Clark County worker: Benton whistleblower complaint not factor in layoff
Ex-state senator also testifies, says ‘I was being treated like a criminal’ By Jessica Prokop, Columbian Assistant Metro Editor
Published: May 6, 2021, 6:51pm
Share: Don Benton, right, is pictured during the lawsuit trial Tuesday afternoon at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)
A former county employee who helped carry out the layoffs of Don Benton and two of his employees told a jury Thursday she was never concerned the trio was terminated for being whistleblowers.
Marlia Jenkins testified she became aware Benton had filed a whistleblower complaint with the county human resources director well after the county manager had decided to reorganize the Department of Environmental Services and end his employment.
Jury hears opening statements in Benton suit against Clark County By Jessica Prokop, Columbian Assistant Metro Editor, and
Jack Heffernan, Columbian county government and small cities reporter
Published: May 5, 2021, 7:05pm
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5 Photos Plaintiffs Chris Clifford, clockwise from left, Don Benton and Susan Rice pause to talk during a break from the lawsuit trial Wednesday at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian) Photo Gallery
Don Benton and two of his employees were laid off from their county jobs less than two weeks after Benton filed a whistleblower complaint about his boss with the county’s Human Resources Department, his attorney said Wednesday.
Suspect in Minnehaha police chase in court
Bonney Lake man faces variety of charges in Monday night incident By Jessica Prokop, Columbian Assistant Metro Editor
Published: May 4, 2021, 5:20pm
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A Bonney Lake man who allegedly led Clark County sheriff’s deputies on a chase Monday night through Minnehaha, colliding with two patrol cars, appeared in court Tuesday.
Travis Robert Streeter, 33, made a first appearance via Zoom on suspicion of second-degree assault, attempt to elude, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, third-degree driving with a suspended license and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Clark County Superior Court Judge Jennifer Snider found probable cause for all of the allegations except the latter, because the affidavit did not mention anything about a stolen vehicle, she said. The prosecution said it planned to supplement the document later in the day.
Vancouver man sentenced to 8 years in prison for shooting at police car By Jessica Prokop, Columbian Assistant Metro Editor
Published: May 4, 2021, 5:17pm
Share: Joseph Andrew Ezetta makes a first appearance on suspicion of first-degree assault and first-degree malicious mischief in Clark County Superior Court on June 9, 2019. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)
A man who shot at a Vancouver police patrol vehicle as the officer investigated a complaint regarding gunshots at an apartment complex was sentenced Tuesday to eight years in prison.
Joseph Andrew Ezetta, 50, of Vancouver pleaded guilty in Clark County Superior Court to amended charges of attempted first-degree assault and reckless endangerment stemming from the June 9, 2019, incident at the One Lake Place Apartments.