Last week the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office continued the investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding the situation of Francis Swan of Kettle Falls.  A search of her residence was conducted and many items were seized which will be evaluated for evidentiary purposes.  Family members of Mrs. Swan have been in contact the Sheriff’s Office and have been to Colville to visit with her and to see to her affairs. She is doing well in a local nursing care facility.  I am told by the Sheriff’s Office that the investigation will continue until the facts related to how she came to be in the situation she was in are fully understood.

Please remember to look out for neighbors or friends which may be in situations where they cannot help themselves.   If you have concerns for someone who you think may need help, do not fail to contact Law Enforcement or another agency.  The circumstances of Ms. Swan came to the attention of Law Enforcement due to the concern of neighbors for the condition of some animals which were mistreated.

This past week, several charges were filed against Trinity Lopez of Deer Lake.  He is charged with several crimes, among them; Vehicle Prowling, Theft of a Firearm, Assault in Second Degree, and Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon.  He has been summoned to court and will make a first appearance in the next week or two. The charges arose out of a series of Vehicle Prowling crimes one night last March.  The incident culminated in an officer involved shooting during the arrest of Mr. Lopez.

Please remember that the filing of charges is not proof of guilt, and that under our system, a person is presumed innocent unless and until guilt is established by a plea or by conviction by a Jury or the Court.

Preparation for the next trial session of Superior Court this coming August is underway.  Many cases are on the docket at these times which were continued from the last trial session.  It is common that cases must be continued in the summertime do to the problems with vacations and the summer travel that people enjoy.  In the next week or two it will become much more clear which cases will be in a posture where they can be tried or resolved by pleas.