Beggars, take note: Run afoul of new panhandling restrictions in Kalispell and you might be asking people for spare change just to pay off your fines. An ordinance the Kalispell City Council adopted on Monday makes panhandling violations a criminal misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 in fines and six months in jail. The measure cleared the City Council on an 8-1 vote and takes effect in 30 days. As a supporter of the ordinance, council member Bob Hafferman stressed that it does not outlaw panhandling in Kalispell. Others emphasized that with a range of sentencing options in court, judges will not be imposing hefty fines on the destitute/Tom Lotshaw, Kalispell Daily Inter Lake. More here.

Question: Are you happy/unhappy that Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Kootenai County aggressively control panhandling?