Week in Review
State records detail a nine-year history of complaints against a nurse arrested last month for allegedly raping a patient at Eastern State Hospital.
The 80 pages of documents released under state open records laws – hundreds of pages more were withheld – show that officials became concerned about Guy M. Johnston’s behavior in 1995, when he allegedly had “inappropriate contact” with a patient.
He was arrested in 1996 for violating a protection order sought by his girlfriend, who claimed Johnston beat and choked her; Johnston later pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault. He was investigated in 1997 for allegedly having oral sex at the hospital, and he was placed on home duty that year due to “alleged patient abuse.” Last summer, a complainant raised “grave concerns regarding Mr. Johnston’s ability to provide safe and effective care to patients.”
MONDAY
Quest Youth Group, a recently created support group, aims at helping gay and bisexual male youths cope with the stresses of life. Studies show that gay youths are at least three times more likely to commit suicide than others. A Spokane businessman sponsors the group, at $50,000 a year.
“ Visitors to the Northwest Renaissance Festival may encounter the occasional sword fight or wench toss (dance), but they will not see jousting this year because one of the principal jousters was deployed with the U.S. Army. The festival, which is set during the reign of King Henry VIII, plays out every Saturday and Sunday about 18 miles northwest of Spokane.
“ A free-roaming, free-loading wolf-hybrid in Greenacres is irritating some neighbors and giving off litter after litter of pups. The dog, which is fed by some neighbors in the River Rose Village mobile home, so far has eluded animal-control officers, who previously captured her pups. Tranquilizers slipped to the dog in bits of cheese appear to have no effect.
TUESDAY
The White House wants to give states more control over the management of roadless portions of national forests. The plan, which would reverse the Clinton-era ban on road-building on nearly a third of the forests, is criticized by conservationists and Washington Gov. Gary Locke, but it is praised by the timber industry and Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne.
“ The Spokane City Council has overridden Mayor Jim West’s veto of a new helmet ordinance. Starting in August, it will be illegal to ride a bicycle, skateboard or skates in the city without a helmet. West wanted the law to apply only to those 16 and younger.
“ An inmate at Geiger Corrections Center was released a year early due to a paperwork snafu. Charles J. Johnson served just four months of a 16-month sentence. He was convicted of beating the two children he has with his girlfriend, who now fears for her family’s safety. “The whole thing is, we were going to be moved by the time he got out,” she said.
“ An Elk-area resident pleaded guilty to repeatedly raping two teenage girls in a case involving allegations of incest and witchcraft rituals. Prosecutors have recommended that Sean W. Buckhanan serve a 10-year sentence; his sister also faces prosecution, for second-degree rape.
WEDNESDAY
Washington and Idaho are legions apart in providing for uninsured residents. An Idaho family of three can make no more than $23,508 to qualify for free children’s health care. The same family could make $31,344 and still qualify in Washington. But the states are edging slightly closer, as Washington looks to cut costs by dropping some families and Idaho offers a new program to offer low-cost insurance for families who don’t quite meet the state’s financial guidelines.
“ The international evangelical group Youth for Christ is reaching out to low-income kids in Spokane’s West Central neighborhood by offering a place where they can come three times a week to eat a meal, play games and socialize. The group is trying to raise $300,000 to renovate an old warehouse into a ministry center.
“ Seven co-defendants were sentenced to two to three years in prison for involvement in a Kootenai County smuggling ring police believe brought in 17,000 pounds of “B.C. Bud” and generated $38 million. An eighth defendant, 21-year-old Nate Norman, received a 12-year sentence. He’s the alleged ring-leader.
“ Spokane Valley is considering ways to limit panhandling. But it may not be easy: The Washington state Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld panhandlers’ rights under laws that protect their freedom of expression.
THURSDAY
About 150 Marine reservists based in Spokane have been placed on active duty. The 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment is scheduled to serve seven months in Iraq, on infantry security operations.
“ Patsy Clark’s Mansion is undergoing a $1 million overhaul. The 1897 Kirtland Cutter mansion in Browne’s Addition, which formerly housed a restaurant where the first President Bush once dined, was purchased last year by a law firm that is now housed there.
“ A remorseful Michael R. Emerson was sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing a toddler in Spokane. The 2-year-old boy had just learned to say “I love you,” and called Emerson “Daddy.” Emerson and the boy’s mother were dating, and Emerson was babysitting when he hit the child on the head.
“ Spokane Police warn that burglars are having an easy time as people leave doors and windows open to help keep their cars and homes cool. The weekly average for reported garage burglaries has climbed from 16 last year to 22 this year.
“ A dozen people spoke out at Spokane Public Schools’ board meeting, saying they were offended by classroom materials on homosexuality and homophobia under consideration by the board of directors. The materials were recommended by a committee of teachers and administrators.
FRIDAY
Changes in federal housing policy will boost the rents of poor disabled and elderly residents on voucher programs overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Rents in Spokane County are expected to increase $25. Similar changes are expected in Idaho.
“ About 6,500 BMW motorcycle owners are in Spokane for a gathering that’s expected to pump $3.15 million into the local economy. One participant has logged 1.2 million miles on BMW bikes.
“ Cleve Ives of Republic was sleeping with his door open when a juvenile cougar entered the house, chased Ives’ cat, then hid under the bed. The cougar – one of three that’s been hanging around town – later was tracked down and killed. The house cat has not been seen since surviving the ordeal.
“ The Washington insurance commissioner has denied a $35 million bid by Premera Blue Cross to become a for-profit company. Premera, one of the state’s largest nonprofit health insurers, had hoped to raise at least $100 million by becoming a profit-driven company. Regulators said Premera didn’t show that the money was needed.
“ A Spokane woman was in serious condition after crashing her car into an auto repair shop, setting it on fire. Wendy A. Drake, who was being pursued by police when the crash occurred, crawled from the flames, witnesses said. The shop was heavily damaged.
COMING UP
A Gonzaga University law professor is fighting the death sentence given a Texas woman who killed her family. Read about the case in Monday’s Spokesman-Review.