Bulletin column 5/26/11

STUECKLE TO RUN FOR MAYOR

Carol Stueckle Monday announced she has filed to run for mayor of Colfax. Stueckle served one term as mayor, from 1988 to 1992, and decided at that time not to seek another term. She said she now feels like she has more time to serve in office.

A highlight of her term in office was the Codger Bowl in 1988 and the Codger Pole dedication three years later.

Stueckle said she submitted her candidate filing and fee by mail.

THREAT CLOSES CITY HALL

Colfax City Hall was evacuated for a short time Tuesday morning after a man called the fire department at 10:10 and said he had planted a bomb in the building which was going to detonate in 10 minutes. A “temporarily closed” sign was posted while police and firemen conducted a search and could not find an explosive.

Police and Whitman County sheriff’s officials were at work Tuesday morning to trace the call through the computer system.

ORDER EXAM FOR LOWRY

An examination to determine competency was ordered Friday in superior court for Debra Lowry, Pullman resident who was jailed May 2 and later charged with stabbing her son with a syringe. Lowry is also the alleged victim of Nathaniel Simon, 54, who has been charged with assaulting her at the residence where they resided in Albion. Among other charges, Simon is charged with scribing “Do Not Resuscitate” on Lowry’s chest.

Friday’s court order calls for Lowry to undergo in-patient examination at Eastern Washington Hospital for a determination of whether or not she is competent to understand the charges against her and assist in her defense.

SR ARTICLE DETAILS ‘DOWNWINDER’ SAGA

An article by Karen Dorn Steele in Tuesday morning’s Spokesman Review gives an account of the ‘Downwinder’ court suits of Shannon Caldwell Rhodes. Mrs. Rhodes died at age 69 May 15 in Green Valley, Ariz.

Steele, now a senior correspondent for the SR, reported on Mrs. Rhodes’ part in the legal quest by thyroid cancer victims against Hanford contractors who were charged with being responsible for iodine -131 emissions. Mrs. Rhodes was a member of the 1959 class of Colfax High School and was raised on the family’s ranch in the Union Flat area north of the McNeilly Road intersection. She was the daughter of Clarence and Doris Caldwell. She resided for the last 10 years in Coeur d’Alene.

CHARGE FILED AGAINST DOAK

A charge of delivery of methamphetamine was filed in superior court May 19 against Judson R. Doak, 23, Colfax. According to a report filed with the court, the charge dates back to a September investigation by the Quad Cities Drug Task Force officers. The report alleges Doak sold methamphetamine to an informant in an undercover drug purchase operation.

The drug purchase was arranged after informants had told drug agents Doak and his girlfriend, Holly Herne, were among people selling drugs in this area, according to the report.

Herne May 6 was ordered to attend a residential drug treatment program after she pleaded guilty to charges of possession of methamphetamine and delivery of hydrocodone. The drug treatment was assigned after Herne was allowed a drug offender sentencing option.

Doak has been summoned to appear in court May 27.

HERPES BUMPS LIPIZZANER SHOW

A 41st anniversary performance by the Lipizzaner Stallions at Beasley Coliseum June 2 has been canceled because of concern about the horse herpes outbreak. A spokesman at Lipizzaner headquarters in Florida said they were advised by WSU officials about the herpes quarantine at the vet school and both sides decided to call off the Pullman performance. The Lipizzaner troupe was scheduled to arrive at Pullman from Everett, but will now go to the next performance date, June 5, at Spokane.