Former Mayor West in critical condition
Former Spokane Mayor Jim West’s condition worsened Friday as he battled post-operative complications at a Seattle hospital.
West is listed in critical condition, University of Washington Medical Center spokesman Craig Degginger said Friday. That’s a downgrade from Thursday, when West was listed in serious condition.
The former mayor and longtime state lawmaker has undergone repeated rounds of surgery and chemotherapy since he was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2003. West has been hospitalized in Seattle since July 11 because of post-operative complications involving his kidneys, his attorney Bill Etter said last week.
West was elected mayor of Spokane in 2003. He left office in December after a voter recall triggered by revelations that West abused his office, offering city positions to young men in whom he was sexually interested and using his city computer to solicit young men for dates.
– Richard Roesler
Spokane
Police search for missing man, 73
Spokane police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating an elderly man who disappeared under “very” suspicious circumstances earlier this month.
James F. Ehrgott, 73, is described as 6 feet tall and 190 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes, said Spokane police spokeswoman Officer Teresa Fuller. Ehrgott also wears prescription glasses.
Ehrgott was last seen on July 7 while eating dinner at the Sportsman Café on North Market Street at about 5 p.m., Fuller said. His vehicle, a gold Pontiac Sunfire, was located in Lewis County on July 12 while being driven by a person unknown to Ehrgott’s family.
Anyone with information regarding Ehrgott’s disappearance or whereabouts should call the Spokane Crime Reporting Center at (509) 532-9266. If no one answers at the crime reporting center, call 911.
– Jody Lawrence-Turner
Worley
Woman killed in U.S. 95 collision
A 41-year-old Plummer woman was killed in a head-on collision near Worley early Friday morning.
Hilary F. Zepeda was southbound on U.S. Highway 95 at 3:51 a.m. when she drove her 2002 Ford Taurus off the right shoulder of the highway, overcorrected and struck a 1993 Buick Regal driven by 57-year-old Randy Rich, of Spokane, according to Idaho State Police.
Zepeda died at the scene of the crash, despite attempts by medics to save her, the ISP said.
Rich was taken by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. An 11-year-old passenger in Rich’s car, Caleb Rich, was flown to the hospital by helicopter.
Randy Rich was treated and released, the hospital said. The boy was listed in satisfactory condition Friday evening.
Idaho State Police are investigating the crash.
– Taryn Brodwater