In brief: Coeur d’Alene woman dies in crash

A 40-year-old Coeur d’Alene woman was killed Monday morning when her car slid on snow-covered roads and was hit by a pickup truck.

Neta J. Clift, who worked for the West Bonner County School District, was driving north on state Highway 41 near Spirit Lake when she lost control of her 1994 Oldsmobile 88. The vehicle spun into the southbound lane and was hit by a 2004 Dodge pickup driven by Nancy J. Daniel, 49, of Blanchard, Idaho, a news release from the Idaho State Police said.

Clift died at the scene.

Daniel and her passenger, Hailee Daniel, 10, were taken by private vehicle to Kootenai Medical Center, where they were treated and released.

Both people in the Daniel vehicle were wearing seat belts, the release said. Investigators said they hadn’t determined whether Clift was wearing her seat belt.

Clift was an Intensive Behavior Intervention therapist at Priest River Elementary School and Priest River Lamanna High School.

“Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family at this time of loss,” Superintendent Ellen Perconti said.

The district provided support to its staff and students to help them respond to the tragedy, Perconti added.

Spokane to pay $70,000 accident claim

The Spokane City Council on Monday voted unanimously to pay a Spokane woman $70,000 to compensate her for injuries she sustained in a collision with a city garbage truck.

Sheri D. Schneider, 54, was driving her Ford Taurus in the parking lot of Safeway at Shadle Center, 2507 W. Wellesley, on March 21, 2008, when her car was struck by a city of Spokane garbage truck driven by John Enquist, according to a lawsuit filed by Schneider.

Her lawsuit said the crash aggravated “recently repaired knee and hip injuries” and said despite surgery and other medical care that her pain and discomfort “will continue for an indefinite time into the future.”

Schneider’s original claim to the city claimed damages of “not less than $300,000.”

Felts Field event honors nation’s veterans

Veterans were honored Monday in a ceremony at the historic Air National Guard hangar at Felts Field in Spokane Valley.

“All veterans should be thanked for their service, courage and sacrifice,” said Tony DeLateur, an event organizer and president of Honor Point Military and Aerospace Museum.Special recognition was given to injured war veterans. Featured speakers included Spokane Mayor David Condon and Fairchild Air Force Base commander Col. Brian Newberry. Music was provided by the Mt. Spokane High School marching band.

The event included displays of vintage aircraft, military vehicles, historic photos of Felts Field and proposed improvements to the airport.

Two teens killed, three hurt in Seattle

SEATTLE – Seattle police said two teenagers were killed and three others were critically injured when their car crashed into a telephone pole in south Seattle Sunday night.

Detective Renee Witt on Monday said the 16-year-old male driver was killed instantly. A female passenger died of her injuries after being taken to Harborview Medical Center. The three other juveniles were listed in critical or serious condition.

The crash happened just after 8 p.m. Sunday on the 9200 block of 8th Avenue South.

Witt said the driver failed to negotiate a curve, lost control and struck a telephone pole.

The victims’ names have not been released. Police said it’s not known whether alcohol or drugs contributed to the collision.

Police impersonators rob couple

MARYSVILLE, Wash. – Police in Marysville, Wash., said two men impersonating police officers restrained a couple and robbed them in their home.

Cmdr. Rob Lamoureux said the men knocked on the door of the home Sunday morning and identified themselves as police officers. They wore clothing and equipment that led the couple to believe they were law enforcement officers.

He said a stun gun was used on the male victim, but neither victim needed medical help.

The suspects fled the home with an undisclosed amount of cash and two handguns.

Police believe the house was specifically targeted.

Cause of grizzly deaths investigated

JACKSON, Wyo. – Six recent grizzly bear deaths in the Wyoming portion of the Yellowstone ecosystem are being investigated as human-caused.

Because the incidents are being investigated, Wyoming Game and Fish Department officials are revealing few details, but they come at a time when grizzly-hunter encounters are most frequent. The grizzly bear is protected under federal law.

The string marks the 40th through 45th grizzly deaths in the ecosystem this year.

Mark Bruscino, of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, said it is about an average year for grizzly deaths in Wyoming.