In brief: Judge combines trials in deadly CdA accident

A 1st District judge agreed Tuesday to combine the April trials of two Coeur d’Alene men charged with vehicular manslaughter in an Oct. 13 crash that killed a 14-year-old Hayden boy and severely injured the boy’s mother.

Judge Fred Gibler granted the state’s request to merge the trials of Dominick F. Salois, 19, and Daniel W. Cutting, 18, who allegedly were racing their cars on Kathleen Avenue at speeds of 80 mph, well over the posted limit of 35 mph, when they crashed. Gibler said he would confer with Judge Charles Hosack, who was initially assigned the Salois trial, to see whether he has any objections.

The joined trial is tentatively set for April 24.

Both men have denied racing. According to state police reports, both men turned onto Kathleen Avenue from Ramsey Road about 11 a.m. and drove east on Kathleen, traveling side by side and reaching speeds of about 80 mph.

Salois’ 2006 Ford Mustang struck a Chevy Caprice driven by 52-year-old Glenda Norris. Her son, Isaac Norris, was killed, police said. Cutting reportedly swerved to avoid the crash, rolling his 2005 Subaru Impreza.

Glenda Norris suffered critical injuries and was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Both men are free on a $50,000 bond. Cutting’s attorney, Michael Verbillis, requested that Gibler reduce Cutting’s bail to $25,000 because he’s not a flight risk. Gibler denied the request.

– Erica Curless

Post Falls

Two hospitalized in possible gas leak

A 46-year-old Post Falls woman and her 22-year-old son were in critical condition Tuesday after possible carbon monoxide poisoning.

Juleen Coniconde and her son, David Coniconde, were occupants of a travel trailer that was being heated with a portable propane heater, according to authorities.

Post Falls police and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue responded to 806 W. Mullan Ave. just before 1 p.m. Tuesday after another man who had been sleeping in the trailer called 911.

Bruce Stiner, 41, told authorities he awoke about 12:30 p.m. and tried to wake Juleen and David Coniconde. Both were unresponsive, Stiner said.

Post Falls police Lt. Greg McLean said David Coniconde was semiconscious when authorities arrived, but his mother was unconscious.

Both were taken to Kootenai Medical Center where they were listed in critical condition late Tuesday afternoon.

– Taryn Brodwater

Boise

Smoking ban sought for bowling alleys

An Idaho legislator is again looking to rub out smoking in bowling alleys, an exemption from the state’s clean air rules that ban lighting up in most other public places.

Rep. Robert Ring, R-Caldwell, introduced the proposal Tuesday. The same measure died on the House floor last year.

Bowling is “a great family sport” that can combat obesity by keeping kids active, but many families are reluctant to take their children bowling in smoky buildings because of health risks, said Ring, a doctor.

Many bowling alleys have gone smoke-free, and operators’ fears about losing beer money have been offset by soda sales, he said. They make more profit selling soda to children, he said.

Several members of the House Health and Welfare Committee expressed concern that sales of candy and pop to young bowlers may also be unhealthy. Others said the ban would be a “really big infringement” on property rights.

Ring’s proposal last year would have allowed alleys to install smoking rooms.

– Parker Howell