In brief: Workshops to cover new growth plan

The Boundary County Commission is having two public workshops in March before adopting a new growth plan, which is the foundation of all land-use decisions.

The workshops are March 6 and 13, from 9 a.m. to noon.

No public comment is allowed during the workshops. When the meetings are concluded, the county will post the final draft on the Web site at www.boundarycountyid.org. The county will then schedule public hearings so residents can comment on the comprehensive plan. A draft of the plan is currently on the Web site.

For more information, call Boundary County Planning and Zoning at (208) 267-7212.

Rathdrum

Police: Man claimed he killed six people

A 41-year-old Rathdrum man was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly breaking into a Winch Road home and claiming he had just killed six people.

David E. Masten had blood on his hands and a small cut on his forehead, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Authorities found no evidence of murder at the location where they had supposedly occurred, or at neighboring homes.

Masten was arrested for illegal entry and booked into the Kootenai County Jail. The Sheriff’s Department described him as delusional and said a psychological evaluation had been ordered.

Coeur d’Alene

Child safety event features free kits

A child safety event planned for Saturday will give parents information that could help law enforcement if their child goes missing.

The DNA LifePrint Kit will be provided free from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Custom Truck, 254 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d’Alene.

Parents will receive a Child Safety Journal to log vital information about their child, a digital photo, a CD with video and audio of the child and a DNA kit that can be used at home.

All of the records created at the event will be sent home with the parents.

For more information, call (208) 699-1159.

Coin club holding 47th annual show

The Coeur d’Alene Coin Club will present the 47th annual Coin, Stamp, Jewelry, Antiques and Collectible Gems Show this weekend at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds in Coeur d’Alene.

The show is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The fairgrounds is at 4056 Government Way.

A focus of the local show is to help kids become involved in coin collecting. Young attendees will receive T-shirts, book markers, coin books, coloring books, coins and other items.

EPHRATA, Wash.

2 charges dropped against fire boss

Charges of possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia have been dismissed against a former U.S. Forest Service fire crew boss who was cited while on his way home from a federal arraignment on manslaughter charges.

Ellreese Daniels, 46, of Lake Wenatchee, is charged in U.S. District Court in Spokane with involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of four firefighters in the 2001 Thirtymile fire. He is also charged with seven counts of making false statements.

The unrelated marijuana and paraphernalia charges stemmed from a Jan. 4 incident when a Washington State Patrol trooper stopped the vehicle he was riding in on Interstate 90 and cited him for having an open container of beer, and for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

He settled the open container citation by paying a $101 fine, according to court records. An arrest warrant was issued after he failed to appear in court for arraignment on the other citations Feb. 13.

On Monday, Grant County Court Commissioner Douglas Earl dismissed the charges and quashed the arrest warrant, said Teresa Bushey, the courts administrative assistant.

Idaho

Grants offered for Arbor Day events

Idaho communities have until March 16 to apply for an Arbor Day grant from the state Department of Lands and the state’s three investor-owned companies, including Avista.

Seventy grants of $150 each are available to support Arbor Day activities. The program is intended to promote the observance of Arbor Day and teach citizens about the benefits of planting trees.

Idaho joins most other states in celebrating Arbor Day this year on April 27. For more information, call (800) 432-4648.

From staff and wire reports