In brief: Dog beating charges not in ‘near future’

Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh said Friday he does not anticipate filing any charges “in the near future” against a man suspected of beating an Athol woman’s dog.

Kathleen Callahan, 58, said an unknown man drove up to her house in April, reached over her fence and began punching one of her three dogs and threatening to kill them. Her 10-year-old mutt, Paddee, died a few days later from a suspected poisoning. She gave the man’s license plate number to sheriff’s deputies, who identified him as a neighbor who lives a half-mile away.

McHugh said his office hasn’t made a final decision on charges. The police report recommended animal cruelty charges, but police had no evidence tying the man to Paddee’s death, the county’s lead animal control officer said at the time.

Alison Boggs

State issues burn ban in Stevens County

The Washington Department of Ecology has issued a burn ban in Stevens County to protect residents from worsening air quality.

The ban went into effect Saturday and will continue through at least 4 p.m. Monday. It applies to all outdoor burning and the use of uncertified wood-burning devices unless they are a home’s only heating source.

Cold air traps fine particles from smoke near the ground, creating the potential for heart and breathing problems, state officials said.

The ban does not apply to certified wood-burning devices and pellet stoves.

Staff reports

Indictment says man filmed child abuse

A Spokane man arrested on child pornography charges in December has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

Darrel W. Monzingo, 44, pleaded not guilty Thursday two counts of production of child pornography, two counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He faces up to 30 years in prison.

The charges allege Monzingo filmed the sexual abuse of a minor on two occasions in July and August, then distributed child pornography through his computer on Oct. 28 and Nov. 30. Police found child pornography during a Dec. 16 search of his home at 3403 E. Fairview Ave., about a block from an elementary school.

Judge Michael Price released Monzingo from jail after his arrest, but he was taken into custody on the federal indictment Thursday. A hearing to decide if he should be allowed bail is set for Monday.

Meghann M. Cuniff