CdA woman dies after rock hits pickup

Carol M. Martin, 75, of Coeur d’Alene, was killed Thursday morning on the Oregon Coast Highway when a 10-pound rock smashed through the windshield of her pickup truck and struck her as she sat on the passenger side.

The accident occurred near Gleneden Beach, south of Lincoln City, on U.S. Highway 101, according to a release from the Oregon State Police.

The victim and her husband, Gerald D. Martin, were traveling northbound about 11:40 a.m. near a traffic control light for the Salishan Lodge. The couple was in a 1995 Dodge Ram towing a fifth-wheel trailer.

Martin was hit in the neck and shoulder area. She was pronounced dead at North Lincoln Hospital.

Troopers believe the rock may have been tossed into the air after being lodged between dual tires on a passing truck. They have been unable to identify the vehicle from which it may have come.

The investigation is continuing, and troopers are asking for the public’s help, including drivers of large trucks that may have been traveling through the area at the time. Contact OSP Northern Command Center dispatch at (800) 452-7888.

– Staff reports

Moscow, Idaho

Minister accused of child sex abuse

Moscow police on Wednesday helped apprehend a Baptist pastor accused of sexually abusing a child for years in Ventura County, Calif.

William Alan Malgren, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Moscow, was arrested at 223 E. Sixth St. and booked into Latah County Jail. The church was formerly known as Grace Baptist Church.

Malgren, 52, who previously worked as a pastor in California, allegedly assaulted the girl from 1983 to 1989, starting when she was 7.

According to the Thousand Oaks Police Department, Malgren resigned as pastor in 1989 and later worked at churches in Washington, Idaho and Iowa.

“He was actually observed by members of the congregation behaving inappropriately with the victim at that time,” said Detective Eric Buschow of the Thousand Oaks Police Department.

Police said they were concerned that Malgren may have had other victims who have not come forward because of the pastor’s position in the community.

A person who answered the phone at the Moscow church declined to answer questions and threatened to call the police.

Malgren is being held on $1 million bail.

– Benjamin Shors