Region in brief: Man, 65, with gun shot by deputies
A 65-year-old man suffered multiple gunshot wounds after he confronted Spokane County sheriff’s deputies with a gun.
The man remained hospitalized in serious condition Sunday, authorities said.
About 10:15 p.m. Saturday, two deputies responded to a report of a couple arguing in an apartment at 8910 E. Sprague Ave., said Spokane police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer DeRuwe. When the deputies attempted to talk to the couple, the man confronted them with a handgun. Both officers fired their weapons at the man.
The deputies were not injured, DeRuwe said. They have been relieved of their duties for 72 hours in accordance with standard procedure.
Neither the man nor the deputies have been identified. Spokane police detectives are investigating.
Mail thieves had gun, witness says
A South Hill resident was threatened with a semi-automatic handgun Saturday when he confronted two men about stealing his neighbor’s mail.
After racking a round into the gun’s chamber, one of the men pointed the gun at the resident, and both men ran away, said Spokane police Officer Kevin King. The men were only described as black.
The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. in the 1900 block of West 10th Avenue, King said.
Police tried to track the men with police dogs but were unsuccessful.
Anyone who has information regarding this incident is asked to call (509) 456-2233.
Mine memorial being restored
KELLOGG – A memorial to the people who died at the famed Sunshine Mine in one of America’s deadliest accidents is being restored.
The Sunshine Miners Memorial Statue has a new rust-free exterior and a fresh coat of paint as part of an ongoing restoration project.
Ninety-one miners died at the mine in a May 2, 1972, fire about 3,700 feet underground.
The Shoshone News Press reported that a second phase of restoration at the memorial site will begin next spring, and new headstones will be placed there to represent the 91 miners.
A rest area is also planned for the memorial site.
Medical marijuana dispensary opens
MISSOULA – A medical marijuana dispensary has opened in Missoula.
Montana Pain Management Inc. opened the clinic on South Third Street West earlier this fall.
Rick Rosio, president of the company, became a state-licensed caregiver four years ago and can legally grow as many as six marijuana plants for each of his patients.
Montana is one of 14 states that allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes after voters passed a ballot initiative in 2004.
Rosio says more than 300 patients now obtain their medical marijuana from his clinic, and that a dozen or more are signing up each day.
Group reports bio-breakthrough
MISSOULA – A former University of Montana chemistry professor said he and other scientists have discovered a way to cheaply produce large volumes of glucaric acid, a biodegradable, environment-friendly chemical that has wide applications.
Don Kieky said glucaric acid can be converted into high-value, bio-based chemicals to be used for such things as road salt and detergents. That means glucaric acid products could replace petrochemicals and phosphates that can last for centuries and harm the environment.
“We all have a chance to save the world bit by bit,” Kiely said. “Our contribution to that would be improving water quality. So many harmful chemical products end up in our groundwater and are our major pollutants. But we think we are onto something that could change that.”