In brief: Idaho cities drop EPA lawsuit over Spokane River discharge
Idaho cities this month dropped a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, following negotiations that led to changes in the wastewater discharge permits for the Spokane River.
The discharge permits became final in December, following five years of talks between the cities and the agency. The cities of Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and the Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board had sued when the draft permits were first released, saying the pollution reduction limits weren’t achievable. But continued talks produced a plan that wasn’t protested by the cities.
The cities still are required to cut their discharge of phosphorus into the Spokane River by more than 90 percent over the next decade to protect water quality. The new permits come after years of effort to reduce algae blooms and boost dissolved oxygen levels in the river.
Washington dischargers have been operating under similar limits since 2011.
Man allegedly tries to run over woman
A man was arrested Wednesday afternoon after a witness said he saw the man attempt to run over a woman with his car as she was walking on the sidewalk.
The witness told police that he was driving in the area of Rowan Avenue and Standard Street just before 8 a.m. Saturday when he spotted the woman walking down the sidewalk on the west side of Standard, according to court documents. He said he saw a white car point its wheels toward the woman and drive up on the sidewalk, nearly hitting her.
The woman told police that the driver of the car was her boyfriend who had been drinking heavily, according to court documents. She said she tried to take the car keys away from him, but he drove off without her and then tried to run her down.
The driver was identified as Junior Ladher, 31, who is facing a charge of attempted first-degree domestic violence assault. He has no criminal record and was released from the Spokane County Jail on his own recognizance Thursday after he appeared in court.
Man faces child sex charges after ad
A Spokane business owner is facing child sex charges after allegedly putting an ad on Craigslist offering to perform oral sex on boys.
Brian J. Mueller, 48, is facing charges of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes and attempted third-degree rape of a child. Washington business records show that he is a registered agent of BNC Investments LLC.
A Spokane police detective spotted the Craigslist ad and responded, claiming to be a 14-year-old middle school student, according to court documents. After an exchange of emails, a meeting was set up in the Shadle Shopping Center parking lot.
Mueller showed up at the time and place set for the meeting, according to court documents. Mueller reportedly admitted placing the ad but said he wasn’t going to go through with it.
Mueller had a bottle of sex lubricant in his pocket, according to court documents.
He was released on his own recognizance after a brief court appearance Tuesday, but he was ordered not to use Craigslist or the Internet for sexual solicitations. Mueller has no criminal record.
Boy investigated for restroom video
Police are investigating a 14-year-old boy who owns a cellphone that was left on the floor of a YMCA restroom in video recording mode.
A woman told police that she noticed the phone sitting on the floor after her 6-year-old granddaughter had used the restroom stall to change clothes Tuesday evening, according to court documents. She told police that it appeared to be recording video, so she brought the phone to a YMCA employee, who called police.
A police officer who viewed the video said it showed a young teen handling the phone before placing it on the floor. The phone then recorded the 6-year-old undressing completely, according to court documents.
Investigators have requested a search warrant to examine evidence contained on the cellphone.