Series of complaints leads to arrest
May 13
A string of calls to the sheriff's office Sunday over a period of hours regarding a well tanned, shirtless man with a skateboard at various locations on the South Hill in Bonners Ferry ended at 6:19 p.m. with the visitor to the county becoming a guest of the county.

Despite the best efforts of police to get him settled down, a very bonhomie Jason York, 39, last known address Pocatello, was treated to a stay in the county jail for pedestrian under the influence.

In the Safeway parking lot earlier in the afternoon, people waiting in rigs were rolling up their windows and calling 911 to report his effusive but erratic behavior. Those unfortunate enough to be caught outside tended to be polite and listen ... but most soon bustled off.

"Hey!" he'd yell to whomever he saw. "How's it going?"

If you looked up at "hey," he launched his spiel.

"See this?" he'd almost yell, pointing at his peeling shoulder, sunburn well on its way to a dark tan. "I fell off a 40-foot cliff!"

Those too polite to ignore him then learned, ad infinitum, that he was staying in a camper with friends "over there," and that his dog was hungry.

"You got a dollar? My dog is starving!"

While Bonners Ferry folk are typically both polite and willing to help those in need, it seemed a bit eccentric to many that instead of waiting for a dollar to be offered, or at least stick around for a polite refusal, the man would spot another "customer," his eyes would flash and his grin shine, and off he'd dash ... with exactly the same lines, to accost yet another patron.

Don't forget, he was carrying a skateboard. Adorned front and back as a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

"Hey! How's it going? Look at this!"

Sporadic calls had been made earlier in the day regarding a person matching the description and manners, up and down the South Hill, but police were always a step behind an obviously impaired man who was also highly energetic.

When informed by dispatch of the latest rash of calls, the officer on duty was out of his rig, conducting a routine traffic stop on Monroe Street.

"Is this a call about a nuisance or a traffic hazard?" he asked.

"I don't know," the dispatcher replied. "I've had so many calls I can't really tell, and I haven't had time to ask."

The officer did locate Mr. York, who took him to the camper where he was staying with friends, and his dog. After talking to everyone but the hungry dog, he left York to sleep it off under the watchful eyes of his fellow travellers.

Apparently, though, the dog was hungry, and insisting on being fed.

Mr. York was taken into custody riding his skateboard south ... erratically ... on Highway 95 at LaBrosse Hill Road, and given a ride to much safer accommodations.