In brief: Public hearing tonight on 54-lot development

Kootenai County is having a public hearing tonight on a proposed 54-lot housing development near Rathdrum that must get its water from a neighboring development.

Wild Ridge LLC, of Everett, wants to build a gated community on 109 acres between Rathdrum and Hauser, about a mile northwest of state Highway 53 off Winch Avenue.

The project adjoins the controversial Lost Creek development, which the county approved in 2005 even though officials had reservations about putting septic tanks in the sensitive aquifer recharge area.

Wild Ridge plans to get water by connecting to Lost Creek’s water system, Northern Water LLC. But first, Northern Water must ask the state for a permit to pump additional water because it doesn’t have the capacity to serve a second housing development.

The state Department of Water Resources hasn’t ruled on the permit request. The state Department of Environmental Quality also hasn’t approved the water request, saying the developer needs to provide more information and an engineering analysis to prove the water system has the capacity to serve an additional 54 homes. The 6 p.m. hearing is at the Kootenai County Administration Building, 451 Government Way. For more information, call (208) 446-1070.

– Erica Curless

Pancake feed to help sheriff’s dive team

A pancake feed Sunday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds will raise money for equipment and training for the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Dive Rescue and Sonar Team.

The money will go into the Gary Fox Marine Fund, established last September in memory of drowning victim Gary Fox. The Spokane Realtor fell off his boat and drowned in April 2006.

His body was recovered days later with specialized sonar equipment brought to North Idaho from the Boise area. Fox’s friends and family provided nearly $40,000 and the county paid $26,000 to purchase sonar equipment for the Sheriff’s Office. Money raised Sunday will be used for additional equipment and to train divers how to use equipment, sheriff’s Capt. Ben Wolfinger said.

Pancakes, eggs, coffee and juice will be served at the breakfast, which runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Organizers suggest donations of $4 per person or $10 per family.

Sheriff’s boats will be on display, and there will be opportunities to talk with a diver. More than $2,500 worth of raffle items have been donated for the event.

– Taryn Brodwater