Ex-postmaster admits tampering

A former acting-postmaster in Malden, Wash., pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to tampering with a package containing prescription drugs.

Carolyn Sturgeon, 60, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Robert Whaley to tampering with a consumer product.

A second count of mail theft is scheduled to be dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Harrington told the judge that Sturgeon opened a parcel containing prescription medicine and removed 84 tablets of oxycodone.

She replaced the 84 tablets of painkiller with 84 tablets of Synthroid, a prescription thyroid medicine she had at her home, Harrington said.

The crime was discovered when the recipient of the package noticed a difference in the pills and contacted her pharmacist.

The judge set sentencing for Sept. 21. Sturgeon faces 51 to 63 months in prison.

– Bill Morlin

spokane

$1.2 million to go toward shelter

The Salvation Army will receive about $1.2 million in state funding to build an emergency shelter for homeless families in Spokane, officials from the charity said Thursday.

The funding from the Washington State Housing Trust Fund allows the Salvation Army to proceed with building a $3.8 million facility expected to open in 2007.

“… We will finally be able to provide a larger, more energy-efficient home for our residents,” said Gerriann Armstrong, director of social services for the Salvation Army.

The new 18-unit facility will be built at the Salvation Army’s Family Resource Campus at 222 E. Indiana Ave. and will include individual kitchen units and bathrooms, Armstrong said.

Its location will allow residents to share a playground and other resources with the charity’s community center and transitional housing program.

“What is really cool is that these families will be able to simply walk over to our social service office or our community center to go for a swim or attend youth and family activities,” said Christy Markham, the charity’s development associate.

The existing shelter at 1403 W. Broadway can house 15 families in dormitory-style living.

The charity plans to eventually sell that facility, Armstrong said.

– Benjamin Shors

Haven opening after repaving

Haven Street is scheduled to reopen today to traffic in Hillyard.

The southbound leg of the Market-Haven couplet, the street has been closed for almost two months as city crews repaved it.

The $1.3 million project was paid for with 2004 city street bond funds.

– Amy Cannata