In brief: Man hit, killed by car on U.S. Highway 2

A Hayden man was killed Monday when a car struck him in the roadway of U.S. Highway 2 at Davenport, Wash., the Washington State Patrol said.

Howard H. Kuenzi, 64, was on foot when the accident occurred at 7 p.m.

He was struck by a westbound 2007 Jeep Cherokee driven by Sharon A. Rutter, 66, of Creston, Wash., who was not injured and who was wearing a seat belt, troopers said.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. No charges were issued.

Mike Prager

Apartment fire displaces residents

Seven people were displaced when fire damaged their apartment building Tuesday.

When Spokane Valley firefighters arrived at the Manor Vale Apartments at 10101 E. Main Ave. about 9:30 a.m., they saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the first and second floors and requested additional crews, according to a news release.

No one was injured in the fire, which firefighters had under control in about 16 minutes, the release said. One cat was rescued.

Two units sustained heavy fire damage that displaced four tenants. Three tenants from two adjoining units were displaced because of poor air quality but may be allowed to return today.

Investigators determined the fire was caused by combustible items being placed too close to a heater, the release said. The estimated damage will likely surpass $100,000.

Chelsea Bannach

Not guilty plea

to arson, sex charges

A man charged with setting his mobile home on fire by using a can of spray paint as an impromptu flame thrower pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of first-degree arson and a sex crime.

David W. Jewell, 40, pleaded not guilty to both charges and was given a trial date of April 25.

Spokane County sheriff’s deputies responded Feb. 16 to Jewell’s home, 34124 N. Newport Highway No. 10 to investigate a report of a sexual assault, according to court records.

When they arrived, they watched as Jewell set fire to the mobile home with a can of spray paint and a lighter. The deputies got Jewell outside and extinguished the fire, which burned the underside of cabinets in the kitchen and window blinds.

Thomas Clouse