Latest news with #TheSpokesman-Review
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Spokane County GOP to advance nominees to replace Larry Haskell, lead Spokane County prosecution
Aug. 14—By Monday, the Spokane County Commission will know what nominees they'll choose from to lead the prosecutor's office. The resignation of longtime Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell last month means the office is now in need of someone to fulfill the remainder of his term through the end of 2026. First elected in 2014, Haskell, 71, spent a decade as the county's top legal representative before resigning due to a desire to "slow down" while he "still has his health," he told The Spokesman-Review in June. State law puts the onus of finding a replacement for a partisan office like a county prosecutor on the party of the outgoing elected official, which in Haskell's case is the Spokane County Republican Party. GOP precinct committee officers will gather Saturday to decide who will round out the list of nominees that will be forwarded to the Spokane County Board of Commissioners to choose from. In a written response, Spokane County GOP Chair Rob Linebarger said the meeting where precinct committee officers vote on the nominees will be closed to the public, but that the party expects to release the list of candidates advancing by Saturday evening. While the GOP can advance up to three candidates, only two have expressed interest so far, Linebarger said. Those attorneys are Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Preston McCollam, who's overseen the side of the office processing criminal offenses since 2023, and Assistant Washington Attorney General Steve Garvin, who spent nearly 20 years in the prosecutor's office before joining the state's legal team in 2022. The county commissioners tapped McCollam to fill the role in the interim as the nomination process has played out. Linebarger said the GOP's candidate-vetting committee, led by precinct committee officer Tim Kinley, interviewed McCollam and Garvin and will make the questionnaires with each available on the party's website, in the days to come. Their early engagement in running for the position next year does not preclude other candidates from being nominated Saturday. The county commissioners will interview the nominees and make their selection in the coming weeks, said Spokane County spokesman Pat Bell. State law gives the commission 60 days from Haskell's departure, which took effect July 18, to make a decision. If they do not make a decision, Gov. Bob Ferguson will have 30 days to make an appointment. McCollam may have an advantage with the commission. Two of the five county commissioners, Mary Kuney and Al French, already have endorsed his campaign. No matter who wins the position from the county commission, the contest will continue. Both candidates have filed to run for prosecutor when the race will appear on Spokane County ballots. McCollam has raised more than $24,000 for his campaign, according to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. Garvin has raised nearly $22,000. Solve the daily Crossword
Sky News AU
6 days ago
- Health
- Sky News AU
Washington hospital fires fifteen nurses after 12-year-old patient's suicide
More than a dozen nurses have been sacked and another disciplined at a Washington state children's hospital after a 12-year-old patient took her own life at the facility. Sarah Niyimbona, a compassionate, 'outspoken' middle schooler, died April 13 after slipping out of her room at Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Spokane and jumping from the fourth floor of a parking garage, according to a report. Niyimbona had been admitted to the emergency room multiple times in 2024 for suicide attempts, The Spokesman-Review said. The hospital allegedly removed key safety measures despite her history of self-harm — including a round-the-clock sitter, a video monitor and a door alarm — and failed to properly supervise her the night she died, Investigate West reported, citing a lawsuit filed by the family. 'I ask what happened. How come she left the room without anybody seeing her? How come she walked all the way to the elevator without anybody seeing her?' her mother, Nasra Gertrude, told the outlet. 'They haven't given me any answer at all. I trusted this hospital to take care of my daughter.' Fifteen nurses have since been fired, and another disciplined, amid questions over how Niyimbona was able to leave her room undetected, according to the Spokesman-Review. Hospital brass claim the nurses improperly accessed Niyimbona's medical records without being directly involved in her care, a potential violation of the federal privacy law HIPAA. The Washington State Nurses Association, which represents the staffers, claims the firings were 'retaliation' against nurses who spoke to the media after Niyimbona's death. The union said the nurses have filed a grievance, a process that 'could take a long time' to resolve. Providence spokesperson Jen York told the Spokesman-Review the terminations were about protecting patient privacy, saying the hospital reviews conduct and takes 'appropriate action, including termination of employment, where warranted.' A state Department of Health investigation into Niyimbona's death is ongoing. In a statement to The Post, Providence said it launched an internal investigation after Niyimbona's death and implemented new protocols, including suicide risk screening for all patients and procedures for locating missing patients. Niyimbona was remembered on a GoFundMe page as a 'shining light' who 'touched the hearts of everyone she met.' 'We're confused how this could happen. We also want to know why there wasn't anyone there at the moment, why there was nobody watching her and how she was able to leave,' her 19-year-old sister, Asha Joseph, told PBS. The WSNA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. If you or anyone you know needs help: Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 Lifeline – 13 11 14 Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 Originally published as Washington hospital fires fifteen nurses after 12-year-old patient's suicide
International Business Times
7 days ago
- Health
- International Business Times
Who Was Sarah Niyimbona? Kids Hospital in Washington Fires 15 Nurses After 12-Year-Old Patient Commits Suicide by Jumping from Fourth Floor
