Bulletin column - Jan. 21, 2010

Special charge could net prison

A March 15 trial date was slated for James E. Rogers, 43, Spokane Valley, after he entered not guilty pleas Friday in superior court to seven charges stemming from a chase between Pullman and Colfax and back Jan. 8.

Prosecutor Denis Tracy advised the court to give a conviction on a new special allegation, that Rogers endangered others while allegedly attempting to elude officers. This could add a year and a day to any sentence Rogers might eventually face.

The Washington State Patrol account said Rogers was stopped along Highway 195 north of Colfax, drove away from the arrest scene, drove south as far as the North Pullman bypass where he hit a police car while avoiding a spike strip. Rogers was eventually arrested after he drove off the highway at the Parvin Road intersection south of Colfax.

Tracy charged Rogers with two counts of attempting to elude, one count of malicious mischief, two counts of hit and run of an attended vehicle and one count each of drunken driving and escape.

The state charges included the special allegations of endangering others on the two charges of attempting to elude. The arrest report filed with the charges alleged Rogers was clocked at over 80 miles per hour as he drove down the grade into Colfax. The report by Trooper Michael Murphy alleged the suspect lost control of his car when he encountered traffic on the grade and went into the ditch.

Response at Paul’s Place

Colfax police and an ambulance crew responded at 5:07 p.m. Monday to a report of disturbance at Paul’s Place. Officer Robert Wride reported a resident had unintentionally been struck by another resident who had become upset. The upset resident was transported on a doctor’s referral to Whitman Hospital and later taken to Eastern State Hospital.

En route back to Colfax at 3:05 a.m. the ambulance crew spotted sparks coming from a power pole at Cashup Flat. The pole was determined to be part of the Inland Electric system and they were advised of the problem.

Drive-by breathing help

Colfax fire department assisted a motorist who drove up to the station last Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 7:35 p.m. and complained of breathing problems. The motorist was outfitted with an oxygen tank and mask. He drove his vehicle to the hospital under escort by the department’s Brush One truck.

Golf course project starts

Crews from Jack Nagle Construction are now building foundations for the new residence at the Colfax Golf Course. If the mild weather holds up, the crew planned to pour concrete early this week.

Rob Whitmore, who has been heading up the project, said the club has purchased a manufactured home from Valley Quality Homes. They expect the home will be delivered in the middle of February. The house, which is 1,068 square feet and includes two bedrooms and two baths, will serve as the residence for the course superintendent.

Whitmore said the overall project cost should be in the $100,000 range. The club arranged financing for the project after earlier discussing a plan for the city to finance the project and lease the house to the club.

Tekoan crashes near Tilma

Ann M. DeWitt, 27, Tekoa, was unhurt Wednesday morning, Jan. 13, when she lost control of a 1997 Subaru Legacy sedan on Highway 274 1.8 miles east of Tekoa. She was driving eastbound at 7 a.m. when the car went out of control on black ice, crossed the centerline and went into the ditch on the opposite side of the highway and struck a sign, according to the Washington State Patrol report.