Man arrested after hit-and-run injury crash
WALLA WALLA -- City police arrested a Colorado man allegedly injured another driver and ran a Walla Walla sheriff's sergeant off the road Wednesday night.
$n$ Police investigate fatal shooting in WW
WALLA WALLA -- Two days after a fatal shooting on Bonnie Brae Street, police continue to investigate if the incident was a suicide or homicide.
Sheriff's Sgt. Bill White placed on paid leave
The reason Sgt. Bill White has been placed on administrative leave was not disclosed.
WALLA WALLA -- Walla Walla County sheriff's Sgt. Bill White has been placed on paid administrative leave.
Son, lawyer: Problems preceded shooting
Joseph Shuba, accused of killing his wife last month, could face trial in July.
DAYTON -- Joseph Shuba, 58, pleaded not guilty last week to the charge of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his wife, Suzanne Shuba, at their home last month.
Walla Walla police investigate fatal shooting
A portion of Bonnie Brae Street was shut down Wednesday after what police say appears to be a suicide.
WALLA WALLA - Walla Walla police closed off a portion of Bonnie Brae Street Wednesday morning after a fatal shooting. According to Officer Tim Bennett, spokesman for the Walla Walla Police Department, it appears Julie Sphuler, 42, shot herself with a 9 mm
Sheriff: Shooting probe nearing end
WALLA WALLA - The Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office hopes to forward the investigation of the shooting death of Cesar Chavira, 22, to the Prosecuting Attorney's office soon, Sheriff John Turner said this morning.
IS IT JUST ME? - Take politics seriously? ...I'll put it on my list
Recently, while attempting to figure out how to do the dishes without actually having to do any real work, I heard a very serious discussion of politics on Oregon Public Broadcasting's radio show “On the Media."The subject was a video released by Presiden
Suspect sought after pursuit
BURBANK -- The Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office is on the lookout for a Montana man officials say eluded deputies on foot Wednesday night after a high-speed chase.
Marchers say gangs aren't issue
WALLA WALLA — Family and friends of the late Ceasar Chavira, who was killed during a burglary at the New York Store May 4, gathered for a second protest march against the actions of store owner John Saul, who shot Chavira.
Man arrested after alleged kidnap try
Francisco Z. Diaz is accused of trying to detain his ex-girlfriend on Wednesday.
WALLA WALLA -- A Walla Walla man was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly attempted to force his former girlfriend to remain in his truck during a dispute.
Man arrested after investigation of infant daughter's injuries
Thomas N. Caldwell is accused of breaking his then-9-month-old daughter's ribs in January.
WALLA WALLA -- Walla Walla detectives arrested Thomas N. Caldwell of College Place Tuesday after a nearly five-month investigation of a suspected assault on his infant daughter.
Protesters parade past site of shooting
The Sheriff's Office says it could take another week before evidence is presented to the prosecutor.
WALLA WALLA -- Family and friends of 22-year-old Caesar Chavira paraded past the New York Store on Sunday in protest of the shooting death of Chavira by store owner John Saul. According to Undersheriff Edward Freyer of the Walla Walla County Sheriff's Off
One arrested after vehicle chase Sunday afternoon
COLLEGE PLACE -- A high-speed car chase put two suspects in the hospital Sunday afternoon after Milton-Freewater police reported a stolen pickup truck headed north.
Three aim for Umatilla County sheriff position
With Sheriff John Trumbo stepping down, three candidates have emerged to seek the job.
UMATILLA COUNTY -- Umatilla County voters will choose between three candidates for Umatilla County sheriff this May, as John Trumbo ends his long tenure at the post.
New York Store shooting probe continues
WALLA WALLA - Video footage was little help sorting out the facts of the burglary and shooting death of Cesar Chavira, 22, according to Edward Freyer, undersheriff for the Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office."I looked at it this morning," Freyer said toda
Bail set in Dayton shooting death
Officials say Joseph Shuba shot his wife to death Sunday night in Dayton.
DAYTON -- The Sunday shooting death of Suzanne Shuba may have been premeditated, according to Columbia County Prosecuting Attorney Rea Culwell.
Woman found dead after Walla Walla apartment fire
Yvonne Clauson was discovered by firefighters responding to an apartment blaze on North Spokane Street.
