Bulletin Column: Nov. 30, 2017

CANVASS BOARD REJECTS 120 BALLOTS

Whitman Elections Canvass Board reviewed 203 challenged ballots, and rejected 120 while adding 83 to the total for the final count session before Tuesday’s certification of the election.

Final count of ballots cast in the election totaled 8,624, which was 130 more than reported at the last count Nov.16. That put the overall election turnout at 38.9 percent.

The canvass board reviewed 25 unsigned ballots, approved 12 and rejected 13; considered 58 too-late ballots and approved just two; considered 107 ballots with questionable signatures, approving 61 and rejecting 46, and viewed 13 ballots held for miscellaneous reasons and allowed eight to count.

TWO MORE DRUG COURT GRADS

Orders of dismissal were issued in superior court Nov. 17 for two drug court participants who have completed the two-year course. Defendants who are accepted into drug court agree to follow the treatment and monitoring sessions. They also agree to admit the charges brought against them in the event they fail to meet the requirements of drug court.

Judge David Frazier, who was serving as judge pro-tem for the Nov. 17 session, congratulated the two drug court grads and noted both completed the process without any early derailments.

“Every single aspect of my life is better,” Michael Fillhart said. He noted he was getting close to finishing a college degree, something which might not have happened without the drug court monitoring.

“Once I was able to get clean and sober, it just hit me that I was dealing with a very serious matter,” Fillhart said.

Robert Gerlitz told the court recovery from drug addiction has been great and thanked the court for the opportunity. Gerlitz noted he has seen what happens to people who fail to complete the course. Judge Frazier issued an order of dismissal of the possession of amphetamine case against Fillhart, now 22.

Three charges of delivery of drugs against Gerlitz were dismissed. They were filed after the Quad Cities Drug Task Force conducted three controlled purchases of drugs from Gerlitz, now 26, in March and April of 2015. At the time of his arrest Gerlitz listed his home as Richland.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Daniel LeBeau noted it was a pleasure not to seek a conviction in both cases.

The drug court graduations took place while other participants made their monthly reports. Drug court participants are required to undergo monthly tests to detect drug use.

ALLEGE COMPUTER THEFT

Wyatt J. Smith, 19, Colfax, was booked into jail early Monday on probable charges of third degree theft and trafficking in stolen property. Smith was jailed after Colfax police Sunday investigated a report from Smith’s mother that he had taken her laptop computer Nov. 19. She told police in recent weeks Smith had a pattern of coming to her house for a short visit and after he left she would discover something missing.

The probable cause report alleges when Smith was confronted with his mother’s account, he confessed to taking the computer and going to Spokane and trading it for heroin.

In talking with officers, Smith’s mother urged them to seek a high bail because she believes the only way Smith can stay out of trouble is to remain in jail.

Bail for Smith’s pre-trial release was set at $2,500 surety in a first appearance in court Monday.

Deputy Prosecutor Merritt Decker filed a formal charge of trafficking in stolen property.

TWO MORE DEER COLLISIONS

Cheyenne Hill, Moscow, was unhurt Sunday when the 2006 Nissan Altima she was driving collided with a deer on the Moscow/Pullman highway at the Pullman city limits five miles east of Pullman. According to the Washington State Patrol report, Hill was driving eastbound at 7:30 p.m. when the deer ran into the roadway.

Judy A. Watson, LaCrosse, was unhurt Nov. 21 when the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe she was driving collided with a deer on Highway 26 eight miles west of Colfax. According to the report by Trooper Bruce Blood, Watson was driving westbound at 6:30 p.m. when the deer ran onto the highway at mile 125.

GRANTS FROM MOTEL TAX FUND

Grants provided for next year through the Colfax motel tourism tax were announced at the Nov. 20 city council session.

City Administrator Dodd Snodgrass, who made the report as part of a budget presentation, pointed out the grant decisions were made by the city’s educational and technology committee. The grants, which derive from an excise tax on room rentals, require the projects to be related to tourist activities and enhance visits to the area.

A call for applications was issued by the committee. Grant recipients listed were $20,000 to the Downtown Association for the unified director position, $8,000 to First Thursday, $5,000 to the Barley Harvest Festival, $2,000 to the Best Western Mystery event and $3,250 for the McDougall Invitational track meet. Snodgrass noted the excise tax generated $48,250 this year and is expected to finish in that range next year.

The McDougall meet last spring celebrated the opening of the new Colfax High School track. The harvest festival hosted by the Myers family was an in-field celebration for Baronesse malting barley.

Funding an out-of-town event from the Colfax fund can be done under the format that the event can attract tourists to the area.

JOHNSTON NOW AT ELLENSBURG

Henry Johnston, a former member of the Bruning Funeral Home staff in Colfax, has now taken a position as manager of Steward & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory in Ellensburg.

Johnston was employed at Bruning from 2013 to 2016 and then went to Kramer Funeral Home in Palouse where he was interim manager for 15 months while Mark Kramer underwent back surgery.