Bulletin Column Nov. 10

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.

FIRE CHIEF NEGOTIATIONS

Steven Thime of Woodland Park, Colo., is the finalist who has been offered the Colfax fire chief position, Colfax Mayor Todd Vanek reported at Monday night's city council session. Thime and Michael Meagher of Plummer, Idaho, were previously identified as the two finalists for the position and appeared for interviews and at a public meeting session at the library Oct. 28.

Mayor Vanek reported he expects Thime would be hired at the top of the salary range offered for the job, and he is now negotiating other points of the contract. Topics of negotiation include a possible moving allowance and providing a chief's vehicle.

Vanek noted the hiring process will also involve short-term costs of double staffing while the new chief learns about the town and the department's equipment and procedures.

Thime is a former fire captain at Colorado Springs.

Council members Monday night noted the fire department budget for next year includes a capital sum intended to build up a fund to purchase a fire engine, and another capital expense for providing a chief's car would have to come on top of that. They suggested the car could be listed in a future budget when and if Thime takes the chief's job, which would include his supervision of the department's budget.

CAMPUS GREEKS SHUT DOWN EVENTS

Board members of the WSU Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council Monday announced a moratorium on all social events hosted by sororities and fraternities, at least until the end of the semester. The moratorium went into effect as of 5 p.m. Monday. The news release included signatures of the members of their respective councils.

The report said growing concern over the number of assaults, falls, alleged rapes and hospitalizations led to the decision to shut down the social events regardless of the presence of alcohol.

Overuse of alcohol and/or drugs by Greek organizations was cited as the reason. The statement said the reported incidents, while related to individual Greek houses, "greatly degrade the perception and credibility of Greek life at the university." They noted the future of Greek life on campus is in jeopardy.

The statement said both councils met Nov. 2 and 3 to determine a course of action in the wake of the growing problem.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

PURCHASE

A $5,000 purchase for additional Main Street Christmas lights was approved at Monday night's city council meeting. The purchase will be made out of the city's hotel tax surcharge fund.

The request was made by the council 's economic development, events and tourism committee, which oversees the fund. A $4,000 tap of the fund this year and a "pay forward" on $1,000 budgeted for lights next year was approved by the council.

The committee anticipates the purchase of 12 snowflake ornament decorations.

The city's hotel surcharge tax fund at present now totals $90,256. Proceeds from the fund are used to enhance tourism visits to the town.

AGENT URGES BEETLE MEET

Steve Van Vleet, WSU county extension agent, urged city council members Monday night to set up some type of town meeting to inform residents about the pine beetle infestation and what measures can be taken to counter it. Van Vleet urged the city to help bring awareness of the infestation which is hitting pine trees in town and around the county.

He noted the infestation, which includes three types of beetles, has been brought on by the extended drought conditions, although October's record rainfall possibly helped the situation. Van Vleet said he has put out traps for the beetles and has found as many as 500 beetles per trap, which rates as "really nothing" compared to the number of beetles which have been counted in pine trees which have been removed and cut open.

Van Vleet said three different types of beetles are involved, with the Western Pine Beetle taking the heaviest toll.

He noted infested pine trees die from the top down, and when trees get too far gone the best practice is to remove the trees, chop them up and burn them.

Some insecticide treatments are available, but the cost is normally prohibitive. He noted applications have to be applied up to 30 feet and can make the cost prohibitive for attempting to save many trees.

Early December was discussed as a possible time for a meeting. Van Vleet noted insecticide applications are usually done in April.

ALBION MAN ARRESTED

FOR INFANT ASSAULT

Tobin W. Phillips, 20, Albion, was arrested Friday on probable charges of assault of a child in the second degree. Phillips was booked into the Whitman County jail.

According to the arrest report by Undersheriff Ronald Rockness, deputies early Friday morning responded to a report of an injured 21-day-old female infant who was being treated at Pullman Regional Hospital for a skull fracture. The infant was later transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane.

Phillips, the infant's father, was arrested after deputies interviewed witnesses and reviewed information on the infant's injuries.

Phillips was allowed release on his own recognizance in a first appearance in court Monday and ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim. Formal charges have not been filed.

