Alleged arsonist arraigned

ROSALIA— A local man was arraigned Friday, Nov. 20, in Whitman County Superior Court following his arrest for allegedly attempting to burn down the Community Baptist Church.

Samuel Jack Edgar Owens, 45, of Rosalia, remains in the Whitman County Jail on a $750,000 bond. He made his first court appearance and was charged Nov. 17 with first-degree arson.

On Monday, Nov. 16, deputies were called to Community Baptist Church, 818 N. Whitman Ave., for a man threatening to burn down the church, Whitman County Sheriff Brett J. Myers said.

A witness told deputies that the man was aggressive and irration...