Burglars steal sheriff’s property – again

Not even Kootenai County’s top cop is immune from thieves. But Sheriff Rocky Watson did get most of his stuff back a few days after a burglary on property he owns at Cougar Bay.

Someone broke into Watson’s shop and swiped a power pruner, toolbox and tools – an estimated loss of $855. But the sheriff recovered the pruner and toolbox from a pawnshop Wednesday.

The property was matched using serial numbers. He’s still missing a cordless drill and battery charger, though.

“I don’t get no respect,” Watson joked Wednesday when asked about the crime.

“Nobody’s exempt. … I’m fair game.”

He said it was the third time he’s been burglarized in his law enforcement career. A suspect has been identified in the latest incident, he added.

The same day Watson reported his burglary, sheriff’s Deputy David Dunkin reported the $945 theft of spike strips from an accident scene at the intersection of West Upriver Drive and West Jacobs Loop near Coeur d’Alene.

The sheriff said he has no idea why someone would steal a spike strip.

“It’s not something they should try at home,” he said.

– Scott Maben

BOISE

Official predicts high voter turnout

Secretary of State Ben Ysursa expects 63 percent of registered voters to cast ballots Nov. 7, with interest heightened by narrowing polls and measures including a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

If Ysursa is right, the turnout would be the highest for Idaho in a nonpresidential election year since 1994, when 67 percent voted in a GOP landslide.

Ysursa’s estimates are based on historical data and conversations with county clerks around the state. With recent polls showing gubernatorial rivals Republican C.L. “Butch” Otter and Democrat Jerry Brady and congressional candidates Republican Bill Sali and Democrat Larry Grant virtually deadlocked, voter turnout could be even higher, he said.

“Both parties are feeling the intensity and the pressure,” said Ysursa, a Republican who is unopposed for re-election. “The phone calls will be coming to get folks out.”

Nonpresidential election-year turnout is generally lower. In 2004, nearly 77 percent of the state’s registered voters cast ballots.

In 2002, when Idaho last elected a governor, turnout was 61 percent.

In Kootenai County, about 5,600 absentee ballots had been cast through Wednesday.

That included nearly 700 that came in over the past two days. In 2002, absentee ballots in the county totaled 6,223.

“We’re going to hit records for an off year,” said Deedie Beard, elections manager. “Both parties are out working.”

– From staff and wire reports