In brief: Bones found in building may never be identified

Investigators have determined that human bones found in the rubble of a burned building last February belonged to someone between the ages of 18 and 22, but a conclusive identification may be impossible.

The Coeur d’Alene Press reports that a Texas laboratory was unable to recover DNA from the bone fragments, which were found in the rubble of the Sister’s Building on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation after a fire.

Randy Fairbrother said his nephew, 21-year-old Daniel Uhnak, went missing around the time of the fire. Police saw him near the building shortly before the blaze.

FBI agent Kevin Dunton said he thinks the remains are Uhnak’s, but a court order may be needed to return his remains to the family.

Lawmakers propose renaming VA center

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Sen. Patty Murray introduced legislation in both houses of Congress on Thursday to rename the Spokane Veteran Affairs Medical Center in honor of two local recipients of the Medal of Honor.

The facility would be renamed the Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. It would honor Pvt. Joe E. Mann, who died in September 1944 saving fellow soldiers in Holland during World War II by throwing his body on a grenade, and Sgt. Bruce Grandstaff, who died in May 1967 fighting against overwhelming forces to rally and save his men in Vietnam.

Both soldiers are buried at Greenwood Memorial Terrace in Spokane.

MLK outreach center holding essay contest

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with family and overcoming prejudices are among the topics for an essay contest open to grades 3-12 in the Spokane area.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center is offering gift card prizes ranging from $25 to $200.

The categories will be grouped by grade level, 3-4, 5-6, 7-9 and 10-12.

For contest details, visit www.mlkspokane.org.

Submission deadline is Dec. 16; winners will be announced Jan. 4.