, whose members will offer their prayers the following day.

“We appreciate how the community supports us through their giving,” Smith said, “and this is another way for us to give back to the community.”

David Wasson

Man shot by deputies identified

A man shot by Spokane County sheriff’s deputies was identified Monday as Donald J. Lafavor.

The 65-year-old Spokane man confronted two deputies with a gun when they responded to a report of a couple arguing in an apartment at 8910 E. Sprague Ave. about 10:15 p.m. Saturday, according to the Spokane Police Department. When the deputies tried to talk to the couple, the man, Lafavor, confronted them with a handgun. Both officers fired and Lafavor was hit with several bullets, police said.

He remained hospitalized in serious condition Monday.

The deputies, whose names will be released Wednesday, were relieved of their duties for 72 hours in accordance with standard procedure.

Spokane police are investigating. Lafavor was convicted of first-degree negligent driving in 2005 after being charged with drunken driving, according to news archives. He was convicted of drunken driving in 2006 and given two years of probation.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Woman dies from hit-run injuries

A woman struck by a suspected drunken driver in downtown Spokane has died.

Elaine Price-Cornell, 63, of Olds, Alberta, died Saturday after being struck at Browne Street and Spokane Falls Boulevard about 10:30 p.m. Nov. 20. She was visiting Spokane on a shopping trip.

Cameron B. Olsness, 24, was arrested after he allegedly ditched his 1999 Suburban a few blocks away and ran, according to court documents.

He was in Spokane County Jail on $50,000 bail Monday on charges of felony hit and run and vehicular assault. Olsness was convicted of drunken driving in 2005 and arrested on the same charge Sept. 14, according to court records.

Meghann M. Cuniff