Region in brief: Avista contributes low-income help
Avista Utilities contributed $200,000 to energy assistance for low-income residents in Washington and Idaho through its Project Share Fund, the corporation announced.
The fund, which is managed through SNAP and other social service agencies, also is funded through donations made by employees and Avista customers. Last winter, more than $700,000 was contributed.
SNAP spokesman Ron Hardin said that since Oct. 25, SNAP has distributed more than $560,000 in energy assistance to 3,080 households in the Spokane area.
“Loss of jobs and catastrophic illnesses have caused many people to get behind,” Hardin said. “Many of them have received shut-off notices.”
Police seek assistance solving vehicle thefts
Surveillance photos could help solve what authorities describe as a surge in vehicle thefts in the city. Two photos released Tuesday show a man in a puffy coat and another man in a coat with the hood up.
Police think they’re responsible for vehicle thefts in northeast Spokane and are looking for help identifying them.
The rate of auto thefts is the highest it has been in 2009, with more than 60 cars reported stolen in one week last month, police said. Since the beginning of August, auto thefts in Spokane have risen from about 20 a week, statistics show.
The pictures are on The Spokesman-Review’s Sirens and Gavels blog at spokesman.com/ blogs/sirens.
Anyone with information on the men can call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.
Video shows robber brandished rifle
The person who robbed a convenience store Sunday night on the edge of Browne’s Addition wore what appears to be a gas mask and carried a rifle, video released Tuesday shows.
The 9 p.m. robbery at Sunset Grocery lasted about a minute, with the rifle-toting robber stuffing cash into a green bag and ordering the clerk to fetch packs of cigarettes and a few lottery cards. The robber stuffed the goods in the bag before fleeing.
View the video online at the Sirens and Gavels blog at spokesman.com/ blog/sirens.
The culprit was described as in his mid-30s, having a medium build, and wearing a green or gray hooded sweatshirt and camouflage pants. Anyone with information can call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.
Post Falls boat ramp set to close Friday
The Post Falls boat ramp in Q’emiln Park is expected to close for the season Friday.
The ramp on the Spokane River, upstream of Avista Utilities’ dam, usually closes in mid-November because of weather conditions and dropping water levels, an Avista news release said.
The launch must remain closed for safety reasons whenever water is spilled through the gates of the dam, which occurs from fall through spring. The ramp will reopen in late spring or early summer, depending on inflow to Lake Coeur d’Alene, the release said.
Avista’s annual drawdown of Lake Coeur d’Alene will result in Spokane River levels above the dam of about 3 feet below summer elevations by Friday. Levels might drop by as much as 5 more feet by the end of January, the release said.
For more information about elevation changes on Lake Coeur d’Alene, Lake Spokane – also known as Long Lake – or the Spokane River, call (208) 769-1357 in Idaho or (509) 495-8043 in Washington.
Car hits man crossing street against light
A 20-year-old man was injured Tuesday when he attempted to cross a busy Spokane Valley street against a green light and was hit by a car.
Andrew B. Ward-White, 20, attempted to cross Pines Road at Mission Avenue about 3 p.m., when he was struck by a southbound 2004 Chrysler Pacifica driven by 33-year-old Monica A. Swanson, the Washington State Patrol said.
Ward-White was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. He was crossing the street against traffic signals and was cited for a pedestrian violation, WSP said. Swanson was not cited.
High school fights lead to investigations
Two fights at Rogers High School last week led to one student being injured; eight students were disciplined.
The student who was hurt was treated at a hospital and released, said Terren Roloff, Spokane Public Schools spokeswoman. Two students were temporarily expelled while the district investigates the incidents to determine their final discipline.
The first fight involved two boys and four bystanders inside the school, Roloff said. The second involved two female students outside the school. Both fights occurred last Thursday.
No criminal charges have been filed, Roloff said.