Candidates forum set for Monday
The local chapter of Voice of the Faithful, a Catholic group, will hold a candidates forum at 7 p.m. Monday in O’Malley Hall at St. Aloysius Church in Spokane.
The topic: legislation and issues involving child abuse.
The forum comes on the heels of a flier being mailed to Spokane voters by the state Democratic Party. It claims that state Sen. Brad Benson “voted to cover up sex crimes against our children.”
Benson, a Spokane Republican facing an election challenge by Democrat Chris Marr, says it’s “ridiculous” to think he’d want to shield molesters or abusers.
As the flier notes, Benson voted no on a bill three years ago to add the clergy to occupations required to report abuse allegations. Benson counters that he has repeatedly voted for bills to toughen penalties and sex-offender registration requirements. Last year, he supported a bill to require child-services group supervisors – including those at churches – to report such abuse.
Legislative candidates slated to attend, according to the group, include Benson, Marr, Laura Carder, Timm Ormsby, Lynn Schindler, Ed Foote, John Serben, Don Barlow and John Ahern.
– Staff reports
Post Falls
Woman cited for gun at school
A Post Falls woman who says she was fleeing a domestic dispute at home was ticketed Friday after bringing a loaded gun into her children’s school.
Kim Anton went to Mullan Trail Elementary just before 9:30 a.m. and told school employees she was looking for a safe place to stay, according to Post Falls police.
Anton then told school staff about the gun, which was in her purse, and handed it over “for safekeeping.”
Post Falls police Lt. Scot Haug said the school locked up the gun until police arrived. He said there was no immediate danger to any children at the school.
Anton admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamine, Haug said, and police took her children into protective custody.
– Taryn Brodwater
CENTRALIA, Wash.
Police employees face discipline
Fourteen Centralia police employees could be disciplined for improper use of text messages, Chief Bob Berg said.
Centralia’s investigation into text messages was launched after one Lewis County sheriff’s deputy resigned and another faced discipline over improper messages exchanged with another county employee.
Berg said six of the 14 Centralia police workers could face formal discipline, which could include suspension or loss of vacation. The others could get reprimands.
The possible text messaging violations have to do with excessive personal use of mobile computers and with foul language, Berg said.
The employees have hearings with Berg, scheduled for Tuesday. Union representatives can be requested at the hearings.
– Associated Press