Kallas drops out of sheriff’s race
Former Tukwila, Wash. police Detective John Kallas said Friday he is ending his candidacy to become Spokane County sheriff.
Kallas, who planned to run as a Democrat, made the decision one day after he announced he was running. He attributed the move to a Spokesman-Review article, which he said had done a “hatchet job” on him.
When announcing his candidacy, Kallas said he wanted Democrats to vote for Republican Ozzie Knezovich for sheriff in the Republican primary, a strategy that concerned county Democratic leaders because anyone who votes in the GOP primary can’t vote in Democratic races.
Kallas said Friday he will continue to campaign for Knezovich.
– Jonathan Brunt
Post Falls
Armed Forces parade to honor Guard unit
Post Falls salutes present and former members of the military today with an Armed Forces Day parade at 10 a.m.
Mayor Clay Larkin will make good on his 2004 promise to the soldiers of the 116th Engineer Battalion of the Idaho Army National Guard before they deployed to Iraq. Larkin told them they would be welcomed home in a manner befitting their heroism and service.
The parade will include about 100 soldiers and some of the equipment of the 116th. Also appearing will be Brig. Gen. Alan Gayhart of the Idaho Army National Guard.
All veterans organizations in Kootenai County have been invited to take part with their color and rifle guards.
The parade is expected to last about half an hour. It will travel east on Seltice Way between Frederick and Idaho streets.
Saturday is the 56th anniversary of President Truman proclaiming Armed Forces Day, created to honor all men and women in all branches of the services.
– Staff reports
Spokane
Convicted rapist moves downtown
Police warned Friday that a level 3 sex offender, the kind considered most likely to commit new sex crimes, has moved to downtown Spokane.
Tony L. Colville, 53, was convicted in 1991 in Island County, Wash., of first-degree rape and first-degree burglary, both with a deadly weapon.
Colville didn’t know the 51-year-old woman he raped. He was a suspect in other sex-abuse cases in which he wasn’t charged, police said.
Colville refused sex-offender treatment in prison, and is not under supervision, according to police.
– John Craig
Athol
Craft show to benefit kids of fallen troops
More than 20 vendors will sell everything from jams and jellies to handmade clothes and yard ornaments from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. today at the Athol Community Center in honor of Armed Forces Day.
Athol American Legion Post 149 is sponsoring the craft show and flea market, known as the Blue Star Salute. Vendors paid $15 to reserve space at the center, with the proceeds going to the Legacy Scholarship Fund, a scholarship fund for children of military personnel killed on active duty since 9/11.
The community center is located at 30355 N. 3rd St. Booths will be outside and inside.
The Legion will be conducting a flag retirement ceremony with the local Boy Scouts. Anyone with a worn or damaged United States flag is invited to bring it for proper disposal.
– Staff reports