Week in Review
An Idaho jury acquitted Sami Al-Hussayen of all three terrorism charges against him, plus three immigration charges, deadlocking on eight remaining immigration charges. Thursday’s verdict came after weeks of testimony against the University of Idaho graduate student who was accused of maintaining Web sites that helped raise money for terrorists. Prosecutors also alleged the Web sites helped drum up recruits, “but it seemed rather innocent, the stuff he was talking about,” one juror said. Defense attorneys had argued that Al-Hussayen was jailed and tried because he is a Muslim and a Saudi national. Prosecutors haven’t decided whether they’ll pursue the remaining immigration charges. His wife and children returned to Saudi Arabia rather than face deportation.
MONDAY
The Empire Builder is 75 years old this week. Amtrak’s regularly scheduled passenger train stops in Spokane enroute between Seattle (or Portland) and Chicago. But relatively few Spokane residents use the train, for an obvious reason: Its three daily departures are at 1:15 a.m., 2:15 a.m. and 2:45 a.m.
“An ecumenical group named Mission Spokane hopes to transform the city through prayer. They say they’re already seeing results, citing the election of a new mayor and city council members, Spokane’s winning bid for the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and ministries in the West Central neighborhood.
TUESDAY
An airman injured by Iraqi insurgents is the first from Fairchild Air Force Base to receive the Purple Heart for action in the war on terrorism. Airman 1st Class Brandon “Newt” Guingrich suffered hearing loss and eye damage when the enemy detonated explosives near him.
“A special-education teacher jailed for 16 months has been ordered released pending trial. Prosecutors had argued that releasing Deborah Cummings on electronic monitoring would pose a national security risk. Her ex-husband, who is charged with stealing top-secret documents, was released on home monitoring in December. Cummings is charged with keeping and distributing the government documents.
“Central Valley School District will end its Barker High School infant and toddler care classroom next year because it is losing about $5,000 a month. The child-care program was designed to help teen mothers stay in school.
“Spokane Valley Fire Department would buy Millwood’s new fire station and hire its four employees under a tentative agreement. Millwood saw 11 of its 12 volunteer firefighters quit in protest when their chief was placed on administrative leave. That action followed months of acrimony, following the Town Council’s decision to lay off one paid firefighter.
WEDNESDAY
About 75 would-be firefighters are spending the week at Guard School in St. Maries, Idaho. Graduates of the boot camp sometimes work 16 hours a day for 16 days straight in summer, fighting wildland fires.
“A Spokane County Jail inmate who stopped eating in February has lost nearly half his weight. A weakened Charles McNabb wants the state Court of Appeals to forbid the county from force-feeding him. He will stand trial July 14 for allegedly starting an arson fire that severely burned his stepdaughter. Her father says it’s up to McNabb whether to commit suicide, “but I have a problem with allowing him to die without a sentencing.”
THURSDAY
Nearly three times the normal amount of rain fell on Spokane last month, after a bone-dry spring. That’s good news for firefighters, who fear a catastrophic fire season, and farmers, but not for students looking forward to summer vacation. “I’d rather be swimming,” said one 14-year-old Coeur d’Alene resident.
“Critics are hot over a state fire code that will ban the use of barbecues on apartment balconies if there’s no emergency sprinkler system and would ban real Christmas trees in nursing homes, churches, schools and other public buildings without sprinkler systems. The rules may be softened before taking effect July 1.
FRIDAY
As the nation marked the passing of a former president, Inland Northwest residents recalled encounters with Ronald Reagan, before and after his presidency. One Spokane family credits Reagan with personally convincing Soviet officials to allow the emigration of their son-in-law, a Soviet citizen.
“Spokane County’s public mental health system will stop treating 125 people with serious mental illnesses because they are not enrolled in Medicaid.
“Starting this September, Washington residents will have to declare a political party when voting in primaries. The change stems from a successful legal challenge – launched by the Republican, Democratic and Libertarian parties – of the state’s open primaries.
COMING UP
President Bush is scheduled to make a Spokane appearance on Thursday. Read about preparations in the days before the presidential visit and find full coverage in The Spokesman-Review on Friday.