WALLA WALLA — A city woman died Wednesday afternoon after a fire in her North Spokane Street apartment, officials said.Yvonne Clauson was pronounced dead at Walla Walla General Hospital after the 27-year-old was discovered by fire crews in her apartment.C
Drug impairment focus of training at Walla Walla Police Department
Officers from agencies around the region this week learned more about recognizing signs of non-alcohol impairment.
WALLA WALLA -- Law enforcement officers from nearly 10 regional agencies attended an Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement training course hosted by city police this week."They're learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug impairment,"
If you combine failed programs, do you get success?
I am a dedicated journalist, and therefore I am highly concerned about public safety because, a.) I am a member of the public, and b.) exploiting people's natural impulse to fear everything around them makes writing a column pretty easy.
Crime-free rental program draws a 'packed' house
The city police program helps give tenants and landlords tools to fight crime on their property.
WALLA WALLA -- The Walla Walla Police Department graduated a larger than usual class from its Crime Free Property Management seminar Wednesday night.
Iron Man vs. Papa of Steel
My wife and I recently purchased our son his very first superhero action figure. Which means I am now running for office against an 8-inch-tall figurine.
Fulton prepares to exchange badge for hammer, nails
The police chief will retire at the end of the month and spend time remodeling his home.
WALLA WALLA - "Walla Walla has only had two police chiefs in the last 60 years," said Chuck Fulton, the current chief of the Walla Walla Police Department, leaning back in his chair."That's kind of unheard of."Fulton has served as chief for nearly half of
Homemade 'bombs' land pair in trouble
The pair could face charges after an alleged prank attempt involving 'bombs' made out of household chemicals.
WALLA WALLA -- A pair of 16-year-old Walla Walla Valley Academy students could face charges after an alleged prank attempt on a friend.
Thank goodness, son's a country boy
Something I did not understand in my youth was the abject daily terror that is part and parcel of having a child. Nearly three years after the birth of my son, I am beginning to understand.Recently, for example, my wife and I were given a bunk bed for our
Murder trial transferred to Pendleton judge
The switch entails a move from Hermiston to Pendleton for the trial of George W. Craigen.
Legal proceedings in the murder case against George W. Craigen hit a snag last week after Craigen's defense lawyer, Karen Davis, requested Hermiston Circuit Court Judge Daniel Hill be removed from the case.
Gimme the ol' time cop shows; who needs cops in aprons?
As a gift to each other, my wife and I subscribed to an online, streaming movie provider, which was supposed to help cut down on our movie rental costs. What we didn't realize, however, is that it would also allow me to watch classic television shows.By c
Officials urge homeowners to read fine print
An offer to insure waterlines includes exclusions for most situations.
WALLA WALLA -- Walla Walla and College Place residents have been receiving a letter in their mail from a company called Home Emergency Insurance Solutions offering to insure their waterlines for a mere $5 per month.
Return to scene of crime lands suspect in jail
WALLA WALLA -- Walla Walla County Sheriff's deputies arrested a 42-year-old man Wednesday after he allegedly returned to a home on Dell Avenue he had burgled the day before.
Vandals leave path of destruction
MILTON-FREEWATER - Vandals struck roughly 15 vehicles and homes in the Milton-Freewater area between Saturday night and Sunday morning, doing extensive damage.
Probe continues after posts prompt lockdown
The Sheriff's Office is investigating after the Columbia School District was on alert earlier this week.
BURBANK -- The Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office is continuing an investigation into reports of racially charged posts on Facebook that prompted a Columbia School District lockdown Tuesday morning.
Facebook posts prompt lockdown
Burbank schools were on alert this morning but no threats were made, officials said.
BURBANK -- Racially charged posts on social media prompted a district-wide lockdown in the Columbia School District in Burbank this morning.
Golf tourney to benefit child-abuse prevention center
The Guardian Care Center assists children who may be victims of abuse.
The Guardian Care Center is accepting registrations for a charity golf tournament at the end of April. The nonprofit child-abuse prevention center is holding the tournament to raise funds to cover operating expenses."We're hoping to get around 100 people
Judge denies bail in Craigen murder case
HERMISTON - George West Craigen, the man accused of shooting his neighbor, which led to a two-day manhunt with more the 50 law officers searching from Weston to Umapine, will get no bail.Craigen was arraigned Friday afternoon in Umatilla County Circuit Co
Police Department getting settled at new station
More space and modern amenities are expected to make work more efficient and organized.
