In brief: Spokane auto theft rate highest in state
You’re more likely to lose a car or truck to thieves in Spokane than in any other city statewide, a new study indicates.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s 2014 Hot Spots report shows Spokane suffered from the highest rate of vehicle theft of any Washington city in 2014, and again was among the 10 worst in the country.
Motorists reported 3,032 stolen vehicles in 2014 in Spokane, about 560 for every 100,000 people. That was the sixth-highest rate in the United States, pushing Spokane up from seventh in 2013 despite a 5.4 percent drop in the number of vehicle thefts reported last year.
The rate was slightly lower in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area, which reported 20,268 stolen vehicles, about 552 for every 100,000 people. Next on the Washington list was Yakima, followed by Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Longview, Mount Vernon, Bremerton-Silverdale, Olympia-Tumwater, Walla Walla and Lewiston.
Bouncer at Globe Bar and Grill injured in fight with customer
A bouncer at the Globe Bar and Grill broke three vertebrae in a fight with an unruly customer this weekend.
Jason Hogan was removing a patron from the bar on Friday. As he turned around to go back into the bar, the man attacked him from behind and locked his arms around Hogan’s neck, according to witnesses.
The two fell to the ground and Hogan hit his head. He was taken to the emergency room, where doctors determined he’d broken three vertebrae in his neck.
James Fountain, co-owner of the Globe, said Hogan is about 80 percent paralyzed, but doctors are optimistic. Hogan is conscious and able to speak, according to Fountain.
“They have high hopes for him,” Fountain said. “He’s a strong dude. He’s a tough guy. If anyone can rehabilitate from it he can.”
Hogan has a GoFundMe page requesting $100,000. Fountain said there will be numerous community events and fundraisers.
Fountain said he expected Hogan to press charges against his alleged assailant.
Truck carrying hives overturns on I-90; 2 million honeybees die
About 2 million honeybees perished in Sunday’s semitrailer wreck on Interstate 90 in Coeur d’Alene.
The truck, from Belleville Honey and Beekeeping Supply in Burlington, Washington, was hauling about 400 hives to Montana when the rear trailer swayed and overturned in the eastbound lanes near the East Sherman Avenue interchange, Idaho State Police Sgt. Jonelle Greear said.
The hives spilled onto the freeway, releasing swarms of agitated bees in 105-degree heat. State police and Spokane Fire Department responders were stung repeatedly, and firefighters sprayed water on the bees to try to calm the swarm, Greear said.
Firefighters then sprayed the hives with foam to kill the remaining bees so the mess could be loaded for disposal, she said.
“There’s some in the wind out there,” Greear said. “They’re still flying around today.”
The wreck happened at 1:46 p.m. and blocked one eastbound lane until 9 p.m. The driver was not cited.
Belleville lost an estimated 10 million bees in April when a semitrailer overturned on Interstate 5 north of Seattle.
Two attic fires in north Spokane blamed on electrical malfunctions
Electrical malfunctions started attic fires in two Spokane homes late Sunday. No injuries were reported.
Firefighters cut through wired lath in the ceiling to contain a fire to the attic space above the kitchen at 1218 E. Walton Ave. It appears the fire was caused by electrical wiring and a ceiling fan, the Spokane Fire Department said.
Damage was estimated at $10,000.
A fire at 2601 E. Illinois Ave., reported at 6:27 p.m., also was in the attic and also appeared to be electrical in nature. It caused an estimated $25,000 in damage to the attic and from smoke.
Sisters suspected of shoplifting, assaulting store’s employees
Twin sisters are suspected of stealing merchandise from the General Store and then assaulting employees who were trying to stop them, according to authorities.
Jackee and Jamee Stearns, who are 26, were observed shoplifting by a General Store employee who followed them out of the store, according to court documents.
Jackee threw a full Gatorade bottle at the store employee, striking her in the head, according to court documents.
Another General Store employee came to assist and was punched in the face by Jamee, who then yelled. “We have a gun,” according to court papers.
Jackee had a red paint marker, which cost $4.23, in her purse. Her sister had a lighter leash, valued at $7.98, in her purse, according to court papers. Jackee is jailed on a $50,000 bond. Jamee has not been charged.
Motorcyclist suffers broken leg when run over by minivan
A motorcyclist suffered a broken leg after being run over by a minivan Saturday evening near the intersection of West Sprague Avenue and South Browne Street, according to police.
Both the motorcycle and the rider became stuck under the minivan driven by 43-year-old Eduardo Hernandez-Sanchez, witnesses told police. Hernandez-Sanchez tried to dislodge the motorcycle and rider. After the rider came free, Hernandez-Sanchez drove forward over the motorcycle in an attempt to flee, police said. He was stopped by nearby witnesses and police arrested him.
Lake Roosevelt campers warned of danger from rising water levels
The Bureau of Reclamation is alerting anyone who plans to camp along Lake Roosevelt over the holiday weekend to be aware of potential dangers from rising lake levels. The reservoir above Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River is about 90 miles west of Spokane.
“When camping along the shoreline, we recommend that tents and other belongings be kept well away from the water’s edge,” said Lynne Brougher, a Reclamation spokeswoman. “The lake is continuing to fill from the spring drawdown.”
Each year Lake Roosevelt is lowered in late winter to make space for capturing spring runoff. On Friday the lake level is anticipated to be in the range of 1,285 to 1,286.5 feet above sea level. Throughout the weekend it could rise another half foot per day. The full pool elevation is 1,290 feet above sea level.
Campsites too close to the water’s edge could become flooded. Boats should be anchored or tied securely to the shoreline to avoid having them drift out into the lake and become a safety hazard.