Sorted by date Results 101 - 125 of 415
SPOKANE VALLEY – The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office deputy who roughed up a Colfax man on Aug. 14, 2023, may be charged in the case. On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the Spokane Police Department determined there is probable cause to charge Sgt. Clay V. Hilton with second-degree assault. “The case has been forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review,” Spokane County Sheriff John F. Nowels said in a press release following the conclusion of the independent police investigation. Hilton is accused of beating Kevin Hin...
SPOKANE VALLEY – Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to reports of a potential shooting in the 4900 block of East Upriver Drive on February 11. An anonymous caller relayed that an altercation had erupted in the parking lot, culminating in someone discharging a firearm toward a vehicle before fleeing the scene. Through thorough investigation and witness testimonies, authorities identified the suspect as 35-year-old Billy R. Olson. Initial findings suggest that Ols...
SPOKANE VALLEY – Sexual Assault Unit (SAU) Detectives took steps in pursuing justice as they secured a warrant for the arrest of Gregory C. Boris, a 42-year-old Level-2 Registered Sex Offender implicated in a violent sexual assault on February 5. Boris, residing in Kennewick, was apprehended in the Tri-Cities based on the warrant and subsequently transferred to Spokane County Jail. The incident unfolded on February 5 around 11:20 pm when Spokane Valley Deputies responded to r...
SPOKANE VALLEY – The pedestrian who was the victim of a hit-and-run on January 24 has passed away in the hospital due to the severe injuries sustained, says Spokane Valley Deputies. Authorities are seeking to elevate the charges against the suspect, 64-year-old John R. Townshend, from hit-and-run causing injury to hit-and-run causing death. Townshend remains in custody at the Spokane County Jail under the initial charge of causing injury, with a bond set at $25,000. A...
A proposal to fine counties and cities when untreated sewage is released into Puget Sound is part of an effort to save dwindling salmon runs. The bill, proposed by Rep. J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, imposes a 1-cent-per-gallon fee on municipal discharges of untreated sewage into Puget Sound. The bill, HB 2290, is part of a comprehensive five-bill bipartisan initiative to preserve salmon populations and support the fishing community. The Department of Ecology did not oppose the bill...
SPOKANE VALLEY – In a recent city council session, the spotlight was on a potential initiative to beef up the police force by as many as 31 officers over the next four years. Erik Lamb, deputy city manager, Chief Dave Ellis, and Morgan Koudelka, the administrative analyst, led the discussion, revisiting the proposals laid out by the Matrix consulting group back in November. Lamb emphasized the gravity of the decision, asserting, “This is one of the most crucial matters reg...
SPOKANE VALLEY – At the February 6 Spokane Valley City Council Meeting, discussions revolved around Ordinance 24-001, proposing adjustments to the planning commission meeting schedule. The amendment aims to scale back the monthly meetings from twelve to nine months per year, garnering unanimous approval. Tony Beatty, the senior deputy city attorney, shed light on the rationale behind the amendment. He cited the lack of substantial material for review in January and February d...
Nearly four years after Manuel Ellis, a 33-year-old Black man from Tacoma, died during arrest while being hogtied, the practice that killed him is one step closer to being illegal in Washington. Hogtying refers to the tactic where handcuffed wrists are tied to a suspect's ankles. This practice can contort bodies into a position where they are at risk for suffocation. A medical examiner on Ellis' case ruled his cause of death as lack of oxygen. In 2021, defense attorneys argued...
To curb traffic fatalities, lawmakers are proposing reducing the legal limit for driving while intoxicated. SB 5002 amends the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for driving a motor vehicle from .08% to .05%. Typically, consuming less than one standard drink per hour maintains most individuals’ BAC below .05%. Former state trooper and primary sponsor Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, who previously served as a sergeant with a DUI emphasis patrol, called on the Legislature to enact tougher laws. “We have just tolerated dru...
SPOKANE VALLEY – In a session of the Spokane Valley City Council on February 6, 2024, Chief Dave Ellis presented an extensive plan outlining the recruitment and retention initiatives for the Spokane Valley Deputies. Against the backdrop of community concerns and evolving law enforcement dynamics, the council delved into a multifaceted strategy aimed at bolstering the city’s police force. Erik Lamb, the deputy city manager, initiated the discussion by highlighting the col...
SPOKANE VALLEY – During the recent city council session on January 30, Spokane Valley delved into discussions regarding the contract with the Spokane County Prosecutor’s office. Larry Haskell, the county prosecutor, took the floor, shedding light on crucial details about the office’s current state and potential contractual matters. Haskell outlined the jurisdiction of the District Court, emphasizing its role in handling traffic infractions, misdemeanors, gross misde...
OLYMPIA – Taking cues from California, there's a push to lighten up on jaywalking fines - a move that hits the headlines for its impact on both the homeless community and Black pedestrians. In Washington state, black pedestrians are stopped by police at a rate four times higher than the general population and 41% are homeless. Jaywalking is considered a non-criminal traffic violation, carrying an average fine of $70. In 2023, a "free-to-walk" bill gained 700 initial s...
SPOKANE VALLEY – A second man has been arrested in connection with a shooting death here Feb. 8, 2023. Darrell A. Harris, 38, was arrested last week for second-degree murder in the death of Deshaun R. Crawford. Harris the second man charged in the crime – the first is Duane R. Parks, 48, who is charged with first-degree rendering criminal assistance. Detectives sought warrants for both men in the case. And on Dec. 8, they traveled to Tacoma to interview Parks, who was in the Pierce County Jail, records show. He was ext...
