In brief: $100-bill-wrapped gold coin donated early to Salvation Army

A man who has donated a gold coin to the Salvation Army of Spokane for four consecutive years made his contribution early this year.

“And just in time,” spokeswoman Sheila Geraghty said Friday. “Our seasonal fundraising appeal is down from last year by 30 percent. We are seeing record amounts of clients in our food bank, 415 families so far this week, and we are predicting another 100 to go through today.”

The coin was donated to a bell ringer at the Wandermere Fred Meyer on Thursday, she said. It is valued at $1,724; the donor, who wants to remain anonymous, wrapped the gold coin in a $100 bill.

The donor told the bell ringer he wanted to make the donation early because he knows the need is so great, she said.

Geraghty met the donor last year. The “gentleman” told her he had a connection to the charitable organization: During World War II, “the Salvation Army brought him coffee and donuts for free.”

Jody Lawrence-Turner

Woman pleads guilty in deadly wrong-way crash on Interstate 90

A Spokane woman who was driving the wrong way on Interstate 90 last year when she struck and killed a 27-year-old Post Falls motorist pleaded guilty Friday to vehicular homicide.

Teri M. Scheele, 31, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Kathleen O’Connor, who set her sentencing for Jan. 3.

Scheele told police she had taken prescription drugs on March 25, 2011, before she drove the wrong way on Interstate 90 and caused the collision under the Barker Road underpass that killed 27-year-old Kenneth J. Hardin, of Post Falls.

The case was prosecuted by Stevens County Prosecutor Tim Rasmussen because Scheele’s mother works for the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office.

Scheele – who has no prior criminal history – faces 21 to 27 months in prison. She pleaded guilty prior to the trial, which was scheduled to begin Monday, Rasmussen said.

Thomas Clouse