In brief: Husband charged in boating injury
A boat propeller severed a Spokane woman’s arm Wednesday, sending the limb into Newman Lake and landing her husband in jail on a felony assault charge.
Alana Kienel, 27, fell in the lake and the propeller of a 20-foot Quantum Bow-Rider ski boat severed her arm below the elbow after her husband, Robert W. Kienel, 27, took a hard turn at about 30 to 35 mph, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Alana Kienel was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center, where a representative said she was expected to survive.
The woman was sitting on the boat’s front bow, which is illegal in Washington, when she fell about 5:15 p.m., according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency responders could not locate the severed limb, which is believed to have sunk in the lake.
Marine Deputy Patrick Bloomer described the Kienels’ boat as being “littered with empty beer and wine” containers and said Robert Kienel showed signs of intoxication.
Kienel was taken to a hospital for blood testing before being booked into the Spokane County Jail on one county of assault by watercraft.
Meghann M. Cuniff
Commission approves City Council pay raises
Spokane City Council members are getting a pay raise for the first time since 1991.
The five-member Spokane Salary Review Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a 67 percent raise for City Council members from $18,000 to $30,000 a year, said Hal Ellis, the commission’s chairman.
The commission also approved a raise for City Council President Joe Shogan. He’ll make $55,000, up from $40,000 a year.
The raises take effect Jan. 1, unless someone collects enough signatures to put it on the ballot and voters agree to overturn it.
Ellis said pay was increased to keep pace with inflation and attract more folks to run for office. He said the commission will meet next year to review the decision, but that another adjustment likely wouldn’t be considered for two years.
Jonathan Brunt
Suspect arrested in stabbing death
A stabbing in the 1400 block of West Boone left a man dead early Wednesday, and a suspect was booked into the Spokane County Jail on the charge of first-degree murder, Spokane police said.
Jacques Lee, 21, was identified as the victim, according to the Associated Press. The victim died after others at the house where he had been stabbed took him to a hospital about 2:30 a.m.
The assailant had left the scene when police arrived, but Officer Paul Gorman used a police dog to track down a man who matched witnesses’ descriptions. That suspect was later identified as 34-year-old Adrian Ellenwood.
He was found hiding in a yard near North Maple Street and West Sinto Avenue.
Some 10 to 15 people were at the residence where the stabbing occurred but Officer Teresa Fuller was unsure what they were doing at the time of the incident.
Thomas Clouse
North Idaho
Two sheriffs lose re-election bids
Voters in Bonner and Shoshone counties have ousted their sheriffs.
Bonner County Sheriff Elaine Savage was booted Tuesday night in a five-way Republican primary by Daryl Wheeler. The former deputy who now works for the Sandpoint Police Department will face Democrat Larry Hanna in the November general election.
Wheeler easily took the lead with 1,192 votes followed by Geoff Rusho. Savage came in third followed by former Sheriff Evan “Chip” Roos and Rocky Jordan.
In Shoshone County, longtime Sheriff Chuck Reynalds lost his job to Kellogg police Officer Gary Yergler in the Democratic primary. With no Republican candidates, Yergler faces no opposition in the general election and will serve a four-year term.
Erica F. Curless