Bulletin Column: January 23, 2020
January 23, 2020
These reports are from the previous three 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.
ADU ZONING ON CITY AGENDA
Proposed zoning for accessory dwelling units was among topics at Tuesday night's city council session. An accessory dwelling unit is a habitable living unit on the same site with a principal single-family dwelling.
The city has been approached by a builder who has been requested to construct an ADU.
The city planning commission has been working on a proposed code for the units. Colfax already has a few ADUs in its R1 and R2 zones. The units can be created within, attached to or detached from the principle single-family unit on the site.
Also on the agenda for Tuesday night's meeting was proposed setback requirements in the B-Business zone for the municipal code. The proposal calls for a five-foot setback in front which can be used for parking.
The city council met Tuesday because of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance Monday, the normal meeting date for the council. Council sessions start at 7 p.m.
FOUNDATION ASSISTS 22 GRADS
Colfax Schools Foundation has mailed out a letter to report that responses from donors, both past and present, has reached a point where they have been able to fund scholarships for all applicants from the 2019 Colfax High School class. It was the first time in 17 years that the foundation was able to assist every applicant. The total of applicants from the class was 22.
Each of the recipients was recognized at an awards banquet prior to graduation. Donations to the foundation can be mailed to 223 N. Main. The foundation has recently become affiliated with Amazon Smile. Residents who shop at Amazon can designate their reward earnings be donated to the CSF.
PALOUS EMPIRE FAIR MEETING
Palouse Empire Fair Board has scheduled its first meeting of the new year for Monday, Jan. 27, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Public Service Building in Colfax. Reports from the fair foundation, rodeo and fair finances will be among those scheduled for the session.
The next meeting of the board has been scheduled for Feb. 24.
SUSPECT PLACED IN MED CARE
A Pullman woman, who was arrested at Best Western in Colfax Jan. 15 and charged with assaulting two deputies, was subsequently transferred from the jail to an approved medical facility. Criminal charges will not be pursued.
The arrest report by Deputy Sgt. Dan Brown said he was called to Best Western in Colfax by a report that the woman was intimidating guests there.
The suspect had been discharged from the jail where she had been arrested on a domestic violence allegation.
Brown's report said the woman failed to comply with requests that she remain seated, and she eventually crawled up behind him and made attempts to grab his holstered gun.
She was placed in handcuffs and eventually taken to the jail where she allegedly kicked Deputy Tyler Langerfeld while being processed into the jail.
LIBERTY STATE MEET JAN. 29
A Liberty State group meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. in The Center. The meeting is open to all who are interested in the creation of a new state in Eastern Washington, according to Kevin Akesson of Colfax, one of the proponents.
ROCKNESS PLEADS NOT GUILTY
Whitman County Undersheriff Ron Rockness pleaded not guilty Friday morning in superior court to a charge of second-degree assault with domestic violence. Rockenss is charged with assaulting his spouse in Rosalia Dec. 12.
Friday's arraignment hearing was limited because Judge Gary Libey advised both sides at the outset that he will recuse himself from presiding over the case. Libey noted he could not preside because he has worked with Rockness on court matters many times over the years.
Defense Attorney Mark Monson and Asotin County Prosecutor Benjamin Nichols agreed to allow Judge Libey to preside at the arraignment and make related decisions before the judge steps aside.
Nichols has been assigned as a special deputy prosecutor in the Rockness matter because of the defendant's position at the sheriff's office. When Sheriff Brett Myers learned last month that complaints would be filed against a member of his staff, he requested Asotin County to investigate.
One debated segment on the arraignment process was whether Rockness, as a charged suspect in an assault case, should be prohibited from being in possession of firearms. Judge Libey ruled the situation required him to impose the firearms ban for Rockness even though that could have an impact on the defendant's employment with the sheriff's office.
In addition, Rockness was ordered not to go within 500 feet of the residence where the alleged victim is residing in Rosalia. He was also ordered to not have contact with any potential witnesses in the case.
Monson confirmed that as the attorney for the defense, he would be allowed to contact potential witnesses to form up his defense.
Rockness was ordered to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages. He will be allowed to go to his residence with a civil standby officer to retrieve his things.
Judge Libey said after he steps aside, the presiding judge for superior courts in Spokane will name a judge to hear the trial.
A Jan. 31 court date was set for scheduling court dates with the judge who is appointed to
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