Woman dies after ATV overturns on slope

A 60-year-old Spokane Valley woman died in an ATV accident on Rathdrum Mountain on Saturday.

Sandy Birch was traversing a steep slope when the ATV she was driving overturned, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to an area near the top of the mountain at 3:20 p.m. Initial reports indicated the woman was injured and that CPR was being performed. However, she died at the scene.

Birch was not wearing a helmet, police said.

Rathdrum Mountain is located west of the city of Rathdrum.

Much of the land is privately owned, although lumber companies do allow public access, according to the Friends of Rathdrum Mountain Web site.

Staff reports

Shoshone County

Kayaker presumed drowned on St. Joe

A 54-year-old man is believed to have drowned Friday after a kayaking accident on the St. Joe River in Idaho, according to the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office.

The man, whose name was withheld pending family notification, was a veteran kayaker who had 20 years of experience on the St. Joe, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Four other people were reportedly in his party – one in a kayak and the others riding in a pontoon boat. All members of the party were wearing life vests and other safety gear, according to a news release.

Staff reports

HILLSBORO, Ore.

Police believe father killed two children, self

A 45-year-old father found dead with his two children along a hiking trail is believed to have shot them before killing himself, police said.

The body of James Gumm, 45, of Hillsboro was found at a nature preserve Friday along with that of 7-year-old Tyler Gumm and 6-year-old Kylie Gumm.

A medical examiner confirmed Saturday that all three were shot with a 9 mm handgun. Such a handgun was recovered from the site.

Hillsboro police spokesman Lt. Michael Rouches told KGW news that based on interviews with the family, detectives believe Gumm had emotional issues linked to his divorce that may have led to the killings.

KGW said a public records search indicates divorce proceedings began in Tillamook County in 1992 but were never completed. The Gumms were granted a divorce in early 2008.

Rouches said Gumm apparently couldn’t handle his family falling apart. Gumm was unemployed and had no criminal record.

Associated Press