Briefs December 18, 2010
Post Falls water system deemed clean of coliform
POST FALLS - Post Falls' water system has been deemed clean of coliform bacteria after it was found in samples last week north of Poleline between Chase and Idaho, city officials said Friday.
"The city will discontinue chlorination this weekend, but it will take about a week for chlorine that is currently in the pipes to fully dissipate," a city press release states. "We will then collect additional samples to ensure the water pipes continue to be free of coliforms."
Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful and there was no need for residents to boil their water.
Property taxes due on Monday
Time to get the checkbooks ready.
Monday, Dec. 20 is the due date for property tax payments in Kootenai County, said county Treasurer Tom Malzahn.
"I just encourage everybody to pay," Malzahn said on Friday.
Property owners only have to pay one half of the amount due, he said.
If that amount isn't paid, there will be a 2 percent delinquency fee on that half, he said.
"If they pay a quarter, instead of a half, then the 2 percent delinquency is on the remaining quarter," he added.
Interest is accrued starting on Jan. 1, according to the Treasurer's website, at a rate of 1 percent per month.
The other half of the property tax bill is due by June 20, Malzahn said.
Folks can drop off payments from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday at the Kootenai County Treasurer's office at 451 Government Way in Coeur d'Alene. Drop boxes for payments will also be available at all US Bank locations in Kootenai County.
Folks can pay by credit card at www.kcgov.us, or by calling (800) 601-1078, but these services require a convenience fee of 2.49 percent of the bill.
All mailed payments must be postmarked no later than Dec. 20.
Blood driveset for Monday
POST FALLS - A series of snowstorms that caused the cancellation of six blood drives has the Inland Northwest Blood Center looking for donors to make up for the cancellations.
The Post Falls Community blood and food drive is set for 1:30-5 p.m. Monday at the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce building, 201 E. Fourth Ave.
The goal is to register 40 blood donors.
Michael Long Inland, INBC North Idaho spokesman, said December is filled with fun and festivities, but the time leading up to the holidays is critical for blood collection.
"Busy schedules combined with bad weather often puts blood donation at the bottom of many people's to-do list, but the need for blood by local patients never goes away," he said in a press release. "A single car accident victim can use hundreds of units of blood."
INBC needs an average of 200 donors each day to maintain a safe supply of blood, Long said.
Warming centers re-open in Cd'A
COEUR d'ALENE - Two warming centers in Coeur d'Alene opened their doors Friday night when temperatures dropped into the teens.
The Fresh Start center at 16th and Sherman will open by 9 each night through Sunday and remain open overnight.
Guests can receive clothing, sleeping bags, warm food, hot coffee and showers, and most importantly a warm, safe place to get out of the cold.
St. Vincent de Paul will have two warming centers open 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. through Monday, and they will also be open Christmas Eve and Christmas night.
The Post Falls shelter is at 202 W. Seventh St. in the Kamps Apartment basement. The Coeur d'Alene shelter is at 117 E. Walnut.
Between the two sites St. Vincent's will have available sleeping bags, blankets, gloves, stocking caps, coats, a full bathroom, warm food and drinks.
Both Fresh Start and St. Vincent's welcome donations of cash, food and clothing.
Fresh Start info: 661-1524
St. Vincent's info: 699-7886