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

In brief: Crash kills man on Highway 195

From Staff Reports

A two-vehicle crash six miles south of Spokane killed a 57-year-old man Monday.

Nickolas L. Leitz, of Spokane, died when he tried crossing U.S. Highway 195 from Mullen Hill Road in a 1995 Subaru and was struck in the southbound lane at 12:14 p.m. by a 1998 Dodge pickup towing a flat-bed trailer.

The pickup’s driver, Wendall K. Antell, 41, of Lapwai, Idaho, was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

Leitz was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

Salvation Army asks for help

With just three days left in the annual Red Kettle fundraising campaign, the Salvation Army of Spokane is $45,000 short of its goal of $300,000.

This year the nonprofit organization raised its target $50,000 over last year because of greater need in the community, said Capt. Kyle Smith, of the Salvation Army.

As of Monday, the amount collected by bell-ringers was $255,000.

Smith asked that donors dig “just a little deeper” to help the charity reach its goal by the end of the day on Christmas Eve. Proceeds are used for local charitable services of the Salvation Army.

Boys ranch wants lid on abuse trials

Attorneys for Morning Star Boys’ Ranch have filed a motion in Spokane County Superior Court to prevent anyone involved with the upcoming sex abuse cases from discussing the litigation outside of court.

The first of 19 separate lawsuits against the residential facility for troubled boys, that of former resident Kenneth Putnam, is scheduled for trial on Jan. 4.

The request for a gag order will be among several motions Judge Kathleen O’Connor will hear as the case gets under way.

The motion was filed Thursday by Spokane attorneys James King, Robert Sestero and Christopher Kerley, representing the ranch. Seattle attorney Timothy Kosnoff, representing Putnam and 14 other plaintiffs, said he will oppose the motion.

CdA resident to sign books

Local historian and author Larry Strobel will sign copies of his book, “When the Mill Whistle Blew,” from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Angel Gallery, 423 Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene.

The book chronicles events in North Idaho from 1888 to 1955, when many of the region’s residents earned paychecks by working in the timber industry.

Angel Gallery is owned by Pat Kovatch, a former logging contractor.