Woman, 72, dies from shooting injuries

A 72-year-old Colbert woman who was shot in the head Monday died early Tuesday at Deaconess Medical Center.

Loretta L. Prichard was shot in her home on North Panorama Road, and sheriff’s deputies arrested her 74-year-old husband on suspicion of third-degree domestic assault.

He was released from jail Tuesday when a District Court commissioner dismissed the case at the request of the arresting officer.

No formal charges had been filed against Art R. Prichard, and no information was immediately available on the reason for releasing him.

Art Prichard appeared confused in a jailhouse interview Monday night. He couldn’t remember details of his life, such as where he and his wife had worked or where they were married.

He couldn’t remember his wife’s maiden name, nor exactly why she was confined to a wheelchair.

He said he was pushing her wheelchair in their home when something blew up, cutting off the tip of one of his fingers and hitting his wife in the back of the head.

His left hand was bandaged and bleeding.

Art Prichard said he owns guns but he didn’t shoot his wife.

– John Craig

PULLMAN

Gregoire names WSU board member

Gov. Chris Gregoire has named Ted Baseler, president and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, as the newest member of the Washington State University’s board of regents.

Baseler, who earned a bachelor’s degree in communication at WSU in 1976, joined Ste. Michelle in 1984 as director of marketing.

He became president and chief executive officer in 2001.

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is the oldest wine company in Washington. It owns Chateau St. Michelle, Columbia Crest, Northstar, Snoqualmie and Col Solare wineries.

A former chairman of the Washington Wine Commission, Baseler serves on the WSU Foundation Board’s board of governors.

He founded the Chateau Ste. Michelle Diversity Scholarship program, which has raised about $800,000 for college-bound minority students.

Baseler succeeds Peter Goldmark, a member of the board since 1996 who resigned late last year, WSU said in a statement announcing the appointment Monday.

Baseler will fill out Goldmark’s term, which expires in September 2007.

– Associated Press

Fire from cooking oil destroys home

A fire Monday night destroyed a home and displaced a family in Addy, Wash.

The fire started in the kitchen when two children, ages 8 and 12, spilled cooking oil on the stove, according to Stevens County Fire Chief Les Schneiter. No adults were home at the time.

The fire at 1922 Swiss Valley Road occurred around 4:15 p.m. and was contained within an hour.

The local Red Cross chapter and the Addy Rescue Mission are helping the family find clothing and housing.

– Gina Ferrer