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

In brief: Washington Senate passes bill allowing wolf protection to be lifted

OLYMPIA – A bill that would allow the state to take wolves off its endangered species list in much of Eastern Washington passed the Senate on Wednesday with strong support.

It would allow for a change in the state’s negotiated wolf management plan to recognize that the wolf population has grown rapidly in areas east of U.S. Highway 97 and doesn’t need the protection the species has in other parts of the state.

It doesn’t mandate a change, but would give the state Department of Fish and Wildlife the tools to decide if the change is warranted, said Sen. Brian Dansel, R-Republic, who sponsored the bill. Any change also would “ensure social tolerance of wolf recovery.”

Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, said the department supports the legislation and would use “the best available science” in considering changes. Despite that, he predicted “there would be some angst” among Democrats over any change to the wolf management plan. The bill passed 39-9, with all no votes coming from Democrats, and was sent to the House. Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, voted for the bill.

Jim Camden

Bond set at $50,000 for man accused of choking 4-year-old

A man is in the Spokane County Jail after a 4-year-old girl told her grandmother that he choked her.

Jesse L. Brown, 23, was ordered held on $50,000 bond on a charge of second-degree assault of a child, during a brief court appearance Wednesday.

The alleged assault happened in November and came to light when the girl told her grandmother that she didn’t want Brown to choke her or her grandmother, according to court documents. Brown lived with the girl’s mother in Spokane Valley for about a month and had baby-sat her while the mother worked.

The girl’s grandmother took her to Partners with Families and Children, and the advanced registered nurse practitioner who examined the girl reported finding bruising on the girl’s neck several days after the alleged incident. The bruising was “classic for a strangle type injury,” according to court documents. The nurse also found broken blood vessels under the girl’s eyes reportedly caused by pressure on her neck and a blocked airway.

Brown denied the allegations but stopped responding to police, according to court documents. A warrant was issued for his arrest in February after he failed to appear in court.

Nina Culver

Cocolalla woman listed as serious after crash on U.S. 95 near Athol

A Cocolalla, Idaho, woman was airlifted to Kootenai Health hospital on Wednesday afternoon when her Subaru Legacy crashed on U.S. Highway 95 south of Athol.

Merlyne J. Ziaya, 73, was driving north about 2:10 p.m. when she drove into the median near East Parks Road, according to the Idaho State Police. She returned to the highway, then drove back into the median and hit an embankment. The car flipped and landed on its top.

Ziaya was listed in serious condition Wednesday night.

Nina Culver