In brief: Woman with gun robs credit union
A woman with a gun robbed a Spokane Valley credit union Thursday, police said.
The woman stole money from the Progressions Credit Union, 1507 N. Pines Road, about 3:30 p.m. after displaying a black pistol, according to a news release.
She was last seen entering the Willowbrook apartment complex at 12202 E. Maxwell, police said.
The woman is described as white, 25 to 30 years old, of “average height and weight” and with long blond curly hair or a blond curly wig, police said.
She wore a blue bandanna over her hair, a gray sweatshirt, blue sweatpants, gloves, white running shoes and sunglasses. A witness said the woman ran southbound through the apartment complex.
Anyone with information is asked call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.
Firefighters safe; home destroyed
Three firefighters escaped serious injury Thursday after being buried in debris when a porch roof collapsed during a structure fire in northeast Spokane.
Spokane Fire Department firefighters responded to flames at 1908 E. Wellesley Ave. about 3:15 a.m.
Initially two people were reported trapped inside, but the homeowners were later found to be out of town, officials said
The fire spread to the attic, weakening the home’s structure, forcing firefighters to withdraw. Shortly after, a porch roof collapsed, trapping three firefighters, who were quickly rescued. One firefighter was treated for minor back injury, and the others were not injured, officials said.
The home was a total loss.
Pharmacist deters OxyContin robber
A pharmacy employee foiled a robbery Thursday after refusing to hand over drugs, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Police are looking for a white man in his early 20s who fled the Wandermere Rite Aid, 12120 N. Division St., after witnesses say he handed employees a note demanding OxyContin and methadone.
“Not seeing a weapon, the employee chose to withhold the drugs,” said Sgt. Dave Reagan in a news release.
“The suspect demanded the drugs again, but fled the store when the employee stood his ground.”
The would-be robber fled north on Highway 395 in a red car. He’s described as 5-foot-9 with a thin build, dark hair and pockmarked face. He wore a black, long-sleeved shirt, a black baseball cap with a flat bill, and dark pants.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.
EWU trustees approve job cuts
Eastern Washington University will eliminate 119 jobs to cover a $26 million budget reduction over the next two years.
The Cheney school’s board of trustees on Thursday approved those decisions.
Nearly half of the jobs to be eliminated are already vacant.
Trustees also approved a tuition increase of $640 a year for state residents. But with annual tuition of $5,340, Eastern remains the cheapest four-year college in the state.
Trustees approved a $204 million operating budget.