Briefs 8/18/11

TRANSFORMER FUSE BLOWS

An Avista power transformer fuse exploded Aug. 10 in the Hamilton Park area of south Colfax. The police department received a report at 8:05 a.m. of a possible gunshot in the neighborhood, and Chief Bill Hickman checked out the neighborhood without locating a source of the blast.

The department later learned power had failed to some residences and Avista crews were responding to the scene. The fuse was reported replaced at 10:30 a.m. An Avista spokesman said a wildlife protection guard was also placed over the fuse after crews suspected that it could have been shorted out by a squirrel.

Service was restored to two residences who lost power after the fuse blew out.

DEER HIT ON HIGHWAY 270

Paul A. Boakye, 30, Moscow, was unhurt Aug. 10 when the 1996 Saturn stationwagon he was driving struck a deer on the Moscow-Pullman highway about five miles from the state line.

According to the Washington State Patrol report, Boakye was driving eastbound at 9:42 p.m. when a deer ran onto the highway and struck the front of the Saturn.

SUIT INVOLVES

CASINO PROCEEDS

A suit filed in Superior Court last week involves proceeds from Mr. Z’s Casino which is located on Bishop Boulevard in Pullman. Palouse Recreation LLC., which operates the casino, filed suit against CouVan Gaming Inc. to recover fees it alleges due from CouVan which was signed in March of 2005 to provide management services at the casino.

The suit contends CouVan failed to deduct its agreed share of payments for utility costs and for tax contributions when filing monthly charges for its services to Palouse Recreation. It alleged the cost allowance was set at $36,000 per year under terms of the agreement.

Filed by Pullman Attorney Colleen Harrington, the suit noted CouVan was contracted under the agreement to receive a share of the proceeds from players betting against the house and from house fees charged players when they wagered among themselves.