In brief: Apple improperly using address for campaign

City Councilman Bob Apple is apparently violating state campaign laws by listing his City Hall phone number and e-mail address on a campaign advertisement.

Apple, seeking re-election in a run against Logan Neighborhood leader Donna McKereghan, has both on the bottom of a recent campaign mailer from his re-election committee. It also lists his home phone number and his personal e-mail address.

State law prohibits using government equipment for campaign purposes, Lori Anderson, a spokeswoman for the state Public Disclosure Commission said Tuesday. Getting campaign calls on a city phone or computer falls under that law.

“He shouldn’t have done it,” said Anderson, who added the commission has not received a formal complaint about the mailer.

Apple said Tuesday evening he wasn’t aware of the law and considers the number and address as “informational” for constituents who might want to contact him.

He said he would contact the PDC Wednesday and “defer to their judgment.”

– Jim Camden

Driver arrested on several charges

The driver of a stolen vehicle rammed two Spokane police vehicles early Tuesday, totaling one of them, authorities said.

Kirk A. Beaulieu, 26, was arrested on charges of second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment for allegedly refusing to let a female passenger leave, attempting to elude and possession of stolen property. Beaulieu was arrested in September for attempt to elude in a stolen vehicle and possession of methamphetamine, according to police, and he was also arrested in a stolen vehicle in August.

Tuesday’s incident began about 2 a.m. when Cpl. Kurt Vigesaa saw a stolen 2001 Dodge Durango downtown, Officer Brian Eckersley wrote in a press release. Vigesaa and another officer tried to block the Durango at Riverside Avenue and Bernard Street, but the driver rammed both officers’ cars and headed east on Interstate 90, Eckersley reported.

When the driver took the Hamilton Street exit, other officers were at Trent Avenue with spike strips. The driver tried to make a U-turn and rammed one patrol car for a second time, driving onto its hood, according to the report.

The driver climbed through a window and ran into the Spokane River, Eckersley reported. He waded out as high as his neck before returning to shore where he was captured by Vigesaa.

Beaulieu’s two passengers were not injured or charged.

– Amy Cannata