Craig Welch

All Stories

News >  Idaho

Sheriff’s Letter Asks 911 Merger Post Falls Center Duplicates Newer County Operation, Clegg Tells State

Tue., March 28, 1995

The state should shut down Post Falls' 911 center now that the county's version is running smoothly, sheriff's officials said Monday. Kootenai County Sheriff Pierce Clegg contends the city's emergency dispatch operation is illegal and wastes taxpayer money by duplicating a public service.

News >  Idaho

Courthouse Workers Nervous Anti-Government Rhetoric Renews Interest In Beefing Up Security

Fri., March 24, 1995

Rising anti-government sentiment here. Angry militias in Montana. A courthouse shooting in Seattle. It's enough to make Kootenai County courthouse workers nervous.

News >  Idaho

Clark Named To Planning Commission Marketing Firm Partner, Former Navy Officer Fills Rasor’s Chair

Thu., March 23, 1995

A marketing director endorsed by the same business group that backed Dick Compton's campaign is now a Kootenai County planning commissioner. Sandy Clark, 47, a four-year county resident, was appointed this week. He replaces longtime commissioner Mike Rasor, who died after suffering a heart attack in December.

News >  Idaho

Kidd Island Bay Residents Want Out Of Dredging Plan

Thu., March 23, 1995

Members of a special taxing district created to pay for dredging in Kidd Island Bay are staging revolt. A petition signed by 54 people - nearly half the members - was submitted to Kootenai County commissioners Wednesday. It urges the county to dissolve a local improvement district and stop work because residents can't bear the costs.

News >  Idaho

Mayor Expects City To Cross River Despite Vote Against Rv Park, Hassell Says It’s Only A Matter Of Time Until Cda Expands Boundaries

Thu., March 23, 1995

Despite a vote to the contrary, Mayor Al Hassell doesn't oppose expanding the city across the Spokane River. In fact, in his vision, it may be only a matter of time.

News >  Idaho

Merits Of Rv Park Debated Neighbors Urge City Council To Deny Blackwell Island Proposal

Wed., March 22, 1995

Developers want this marshy floodplain for an RV park and boat launch. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review

News >  Idaho

Blackwell Battle Heads For Council Chambers Some Fear Project Will Lead To Further Annexations Across River

Tue., March 21, 1995

Neighboring residents contend a proposed 291-pad recreational vehicle park on Blackwell Island is a "ruse" designed to ease further city expansion. Mayor Al Hassell agrees city boundaries someday might cross the Spokane River. The RV project, however, will be considered on its merits, he said.

News >  Idaho

Year-Round Fees For Parking Go Before Council

Tue., March 21, 1995

The City Council tonight will consider a plan to charge year-round for parking in its three downtown lots. The city's parking commission drafted a plan to hire a lot manager year-round rather than just during summer months. A manager would provide security and maintenance through the winter and make police patrols of the 778 spaces unnecessary, said City Treasurer John Austin.

News >  Nation/World

Cda Man Refuses To Collect $41,000

Sun., March 19, 1995

Eugenio Bradbury believes there's power in a proper pledge. It's kept the constitutionalist from collecting the $41,000 authorities say is his.

News >  Nation/World

Protester Risks His Land To Make A Point

Sun., March 19, 1995

Gorden Ormesher sees himself as a tax messiah, a martyr battling a beastly bureaucracy with paper and a theory. At 62, the retired builder says he's unwilling, but driven. He'd rather play with his grandchildren or spend weeks in the woods taking photographs.

News >  Idaho

Two Blazes Spark Debate Over Protection Talk Renews About Merits Of Joining Fire District

Sun., March 19, 1995

Back-to-back house fires here last week forced shop owner Steve Mullen to adopt a plan. Knowing firefighters don't come to this rural area, what would he do if his Rose Lake General Store ever burst into flames?

