In brief: Alleged threats at tire shop lead to arrest

Police arrested a 62-year-old man suspected of threatening a downtown tire shop employee with a knife over a bill Friday and then ramming his car through a garage door and speeding away.

Francis Klozar faces charges of robbery and malicious mischief. Witnesses said Klozar brandished a large sheath containing what they believed was a knife and saying he needed his car, according to court documents.

An employee told police Klozar, who frequents the Troy’s Tires shop at 817 W. Third Ave., dropped his car off for $1,000 worth of repairs Thursday. When he arrived Friday he handed over just $150, and the employee told Klozar they would not be releasing his car. Another worker attempted to call 911 when Klozar pulled out the sheath, according to court documents. Klozar held the sheath to his neck, saying he wasn’t going to call anyone, the employee said.

Klozar grabbed his keys then drove his car through a shop door, witnesses said. Police later arrested him.

Lookout ski expansion meetings set

The U.S. Forest Service will host three public meetings this month on a proposed expansion of Lookout Pass Ski Area, which operates under a Forest Service special-use permit on the Idaho-Montana border.

Lookout Pass wants to upgrade and develop new ski lifts, develop more ski terrain, expand parking and access roads, and upgrade guest facilities.

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests and Lolo National Forest are preparing an environmental impact statement for the project to disclose the anticipated environmental effects of the proposal.

The public can ask questions or submit comments on the proposal during the meetings: April 22 at the Black Diamond Ranch in De Borgia, Mont.; April 23 at the Wallace Inn; and April 24 at the Coeur d’Alene Forest Supervisor’s Office, 3815 Schreiber Way. Each meeting will be 5-7 p.m.

Comments will be accepted through May 5. Email them to comments-northern-idpanhandle-coeur-dalene@fs.fed.us; submit them online at www.fs.fed.us/nepa/ fs-usda-pop.php?project=43757; or fax them to (503) 224-1851.

Police chase driver through Pullman

Pullman police arrested a 53-year-old woman accused of driving 90 mph through town Monday night, sideswiping cars and causing a rollover accident that knocked out power to the north part of town.

Cheryl A. Bynum, of Clarkston, has a suspended license and multiple drunken driving convictions, according to Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers.

Several cars had to dodge her speeding 1999 Chevrolet van, according to a city of Pullman news release. One car lost control, rolled about 30 feet and hit a power pole that brought down lines. The driver was not injured. A motorist whose vehicle was sideswiped by Bynum reported an injured passenger.

“It’s a miracle that no one was killed,” Pullman police Officer Aaron Breshears said after assessing the damage.

Bezos family gives cancer center big gift

SEATTLE – The family of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is donating $20 million to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

The Seattle cancer center said the money will be used to support development of novel cancer immunotherapies. The work involves using genetically modified human T cells to treat cancer.

The center said the gift is the largest single contribution in its history. Mike Bezos said the family has been impressed by results for patients with leukemia and lymphoma and wants to help scientists apply their work to other kinds of cancer.

The research will focus on solid-tumor cancers, including those of the lung, ovaries, pancreas and colon.

The center’s director, Larry Corey, said the donation comes at a pivotal time, when scientists are getting indications that immunotherapy will be effective for a broader range of cancers.