Preparations begin for fallen aircrew memorial

Friday, May 10th, 2013, 6:42pm

As airmen in Kyrgyzstan paid their final respects to three fallen Fairchild aviators Thursday, the remains of those personnel killed in a KC-135 tanker crash are on their way back to the United States.

The bodies of Captains Mark "Tyler" Voss and Victoria "Tori" Pinckney along with Tech Sergeant Herman "Tre" Mackey will be returning to the United States, touching down at Dover Air Force Base. All three are likely aboard a C-17 heading for Dover, although right now only the family of Captain Pinckney has agreed to allow the media to witness her arrival and dignified transfer.

Volunteer airmen practice twice a week for their duty as carriers and will move Pinckney from her aircraft to a military hearse that will take her on to the Dover mortuary.

If any of the aircrew's family wishes to attend the transfer they can overnight at a special residence called the Fisher Home. Tech Sergeant Latersa Frazier at Dover AFB helps grieving loved ones get through the ordeal.

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Transit Center honors fallen heroes

Submitted by KXLY Web Staff

Friday, May 10th, 2013, 11:32am

Friend and colleague. Mentor and role model. Son and daughter. Husband and wife. Mother and father. Airman and hero. These were just some of the words used to describe three fallen warriors.

Service members gathered for a memorial service May 9, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas to honor and pay respect to Capt. Mark T. "Tyler" Voss, Capt. Victoria A. "Tori" Pinckney, and Tech. Sgt. Herman "Tre" Mackey III.

The three Airmen perished May 3, 2013, when their KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in northern Kyrgyzstan. All three were deployed to the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing's 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"The loss of these great Airmen is a tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and Team Fairchild during this extremely difficult time," said Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Creager, 376 AEW command chief. "They were 'Liberandos,' warriors who gave their lives defending freedom, and I was extremely proud to see how the Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines of the Transit Center responded and assisted in the search and recovery.

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Kyra Wine defies the odds

Submitted by KXLY Web Staff

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 7:11pm

In 2008, three-year-old Kyra Wine became the victim of the worst case of child abuse in Benewah County history, her injuries so severe doctor's amputated her feet. Now, five years later, she's an active, happy eight-year-old girl.

The abuse Kyra and her sister Amanda endured is heartbreaking and unimaginable but now they are thriving.

"Every birthday, yeah, every birthday is special," Kyra's grandma, Deanna Wine said.

For her eighth birthday, Kyra didn't ask for anything special.

"I just let them get whatever they want," Kyra said.

Making the gifts on her grandma's kitchen table an even bigger surprise; a birthday is always a big deal when you're a kid, but when you're Kyra, each candle carries more than a wish. They're a symbol of survival, a light of hope.

"When this all happened with Kyra the doctors said that basically she had hours," Deanna said. "If she hadn't been taken to the hospital she had just hours to live."

On June 17, 2008 Benewah County Sheriff's deputies responded to a home for a welfare check on Kyra, then three-years-old, and her six-year-old sister Amanda. They couldn't have found them any sooner.

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Fire burning on Sunset Hill

Submitted by KXLY Web Staff

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 6:03pm

Spokane firefighters are responding to a fire burning in the 3500 block of W. 17th Avenue on the Sunset Hill.

The fire is burning south of Finch Arboretum across from Interstate 90.

Spokane Fire is reporting that the fire is approximately two acres in size and there are reports that the fire may have been human caused. Witnesses reported hearing chainsaws before the fire started.

At the fire scene, trees can be seen down on power lines. Avista initially reported that there were 2,000 people without power on the West Plains due to trees down on power lines. As of 5:45 p.m. only 406 remained without power.

Fire crews will be on the scene for about an hour and a half to make sure the fire is knocked down.

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Was weather factor in deadly KC-135 crash?

Submitted by KXLY Web Staff

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 7:31pm

One of the possibilities investigators are considering is the possibility that bad weather contributed to the KC-135 crash in Kyrgyzstan that killed three Fairchild aviators.

Historically, the vast majority of KC-135 mishaps have happened on landing or takeoff. Out of the 77 tankers that have been destroyed in mishaps only 5 came apart in mid-air and in at least one case the aircraft mishap happened around a thunderstorm.

The Fairchild crew was up for an afternoon refueling mission when, about 100 miles from the Manas Transit Center pilots called air traffic controllers and asked to change their route.

According to the Russian International News Agency the crew was concerned about lightning and large cumulous clouds in the area.

Fairchild officials are not in the position of confirming those Russian news reports because all information about the crash is coming from Kyrgyzstan.

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McMorris Rodgers opposes new casino

Submitted by KXLY Web Staff

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 3:56pm

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has joined with opponents of a large proposed Indian casino near Fairchild Air Force Base outside Spokane.

McMorris Rodgers is worried that a big commercial development near the base may prompt the Air Force to close Fairchild in the future.

The Spokane Tribe has proposed a major casino and hotel just a few blocks from the base, and is awaiting approval from both the federal government and from Gov. Jay Inslee in order to proceed.

The tribe contends the development won't impair operations at Fairchild Air Force Base now or in the future.

But in a recent letter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, McMorris Rodgers says the casino poses a clear threat to Spokane County's largest employer.

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Remember to keep your pets safe as weather warms

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Tuesday, May 7th, 5:07 pm

Spring is finally here and Summer is just around the corner, and with the onset of warm weather across the region Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service reminds us to keep our pets safe in the heat.

"Every summer, we respond to calls of animals being left in cars," says Nancy Hill, Director of SCRAPS. "Inside a car, the temperature will rapidly increase and can overwhelm a pet in a very short time period - sometimes with fatal consequences."

If you typically bring your dog or other pets along for the car ride consider leaving them home when temperatures rise. Dogs aren't able to sweat to cool themselves down so it doesn't take much for them to overheat. Cracking a window while you run into the store isn't enough to keep them healthy.

"The temperature outside doesn't have to be in the 90's or more for a problem to exist," says Hill, "On a 78 degree day, temperatures in a car parked in the shade can exceed 90 degrees, and hit a scorching 160 degree if parked in the sun."

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