News >  Idaho

Federal Laws Don’t Come With Funding Instructions State Legislature Piling On Costly Mandates For Cities Too

Sun., March 12, 1995

Federal law requires this city to test its drinking water for more than 80 contaminants. Some have never been found in North Idaho. The government will add 25 new contaminants to the list every three years. The number is artificial, water specialists say. Congress just wants more testing done.

News >  Idaho

Cda Urges Donation Of Illegally Collected Fees

Thu., March 9, 1995

This city will ask developers if it may keep nearly half a million dollars it collected from them illegally. In return, the city promises to publicize the names of the generous.

News >  Idaho

Commissioners Get Rocky Start By Reading ‘Wrong’ Gravel Draft

Thu., March 9, 1995

The county's new leaders Wednesday tip-toed into one of their most contentious issues - gravel mining on the Rathdrum Prairie. They still sparked controversy.

News >  Idaho

Two Officials Stick To Their Aquifer Ruling Health District Unhappily Goes Along With Commissioners’ Decision

Wed., March 8, 1995

County Commissioners Dick Compton and Dick Panabaker stand by their vote to allow industrial development over the Rathdrum aquifer without requiring connection to a sewage plant. It's the first controversial vote made by the two rookie commissioners. Critics see this as a sign the board will give too much leeway to developers.

News >  Nation/World

The Challenge: Affordable Homes As Demand Increases, Builders Are Refocusing Their Attention

Sun., March 5, 1995

Steve and Kathy Leonard bought this Post Falls rancher. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review

News >  Idaho

Cda May Ban Annexation After Fee Program Killed

Sat., March 4, 1995

The City Council next week will vote on a proposal to block annexations until officials can find a new way to pay for road construction and other services driven by development. "If we aren't given some relief, we will have to do something," Mayor Al Hassell said.

News >  Idaho

Planners Say Rezoning Ignores Land-Use Plan Others On Board View County Commission Vote As ‘A Rookie Decision’

Thu., March 2, 1995

Two senior county planning commissioners threatened to quit Wednesday after the county's new top brass ducked policies designed to protect the area's aquifer. Planning commissioners George LaValley and George Nadler said county commissioners last week approved a zoning change that violates the comprehensive plan and ignores direction the planning board has followed for two years.

News >  Nation/World

Cda Willing To Pay Price Of Progress Trees Fall On Government Way

Tue., Feb. 28, 1995

Renovation of Government Way south of Interstate 90 begins Wednesday in Coeur d'Alene. Photo by Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review

News >  Idaho

Flooding Takes Many By Surprise

Tue., Feb. 21, 1995

Bob Patterson watches debris carried by the swollen St. Joe River. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

News >  Idaho

Avon Lady Seeks Beauty Of A Payoff Cda Woman Demands 21 City, County Officials Pay Her A Total Of $525 Million In Gold Or Silver Coins

Wed., Feb. 15, 1995

An outlaw Avon lady wants $525 million as payment for her troubles. But while city and county officials are dismissing her demand as frivolous, it could cause them some headaches.

News >  Idaho

Couple’s Home Tests Out As Far Too Gassy

Wed., Feb. 15, 1995

Bob and Carol Renner found high levels of radon in their basement. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

News >  Nation/World

Man Kills Self While Hiding In Trash From Cops Officers Surrounded Refuse Bin, Doused It With Pepper Spray

Sat., Feb. 11, 1995

A CdA police officer shields his face from pepper spray fired into a trash bin. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

News >  Idaho

Mobile Home Owners Facing Eviction Landlord Says He Can’t Afford Required Sewer Hookup Costs

Fri., Feb. 10, 1995

Wayne Sharp, with wife Rose, holds the eviction notice. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

News >  Idaho

Cda Council Approves Land-Use Plan Document Allows For Higher Population| Density Downtown

Thu., Feb. 9, 1995

By this summer, builders may be able to double the number of residences they can squeeze onto downtown lots. Even then, however, city officials will review each proposal case by case. And it's unclear how often eligible projects will come along.