Bulletin Column: Dec. 28, 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.

THREE HURT AT JOHNSON

At approximately 9 p.m. Friday evening, deputies and emergency crews responded to a single car accident on Johnson Road near Johnson Cut-Off Road. When crews arrived they discovered a 2004 Chevy extra-cab pickup truck carrying four occupants had veered off the road and collided with a power pole.

The impact of the collision caused the pole and power lines to fall onto the vehicle, according to the report from Sheriff Brett Myers.

Crews from Avista were called to the scene to assist with removing downed power lines so that the two occupants who were trapped inside could safely be extricated. Three of the occupants were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the pickup, Dillon M. Frank, 21, Colton, was cited for driving under the influence and potentially could face charges of vehicular assault, Myers said.

Power and cell phone coverage were interrupted for several hours after the accident.

LEWISTON MAN DIES IN COLLISION

A two-car accident south of Pullman Friday took the life of a Lewiston man. The victim was identified as Noah S. McCarley, 20.

According to the report by Trooper Bruce Blood, McCarley was driving a 2003 Subaru Legacy southbound at 2:51 p.m. when he lost control of the car on the ice-covered highway and slid sideways into the oncoming lane of traffic. The Subaru was struck by a 2015 Ford Expedition which was being driven northbound by Brian Peterson, 50, Moscow. Peterson was injured in the collision and was transported by ambulance to Pullman Regional Hospital.

Coroner Peter Martin Monday reported McCarley died of massive head, neck and chest injuries,

Site of the accident was at mile marker 19, two miles south of Pullman.

TACO TIME RENEWS CONTRACT

Taco Time in Colfax has renewed its franchise agreement and will remain in its present mode of operation, according to a notice sent out to customers Friday. The future of Taco Time has been the subject of a "lot of talk" around Colfax, but the franchise agreement has been renewed.

Owner Wayne Bergey early last week said he was aware of the uncertainty about the future of the business, but he said at that time the contract negotiations remained open, and he would know by the end of the week about the future of the franchise.

The "notice to valued customers" was issued by the Bergey’s daughter, Holly Lybbert of Colfax.

PORTLAND ATTORNEY APPOINTED

Portland attorney Jeffrey Ellis, who has represented Frank Lazcano at times during his appeals process, was appointed in court Friday morning to represent Lazcano in the reference hearing which has been ordered to be done here by the court of appeals. Ellis advised Judge Gary Libey in a conference call from the courtroom that he will take the case.

Prosecutor Denis Tracy advised the court he was concerned about getting the hearing done and a finding put on record by the Feb. 9 deadline set by the Court of Appeals in Spokane.

Both Ellis and Judge Libey also said they were concerned about meeting the deadline, and Ellis volunteered to be responsible for petitioning the appeals court for an extension.

Tracy and Ellis were assigned to negotiate a date for the hearing and present it to the court.

Judge Libey also granted a request by Lazcano to be returned to Airway Heights state corrections where he has been serving his sentence.

LAZCANO NAME CORRECTION

In accounts last week in the Bulletin and Gazette about the pending hearing related to the appeal of Frank Lazcano, the first name of his brother was incorrectly reported. His name is Daniel Lazcano. His conviction is not related to the pending action ordered for his brother.

CITY EYES AGENDA CHANGES

Colfax City Administrator Dodd Snodgrass reported Dec. 18 that some changes will be proposed for the agenda format which has been used at city council sessions. Snodgrass noted one change could call for work study presentations on topics which could appear before the council on a future date. The sessions would include a free interaction of ideas on approaching topics.

Outside experts would be scheduled to brief the council on topics which could require decisions in the future.

Other changes in the agenda are also proposed.

CITY TO CHANGE BUILDING FEES

Colfax will change its building fee policy for new structures in Colfax after the first of the year. Fees for new structures will be charged according to the square footage listed for the proposed structure.

The city has based its building fee charge on the estimated cost of a new structure. City Administrator Dodd Snodgrass said the aim will be to even out the fee costs by basing them on the square feet. The fee change was announced as part of the discussion of the budget at the Dec. 18 city council session.

Building fees for remodeling and roofing projects will remain on the same fee schedule, which is keyed to the cost of each project.

OLD RAIL CROSSINGS TO GO

Colfax Public Works Director Dodd Snodgrass told the city council Dec. 18 that the city has been notified by the Department of Transportation that six crossings along the former Union Pacific line are scheduled to be removed next year. The crossings are along the former line which linked Colfax and Pullman.

The line was later acquired by the state and operated by Watco before it went out of service following the 2006 South Palouse River fire which destroyed the trestle west of Risbeck.

The railroad crossings at city street intersections in town have deteriorated with the lack of track maintenance.