In brief: Early blaze damages garage in West Central

A garage fire in Spokane’s West Central neighborhood early Sunday that caused $10,000 damage is under investigation.

The blaze at 1316 W. Mallon Ave. likely started near a Dumpster next to the garage, said Bruce Moline, a Spokane Fire Department battalion chief. When firefighters responded to the fire just before 4 a.m., the garage was engulfed.

The blaze was doused within 10 minutes, officials said. No one was injured, and no other property was damaged.

“The detached wood frame garage was heavily damaged by fire,” Moline said. “The contents found inside also received heavy fire and smoke damage.”

Motorcyclist’s body found along I-90

A 58-year-old Spokane man was found dead Sunday after he apparently crashed into an overpass abutment with his motorcycle on Interstate 90 near Post Falls sometime overnight.

Thomas McClure was discovered by a passer-by about 6:30 a.m., according to the Idaho State Police. The time the crash occurred is unknown.

McClure’s Honda Gold Wing left the roadway along the right shoulder of westbound I-90, striking the McGuire Road overpass abutment. McClure was not wearing a helmet, police said.

Lobbyist: NRA to push for campus gun rights

POCATELLO, Idaho – A National Rifle Association lobbyist says the gun-rights lobby will attempt to persuade Idaho lawmakers next year to allow people to carry concealed weapons on college campuses without a permit.

The Idaho State Journal reported that Matt Dogali of the NRA said at a meeting at Idaho State University last week that people should be allowed to carry a concealed weapon without a permit and to bring that weapon onto campuses.

Earlier this year lawmakers decided to leave it to university leaders to decide how to regulate firearms.

The House passed a measure that would have prohibited schools from banning firearms anywhere on campus except in undergraduate residence halls, but state senators killed the bill, arguing “there are times and places where guns are not appropriate on campus.”

Idaho’s capital may expand smoking limits

BOISE – Boise officials are considering a smoking ban that will add new restrictions to state laws that already ban smoking in restaurants and most workplaces.

The ordinance to be considered by the City Council on Tuesday would prohibit smoking in bars, home-based businesses, tobacco shops and other places where people gather. The Boise City 2010 Citizen Survey found that about 70 percent of residents think the city should ban smoking in all indoor public places.

Stan Minder owns Hannifin’s Cigar Shop and says customers know what to expect and should be allowed to smoke in the shop.

But some local bars have already gone smoke-free voluntarily in anticipation of a city ban.

City’s potato dish a shot at world record

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – A watched pot never boils, and the saying probably felt true of potatoes as well Saturday as dozens of volunteers tried to break the record for the world’s largest potatoes au gratin in Mount Vernon.

The Guinness World Record attempt started at 9 a.m. downtown, and after hours of stirring, adding ingredients and slaving over the steaming potatoes as crowds gathered to watch, the dish got served up at about 3:30 p.m.

“It’s been drawing a crowd ever since we started,” said volunteer Maggie Potter. “People are curious and interested. One lady wanted to stir so her husband could take a picture. I don’t think she lasted very long.”

Organizers hope the record attempt will showcase just what the Skagit Valley has to offer, with ingredients in the dish coming from within 10 miles. It’s been an incredibly popular project since its inception.

Organizer Karin Springer said Sunday she feels confident the dish broke the record.