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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Nation in brief: Rising river puts city in jeopardy

From Wire Reports

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Cumberland River reached its highest level since an early 1960s flood control project was built and continued to rise early today, threatening portions of downtown Nashville.

The National Weather Service said the river is expected to reach its crest sometime this morning.

The forecast calls for a crest of 50 feet, about 10 feet above flood stage. That would lead to some flooding near Nashville’s downtown tourism industry, the train depot and near LP Field, where the Tennessee Titans play.

At least 15 people have died after severe thunderstorms and high winds ripped across Tennessee and northern Mississippi this weekend.

More than 13 inches of rain fell in Nashville over two days.

May Day march turns violent

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Close to 20 businesses were damaged after a May Day protest in downtown Santa Cruz turned violent, requiring police to call other agencies for help, authorities said.

Police spokesman Zach Friend said an estimated 250 people started marching through the city around 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

It was a peaceful but “unpermitted and unsanctioned event,” he said, until some in the crowd started breaking windows and spraying paint on retail shops that line the downtown corridor.

A fire was started in a coffee shop entryway.

Eighteen businesses were damaged, with the cost of repairs estimated at between $50,000 and $100,000. No injuries were reported.

Suspicious device halts marathon

PITTSBURGH – A suspicious device near the finish line of the Pittsburgh Marathon on Sunday prompted police to briefly stop the race after it had begun. The device was disabled and police said it was not believed to have been an actual explosive.

The device, in a small microwave oven, was spotted Sunday morning on the sidewalk next to the Greyhound bus station after the race leaders had finished the course, police Lt. Kevin Kraus said.

“After we witnessed what happened in New York City last night, we took (this) very seriously,” police Chief Nate Harper said.

Kraus said police stopped the 26.2-mile race in the area for 10 to 12 minutes. The competition resumed after the bomb squad used a robot to disable the device and the area was cleared shortly before 11 a.m., he said.