In brief: Spokane Valley police respond to three robberies

The Spokane Valley Police Department was stretched thin as officers responded to three robberies early Saturday evening.

The first robbery was reported about 4:40 p.m. at the Walgreens store at Sprague Avenue and Sullivan Road, Deputy Mark Gregory said. The robber was described as a white man 30 to 40 years old wearing a black coat and black gloves with his face covered.

The second call came in about 6:30 p.m. from the Lucky Nails salon, 4808 E. Sprague Ave. The robber was described as a white male 25 to 35 years old, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, wearing a black coat and hat.

The third robbery was reported at 6:50 p.m. at the pharmacy in the Albertsons at state Highway 27 and 32nd Avenue. A man reportedly showed a knife and demanded pills. He was described as a white male in his 30s, about 6 feet tall wearing a dark coat, beanie and a scarf wrapped around his face. He was last seen running south on Highway 27.

No one was injured in the robberies, Gregory said. An investigation is underway to determine if any of them are connected.

Ecology orders burn bans on fireplaces, noncertified stoves

The state Department of Ecology is ordering restrictions on burning in fireplaces and noncertified stoves in 15 counties east of the Cascades starting at 4 p.m. today through 10 a.m. Tuesday.

In addition, the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency ordered the same restrictions, which started Saturday.

The counties affected by the state ban are Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Stevens and Walla Walla.

Outdoor burning also is banned in those counties.

Residents with no other source of heat are exempt from the Stage 1 restrictions.

The National Weather Service said the flow of arctic air from the north will subside and leave a layer of cold air at ground level, allowing pollutants to build through early next week.