Hayden panel to weigh in on annexation next month

Hayden residents must wait until Nov. 14 to find out what the Hayden Planning and Zoning Commission thinks of a proposal to annex 618 acres off Lancaster Road.

The commission will deliberate and perhaps make a decision at the November meeting, which is a continuation of Monday’s public hearing on Hayden Canyon that drew more than 250 people.

At issue is whether Hayden will annex the property and whether it wants to change its comprehensive plan, which is the foundation of all land-use decisions, to allow for more homes on the property.

The Hayden City Council will make the final decision, which is needed before the city can consider the proposed development that could eventually put 1,800 homes on the property along with shops, restaurants, a community center and performing arts center.

Hayden Community Development Director Lisa Key told the commission that if the city changes the comprehensive plan to allow five homes per acre, that designation will stick with the property regardless of whether the Hayden Canyon development becomes a reality.

Hayden Canyon developers plan to put only about three homes per acre on the property, which will allow the preservation of 262 acres of open space, including wetlands and a natural canyon that transverses the property. Developers said the neighborhoods would look similar to the Fort Grounds area in Coeur d’Alene near City Park.

Opponents are concerned about impacts on traffic, schools, sewer and area wildlife. Others worry the commercial aspect of the development would detract from Hayden’s efforts to vitalize its downtown area along Government Way.

No location has yet been determined for the 5 p.m. meeting Nov. 14.

For more information, call Hayden City Hall at 772-4411.

Quarrel preceded Grosch’s killing

Kim Grosch was arguing with his wife Friday when his stepson shot and killed him, Coeur d’Alene police said Tuesday.

Previously, police had not released a motive for the crime.

In a news release Tuesday, Coeur d’Alene Police Sgt. Christie Wood said 29-year-old Bryan L. Doss fired seven shots from a .45-caliber pistol, striking his stepfather three times. Grosch, a local attorney, was taken to Kootenai Medical Center, but died later that day.

Doss was found on top of Tubbs Hill on Saturday, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Priest River man critically injured

A Priest River man was critically injured Tuesday when his car rolled down an embankment in Bonner County.

Fred G. Crook, 52, was westbound on Old Priest River Road about three miles west of Priest River when he failed to negotiate a left curve about 4 p.m., the Idaho State Police said in a press release.

Crook’s Chevrolet Corsica rolled three times down an embankment and struck a tree, ISP said.

He was airlifted to Kootenai Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition Tuesday night. Crook was not wearing a seat belt.

Casino offers poverty workshop

A free one-day workshop on reducing poverty in rural communities is being offered Oct. 25 at the Coeur d’Alene Casino and Resort.

The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation is sponsoring the workshop, called “A Spotlight on Leadership and Poverty.”

The one-day session is for rural communities with populations under 5,000 people, 10 percent of whom are at or below the federal poverty guidelines, and who are within a 100-mile radius of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.

The workshop begins at 9 a.m. in the Ponderosa Room of the Coeur d’Alene Casino and Resort. To register, call Crystal Varisco at (503) 249-5770.

WSU president having ankle surgery

Washington State University President V. Lane Rawlins will be off his feet for a few weeks after undergoing surgery on his ankle next week in Seattle, WSU said.

The Oct. 26 surgery at University of Washington Medical Center is intended to repair a chronic ankle injury, the university said in a news release.

Rawlins issued a statement about the matter to the university Tuesday, and said he’d be involved in WSU business as much as he can and that a definite time frame for his return will depend on his health.

Provost Robert Bates will have increased responsibilities during Rawlins’ time off, WSU said.

Boil order issued for Moscow area

Moscow, Idaho, officials warned some residents Tuesday that they could not guarantee the safety of their water, the city announced in a press release.

Those living in the area between B and E streets and Hayes and Polk streets were ordered to boil their water until further notice.

Water should not be used to drink or for cooking or brushing teeth unless it is first boiled for at least five minutes, the release said. The water does not need to be boiled for bathing.

The city’s water department is providing free bottled water for businesses and residents in the affected area. For more information, contact the department at (208) 882-3122.