In brief: Man dies from ATV crash injuries
A Spokane man who hit a deer Saturday while riding an ATV north of Newport died Tuesday at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center as the result of his injuries, the Washington State Patrol reported.
Jeffrie D. Schramm, 53, was riding his 2007 Sportsman ATV in the area of Old Le Clerc Road and Pines Lane about 37 miles northwest of Newport shortly before 7:30 p.m. when he hit the deer and was ejected. Investigators believe Schramm was driving under the influence at the time of the crash, WSP said.
I-90 drivers’ 911 calls lead to WSP pursuit
The Washington State Patrol chased an erratic driver from Spokane to Ritzville on Wednesday, eventually using a set of spike strips to help end the pursuit.
Troopers knew the registered owner of the car had four previous convictions for driving under the influence and had a revoked driver’s license, Trooper Jeff Sevigney said.
“It is unusual,” Sevigney said of the long pursuit. “The history of this driver, which we knew about during the pursuit, warranted it.”
Multiple people called 911 about 1:30 p.m. to report a speeding westbound driver making erratic lane changes on Interstate 90 near the Broadway exit. Troopers tried to pull over the driver, identified as Scott Williams, 52, of Spokane Valley, but he continued west at speeds of 40 to 110 mph, Sevigney said.
A WSP Cessna airplane joined the chase along the way. A set of spike strips was placed in an attempt to flatten Williams’ tires about 22 miles west of Ritzville. Williams hit the spikes and continued for another mile before surrendering.
Williams has been booked into the Adams County Jail on several charges.
Woman admits bilking the state
A Spokane business owner has pleaded guilty to bilking the state of $125,000 by getting workman’s compensation money at the same time she was running a local restaurant.
Wanitta Racicot, 70, entered a guilty plea to first-degree theft Wednesday in Spokane County Superior Court. She will serve 60 days in jail converted to home monitoring. She was ordered to pay $125,000 in restitution.
She was co-owner of the Broadway Bar & Grill, 1811 W. Broadway Ave., when she claimed she had injured both hands in a work-related incident. She collected compensation for lost wages from 2003 to 2011, according to court records.
State Labor & Industries investigators worked with the state Attorney General’s office in preparing the case against Racicot.
Man found guilty in wife’s slaying
MOSCOW, Idaho – A North Idaho man charged with killing his estranged wife and dumping her body in the Snake River has been found guilty of first-degree murder.
A jury on Wednesday also found 53-year-old Charles Capone guilty of failure to notify a coroner or law enforcement officer about a death.
The 2nd District Court jury deliberated a day and a half before determining Capone of Moscow killed 40-year-old Rachael Anderson from Clarkston, Washington, in April 2010. The body of the mother of four hasn’t been found.
A co-defendant last week testified that he witnessed Capone killing Anderson and then helped dispose of the body in the Snake River.
Woman’s ashes taken in RV break-in
A North Idaho man said someone stole an urn containing his deceased wife’s ashes as well as his wedding ring, an impact gun and other tools from an RV parked at a towing business he manages in Dalton Gardens.
Jimmy Holmes said the burglary took place sometime between Sept. 10 and Monday, when he returned to the trailer and noticed missing tools, including a cordless drill, reciprocating saw, batteries and charger, according to a Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department report.
Holmes then discovered a wooden box containing the urn was missing, as was his gold wedding band with a purple amethyst, the report said. The RV’s front door was locked, but he found the rear door unlocked.
The trailer was parked at 5920 N. Government Way.
Kitsap quake shakes Olympia, Seattle
SEATTLE – A magnitude-4.0 earthquake rattled the Puget Sound in Washington state early Wednesday, waking up residents who felt it miles away in Seattle.
The earthquake was centered near the town of Seabeck in Kitsap County, about 40 miles west of Seattle. The shaking was felt as far away as Everett, Olympia and downtown Seattle.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake hit about 3 a.m. and had a depth of 11 miles. Kitsap County’s emergency dispatch did not receive any reports of damage or injuries.
Officials investigate girl’s E. coli death
PORTLAND – Health officials in Oregon’s Lincoln County say they found no trace of E. coli bacteria in a county restaurant as they investigate two cases of E. coli infection, including one that killed a 4-year-old girl.
The Oregonian reports that the county’s public health division director, Rebecca Austen, said Wednesday that swabs taken from the restaurant were negative for the bacteria. Relatives said the girl and a young friend shared a turkey sandwich at the restaurant over the Labor Day weekend.
Tip leads agents to $550,000 in drugs
FERNDALE, Wash. – Authorities say a tip led federal agents and Whatcom County deputies to $550,000 in cocaine and methamphetamine stashed in an unoccupied unit at a business center north of Ferndale, Washington.
The Bellingham Herald reports that officers found 33 pounds of cocaine and nearly 20 pounds of meth Sept. 10.
Andrew Munoz, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman, said agents believe the drugs were en route to Canada.
So far, no one has been arrested, although the sheriff’s office said it is seeking several “persons of interest.”