Schoen fills empty Town Council seat

The Millwood Town Council on Monday selected Richard Schoen to take over the seat of a councilman who recently resigned.

Schoen, a retired machine designer, served on the council from 1988 to 2000.

He replaces Brian Votava, who was elected in November but resigned in March having never attended a council meeting because of travel and a job transfer as a Postal Service employee.

Three people applied for the position, and the council unanimously voted to endorse Mayor Dan Mork’s appointment of Schoen.

Schoen faces re-election in 2007.

–Peter Barnes

Spokane

Deputy prosecutor drops charges

A man originally charged with kidnapping and robbery was allowed Tuesday to plead guilty to riot in connection to an incident last year in which a marijuana dealer had his safe, guns and cash stolen.

Jose “Junior” Sanchez Zavala, 35, pleaded guilty after deputy prosecutor Mark Cipolla agreed to dismiss kidnapping and robbery charges.

Superior Court Judge Ellen Kalama Clark asked about the dismissals, and the prosecuting attorney said the case had been weakened by witnesses unwilling to cooperate.

Clark then sentenced Zavala to 37 days in jail with 37 days credit for time served and 12 months of community custody.

According to court records, Zavala either paid or assisted five other suspects as they stole $5,500 in cash, a pound of marijuana and several guns from 2708 N. Napa St. on May 9, 2005. The woman living at the house was tied up with duct tape and assaulted.

Also charged in the case are Herman Tyrone Stanley, 32; James Robert Allen, 27; Toby T. Allen, 30; and Chantel Y. Mathieu, 28. All except Mathieu, who told police she was the getaway driver, face first-degree kidnapping and first-degree kidnapping charges, according to court records.

–Thomas Clouse

Lake Pend Oreille

Treasure hunters make invite

Search for buried booty in Idaho’s Farragut State Park at the North West Treasure Hunters Club’s 34th annual hunt June 16-18.

The hunt begins at 7 a.m. June 16. This year’s theme is “Rootin’ Tootin’ Coinshootin’ Good Time.” The club’s raffle includes gold coins worth $20, $5, a one-tenth-ounce gold coin and some one-ounce silver rounds. Raffle tickets cost $1.

Parents and their children can learn how to pan for gold from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. June 17 at the site.

For more information, contact Soliday at (509) 796-3952 or e-mail cstreasure@centurytel.net.

– Sam Taylor