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Pullman police recommend charging five in WSU beating

Pullman Police have concluded their investigation into the beating of WSU instructor David Warner and have forwarded their investigation on to prosecutors with a recommendation to charge five people in connection with the March 30 incident.

"Based on all the information we have, we believe there is enough to show the suspects were involved in an assault that resulted in a serious injury," Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins said Tuesday.

The police investigation revealed that Lawrence McDonald had been drinking with David Warner and an unidentified third person, and as they were walking through Adams Mall McDonald was verbally harassing others in the parking lot and challenging people to fight him.

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ATV safety courses provide valuable skills to keep you safe

ATV safety courses provide valuable skills to keep you safe

In last two weeks Eastern Washington and North Idaho have seen over five ATV accidents including one death in the LC Valley last week. While ATV riding is fun, it's important to learn proper technique to remain safe.

 

“We think it takes special skills to ride an ATV,” says Dale Stevens, a licensed ATV safety instructor with the ATV Safety Institute. ASI is a non-profit sponsored by the all the major ATV manufacturers. Instructors like Stevens teach regular safety classes to educate riders on proper technique, safety skills and the responsibilities that come with owning and riding ATVs.

 

After taking his course many riders tell Stevens that they didn't know what a work out riding is and that they expected it to be easier. Stevens says that a lot of people expect ATVs to be like riding a couch on wheels but it that it takes a lot of physical effort and knowledge of how ATVs operate to remain safe while riding.

 

Pullman police nearly done with WSU beating case

Pullman police are ready to close the investigation into the assault of Washington State University instructor David Warner.

Police Chief Gary Jenkins says he is preparing to turn the case over to the Whitman County prosecuting attorney's office. The prosecutor will decide if any charges are filed.

The 41-year-old Warner was seriously injured while trying to intervene in an argument between an acquaintance and three men outside Adams Mall. He was released from the hospital last week.

Three male suspects have been arrested in connection with the assault, as well as one female suspect for allegedly attempting to cover up the incident. All four turned themselves in to police.

Avista Energy Resource Team goes mobile

Avista Energy Resource Team goes mobile

Avista Utilities is taking their services on the road setting up their mobile Energy Resource Team in communities throughout the area. Today, they were in the Spokane Valley with Second Harvest's mobile food bank offering tips and supplies to make homes more energy efficient.

 

“The biggest goal is to educate people on ways to conserve energy in their homes,” says Ana Matthews, a Consumer Affairs Program Manager with Avista. The Energy Resource Team provides resources and materials to help people who are struggling lower their monthly bills and set them up with resources such as SNAP when they need more help.

 

Avista workers handed out bags with rope caulk, window insulation kits, fridge coil cleaners and compact florescent light bulbs to help get homes on their way to a lower bill. Matthews says the biggest energy sucker is drafts in the home and they come from places you might not think to look such as your outlets.

 

WSU grad student pleads not guilty for murder attempt on wife

The Washington State University graduate student accused of trying to murder his wife has pleaded not guilty.�

Jacob Forster, 32, of Uniontown entered the plea Friday to attempted first degree murder in Whitman County Superior Court.�

Sheriff?s deputies say Forster tried to use gas to asphyxiate his 27-year-old wife while she slept.�

Forster, a WSU graduate student in chemistry, is scheduled to stand trial next month.

Kyra Wine defies the odds

Kyra Wine defies the odds

In 2008, three-year-old Kyra Wine became the victim of the worst case of child abuse in Benewah County history, her injuries so severe doctor's amputated her feet. Now, five years later, she's an active, happy eight-year-old girl.

The abuse Kyra and her sister Amanda endured is heartbreaking and unimaginable but now they are thriving.

"Every birthday, yeah, every birthday is special," Kyra's grandma, Deanna Wine said.

For her eighth birthday, Kyra didn't ask for anything special.

"I just let them get whatever they want," Kyra said.

Making the gifts on her grandma's kitchen table an even bigger surprise; a birthday is always a big deal when you're a kid, but when you're Kyra, each candle carries more than a wish. They're a symbol of survival, a light of hope.

"When this all happened with Kyra the doctors said that basically she had hours," Deanna said. "If she hadn't been taken to the hospital she had just hours to live."

On June 17, 2008 Benewah County Sheriff's deputies responded to a home for a welfare check on Kyra, then three-years-old, and her six-year-old sister Amanda. They couldn't have found them any sooner.