Bulletin column 5/12/11

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.

RAM TRUCKS COLLIDE ON HIGHWAY 26

Five people were hurt Friday when two Dodge Ram pickup trucks collided on Highway 26 at 9:22 p.m. According to the Washington State Patrol report, Charles A. Cross, 83, College Place, was driving a 2003 pickup westbound when he crossed the centerline and collided with a 2007 model of the pickup being driven eastbound by Dean A. Fewkes, 46, Kalama, 10.4 miles west of Colfax.

Cross sustained chest and head injuries, and two passengers in his truck, William Pound, 58, and Neil Pound, 19, both of Pendleton, complained of head and neck injuries.

Two passengers in the 2007 Ram were hurt. Wendy Fewkes, 48, Kalama, complained of head and neck injuries and Benjamin Fewkes, 13, sustained cuts from seatbelts.

—Amy S. Knox, 22, Pullman, was unhurt Saturday night when the 2008 Chevrolet she was driving struck a deer on Highway 26 about 22 miles west of Colfax. The WSP report said Knox was driving westbound at 8:54 p.m. when the deer ran onto the highway.

BODY BELIEVED TO BE KAMIAH WOMAN

The body recovered May 1 near Central Ferry is believed to be that of Lavina Hiettala, 72, who had been missing from her Kamiah, Idaho, home since April 1.

Idaho State Police Lt. Charlie Spencer, Lewiston, said an autopsy was conducted May 4 by a pathologist from the Ada County Sheriff’s office. The tentative identification was based on medical records and physical characteristics, but a positive identification will not be available until DNA test results are known in approximately 90 days.

Whitman County marine patrol was called to help recover the body which was found partially on the shoreline on the Garfield County side of the river. Kamiah is approximately 120 miles upstream from Central Ferry on the Snake and Clearwater Rivers.

SENTENCED FOR CELL FIRE

Joo Hyung Ock, 22, Pullman, was sentenced to a year in jail with all but 30 days suspended after he pleaded guilty to charges of reckless burning and disorderly conduct. He was credited for two days spent in jail and allowed to convert the other 28 days to public service work. Ock was charged with starting a fire in the holding cell at the Pullman Police Department.

Loan suit SETTLED

The loan collection suit filed by the Bank of Whitman against E. Patrick Lawler of Yakima was dismissed Friday after attorneys reported they had reached a settlement. The suit at one point involved efforts by the bank to seize cattle in the Tri Cities to collect on the $156,152 judgment against Lawler. The attempt to seize the cattle was stalled by the requirement to post an indemnity bond to cover actions by the Franklin County Sheriff. Friday’s court order vacated the judgment and dismissed the suit after both sides reported they had settled.

ESTES SENTENCED TO PRISON

Monte Estes, 54, Farmington resident who pleaded guilty April 29 to three drug charges, was sentenced to the state prison system Friday in Whitman County superior court. As expected, Estes was sentenced to a year and a day, which means he will be in custody of the state Department of Corrections.

Estes last Friday pleaded guilty to three charges which date back to the Feb. 8, 2010, raid made at his Farmington residence. Under terms of a plea bargain agreement, the state dropped charges stemming from a second search of his Farmington residence last December. After that raid, the court revoked Estes’ pre-trail release bond posted on the first set of charges and he was jailed.

Estes was convicted of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of methamphetamine and possession of stolen property. The February 2010 raid at the Estes place was the first among a string of arrests in the Oakesdale-Farmington area involving drug use and stolen property investigations.

The court Friday also fined Estes $3,000 and ordered him to pay $800 in other costs and fees.

JAZZ BAND PLACES SECOND

Colfax High Jazz Band returned from The Mt. Hood Festival at Gresham, Ore., with a second-place trophy. Colfax Satruday competed with eight bands in its division with the largest school having an enrollment of 955. Mark Black, baritone sax player, received an outstanding musician certificate. Judges credited Black with setting the pace in the band’s opener, “Work Song.”

The band’s jazz concert will be next Monday at 7 p.m.

HERNE TO UNDERGO TREATMENT

Holly Herne, 22, was ordered Friday morning to undergo residential drug tretment under the state’s alternate sentencing option. She was allowed the option after the court received an evaluation report which was ordered after she entered pleas April 8 to possession of methamphetamine and delivery of hydrocodone in Colfax.

Herne was allowed release from custody to reside with an aunt in Colfax until she reports to the drug treatment center June 11. Judge David Frazier pointed out the evaluation reported she had an addiction problem and any violation during her release time would result in a prison sentence instead of the treatment option.

She was ordered to not have contact with any drug offenders, and submit to weekly tests for drug use. Her aunt was also required to comply with a written order to advise the court if she detects any violation of the release order.

DEER CRASH IN S CURVES

Karlie A. Thompson, 16, Colfax, was unhurt May 4 when the 2005 Ford Freestyle she was driving struck a deer on Highway 195 in the S curves area of Highway 195 just south of Colfax. According to the Washington State Patrol. report, she was driving southbound at 4:50 p.m. and a deer ran onto the roadway and struck the left side of the Ford.

TWO HURT IN COLLISON

Rafael A. Gamero, 33, Spokane, sustained a shoulder injury and a passenger in the 2002 Chevrolet Silverato pickup he was driving, Jorge A. Gamero, 36, also Spokane, complained of a headache after the truck collided with a van May 5 on Highway 195 at the Albion Road intersection at 12:50 p.m.

According to the Washington State Patrol report, Clayton L. Thompson, 52, Albion, was attempting to cross the highway from east to west in front of the southbound Silverado. Colfax and Albion ambulances responded to the scene.

SHRED DAY SET MAY 23

Colfax Chamber of Commerce, Rosauers, Whitman County Recycle and Recall are working together to bring Shred Day for the community, Monday, May 23, 2011 at Rosauers Parking Lot, from 11 to 2. Minimum fee will be $5 for individuals and $25 for business with donations encouraged.