Local / Idaho Briefs February 15, 2015
Whittle to deliver keynote at Lincoln Dinner
COEUR d'ALENE - Conservative speaker and author Bill Whittle will be the keynote speaker at the Kootenai County GOP Lincoln Dinner at 6 p.m. Feb. 28 in The Coeur d'Alene Resort.
Whittle, a former contributor for National Review Online, has been a guest on Fox News Channel but is best known for his PJ Media Internet videos. He is also the presenter of "Afterburner" and "Firewall." Since 2009, he has been a featured speaker at universities and Republican events throughout the United States.
The Lincoln Dinner is the annual fundraiser for the Kootenai County GOP and includes live and silent auctions. Tickets are $65 per person and $120 per couple for dinner and dessert. A no-host bar will be available. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling Barb Heddon at 762-3543.
For information on sponsor tables or to donate auction items, call Don Bradway at 635-5665.
Teacher arrested on sex abuse charge
IDAHO FALLS (AP) - Idaho Falls police arrested a substitute teacher accused of sexually abusing a minor.
Police spokeswoman Joelyn Hansen told the Post Register that 66-year-old Paul E. "Rick" Landon was booked into the Bonneville County Jail Friday afternoon and was held without bond.
The authorities have not released any information about the age or gender of the alleged victim, or if the child was a student in Landon's class.
Landon worked as a substitute teacher in Idaho Falls School District 91.
District spokeswoman Margaret Wimborne said Landon joined the district's substitute teacher pool in March 2012 after undergoing training and a background check.
Idaho Falls Police started the investigation Monday.
Legends honored at Sun Valley Ski Hall of Fame
KETCHUM (AP) - Three local legends were honored this year at the Sun Valley Ski Hall of Fame.
Inductees installed Saturday night included Jack Simpson, Sigi Engl and Muffy Davis.
Engl was an Austrian ski instructor who won numerous ski championships before moving to Sun Valley, where he become part of the Sun Valley Ski School.
Simpson started the Sun Valley Ski School's Junior Program and is known for training some of the valley's best ski racers.
When she was only 16, Davis was tragically paralyzed in a ski accident on Bald Mountain. She went on to win numerous medals in both the winter and summer Paralympics.
Man charged in stabbing of roommate
IDAHO FALLS (AP) - Multiple charges were filed against a Tetonia man accused of stabbing his roommate in the head.
The Post Register reported 26-year-old Timothy Gray was arrested at home Thursday night after first leading police on a chase in the injured roommate's pickup.
Teton County authorities said Gray surrendered after threatening to slice his own throat with a kitchen knife and then barricading himself in the bathroom.
Gray faces charges of grand theft, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and attempting to elude an officer in a vehicle.
Teton County Prosecutor Christopher Lundberg said Gray likely will be arraigned Tuesday.
The newspaper reported the roommate was taken by ambulance to Teton Valley Hospital in Driggs. Gray went to the same hospital to receive treatment for self-inflicted wounds.
Up to $200 fine for off-leash dogs in wildlife area
BOISE (AP) - People who let their dogs run off-leash in the Boise River Wildlife Management Area could face a fine of up to $200.
Conservation Officer Charley Justus said off-leash dogs can scare deer that are grazing in the area during the winter.
Having to spend extra energy finding food could be a life and death problem for the animals.
Two years ago Idaho Fish and Game reported that 11 deer died of starvation in the area.