Shaw principal wins state honor
The principal of Shaw Middle School has been chosen as Washington’s middle-level principal of the year.
Christine J. Lynch has been the principal at Shaw, 4106 N. Cook St., for six years. She is known for leading her staff to take collective responsibility for every student’s success. Her motto is “powerful instruction for all students.”
At Shaw, about 80 percent of the students qualify for free and reduced-price lunch.
“Chris is a very courageous leader. I think she is such a good example of a principal who believes all children can be successful,” said Spokane schools Superintendent Nancy Stowell. “She is very student-centered in her leadership.”
In 2006, Lynch’s school was honored by the federal government for closing the math achievement gap among kids of different races and economic situations. Last year, the school received a state award for maintaining adequate yearly progress in all categories.
The principal’s award announced Monday comes from the Association of Washington School Principals.
Kootenai County
Mazda dealership ordered to repay
A District Court judge ordered Shiloh Corp., doing business as Post Falls Mazda, to pay more than $200,000 in penalties and fees for violations of the Idaho Consumer Protection Act.
The state of Idaho sued the former Mazda dealership and its president, Mark Gibson, in August, saying it sold third-party contracts for service or debt cancellation and pocketed the money, leaving at least 19 customers without coverage.
The judgment filed Wednesday in 1st District Court ordered Shiloh to pay $105,096 in restitution to consumers and $100,000 to the attorney general for civil penalties and attorney fees.
Stephen McCrea, Gibson’s attorney, said the lawsuit against Shiloh Corp. was not defended because the corporation doesn’t have any assets following the failure of Post Falls Mazda. Gibson filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection in August.
McCrea has said neither Gibson nor his company intended to take customers’ money and not provide services. As with any business failure, he said, some debts were not paid.
The attorney general continues to pursue judgment against Gibson as an individual in bankruptcy court, said Deputy Attorney General Stephanie Guyon.
Spokane county
Reward offered in hunt for suspect
Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of a career criminal wanted on 10 warrants.
Joseph William Vanriper Jr., 42, has prior convictions including burglary, reckless endangerment, theft, robbery, resisting arrest, domestic violence assault and malicious mischief, said Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Dave Reagan.
Vanriper is wanted on two warrants charging him with first-degree robbery, two warrants for delivery of a controlled substance, four warrants for driving with a suspended license, and single counts of possession of a controlled substance and forgery, Reagan said.
Anyone with information should call (800) 222-8477 or forward the tip via www.crimestoppers inlandnorthwest.org. Tipsters should provide a code name or number.