In brief: Blaze damages marina restaurant

The Patio Floating Restaurant at Boileau’s Marina in Bayview was heavily damaged in a fire late Friday night. Chief Jack Krill of the Timberlake Fire Protection District was first on the scene and reported visible flames at 11 p.m.

More than two dozen firefighters from Spirit Lake, Northern Lakes, Sagle and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue responded, said Krill in a press release. In addition to six engines, fire boats from the Timberlake district and the U.S. Navy responded.

The cost of the damage to the interior is estimated at $150,000. The cause is under investigation.

On March 16, Krill sent a letter for marina owners and operators in Bayview that expressed his concerns about possible large scale fires. “We have experienced large marina fires in the past, and I fear that it is a matter of time before we experience another,” he wrote. “With a little wind, there is potential for a fire to take out an entire marina or multiple docks due to the dense construction.”

Krill’s letter noted that not all marinas currently meet fire code and recommended increased enforcement efforts.

Sandpoint

Mine plans to boost production

Officials at a gold and silver mine in North Idaho say they want to increase production.

JoAnn Corley, mining engineer for the Shoshone Silver Co., said the company plans to expand production at its mine at the southern end of Lake Pend Oreille.

She said the company wants to up production from 50 tons of ore per day to 300 tons.

But the company faces scrutiny after three 40-gallon barrels containing sodium cyanide were found with open lids and dead birds nearby.

A citation issued to the company by federal officials said workers were not aware of the barrels’ contents that can produce a lethal gas when combined with water.

Idaho officials say there is no record of the company being approved to use cyanide to process ore.

Public property vandal sentenced

A North Idaho man who spray painted the Bonner County Courthouse, Sandpoint City Hall and four police cars has been sentenced to up to four years in prison.

First District Judge Steve Verby on Thursday sentenced 20-year-old Kyle Lee Jones.

Jones was charged with felony malicious destruction of property in February. He entered into a plea agreement which proposed an unspecified term in jail and a suspended prison sentence.

However, Verby sidestepped state and defense sentence recommendations in ordering Jones to prison.

Verby said Jones is not a good candidate for probation because he committed the vandalism while already on probation and minimizes his actions by blaming alcohol.

SUN VALLEY, Idaho

Festivals taking this summer off

Officials say the Sun Valley Shakespeare Festival in central Idaho will not be held this summer due to the faltering economy.

NexStage Theatre Managing Director Kathy Wygle said the Sun Valley Renaissance Festival that ran in conjunction with the Shakespeare Festival also has been canceled for this year.

This would have been the 10th anniversary of the Shakespeare Festival.

Wygle said the festival will return next year.

Staff and wire reports