Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh greeted former County Clerk Dan English after announcing this afternoon that he would seek re-election to his county office.

McHugh said his campaign “will focus on his accomplishments from his first term in the office, as well as his plans for the future.  In particular, McHugh focused on four areas in which he has and will remain committed to providing leadership: 1) A dedication to the safety of the citizens of Kootenai County, 2) Increasing accessibility for the public, 3) Increasing efficiencies in operations, and 4) Creating and environment of trust.” More here.

Question: How many votes will Prosecutor Barry McHugh lose by being seen in the presence of a known Democrat?

A Coeur d'Alene defense lawyer and former deputy prosecutor is going back to prison after a judge ruled he'd violated his probation on OxyContin charges. Shawn C. Nunley, 40, was ordered to prison late last week after his probation officer said he smelled faintly of alcohol when he reported to his office May 9, and that his blood alcohol level registered at .017. Nunley admitted to consuming alcohol that day and the day before and said “he didn't think it was a big deal,” according to court documents. He also refused to provide a urine sample as requested. His probation officer said Nunley agreed not to travel to Orange County as previously allowed but that he left the probation office without asking and boarded a plane at the Spokane airport the next day, court documents say/Meghann Cuniff, Sirens & Gavels. More here.

Three high school softball players accused of stripping off a teammate's clothing against her will during a bus ride from a game earlier this month have been referred to a community-based program outside the courts. The Kootenai County Sheriff's Department recommended battery charges against the three girls who came under investigation last week. But the Kootenai County prosecutor's office has since referred the case to a community diversion board for consideration/KHQ. More here. Also: No answers on hazing incident/Andie Tessler, Shoshone News-Press

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