Police seek man in abduction attempt
Post Falls Police have released a composite drawing of the man suspected of trying to abduct a 9-year-old boy Tuesday afternoon in northwest Post Falls.
The boy told police he was walking down a street in the Pioneer Ridge neighborhood when a man, possibly in his mid-30s, pulled alongside him and demanded that he get into his pickup. The boy fled and the man left the area, according to police.
The pickup was described as an older model that was rusted red in color. The license plate had mountains, trees and possibly the letters I and L.
The boy also told police that the man had brown hair, a mustache and a full beard. The beard and mustache were gray and brown, and he was wearing a black baseball cap with blue stripes and writing on it, the boy told police. He also was wearing blue jeans, possibly a red tank-top and older-style tinted sunglasses. The man had a dragon tattoo on his right bicep, according to the boy’s description.
Police ask anyone who may have seen the suspect to call (208) 773-3517 or leave an anonymous tip at www.postfallspolice.com. To submit a tip, go to the “detectives” heading on the Web page.
Aryan Nations documentary updated
An updated documentary on the Aryan Nations will air Tuesday on the History Channel.
The program, which was filmed years ago, left viewers with the impression that the white supremacy group was still active in North Idaho, according to a press release from North Idaho College.
Tony Stewart, an NIC instructor and member of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, was recently contacted by the History Channel to help update the footage.
The documentary will now include information about the trial that bankrupted the hate group and forced Aryan Nations leader Richard Butler to turn over his compound, which is now a peace park.
“Nazi America: A Secret History” will air Tuesday on the History Channel. Check local listings for times.
Rathdrum woman injured in vehicle crash
A 25-year-old Rathdrum woman was injured Thursday when she fell asleep at the wheel, according to the Idaho State Police.
Sarah A. Hirischi was eastbound on state Highway 53 at 4:50 p.m. when she dozed off, crossed the center line and drove onto the westbound shoulder, according to ISP. Her Volkswagen Jetta struck a delineator post and then a westbound vehicle driven by Peter R. Clemens, 62, of Hayden Lake, according to ISP.
Clemens was not injured, but Hirischi was taken to Kootenai Medical Center, the ISP reported. KMC was unable to provide a condition report Friday.
ISU executive searches put on hold
Pocatello, Idaho Executive searches for two top positions at Idaho State University have been put on hold until a new president is named, college officials said.
The move comes amid turmoil on campus regarding the exit of ISU President Richard Bowen, who was asked to step down by the State Board of Education. Bowen, 71, announced March 22 he was reviewing his retirement options after almost 20 years at the request of state Board of Education President Rod Lewis.
It is unclear exactly when Bowen will retire.
“We still don’t know and President Bowen doesn’t know,” Ken Prolo, ISU’s financial vice president, said in response to a question about the exact date of the turnover.
Prolo said that the short list for at least one of the positions had been narrowed to several finalists in recent weeks, but the finalists expressed concern after learning of Bowen’s tenuous job situation.
Snowmobiler dies in Sun Valley avalanche
Boise A snowmobiler died in an avalanche near Sun Valley on Friday afternoon.
The 29-year-old Bellevue man, whose name was not immediately released, was trapped in the Brodie Creek area, north of Ketchum.
Two men were out riding around when the avalanche hit. The man who was not trapped by the snow rode off for help and ran into an avalanche expert surveying the area. A medical helicopter was notified and flew a dog team directly to the scene. Dogs found the body, buried under about a foot of snow, about 5 p.m. The man was buried under the snow for about three hours and was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials said he was not wearing a tracking beacon.
This was the second slide in the remote backcountry area in a week.
Ketchum resident Steve Waltcher is recovering in a Boise hospital after being swept through the trees in Friday’s avalanche that was 140 feet wide and up to 2 feet deep.