In brief: Former Shadle teacher faces additional charges with minor

A former teacher and coach at Shadle Park High School already charged with sexual misconduct involving a former student now faces three additional charges, according to court documents filed earlier this week.

Ryan M. Murphy also has been charged with communication with a minor for immoral purposes, second-degree sexual misconduct and possession of child pornography.

Spokane Police Department detectives believe Murphy used his position as a teacher to coax the student into an extensive sexual relationship, which began when she was 15 years old and he was 40.

Murphy resigned his position with Spokane Public Schools last summer. He remains under investigation by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Chase foundation to honor those who help out youths

Six people and organizations will be honored at the Chase Youth Foundation’s annual Breakfast of Champions in May.

The awards are given to individuals and entities that help young people “grow and become empowered community leaders,” the city of Spokane said in a news release this week.

The winners of the 2013 Champions of Youth are: Other Mothers, in the business category; Communities in Schools of Spokane County, in the civic category; Randy James, education; state Rep. Marcus Riccelli, government; Bozzi Media, media; and the Northeast Youth Center, nonprofit.

The breakfast, which is free and open to the public, is May 10 from 7-8:30 a.m. at the Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St. Seating is limited and registration is required by emailing chaseyouth spokane@gmail.com.

House fire on North Park Road may be arson, officials say

Spokane Valley firefighters on Wednesday night battled the fourth suspected arson fire at a vacant home in the past year.

The call to 806 N. Park Road came in around 8:30 p.m. Crews reported heavy fire in the front and rear, with 30-foot flames from the roof. Firefighters had it under control within minutes, a news release said.

The house has been vacant for several years and was for sale. Fires occurred in 2012 at the address on March 27, Sept. 20 and Sept. 23. All have been investigated as arson, but investigators didn’t have enough information to find a suspect, said Bill Clifford, assistant fire marshal for the Spokane Valley Fire Department.

Anyone with information about the fires is asked to call the department at (509) 928-1700.