Smoking banned on Tubbs Hill
With recent fire danger, Coeur d’Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem has declared an emergency smoking ban for city property on Tubbs Hill, Canfield Mountain and Cherry Hill.
The areas adjoin dry, unirrigated federal or state forest lands, said City Councilman Mike Kennedy, who proposed the idea at Tuesday’s council meeting. The ban is now in effect.
“Ultimately, the result is just awareness and signage so people don’t absent-mindedly light up when they are strolling along Tubbs Hill,” Kennedy said about Coeur d’Alene’s waterfront downtown park. “It’s not a permanent ban.”
Kennedy said the city wants to change the law eventually so a smoking ban in these areas is triggered when state or federal agencies enact fire restrictions.
– Erica Curless
Council members, mayor to get raise
The salaries for the Coeur d’Alene mayor and council members are going up.
The council voted Tuesday to increase its members’ salary by $25 a month, for an annual wage of $8,700 in 2008. That will jump to $9,000 in 2009.
The salary for the part-time mayor’s position will increase $400 a month for an annual wage of $28,800 in 2008. The mayor’s pay will increase to $32,400 in 2009.
The increase will take effect Jan. 1, after the November election, said City Clerk Susan Weathers.
“Some may not benefit from the action they took,” she said.
The mayor’s salary hasn’t increased since 2001. Council member salary was last increased in 2003.
Councilmen Ron Edinger, seeking re-election in November, and Woody McEvers voted against the council compensation increase but supported the boost for the mayor’s salary.
– Erica Curless
Bonner County
Two teens injured in U.S. 95 crash
Two Sandpoint teenagers were injured late Tuesday night in a crash on U.S. Highway 95.
Krystal L. Hepinstall, 16, was driving a Mazda Protege north about 11 p.m. when she swerved across four lanes, went down an embankment and ran into a tree near milepost 479, north of Ponderay, the Idaho State Police said. She and passenger Shylla M. Lynch, 17, were taken to Bonner General Hospital.
Idaho State Police cited Hepinstall for reckless driving.
– Amy Cannata