In brief: Painkiller taken in store robbery

A gunman robbed a South Hill pharmacy of OxyContin on Friday.

The robber pulled a semi-automatic pistol from his waistband and pointed it at employees at the Albertsons at 57th and Regal just after 9 a.m., then fled westbound from the store with the powerful prescription painkiller, a Spokane County sheriff’s spokesman said.

The robber ran south along the west side of Regal before a white car picked him up.

The gunman was described as white, in his late 20s or early 30s, 6 feet tall or slightly taller, according to a police news release. He had “bright blue eyes” and wore a gray, hooded sweatshirt with the hood up and a piece of dark fabric across his face, along with blue, baggy jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Check at (509)456-2233. View surveillance photos of the robber and the suspected getaway car at www. spokesman.com/blogs/sirens.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Initiative spending tops $6.6 million

More than $6.6 million was spent to collect signatures for the six initiatives voters will likely decide in November.

The state Public Disclosure Commission released its report on initiative spending Friday.

Of the six initiatives, four have been officially qualified for the ballot. Verification of signatures on the remaining two should be wrapped up by early next week.

The initiatives would roll back new tax hikes on pop, candy and other products; require a two-thirds majority vote of the Legislature or voter approval to raise taxes; privatize the state government monopoly on liquor sales and distribution; impose an income tax on the state’s wealthiest residents; and allow private workers’ compensation insurance.

Associated Press

Drivers injured in U.S. 195 crash

Two people were injured in a crash Friday on U.S. Highway 195 about 10 miles south of Spokane.

Susan R. Forster, 51, of Cheney, was eastbound on Paradise Road approaching the highway at 2:50 p.m. She failed to yield the right of way, according to the Washington State Patrol, and crashed her 2004 Honda Pilot into a pickup driven by Delores A. Lynch, 72, of Spokane. Lynch was southbound on the highway when the cars collided in the southbound lanes, police said.

No charges will be filed, the WSP said.

Forster and Lynch were transported to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, and both were in satisfactory condition Friday evening, a nursing supervisor said.

Staff reports