In brief: Midweek snowfall may cover region
Another winter storm, this one bringing the chance of moderate to heavy snowfall, is headed toward the Inland Northwest starting tonight.
Forecasters previously said that there’s a chance 2 to 6 inches could fall in Spokane by Wednesday evening with Coeur d’Alene seeing 3 to 8 inches.
A hazardous weather outlook was issued for Spokane and Coeur d’Alene and areas to the south, while a more serious winter storm watch was in effect for areas north of Deer Park in Spokane County and Garwood in Kootenai County.
Five to 11 inches of snow is possible in areas under the winter storm watch.
The mountains of North Idaho could see 6 to 17 inches. Lighter amounts could fall in the Palouse region.
Cold weather Monday night caused the city of Spokane to activate its warming centers.
Driver dies in crash on I-90 near Stateline
Westbound lanes of Interstate 90 were blocked for several hours Monday evening at Stateline as authorities investigated a fatal auto accident.
The Idaho State Police said an eastbound car crossed the freeway median about 6 p.m., hitting two westbound pickup trucks.
The driver of the car was pronounced dead at an area hospital, according to KHQ News, and the driver of one of the pickups was rushed to a hospital with injuries that weren’t considered life-threatening.
Identities weren’t immediately available Monday night.
A detour was established for westbound traffic.
Fairchild won’t hold Skyfest this year
Fairchild Air Force Base is canceling Skyfest, originally planned for September, but plans to hold the air show sometime in 2013, the base announced this morning.
Budget constraints and “conflicts with other regional air shows” were behind the decision, according to a news release.
Skyfest was originally scheduled to be held Sept. 22 and 23.
Fairchild plans to hold Skyfest next year “on a date to be determined.”
Kirkpatrick loses bid for Phoenix chief
Former Spokane police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick is out of the running for top cop in Arizona’s largest city.
The city of Phoenix announced Monday that four candidates have been selected as finalists for police chief: San Jose Police Chief Robert Davis, Dallas Assistant Police Chief Daniel Garcia, Phoenix Assistant Police Chief Kevin Robinson and acting Phoenix Police Chief Joe Yahner.
Kirkpatrick, who left the Spokane Police Department in early January after more than five years as chief, was one of seven semifinalists for the position who met last week with panels that included 31 business and community leaders.
She also participated in a “meet and greet” with the public, according to a news release.