Bill would ban mines needing heavy cleanup
A Boise lawmaker wants to ban new mines in Idaho that require long-term treatment of polluted water leaving the mine.
State Sen. John Andreason, R-Boise, is backing the bill, and also has an alternative bill that would require mining companies to post a bond to cover cleanup costs if the state is left with pollution problems after a mine closes.
Water leaving mines can contain acids, heavy metals, arsenic and an array of other pollutants that can harm wildlife and humans.
“As a result, taxpayers are left to clean up the mess of others later,” Andreason said. “It’s far better to design facilities so they don’t require long-term treatment into perpetuity.”
Officials with the Idaho Mining Association said they will oppose a ban.
Both of Andreason’s bills were approved for printing last week by the Senate Resources and Environment Committee, and a hearing has been scheduled.
– Associated Press
Hayden Lake
State to honor pastor for outreach efforts
A North Idaho pastor is one of seven Idahoans who will be honored next week in Boise for their work in substance abuse prevention.
Gar Mickelson of Hayden Lake Friends Church will receive the Community Service Worker Award for Region 1 today during a ceremony at the Statehouse. Mickelson started 24/7, an outreach ministry of his church that works with people just leaving the prison system, and the Christian Community Coalition, a collection of faith-based organizations in the area that work together to help with social issues like poverty and substance abuse.
Mickelson also started a prevention program for kids placed in foster care because of their parents’ drug addictions. Mickelson takes about 15 kids snowboarding every other weekend. The kids attend a substance abuse prevention program during the weekends they’re not snowboarding.
Mickelson was nominated for the award by the Regional Advisory Committee on Substance Abuse.
– Meghann M. Cuniff
Coeur d’Alene
Student band to give free performance
The Coeur d’Alene Stage Band is inviting the public to attend a free performance and dance Friday at the Lake City Senior Center.
The band includes two dozen students from the Coeur d’Alene, Lakeland and Post Falls school districts. The middle and senior high school students have been playing since September, according to Tom Sparks, a Coeur d’Alene police officer who organized the band.
Sparks said the students will be showcasing big band music and local seniors will perform in between sets.
The dance begins at 6:30 p.m. The Lake City Senior Center is at 1916 N. Lakewood Drive in Coeur d’Alene.
– Taryn Brodwater
Dinner to benefit police, firefighters
A Mardi Gras dinner and dance is planned for Friday to help raise money for the Kootenai County Police and Fire Memorial Foundation.
Proceeds from the benefit will help injured or fallen police officers and firefighters. Awards for outstanding police and firefighters will be given out during the event, which is being held at the Best Western Coeur d’Alene Inn.
The event begins at 6 p.m. with a social hour, followed by dinner at 7, then dancing and entertainment. Tickets are $30 each, $60 per couple or $1,000 for a VIP table for eight.
For tickets or information call Karen Corcoran, (208) 929-2752 or Mardel Thomas 755-8460.
– Taryn Brodwater