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

In Brief: Detective resigns after internal investigation

A detective facing termination who had been with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for 25 years has resigned following an internal investigation into accusations of poaching and lying to investigators.

David Herrin, a property crimes detective, was accused of filling his daughter’s deer tag in 2013 and lying to investigators about it. He was placed on paid administrative leave in June while the Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation.

Fish and Wildlife officers became aware of the alleged violation after being told by Herrin’s ex-wife that Herrin had been using deer tags belonging to their son and daughter.

Herrin’s termination is effective Aug. 16, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

Herrin was charged with poaching and lying to investigators in Steven County.

Killing suspect, 15, returns to juvenile jail

A 15-year-old boy accused of killing his father and younger brother has been sent back to juvenile detention.

Eldon Gale Samuel III was ordered back to juvenile jail on Tuesday, Northwest Public Radio reported. Last month, a judge decided that Samuel should be in an adult jail. The American Civil Liberties Union and Samuel’s public defender challenged that decision.

“He was moved out of the adult jail and is in a juvenile detention center now because all the law enforcement, attorneys and judge involved agreed that juveniles should not be placed in solitary confinement in adult jails,” said Samuel’s public defender, John Adams, in an email.

Samuel is accused of shooting his father, Eldon Samuel Jr., 46, and shooting and stabbing his brother, Jonathan Samuel, 13, on March 24 inside an emergency housing unit in Coeur d’Alene owned by St. Vincent de Paul.

Colville Forest issues campfire limits

The Colville National Forest has issued campfire restrictions due to the high risk of wildfires.

Campfires and the use of charcoal grills are prohibited outside of designated campgrounds, the Colville National Forest announced in a news release Wednesday.

Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle, building or fully enclosed camp trailer.

Wood cutters may not use chain saws in the forest after 1 p.m. daily. They are required to carry a long-handled shovel, a fire extinguisher and must monitor the area for one hour after cutting to ensure that no spark has been fanned into a flame.

Rascal Flatts cancels Northern Quest show

Rascal Flatts has canceled its Friday show at Northern Quest Casino due to the illness of lead singer Gary LeVox.

The country band will reschedule at the venue for 2015, a news release from Northern Quest said.

The band’s bassist Jay DeMarcus said in the release that it was an “incredibly difficult decision” but that shows last weekend, coupled with media days in New York City, have left LeVox “without a voice.”

Northern Quest will offer immediate refunds for all ticket sales, the release said. Tickets purchased via debit or credit card will be automatically refunded on that card. Anyone who paid with cash should stop by Northern Quest Box Office Wednesday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to receive a refund. The box office will be open until 8:30 p.m. on Friday.

Hayden Lake health advisory lifted

A health advisory has been lifted for the sportman’s access on the northeast end of Hayden Lake.

Monitoring by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has confirmed that the area no longer has high concentrations of blue-green algae, which can produce harmful toxins. The area is again safe for swimming and other recreational activities, according to DEQ and the Panhandle Health District.

Woman faces charge after crashing car

A woman who crashed into two street signs and an electric pole, forcing the closure of Monroe Street Saturday afternoon, is facing a charge of driving with a suspended license.

Rebecca L. Turner was southbound on Monroe about 3:45 p.m. when witnesses said she began traveling fast and swerved onto the sidewalk, Spokane police spokeswoman Monique Cotton said. The Ford Fusion Turner was driving came to a rest at Monroe and Maxwell Avenue.

Two other cars were damaged in the crash.

Turner was able to get out of the car, but witnesses said she was incoherent. She was transported to Deaconess Hospital. Two children in the backseat were uninjured.

Police also cited Turner for negligent driving, Cotton said.