Blackwell to lead roiled fire district
Commissioners for the Hayden-based Northern Lakes Fire Protection District accepted the resignation of Chief Marion Blackwell on Friday – the same day Blackwell became operations chief for the Timberlake Fire Protection District.
Larry Beck, attorney for both fire districts, said Blackwell is a candidate for chief positions at departments outside the area and is considering doing private consulting work.
In the meantime, he has agreed to work at Timberlake for the next six to eight weeks. Blackwell, who was paid $85,600 a year as Northern Lakes chief, received three months’ severance and pay for unused vacation, Beck said.
Timberlake, based in Athol, has been without a chief since September. Beck said the district has several applicants.
Blackwell was Timberlake’s chief more than 10 years ago. He’s stepping in to head the district in the midst of a computer porn scandal that triggered an investigation into employee computer use.
Timberlake firefighters Monty Aarestad, Greg Hunts and David Page have been fired in the past month.
Post Falls
Forum to explain school levy
Anyone interested in learning more about the $2.9 million property tax levy the Post Falls School District is asking voters to approve May 15 should attend a forum 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Seltice Elementary School.
District officials will make a presentation and answer questions. The two-year levy would give the district $1.48 million each year.
The $2.9 million levy is $1.22 million more than the current levy, but taxpayers won’t pay a higher tax rate if the proposed levy is approved because of changes to the state tax system and because the district’s tax base is growing so much, according to the district.
The money will help pay for building repairs, textbooks and general program operations.
Seltice Elementary is at 1101 N. Chase Road in Post Falls. For more information, call the school district at (208) 773-1658.
Coeur d’Alene
MS Walk today will raise funds
The Inland Northwest chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will have its annual MS Walk in Coeur d’Alene today.
The walk, which raises funds to help 2,200 local residents living with MS, will begin at 10 a.m. at North Idaho College. Walkers have a choice of 2-mile and 5-mile routes through the city and City Park.
Money raised from the walk will go to help find a cure for MS and provide services with people who have the disease. An estimated 400,000 Americans have MS. The exact cause of the disease, which affects the central nervous system, is unknown.
Walkers will meet at NIC’s Molstead Library. Signup for those not pre-registered will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Spokane
Fund will help man run over by SUV
A family friend has set up a fund to help cover medical and living expenses for Brian Parr, who was run over Monday by an SUV.
“It would be my greatest joy to get any money in there to help him out,” said Natalie Lattanzio, neighbor to the family.
Parr, who turns 21 in May, was released Friday from the hospital after being treated for injuries, including surgery for a cracked clavicle. Because of damage to his vertebrae, he will return for further testing to make sure his spine is not in greater danger, said Parr’s mother, Tina Trotta.
But money’s an issue. Parr worked as a roofer.
“His prognosis as far as returning back to work was six months to a year, so it’s really scary,” Trotta said.
People who wish to donate can contact the Numerica Credit Union’s South Hill branch, at (509) 535-7613, or give at any area Numerica branch.