In a recent city council meeting held on January 23, Spokane Valley deliberated on its approval of an application for a grant under the 2024 City Safety Program (CSP), which passed unanimously. Spearheaded by Adam Jackson, the city’s Utility Engineering Manager, and his assistant engineer, Dan Baker, the discussion centered on identifying critical safety projects aimed at mitigating traffic accidents and enhancing road safety across the city. The 2024 CSP funding, recurring b...
SPOKANE VALLEY – A local man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that left one pedestrian hospitalized Jan. 24. John R. Townshend, 64, was arrested Jan. 29 and booked into the Spokane County Jail for felony hit-and-run with injury. Although the name of the victim is public record, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office refused to release the name. The woman remains hospitalized. The arrest stems from a crash in the 5200 block of East Broadway Avenue, records show. Deputies were called to the area after a v...
SPOKANE VALLEY – The city witnessed a charged city council meeting on January 30, marked by the nomination of four new members to the planning commission. Despite concerns raised by Councilman Al Merkel about the nomination process, the motion passed with a 5-2 vote, igniting intense debate among council members and prompting public comments. Deputy Mayor Tim Hattenburg announced the nominations of John Robertson and Justin Weatherman for terms extending from January 1, 2...
MEDICAL LAKE — The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office will offer free boater education classes beginning April 13. Under state law, boaters born after Jan. 1, 1955, must have a Boater Education Card when piloting a watercraft with more than 15 hp. Classes will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office Training Center, 13033 W. State Highway 902. Classes are slated for April 13, May 18, June 8 and 29, July 13, Aug. 17 and Sept. 7. To pre-register, log onto https://www.eventbrite.com/e/washington...
CHENEY – The Program Leading to University Success (PLUS) at Eastern Washington University is making strides in academic support by partnering with Curio XR, an innovative remote learning company. The collaboration aims to offer virtual-reality tutoring and study assistance to students pursuing their academic and career goals. Eastern is among the 23 universities accepted into Curio XR’s pilot program, granting its students early access to the virtual reality app. Samer Alr...
Clare McGraw Valley Herald SPOKANE VALLEY – A 60-year-old multiple felon, William L. Taylor, was apprehended for a domestic violence assault at an apartment in the 10100 block of E. Main Avenue on January 18 according to the Spokane Valley Deputies. Responding to a reported domestic violence assault at 3:40 pm, Spokane Valley Deputies successfully arrested Taylor after he fled the scene in a vehicle. The victim, found near N. Willow Road and Broadway Avenue, revealed that she left the apartment out of fear for her life. Taylo...
Clare McGraw Valley Herald SPOKANE – In an event on Wednesday, January 24, five adults were hospitalized following a head-on collision between an Acura and a semi-truck on Bigelow Gulch. The incident occurred around 5:30 am when the westbound semi-truck crossed the centerline, resulting in a collision with the Acura. Upon arrival, deputies and Spokane County Fire District 9 Firefighters provided immediate medical attention, leading to the closure of the roadway to manage traffic. The Acura’s occupants were rushed to the hos...
Clare McGraw Cheney Free Press CHENEY – Mark your calendars for February 13, as a special election is just around the corner, offering Spokane County voters the opportunity to weigh in on numerous measures proposed by their respective local school districts. Keep an eye on Cheney School District, which has three measures on the ballot. Proposition No. 1 aims to replace an existing educational programs and operation levy expiring at the end of 2024. This three-year replacement levy would offer funding of up to $16,125,000 i...
Clare McGraw Valley Herald SPOKANE VALLEY — On January 19, Spokane Valley Investigative Unit Detectives, armed with a search warrant due to persistent residency issues, apprehended two suspects at the 1300 block of S. Kahuna Drive. The occupants, identified as 27-year-old Alonzo C. Favel and 34-year-old Kaycee L. Wayne, asserted residency at the address. With no means to contact the owner for verification, Deputies and SVIU collaborated with the homeowner’s attorneys to secure a search warrant after establishing probable cau...
By PAUL DELANEY Cheney Free Press CHENEY — Earthquakes are largely difficult to predict when and where they will occur. But the tremors produced by revised high school sports classifications announced this week by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association were expected, perhaps just not to what extent? Rumored to happen for several months, the Northeast A League lost three of its seven teams, leaving the decades-old conference with some uncertainty. Deer Park lost its appeal to stay a 1A school and will move up to...
The Journal SPOKANE – Rep. Mike Volz has introduced a bill that would prohibit the state, cities, counties, and other political subdivisions in the state from imposing taxes on any type of personal income. House Bill 2439 defines “income” as salary, wages, interest, dividends, and other earnings which are reportable for federal income tax purposes, and cash payments such as reimbursements received from pensions, annuities, social security, and public assistance programs. “My constituents have made it abundantly clear,...
OLYMPIA – For the second time in a week, an effort to remove former President Donald J. Trump’s name off of the March 12 primary ballot has been tossed out of court. Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Bassett refused to hear the case in his court on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Then on Thursday, Jan. 18, Thurston County Superior Court Judge Mary Sue Wilson tossed the challenge. The lawsuit was filed by eight Kitsap County residents who alleged the former president isn’t eligi...
