In brief: Two free sessions offered on college financial aid

College-bound students who submit federal financial aid forms early have a better chance of receiving money.

Spokane Falls Community College and North Central High School will offer free help to students and their families applying for such aid.

A session will be held in NC’s library at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, at 1600 N. Howard St. Help also will be available on Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. in the student union building at SFCC, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive.

Assistance is also available by calling the federal government helpline at (800) 4-FED-AID.

Copper wire, tools stolen from Avista storage site

Someone stole more than $5,000 worth of tools and copper wire from an Avista Utilities storage site in Spokane Valley early Wednesday.

Employees at 2400 N. Dollar Road believe the thief or thieves cut a padlock from a gate and backed a vehicle into the lot, then removed more than $3,000 in items from five Avista work trucks using a wheelbarrow.

Bouten Construction, which also stored items at the site, lost several power tools valued at about $2,000.

Based on the amount of snow accumulated in footprints at the scene, police believe the break-in occurred sometime between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Spokane Valley Police Department.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.