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

In brief: Asarco cleanup projects to begin

The first expenditures will be made this summer from a $450 million Asarco trust fund to pay for environmental cleanup in Idaho’s Silver Valley.

Part of the $3.5 million in work involves investigating old mine sites in Nine Mile Canyon. The creek flowing through the canyon contributes some of the highest loads of heavy metals to the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, said Dan Meyer, the trust’s project manager.

In addition to site work, trust officials will work with the Wallace District Mining Museum to learn where the mines were located and what they produced. Most of the mines were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The $450 million trust was created during Asarco’s 2009 bankruptcy settlement to pay for its environmental liabilities in the Silver Valley.

An old tailings pile in Osburn will also be capped this summer. The project will be paid for with trust money, Meyer said. Off-road vehicles had been using the site and stirring up pollutants.

Man awaiting trial arrested in raid

A Spokane man awaiting trial on methamphetamine charges was arrested Thursday during a SWAT team raid at his home.

Gerald A. Oglesbee faces new meth charges in an investigation that led to four children being taken by Child Protective Services on Thursday, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Oglesbee was arrested at 1724 E. First Ave. about 7 a.m. The sheriff’s SWAT team and drug detectives also raided a home at 4005 E. Fifth Ave., where they arrested Cheryll M. Anstine, 41, Diania Anstine, 63, and Tianna R. Hurd, 29.  A 17-year-old boy also was arrested on a warrant for second-degree trespass.

The four children at the home were 8 to 16 years old. Investigators also recovered a stolen 1990 Acura Integra and items associated with identity theft, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Oglesbee and Cheryll Anstine each face four counts of delivery of meth related to drug sales to a confidential informant.

Diania Anstine and Hurd face single counts of delivery of a controlled substance. Police found OxyContin, Ambien and methamphetamine during the raid, which may lead to further charges.

Oglesbee was arrested on meth delivery charges in December.

Felon charged in road rage incident

A convicted felon is accused of brandishing a gun during a road rage incident on U.S. Highway 395 that led to the discovery of 84 grams of heroin.

Brian L. Sellers, 34, is in jail on felony assault, gun and drug charges after the alleged victims called police about 3:45 p.m. May 3 and said a man in a Toyota was pointing a silver handgun at them while following too close on the highway near Wild Rose Road. Sellers appeared in court Wednesday after police recommended further charges.

The caller said the Toyota was following them at 90 mph and was just inches from their rear bumper. Two toddlers were in the back of the victims’ vehicle, police said.

A Washington State Patrol trooper and a Spokane County sheriff’s deputy stopped Sellers’ car and arrested him and a passenger, Michael George Swan, 41.

Man’s body found in Spokane River

Spokane police are investigating a body found in the Spokane River about noon Thursday in northern Spokane County near the Stevens County line.

A man reported seeing the adult male’s body in the river near the Nine Mile Boat Launch, police said. The body was recovered and transported to Providence Holy Family Hospital.

Investigators are reviewing missing persons reports and say an autopsy will be performed today.

Police say they will release more information when the body is identified and next of kin are notified.

Bike challenge planned in CdA

In celebration of Bike to Work Week, Kootenai Environmental Alliance invites bicyclists to participate Saturday in The Roots Pursuit.

It is a team bicycle event consisting of 12 challenges located throughout downtown Coeur d’Alene. Teams start at the Shared Harvest Community Garden and bike to three parks, where they participate in physical, mental and creative tasks. Points are awarded based on performance.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon and costs $5 per person. Awards and prizes will be given out at the Shared Harvest garden at 12:30 p.m.

The event benefits the Community Roots Food Share, a program that collects and distributes surplus produce from backyard gardens to 14 community food assistance facilities.

Longtime member quits school board

A longtime trustee with the Coeur d’Alene School Board resigned Thursday, citing personal reasons.

Edie McLachlan, formerly Brooks, is newly married, and said she plans to move out of the city, a news release from the district said.

The board Thursday declared a vacancy in Zone 1, beginning the process for appointing a new trustee. McLachlan has been a trustee in Zone 4 from 1996 to 2004 and in Zone 1 from 2006 to the present, the release said.

Patrons living in Zone 1 who are interested in the position should submit a letter of interest, resume and the names of three references by June 3 to the district office at 311 N. 10th Street, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. Interviews will be scheduled for June 6.

The newly appointed trustee will serve until the annual meeting in July 2013 and will be up for election on the third Tuesday in May 2013, the release said.