Bulletin Column 9/29/11

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.

FAIR BOOKS SOLID RETURN

Despite the late harvest and a run of unusually hot days, this year’s edition of the Palouse Empire Fair booked a solid return on the books, Fair Manager Bob Reynolds reported at Monday night’s meeting of the fair board. Reynolds said the fair’s overall revenue for the year now stands at 90 percent. That level of revenue by the end of the third quarter rates as a solid mark compared to most years.

Reynolds said he anticipates the revenue mark will be in the 95 percent range by the end of October when other revenue from the fair arrives and gets entered on the books.

Admission earnings from the fair totaled $52,696 with another $3,000 expected from vendors and others who normally order ticket blocs with their rental reservation. Reynolds said advance sales by the eight royalty candidates and their princesses accounted for about 25 percent of the admission sales.

Carnival revenue and concessions brought in $16,157 to date.

Fair rental fees for spaces at the fair, camping and group use brought that revenue total to $30,815.

Reynolds told the fair board the expense part of the fair is still in the works as he works through the bill payments.

One of the costs of the fair will be payment of premium point checks to fair exhibitors. He expects the tabulations and check processing to be done in about two weeks.

In light of state budget problems, Reynolds said he intends to keep some of the state funding in the bank as primer for next year. He told board members he believes zero state funds will be advanced next year to pay premium points.

Total payments sent to exhibitors this year are expected to range between $23,000 and $26,000. That will leave $17,000 to $14,000 in the bank to use as primer for next year’s fair exhibitors.

ENGINEER FILES PROJECT UPDATE

In his fourth weekly report on the Mill Street project, Project Engineer Munir Daud said Motley & Motley crews have completed base work on the street segment between Wall and Spring Streets and moved back to the segment between Upton and Wall Streets. He added the contractor is expected to move operations to the fourth block of the project, Spring to Canyon, by the middle of the week.

Daud reported unmarked natural gas pipes have been discovered during excavation, especially on the east side of the street across from the Wheatland Apartments.

Daud also reported they have discovered at least two locations where new streetlights will be installed are in front of apartments. He reported reflectors are being installed in the lights.

PANCAKE

BREAKFAST FOR

TOY FUND

The firemen’s breakfast Saturday morning, Oct. 8, for Hullabaloo will benefit the annual Christmas Toybox fund for needy youngsters around the county. Volunteer Jim Krouse said the firemen normally have approximately $2,000 on account each year to start the project, but last year’s demands depleted the fund down to $16. Total cost of toy purchases last year was in the range of $7,000 compared to a normal high of around $5,000.

Krouse noted toybox donations each year usually arrive late in the Christmas season after the volunteers have already purchased and distributed the toys.

Residents can leave donations at the fire station or mail them to volunteers at Box 226, Colfax.

PULLMAN DRIVER HURT

Taylor S. Bonzer, 22, Pullman, sustained hand and arm injuries Monday night, Sept. 26, in a two-car accident on Highway 26 west of LaCrosse. According to the Washington State Patrol report, Bonzer was driving a 1995 Honda Accord eastbound at 9:20 p.m. behind a 2008 Toyota Camry driven by Yvonne Ketilsson, 41, Bellingham. Ketilsson stopped for a number of deer which were on the highway, and Bonzer was unable to stop in time and struck the Toyota in the rear near mile marker 97.

RENTON DRIVER UNHURT

Christopher J. Ohlinger, 20, Renton, was unhurt Sunday, Sept. 25, when he lost control of a 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck on the Walla Walla Highway just south of Dusty. According to the Washington State Patrol report, he was driving northbound at 3:35 p.m. when the truck went off the east side of the highway. It then came back across both lanes and went into the ditch and then came to a halt in a field.

DOWNEY

SENTENCED

Fred Downey, described as the “smash and grab” burglar in Pullman last fall, was ordered to serve 67 days in jail Friday afternoon, Sept. 23, in superior court. Before Downey was sentenced, Prosecutor Denis Tracy advised the court that deputies were in the process of investigating a potential new charge that Downey had threatened one of his alleged victims in the courtroom just before the session.

