Spokane woman wins OCC bike
A Spokane woman was the delighted winner of the Gonzaga University-themed chopper built by the crew of Orange County Choppers during their weekend-long Spokane stay.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Kyla Boucher, 33, who lives on the South Hill.
She and her husband had just arrived home from the event when they received a telephone call telling them they’d won the prize bike, worth about $50,000. “I’m sure my husband will be very excited to drive that.”
Boucher also met the motorcycle builders – Paul Sr., Paulie and Mikey Teutul – stars of the hit reality TV show “American Chopper,” which airs on the Discovery Channel.
The Gonzaga Bike giveaway was the climax of the Orange County Choppers in America 2006 tour stop, which drew thousands of people to the Spokane County fairgrounds over the weekend.
– Alison Boggs
Skyfest attendance tops 125,000
Fairchild Air Force Base played host to more than 125,000 visitors this weekend as aviation enthusiasts descended on Spokane for Skyfest 2006.
Maj. Carol Gering, spokeswoman for the Fairchild-based 92nd Air Refueling Wing, said an estimated 70,000 visitors attended Skyfest on Saturday, with about 55,000 showing up Sunday. The two-day event marked the air show’s return after a one-year hiatus last year.
Featured performers this year included the Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s precision flying team.
– From staff reports
Coeur d’Alene
No one hurt in crash of copter at airport
A helicopter being taken for a test flight crashed Sunday while hovering over the tarmac at the Coeur d’Alene airport.
No one was injured but the 1977 Hughes reportedly was flipped upside down as it slammed to the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration was expected to be on the scene today to take over the investigation, said Kootenai County sheriff’s Lt. Dan Mattos.Two men were in the helicopter when it crashed shortly after 4 p.m. An FAA spokeswoman said heavy winds were reported in the area at the time, but that investigators will conduct a full probe.
“Both pilots walked away uninjured,” Mattos added.
The identities of the pilots were being withheld until the FAA investigators arrive. FAA records show the helicopter is owned by Thomas Robak of Darby, Mont.
– David Wasson
Genesee, Idaho
Blaze hits bar, restaurant
A restaurant in Genesee, Idaho, was destroyed by flames this weekend, according to the Latah County Sheriff’s Office.
Cause of the fire at Hall’s Corner Bar and Brass Lantern Restaurant remained under investigation but witnesses told police they heard an explosion shortly before seeing the building engulfed in flames about 3:30 a.m. Sunday. The building also was home for restaurant owners Randy and Dee Hall.
– From staff reports