Three-state chase ends with arrests

A traffic stop early Tuesday morning in Spokane County sparked a high-speed pursuit that involved authorities from three states and ended hours later with three arrests, according to the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office.

Spokane County authorities stopped a vehicle around midnight and discovered that the driver, 22-year-old William A. Wilson, was wanted on a $50,000 warrant from Kootenai County, according to a news release. Wilson reportedly fled the scene, with Spokane County officers in pursuit to the state line.

When the white pickup truck entered Idaho, Idaho State Police and Kootenai County sheriff’s deputies took chase. The truck continued to Shoshone County, where officials there assumed the chase, and eventually into Montana.

Authorities in Mineral County, Mont., also were unable to stop the truck, but the truck was later spotted returning toward Shoshone County on Interstate 90. Shoshone County deputies made several attempts to pull over the truck, which exited I-90 and headed into Wallace, the press release said.

The truck was clocked at speeds of 60 mph through Wallace and as fast as 90 mph through neighboring Osburn, according to Shoshone County authorities.

The truck eventually became stuck on a rough patch of road near Terror Gulch. When authorities told Wilson to turn off his engine, he reportedly tried again to leave, so deputies shot out the vehicles tires.

At that point, Wilson and two passengers surrendered, according to the news release.

Wilson, a Liberty Lake resident, was wanted on a warrant for possession of a controlled substance. He and two other Spokane-area residents, 22-year-old Sara L. Jacobson and 18-year-old Travis J. Walker, were taken into custody.

9/11 project member to speak at forum

Erin Smith of the 9/11 Commission’s Public Discourse Project will speak on “The 9/11 Commission: A Look Behind the Scenes” during a North Idaho College Popcorn Forum presentation at 11 a.m. Friday in the Lake Coeur d’Alene Room of NIC’s Edminster Student Union Building.

Smith, who is the senior assistant to the president of the 9/11 Public Discourse Project, will discuss the findings of the 9/11 Report and what has been accomplished as a result.

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States, commonly known as the 9/11 Commission, was created by Congress in late 2002 to create a full account of the circumstances surrounding the Sept.11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Congress also mandated that the commission recommend measures to help prevent future attacks.

The commission disbanded after its report was released in August 2004, but the commissioners formed the 9/11 Public Discourse Project to continue its mandate to guard against future terrorist attacks by initiating public education and debate.

Residents are urged to remember homeless

As the weather turns wintry this month, St. Vincent de Paul of Coeur d’Alene is asking residents to remember the homeless.

The charity, which operates homeless shelters and programs to assist low-income households, has placed donation barrels in area businesses to collect peanut butter and soup for its shelters.

Students in the Lakeland School District are getting involved by collecting donations of winter hats, gloves, scarves and socks. And Coeur d’Alene High School has planned an event in which students will try to sleep overnight on the football field in cardboard boxes to see what it’s like to be homeless.

To kick off National Hunger and Homelessness Week later in the month, the Knights of Columbus are hosting a Dinner by Donation from 5 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 12 in the St. Thomas Center at 10th Street and Indiana Avenue. Proceeds will go to St. Vincent de Paul programs.

Also that week, St. Vincent de Paul Society has scheduled a candlelight vigil at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at St. Vincent de Paul’s Coeur d’Alene Thrift Store, 108 E. Walnut; tours of St. Vincent de Paul’s facilities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 15 at the thrift store; and an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 16 at St. Vincent’s Transitional Housing Center, 1425 N. First Ave.

Parma High teacher named Idaho’s best

Parma, Idaho A Parma High School science teacher is Idaho’s teacher of the year.

John “Mick” Sharkey was chosen by a state committee from a pool of about 20 nominees for his experience, enthusiasm, and philosophy, Allison Westfall, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Education, said Tuesday after an awards ceremony at Parma High School.

“It’s very impressive what he’s been able to do out here in Parma, working with the kids, giving them access to leading-edge science and DNA and biotech,” Westfall said.

Sharkey, who turns 49 on Wednesday, is a 1989 Boise State University graduate who has taught at Parma High School for 18 years.

Sharkey’s award brings him $1,000 from the state, some computer equipment, and a chance to win the national teacher of the year award in the spring.

“The truth is I would do this job for a lot less (money),” Sharkey said. “I tell young people all the time that life isn’t fair. I’m glad it isn’t; I don’t deserve such a marvelous job.”