Hammond named to budget panel
Freshman Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Post Falls, has been appointed to the joint committee of the Idaho Legislature that sets the state’s budget – a rare opportunity for a rookie legislator. The spot was opened by the resignation of Sen. Gerry Sweet, R-Meridian, who went to work for new Idaho Congressman Bill Sali.
As a member of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, Hammond said he wants to help fund education. “One of my campaign pledges was to maximize tax dollars for improving education, and here’s my opportunity to actually meet that goal,” he said.
Spokane
Bleach poured into boy’s mouth
A 16-year-old boy was arrested Sunday on attempted first-degree murder charges after he poured bleach and shampoo into the mouth of a 15-year-old mentally challenged housemate.
Deputies were called Sunday evening to a group home in the 3300 block of East Donora Court, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said in a news release Monday. The suspect allegedly told deputies that he filled one cup with mouthwash and one with a mix of bleach, shampoo and water. He offered to pour the mouthwash into the boy’s mouth, but instead poured in the toxic mix, Reagan said. The boy spit it out and was unharmed.
The suspect’s name wasn’t released Monday, Reagan said.
Forecast warns of high winds
The National Weather Service on Monday issued a high wind watch for this evening with gusts potentially reaching 55 mph around Spokane and 60 mph in outlying areas.
If forecasters are correct, it will be the third and strongest windstorm to strike the region in the four-day period starting Saturday. Winds gusted to 41 mph at Spokane International Airport on Sunday about 11 a.m. and 52 mph on Saturday about 2 a.m.
Today’s storm may be accompanied by rain changing to snow showers in the evening.
The storm is expected to be followed by arctic air, which could bring lows of 2 degrees overnight Thursday with highs Thursday and Friday around 14.
Whitman County
Boy, 4, struck, killed by dad’s car
A 4-year-old boy died Sunday after he was hit by a vehicle his father was driving, Whitman County officials said Monday.
Kade Michael Smith was near the family’s home on Becker Road when he walked in front of his father’s moving car about 4 p.m., said Sheriff Brett Myers. Smith’s father took the child to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The preliminary investigation indicates there was no criminal conduct on the part of the father, Myers said. The investigation is continuing.
Compiled from staff reports