Electrical problem caused fatal fire
An electrical problem was responsible for a Friday morning house fire that killed 14-year-old Breanna Elsberry, of Moyie Springs.
David Elsberry, the girl’s father, indicated that the fire started on the porch of the log home east of Moyie Springs, said Boundary County Sheriff Greg Sprungl. “There was a wood stove burning, but that’s not where the fire started,” he said.
David Elsberry, his wife Cheryl, and an older daughter escaped through an upstairs window. David Elsberry was burned trying to rescue his younger daughter.
The blaze was reported at 1:55 a.m. The home was engulfed by the time Curley Creek volunteer firefighters and police arrived.
The home was not insured, according to Sprungl. A fund has been established for the Elsberry family at Panhandle State Bank. Donations may be sent to P.O. Box 1479, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805, or dropped off at any Panhandle bank branch.
Spokane
Reward offered for felony suspect
Secret Witness is offering a reward for information that leads to the arrest of a man wanted on eight felony warrants.
Fredrick Shay Pittman, 41, has a criminal history that goes back more than 20 years and is considered an armed career criminal, said Sgt. Dave Reagan of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Pittman is wanted on eight warrants that include drug, assault, theft and robbery charges, Reagan said. Pittman is 6 feet tall and 200 pounds with black hair and green eyes.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call (509) 327-5111. Callers do not have to give their name to collect a reward but should leave a code name or number.
BREMERTON
Baby in custody after being left
An 8-month-old boy has been removed from his mother after being left naked in a restroom. Police say the 20-year-old woman was shooting pool.
Police say another woman found the boy in the Bremerton Lanes bowling alley restroom Friday night. She waited more than half an hour for the mother to return, then called 911 to report an abandoned baby.
Officers wrote that the baby appeared to be well-fed but was naked and had raised, red, pinhead-sized marks all over his body, as well as severe diaper rash.
Others at the bowling alley say the mother often left her baby naked in his stroller while she played pool.
The baby’s grandmother told police the marks on the child were probably flea bites.
The baby was turned over to Child Protective Services.
BOISE
Obama gets Idaho endorsements
Campaign officials for Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama are touting a new batch of endorsements from Idaho Democrats.
The endorsements announced Monday include Idaho’s House Minority Leader Wendy Jacquet, of Ketchum; state Sen. Mike Burkett, of Boise; and Ada County Commissioner Paul Woods.
Officials say they have also received the backing of Jerry Brady, the Democratic nominee in Idaho’s gubernatorial race last year.
Last month, Obama opened a campaign office in Boise and is the top fundraiser among Idaho Democrats.