Region in brief: Armed robbers invade home, steal purse, game console
Four robbers invaded a West Central apartment through an unlocked front door shortly before 10 p.m. Monday, police said.
The man and woman in the residence in the 2600 block of West Sinto Avenue were ordered onto the floor, but the woman tried to run out and was sprayed with a chemical, Spokane police said. The woman was able to get to a neighbor’s house to call police.
The men, who were armed and wearing masks, took the victim’s purse and a video game console, police said. They fled out the front door and into an alley.
Witnesses said they heard as many as five shots fired, but the gunfire apparently occurred outdoors as the robbers were leaving. A spent shell casing was found on the ground, police said.
Officers found the victim’s purse and two connecting cords for the video device. The robbers got away.
Anyone with information about the crime can call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.
Staff reports
Idaho sets meetings to solicit ideas for securing grant money
Idaho has scheduled community meetings to collect ideas for an application for federal stimulus funds.
Representatives from the state Department of Education and others will explain Idaho’s plan to apply for federal Race to the Top grant money and will listen to feedback from teachers, administrators, parents and others community members.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan created the $4.35 billion Race to the Top fund to distribute grants to states to implement reform and innovation, a state news release said. Idaho’s application is due Jan. 19.
One meeting will be held Monday at 7 p.m. in Coeur d’Alene at North Idaho College, in room 106 of the Meyer Health and Science Building. The other North Idaho meeting will be held Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in Lewiston at Lewis-Clark State College, in the Snake River Conference Room.
People also can submit comments during an online seminar Thursday at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.sde.idaho.gov/site/race or call (208) 332-6818.
Staff reports
Documents say murder suspect was prescribed antidepressants
A Mead man accused of killing his wife had recently been prescribed antidepressant medication but “still seemed very depressed,” according to court documents filed Tuesday.
Detectives on Monday searched the home where Jeffrey N. Canino, 46, allegedly stabbed Michelle Canino, 43, to death Dec. 2 as the couple argued about divorce, documents say.
Jeffrey Canino’s sister, Colleen Hagen, told detectives about her brother’s recent medication prescription, according to the search warrant filed Tuesday in Spokane County District Court.
Family told detectives that Canino was depressed about possibly losing his job at a car dealership; he told his son he stabbed his wife because “she was divorcing him,” according to court documents.
Meghann M. Cuniff