Bulletin Column

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.

COURT SEEKS UNPAID $8.5 MILLION

An extended listing for financial review of criminal court cases dating back to 1994 was on the superior court docket for Friday afternoon. The listing of cases was part of an effort to collect more than $8.5 million which is on the books for unpaid legal financial obligations which includes costs, fees, fines and restitution to victims.

The cases listed are for defendants who were ordered to make payments when they were sentenced. Usually the court outlines a payment plan which starts after jail time is served.

Friday's docket called for 75 past defendants to appear and explain why they have not paid as ordered. Six of the defendants actually appeared in court, and seven appeared by telephone. Also, since the notices to appear were issued, another 19 defendants contacted the court and made arrangements prior to Friday's court date.

Court Clerk Jill Whelchel said Friday was the court's second round of attempts to collect from past defendants. She estimates the financial review cases listed in the first two rounds amount to approximately 20 percent of the cases for which payments are still outstanding.

The court Friday also issued bench warrants for 29 defendants who have not responded to the order to appear in court for the review of their financial status. The rest of the defendants listed on the docket were issued notice to appear at a later date and show cause while they didn't appear as ordered Friday.

Court Commissioner Howard Neill presided.

A standard court judgment normally includes costs and fees. In drug cases the court can add a standard $1,000 fine on a first drug conviction. A second drug conviction can net a $2,000 fine.

The state legislature at its last session dropped a 12 percent annual interest charge for sums due for fines and fees.

Defendants as part of a sentence can be ordered to pay restitution to victims for losses sustained as a result of their crimes. Of the $8.5 million still on the books, more than $2.35 million restitution is still due crime victims. Interest due on the total sum ordered at 12 percent per year actually totals more, $3,151,902.

Court reviews can lead to a finding of contempt if the court determines a defendant was able to make the restitution payments but opted not to do so.

HANKERS FAIR BOOKING

Performance dates for The Hankers from Oakesdale have been set for the Palouse Empire Fair. Hankers' lead fiddler, Keith Niehenke, reported at the group's First Thursday concert in Colfax that they had been signed to perform at the fair.

At Monday's fair board meeting, Fair Operations Manager Heather Netz reported The Hankers have been signed for three one-hour performances on the fair's outdoor stage. They will play Friday, Sept. 7, at 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 8, at 3:30 and again at 5:30 with a one-hour break in between.

COMPASSION CLOSET DATE

Macedonia Baptist Church will conduct the semi-annual Compassion Closet Saturday, July 14, from 10 a.m. until noon. Clothing and household items will be given away, along with books, shoes, toys and baby items.

The church is located at 1904 Oak Street in Colfax.

LIBRARY TO CLOSE ON FOURTH

All 14 branches of Whitman County Library will be closed on the Fourth of July. Due dates have been extended in anticipation of the closure.

FLY-IN BRINGS IN 40 AIRPLANES

Saturday morning's fly-in at the Colfax Airport brought in approximately 40 airplanes from around the northwest, according to Barney Buckley of Colfax, organizer of the event which is sponsored by Experimental Aircraft Association 328 based in Lewiston.

Highlights of the event included flyovers executed by two Stearman biplanes and a DeHavilland Chipmunk.

Pilots had to adjust to a strong crosswind which was blowing earlier in the day.

Colfax Rotary members served breakfast to approximately 260 participants and spectators.

The event's People's Choice award went to a Ryan PT 22 flown by Jared Segerbartt of Moscow. It was among the group who came up from Hangar 180 at Lewiston. The World War II trainer also received the best antique award.

Other award winners were Gary Hart of Fernwood, Idaho, oldest pilot at 77; Ryan Hoard of Pullman, youngest pilot at 32; Keith Littlefield of Kent, flying the longest distance; Bob Babler of Grand Coulee, best experimental plane with a Vans RV 7; Marc Lange of Spokane, best classic with a Cessna 195, and Stan Dammel of Odessa, best contemporary plane with a Beech Bonanza 35.

Buckley said Saturday's fly-in will be the last June edition of the annual event. They plan to move the 2019 fly-in to a date in mid or late September when they anticipate having a better chance of getting more ideal flying conditions.

REPORT NAME ON DEPOT PROJECT

The name of the Whitman County Historical Society's new project at Pullman will be the Pullman Depot Heritage Center. Kathy Meyer and Linda Hackbarth of Pullman, who have been heading the project, were among those introduced by Greg Partch, society president, at Sunday's Ice Cream Social at the Perkins House.

The depot project started after the society purchased the former Northern Pacific Depot from the estate of Dan Antoni, Pullman businessman who collected railroad memorabilia and railroad cars at the depot.

The Pullman project already has enrolled 41 volunteers.

Partch also introduced members of the Jones family of Colfax, long-time supporters of the society who have donated a black walnut tree to replace the giant tree which had to be removed from the grounds of the Perkins House last year.

FIRE CAUSE NOT KNOWN

Pullman Fire Inspector Tony Nuttman said the ruling on the cause of the June 20 night fire in a building at the Colfax sewer plant is undetermined. Nuttman said he determined the fire started in the bathroom of the building which was used mostly for storage.

Nuttman said there are a couple of possibilities for a cause but nothing that can be documented as a certain cause.

Nuttman said he studied the fire scene for more than three hours. He was called in at approximately 7:30 that night.

He noted nobody was actually on the grounds at the plant at the time the fire started. The first report of the fire came in from a member of the Jones Truck & Implement staff at 6:03 p.m. Friday.

Approximately 25 firefighters responded to the scene with Colfax trucks joined by volunteers from Albion, Diamond and Steptoe.

Firefighters had the fire controlled and the building ventilated approximately 20 minutes after arriving on the scene.

Fire Incident Commander Tim Tingley reported smoke was coming out of vents on the eaves of the building when crews arrived.

The front building, which was at one time the control building for the plant, sustained extensive damage to its interior.

The building did not contain any of the controls for the sewer plant.

Colfax Fire Chief Craig Corbeill noted the storage structure contained some chemicals which presented an initial hazard when firefighters entered the building.

Firefighters were able to save the roof of the building, but some damage was sustained to the rafters.