In brief: Forums set for final SCC president candidates
The search for a new Spokane Community College president has been narrowed to four finalists.
Public forums with each of the finalists to replace retiring SCC President Scott Morgan are scheduled for later this month in the the Lair on the SCC campus. They are:
• Russ Rothamer, vice president of academic affairs at Coconino Community College in Flagstaff, Arizona, whose forum is set for April 23.
• D. Ryan Carstens, vice president for academic affairs at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, whose forum is April 24.
• Karin M. Hilgersom, president of State University of New York-Sullivan in Fallsburg, whose forum is April 29.
• Kevin Brockbank, dean of the school of applied technologies and professional development at Salt Lake Community College in Utah, whose forum is April 30.
Each of the forums will run from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. The candidates also will be meeting with campus and district leaders.
Community Colleges of Spokane said Chancellor Christine Johnson wants to make her decision by July. Morgan is set to retire in the fall.
Records: Suspect seen on video grabbing girl
Keith D. Hooks, the man accused of trying to abduct a 13-year-old girl in a Wal-Mart parking lot last week, was caught on video following the victim and grabbing her as she tried to break free, according to Spokane County Superior Court documents.
Hooks, 51, made his first court appearance Monday and is facing charges of unlawful imprisonment and indecent liberties in connection with the Friday afternoon encounter in north Spokane. He’s being held at Spokane County Jail.
The victim was with a friend at a neighboring Starbucks when Hooks approached her, court documents say. He tried to make small talk with her and followed her when she walked toward the Wal-Mart parking lot at 2401 W. Wellesley Ave., which is equipped with security cameras that captured the encounter. The man reportedly asked the girl if she wanted to go behind the store and have sex with him, grabbed her arm and squeezed her breast before she was able to break away and call 911.
Man’s leg severed in fall from train
A man’s leg was severed when he fell off a train and was hit by it on Sunday morning in Spokane Valley.
The 39-year-old man, whose name was being withheld, told Spokane County sheriff’s deputies he had “hopped” a train from Montana then fell off it near Pines Road and Trent Avenue.
The Sheriff’s Office said the man was listed in serious condition at a local hospital.
Driver struck, injured while stopping to help
A would-be good Samaritan who stopped to help victims of a weather-related auto accident Monday along U.S. Highway 395 near Lind, Washington, was struck by an unidentified vehicle, authorities said.
Paul J. Olkowski, 61, of Sonora, California, suffered undisclosed injuries and was rushed to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, according to the Washington State Patrol. Several vehicles were at the scene and troopers are trying to determine which one hit him.
Two other motorists, 64-year-old Eddylou Donovan, of Spokane Valley, and 45-year-old Steve A. Johnson, of Spokane, also were taken to Sacred Heart. No condition reports were available.
According to the WSP, a northbound 2011 Subaru Forester driven by Donovan went into the median, then re-entered the highway about 5 miles south of Lind shortly after 1 p.m. and was struck by a 2005 Ford pickup truck driven by Johnson. Both vehicles were destroyed and both motorists were wearing seat belts, troopers reported.
Olkowski pulled over to help and was hit after he got out of his vehicle, the patrol said.