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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Carbon monoxide puts four in hospital

Three adults and an infant were hospitalized Thursday for carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Spokane Valley Fire Department.

Valley firefighters had responded to a “general sickness” medical call on East Eastland Road in Otis Orchards and were treating a 21-year-old woman when their carbon monoxide monitor sounded an alarm. The alarm is mounted on the crew’s medical equipment, Assistant Fire Marshal Bill Clifford said.

Firefighters initially thought the monitor was malfunctioning and reset it. When it went off again, they took it outside to reset it. The alarm sounded for a third time when the detector was brought back in the house.

The firefighters immediately began treating the three adults and the baby for carbon monoxide poisoning, Clifford said. All four were taken to hospitals for further treatment and are expected to recover, he said.

Avista was investigating the source of the carbon monoxide, which tests showed was at “uninhabitable” levels inside the residence, Clifford said.

Man who fled police charged in burglary

Coeur d’Alene police interrupted an alleged burglar’s plans to return to the store he broke into for more loot Wednesday.

According to police, an officer tried to stop 28-year-old Shane Amaral shortly after 10 p.m. in the 1100 block of Indiana Avenue. Amaral fled after the officer told him to exit the vehicle, leading police on a short pursuit.

He jumped from the moving vehicle in the 800 block of 22nd Place and the vehicle crashed into a fence in a nearby yard. He ran up a hill and jumped a fence onto Interstate 90, but was taken into custody near the 1300 block of East Wallace Avenue.

Amaral had marijuana and paraphernalia on his person, as well as silver dishware and candlesticks in his vehicle, police said. Amaral allegedly told police he had just burglarized Cisco’s Antique Store at 1147 Sherman Ave. and said he planned to return to the store that evening to pick up other items he left near the back door.

Amaral, who was treated for minor injuries sustained when jumping the fence, has a history of arrest for grand theft, reckless driving and probation violations, police said. He faces charges of burglary, eluding and possession of a controlled substance.

Nativity scenes on view in Moscow

A collection of more than 400 Nativity scenes from around the world will be on display in Moscow, Idaho, on Wednesday through Dec. 9.

Nativities Around the World includes scenes crafted from native materials and representing different interpretations of the birth of Christ. They are on loan from area families, mostly in Latah and Whitman counties.

The displays can be viewed for free at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 165 S. Blaine St., in Moscow on Wednesday through Dec. 7, 6 to 9 p.m., and Dec. 8 and 9, noon to 9 p.m.

Information: www.moscownativity.org.

Suspected intruder held by homeowners

A knife-wielding man suspected of breaking into a Spokane home Wednesday night and stabbing the family’s dog is in custody after the homeowners, with help from a neighbor, subdued the alleged intruder until police arrived.

Roger “Lucky” Mendenhall, 42, was booked into the Spokane County Jail and could face charges of burglary, assault and cruelty to animals, according to the Spokane Police Department. Mendenhall suffered a cut to his buttocks during a struggle with the home’s residents and spent the night at a Spokane hospital, then was transferred to the jail Thursday morning, police said.

The dog is in critical condition with a stab wound at an emergency pet clinic, police said.

Officers were summoned to the home shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday after the residents found a man inside their bedroom holding a knife. A struggle ensued, police said, and the intruder fled to the front yard before a neighbor tackled him. Officers arrived and took the suspect into custody.