In brief: Truck hits bridge at Flora Road

Sat., Feb. 19, 2011

SPOKANE VALLEY - A truck with an oversized load on Monday hit the Flora Road overpass on westbound I-90 hard enough to rip off a chuck of concrete more than a foot wide and 3 inches deep, according to a report by the Washington State Patrol.

The truck is owned by Conmat Inc. in Hayden Lake.

The Washington State Department of Transportation immediately sent out a crew to inspect the bridge, said DOT Eastern Region spokesman Al Gilson. In addition to checking the integrity of the bridge the crew was also looking for loosened debris that might fall on the road or passing cars.

“The bridge is structurally sound,” Gilson said. “There was some rebar damage.”

Crews will repair the damage soon, Gilson said. As is standard practice, either the truck driver or the company he works for will have to pay the bill.

“We’ll send an invoice out to them,” Gilson said.

Phone scam cons man out of $8,250

SPOKANE VALLEY – If someone ever calls you and says you have won a prize and just have to write them some money to cover “fees,” hang up.

It’s a lesson an elderly Spokane Valley man learned the hard way recently. The 73-year-old resident was called and told he had won $225,000 in the International Winner’s Circle sweepstakes and that he just had to pay some fees to collect his prize, Spokane Valley Police Department spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said in a press release.

The man sent five money orders between Jan. 28 and Feb. 7 totaling $8,250. The thieves called back to request another $1,500, and the man realized it was a scam and called Crime Check, the release said.

The elderly are frequent targets of such scams, and families should help their elderly relatives manage their money wisely, according to the release.

Community hymn sing planned

SPOKANE VALLEY – Berean Bible Church will host a community hymn sing Sunday at 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

There is no charge for admission, but donations will be accepted.

The church is at 10910 E. Boone Ave.

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