Convicted embezzler under suspicion again

A Spokane County woman convicted in 1992 of embezzling $1,787 from a parochial school now is suspected of using her position as accountant for a roofing company to steal 25 times that amount.

District Court documents filed Tuesday indicate Cheryl Dayle Mills, 57, is under investigation in the alleged theft of $44,435 from Doree Roofing, 6417 N. Regal St., where she was the company accountant until last June.

That amount includes only checks written within the three-year statute of limitations.

Sheriff’s Detective Daniel Spivey said in court documents that Mills had worked for the roofing company since 1992, and is suspected of forging owner Bill Doree’s signature on more than 100 checks to herself.

As in the 1992 case, in which Mills pleaded guilty to first-degree theft, she is suspected of embezzling money to cover her personal debts.

Court documents show the thefts for which Mills was convicted occurred between July 1986 and February 1992 while she was a secretary at St. Patrick’s Catholic School, 2706 E. Queen Ave.

– John Craig

Public forum will address river’s future

From flyfishing to whitewater parks to new licenses for dams, a public forum on the many issues facing the Spokane River will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Spokane. The event will be held at the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council Center, 6116 N. Market.

The first Spokane River Anglers forum is sponsored by the Hunting and Fishing Conservation Coalition. The forum will include brief presentations from experts on a variety of issues, including the biology of the river, a city’s shoreline planning process, public access points and the current dam relicensing process.

Jeff Holmes, who is helping to organize the event, said the river is facing huge changes now. His goal was to make it easy for local residents and river lovers to learn how they might be able to shape the river’s future.

– James Hagengruber

Man tried to blow up house, police say

Sheriff’s deputies say a 26-year-old Spokane County man tried unsuccessfully to blow up his parents’ home.

David L. Speare was booked into jail shortly after midnight Tuesday on suspicion of first-degree arson, reckless endangerment and third-degree malicious mischief.

According to court documents, Speare poured gasoline onto the floor of the home’s attached garage about 10 p.m. Monday. Then he allegedly opened a propane canister while standing in the pool of fuel, and lifted a sword to strike the propane canister and create a spark.

“I’m going to blow up the house,” Speare allegedly stated.

Instead, he quickly backed away in fear, according to the account his father, Steven Speare, gave deputies.

David Speare lived with his parents, and the home in the 4600 block of North Simpson Road also was occupied by the suspect’s son and his grandmother.

Deputies said Speare told them he wanted to die and didn’t care that four members of his family also would be killed.

– John Craig