In brief: Group fined $7,000 for burning dock
The Moccasin Bay Association has agreed to pay $7,000 in fines for illegally burning a 12-slip boat dock last year at Lake Roosevelt.
The association will pay a $4,000 fine to the Washington Department of Ecology and $3,031 to the National Park Service as reimbursement for cleanup of the illegal burn site.
The Department of Ecology initially fined the association $13,500 for burning the dock, which the association appealed to the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board. A settlement for the lesser amount was approved this week.
Burning the dock violated a state law that prohibits burning anything except dry, unprocessed wood and natural vegetation. The dock materials burned included hard foam, demolition debris and metals, which released pollutants into the air.
School’s sprinklers hit by vandals
Authorities say vandals broke 80 sprinkler heads off the irrigation system at Trentwood Elementary School sometime during the weekend.
The vandals had “no respect for lawn order,” said Spokane Valley police spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan.
An employee told Crime Check the vandalism took place sometime between 3 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday, Reagan said. Damage was limited to the front of the school.
School officials estimate the loss at about $1,000, he said.
Anyone with information regarding the act of malicious mischief is encouraged to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.
Garage fire scorches house
Firefighters responded Thursday to a fully involved garage fire about 4:25 p.m. at 3 Mile Point on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
The home’s sole tenant sustained minor injuries, said Jason Blubaum, fire chief of the Mica Kidd Island Fire Department.
“There’s some moderate damage to the house, but it was pretty much contained to the garage,” he said. A damage estimate had not been determined Thursday night.
The cause of the fire is unknown, but officials do not believe its origin is suspicious in nature. The state fire marshal will assist in the investigation.
The Mica Kidd Island Fire Protection District, Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Kootenai County Fire & Rescue responded to the blaze.