Police issue first DUI under new felony law
The Spokane Police Department forwarded its first felony DUI charge to the prosecutor’s office Thursday.
Troy A. Pierce, 38, will be the first person Spokane police charge under the felony DUI law, which took effect July 1, 2007.
Under the law, a DUI conviction is a class C felony if the offender has four or more prior DUI convictions within 10 years, or has ever been convicted of vehicular homicide or vehicular assault while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Pierce was arrested for DUI on May 11 after an officer pulled him over for not wearing a seat belt. He also was arrested on a second-degree charge of driving with a suspended license and on a warrant for a previous DUI. The reason for his license suspension was DUI.
A DUI offender with four prior misdemeanor DUIs could receive a sentence of 22 to 29 months.
Pierce has had four DUI convictions since 1997. His May arrest was six weeks before the 10-year time frame would have expired.
“The felony DUI law is a great tool for law enforcement to help keep people safe,” traffic investigative Cpl. Dave Adams said in a news release. “This law targets the most egregious alcohol-related traffic offenders in our state.”
Staff reports
Schools searching for new board member
Spokane Public Schools is looking to fill a position on its board of directors.
The board hopes to fill the position, left vacant with the recent resignation of longtime board member Christie Querna, by Oct. 8.
Applicants, who must reside within school district boundaries, should submit a letter describing personal background, a current résumé and a statement explaining why they want to serve on the board.
The appointed candidate will need to run for the seat in the November 2009 general election.
Materials should be submitted to Garret Daggett, c/o Superintendent’s Office, 200 N. Bernard Street, Spokane, WA 99201.
For information on the application process call (509) 354-7364, or go to www.spokaneschools.org/Board /SchoolBoard.stm.
Sara Leaming
Post Falls
Police investigate explosive device
Post Falls police are investigating why someone left a cardboard explosive device on the front porch of a Post Falls home Wednesday.
Officers responded to the 300 block of Fort Street around 8:50 p.m. to a report of a suspicious package. When officers arrived, they discovered a cardboard device about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter, with a fuse protruding from one end. The device had a cigarette under the fuse that appeared to have been lit at one time but had gone out, according to the Post Falls Police Department.
The home was then evacuated and the Spokane County Bomb Squad was called in for assistance. The bomb squad determined the cigarette was possibly used as a time-delay ignition deviceThe device was moved into the street where it was destroyed.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Post Falls Police Department Tip Line at (208) 777-COPS.
Staff reports
Olympia
Former police chief, 92, dies in car accident
Former Washington State Patrol Chief Will Bachofner has died at 92.
Bachofner died Tuesday after being injured Monday in a car accident in the Olympia area.
Olympia police spokesman Dick Machlan said Bachofner’s car went off Wiggins Road and struck a sign and a tree.
WSP spokesman Sgt. Freddy Williams said he was the longest-serving chief in the State Patrol’s history.
Bachofner, who was chief from 1964 to 1971, was credited with changing the agency’s hiring procedures to open the ranks to women and minorities.
Associated Press