In brief: Couple arrested in pot bust
An elevator disguised as a shop drain led police to a marijuana growing operation in a rural home Thursday morning.
Carl W. Cliff, 61, and his wife, Marte G. Cliff, 60, were arrested and charged with manufacturing and trafficking marijuana after a Bonner County sheriff’s narcotics unit found 45 plants and 6 pounds of dried marijuana at their home, 1794 Blue Lake Road, northeast of Priest River, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Cliffs have lived in North Idaho for years, Sheriff Elaine Savage said. “I’ve known them all my life,” she said, calling the charges “surprising.”
“I imagine it comes as quite a shock to most people,” Savage said.
Marte Cliff is a former real estate agent and former president of Priest River Animal Rescue. Carl Cliff once owned a construction company, but it’s unclear whether it’s still operating.
The couple had their first court appearance Friday and are out on bail, Savage said.
– Meghann M. Cuniff
Boise
Otter signs field-burning bill
Idaho’s new field-burning legislation was signed into law Friday by Gov. Butch Otter, and the Legislature’s joint budget committee unanimously approved funding for a new system that will make public health a priority.
HB 557 is the result of six months of negotiations among clean-air advocates, farmers, tribes and the state. Field burning could resume as soon as the end of the summer if the regulatory system is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Funding for the program totals $606,400 and includes two new full-time staffers, seasonal workers, new air-quality monitors, and a new Web-based system to alert people to upcoming burns. Part of the funding will come from a $2-an-acre fee paid by farmers who burn their fields.
– Betsy Z. Russell
Pullman
Police search for assailant
The Pullman Police Department is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for an assault in which a man’s jaw was broken.
The assault occurred Jan. 20. Three men were near the entrance of Adam’s Mall in the “Greek row” area of College Hill when victim Kyle Descher, a Washington State University student, walked in, according to a news release. One man commented on Descher’s Asian ethnicity. Descher then entered Stubblefield’s bar in the mall and was punched in the side of the face by an unknown assailant.
Anyone with information is asked to call (800) 222-TIPS or go to the Crime Stoppers Web site, www.crimestoppersusa.com.
– Meghann M. Cuniff
Spokane
Janitor accused of stealing
Authorities have accused a Lewis and Clark High School janitor of stealing numerous items during the past two years.
Dewayne Gomez, 52, was booked into Spokane County Jail on two counts of second-degree theft and one count of trafficking in stolen property, according to jail records.
Gomez, who has worked for Spokane Public Schools for more than 30 years, was placed on paid administrative leave, spokeswoman Terren Roloff said.
Gomez was arrested after a teacher caught him stealing, officials said.
– Jody Lawrence Turner