Over a dozen nurses were fired and another disciplined at a children's hospital in Washington state after a 12-year-old patient took her own life the facility. Sarah Niyimbona, a kind-hearted and "outspoken" middle schooler, died on April 13 after leaving her room at Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Spokane and jumping from the fourth floor of a parking garage, according to the report. Niyimbona had been admitted to the emergency room several times in 2024 due to previous suicide attempts, according to The Spokesman-Review. The hospital removed crucial safety precautions despite her known history of self-harm — such as 24-hour supervision, a video monitoring system, and a door alarm — and did not properly monitor her on the night she died, Investigate West reported, citing a lawsuit filed by the family. Hospital's Negligence Sarah Niyimbona X "I ask what happened. How come she left the room without anybody seeing her? How come she walked all the way to the elevator without anybody seeing her?" her mother, Nasra Gertrude, told the outlet. "They haven't given me any answer at all. I trusted this hospital to take care of my daughter." Fifteen nurses have since been fired and another reprimanded as investigators question how Niyimbona managed to leave her room without being noticed, The Spokesman-Review reported. Hospital officials allege the nurses in question accessed Niyimbona's medical records without being part of her care team, potentially breaching the federal privacy law HIPAA. The Washington State Nurses Association, which represents the employees, argues that the firings were an act of "retaliation" against nurses who spoke publicly following Niyimbona's death. According to the union, the nurses have filed a grievance, a process that "may take considerable time" to settle. Blame Game On Sarah Niyimbona Facebook Providence spokesperson Jen York told the Spokesman-Review that the dismissals were focused on safeguarding patient privacy, explaining that the hospital reviews staff conduct and takes "appropriate action, including termination of employment, were wanted." The Washington State Department of Health is still investigating Niyimbona's death. Providence told The New York Post that it began an internal review following the incident and has since introduced new measures, such as suicide risk assessments for every patient and protocols for finding missing patients. A GoFundMe tribute described Niyimbona as a "bright light" who "left a lasting impact on everyone she encountered." "We're confused how this could happen. We also want to know why there wasn't anyone there at the moment, why there was nobody watching her and how she was able to leave," her 19-year-old sister, Asha Joseph, told PBS.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Spokane County replaces aging aircraft with $3.4M helicopter upgrade
This story was originally published on The Spokane County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) unveiled its new $3.4 million Bell 505 helicopter at Felts Field Wednesday afternoon. The new helicopter will replace two 55-year-old aircraft that have been retired from the force after decades of service, according to the sheriff's office. Spokane Valley Police Chief Dave Ellis noted his admiration for the upgrade. 'Its advanced technology will improve our ability to combat rising auto thefts and conduct safer operations, including searches for missing children, Alzheimer's patie nts, and outdoor recreationists,' Ellis said, according to SCSD. The helicopter can reach a top speed of 125 knots per hour (kts) and a hover ceiling of 14,450 feet, according to BellFlight. SCSO fully equipped the helicopter with upgraded technology such as thermal imaging cameras and a live-stream video feed. The sheriff's office received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, a $200,000 state grant for the thermal imaging cameras, $1.6 million from Spokane County, and raised money from the sale of an older SCSO helicopter, according to The Spokesman-Review. 'It's unbelievable how clear of an image they can get if they wanted to do surveillance over somebody that was a really bad guy. They could fly over at 7,000 feet and read the license plate,' John Preston, retired LAPD officer, said, according to The Spokesman-Review.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sheriff remains 'optimistic' about tracking down Wenatchee father wanted for killings of his daughters
Jun. 4—The Chelan County Sheriff's Office is "optimistic" it will locate a man accused of killing his three young daughters at a campsite and fleeing the scene, sheriff Mike Morrison said at a news conference Wednesday evening. "My message is still the same," Morrison said. "Turn yourself in ... We will not relinquish our efforts. Do us right for your kids." Travis Caleb Decker, 32, is charged with the murder and kidnapping in connection to the deaths of his children, Olivia Decker, 5; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Paitlyn Decker, 9, from Wenatchee. The girls were found bound and asphyxiated in an embankment at the Rock Island Campground near Leavenworth, according to previous reporting from The Spokesman-Review. Their father has not been seen since last week when he failed to return the children to their mother after a planned visit. Decker, who is homeless and only allowed day visits unless an exception is made, is said to have borderline personality disorder for which he did not take medication, according to court records. He has never failed to return his kids to their mother before, and the children generally enjoyed being with him, court records say. Investigators later found his white truck and miscellaneous supplies at the campground, along with plastic bags and zip ties. The discovery led to a near-statewide manhunt. Morrison said during the news conference they are "optimistic" they can track his location, even though Decker is a military veteran with elite wilderness survival skills. He went through survival school as a kid and had more training in the military, Morrison said, and his family told investigators they believe he is able to live "off the grid" for more than two days. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office wrote in a news release they don't believe Decker is armed, but consider him dangerous. Aerial units from the Spokane County Sheriff's Office are assisting Chelan County in the search across the Okanagan Wenatchee National Forest, along with federal law enforcement. The FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit were also called in and have rendered "good leads" about Decker's mindset and thought process at the time of the killings, Morrison said. Multiple tips have come in, including sightings from McCall, Idaho, but were determined not to be Decker, the sheriff said at the news conference. Agencies have swept fast-moving creeks, steep terrain, cellphone data and financial documents for clues. The sheriff's office also has limited resources, Morrison added, but the assistance Chelan County, most of which is not accessible by road, has received from statewide agencies statewide gives him confidence. "We are up for the challenge," he said. "We are aware of our terrain ... And we are not doing it alone." As of Wednesday afternoon, the Decker family's GoFundMe has raised more than half a million dollars. "Their light touched so many, and the pain of this loss is immeasurable," the post says about the Decker girls. The girls and their family are the "motivating force" behind the rigorous search, Morrison said Wednesday. The agency has set up a tip line for people with knowledge or sightings of Decker to submit information. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office has posted a $20,000 reward leading to his arrest. Decker was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt with dark shorts, has black hair and brown eyes, is 5-foot-8 and weighs about 190 pounds. He may pose a risk if he is approached, police said in a release. If found, call 911 immediately.
