Man hospitalized after crash
An Athol man was reported in serious condition Friday night after he collided with a semitruck while trying to pass six cars on Highway 53, the Idaho State Police reported.
Lucas D. Bell, 30, was eastbound on the highway about 6 p.m. Thursday, and the driver of the semi was northbound on Pleasantview Road, attempting to go west on Highway 53. Six cars slowed for the merging semi, and Bell passed all of them and slammed into the semi’s trailer, according to a report by the state police.
Bell was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated. He was taken to Kootenai Medical Center.
According to Idaho State Police reports, alcohol was a factor in the crash.
The driver of the semi, Allan D. Dodd, 51, of Elk, was not injured.
Lake CdA drawdown begins Thursday
The annual drawdown of Lake Coeur d’Alene and Priest Lake will begin Thursday, according to a statement from Avista Utilities.
Avista lowers the lakes each fall to make space for spring snowmelt and to ensure there’s enough water in the lakes for hydropower production. Lake Coeur d’Alene will drop by 1.5 feet per month until it reaches its low level of 2,122 feet above sea level at the end of December.
CdA schools to give kids hearing tests
Hearing screening begins Monday in the Coeur d’Alene School District.
The district plans to administer tone hearing tests to students in kindergarten, first grade, third grade, fifth grade, and students new to the district. Parents will be notified by the district if further tests are recommended.
The screenings are scheduled to wrap up Friday.
For information, contact Clixie Larson at the district’s Hayden Center, (208) 772-3851.
School board OKs emergency levy
The board of trustees at the Coeur d’Alene School District on Thursday evening approved an emergency levy for $439,568.
The state allows districts to collect additional tax revenue based on increases in enrollment. Coeur d’Alene schools have seen an addition of about 110 students in their average daily attendance this year.
The money will be used to buy items such as extra textbooks and desks, said district business manager Steve Briggs.
Burglary suspect held in Post Falls
Post Falls Police on Friday arrested a 20-year-old resident on suspicion of burglary.
In a press release, Lt. Greg McLean said a fingerprint tied Shawn Gordon Smith to the Aug. 15 burglary of the Beverage Barn, a drive-though convenience store. Video surveillance tapes from Mugsy’s Espresso allegedly also link Smith to an attempted burglary of the espresso stand.
Smith was arrested while walking in Post Falls on Friday morning and told police that he was involved in both cases, according to the press release.
Post Falls Landing gets building permit
Post Falls Landing is one step closer to reality.
Developer Harry Green obtained a building permit last week to construct a 20-unit condominium.
The project, valued at $3.5 million, will be the first of several buildings that are planned for the 33-acre former sawmill site along the Spokane River in Post Falls.
Green’s master plan includes a total of 450 housing units, office and retail space, a hotel and conference center, restaurant and amphitheater.
Post Falls leaders hope the site will give the city a more centralized core.