In brief: Free bus system gets boost
North Idaho’s free bus system received $1.7 million from the federal government this week to build a new transit center and buy four more buses.
The new transit center will be built near the Coeur d’Alene Casino in Worley, but the exact location hasn’t been determined, a news release from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe said. The tribe operates the bus system and provides about half of its funding. Construction of the transit center is expected to begin next summer, the release said.
Citylink averages about 40,000 riders per month, providing transportation for residents in Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Plummer, Worley and DeSmet.
The tribe will also receive $225,000 to help Citylink cover operating expenses. This round of funding was awarded by the Federal Transportation Administration, including $1.5 million from President Barack Obama’s stimulus package.
Citylink is primarily funded by the tribe, the state of Idaho and the federal government, with Kootenai County administering the program.
Man shoots at burglar
A southeast Spokane homeowner surprised a would-be burglar Friday night, firing two shots at the suspect who fled on foot.
The attempted burglary occurred about 7 p.m. in the 2100 block of East 35th Avenue. Police said an 85-year-old homeowner, who had just gone to bed, heard a noise and got up to find the burglar in his home. The elderly man fired two shots at the burglar, before he fled.
The would-be burglar broke in by jimmying a locked door, said Officer Brian Eckersley.
Police set up perimeter in the neighborhood and brought in a K-9 to track the burglar, who was still at large late Friday.
Police don’t characterize this as a home invasion because the burglar, using less violent means, probably thought he was breaking into an unoccupied home, Eckersley said.
Shelter offers warm escape
Continuing cold temperatures have prompted a Coeur d’Alene nonprofit to keep its cold weather shelter open as long as the weather is at or below 15 degrees, including wind chill.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho Warming Center is located at 117 E. Walnut Ave. and can serve up to 12 people per night who need to get out of the frigid weather, a news release from the nonprofit said.
St. Vincent’s warming center provides hot food and drinks, blankets and sleeping bags, a news release said. St. Vincent also has been trading out wet sleeping bags, coats and gloves for people living outside, the release said.
For more information, call Jeff Conroy at (208) 215-6285.