News Briefs
March 18
Chase suspect pleads guilty
POLSON - An Idaho man who led police on a wild, high speed chase on Jan. 25 pleaded guilty last Thursday to two of the charges against him.
As part of a plea agreement, Steven Leischner, 23, of American Falls, Idaho, pleaded guilty to criminal possession with intent to distribute, Count II, and tampering with evidence, Count III, both felonies. Under the deal, four other felony charges were dropped against Leischner: criminal possession of dangerous drugs, accountability (tampering with evidence), criminal endangerment and accountability (criminal endangerment).
Leischner will be sentenced on April 21. The state recommends 15 years in the Department of Corrections with all suspended but five years on Count II and 10 years in the DOC with all suspended but five years on Count III. The prosecution asks that these sentences be served concurrently.
The charges stem from a high speed chase through the lower half of Lake County. Speeds reached more than 120 miles per hour as a Cadillac driven by Leischner's alleged accomplice repeatedly eluded police. The chase ended just south of Charlo when spike strips in the roadway disabled the vehicle. Officers found methamphetamine, 9 mm handgun ammunition and plastic baggies in the vehicle after they stopped. Leischner's alleged accomplice, Dustin Morgan, 23, is close to a plea agreement as well. Both Leischner and Morgan have remained in custody since the incident.
Both men face charges in Idaho as well, and possess extensive criminal records.
-Reporter Sasha Goldstein
Stabbing at
Wal-Mart ends in arrest
POLSON - A Saturday evening stabbing in Polson ended in one woman's arrest and another taking a trip to a Missoula hospital.
At approximately 6 p.m. on March 13, Polson Police responded to a call from the friend of the victim that she was stabbed in the Wal-Mart parking lot and that they were en route to St. Joseph Medical Center. The victim was flown from St. Joe's to a hospital in Missoula to undergo surgery for a two and one half inch wound on her abdomen, Polson Asst. Police Chief John Stevens said. She allegedly had cuts on her hand and arm as well.
"As far as we hear, she's going to be OK," Stevens said.
The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Sheldon Mae Haynes, of Arlee, turned herself into Tribal Police in Pablo, Stevens said. She was charged with aggravated assault, a felony, and during her initial appearance in justice court Monday afternoon, Judge Chuck Wall released her on her own recognizance.
Stevens said there were several friends of both the victim and assailant, as well as independent witnesses. Police are also looking in to seeing whether surveillance cameras in the parking lot would have captured images of the alleged altercation. Stevens said a weapon has not been recovered yet, but the investigation is ongoing.
-Reporter Sasha Goldstein
SKC students head to business competition
PABLO - The Salish Kootenai College chapter of the American Business Leaders will compete in the National Business Plan Competition on April 8-10 in Cloquet, Minn., at Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College.
Six to 10 SKC students will come up with a business idea in teams of two or three, make a plan and submit a 15-minute presentation at the competition, said Tina Begay, adviser of the American Indian Business Leaders at SKC.
The mission of the American Indian Business Leaders is to support and promote future American Indian business leaders.
The students will compete against 150 students from around the country and will be judged on their business plans and presentation skills.
The SKC competitors are enrolled in business planning, the two-credit hour class taught by Begay.
SKC was one of the first tribal colleges to organize a Business Leaders chapter more than 15 years ago.
The SKC American Indian Business Leader chapter held a fundraiser Feb. 26 to assist in their upcoming competition.
Rap, country, harmonica solos and singing duos filled the theater as more than 100 people watched 15 performers compete in a music contest at the SKC Theater. Funds were raised via tickets, which were $5, and concessions sold during performances.
Tonka Howard won for solo performance, while Rez Side Family won the group performance with a Native hip-hop rap song.
-Reporter David Flores
County filings complete
LAKE COUNTY - As the county filing deadline came and passed on Monday, the sheriff race turned out to be the most hotly contested.
Three Republicans, one Democrat and one Independent have filed for candidacy. All candidates have background and experience in the Lake County Sheriff's Office or local law enforcement agencies.
Jeff Kingery, Art Walgren and Jay Doyle all filed as Republicans. Dan Yonkin filed as a Democrat and Steve Kendley filed as an Independent.
In the District 2 Commissioner race, four Republicans will vie for a final spot on the November ballot. Ann Smith Bower, Roy Anderson, Ron Merwin and Paul Tryon have all filed for the office.
Current Lake County Attorney Mitchell Young is running uncontested, as is current Justice of the Peace Judge Chuck Wall, Clerk and Recorder employee Paula Holle and current Treasurer Patty Duford Kugler.
Superintendent of Schools Gale Decker is also running unopposed. Late last year, the Lake County Commissioners passed a resolution making the office of Superintendent of Schools a part-time elected official position.
The commissioners made the change because of budget issues and the lack of necessity for a full-time official.
People interested in improving the education of our children are needed. Local districts are grateful for the hours of dedication and volunteer service provided by the school trustees. This is truly an opportunity to make a difference in your local community. The deadline for trustee filing is March 25. Annual school trustee elections will be held on Tuesday, May 4.
Trustee terms are for 3 years unless otherwise noted.
-Reporter Jenna Cederberg