3 children recovering after fall into well
Three Priest River children are recovering at home after surviving a 15-foot fall Saturday into a well.
The three children fell into the old well Saturday morning, landing in three feet of water, said Bob Abbott, spokesman for Bonner County EMS.
It’s unknown how long they were there, but they were suffering from hypothermia when paramedics arrived at 619 Hoop Lane Road.
Several adults had already pulled the 5-year-old girl, her 6-year-old brother and their 7-year-old stepbrother from the well, Abbott said.
The well was covered with rotten plywood, allowing the children to crash through it, authorities said. The property once had a home on it, but it had been torn down, Abbott said.
The children were stabilized at Bonner County General Hospital in Sandpoint before the two youngest were airlifted and the oldest was taken by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. All three had been released by Sunday evening, officials said.
Initially, emergency crews were worried when they found the children, said Abbott, who called it a traumatic experience for some.
He said they are now thankful that the kids are all right.
“Once you warm kids up, they do amazing,” he said.
– Amy Cannata
Clarkston, Wash.
Authorities identify river drowning victim
The drowning victim found this weekend in the Snake River near Clarkston was identified Sunday as 18-year-old Brian Gregory Sarratt, of Clarkston.
Sarratt had been missing since March 7, according to the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
Railroad employees spotted his body Saturday in the Snake River near the Red Wolf Bridge. Whitman County deputies and Asotin County Fire District emergency workers responded.
Sarratt’s identity was known Saturday, but authorities waited until family members were notified before publicly releasing the information.
– Amy Cannata
Twin Falls, Idaho
Coyote hunt called off in Southern Idaho
An aerial hunt for coyotes in Southern Idaho has been called off, officials with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game said.
Officials had planned to shoot coyotes from a fixed-wing airplane in an effort to protect deer during the fawning season.
But those plans were scrapped because rabbit numbers appear to be up, and officials said the coyotes would likely eat rabbits instead of deer.
“We have the option (to hunt),” said Dave Parrish, head of Fish and Game’s Jerome office. “But we’re not going to use it this year.”
The hunt was to begin in May and would have been the first in south-central Idaho.
The aerial hunts have traditionally taken place in southeastern Idaho.
– Associated Press
Bonner County
Cinco de Mayo event to support fairgrounds
The Bonner County Fair Foundation will host a Cinco de Mayo Mexican dinner and live and silent auction fundraiser Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m.
The event will be in the Exhibit Hall at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. The $30 cost includes dinner, door prizes and entry to auctions. The event also features wine selections from Pend Oreille Winery, beer varieties from Laughing Dog Brewing in Ponderay and live entertainment.
The Bonner County Fair Foundation is a nonprofit group and hopes to make the dinner an annual event. All proceeds will be used for upgrades, repairs and construction projects at the fairgrounds. For information, contact Jim Corcoran at (208) 265-4036.
– Sherry Adkins