In brief: War protesters gather at federal courthouse
With less than a week left until Congress reconvenes, Iraq war opponents wanted to let U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers know how they feel.
More than 125 people gathered Tuesday evening in front of the U.S. Courthouse in downtown Spokane, some with orange ribbons tied around their arms as a symbol of protest. For more than an hour, they spoke, sang and recited poetry in front of two American flags.
“We wanted to have one more opportunity to talk to the people,” said vigil coordinator Rebecca Lamb, “to say something that hopefully Cathy McMorris will hear.”
Lamb is a regional coordinator for MoveOn.org, which planned close to 700 similar protests nationwide Tuesday, including 30 in Washington and one in Coeur d’Alene.
Several families brought their children to the Spokane vigil, and many carried anti-war signs, with messages like “My kid’s in Iraq. Mr. Bush: Is yours?”
– Nick Eaton
Geiger chief accused of crude language
A complaint filed Friday by a corrections officer alleges that the director of Geiger Corrections Center used inappropriate language in her presence.
In addition, on Monday, Spokane County officials received a letter from one of three labor groups at Geiger, claiming Director Leon Long “has made crude sexual jokes and statements in front of staff, and although the particular content varies it is generally very offensive, degrading and humiliating.”
Long was placed on paid administrative leave Monday.
The sexual harassment complaint was filed with the county’s human resources department, said county CEO Marshall Farnell.
“Until we sit down with her, we won’t know” what the employee alleges was said, Farnell said. “Everybody’s tolerance level is different.”
Union leaders refused to comment. Long has been asked by the county not to comment until the investigation is complete.
To see the complete letter from the union, go to spokesmanreview.com.
– Jody Lawrence-Turner
Clark Fork, Idaho
Man accused of firing at deputies
A man with a handgun fired shots at Bonner County sheriff’s deputies Tuesday afternoon, apparently hoping they would kill him, authorities said. Officers got the man to surrender before anybody was hurt.
About 3:40 p.m., two deputies responded to a suicide threat during which the man pointed a gun at the 911 caller. As one deputy helped the female caller, the gunman shot in his direction, Undersheriff Charlie Dennis said. Phillip Wesley Powers, of Clark Fork, ran into the woods behind 2077 E. Spring Creek Rd., still firing at the deputies.
“It appeared that he was wanting the deputies to come into the woods and find him,” Dennis said.
The deputies negotiated with Powers until he came out of the woods, holding the gun to his head. Deputies persuaded Powers to throw down the gun and lie on the ground, then arrested him, Dennis said. The deputies fired no shots, Dennis said.
Powers, 29, was taken to Bonner General Hospital for a previous injury and for a mental evaluation, Dennis said. He faces two counts of aggravated assault.
– Nick Eaton