Lake Coeur d’Alene ‘no wake’ rule lifted
Kootenai County lifted the “no wake” zone on Lake Coeur d’Alene, its tributaries and the Spokane River today, meaning boaters can now motor faster than an idle.
Yet the Sheriff’s Department cautions people that the lake is still nearly five feet above summer level because of rapid snowmelt and large amounts of debris remaining in the water.
Early this morning the lake elevation dropped below 2,133 feet, which triggers the no wake rule.
The department will start supplying interested boaters Monday with floating log identification flags for people who want to assist with marking the hazards for the boating public. The small flags are attached to a stiff wire that boaters can stick in the log.
Based on a citizen’s suggestion, the Sheriff’s Department will begin supplying interested boaters with floating log identification flags on Monday. The flags will be available after 8:00 a.m. at the Sheriff’s Department front desk, 5500 N. Government Way.
For more information, call (208) 446-1300.
Man killed in ATV crash identified
The Coeur d’Alene man who died Friday after he lost control of his ATV has been identified as Scott A. Sorenson.
The 49-year-old lost control of the machine on a county road and struck a fence, landing more than 100 feet from the road.
Sorenson, who was not wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene from massive head trauma, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department.
The crash occurred about 3:30 p.m. in the 6200 block of East Ohio Match Road, east of Highway 95 and north of Hayden Lake.
The investigation is ongoing.
Spokane
Police search for attacker in stabbing
A knife-wielding assailant who sent a 44-year-old man to the hospital early Saturday with stab wounds to his stomach is being sought by police.
The victim, whose identity wasn’t released, was found bleeding inside the Top Hat Tavern, 6400 N. Division. Police had been summoned to the tavern just before closing time by patrons who reported the man was bleeding profusely, according to the Police Department.
The attacker is described as a white man, 20 to 25 years old, with a stocky build. He was last seen wearing a white tank top and white shorts. Police ask anyone with information to call 911 or 242-TIPS.
Accused shooter surrenders
A suspected gunman surrendered to police early Saturday as officers investigated a shooting in northeast Spokane that left a young man with a bullet wound to his lower body.
The identity of the man taken into police custody was being withheld, as was the identity of the victim, whose condition was unavailable.
According to police, officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of East Marshall Avenue at 3:24 a.m. after reports of an armed individual in the area. As officers converged on the scene, they were advised someone had been shot and learned the assailant likely was hiding in a nearby house.
The suspect surrendered after police surrounded the house, the department said. The investigation was turned over to the Major Crimes Unit.
Fire damages home; no one injured
An early morning fire Saturday heavily damaged a Spokane home’s laundry room, bathroom and roof.
The two tenants of the house at 2908 E. Hoffman escaped uninjured. The smell of smoke woke up one of the tenants who notified the other resident.
“Because the home did not have a (smoke) detector installed, the residents were extremely lucky,” Fire Department Battalion Chief Bruce Moline said in a news release.
The department responded at 12:07 a.m., and firefighters saw flames through the roof, a side window and door.
Most of the home was saved, but smoke damage is estimated at $50,000.
The Red Cross is assisting the two residents, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Thunderstorm causes power outage
About 50 Avista customers in Spokane and Grangeville, Idaho, remained without power as of 9 p.m. Saturday because of scattered outages from a thunderstorm.
At the height of the storm, about 250 customers in central and northern Spokane were without power.
Avista reminds people to stay away from downed power lines. Customers should call Avista at (800) 227-9187 to report downed lines and power outages.
PORTLAND
Royal Swedish Consulate closing
Sweden’s diplomatic outpost in Portland will close Sunday because of reported cost-cutting measures.
Some say its an ominous sign for the two dozen foreign representative offices that process election ballots and documents, promote trade, and help citizens in medical or legal emergencies.
But it bucks a trend of expansion in the Oregon Consular Corps, which has added eight members in the past 10 years.
“I’ve devoted the last 40 years trying to maintain a high Swedish profile here, so it’s kind of a bitter pill,” said Honorary Vice Consul Ross Fogelquist.