Open house honors employee
Kootenai County is having an open house Wednesday to celebrate Election Supervisor Deedie Beard’s 30 years of service.
Beard, who began her career as a district court clerk, now oversees local elections.
County Clerk Dan English and the Kootenai County Commission surprised Beard on Monday with a gold wall clock for her years of “integrity, dedication and talent.”
“You should never make someone cry until their mascara runs,” said Beard, who thought she was summoned to the commission’s office to defend her department’s budget.
Beard jokingly questioned if the clock was to ensure she showed up on time for work. English replied that it was so she could keep track of the next election, which is May 22.
The public open house is from noon until 2 p.m. in room 1A of the Kootenai County Administration Building, 451 Government Way in Coeur d’Alene. For more information, call (208) 446-1651.
Airway Heights
Woman hit by car in stable condition
A 39-year-old woman remained in stable condition Monday after being hit by a car on U.S. Highway 2 near Airway Heights.
Angela M. Thompson was crossing the highway just east of Hayford Road about 10 p.m. Sunday when she was struck by a Volkswagen Jetta.
She was taken to Deaconess Medical Center.
Thompson was not in a crosswalk, and the driver, Jamie N. Whitman, 22, was not cited.
Post Falls
Man cited for exposing self
A 53-year-old man was cited on indecent exposure charges Saturday after a woman complained he was masturbating in the parking lot of the Post Falls Wal-Mart store.
Gregory R. Peck was issued a misdemeanor citation by Post Falls Police. He couldn’t be reached for comment Monday.
A Coeur d’Alene woman said she was returning to her car in the lot about 12:20 p.m. when she saw a man in a black Ford Ranger masturbating, according to Post Falls Police reports. She told police the man raised himself up out of the seat and exposed himself.
A Post Falls Police officer followed Peck east on Interstate 90 and pulled him over in Coeur d’Alene. Peck told the officer he was at Wal-Mart but denied the incident occurred.
Spokane
Top Bloomsday performer named
Country singer Breanna Abell won the race for best performer along the Bloomsday race route.
Winners in the fourth annual contest were announced Monday.
Abell, who performed on Broadway Avenue at Maple Street, won the $500 first prize last year as well.
Bucket drummers Rhythm Envy placed second for $300, with the pop/punk band If You’re Lucky coming in third, for $200.
More than 700 people voted in the contest, with 147 of those votes going to Abell.
Twenty-five performers entertained runners and walkers during the May 6 race.
Boise
Candidate drops out of mayor race
Taxi dispatcher Mike Murphy is dropping out of the race to become Boise’s next mayor.
Murphy, 43, called himself the “Bull Moose Candidate for Mayor” when he declared his intention to run. He made his original announcement on MySpace.com in March.
Now Murphy says he’s dropping out for personal reasons.
“I truly hope that my brief participation in the democratic process has had a positive, stimulating effect on the public discourse and brought to the fore overlooked and neglected issues,” Murphy said in an e-mailed statement, the Idaho Statesman reported.
Murphy said he would return campaign contributions within 24 hours.
Those remaining in the race include incumbent Mayor Dave Bieter and City Councilman Jim Tibbs.