In brief: Hernandez retiring as Freeman leader

Freeman School District Superintendent Sergio Hernandez has announced that he will retire on June 30.

Hernandez has led the district since July 2006 and oversaw a successful bond campaign that resulted in a new high school, as well as work on the district’s elementary school and middle school that is currently under way. He has worked in education for 41 years. He was the superintendent in Tekoa for seven years before arriving in Freeman.

A special school board meeting is planned for 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the middle school library to interview two leadership recruitment firms specializing in school superintendent searches. Freeman Middle School is at 15001 S. Jackson Road in Rockford. 

Nina Culver

Valley woman, 52, hurt in rollover crash

A Spokane Valley woman was seriously injured in a rollover accident at 4:27 p.m. Friday on Highway 27 three miles south of Spokane Valley.

Police said Julia Kay Jones, 52, was northbound in a Chevrolet Suburban when she lost control of her vehicle. She went off the road to the right, overcorrected, rolled over the southbound shoulder and was ejected from the vehicle.

Police said they suspect she was driving under the influence of intoxicants when the accident occurred. She was taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, where she was listed in critical condition Friday night. She was not wearing her seat belt, the Washington State Patrol said.

The WSP is still investigating and charges are pending.

Chelsea Bannach

Boy, 3, calls 911 to get help for injured dad

KEIZER, Ore. – A 3-year-old Oregon boy’s 911 call helped get quick medical aid for his father, who apparently sliced his arm open with a woodworking tool.

Keizer Fire District spokeswoman Anne-Marie Penge said little A.J. Hayes told the emergency operator “Hurry! Daddy needs help!” and then hung up Friday morning. A police officer was dispatched and a 911 operator called back, asking the boy if his father needed police or an ambulance. This time the little boy said “OK” and hung up again. Penge says the operator heard a second voice in the background “screaming in agony for help” so an ambulance and fire crew were dispatched.

Officer Scott Bigler found Aaron Hayes bleeding severely from one arm. Hayes was transported to Salem Hospital, where he was treated and released.

When the boy was asked how he was able to call for help, A.J. replied, “I knew my numbers.”

Associated Press