In brief: Rape suspect may be heading to Oregon

A rape suspect wanted by Coeur d’Alene police may be traveling to Florence, Ore., authorities announced Monday.

Scott Patrick Giordano, 30, was reported to be in a 1973 GMC truck, but police located that vehicle. Its owner said he gave Giordano a ride but didn’t let him borrow the truck.

Giordano may be with his girlfriend, Grace Emery, and their 3-month-old baby.

He is accused of raping a 17-year-old girl Wednesday at a home in the 800 block of Mullan Avenue. The victim said she was sleeping when the attack occurred, according to a police report.

Giordano is a friend of her family, police said. He is from Arizona but has a criminal history in Kootenai County dating back to 1999.

Anyone with information on his location is asked to call Coeur d’Alene police at (208) 769-2320.

Trapped semitruck stalls traffic for hours

A semitruck became wedged underneath a railroad overpass at Helena Street south of Trent Avenue Monday, blocking traffic for much of the day.

An 11-foot-8-inch tall All States Transport semitruck was northbound on Helena about 1:30 p.m. and attempted to drive under the 11-foot-8-inch railroad trestle, according to the Spokane Police Department. The truck’s cargo was off-loaded before it was pulled out from under the trestle.

Train traffic also was suspended while BNSF Railway Co. inspected the trestle.

Woman hospitalized following attack

A Post Falls woman was in critical condition at Kootenai Medical Center on Monday after being hit on the head in what police believe was an act of domestic violence.

Officers responding to a disturbance at 2595 N. Bradley Drive about 8 p.m. Sunday discovered the woman unconscious and bleeding in the front hallway.

William F. Gardner III, 53, was arrested by Post Falls police and booked into the Kootenai County Jail on suspicion of aggravated battery. He is being held on a $500,000 bond.

Police ask that anyone with information about the altercation contact (208) 773-3517 or the Tip Line at (208) 777-COPS.

Vacant home thefts prompt Realtor aid

A $1,500 reward is being offered for tips that solve a burglary ring that preys on vacant homes.

Crime Stoppers already had offered a reward for tips that help solve 23 burglaries in Spokane Valley in which kitchen appliances were stolen from vacant homes.

Now the Spokane Association of Realtors has pitched in to increase the amount of cash available for tipsters.

Police say the thief first steals the real estate lockbox from the front door of the vacant home that contains the key, then returns with a truck to steal the range and refrigerator.

“The boxes are designed to be difficult to break open, so the thief does that elsewhere,” according to a February Crime Stoppers news release.

Anyone with information on the burglaries is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS or submit tips online at www.crimestoppers inlandnorthwest.org.

Oregon congressman faces challenger

BEAVERTON, Ore. – An Oregon congressman who has acknowledged inappropriate behavior during the 2010 election campaign will face a primary challenge in the next election.

State Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian said Monday he will seek the party’s nomination in 2012, taking on Democratic Rep. David Wu, who has been battling media reports about erratic behavior that led several key staff members to quit.

Avakian, 40, refrained from directly criticizing Wu, but his remarks hinted at a campaign message that will question the incumbent’s leadership and representation.

“Some of the challenges that we have been facing as a nation and a state require more than showing up to give what might be a good vote for the progressives,” Avakian told dozens of cheering supporters at a Portland Community College campus in Beaverton.

Wu has acknowledged taking a painkiller from a campaign donor despite an allergy to an enzyme found in many drugs. He also acknowledged sending staff members photos of himself wearing a tiger costume.

Wu has said he’s “in a good place now” after being treated with medication and counseling after campaign antics that he’s blamed on stress.