STATE RESPONSE TO BARBER

PETITION

The state's response to the court petition in the case of Robert Barber, WSU football player who was suspended for his actions in a fight last July at an off-campus residence, states that Barber had previously been ordered to appear before the WSU student conduct board in 2015.

The university's response was filed Nov. 3, the same day Barber's attorney, Stephen Graham of Spokane, filed a petition seeking a court order to stay the suspension order issued against Barber Oct. 17.

The suspension order led to Barber's removal from the WSU football team where he was a starter on defense. He has not played in the last two WSU games.

The WSU response in the civil suit was filed by Danette Hess, a senior assistant state attorney general.

Hess noted Barber was arrested in March of 2015 after he became upset when a friend was arrested for disorderly conduct. The response said Barber hit a car with his fists and yelled expletives and threats to an off-duty city officer.

In a subsequent hearing, the WSU student conduct board required Barber to write a "reflection paper" about his conduct.

The response argues removing the Oct. 17 suspension would be a threat to the safety and health of the WSU community.

The response states conduct board members reviewed videos which allegedly show Barber punching a WSU student when a melee broke out July 23. The report said the student was knocked down and unconscious, then Barber hit him again as he was on the floor.

The alleged victim is identified as the complainant in the petition and in the state's response. The complainant and Pullman Police Officer Scott Patrick were the two witnesses who testified at the second conduct board session.

Barber in his petition contended he was scared. The alleged melee broke out after fireworks were ignited at the party which was at a private residence on Oak Street.

The response noted conduct board members questioned Barber on how he could feel scared when he struck the complainant a second time when the alleged victim was unconscious and lying on the floor.

It said one of the questions Barber asked the complainant was if he had tried to start a fight with Barber, and it noted the complainant responded "that didn't happen."

BARBER REQUESTS COURT REVIEW

A petition for court review of the WSU suspension of Robert Barber, former Cougar football player, was filed Nov. 3 by Stephen Graham, Spokane attorney. The petition asks the court to set aside the suspension, imposed attorney fees and stay of procedures against Barber.

Barber this year was a starter for the Cougar defense. He did not appear at practices in the middle of last week and did not play for the Cougars in the Oregon State game last week.

Graham's petition, a civil action filed against WSU, alleges the student conduct hearings failed to follow procedure, failed to maintain a record, failed to conduct relevant cross examination and considered testimony given by witnesses at a time when they were not under oath.

The petition said an order of expulsion was issued by the student conduct board Sept. 13, and after Barber appealed the expulsion it was reduced to a suspension and he was issued a final notice Oct. 17.

The petition said Barber had planned to graduate from WSU in December and studied for a career in criminal justice.

Barber and Toso Fehoko, also a WSU football player, were arrested and booked by Pullman Police Sept. 16 on probable charges of second-degree assault. They were subsequently released in Pullman. Those arrests were reported that day by Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins in a news session at city hall in which WSU Athletic Director Bill Moos participated.

The Pullman Police case was submitted to the Whitman County Prosector's office. Charges have not been filed.

At the press conference, Chief Jenkins reported 22 WSU football players were interviewed during the investigation. Other suspects listed for probable misdemeanor charges were also listed in the report.

Among other points, Graham's petition Thursday alleged during the conduct hearing, Barber was asked to leave the hearing room when the complainant testified before the board. It added when Barber did testify he was interrupted several times by Lisa McIntyre, chair of the board.

It alleged the interruptions reached a point that an athletic department staffer who was assigned to assist Barber asked for a recess.

The complaint also alleged that when Barber was out of the room, but monitoring the testimony via a speaker, members of the board referred to him as being in a "holding cell."

Barber's account of the alleged assault, which is alleged to have been in the early morning at a fraternity live-out party on NE Oak Street, was that he felt himself being pushed from behind and that he felt scared and threw a punch.

Graham's petition noted the video of the fight, described as a melee, showed just five to 10 seconds of Barber's alleged involvement.

The petition alleges Dr. McIntyre at one point in the hearing told panel members she had viewed the video "like 100 times," and to her Barber did not appear to be scared but "just looked mad."

