Bulletin: Oct. 5, 2017

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.

SPOOK TOURS SOLD OUT

St. Ignatius spook tour slots were sold out seven days after they went on sale, according to Val Gregory, who is in charge of the tours as Colfax unified executive director. The proceeds from the tours this year totaled $26,000 and all payments were made online and certified.

The tours started Sept. 21 and were scheduled to continue through Oct. 31, but Gregory said she has extended the tours with weekends in November.

A group from Maryland took the tour Sunday and a group from Utah made the tour Monday night.

Under an agreement with the new owner, half of the tour proceeds go to him. Gregory said she has already paid the new owner his $13,000.

CORONER’S RULING IN DEATHS

County Coroner Peter J. Martin Monday released cause findings after investigation of two unattended deaths in the county.

After a detailed forensic examination and autopsy, Melvin Mundell, 80, Elberton, was determined to have died by asphyxiation caused by drowning Sept. 19 after he drove off Tekoa-Farmington Road and went into Hangman Creek just south of Tekoa. The 2014 Jeep Patriot Mundell was driving was found upside down in the creek.

Joshua Kenyon, driver of one of the vehicles in a collision on Highway 195 at Rosalia Sept. 23, was determined to have died of massive neck and chest injuries. The manner of death in both cases was determined to be accidental.

Kenyon was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Blazer which collided with a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Angela Pressnall of Garfield.

Michael L. Deturbiville, also of Garfield, died of injuries sustained in the accident after he was taken by helicopter to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

NICHOLAS RHUBY

SENTENCED

Nicholas Rhuby, 21, Steptoe, was sentenced to 90 days in jail with 30 days suspended after he pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second degree theft Friday in superior court. Rhuby had been charged with trafficking in stolen property.

The conviction stems from an investigation of the theft of an Xbox One which was reported missing April 1 from a tenant of the Riverview Apartments in Colfax. Rhuby was later arrested after police learned he had been attempting to sell the Xbox.

Deputy Prosecutor Merritt Decker Friday told the court facts of the investigation showed Rhuby had attempted to sell the Xbox, but the charge was reduced to theft under a plea bargain agreement.

Rhuby was granted a request for temporary release from jail to secure a job in Pullman with the intent of being allowed work release at the job while serving his sentence.

Judge Gary Libey pointed out the 30-day segment of the suspended sentence would be removed if Rhuby fails to return to the jail at 3 p.m. Tuesday as ordered. He also said Rhuby cannot return to his residence on Stevens Street in Steptoe. Rhuby's mother and two siblings have been involved in drug cases in court.

Rhuby said he had arranged to reside with his grandparents during the four-day furlough before starting his sentence.

Rhuby was ordered to pay $1,250 in fines, fees and restitution. He was also ordered to undergo evaluation for alcohol and drug abuse and follow treatment recommendations.

Decker pointed out a warrant had been issued for Rhuby's arrest after he failed to appear at previous court dates.

FIRE ENGINE TO GET BULLDOG MARKING

The new addition to the Colfax Fire Department, a 1994 Pierce pumper, is slated to receive a Bulldog marking on one of its equipment boxes. The engine, which was purchased from Keizer, Ore., happens to be painted in Colfax High School Bulldog colors, with a yellow body and blue stripes.

Fire Capt. Tim Tingley reported at the city council session Monday night a Bulldog insignia has been ordered for the engine and should arrive in time to be applied before Friday's homecoming parade.

Chief Rick McNannay reported to the city council that the homecoming parade was moved to Clay and Mill streets this year because the city did not have enough lead time to obtain a permit to block off Main Street. He also noted the department would have had difficulty conducting traffic on Main Street because of the present staffing shortage.

The homecoming parade is expected to begin at approximately 1 p.m Friday and follow Clay and Mill streets to the site of the rally at the First Baptist Church parking lot.

STORAGE UNIT BURGLAR

SENTENCED

Jerry Glass, 47, Pullman, was sentenced to just over a year in state prison Friday on convictions of burglary and possession of stolen property. Glass pleaded guilty to five charges Aug. 11 in superior court.

The case against Glass started last year when he was discovered inside one of the commercial storage units in Oakesdale. An Oakesdale resident had gone to one of his rented units and found Glass climbing over storage items in his other rented unit. Some of the property from that unit was found in the vehicle Glass was driving at the time.

Deputies traced the registration on the vehicle Glass was driving and obtained a warrant to search his residence on Country Club Road in Pullman. The search led to the discovery of tools and other items reported stolen from storage units in Moscow, Pullman and Colfax.

Glass was reported to be in possession of a ring of keys which could open storage units in the area.

A restitution hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 20. A preliminary restitution total of more than $31,000 had been listed in the sentencing form, but that was scratched pending outcome of the Oct. 20 hearing.

RIVER REC AREA BACK

ON LINE

The recreation area on the north side of the Snake River downstream from Lower Granite Dam has now returned to public use. The area was closed down to the public when a concrete batch plant was located there for the construction work on the juvenile fish facility at the dam.

The north shore area evolved over the years as it became available for public use. It started with informal access roads which were used for barge tie-ups and access to an air strip.

As public use increased, the corps added a vault toilet and fire rings.

The north shore area is actually covered with gravel spills which were deposited during construction of the dam.

GFELLER

HOMECOMING QUEEN

Senior Carmen Gfeller was named homecoming queen at Monday's coronation to start off a week of festivities at Colfax High School. The homecoming royalty was selected at an election Sept. 27 at the school. Princesses for respective classes are Emma Neu, senior princess; Taylre Sakamoto-Howell, junior princess; Skylre Sakamoto-Howell, sophomore princess, and Sydney Berquist, freshman princess.