In brief: Raceway operator decision delayed
Spokane County Commissioners on Tuesday delayed its selection of an operator for Spokane Raceway Park at least until after the sale of the track is finalized.
The county was high bidder for 315 acres of the raceway at an April auction. A judge could decide as early as Thursday if the sale will be approved.
Commissioners were scheduled to consider bids from four groups who want to operate the raceway. But commissioners voted unanimously to wait at least until after Thursday to make sure the the county becomes owner.
Last week, a five-member county committee recommended that Stateline Speedway in Post Falls be chosen as the raceway’s operator through 2009. Commissioner Todd Mielke said if the case is further delayed because of an appeal, it may make more sense to forgo a 2008 racing season and instead ask for bids to operate the raceway long-term.
Woman hurt trying to repossess truck
A 45-year-old woman suffered cuts and abrasions Monday when she was dragged 100 feet while attempting to repossess a pickup.
The driver of the Ford pickup reported himself as the victim but was charged with second-degree assault in connection with the dragging.
Just before 1 p.m. Monday, Spokane County sheriff’s deputies were called to the 3800 block of South Geiger to investigate a report of a woman being run over in the parking lot. Deputy Brandon Armstrong arrived and couldn’t find a victim or a suspect, spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said in a news release.
Witnesses then directed the deputy to an apartment, where he found a woman who was hobbled by cuts and abrasions to her feet, toes, ankles, legs, back and shoulders.
The woman told Armstrong that she had recently sold a Ford pickup to 38-year-old Michael Patrick Keener of Spokane. However, she claimed that Keener only gave her half of the money for the truck and has since been difficult to find, Reagan said.
The woman saw Keener in the parking lot on Monday and attempted to reach inside the pickup to grab the keys from the ignition. According to police, Keener drove off, dragging the woman through a gravel driveway and about 90 feet over asphalt. He eventually pushed her from the moving truck, Reagan said.
Post Falls
Jury clears officers of police brutality
Two Post Falls police officers who were sued for alleged police brutality during a 2005 drunken driving stop have been cleared, officials said.
A jury found officers Erik Andersen and Scott Harmon free of any wrongdoing June 17, said Post Falls police Lt. Scot Haug.
In a 2007 lawsuit, Bradley Platt claimed he was tackled and struck repeatedly in the face. According to court records, some of Platt’s teeth were knocked out and he had a black eye.
Andersen pulled Platt over in January 2005 for failure to yield. He also had a suspended license, according to previous news accounts. When Platt reportedly refused to comply with police, Andersen took the man to the ground.
Platt’s charges of drunken driving, obstructing an officer and eluding an officer were dropped after his attorney filed a lawsuit against Andersen and Harmon. The officers claimed Platt’s extensive criminal history necessitated he be treated with a firm hand.
Andersen no longer works for Post Falls police, but officials say that is unrelated to the suit.
Spokane Valley
Children injured in apartment fire
Fire officials in Spokane Valley say two small children were taken sent to the hospital in critical condition after fire broke out in an apartment complex.
Officials say the fire apparently started Tuesday night on the second floor in a bedroom as the children’s mother was taking a bath or shower.
A firefighter and an apartment building occupant rescued the children, described as an infant and a toddler.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Man arrested after cat’s paw shot off
Spokane Valley police arrested a 62-year-old man Monday night after he threatened to shoot his estranged wife and then shot off the foot of a cat inside his mobile home, police said.
Patrick M. Mulvey, of 9514 E. Fourth, was booked into the Spokane County Jail on felony counts of harassment, first-degree animal cruelty and second-degree reckless endangerment, police Sgt. Dave Reagan said.
The suspect’s estranged wife, who lives elsewhere, was at a neighbor’s home Monday when she overheard Mulvey threatening to shoot one of the cats. After walking to the mobile home to intervene, she told Mulvey she was calling police. He then threatened to shoot her as well, Reagan said.
She left and called police around 10 p.m.Officer Todd Saunders checked the home and found a .45-caliber pistol, a loaded magazine and a cat cowering in the corner, Reagan said. The cat was bleeding and missing its rear left paw. Animal control officers took custody of the cat, which was later euthanized, and officers booked Mulvey.