Briefly

Hearing will discuss proposed marina

A new marina proposed for Dover, Idaho, is the subject of a public hearing Thursday in Sandpoint.

Developer Ralph Sletegar has proposed building a 274-slip marina on the Pend Oreille River. The marina would be part of Dover Bay, a 535-unit residential development.

The hearing begins at 6 p.m. in the Sandpoint Community Center, 204 S. First Ave.

Signs opposing the marina have sprouted up in Dover, a city of fewer than 400 people that straddles U.S. Highway 2. Though some residents favor additional public access to the river, others argue that the marina would be too large and intrusive.

Thursday’s hearing will be conducted by the Idaho Department of Lands, one of two agencies that must issue permits before Sletegar can build the marina. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also must sign off on the project.

A bald eagle nest and foraging area lie within a quarter mile of the marina site, and migrating bull trout use that stretch of the river. Both species are protected under federal law.

Last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department raised concerns regarding possible disturbances to the bull trout and eagle nest during construction. The agency asked the corps to require mitigation measures to protect the species.

Threats against students investigated

Lewiston The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report of two girls who allegedly wrote in a diary that they planned to kill some classmates at Highland High School in Craigmont.

A Winchester man said he contacted the Highland superintendent Monday afternoon after learning from his daughter, a senior at the school, that some students had read the diary of two girls who plotted to kill a number of students.

Superintendent Clair Garrick confirmed Monday that the sheriff’s office was investigating the complaint, but declined further comment.

Ed Eutsler, the father, said the diary included a list of students that the girls were planning to kill, including a description of stalking a classmate but not shooting her because a car drove by. Eutsler said he is concerned about the school’s response.

“It was just real crazy and the school wouldn’t give me any information on what they were planning on doing because they told me they had to call their lawyer first,” Eutsler said.

Eutsler’s daughter said the diary was stolen from one of the girls’ lockers, and another student made copies of the contents. The copies were then turned over to the principal, the superintendent and the school counselor.

The diary was returned to the locker.

Six plead innocent in shooting case

Moscow, Idaho Six people pleaded innocent to charges in connection with the September shooting death of University of Idaho football player Eric McMillan.

The six appeared for arraignment before 2nd District Judge John Stegner on charges of perjury before a grand jury. The perjury charges stem from testimony the six gave shortly after McMillan, 19, died.

Nine people are scheduled for trials on felony charges. Indictments charge Thomas J. Riggins, 23, solicited his two uncles, Matthew R. Wells II, 27, and James J. Wells, 25, to do the shooting. The three Seattle-area men are charged with first-degree murder. They have pleaded innocent and remain in the Latah County Jail in Moscow under $1 million bonds. They face maximum penalties of life in prison.

Latah County Prosecutor William Thompson Jr. said he will pursue a joint trial for the three and is exploring trial options for the remaining defendants. An April 25 trial date has been set.

Stegner scheduled status conferences for the others for Feb. 7.

Suspect in rape, kidnapping goes to court

Filer, Idaho A Kimberly man accused of raping, kidnapping and threatening his girlfriend if she complained to authorities made an initial appearance in 5th District Magistrate Court.

Christopher Chouinard, 40, faces felony counts of rape and kidnapping. He was arrested last week and booked into the Twin Falls County Jail. His preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 14 and bond was set at $500,000.

The woman told investigators Chouinard bragged he had “got away with” killing his wife and that he might do the same to her, according to an affidavit written by Detective Becky White of the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Department.

In December the woman told investigators Chouinard held her against her will and forced her in the bedroom one evening in September. She said he remained there with her, blocking the exit and assaulting her when she tried to leave. Police said he raped her using fear and intimidation.

Robbery suspect arrested at hotel

Pocatello, Idaho A woman wanted for armed robbery at an Idaho Falls convenience store last weekend was arrested at a Chubbuck hotel.

Police said Robin Elaine Murphy, 41, walked into Common Cents store, brandished a nickel plated handgun and demanded money Sunday at about 3 a.m. She allegedly fled the area with an undisclosed amount of money.

Murphy was arrested Monday and taken to the Bannock County Jail.

Armed robberies are rare in the Idaho Falls area. Bonneville County Prosecutor Dane Watkins said about three are charged per year.