City lawsuit alleges campaign violations

The city of Coeur d’Alene has filed a lawsuit against two individuals and a taxpayer group over alleged violations in campaign disclosure laws.

The city filed its case Monday against Concerned Taxpayers of Kootenai County. It also names as defendants Tom Macy and Kathy Sims.

In court papers, the city contends the group violated several campaign finance disclosure laws when it circulated campaign fliers attacking incumbents in 2007 municipal elections. The suit also contends the tax group owes more than $25,000 in fines.

City Attorney Mike Gridley said any group that collects money and uses it in a campaign must disclose that financial data in a timely manner. The tax group failed to do that, he said.

Macy said he was surprised the city filed a lawsuit, believing the issue was resolved.

Inland Northwest

Drug ring probe yields 10 arrests

Ten suspects, including six living in Spokane Valley, have been arrested by federal and local authorities who say they’ve broken up another drug ring.

The arrests were made by agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies in the Tri-Cities.

The investigation centered on a methamphetamine distribution ring that shipped the drug from the Tri-Cities to the Spokane area, according to a senior law enforcement official.

U.S. Attorney Jim McDevitt and five other law enforcement officials, including DEA regional boss Arnold Moorin, are scheduled to hold a news conference this afternoon in Kennewick to provide details about the arrests and the investigation.

Court documents show those arrested in the Spokane area were George Flagherty, Daniel Flagherty, Charles McGee, Shawna Lynn Anderson, Carlos Valdez-Rios and Warner William Slater.

Spokane

Police, firefighters use mall for training

Spokane police and firefighters are using NorthTown Mall to train for potential gunman situations in a mall or school.

Mock scenarios at the mall this month will involve shooters in the building firing at shoppers.

Training began Wednesday and will continue Friday, next Wednesday and Oct. 10, 15 and 17. The scenarios run from about 6:30 to 10 a.m., officials said.

Law enforcement personnel learned during the Columbine High School shootings in 1999 that lives can be lost if the first officers on the scene wait for specialized teams, such as SWAT, before going in, said Spokane police Officer Teresa Fuller.

Spokane valley

Blaze damages Ecolight plant

An early morning fire Wednesday caused an estimated $20,000 in damage to Ecolight Manufacturing in Spokane Valley, said Spokane Fire Department spokesman Bill Clifford.

But despite the smoke and water damage, the plant was up and running later in the day. About 20 employees were on the job when a compressor caught fire. One man suffered first-degree burns on his arm while trying to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher, Spokane Valley Fire Battalion Chief Stan Cooke said.Sprinklers put the fire out, Cooke said.

Located at Montgomery Avenue and Woodruff Road, Ecolight makes parts for fluorescent light fixtures.