Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Week in Review

The Spokesman-Review

Three weeks after Sami Al-Hussayen was acquitted of three terrorism-related charges and three immigration charges, federal prosecutors cut a deal dropping eight remaining immigration charges against the University of Idaho graduate student. In exchange, Al-Hussayen agreed to drop his appeal of a deportation order, and return to Saudi Arabia. The computer science student has already spent 16 months behind bars, since being arrested for operating Web sites that prosecutors allege raise money for terrorists. “It is in the best interests of the people of the United States that Mr. Al-Hussayen leave the country as soon as possible,” the prosecutor said. Defenders had said the case was all about free speech. Al-Hussayen’s faculty adviser said he can finish up work toward a doctoral degree from Saudi Arabia.

MONDAY

An informal, weekly event at Manito Park has neighbors complaining about drugs, fights, litter and other bad behavior. As many as 200 people – mostly teens – show up every Thursday in summer to socialize and hear African-style drumming. The park board is now paying overtime to staff the park with uniformed officers during the gatherings.

“ Before daylight Sunday, Spokane Police dealt with three stabbed men and two victims of a drive-by shooting. Three men told police they were stabbed when they stepped out of their car to question a man who was shouting racial slurs and later was arrested. Two of the three were admitted to a hospital. About an hour later, one man was shot in the legs and another in his torso by a man in a slow-moving car. There were no arrests in that case.

TUESDAY

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman likely has enough signatures to place Initiative 892 on the November ballot. The gambling initiative would allow 18,000 slot-style machines in non-tribal bars, bowling alleys, bingo halls and restaurants throughout the state, and is financially backed by many of those businesses. Tribes, which now have a monopoly on the machines, oppose the initiative.

“ The Spokane City Council has passed an ordinance requiring helmets for anyone riding a bike, skates or scooters. Mayor Jim West has 10 days to decide whether he’ll sign the ordinance.

“ Spokane police are investigating the apparent drug-overdose death of a 16-year-old girl who was left at an emergency room by two people. The man and woman, who were later questioned by police, probably won’t face charges unless they provided drugs to the girl. Police say the pair stopped to buy cigarettes while taking the girl to the hospital.

“ The Spokane Valley City Council may increase taxes back to pre-incorporation levels. Under consideration are a levy to pay for street repaving when sewer lines are installed; a utility tax; and impact fees on new construction. Shunning the predictions of experts, incorporation proponents told voters the new city could operate with lower taxes. But city expenditures are growing at 6 percent a year, while revenues are growing at just 1 percent to 2 percent.

WEDNESDAY

The Idaho Department of Lands has ordered a Post Falls landowner to restore a section of the Spokane River that was illegally excavated. Spokane businessman Thomas Hamilton has until July 23 to submit a plan for refilling the 150-foot channel he dug for a boat slip.

“ Former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore was greeted enthusiastically by about 500 Spokane residents who paid to hear a speech by the judge who became famous for refusing to remove a monument to the Ten Commandments from his courthouse. Sharing the podium was Constitution Party presidential candidate Michael Peroutka, who wants the government to acknowledge God, stop fighting “unconstitutional” wars, ban abortion, and keep homosexuals and women out of the military.

“ A registered sex offender is accused of two attacks against women, including the January murder of a 20-year-old woman. Brian W. Frawley, 23, will likely be charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing Margaret Cordova and dumping her body in the woods. He already is charged with kidnapping, raping and robbing another woman on April 18. She told police Frawley threatened to kill her.

“ Homeless advocates pitched camp in the median along West Riverside Avenue to protest Spokane City Council approval of an ordinance outlawing transient shelters on public property. Mayor Jim West has not said whether he’ll sign the ordinance.

THURSDAY

About 1,500 people lined up at a Costco store in Issaquah, Wash., to briefly meet former President Bill Clinton and get autographs on copies of his recently released, 3-pound book, “My Life.” Clinton stayed in the store 2 1/2 hours, and averaged 6 seconds per signature.

“ A former criminal justice professor will spend six months in federal prison for helping a Washington State University student flee to Canada just before he faced trial for three counts of vehicular homicide. Fred Russell remains a federal fugitive 32 months after he fled Pullman. Bernadette F. Olson said at her sentencing that she’s sorry she got involved.

“ June’s rain followed by July’s sun means lots of weeds in Spokane. But the city’s tight budget means there’s little to be done to control them. The city is enlisting volunteer help.

FRIDAY

Authorities warn that firecrackers and sky-blasting fireworks purchased on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation can be ignited only on the reservation. All fireworks are banned in Spokane County, and Kootenai County allows only the “safe-and-sane” varieties.

“ A harshly written IRS report says bonds sold to purchase the River Park Square garage are not tax-exempt because the groups involved in the deal did not follow federal law, paid an unreasonable amount for the garage and gave too much money to the mall’s private developer.

“ A Spokane Valley teen suffered severe head injuries when she fell off a car driven by another teen. The victim is in critical condition while the driver faces possible felony charges. In all, there were four girls – none older than 16 – inside the car and two 14-year-olds sitting on its hatch. The driver’s restricted license prohibited her from taking friends for rides.

“ Residents of a Spokane Valley neighborhood are cheering the disappearance of a mixed-breed dog named Shadow that has terrorized them for months. Shadow’s owner apparently moved, after changing the dog’s name several times – and then claiming it had died – to confuse animal-control officers.

Coming up

The U.S. Forest Service is establishing new rules to apply to Priest Lake cabins built on federal lease sites. Read about it Monday, in The Spokesman-Review.