Amendment lets UI charge tuition
A Senate committee approved a constitutional amendment aimed at helping the University of Idaho better manage its budget, especially during the economic downturn.
A law dating to Idaho’s territorial days when the school was founded in 1889 forbids most students at the Moscow school from paying tuition. So while other, newer state schools can charge tuition, Vandals pay “student fees.”
Here’s the catch: The student fees can’t be shifted to pay for instruction.
As a result, millions in cuts this year from UI’s general fund appropriation that covers professor salaries have exacted a profound toll on the budget, Marty Peterson, a UI lobbyist, told the Senate State Affairs Committee on Friday.
The change would allow administrators to shift funds more easily, said Sen. Joe Stegner, a Lewiston Republican behind the measure.
Grant County
Police report opium-growing operation
Investigators found what could be Grant County’s first known indoor opium growing operation during a raid this week just south of Ephrata.
William P. Helfrich, 56, faces charges of possession and manufacturing marijuana and opium after 15 marijuana plants and four 13-gallon bags of opium poppy pods were found in his home at 5511 NW Martin Road, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
The search came the same day an unknown amount of rock cocaine and marijuana was seized from a home at 803 South A St. in Moses Lake following a six-month investigation.
Valinda G. Otis, 28, and Tommy C. Stokes, 23, of Moses Lake, face charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Both raids were conducted by an interagency narcotics team made up of officers from Moses Lake, Quincy, Ephrata, the Washington State Patrol, and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Spokane County
Rewards offered in hunt for suspects
Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to the arrests of four suspects wanted in separate cases.
Jennifer D. Cook, 31, is wanted on suspicion of second-degree theft, said Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Dave Reagan. Cook’s criminal history includes convictions for second- and third-degree theft and forgery.
Arsenio O. Buckley, 23, is wanted on suspicion of second-degree robbery, Reagan said. Buckley has a previous conviction for robbery.
Jamie Rae Arveschoug, 41, is wanted on suspicion of second-degree theft, Reagan said. Arveschoug has a criminal history that includes convictions for forgery and welfare fraud.
Jamie R. Morris, 26, is wanted on suspicion of second-degree taking a motor vehicle without owner’s permission, Reagan said.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these fugitives should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Tipsters do not have to give their name to collect the reward, but should provide the operator with a code name or number.
MISSOULA
Panel lets witnesses attend Grace trial
A three-judge appellate panel Friday overturned a ruling by the judge in the W.R. Grace trial, who said 34 asbestos exposure victims on the federal prosecutors’ list of witnesses would not be allowed in court except to testify.
In his Feb. 13 pretrial ruling, U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy said the 34 witnesses, identified by the federal government as victims of asbestos contamination, do not meet the meaning of “crime victim” in the Crime Victims’ Rights Act. He excluded them from court proceedings.
Three appellate judges of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that general prohibition Friday and ordered Molloy to make “particularized findings with respect to each of the 34 victim-witnesses.”
The order came in response to a petition by federal prosecutors seeking to overturn Molloy’s ruling.
The trial resumes Monday.
SEATTLE
Jail video shows deputy attacking girl
Surveillance video released in an assault case against a King County sheriff’s deputy shows a deputy kicking a 15-year-old girl, slamming her to the floor of a jail cell, striking her and pulling her hair.
The footage shows the attack beginning after the girl enters the cell and kicks off one of her shoes toward the deputy.
The video released Friday is part of an assault case in which Deputy Paul Schene, 31, is accused of using excessive force on the girl, who was being held in a cell at the suburban SeaTac City Hall. Schene, who is charged with fourth-degree assault, pleaded not guilty on Thursday in Superior Court.
The incident last November began after the girl was brought in for an auto theft investigation, according to court documents.
“We believe this case is beyond just police misconduct, it’s criminal misconduct,” King County Prosecutor Daniel Satterberg said. “This is clearly excessive force.”
Compiled from staff and wire reports