Region in brief: Home health worker reported chemicals

A home health care provider turned in a suspected Spokane Valley bomb maker after spotting packages of unusual liquids in his mail.

The woman said John D. Raymond “expressed great bitterness” over his recent divorce and had been researching bombs on the Internet, according to a search warrant filed Tuesday in Spokane County Superior Court.

“She became more alarmed when he mentioned to her that he could hide materials on his wheelchair and no one would notice,” according to the warrant. Detectives on Monday seized a jar of suspected triacetone triperoxide, an explosive known as TATP, from Raymond’s home at at the Oakwood Club Apartments, 726 N. McDonald Road.

Detectives also found acetone, hydrogen peroxide and glass beakers, among other items.

Raymond is in Spokane County Jail on one count of unlawful possession or manufacturing of an incendiary device.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Pair of robbers tie woman to wheelchair

A Bonner County woman was awakened early Wednesday by two people who tied her up and robbed her, authorities said.

Cynthia White was reportedly asleep on her couch when the robbers entered, forced her into her wheelchair and tied her to it about 3:50 a.m. in the Cedar View Estates area south of Oldtown, according to the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office.

In a press release, sheriff’s Lt. Doug Harris said the robbers searched the house for prescription drugs and did not injure White, who has physical disabilities. The robbers untied the woman before leaving, the release said.

Anyone with information about the case should call Bonner County sheriff’s investigators at (208) 263-8417, ext. 3051, or (208) 265-5525.

Staff reports

Lift tickets for $7 among ski discounts

Area ski resorts are luring post-holidays skiers with special events and deals. Among the offerings this week:

•Silver Mountain – $7 lift tickets today to celebrate “Jackass Day,” marking the ski area’s 42nd anniversary. The ski area originally was called Jackass Ski Bowl, because of the mountain’s mining history, although some say it refers to the engineers who designed the mountain’s treacherous original access road.

•49 Degrees North – Winterfest, Saturday and Sunday, featuring telemark ski racing and hill-climbing events on the downhill slopes plus snowshoeing and cross-country events and activities that run day and night.

•Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park – Learn-to-ski package through January, includes lift ticket, rentals and a two-hour group lesson for $69.

•Schweitzer Mountain – Overnight accommodations discounted 30 percent for three nights or more through Tuesday.

Staff reports