Bulletin Column

SETTLEMENT PENDING IN CITY SUIT

A proposed settlement in the suit filed by Colfax Fire Chief Ralph Walter against the City of Colfax and two city officials is now in the process of being reviewed following a mediation hearing last week. The suit was filed by Chief Walter after a civil service appeal hearing in October of 2010 was halted when Mayor Norma Becker announced she had decided to reverse her decision and restore him to his job.

Walter later filed a damage claim against the city which was rejected by the city insurers, and that resulted in the filing of a damage suit against the city last June. Becker and City Administrator Carl Thompson were also listed as defendants.

City Attorney Bruce Ensley said the parties agreed to a mediation hearing which was conducted last week, and the parties appear to have reached an agreement which will eventually be filed with the court.

Colfax City Council members last night went into a short executive session for a second time for discussion of the litigation.

Ensley said last week’s mediation session involved Walter’s attorney and attorneys for the city’s insurer.

MORE JAIL IN HOOD CASE

Skylar Nobbley, one of the Lewiston area residents convicted of victimizing Pullman area resident Larry Hood in 2010, was ordered back to jail Friday for 60 days. Nobbley was sentenced to the additional time for failing to pay costs and fees ordered by the court after he pleaded guilty to second degree theft in October of 2011 under a plea bargain agreement. Nobbley had originally also been charged with robbing Hood April 22, 2010.

After he entered his plea, Nobbley was ordered to pay $3,205 in fines and fees which included $2,550 restitution to Hood. He was one of three defendants ordered to pay the restitution.

Nobbley was sought on a bench warrant after he previously failed to appear for hearing dates for his failure to make payments. The charge filed against him Friday by Prosecutor Denis Tracy alleges he had only made one payment of $20 and failed to provide any report on completing community service time.

COLTON WINS KANS CONTEST

Colton High students won the King of Kans food drive contest last week. Four high schools in the county entered the competition and Colton finished first with 475 pounds of donated food which equals 7.78 pounds per student. Other finishers were LaCrosse, 167 pounds for 4.77 per student; Tekoa, 197 pounds for 2.26 per student, and Colfax, 167 pounds for .76 pounds per student, according to a report from LaCrosse Principal Doug Curtis.

MILL STREET LIGHTS TOPIC

City Administrator Carl Thompson Monday reported the two sets of streetlights installed in the Mill Street improvement projects have marked a big difference in operating costs. The projects were funded mostly with TIB grants.

Thompson told the city council Monday night the older model lights on the north end of Mill, which are fitted with 300-watt bulbs and ballasts, cost the city $2,260 over a 10-month period.

The 25 lights on the south end of Mill, fitted with LED lights, operated at a $278 cost over the same 10-month period.

The city is considering a plan to convert the 25 lights on the north to the LED bulbs but the project could be complicated because of the need for UL certification, Thompson explained.

WINTER ACCIDENT REPORTS

Five non-injury accidents were reported by WSP troopers over the past three days with winter conditions over the weekend. The detachment tally also logged responses to four non-reportable accidents and responses to two reported accident sites which were not located. Snow, ice and slush were listed on accident reports.

Sunday at about 12:40 p.m. a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban driven by Gordon Millard, 50, St. John, rolled into the ditch along Highway 23 about 5.1 miles south of St. John after he lost control in snow and slush conditions.

Sunday at 3 a.m. a 1999 Volvo V-70 station wagon driven northbound by Matthew Curtis, 20, Spokane, slid out of control, crossed the centerline and struck the guardrail on Highway 195 about 17 miles north of Colfax.

Saturday at 11:20 p.m. a 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass driven by Nancy Douma, Moscow, slid out of control on Highway 270 about 3.2 miles east of Pullman. The Cutlass went off the road and struck a power pole.

Friday at 10 minutes after midnight a 2003 Honda Pilot driven westbound by Kevin Roller, West Richland, slid out of control on Highway 26 seven miles west of Colfax and came to a halt in a large drainage ditch.

At 5:45 p.m. Friday a 1988 Toyota pickup truck driven northbound on Highway 195 by Jamie Nathlitch, Yakima, went out of control and slid into a bridge railing. The pickup slid across the highway and struck the guardrail on the opposite side of the highway.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ARREST

Pullman Police Friday reported they arrested James C. Kusznir, 32, on probable charges of sexual misconduct with a minor. Police responded to a report from Child Protective Services after Kusznir allegedly notified them about his inappropriate contact with a 16-year-old foster daughter on multiple occasions. The girl was immediately removed from the home.

LAZCANOS SEEK JOINT CONFAB

A court hearing has been set for Friday on a defense motion to allow a joint session of the Lazcano brothers and their attorneys to prepare for trial. Each brother faces a charge of first degree murder for the alleged killing of Marcus A. Schur, 23, last December. The Lazcanos have been in jail since their arraignment in April.

Eric Christianson, Spokane attorney who represents Daniel Lazcano, 21, said he and the attorney for Frank Lazcano attempted a joint meeting with the brothers at the jail Nov. 15 and were informed the prosecutor’s office had left word with jailers not to allow a joint meeting. He said they sent a letter of inquiry to the prosecutor Nov. 28 and have not received a reply.

Frank Lazcano, 24, is represented by Steve Martonick of Pullman.

Christianson’s motion contends the defense has the right to investigate aspects related to the case and be fully prepared for trial.

The Lazcanos are charged with murdering Schur last Dec. 27 in Malden. Schur, who had been missing since that date, was recovered March 25 after being discovered by fishermen in the creek below Bonnie Lake.