In brief: Evidence may clear teenager in fatal crash
A teenage driver injured Saturday in a crash near Athol that killed her sister and critically injured her younger brother may not have failed to yield, Idaho State Police said Wednesday.
The initial press release said 17-year-old Bridgette Lockman failed to yield to another vehicle when she attempted to cross U.S. Highway 95 at Parks Road. Lockman’s 2000 Ford Contour was struck by a 1996 Honda Civic and pushed into the highway’s northbound lane, where it hit a pickup, initial reports said.
On Wednesday, the ISP said it received information indicating Lockman did not fail to yield. Witnesses are being reinterviewed, and investigators are analyzing evidence from the scene, the release said.
According to the ISP, it could be weeks before the investigation is complete.
Lockman and her siblings were thrown from the vehicle. She was in fair condition at Kootenai Medical Center on Tuesday; an update was not available Wednesday.
Elizabeth Lockman, 16, died from her injuries. Zachary Lockman, 13, is in critical condition at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.
Investigators are asking witnesses to contact Sgt. Kevin White at (208) 772-6055.
– Taryn Brodwater
Douglas finds no crime in CdA help for Kroc
Kootenai County Prosecutor Bill Douglas found no “criminal conspiracy” with how the city of Coeur d’Alene contributed money for The Salvation Army Kroc Community Center.
“There is no criminal jurisdiction and no finding of criminal intent by any individual,” Douglas said Wednesday, adding the group alleging the conspiracy could sue in civil court.
The group, including former Republican state Sen. Kathy Sims, called for an investigation in July. It claimed the city violated state law by having a fund for unanticipated expenses. From this fund, the city gave $3 million to the Coeur d’Alene Parks Foundation to prepare the site for the Kroc Center.
The complaint alleged that the city also violated the law by spending the $3 million because it was never appropriated in the budget.
Tom Macy, a Post Falls resident who wrote the report, said he isn’t sure how his group will proceed.
– Erica Curless
Rathdrum
Horse-themed project could start by fall
Construction could begin as early as this fall on an equestrian-themed residential and commercial development in Rathdrum.
The 200-acre Pleasant View Equestrian Park, at Greensferry Road and Wyoming Avenue, cleared another hurdle this week when the Rathdrum City Council unanimously approved the planned unit development, conditional-use permit and preliminary plat for the proposal.
The plan calls for a racetrack, show arenas, stables, a hotel, an RV park and 65 acres of housing. Sales of residential lots will help finance the roughly $50 million in equestrian facilities.
Pleasant View would be built in three phases over several years.
– Scott Maben