In brief: Spokane County deputy target of protection order
An anti-harassment protection order has been filed against a Spokane County sheriff’s deputy under investigation after a complaint was filed about his patrol car being parked at a home on the West Plains for long periods of time while he was on duty.
The protection order is sought by William Frye, whose estranged wife lives at the West Plains home that Deputy Todd Saunders frequented. Saunders is on paid administrative leave as the investigation continues, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Deputy Mark Gregory said.
The protection order filing includes Frye’s allegation that Saunders had run the license plates of several of his vehicles multiple times during the past six months.
“She has told many people that I beat her, stalk her and that I turned him in to the police – none of which are true,” Frye wrote of his wife. “I fear that as his life unravels, he will retaliate against me. He has shown very poor judgment and abused his power.”
The couple are embroiled in a divorce proceeding, according to court records.
Saunders did not return a message seeking comment.
Clouds may block view of lunar eclipse
The weather forecast is questionable for clear viewing of a lunar eclipse that reaches totality at 12:06 a.m. Tuesday, casting the moon in a brownish or coppery glow.
It will be the first of three eclipse events in the Inland Northwest this year, including a partial solar eclipse in the afternoon of Oct. 23.
On Monday night, the first shading of the moon by the Earth’s shadow begins at 9:53 p.m. The greatest eclipse is reached at 12:45 a.m. Totality ends at 2:33 a.m. The last evidence of the Earth’s shadow will disappear at 3:37 a.m.
Forecasters are calling for mostly cloudy skies during the time of the eclipse.
Lunar eclipses are caused when the moon rotates into the Earth’s shadow at the same time that their offset orbital planes are aligned with the sun.
A second total lunar eclipse occurs Oct. 8 at 3:50 a.m.
Man in motel arrest gets three-year term
KALISPELL – A 33-year-old Kalispell man who was arrested during a standoff at a Spokane Valley motel in which a woman was shot has been sentenced to three years in prison for violating the terms of his probation in two previous cases.
Eric Heil admitted to several violations of his sentences for burglary and felony deceptive practices, including traveling out of state without permission and associating with another probationer, the Daily Inter Lake reported.
Heil said he was asleep in the motel on March 4 when he “woke up to being told we were surrounded.” Heil surrendered.
Bonnie Ulrick reportedly stuck a gun out a window and fired at SWAT team members who returned fire, hitting her hand.
District Judge Robert Allison sentenced Heil on April 3.
UI gets $1 million for microelectronics
BOISE – The Micron Foundation has given $1 million to the University of Idaho to be used to pay for an endowed professorship in microelectronics.
Professor Fred Bartlow told the Idaho Statesman that having another professor will allow the school to bring in more microelectronic graduate students. There are about 50 now.
Naga Chandrasekaran, Micron’s vice president for process research and development, says he considers the $1 million more of an investment than a gift.