Free HIV testing planned Dec. 1
In recognition of the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, the Panhandle Health District and the North Idaho AIDS Coalition will offer free HIV testing in Benewah, Bonner, Kootenai and Shoshone counties Dec. 1.
The Rapid HIV tests, with results in as little as 15 minutes, will be available by appointment at health district offices in Benewah, Bonner and Shoshone counties. In Kootenai County, the AIDS coalition will offer testing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North Idaho College in the student union building. Testing will be done on a walk-in basis.
The Rapid HIV test uses blood instead of urine. If results are positive, a second test will be done for confirmation, the health district said in a news release. As of the end of September, 1,044 Idaho residents were living with HIV. Of those, 131 lived in the five northern counties.
People interested in making an appointment should call (208) 245-4556 in Benewah County; (208) 263-5159 in Bonner County; or (208) 784-7474 in Shoshone County.
Four face charges in marijuana bust
Four people now face drug trafficking charges in connection with a large marijuana grow operation raided by the Idaho State Police.
Karrie A. Hatridge was arrested Friday, along with Charlie R. Hatridge, 47, of Post Falls; Ryan C. Jackson, 33, of Hayden; and Kelly J. Polatis, 38, of Las Vegas. Polatis is a partner in Kirk-Hughes Development Co., a Las Vegas company fighting Kootenai County’s rejection of a proposed lakeside golf resort called Chateau de Loire.
Police found more than 700 marijuana plants at three homes and one business in the Post Falls and Rathdrum area in what they described as a large and sophisticated indoor operation.
Polatis and the Hatridges remained in the Kootenai County Jail on $150,000 bond Tuesday. Jackson, who was released on his own recognizance, and the Hatridges were arrested at homes in Post Falls and Rathdrum; police arrested Polatis during a traffic stop.
Spokane
Defendant pleads to lesser charge
A Spokane County Superior Court jury trial was halted on its first day Monday with the defendant’s guilty plea to greatly reduced charges for his role in a 2007 drive-by shooting.
Freddie J. Miller, 28, was originally charged with first-degree murder for allegedly helping Titus T. Davis kill Adama R. Walton, who police said was accused by his attackers of being a “snitch.”
Several charges against Miller, including first- and second-degree murder, were reduced Monday to a charge of first-degree rendering criminal assistance.
The shooting occurred Sept. 14, 2007, in the 2600 block of North Perry Street. Police found a driver, later identified as Walton, dead of multiple gunshot wounds in a car.
Superior Court Judge Tari Eitzen sentenced Miller to six months in prison.