Briefs: Oct. 5, 2017

CASTANON BAIL REDUCED

The bail for pre-trial release of Jose Castanon, 53, Rosalia, was reduced from $500,000 to $10,000 Friday morning in superior court. The bail was reduced after 10 people stood up in court to indicate they were present to support the defendant in his request for reduction in bail.

The $500,000 bail was set after Castanon was booked into jail Sept. 13. He pleaded not guilty last Friday to a charge of second-degree rape and three other charges. Defense Attorney Michael Felice of Spokane represented Castanon at his arraignment Sept. 22 and said they would return Sept. 29 and request a reduction of the half-million bond.

Felice told the court Friday that it was his understanding that the county’s allegations against Castanon originated with a boyfriend of the alleged victim. He said Castanon is employed by a Spokane contractor, resides with his wife and two children in Rosalia. He said he has resided there since 1996.

Senior Deputy Prosecutor Daniel LeBeau said the charges were filed against Castanon after he met with victims in the prosecutor’s office. He said three victims are actually involved in the investigation, and the state believes Castanon poses a threat to the victims.

The defendant has been ordered not to have contact with the victims in the event he posts bail and is released.

Among the 10 people who stood up and identified themselves when asked in the court were the defendant’s wife, two children, his employer and others. They did not actually testify in court.

COUNTY ISSUES E-MAIL

ADVISORY

Whitman County Commissioner Art Swannack has issued an email advisory to county employees. Swannack pointed out the state has a very broad public records law, and most written communications to or from county employees and officials regarding county business are public records and are available to the public upon request. Swannack cautioned e-mail communications may be subject to public disclosure.

SHRINERS SUPPORT STOCK SALE

Whitman County Shriners spent nearly $3,000 at the Palouse Empire Fair’s Junior Market Stock Sales. The Shriners generate the funds through the proceeds from the food booth which they operate at the fair and from raffle ticket sales.

Shrine President Lee Wood said the club purchased four pigs and three sheep during the sale. The animals were turned to normal marketing.

A small part of the food booth proceeds also goes to the Shriners’ Hospital in Spokane. Wood said most of the Whitman County club’s contribution to the Spokane hospital derives from advertising and sales revenue from their annual basketball tournament book which includes photos of teams in the SE and NE leagues. That project generated about $20,000 for the Spokane hospital this year.

CAREER FAIR AT PALOUSE

School counselors at schools around the county are planning a career fair which will be at Garfield/Palouse High School Nov. 1. Career displays will be set up in the gym, and students will have an opportunity to attend presentations in different classrooms.

Keynote speaker for the fair will be EWU Economics professor Kellie Cullen.

Businesses and agencies that want to provide material for the fair can contact Diane Mylett, counselor at Garfield/Palouse.

The fair will be for sophomores, juniors and seniors from participant schools in the county.

HIMES JAILED ON WARRANT

Kenneth Himes, 38, Tekoa, was booked into the jail here Sept 27 on a warrant for his arrest which was issued July 3. The warrant was issued after Himes failed to make a first appearance in court on a charge of trafficking in stolen property.

Sheriff Brett Meyers said Himes was brought here from Spokane County where he faces charges following a pursuit chase and arrest there.

Himes has compiled an extensive record in Whitman County and a conviction on the pending trafficking charge here will increase his offender rating which could lead to an extended sentence.

The charge was filed against him June 16 after investigation of a theft which was reported by a Latah resident June 6. The resident reported a trailer was missing from his property. The trailer was loaded with spraying equipment and a lawnmower.

According to the investigation report, a deputy went to a residence in Tekoa where Himes was residing in an attempt to locate stolen property reported in a separate case. The deputy made a camera recording of the search which did not turn up the items suspected stolen at that time.

The deputy’s report said he later learned of attempts to sell items from the missing Latah trailer in the Palouse area. After that, the sprayer and some of the other items were returned to the Latah residence by one of the people who had been at the Tekoa residence which was searched earlier.

The deputy’s report said he then reviewed the videos of the earlier search at Tekoa and spotted the missing Latah mower at the scene.

The missing mower was later reported to be next to a railroad trestle at Seabury and deputies recovered it at that location.

Bail for pre-trial release of Himes was set at $25,000.