Bulletin Column

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.

TOUPAL

SENTENCED TO NINE MONTHS

Frank Toupal, 62-year-old Arizona resident who was arrested Jan. 13 after he reportedly threatened his estranged wife with a pistol, was sentenced to nine months in jail Friday after he pleaded guilty to reduced charges. He was convicted on charges of second degree assault and felony harassment with domestic violence involved.

Officers say Toupal flew up to Spokane from Tucson, drove to Steptoe and waited for his wife with a pistol. She discovered him in the house when she returned from work.

He later left the residence and was arrested in Spokane.

Defense attorney Bevan Maxey said the Toupals were in the process of getting a divorce after 24 years of marriage. Toupal retired after a 34-year career with the USDA.

The nine month sentence was the maximum allowed under the state’s standard sentencing range. Judge David Frazier credited Toupal’s wife with handling a situation which could have had a tragic outcome. He added Toupal’s actions were mean and cowardly and instilled fear in his wife.

Toupal, who has been in jail since his arrest, was ordered to pay $800 in fines and fees, and placed on one year of community supervision after his release. He was allowed to transfer supervision back to Arizona. The court also issued a 10-year no contact order that banned Toupal from possessing guns.

Friday’s plea bargain was presented after the court April 24 ruled officers failed to obtain a warrant when they asked Verizon to locate Toupal with the use of GPS technology on his cell phone so they could arrest him.

JUNK VEHICLE NOTICES SENT

Colfax Police have sent out eight notices for removal of junk vehicles under the city ordinance. Chief Bill Hickman at Monday night’s city council meeting noted enforcement can generate objections.

Vehicle owners who receive the notices are allowed 10 days to request a hearing with the police department. Otherwise, the vehicles can be removed at the owner’s expense.

Hickman noted city ordinance requires the department to respond to complaints. Vehicles over three years old with apparent extensive damage, obviously inoperable condition or with a fair market value at scrap level can be cited.

The chief pointed out space constrictions in Colfax can lead to a flurry of complaints this time of year when recreational vehicles are brought out of storage. Access for fire and ambulance service can also become a factor.

FLOWER POTS

GO OUT

Colfax Parks Superintendent Steve Larkin Monday distributed 36 flower pots to sidewalk turnouts along Main Street. Flower pot tenders from last year are encouraged to develop the Main Street scene by planting the pots and watering through the growing season.

GROW OPERATION SAID FOUND

David G. Raugust, 30, Pullman, was booked into the county jail early Friday night on probable charges of possession, delivery and manufacturing of marijuana. Agents from the Quad Cities Drug Task Force reported they discovered a grow operation in the trailer residence on SE Professional Mall Blvd in Pullman after conducting a warrant search of the trailer. They alleged 20 marijuana plants, more than three pounds of marijuana “bud,” grow lights and approximately $4,000 in cash were located in the trailer. The report said the grow operation was located behind a hidden door in the back of the trailer.

CARLON REPORTS TO JAIL

Lorin Travis Carlon, Pine City, was granted a request Friday morning to begin serving jail time in anticipation of being convicted on charges related to the Schur murder case in Malden. Carlon’s attorney, Roger Sandburg of Pullman, told the court Carlon has been working with the prosecutor’s office and anticipates entering a plea and facing a sentence.

Carlon has been charged with rendering criminal assistance.

Sandberg said Carlon is concluding spring work at two farms and wants to begin serving jail time for credit on an anticipated conviction.

Brothers Frank and Daniel Lazcano of Pine City have been charged with murdering Marcus Schur Dec. 27 and placing his body in the outlet creek of Bonnie Lake.

Prosecutor Denis Tracy said Carlon could face a six-month sentence if convicted. With credit for good behavior Carlon could wind up serving four months.

Carlon told the court Friday morning he has about 1,000 more acres to seed but rain had temporarily stalled spring work. He wants to get the jail time completed so he will be able to work in harvest.

In response to the request, Judge David Frazier revoked Carlon’s pre-trail release and set bail at $500. That will allow Carlon the option of posting the bail at a later date if harvest begins before his couirt case is resolved. Carlon was allowed work release to comoplete spirng work.

Tracy objected to allowing Carlon to serve time on home detention, one of the options suggested by Sandberg.

MAIN STREET ACCIDENT

Colfax police responded to a sideswipe accident in the northbound lanes of Main Street Thursday, May 3, A 2007 Freightliner semi driven by Jerry Sacco, 60, Shasta Lake, Calif., collided with a 2011 Ford Fiesta driven by Forrest Miller of Garfield. According to the report, both vehicles were driving northbound and the semi trailer struck the side of the Fiesta when Sacco attempted to change lanes.

A Colfax ambulance responded to the scene and EMTs checked out Miller who was transported to the Whitman Hospital & Medical Center. Sacco pulled the truck over at the Four Star Supply fuel plaza at Main and Tyler, north of the accident scene.

CHECK KAMIAK FLICKERING LIGHTS

A deputy was dispatched Monday at 8:49 p.m. to investigate a report of flickering lights in the area of the tower installations on Kamiak Butte. The light was determined to be on a building of a radio repeater. The light appeared to be operating normally, and the “flickering” was believed to be caused by tree limbs blown in front of the line of vision between the light and the person who called in the report.