In brief: Adult family homes skewered in probe
SEATTLE – An investigation by the Seattle Times has uncovered serious flaws in Washington’s adult family home system.
Such homes that care for the elderly have become increasingly popular, with more than 2,800 across the state. But the newspaper’s report reveals that thousands of seniors have been exploited by profiteers or harmed by amateur caregivers.
Some elderly victims were imprisoned in their rooms, roped to their beds or strapped to chairs during the day so they wouldn’t wander off. Others were sedated into submission.
The Times examined 15 years of inspection reports and found that time and again, the Department of Social and Health Services excused reports of abuse and neglect, even when it knew that violators lied to investigators, provided falsified medical records or contributed to preventable deaths.
Furthermore, the newspaper found that requirements for new owners of such homes often aren’t met. More than 200 prospective owners became certified even though they failed to complete the required 48 hours of training. Some failed to take even a single hour of instruction.
Aircraft company lays off 22 workers
SANDPOINT – Quest Aircraft Co. said it has laid off 22 of its 303 full-time employees in North Idaho.
Quest CEO Paul Schaller said the slow economy forced the decision.
He said the layoffs began Thursday and continued Friday, and employees will be eligible for rehire when the economy picks up.
Schaller said most of the job cuts were in production, but also include employees in engineering, administration and quality control.
Schaller said the company will continue to produce three Kodiak planes a month and has a waiting list for the planes of 18 months.
Medicine bag aura ruined, man claims
SANDPOINT – An Oregon man is accusing Idaho police officers of destroying the mystical qualities of his Native American medicine bag when they opened it during a drunken driving arrest last summer.
The tort claim filed recently by 49-year-old Craig Clark Show, of Portland, seeks $25,000 in damages from the Idaho State Police and Bonner County Sheriff Department.
Show also alleges he was persecuted because of his religious beliefs after he was stopped by authorities last August. The Bonner County Daily Bee reported that police arrested Show, charging him with driving under the influence of alcohol.
In the tort claim, Show says the medicine bag had been blessed by a medicine woman and had been sealed since 1995. But he said the bag’s mystical qualities were damaged when opened by officers.