Region in brief: Jury finds man guilty in shooting

A Spokane teenager faces a minimum of about 39 years in prison after a jury convicted him Thursday of shooting at two men in a motel parking lot.

Anthony R. Covert, 19, was found guilty of attempted murder, first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault and two weapons charges in a Nov. 7, 2008, shooting at the West Wynn Motel, 2701 W. Sunset Highway in which Shane L. Hagedorn, of Spokane, suffered gunshot wounds to his stomach. The jury of nine women and three men acquitted Covert on an additional first-degree assault charge.

The convictions carry penalty enhancements because Covert used a firearm.

Hagedorn, who was 27 at the time of the shooting, “still doesn’t have full use of his arms, and he’s still in quite a bit of pain,” said Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Dale Nagy.

“As always we’re pleased, particularity for the victims and their families, about the verdict,” Nagy said.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Reward available in cruelty case

The Humane Society of the United States is offering $2,500 for information that leads to the arrest of the person responsible for shooting a dog with a hunting arrow in north Spokane County.

Lucy, a 1-year-old pit bull-terrier mix, was shot in the shoulder with a three-prong razor-tipped arrow between 3 and 10 p.m. last Friday in the neighborhood of Fairview Drive and Overview Drive, according to a news release from the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service.

Lucy underwent surgery to remove the arrow, and a veterinarian said she was lucky to be alive, SCRAPS said.

The shooter could face a first-degree animal cruelty charge, which carries a maximum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Anyone with information about the shooting or about people using razor-tipped arrows to shoot at pets is asked to call (509) 477-2761.

Meghann M. Cuniff

SNAP offering energy assistance

SNAP is accepting appointments for Spokane County residents seeking energy assistance this winter.

Last year, nearly $9 million in energy assistance was distributed to a record 17,820 households, exceeding previous years.

A limited number of slots will be available on the SNAP Web site, www.snapwa.org, where available slots are posted Wednesdays. Qualifica- tion guidelines also are posted there.

The agency is making appointments by phone at (509) 242-2376 on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SNAP recommends using land lines because in past years mobile service providers have blocked energy assistance calls because of high volume.

Callers are urged to be patient and expect to redial the number several times before making a connection.

Kevin Graman