In brief: Marinas must keep some slips public
New state rules allowing marina owners to privatize up to half their boat slips, as long as they keep the other half open for public rentals, cleared the Senate Resources Committee on Wednesday.
Now the rules will take effect. They earlier won approval from the House Resources Committee.
State Lands Department official Eric Wilson, who helped craft the rules, told the panel that since 1992, four marinas in Idaho have converted to entirely private use.
The state owns lakes but lakeshores are largely privately owned, so that trend has the effect of limiting public access to the state-owned waters, he said. “We feel that given the circumstances, this is the best way to preserve some public access,” Wilson said.
Priest River, Idaho
Ice on grounds closes schools
Large ice chunks on school grounds prompted the West Bonner School District in Priest River to close school for the rest of this week.
Students in the 1,600-student district went to school Tuesday but stayed home Wednesday and were expected to stay home today.
They’ll return Monday after the Idaho National Guard helps custodial crews clear snow and ice from roofs.
“We have large, large chunks of ice now coming off the roofs,” said Superintendent Mike McGuire. “We’ve got caution tape everywhere, but we just decided we need to close school.”
Spokane
School officials on TV tonight
Spokane Public Schools officials will take questions from the public during the district’s live call-in television program tonight.
School board directors Rocky Treppiedi and Sue Chapin will join Superintendent Nancy Stowell in answering education-related questions during “Educating Spokane” on KSPS, Spokane Public Television.
The hour-long program, which will begin at 7 p.m. on Channel 7, is broadcast four times a year. To ask questions during the show, call (509) 354-7711.
Coeur d’Alene
City towing buried vehicles
Coeur d’Alene police and city street crews are digging out and towing snowed-in vehicles from city streets.
Sgt. Christie Wood said police have received numerous complaints about vehicles parked in the street causing traffic hazards.
Street crews are using front-end loaders to remove snow from around vehicles that have been left on the street, and police are having the vehicles towed.
Wood said 29 vehicles have been towed since Jan. 1 and several more were towed Wednesday. Another 55 vehicles have been identified as abandoned and will be towed if they aren’t removed within 48 hours of being tagged by police volunteers, Wood said.
Tow fees range from $85 to $145, Wood said, and the tow company charges $30 a day for storage.
City ordinance prohibits people from leaving cars parked on city streets for more than 24 hours at a time.