The filings included an affidavit by Barber which stated when he subsequently requested a copy of the questions he prepared and submitted for the conduct board hearing he was told that they had been destroyed.

Spokane Sen. Michael Baumgartner, vice chair of the state senate higher education committee, reported on Twitter that he would conduct a news conference after the WSU regents meeting. Baumgartner on his Twitter feed listed 23 reasons why he considers the WSU student conduct process broken.

TAGO PLEADS NOT GUILTY

Logan Tago, another WSU football player who has been dropped by the team, made a first appearance in superior court Friday morning. Tago has been charged with second degree robbery and fourth degree assault in connection with a June 4 confrontation in which a man carrying a six-pack of beer was allegedly forced to hand it over to Tago and others. The victim, identified as H.G. in the information filed in court against Tago, was also allegedly assaulted.

County Defense Attorney Steve Martonick was appointed to represent Tago. An arraignment date was set for Nov. 18 after Tago requested more time to consider his plea.

CAR FIRE AT HOSPITAL

Colfax Police and a fire crew responded to a report of a vehicle fire Sunday at 4:54 p.m. in the parking lot at the hospital. The driver of a small SUV pulled into the hospital lot after the SUV began to malfunction as she was driving eastbound on Airport Road.

County Coroner Pete Martin of Tekoa was at the hospital at the time and doused the vehicle fire with a fire extinguisher before the engine crew arrived at the scene.

SCOUT FOOD DRIVE

SATURDAY

Colfax Boy Scouts will conduct their annual food drive Saturday morning. Troop 595 Scoutmaster Mark Clinton noted the food drive format has changed, with advance distribution of food bags eliminated from the routine.

Homeowners are asked to put food donations out on their front porches by 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. Scouts in troops 595 and 550 will make the rounds to collect the food donations. Cub Scout packs will also assist.

Clinton said they plan to assemble at Rosauers at 9 a.m Saturday and then start making the rounds.

Flyers on the food drive have been provided to shoppers this week at Rosauers. Posters and other public notice messages are planned.

TRIAL DATE SET FOR TREVINO

Mark Trevino, 29, Tekoa, pleaded not guilty in superior court Friday morning to two charges of second-degree theft and one charge of second-degree burglary. Trevino was charged in connection with an alleged Oct. 24 entry of Tekoa City Hall. A Panasonic tough computer tablet, used for reading city meters, and two fuel charge cards were allegedly taken in the burglary, but they were later recovered with the assistance of the suspect, according to the investigation report.

Trevino remains in jail after the bond amount set for his pre-trial release was set at $25,000.

His trial date was set for Dec. 12.

DUO SPOTS FLOWER POT FIRE

Two contractors who were driving past a house on SE Robin Place in Pullman last Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 1, are credited with spotting a fire which started in a flower pot and spread to the exterior of the house in the 900 block. The contractors called in the fire.

According to the report, the home owner was inside of the residence, but she was unaware of the fire. Deputy Fire Marshall Tony Nuttman determined the fire started from a cigarette which had been placed in a flower pot. He noted the fire, which caused minimal damage, points to the danger of trying to extinguish a cigarette in potting soil which is largely made up of wood products and can ignite.

Damage to the house was minimal with some char damage in the area of the garage.

EVERETT

DRIVER HURT

Yueting Hua, Everett, was taken by ambulance to Whitman Hospital and Medical Center Nov. 1 night when the car she was driving went out of control and rolled off Highway 26 two miles west of Colfax.

According to the Washington State Patrol, Hua was driving a 2015 Toyota Corolla eastbound at 8:52 p.m. when she lost control of the car and over-corrected. The Corolla crossed both lanes of traffic and rolled on its top on the ditch along the westbound side of the highway.

A Colfax ambulance crew transported the driver to the hospital.

LaX STUDENTS VISIT ELECTION CENTER

LaCrosse students in the third through fifth grades Nov. 2 visited the county elections office where General Election ballots were to be processed.

Auditor Eunice Coker and elections staffer Cindy Pitts talked with the students and walked them through the security procedures in the process.