Downey Sept. 9 pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted burglary in the second degree as part of a plea bargain agreement. He had originally faced six felony charges.

Tracy said last fall, Pullman had been hit with a series of “smash and grab” burglaries in which forced entries were made into Pullman offices and businesses and cash seemed to be the lone item taken. Other items of value at the crime scene were left untouched.

Downey was convicted of attempting to enter the Pufferbelly Depot in Pullman. He was identified at the scene on a video from a surveillance camera, but never entered the office because alarms went off.

Dan Antoni, who operates businesses at his Pufferbelly Depot, testified on the amount of loss sustained by damage to the front door. Antoni said the depot, which was constructed in 1917, is an historic building and the damage Downey did to the door can never be fully restored. Antoni also directed a stream of comments at Downey.

“You’re nothing but a low life,” Antoni said to Downey.

Antoni’s daughter, Megan, also testified on the impact of the attempted forced entry.

Downey was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution to Antoni and more than $2,500 to other victims.

At the end of the sentencing, Tracy advised the court that Downey could be facing new charges for threatening Dr. Dean Funabiki just before the session. Tracy advised the court after Downey’s defense attorney requested Downey be allowed 10 days release before starting his sentence. Tracy said there was a possibility that deputies would arrest Downey on probable charge of threatening the doctor before he was allowed any pre-sentence release time.

Dr. Funabiki attended the sentencing but did not testify. His office at the Professional Mall was one to three allegedly hit last Oct. 25. Dr. Funabiki sustained approximately $2,000 damage to six doors in his office and reported $58 in cash missing. The $2,058 loss was among restitution Downey has been ordered to pay.

Gary Libey, who was acting as court commissioner, said he was shocked that 67 days was the maximum he could sentence Downey under the state guidelines. He ordered Downey to begin serving the time immediately. Downey was also ordered to have no contact with the victims.

WIND BREAK BURNS

Colfax and Albion Fire crews Saturday morning responded to a report of fire on the Clear Creek road. The fire, which at one point reportedly threatened buildings, destroyed a wind break and about an acre of stubble located at mile marker 2.5.

CREWS DOUSE

STUBBLE FIRE

Rural fire crews Wednesday, Sept. 21, responded to a 3:34 p.m. report of a stubble fire about three miles west of Colfax in a field above the S. Palouse River Road. Volunteer Jim Krouse estimated 15 to 20 acres burned in the fire which is believed to have started off a Utility Terrain Vehicle which was being driven in the area. Fire crews were on the scene for approximately an hour.

Krouse noted the extended string of high temperature days without rain has made field and rangeland fire conditions extremely high. Volunteers Wednesday, Sept. 21, encountered field segments which re-ignited after crews made a first attack on the flames.

TOWNS NOW PAY TRAINING BILL

Colfax Police Chief Bill Hickman Sept.19 reported towns are now required to pay the expenses of sending an officer for basic Police Academy Training in Burien. The cost of training an officer is expected to be about $3,200. Hickman said the change was effective as of July 1.

Chief Hickman said in recent years the training program, which is offered by the State Criminal Training Commission, has billed agencies for ammunition costs in the training program.

Chris Olin, one of two officers hired this year for the Colfax department, has been accepted into the academy and will begin training Oct. 11. The basic training session will continue until Feb. 22.

The other officer hired, John Lybbert, came from Latah County and already had basic training. He did have to undergo equivalency training to learn the differences in Idaho and Washington law.

Training officers have been a need of the Colfax department in the past when entry-level officers at Colfax join other agencies and leave the force. Hickman said that trend has slowed down because officers now have to consider the possible loss of seniority when they move from one department to another in the time of tight budgets. Colfax requires officers remain in service here for two years after they complete training.

In addition to the actual training costs, the city has the trainee on the payroll during the time he undergoes training.