In brief: Judge dismisses Idaho libel suit
A libel suit against a Rathdrum woman for comments she made on a newspaper blog has been dismissed.
Linda Cook posted two comments in February 2012 on Huckleberries Online, The Spokesman-Review’s North Idaho blog. Tina Jacobson, former chairwoman of the Kootenai County Republican Party, sued Cook for libel after going to court to force the newspaper to reveal the name of the commenter.
After Cook declared bankruptcy, Jacobson asked a 1st District Court judge to dismiss her suit. It was dismissed last week.
Under the name “almostinnocentbystander,” Cook commented on the accounting of GOP funds in the county and, referring to Jacobson, asked, “Is that the missing $10,000 from Kootenai County Central Committee funds actually stuffed inside Tina’s blouse???”
Jacobson claimed she was “offended and embarrassed” by the comments and said they impeached her honesty, integrity and reputation. She sought a judgment of at least $10,000.
Cook revealed her identity in July 2012 after a judge ordered The Spokesman-Review to disclose who had posted the comments.
Vehicle prompts base evacuations
A suspicious vehicle parked at Fairchild Air Force Base prompted evacuations Tuesday afternoon and kept visitors from leaving the base for about two hours.
Base officials were alerted to the suspicious vehicle around 3:25 p.m., according to a news release. The vehicle was parked between buildings that house the Finance Squadron and Communications Squadron.
The gates were back open as of 4:55 p.m., according to base personnel. The vehicle was determined to be “nonthreatening” just before 6 p.m.
Teen arson suspect leaves detention
The teen accused of setting fires in the Spokane Valley area was released Tuesday morning from juvenile detention to electronic monitoring.
A judge ordered the release on the condition that the teen may not possess any weapons or incendiary devices, and must comply with counseling recommendations. The judge ruled Monday that the teen would be tried as a juvenile.
He was charged Oct. 2 with seven counts of arson for allegedly setting fires, including to two unoccupied homes.