In brief: Cell tower near ski resort collapses in high winds

A cell tower collapsed in high winds Saturday morning on the summit of Chewelah Peak just outside the boundary of 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort, near Chewelah, Wash. No one was hurt.

The tower collapsed when wind gusts hit a reported 70 mph, ski resort officials said.

A groomer operator reported the collapse of the 40-foot tower, which smashed through the roof of an adjacent building containing transmission equipment.

Also Saturday, the ski area lost power at 9:48 a.m. due to a tree that fell across a power line 6 miles away. Power was restored at 11:35 a.m. and ski operations continued, the resort said.

Today honors Marine who died in Afghanistan

Spokane Mayor David Condon has declared today “Sgt. Jacob M. Hess Day” in honor of the fallen Marine and aircraft mechanic who attended North Central High School. A public memorial service is scheduled for Hess this afternoon.

A proclamation to be read at tonight’s City Council meeting states, “Sergeant Hess was a Spokane native whose bright spirit brought joy to those around him, both here and abroad, and we, as a community, must take this opportunity to honor this young Marine and his family.”

Hess, 22, died Jan. 1 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force based in Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Hess, who was married, graduated from North Central High School in 2009 and joined the Marines the following year. Condon knows Hess’ mother through her work at the Red Cross.

Today’s memorial service, open to the public, will be held at 1 p.m. at Life Center Foursquare Church, 1202 N. Government Way, in Spokane.

Utility trailer on I-90 destroyed by fire

An enclosed utility trailer carrying three snowmobiles was destroyed by a fire on Interstate 90 west of Stateline on Sunday afternoon.

Fire crews and the Washington State Patrol responded to the fire, reported at 4:38 p.m. 6 miles east of Spokane Valley city limits. The trailer, which was towed by a pickup truck, was engulfed in flames, the WSP said.

The right westbound lane of I-90 was blocked for almost two hours.