In brief: Elk-snowmobile crash kills rider

A snowmobile rider was killed after he struck an elk that walked into his path on Sunday on the Coeur d’Alene River Road, according to the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office.

David Korff, 62, of Kingston, was leading a group of five other riders down the winter snowmobile trail on the road when the elk crossed in front of him, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Korff was knocked off his machine and died about 7 p.m.

Others in the party provided aid while one of the riders continued down the trail to summon help. Members of the Prichard/Murray rescue unit and sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene.

Staff report

New county budget director starts job

Chief Deputy Treasurer Bob Wrigley began a new job this week as Spokane County’s budget director.

Meanwhile, former Treasurer Skip Chilberg is expected to be hired soon as finance manager in the Sheriff’s Office.

Wrigley’s position was built into this year’s budget, but Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich plans to reorganize his command staff to accommodate Chilberg’s position.

Knezovich said he may reassign a vacant undersheriff position or reduce the number of lieutenants in his department, but he won’t ask commissioners for more money.

Chilberg, who was unseated by Rob Chase in last year’s general election, is expected to pull together the sheriff’s separate jail and law-enforcement budgets and create efficiencies in the $65 million operation.

Chilberg’s salary hasn’t been set, but can range from $62,789 to $84,725 a year.

Wrigley is to be paid $96,665.

The range for his job, which didn’t previously exist, is $76,736 to $112,288.

John Craig

Elton John concert sold out quickly

Tickets to the April 8 Elton John concert at the Spokane Arena are sold out.

It took only three days for all 11,000 tickets to vanish, according to Becca Watters at the Spokane Arena.

Tickets went on sale Saturday, and only a few single tickets were left by Sunday evening.

Those sold out Monday night.

Jim Kershner