In brief: City Hall contract talks get go-ahead
The Post Falls City Council gave the go-ahead this week to work out a construction contract for the proposed City Hall project.
The council is expected to officially award the contract next month after negotiating the details with Coeur d’Alene-based Ginno Construction. The company was the low bidder on the project with a $7.05 million proposal.
The total cost of the project is expected to be roughly $8.8 million, including furnishings and design fees.
The 41,000-square-foot City Hall is expected to open in spring 2008.
North Idaho
Communities picked for poverty project
Fourteen North Idaho communities have been selected to participate in the Horizons program, a long-term partnership between the University of Idaho and the Minnesota-based Northwest Area Foundation aimed at reducing poverty.
Local participants include Bonners Ferry; the Silver Valley communities of Kellogg, Pinehurst, Smelterville and Wardner; St. Maries; and the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation communities of Desmet, Plummer and Tensed.
Over the next 18 months, the communities will participate in a series of conversations on poverty, developing local leadership, and creating and implementing a community vision.
Coeur d’Alene
Public input sought on county growth
The Kootenai County Planning Commission is having its monthly open mike night tonight in Coeur d’Alene and wants comments from the public on the growth plan.
It’s part of the county’s yearlong rewrite of the comprehensive plan, the foundation of all land-use decisions. During the session, residents can speak about any topic regarding the plan.
The 6 p.m. meeting is at the Kootenai County Administration Building, 451 Government Way. For more information, call (208) 446-1070.
Spokane
Investigation into shooting continues
An investigation into Spokane police Officer James “Jay” Olsen’s off-duty shooting of a man he accused of stealing his truck is expected to be concluded next week, officials said.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation of the Feb. 26 shooting.
Olsen, a 16-year police veteran, remains on paid leave.
Spokane Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said whether or not the prosecutor’s office brings charges, she will do an administrative review to determine whether any policies or procedures were violated.
Shonto K. Pete, 27, was shot in the head by Olsen after the two encountered each other outside a downtown bar. Pete was hospitalized for two days. He has not been charged with car theft.
Helena
Trappers kill wolves in Montana
Federal trappers shot two wolves that belonged to a pack believed to have killed a heifer on private land west of Wisdom earlier this month.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services investigated the depredation in the Big Hole Valley on March 17 and the wolves were killed two days later.
Also, the remains of a dead wolf were recovered from U.S. Highway 191 near the Taylor Fork junction on March 11.
The carcass was taken to the state wildlife laboratory in Bozeman for a necropsy, state wildlife officials said.
From staff and wire reports