Bulletin Column 4/14/2011

These reports are from the previous four issues of the Daily Bulletin in Colfax. They are reprinted here for the benefit of Gazette readers who reside outside of Colfax. Some accounts have been updated.

SULLIVAN

SENTENCED TO THREE MONTHS

Skyler C. Sullivan, 23, was sentenced to three months in jail and ordered to pay $2,800 in fines and fees after pleading guilty to an amended charge of possession of methamphetamine Friday in superior court. The charge dates back to a Nov. 8, 2009, arrest in Colfax when officers received a tip from an informant that Sullivan, who has been convicted of a felony, had a pistol and would be driving a “big red truck” through Colfax.

Officers alleged they confiscated the pistol during a warrant search of the truck, and Sullivan was also charged with illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. The charge was later amended down to the one methamphetamine possession charge.

The three month term was in the middle of the standard sentencing range faced by Sullivan, a former resident of St. John who now resides in Pullman.

KNIGHTEN ON PROBATION

Kendra Knighten of Colfax was placed on one year of probation Friday after she pleaded guilty to an amended charge of solicitation to possess methamphetamine last June 10 in Colfax.

Knighten, 32, was sentenced to a year in jail, all suspended, and fined $5,000 with $4,500 suspended, pending completion of the probation term. She was also ordered to pay $1,700 for the balance of the fine, fees and costs.

SIMON PLEADS NOT GUILTY

A May 16 trial date was set for Nathaniel Birch Simon, Jr., 54, after he pleaded not guilty Friday in superior court to five charges made against him following investigation of a report of domestic violence. He faces three charges of assault, one of unlawful imprisonment and one of felony harassment involving his former girlfriend, Debra Lowry, who managed to get out of the residence they shared in Albion March 29, and reported the alleged crimes from a friend’s house. Deputies allege the words “do not resuscitate” had been carved on the victim’s chest.

WOMAN HURT IN ATV SPILL

Tammy J. Smith, 28, LaCrosse, was taken by Life Flight helicopter to St. Joseph Hospital in Lewiston early Sunday morning after being injured in an ATV accident late Saturday night on Streevy Road southeast of Dusty. Deputies and LaCrosse EMTs responded to the scene and transported Smith to the Dusty Airport where they met the helicopter from Lewiston.

Deputies responded to the scene after getting a report at 11:39 p.m. Saturday. Smith reportedly fell off the back of a 2008 Yamaha Grizzly and injured her neck. She complained of severe neck pain and was in and out of consciousness.

The driver of the ATV was identified as Dominic Olson, 31, Rosalia.

A report Sunday from Deputy Sgt. Chris Chapman said Smith was released from the Lewiston hospital early Sunday morning after she was determined to have sustained no permanent injuries.

Olson was charged with operating an ATV while under the influence of intoxicants.

YEFREMOV

SENTENCED TO 57 MONTHS

Yan G. Yefremov, Spokane, was sentenced to 57 months in prison Friday after he was convicted earlier in three separate cases in Whitman County Superior Court. The cases involve theft of cars in the Pullman area last June and again in February.

A total of 15 prior convictions, dating back to 2006, were listed on the pre-sentence report for Yefremov who is an immigrant from Russia. Most of the convictions were in Spokane County.

He appeared for sentencing with a “9-plus” offender score.

The 57 month sentence was for theft of a motor vehicle. He also admitted charges of taking a motor vehicle, theft and attempted theft. Prison terms on those convictions, ranging from 27 to 35 months, will be served concurrently with the 57-month term.

PULLMAN FIRE LOSS: $455,000

Estimated damage to the house which caught fire on Pheasant Run Court in south Pullman April 3 was estimated at $455,000, according to Pullman Fire Prevention Officer Rich Dragoo. He added $5,000 in tools were also lost in the fire.

The house was not occupied. The former residence of WSU athletic director Jim Sterk, it was being remodeled after a recent sale.

Dragoo said he met with the insurance investigator last week and they determined that the fire was caused by wiring inside the wall of the heating chase. The fire stared around 2:30 a.m. in the garage area of the house.

HERNE FACES DRUG EVALUATION

A May 13 sentencing date has been slated for Holly J. Herne, 22, Colfax, after she pleaded guilty Friday to three drug charges. An evaluation was ordered for Herne for a possible sentence under the state’s drug offender alternative. She is now in jail although the court Friday approved an eight-hour furlough to allow her to visit her mother who is in a nursing home.

Herne plead guilty to charges of delivery of hydrocodone and two counts of possession of methamphetamine.

She could face a year-plus state prison sentence if she does not qualify for the drug offender sentencing option which would require her to undergo treatment.

OIL DUMPED ON CARS, TRUCK

Three cars and a pickup truck were vandalized Friday night in a parking lot along the 200 block of N. Mill Street. Assistant Chief Dave Szambelan said motor oil was poured over the windshields of the four vehicles which were parked in the lot south of the former State Patrol office.

Szambelan estimated three to four quarts must have been used in the vandalism because the windshields were extensively hit. He noted the potential for damage will be in the drain-vent systems under the windshields.

N. FORK ROAD RESTRICTIONS

Public Works Director Andy Rogers reported to city council members April 4 that the city intended to keep weight restrictions posted on the North Palouse River Road. Rogers said the city has been under pressure from haulers to lift weight restrictions on the road, particularly since the county had lifted weight limits on some of the roads it had posted.

Rogers said heavy loads can take a toll on the road which has been softened by thawing and rain. The North Palouse River Road became the city’s responsibility when property along the road, including the Redtail Ridge addition was annexed into the city.

The city earlier this winter fielded complaints about the condition of the road.

Councilman Jeremiah Roberts, who said he toured the road with Rogers, said he supports efforts by the city crew to keep the road in good condition.

APARTMENT

PROJECT

UNDERWAY

Tim Truitt of Newport Friday received a permit for remodeling the apartment building and cottage at 319 S. Main Street next to the Plymouth Congregational Church. Estimated cost of the remodeling was $22,000.

The apartment building was constructed in 1882, and the small cottage on the property was constructed in 1914.

TRUCK HITS

POWER POLE

Colfax police Saturday responded to a report of a truck hitting a power pole at the corner of Island and West Streets, across from Peace Lutheran Church. The driver of a semi truck apparently made a wrong turn onto Island and clipped the pole as he attempted to turn onto West in an effort to get back to an arterial.