WALLA WALLA -- "This is one of the best features of the whole department," Office Tim Bennett joked as he opened the door to a sparklingly clean locker room with multiple shower stalls. "The old station did have one shower -- that opened up into the urina
To a fifth-grade class, Petty Officer 1st Class Russell Stewart is The Seabee's Knees
Building roads and hospitals in Afghanistan is one thing. Giving a presentation about building roads and hospitals in Afghanistan to a fifth-grade classroom is another, very different thing.Whether through Navy training or natural temperament, Petty Offic
Video game flips into evil dance mode
Over Christmas my wife and I were given a video game system. I won't mention which one, (it rhymes with what a certain little piggy does all the way home). At first it seemed like a welcome addition to the family.
Death at College placeP bus stop probed
COLLEGE PLACE - The cause of death of a 32-year-old city man discovered at a bus stop remains unknown, pending a toxicology report, according to College Place police Chief Dennis Lepiane.
Dayton businesses hit by burglaries
DAYTON -- An apparently random selection of Dayton businesses, including the liquor store, a grocery and the prosecuting attorney's office, were burglarized Sunday.
Walla Walla man found dead near wreck
A Walla Walla man died Sunday near a mountain cabin he and his wife own near Bald Mountain Loop Road in Union County, Ore., officials said.
Dixie man arrested in indecent liberties case
WALLA WALLA -- A Dixie man was arrested Tuesday morning on investigation of indecent liberties stemming from multiple alleged incidents of inappropriately touching a developmentally disabled girl.
Walla Walla convenience store clerk recovers after robbery shooting
The 33-year-old woman shot during a convenience store robbery Tuesday night was reportedly in satisfactory condition this morning after surgery.
WALLA WALLA – A 33-year-old woman shot during a convenience store robbery Tuesday night was reportedly in satisfactory condition this morning after surgery at Providence St. Mary Medical Center, officials said.Police declined to identify the woman, but se
Charges issued for suspect in Milton-Freewater shooting
George W. Craigen, jailed in Walla Walla, will face a dozen charges connected to the death of Cecil 'Rob' Carter.
PENDLETON -- A Umatilla County Grand Jury heard testimony Tuesday from five witnesses regarding the slaying of Cecil "Rob" Carter.
Search under way for missing Milton-Freewater skier
UNION COUNTY, Ore. -- Search and rescue teams from Union County, Umatilla County and Wallowa County continued searching for a Milton-Freewater area man reported missing on a ski trip Monday night.Kent Bigler, 59, was reported missing by his wife at nearly
Childhood adventures in junk spill over into adulthood
When I was young I spent a lot of time rootling around in my great-grandfather's barn. It was musty, creaky, filled with odds and ends of old equipment and tools.In other words, a major health hazard. And these days my parents would probably get fined for
Creatures may be smarter than we want to believe
Worry is a hobby of mine. It's a good hobby that requires only a little effort, and I can practice anywhere. An added bonus is that modern science provides me plenty of things to worry about.
Suspect in car chase remains at large
Officials say Jeremy F. Beamer led officers on a high-speed chase Tuesday.
A 32-year-old man who led law enforcement officers on a high speed chase into Oregon remains at large as of this morning, officials said.
Furry jailbreak reported in Dayton
DAYTON - A pit bull-type dog was busted out of the Dayton impound on Christmas Eve, according to Public Works Assistant Superintendant Sal Benavides. An attempt to pound-break a second dog was reported Wednesday.
Charges pending for Milton-Freewater shooting suspect
George W. Craigen has not signed an extradition waiver that would send him to Oregon.
WALLA WALLA - Charges have yet to be filed against George W. Craigen, 49, in connection with the shooting death of a Milton-Freewater man.
Coroner: Walla Walla jail inmate's death appears to have been natural
Officials are waiting for toxicology test results to make a final determination.
WALLA WALLA -- Tony Gillen died of apparently natural causes Monday morning in the Walla Walla County Jail, Walla Walla County Coroner Richard Greenwood said today.Greenwood said officials are still waiting for the toxicology report to make a final determ
Walla Walla County Jail inmate dies
Tony Gillen was arrested on Christmas on investigation of drunken driving.
WALLA WALLA -- A Kennewick man arrested Christmas Day on investigation of driving under the influence died in the Walla Walla County Jail sometime before 7:20 a.m., Monday, officials said.Tony Gillen, 58, was reportedly driving home Sunday night after vis
