In brief: Idaho lawmaker won’t face sanctions for vote

BOISE – The House Ethics Committee announced Thursday that it won’t take any formal action against Idaho Rep. Shannon McMillan, R-Silverton, for failing to disclose a conflict of interest before voting against a bill.

Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, chairman of the panel, said it decided against formal sanctions “in light of Rep. McMillan’s voluntary disclosure of a potential conflict.” He reminded all House members to be mindful of ethics rules.

McMillan cast one of just two votes in the House against HB 510, which would remove a special exemption dating back to 1939 that protects elected officials and legislators from having their wages garnished due to state court judgments – without disclosing that she faces numerous court judgments, including at least one in which garnishing of her legislative wages was blocked because of the special exemption. House ethics rules require such disclosures.

A week later, McMillan asked the House for forgiveness, revealed her conflict of interest and requested an ethics committee investigation into her own actions. The bill later died without a hearing in a Senate committee.

Colville tribal council fills empty seat

Mel Tonasket has been chosen to fill a vacancy on the Colville Business Council, the governing body for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

Tonasket replaces Benjamin Marchand Jr., who was expelled from the council following an investigation into alleged misuse of his tribal credit card. His term expires in 2015.

Tonasket was chosen from six candidates vying for the vacancy. He is an Omak resident and a former tribal chairman.

Tonasket is also the father of Richard Tonasket, who was chosen to fill another recent vacancy on the council. Richard Tonasket replaced Ernest “Sneena” Brooks III after Brooks resigned last month following his arrest on a rape charge in North Idaho.

Law enforcement weapons stolen

Thieves who broke into a law enforcement vehicle sometime within the past four days stole a ballistic vest with “Federal Agent” embroidered on it, a 12-gauge Winchester pump shotgun and a 300 Ultra Mag Remington bolt-action rifle with scope.

They were among the items stolen in a recent rash of vehicle prowlings in Kootenai and Spokane counties, including the cities of Spokane Valley and Spokane, a news release from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said.

Aaron Cunningham, 37, and Michael Belton, 29, were arrested near Northern Quest Resort & Casino on Wednesday morning after detectives saw them break into a vehicle in the parking lot, the release said. They were booked into jail on suspicion of vehicle prowling, theft and malicious mischief. Additional charges are expected.

The Spokane County SWAT Team served two search warrants Wednesday, at 4303 N. Post St. and 11123 E. 10th Ave. More than 60 items, including a variety of valuables, were recovered at both locations.

The law enforcement items stolen have not been recovered and detectives are requesting anyone with information call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.

Detectives have linked Cunningham and Belton to at least 16 vehicle prowlings in Spokane Valley and Spokane County in the past six days, the release said. Detectives anticipate numerous victims.

Off-duty deputy confiscates driver’s keys

A man suspected of drunken driving had his keys confiscated by an off-duty Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy who witnessed the man trying to drive over some boulders near Liberty Park, according to court documents.

Wayne Pederson crashed his Toyota pickup near a trail head at the park just south of Interstate 90 in central Spokane earlier this week. A sheriff’s deputy who was home at the time of the crash left his home to find Pederson trying to drive over a boulder that was blocking the trail, he told investigating officers.

Pederson then fell out of his truck, according to court documents. The deputy took Pederson’s keys and called law enforcement, who conducted a sobriety test. The investigating officer described Pederson’s level of impairment as “obvious.”

Pederson refused a breath analysis and blood draw at the scene, according to court documents.

Information sought on summer camps

The Spokesman-Review is gathering information for its annual list of summer camps.

This year, people can submit their free listings online at   www.spokesman.com; email information to summercamps@spokesman.com; or mail it to The Spokesman-Review, 999 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane, WA 99210, Attn: Summer Camps.

Please include the name and location of the camp, dates of operation, general theme, any costs, recommended ages, contact information and any other details readers might want.  

Listings received after 5 p.m. April 4 will be included in the online version but won’t be guaranteed for the print edition. 

Congressman meets with detainees

TACOMA – A congressman who toured a federal immigration detention center in Tacoma says he thinks detainees who have taken part in a hunger strike have raised some legitimate issues. Rep. Adam Smith said he met with three detainees Thursday.

The Democrat says his biggest concern “is that there are no legislative standards for what the conditions should be.” He mentioned the $1 per day wages for working detainees, and commissary prices as among the strikers’ issues.