Woman’s death ruled homicide

A felony arrest warrant has been issued for 35-year-old Sheridan G. Griner, who failed to show up for her May 7 Spokane County Superior Court arraignment in the death of an 80-year-old Deer Park woman for whom she provided care, reports the Deer Park Tribune.

Griner was charged with first-degree criminal mistreatment resulting in the July 2004 death of Patricia Many. According to court documents, Griner waited five hours after Many’s death to call 911. When Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the Spotted Road home, they found Many’s body covered with bedsores and lying in a bed saturated with feces and urine.

Medical authorities have determined that the 69-pound woman died of dehydration and other contributing issues. Dr. Sally Aiken, Spokane County’s medical examiner, ruled the death a homicide.

Griner had been living in the Many home since 2002. The victim’s health deteriorated shortly before her death when none of her family showed for 80th birthday. Griner claims she was instructed by family members not to seek any medical help for Many’s failing health problems.

Deer Park High may cancel driver’s ed

Deer Park High School is considering eliminating driver’s education classes, reports the Tribune.

DPHS is the only one in the region that still offers the classes to students. Most districts contract with a private company for the car and instructors, with the students paying the costs. Currently, students must pay $350 to take the class.

Superintendent Mick Miller says the district is currently just breaking even with the service since the state eliminated all the funding a few years ago.

Driving instructor Monte Pittz has discussed offering the program as a private party and hiring Ben Widman as his driver’s education instructor. The arrangement could succeed if Pittz retired from his teaching position.