In brief: Hauser Lake man faces murder charge in woman’s death

Prosecutors accuse Patrick N. McGhee of paying to have sex with a Spokane woman, taking her to Hauser Lake, Idaho, and killing her with a ligature around her neck.

A passer-by found Kelly Lynne Sallee’s body June 11, partially submerged in a slough off the west side of Hauser Lake Road.

McGhee, 47, of Hauser Lake, was arrested later in June for failing to report her death. His charges were updated during a court hearing Tuesday to include second-degree murder, destruction of evidence, interstate prostitute trafficking and procurement of a prostitute.

Court documents say McGhee paid Sallee to have sex with him, and that he brought multiple women from Washington into Idaho for sex since June 2014. Documents say he used bleach in an attempt to destroy his semen found on Sallee’s body.

McGhee was arrested in Spokane and extradited to Idaho, where he was booked into the Kootenai County Jail on June 26. His bond was raised Tuesday from $250,000 to $1 million.

Chad Sokol

Airway Heights staff joins rebuke of mayor

The city of Airway Heights on Wednesday released  a letter signed by 28 of the city’s 45 employees further condemning embattled Mayor Patrick Rushing.

Rushing  came under fire recently for comparing President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama to monkeys on Facebook.

He subsequently refused to resign after the City Council’s 5-1 vote of no confidence and an informal request for his resignation. The council also passed several resolutions that severely limit Rushing’s role as mayor.

City Manager Albert Tripp said the letter “helps provide closure to the staff that were also affected by the mayor’s statements along with the rest of the community.”

The letter will be enclosed in utility statements sent to city residents on Friday.

Eli Francovich

Breast milk advocates to hold ‘latch on’ event

World Breastfeeding Week will be observed Saturday in Riverfront Park in Spokane.

A celebration and walk begins at 10 a.m. at the Red Wagon sculpture. At 10:25 a.m., there will be a “latch on,” where groups of women will nurse their babies at the same time.

The Breastfeeding Coalition of Spokane, the Spokane Regional Health District and other supporters are participating to draw attention to the positive health impacts of breast-feeding.

Staff report