Region in brief: Businessman charged with DUI
A prominent Coeur d’Alene businessman was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after a two-car accident Tuesday night.
John A. Beutler, owner of Century 21 Beutler and Associates, failed to stop at a stop sign while headed west on Walnut Avenue around 9 p.m. in his Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Coeur d’Alene Police Department reported. A Geo Metro headed south on Third Street hit the Jeep as it traveled through the intersection. The Geo’s driver and his young son told police they were not injured; they were evaluated at a hospital and released.
“I feel terrible there was an accident,” Beutler said. “I got in a hurry and made a mistake I will regret for a long time.”
While waiting to be interviewed by police, Beutler urinated along the side of the street, in potential view of about 10 people, the police report said. Beutler said, “I feel bad about that, but I just had to relieve myself.” Beutler’s blood alcohol content was 0.12, above the legal limit of .08.
He was booked into the Kootenai County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence and public urination, and he posted bail.
Swine flu patients stayed at camp
Two Los Angeles teenagers who stayed at a North Idaho camp have tested positive for swine flu.
The teens returned to California after about a week at Shoshone Base Camp on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, according to Lutherhaven Ministries, which operates the camp.
Nine people experienced flu-like symptoms at the camp last week, including four staff members. Five tested positive for flu; two have been confirmed as H1N1 and the results of three others are pending.
There have been no further instances of the flu reported at the camp, according to a news release.
Tribe gives money to schools, project
Two colleges, 15 school districts and a drug-addiction program received donations totaling $1.8 million from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe this week in an annual distribution of a portion of its gaming revenues.
Since 2001, the tribe has donated more than $12 million through the program, according to a news release. The 2009 distribution is the largest annual amount so far. The tribe pledged to donate 5 percent of its gaming revenue annually, the release said.
“This money not only represents the success of the tribe’s casino, but the vision of our elders who believed that gaming was a means to an end,” tribe Chairman Chief Allan said in the release.
Among the school districts receiving funding were Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Plummer-Worley, Lakeland, St. Maries and Wallace. Washington State University and North Idaho College also received donations, as did the Idaho Meth Project.