Bulletin column - Oct. 22, 2009

Railroad crash suit return

A suit for property damages alleged sustained from the January 2004 train crash in Colfax will return to superior court after an appeals court ruling in favor of the Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad. The railroad asked the court to vacate an $87,093 default judgment which had been awarded to Bill Morris of Colfax. He alleges his property above the Walla Walla Highway was damaged by coal and other debris spilled by the railroad in the accident which sent two engines over the bank along the Palouse River opposite the Colfax sewer treatment plant.

The default judgment was allowed in superior court because the railroad failed to respond after being served with the suit. The appeals court ruled service on the notice of suit to the railroad company failed to comply with state law because the company was served at its office in Lewiston. An out-of-state service to suit under state law is valid only if accompanied by an affidavit which was not done in the Morris suit.

The court finding noted the process server first attempted to serve the PR&CC at Rosalia, but was unsuccessful after learning the Rosalia headquarters for the railroad had closed and was now at Lewiston.

A mandate of the appeal ruling was filed in court Monday. Appeals Judge Stephen Brown ruled, however, the suit can still continue because proper service was filed with the railroad’s registered agent in Washington after the judgment. He also ruled costs of $4,455 should be paid by Morris.

Grenz given 89 months

Kevin E. Grenz of Farmington, who was convicted Oct. 6 of child molestation in the first degree after a two-day jury trial, was sentenced to 89 months in prison Friday. Grenz, 48, was assigned an offender’s score of three because he had been convicted in February of 2002 of second degree assault with sexual motivation.

The court also ordered Grenz to be placed on three years of community custody or the length of time earned under early release provision, whichever is greater.

He was also ordered to pay $800 in fines and fees.

Grenz had initially pleaded guilty to the latest charge, but the court revoked the plea and the case went to trial after the court determined Grenz had not been fully advised of the ramifications which could follow after entering the guilty plea.

The court also ordered Grenz to have no contact with the victim for the rest of his life.

City hall eyes four day week

In a move to cut costs beginning next year, a four-day week has been planned for Colfax city hall. City Administrator Carl Thompson said the measure is expected to cut down expenses in the wake of revenue loss. The same revenue drops which have hit other entities around the state are having an impact on Colfax.

A meeting of city employees was conducted Thursday afternoon to go over the proposed changes. Morale among employees has been reported low with the pending changes.

The four-day week for city hall was discussed last week with members of the city council’s personnel committee after the regular council session.

A drop in interest earnings on investments and sales tax revenue are two areas where the city has sustained revenue setbacks.

Thompson said the four-day operation of city hall has been eyed as one means of saving funds in advance. He said at this point staff and pay cuts are not part of the city’s budget proposal for next year.

The plan calls for city hall to be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Employees would also be asked to take a 30 minute lunch break.

Thompson said no changes are being considered for police and fire coverage.

Bail set at $50k

A $50,000 bail was set Thursday in superior court for pre-trial release of Laurie Jo Rasco, 38, Moscow. Rasco, who is scheduled for trial Monday on July charges of possession of heroin and cocaine, was arrested on a warrant earlier this week. A motion to revoke her earlier pre-trial release was filed after officers said she was involved in an Oct. 1 drug transaction in Pullman involving an informant for the Quad Cities Drug Task Force.

Rasco pleaded not guilty July 31 to the initial charges of drug possession. Senior Deputy Prosecutor Bill Druffel pointed out Rasco was allegedly involved in the Oct. 1 drug sale to the informant while being out of jail on pre-trial release before her trial on the initial charges.

Gas Break Blocks Mill

The S. 800 Block of Mill Street was blocked off for approximately 90 minutes Wednesday after a gas line was broken at a residence. The Colfax fire truck was used to block off the street from Highway 195 at the bottom of the Mill Street hill next to Cottage Gate.

Avista advised the fire crew to block off the street to minimize chances of ignition from the leaking gas line. The leak was caused when the line was hit by a post hole digger as part of a fence construction project.

The fire department received the report of the line being broken at 3:10 p.m. Avista crews arrived at 4:04 and the leak was repaired at 4:40, according to the fire department log.

Allege threat in Colfax arrest

Sabrina A. Strevy, 32, Colfax, was arrested Friday night on probable charges of harassment. A Colfax officer’s report alleged he responded to a report of a confrontation at about 5 p.m. at the Colfax skateboard park. Witnesses state Strevy had made threats to kill one of the participants in the dispute and at one point stated “lets just go get the gun” to another participant.

She is expected to make a first appearance in court today.