Finally, Maybe, Some Peace And Quiet On The Water
How sweet it is. Finally, Idaho has put a choke chain on Jet Skis or “personal watercraft” (or whatever else you call those noisy water scooters that annoy everyone but the bozo at the throttle). In Kootenai County, that means no more jumping wakes within 100 feet of a boat - unless a jet skier can do it at 15 mph or less. No more buzzing swim areas, shores or docks. No more mindless stunts when others are near. Jet Ski renters in Kootenai County now are required to view a safety film and sign a form saying they understand Idaho’s water laws. Why all the fuss? Wet bikes are involved in an increasing number of waterways accidents (including 56 deaths nationwide last year) - with rentals causing about 60 percent of them. Oregon has clamped down on Jet Skis. San Juan islanders have banned them. Is there a trend here?
Loukaitis should face music - publicly
Score one for the victims. The Washington State Court of Appeals deserves Sweet Potatoes for reversing a Grant County judge’s ruling; now, Barry Loukaitis will have his personal demons examined in public. Loukaitis is the Moses Lake student accused of killing teacher Leona Caires, a former Coeur d’Alene resident, and classmates Manuel Vela, 15, and Arnold Fritz, 14. Natalie Hintz, 13, was seriously injured. This paper challenged Superior Court Judge Evan Sperline when he closed Loukaitis’ pre-trial hearing in April, just before a psychiatrist’s testimony on Loukaitis’ mental state. When it continues, the hearing will decide whether the 15-year-old is tried as an adult (and face life imprisonment) or as a juvenile (and face less than six years imprisonment - or about two years per kill). Loukaitis’ attorney likely will ask for a change of venue and may get it. Until that time, everything about this case should be open - for the sake of the survivors struggling to understand the senseless murders and as a warning to potential copycats.
Spokane fire(works)bugs, eat your heart out
I don’t know how to say this to Spokane County readers without sounding childish. So, I’ll just say it: Our (Coeur d’Alene’s) fireworks display is bigger than yours. Nanana. The Lake City Jaycees will blow the Riverfront Park pyrotechnicians out of the water tonight - like they always do with their show. Bigger shells. More shells. Kaboom. Coeur d’Alene chauvinists can help keep their fusillade bigger and better, too. When the Jaycees pass their buckets along the Fourth of July parade route, drop in a buck or two. The town’s honor is at stake. , DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125, or by sending e-mail to daveo@spokesman.com.