In brief: Grant to help residents enroll in health insurance plans

Spokane’s Empire Health Foundation landed an $858,000 federal grant to help Eastern Washington residents enroll in health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act.

The foundation is one of 10 “lead organizations” named in the state to do that grass-roots communication work, according to a news release.

The organizations will focus on people who aren’t likely to use a website or a call center to get information on health plans and subsidies, the release said.

Empire Health Foundation will conduct that outreach in 14 Eastern Washington counties.

Addy Hatch

Convicted killer’s sentencing scheduled for June 27

The sentencing for convicted killer Clay D. Starbuck has been set for June 27.

A jury on Tuesday found Starbuck guilty of aggravated first-degree murder in the 2011 torture death of his ex-wife, Chanin Starbuck, meaning that the only sentence available is life in prison without the possibility of parole.

On Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Greg Sypolt granted a request by Deputy Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Steinmetz to seal all photographs depicting the victim as she was found in her Deer Park home.

Steinmetz said prosecutors made the motion partly because Clay Starbuck indicated before the trial his intention of writing a book, and Steinmetz said he wanted to protect the privacy of the victim and her family.

Thomas Clouse

Man accused of stealing $2,000, using pepper spray in attack

A man accused of stealing about $2,000 from a southwest Spokane home last month after attacking two occupants with a stun gun and pepper spray faces charges of burglary and assault.

Adam Lee Spencer, 26, entered a home in the 2600 block of West Eighth Avenue on the afternoon of May 21 and caught Joseph Kalvis off-guard in the kitchen, according to court documents. After a struggle, Spencer sprayed Kalvis with pepper spray and took cash Kalvis kept for emergencies. Spencer had been in the home as recently as a month ago and knew about the cash stash, the documents say.

A roommate, Karl Antonson, heard the struggle and entered the kitchen. Spencer also sprayed Antonson and shot him with a stun gun, the documents say.

Spencer was arrested Tuesday after the roommates identified him in a photo, police said. His bond was set at $25,000 on Wednesday.

Kip Hill