In brief: In Brief: Fish, Wildlife officer honored by state police council

An officer for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife who stared down a gunman has been named Officer of the Year by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs.

Chad McGary, 28, of Othello, received the award this week. He and his supervisor, Capt. Chris Anderson, were patrolling the banks of Crab Creek near Mattawa last July when 18-year-old Garcia Miraz allegedly pulled a handgun on McGary during a fishing-license check. McGary reasoned with the man and refused to hand over his own pistol, even when the man’s father showed up brandishing a knife.

“I just had a feeling that it would be all over if I gave up my gun,” said McGary, who instead threw it into a thicket. After warning the two men that his captain was nearby, McGary convinced the younger man to get in his car and leave. 

McGary used his radio to call Anderson, who chased the man in his patrol vehicle and apprehended him after an exchange of gunfire.

Miraz was charged with attempted murder, and is scheduled to appear in Grant County Superior Court next week. His father pleaded no contest to a charge of second-degree assault, and was sentenced to five months in jail and deported.

NIC Foundation raffling house, car

One raffle ticket could win you a newly built four-bedroom, three-bath home in Coeur d’Alene or a new car, a new boat, a vacation package or a shopping spree.

Tickets for the 18th North Idaho College Foundation Really Big Raffle went on sale this week. It’s the foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, said Stacy Hudson, North Idaho College spokeswoman.

The 2,300-square-foot home – featuring vaulted ceilings, granite countertops and a three-car garage – is valued at $250,000, Hudson said. The other prizes range from $20,000 to $2,000 in value.

All raffle tickets cost $100 and can be purchased at a variety of North Idaho stores. Only 5,000 tickets will be sold for the July 13 drawing.

For more information call (208) 769-3271.

Study to identify likely dropouts

Spokane Public Schools recently received $45,000 to conduct a study that identifies the characteristics of students who are most likely to drop out or fail to graduate on time.

The study will look at demographic and academic data for the classes of 2008 and 2010. Attendance, failing grades and discipline issues – some of the well-known indicators – will also be studied.

The Empire Health Foundation, Inland Northwest Community Foundation and Spokane County United Way provided the funding. The action helps further the collaborative efforts led by Priority Spokane to increase high school graduation rates in Spokane Public Schools.

“We need to know when and why children in school are getting off track,” said Tim Henkel, Spokane County United Way president and CEO and a member of Priority Spokane.

Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Nancy Stowell said: “The drop-out risk factors indentified in this study will help the schools and community partners match resources to student needs.”