Region in brief: Hayden woman still missing

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department was still searching Tuesday night for a 38-year-old Hayden woman missing since Monday morning.

Jessica Lynn Waldvogel was considered in danger because she was without her medication, officials said. Waldvogel was last seen when she left her home in the 9000 block of Maple Street in Hayden about 11:30 a.m. Monday.

She was on foot and wearing a blue sweatshirt with a hood, blue jeans and a headband. She has friends in the Kellogg area.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at (208) 446-1300.

Reward offered for tip on suspect

Crime Stoppers of the Inland Northwest is offering a cash reward for information that leads to the arrest of a 34-year-old man wanted on suspicion of second-degree and third-degree theft, and negligent driving.

Jason P. Rowand is described as white, 6 feet tall, 175 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. His last known address was 526 S. Koren Road, in Spokane Valley.

Anyone with information regarding Rowand’s whereabouts is asked to call (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or provide tips online at www.crimestoppers inlandnorthwest.org. Tipsters do not have to give their name but should provide a code name or number.

Device explodes inside mailbox

Kootenai County sheriff’s deputies recovered an explosive device from a Harrison mailbox after it detonated.

Deputies responded to the home at 29511 S. Highway 91 about 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The East Side Fire District determined the plastic device had damaged only the mailbox, officials said.

An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at (208) 446-1300.

Rider sought who left car on ferry

SEATTLE – A Washington State Patrol investigation has determined that a missing ferry passenger walked off the boat, leaving her car on board.

Troopers are asking the public to help find the 27- year-old Spokane woman, Amy Story, so they can put her in contact with family members who say she has a bipolar condition and may not be taking her medication.

Sgt. Craig Johnson says troopers don’t believe she is the victim of a crime or in any danger.

Pair plead guilty in embezzlement

Two Spokane residents have pleaded guilty to federal charges involving financial improprieties.

Michelle Anne Wing pleaded guilty this week to six counts of bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Co-defendant Kenneth A. Marsh pleaded guilty last week to two counts of filing a false income tax return.

The U.S. Attorney’s office said Wing agreed to pay restitution of $810,010, while Marsh agreed to pay restitution of $165,007.

Sentencing is scheduled for September.

The crimes involved embezzlement from Centaur, a Spokane business that provides administrative services to advertising companies.

Pilot pleads guilty in copter pot bust

SEATTLE – A Canadian helicopter pilot busted as he landed in North Idaho with 150 pounds of marijuana has pleaded guilty.

Jeremy Snow entered the guilty plea Tuesday in federal court in Seattle to a charge of possession with intent to distribute. His lawyer, Richard Troberman, says he and the government agreed to recommend a sentence of just under four years.

Snow was arrested March 5 as part of “Operation Blade Runner,” a joint U.S.-Canadian takedown of a drug-smuggling ring that had been operating for more than a year. A helicopter pilot arrested the previous week committed suicide in the Spokane County Jail after being caught trying to land in the Colville National Forest with 426 pounds of marijuana.

Man in float group missing on hike

SALMON, Idaho – A search and rescue crew is looking for a man reported lost by a group floating the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

Authorities say 57-year-old Eddie Miller was last seen Saturday by friends setting up camp near the confluence of Cradle Creek in the Frank Church River-of-No-Return Wilderness.

Miller and friends were on the final day of a weeklong float. Friends say Miller left the party Saturday to hike up a ridge near the campsite.