Local Briefs July 15, 2010
Aggressive driving emphasis continues
The Post Falls Police Department, Kootenai County Sheriff's Department and other local agencies will be teaming up with the Office of Highway Safety in an aggressive driving emphasis through July 26.
Aggressive driving is the top contributing factor in both injury and fatal crashes, according to police.
Behaviors targeted will be failure to yield the right of way, stop sign violations, exceeding speed limits, driving too fast for conditions, reckless operation, tailgating and disregarding traffic signs or signals.
Fair Exhibitor's Handbook is online
The North Idaho Fair and Rodeo will be held Aug. 25-29 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. For the first time, the complete Fair Exhibitor's Handbook is exclusively online at www.northidahofair.com. It is no longer available as a printed version. The handbook contains complete instructions and entry forms for fair exhibitors in PDF format.
The theme this year is "It's A Perfect 10!" Gates open daily at 9 a.m. Exhibit buildings are open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission for 13 and older, $8; Seniors 60 plus, $7; Youth, 6-12, $4, and five and younger are free. Parking is $3. Advanced tickets are on sale at the fair office, and for a limited time, youth 6-12 advanced tickets are $3.
The Kootenai County Fairgrounds is at 4056 Government Way.
Information: 765-4969 or www.northidahofair.com
Bike ride benefit set for next month
COEUR d'ALENE - A bike ride to benefit two organizations dedicated to helping the homeless is scheduled next month.
The "Mica Peak Century Bike Ride" sponsored by "Gears for Change" is set for Aug. 22, with proceeds going to Fresh Start and St. Vincent de Paul's transitional housing.
The 100-mile bike ride will start at Vertical Earth in Riverstone. It will continue south to Rockford and then wind through Washington past Mica Peak and into Spokane and back to Coeur d'Alene.
"It really is a nice course," said organizer Pat Bell.
Riders will have the option to do three shorter rides of 60, 30 and 15 miles. There will be aid stations available.
Cost is $45 for the 100 and 60 mile rides, $25 for the 30 and 15 mile rides.
The ride is also in memory of Helen Lewerenz, a long-time volunteer for St. Vincent's who also worked with the Jubilee ministry at St. Luke's that helped the poor and homeless.
Bell said "Gears for Change" is a bicycle ministry that started several years ago at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Its motto is "Cyclists seeking to service others." It has held some weeklong ride to benefit Second Harvest, and this year hopes to raise awareness of the homeless in North Idaho.
Register at active.com, the morning of the race or call the church, 664-5533.
Information: (208) 659-2325
Task force searches for male fugitive
The North Idaho Violent Crimes Task Force is seeking information leading to the apprehension of Robert Donahue, who is being sought based on a Kootenai County warrant charging him with probation violations.
Donahue, 33, is on probation for felony drug possession. This is a no bond, United States extradition warrant.
Donahue is a white male, 5 feet, 9 inches tall, 185 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair. Donahue was last known to be living in the Coeur d'Alene area.
Anyone with information regarding this subject or other fugitives being sought for violent crimes should call the NIVCTF at 665-1471. The identity of callers will remain confidential and reward money is available.