In brief: Glitch further slows government
If government operates too slowly, perhaps it’s a computer glitch.
Sunday’s early switch to daylight-saving time created disorder with a couple of computer programs at city of Spokane and Spokane County offices. Officials say the malfunctions won’t affect the public.
The most noticeable problem for the city has been that appointment calendars on Microsoft Outlook have registered wrong times for meetings, even though Microsoft’s time change remedies were installed last week, said Garvin Brakel, information services director.
“It didn’t shut the city down, but it was confusing and aggravating to a number of our users,” Brakel said.
County computers made the time change with relative ease, but officials decided Microsoft’s Outlook fix was flawed and didn’t install it, said Bill Fiedler, the county’s information systems director. Instead, employees were instructed to print calendars to ensure appointments were kept.
The county hasn’t been without glitches. The security system that controls the doors to county buildings denied entry for an extra hour to some employees who use security badges, Fiedler said. That problem was fixed Wednesday.
Dozens of officers probe shooting
Forty-one law enforcement officers have played some role in the investigation of a Spokane officer who shot a man he says stole his pickup, sheriff’s officials said this week.
Officer James “Jay” Olsen remains on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure during an investigation, while detectives continue to comb through reports and evidence, officials said.
On Feb. 26, Shonto K. Pete encountered Olsen in the downtown area when the officer was leaving a bar. A chase ensued, and the two ended up in the Peaceful Valley neighborhood where the officer fired “several shots,” hitting Pete once in the head. Pete was hospitalized for two days.
Olsen told investigators that Pete stole his truck, and then the officer and a female companion followed Pete in another car. Olsen then chased Pete down an embankment into the Peaceful Valley neighborhood.
Pete’s attorney, David Partovi, says his client only asked the officer for a ride.
Pete has not been charged with car theft, said Spokane County sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Reagan. The results of a blood alcohol test voluntarily given by Olsen have not been released.
The Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the shooting, and officials were unable to offer a time estimate of when the case would be concluded.
Cheney
Reserve officer claims harassment
A Cheney reserve police officer is suing her city for failing to protect her from sexual harassment, according to court documents.
Holly R. Bowen filed the suit Monday, and in a legal complaint states that various officals in the Cheney Police Department knew about the sexual harassment and abusive activities of then-Officer Steve Kelly and his wife, dispatcher Patricia Kelly.
The suit alleges that between January and June of 2004, Bowen was sexually harassed and physically assaulted by Kelly and his wife.
Bowen told Sgt. Larry Smith about the abuse in May, but Smith threatened the woman, telling her to drop the harassment claims, according to court documents.
A new police chief came to Cheney in June of 2004, and later Steve Kelly was fired from the force, the documents said. His wife is still employed in the department.
The suit is seeking unspecified monetary damages.
Coeur d’Alene
Nurse accused of abusing patient
A 27-year-old male nurse accused of sexually abusing an elderly woman who suffers from dementia made his first appearance in court Wednesday.
Jody D. Jeffres, of Post Falls, was charged Wednesday with felony sexual abuse of a vulnerable adult – in this case an 84-year-old woman he was helping use a bathroom at a Coeur d’Alene retirement apartment.
The felony charge is the third sex crime Jeffres has been charged with in the last month.
He was charged Feb. 21 with two counts of lewd conduct involving two girls he was acquainted with – ages 2 and 4.
He is being held at the Kootenai County Jail without bail.
His arraignment on charges involving the young girls is set for March 21 in front of 1st District Judge John T. Mitchell.
The alleged crime against the elderly woman occurred in the woman’s apartment at Loyalton of Coeur d’Alene, but Jeffres was there as an employee of Alternative Health Care, LLC, of Post Falls, according to police records.
Loyalton’s regional director, Ryan Jacobson, said the home health provider was hired by the woman’s family and was in no way associated with Loyalton.
Bruce Weaver, owner of Alternative Health Care, said Jeffres was fired as soon as the company heard about the allegations.
Post Falls
Explosive found in vehicle
A suspected bomb was discovered in a woman’s purse located inside a repossessed vehicle Wednesday morning in Post Falls, according to a statement issued by Post Falls police.
The vehicle had been repossessed a month ago by Green Acres Auto Sales, 2835 W. Seltice Way, in Post Falls, but the purse and bomb were only noticed Wednesday, according to police. The Spokane Bomb Squad responded to the scene, determined the device was an explosive and removed it safely from the area.
Further details on the device were not available late Wednesday afternoon. Police Lt. Greg McClean issued a statement saying an investigation has begun into where the device came from, as well as possible owners.