In brief: Corn maze reopens after fatal accident

The Incredible Corn Maze in Hauser reopened for business Saturday for the first time since a fatal accident there Oct. 10.

Jeremy T. McSpadden Jr., 18, died after he was run over by a converted school bus that was part of the “Zombie Slayer Bus” attraction. Witnesses told Kootenai County deputies that McSpadden was running toward the slowly moving bus when he tripped and fell in front of the rear wheel.

The zombie bus attraction remains closed.

Members of the media were barred from entering the property Saturday, and a representative of the maze handed out a written statement.

“Everyone is heartbroken and grieving,” the statement said. “We do understand that the maze is a fall tradition for many families in our community, and it is because of that we have decided to reopen. We do however want to ensure that all those in attendance are at ease and able to enjoy their visit to the maze; therefore we respectfully decline all interviews and ask that the media do not enter the maze property.”

A fund has been set up to collect donations for McSpadden’s funeral expenses. Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank under the account “Jeremy T. McSpadden Jr. Memorial Fund.”

Police seek suspect in stand robberies

Spokane police believe two coffee stand robberies reported Friday and Saturday are connected and are looking for a suspect.

The first robbery was reported at 12:40 p.m. Friday at Walnut Street Perk at 1511 W. Third Ave. The second was reported at 12:15 p.m. Saturday at Bare Beans Espresso, 7 W. Pacific Ave. In the second robbery, the robber had a gun tucked in his waistband, witnesses said.

The suspect is described as a black man in his 20s or 30s wearing a beanie hat. In Saturday’s robbery, he was wearing a gray hoodie and riding a bike.

Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to call 911 or Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.