In brief: Woman arrested after remains found

A woman has been arrested in connection with an apparent homicide after the remains of a St. Maries man were found at his home when he failed to show up for work.

Melisa Bates, 26, was taken into custody Tuesday near Bayview, said Benewah County Prosecutor Douglas Payne.

Bates is suspected of killing a man at his home near St. Maries, Payne said.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the home early Tuesday to see why the man didn’t show up for work and discovered human remains, Payne said.

Payne declined to say what led investigators to Bates or describe further details of the case because he has not yet received a police report.

He said the victim’s name was being withheld while his family is notified of his death.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Kennedy to speak at Panida, Fox

Environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., president of the Waterkeeper Alliance, will appear at two Inland Northwest venues this week.

Kennedy will speak in support of the Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper at 7:30 tonight at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint. Tickets are $15 and $5 for students.

On Thursday at 7:30 p.m., he will speak in support of the Spokane Riverkeeper at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox after an introduction by his friend, Seattle mountaineer Jim Whittaker. Tickets are $17 and $7 for students.

Tickets to both events are available through Ticketswest, www.ticketswest.com or (509) 325-7328.

Staff reports

Woman injured after crash with tractor

A Bonners Ferry woman was airlifted to a hospital after a collision involving a tractor at 9:22 a.m. Tuesday on Deep Creek Loop Road off U.S. Highway 95.

The woman, Tanya L. Currie, 37, was eastbound on Deep Creek Loop Road in a Pontiac Vibe when she pulled out from a stop sign in front of Thomas K. Hardy, 45, of Emmett, who was southbound on Highway 95 on a Volvo tractor, according to an Idaho State Police news release.

Currie was airlifted to Kootenai Medical Center, then transferred to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, where she was in satisfactory condition Tuesday night.

Hardy was uninjured.

Staff reports