Hacker breaks into EWU network, school says data not compromised
A hacker made it into Eastern Washington University’s computer network earlier this month, though university officials say students’ financial information and detailed personal data weren’t compromised.
It’s not clear exactly what the hacker did access – or what was done with the information – but it may have included student names and addresses, said EWU spokesman David Rey. More sensitive information such as Social Security numbers or financial information was not revealed, Rey said.
“We don’t know for certain if addresses were (accessed) or not,” he said, “but people can get your address online anyway or in a phone book.”
Eastern discovered Oct. 5 that someone had broken into its network and reported it to WSP, Rey said. EWU officials didn’t make a campuswide announcement – in accordance with state guidelines, which recommend such an announcement for cases of theft or a threat to data security.
The incident is classified as “computer trespass,” which can be a felony or misdemeanor crime.
WSP officials could not immediately confirm late Wednesday afternoon that it had received a report.
Eastern stopped using Social Security numbers as a means of tracking students several years ago, and now only uses its student identification numbers
Part of Dishman-Mica Road to close Friday
Dishman-Mica Road in Spokane Valley will be closed Friday between Eighth and 16th avenues.
The closure is scheduled between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Traffic will be detoured to University Road.
Level III sex offender moves downtown
A convicted child molester has been released from prison and has moved from Seattle to Spokane, police said Wednesday.
Kyle D. Lewis, 28, is now living in the downtown area, Spokane police spokesman Dick Cottam said in a news release. Lewis was convicted of first-degree child molestation involving a 6-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl.
Lewis is a Level III sex offender and is considered a high risk to re-offend, Cottam said.
Lewis is 5 feet 11, 150 pounds, with blond hair and hazel eyes. He has a deformed left ear, Cottam said.
Lewis is not wanted at this time.
Absentee ballots mailed out today
Absentee ballots are being mailed out today to some 145,000 voters in Spokane County for the Nov. 8 general election, and should be in mailboxes by Saturday.
Spokane County Elections Manager Paul Brandt said approximately 57 percent of the county are registered as permanent absentee voters, meaning they get every ballot in the mail. An advisory issue on this year’s ballot asks voters if they think the entire county should be converted to mail-in voting.
If they say yes, Spokane County commissioners could make the switch, something that County Auditor Vicky Dalton is recommending. That means Nov. 8 might be the last time the rest of Spokane County voters will make the trip to their precinct polling station.
A special recall election is scheduled in the city of Spokane for Dec. 6, but Dalton has already decided that will be an all-mail ballot.
The Nov. 8 election will feature statewide and countywide ballot issues, council races in all cities and towns, plus races for school, fire, water, sewer and cemetery district boards.
The deadline for new voters to register to vote at the polls has already passed in Washington state, but residents can still register to vote by mail ballot through next Monday.
But that last-minute registration requires a trip to the county elections office to fill out the form. In Spokane County, that office is at 1033 W. Gardner.
Second suspect arrested in kidnapping
A second man has been arrested in connection with the September kidnapping of a 14-year-old girl.
Police believe that Shawn P.D. Apperson, 22, helped Daniel R. Quinn kidnap Quinn’s ex-girlfriend.
The victim told police that on Sept. 27 Quinn forced her into a car at gunpoint from the driveway of her east Spokane home.
Police believe Apperson was driving the car when it left the victim’s residence.
The girl told investigators that the driver, whom she knew only as “Shawn,” exited the car at a gas station at Mission Avenue and Napa Street. Investigators allege that Apperson did nothing to help the kidnapped teen after he left the car.
Apperson was booked Tuesday at the Spokane County Jail on a count of first-degree kidnapping. Bail has been set at $100,000.
After Apperson exited, Quinn took the victim to his home, 2107 E. Seventh Ave, and taunted her with two guns, police say.
Quinn tied her hands behind her back and forced her to lie on his bed, according to the victim’s account. She escaped after he fell asleep, court documents say.
Boil order lifted for Moscow area
A boil order in effect for a portion of Moscow, Idaho, since Tuesday has been lifted, authorities said Wednesday.
Water samples taken from an area bound by B, E, Hayes and Polk streets have tested negative for coliform bacteria. Officials said the water in the area is safe to drink.
The city’s water department had been providing free bottled water for businesses and residents in the affected area.