Thomas Clouse

A judge ruled today that defense attorney Chris Bugbee will continue to represent accused crossbow killer Cole K. Strandberg. But the lawyer now has an added job title: witness.

The future of the top federal public defender in Eastern Washington could be in doubt, with the board that oversees the attorney’s office advertising for his replacement even as the attorney, Roger Peven, prepares to represent domestic terrorism suspect Kevin W. Harpham. The federal public defender’s office is facing a civil lawsuit by three former employees, who essentially claim that they were fired in retaliation after they raised concerns about a lack of leadership on the part of Peven. The lawsuit also claims the three employees forced an intervention that resulted in Peven seeking inpatient treatment for alcohol abuse.

State Senate hopeful Mike Padden, a former Spokane County District Court judge, is trying to head off a potential campaign issue. At Padden’s request, the state Commission on Judicial Conduct has issued a statement confirming that it examined complaints about Padden’s 1999 selection of a former client as the official collection agency for District Court but found nothing to support an ethics violation. The commission typically acknowledges complaints only if it disciplines or sanctions a judge.

No one has lost more from the August shooting that killed a Spokane Valley pastor than Imogene Creach. The widow of 74-year-old Wayne Scott Creach stood among family members Wednesday as they implored Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich to prohibit the parking of unmarked patrol cars on private property.

The family of a Spokane Valley pastor killed in a police confrontation outside his home called on Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich today to voluntarily prohibit the parking of unmarked patrol cars on private property.

A bank robber dubbed the “Bad Hair Bandit” has been linked to as many as 15 holdups across Puget Sound and Eastern Washington, authorities said. The robber, whose trademark disguise includes what detectives describe as “hyper ugly wigs,” struck Monday in north Spokane. Deputies were dispatched at 12:17 p.m. to the Chase bank branch at 822 W. Francis Ave. after employees said a woman entered the building and demanded money while implying that she had a weapon, sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said.

A suspected bank robber dubbed the “Bad Hair Bandit” is being sought for a heist today at a North Spokane bank and may be involved in as many as 14 other similar recent crimes, authorities said.

Federal agents raided several medical marijuana dispensaries in Spokane this afternoon. THC Pharmacy, 1108 S. Perry St., was shut down by agents, who positioned Spokane Police outside to block the entrance.