COEUR d'ALENE - The Coeur d'Alene Planning Commission Tuesday denied a special use permit for Port of Hope.

The drug, alcohol and residential re-entry facility for felony offenders off East Sherman Avenue will likely have to close now.

"I don't know what we're going to do," Jake Danible, controller for Port of Hope, said following the commission's unanimous decision. "I don't think they realize (the implications). We tried. Maybe we didn't do a good enough job explaining that. We're in a tough spot."

The denial means Port of Hope will not be allowed to treat felony offenders - including registered sex offenders - as it has been since 1998 at 218 N. 23rd St. It has been at that location since 1991, but treated drug and alcohol offenders before being awarded a contract with the federal government to treat other felony offenders. Full Story, Tom Hasslinger, Cda Press

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