Body found in lake identified as missing Washington teacher
A body found Saturday in Lake Pend Oreille was identified as that of a Puyallap, Wash., schoolteacher missing since June 29.
The body of Bruce Hamilton, 53, was found in about 175 feet of water, and the preliminary cause of death is from drowning, said Capt. John Valdez of the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office.
Hamilton’s empty canoe was found two miles from the original launch site earlier this summer. Deputies used sonar equipment to search for the man, and the body was recovered by divers with the aid of a remote-operated vehicle.
Police believe man was shot in self-defense
Clark Fork, Idaho A 42-year-old Idaho man died Tuesday night after he was shot in the chest.
No charges have been filed, and it initially appears that the shooter was a woman acting in self-defense, said Capt. John Valdez of the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded at 9:10 p.m. Tuesday to find the man dead from a single gunshot wound at his home in the Spring Creek area. His name will not be released until his family is notified. An autopsy was under way Wednesday afternoon.
If voters spend now, save more later
The amount of money people spend in Kootenai County could determine how much property tax relief local property owners will receive in upcoming years.
The Kootenai County Commission on Tuesday approved the language for a Nov. 8 ballot measure asking voters to approve a $50 million jail expansion.
The money would come from the half-cent local option sales tax that voters approved in 2000.
Half of the extra sales tax money collected each year would go to pay off the jail, while the other half would go toward property tax relief.
But the commission included the flexibility to increase the percentage of sales tax going toward property tax relief if more sales taxes come in than expected.
Commissioner Katie Brodie said it’s a good possibility that extra revenue will come in each year, especially as the number of county residents and tourists increases.
In June, Kootenai County collected more than $1 million in sales tax. That’s about $400,000 more than anticipated.
“More people are spending money in the county than ever,” Brodie said.
The county currently is paying off a previous $12 million jail expansion in the same way but is allowed only to put 50 percent of the money toward jail payments and half of the money toward property tax relief.
Because more money was collected than anticipated, the county was able to pay off the jail expansion in June 2006, which is sooner than expected.
The new $50 million expansion would add bed space and improve services at the jail, from the kitchen to the medical unit.
St. Maries’ school levy fails
St. Maries School District officials will go back to the drawing board in the next few weeks after a $525,000 plant facilities levy failed Tuesday night.
With 254 people voting yes, and 387 voting no, the levy fell far short of the 55 percent approval required by state law.
“We’ve enjoyed and appreciated strong support for the district’s levies in the past. The next step for us is to get together and discuss what our options are,” said Superintendent Dave Cox.
The school board and District Facilities Committee will meet within the next few weeks to discuss their next step, he said.
McAvoy running for Post Falls council
Longtime Post Falls resident Jackie McAvoy said Wednesday that she will run for council because she still has a lot to contribute to the city.
McAvoy served on the City Council for three years before being unseated by Todd Tondee in November 2003. This time she’s running for Joe Bodman’s place.
“I have time to dedicate to the people of Post Falls and I’m a good listener,” McAvoy said.
“I listen to what they have to say.”
She’s concerned about growth and transportation issues.
McAvoy, 68, a Post Falls resident since 1949, is a retired Louisiana-Pacific employee. She’s involved in several groups – the Idaho Women in Timber, the legislative committee of the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, the urban forestry committee, the National Recreation and Park Association and the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.
Official filing doesn’t begin until Friday and the deadline is Sept. 30. Other seats up for election are those of Mayor Clay Larkin and Councilman Ron Jacobson.
Land-use map discussion today
Sandpoint A special meeting of the Bonner County Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled today to discuss the updated comprehensive plan land use map.
The proposed map indicates the density of housing and development that would be allowed in different parts of the county under the new comprehensive plan that the county is developing. The comprehensive plan, which hasn’t been updated in more than 20 years, guides all land use decisions within the county.
The meeting is open to the public, but no public comment is being accepted at the meeting. It’s scheduled for 6 p.m. in Courtroom 4 of the Bonner County Courthouse, 215 S. First Ave., Sandpoint.
Panel forum on ‘Right to Work’ law
The Kootenai County Democrats are having a community forum Tuesday on Idaho’s “Right to Work” law, which panelists say needs repealing.
“What this law really means is work for lower wages, for fewer benefits, for less job security, declining health conditions and overall a lower standing of living,” said Richard Stallings, the Idaho Democratic Party chairman and former U.S. congressman, who is on the panel.
Other panelists include Idaho AFL-CIO President Dave Whaley and former state Rep. Mike Naccarato, D-Lewiston.
The Right to Work legislation, passed by the Legislature and approved by voters in a referendum in 1986, bans compulsory union membership, even in a union establishment or “closed shop.” It diluted the influence of unions in the state.
Opponents argue the measure was pushed by out-of-state interests who misled voters.
Idaho unions’ attempts to repeal the state law have failed.
The forum is the second in a series of community meetings sponsored by the local Democrats and North Idaho College’s Students for Progressive Change.
Whaley said the focus of the panel is to educate Idahoans on the law and how it has adversely affected wages and working conditions.
The 7 p.m. forum is at NIC’s Student Union Buildings, 1000 W. Garden Avenue.
For more information, call Bill Kersting at 762-2114.