Region in brief: Stabbing suspect’s condition better

A Mead man accused of stabbing his wife to death and then turning the knife on himself has been upgraded to satisfactory condition at a local hospital, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Jeffrey N. Canino, 46, is accused of stabbing his wife, Michelle Canino, 43, Tuesday at their home in the 4500 block of East Woodglen Road in Mead, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, sheriff’s spokesman.

The couple’s 11-year-old son called 911 and was treated for knife wounds to his hands, Reagan said.

Michelle Canino was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jeffrey Canino was taken to the hospital for what officials believe are self-inflicted knife wounds.

He was upgraded from critical to satisfactory condition Thursday.

He has been placed under arrest and under guard, Reagan said.

Sara Leaming

Charges eased in bus plaza assault

A woman accused of assaulting her child at the bus plaza in downtown Spokane has been charged with a misdemeanor.

The 3-year-old boy Keyana L. Key is accused of assaulting was bruised but had no other injuries. She was charged with fourth-degree assault, said Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor John Love.

Key, 28, was booked by police on a felony second-degree assault charge. Prosecutors filed the misdemeanor charge after medics examined the boy.

“The assault charge is usually based on the nature of the injury that’s caused by the assault,” Love said. “We don’t have enough facts to charge a felony.”

Key remains in Spokane County Jail on $15,000 bond.

She was arrested Nov. 20 after tipsters identified her as the mother caught on surveillance video grabbing a boy by his jacket and throwing or kicking him to the ground at the Spokane Transit Authority Plaza Nov. 18.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Medical Lake’s tree lighting today

The city of Medical Lake will hold a community tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. today in Coney Island Park, one block off of Lefevre Street on Lake Street.

The evening will include hot cider, the lighting of the community Christmas tree and the arrival of Santa Claus aboard a firetruck.

After the tree lighting, everyone is invited into City Hall to see the movie “The Polar Express.”

For more information, call recreation coordinator Ashlee King at (509) 565-5000.

Lisa Leinberger