North Idaho Briefs September 9, 2010

Hunter birthday party is Saturday

A party to celebrate the 95th birthday of Earl Hunter is set for 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Coeur d'Alene Church of the Nazarene.

Hunter was a World War II chaplain and has gone on numerous mission trips, many to primitive areas in foreign countries.

His sons, Ron and Sam, are pastors at Coeur d'Alene Church of the Nazarene.

At Saturday's celebration there will be displays from mission field where Hunter served, travel maps, passports and copies of books he has written.

There will also be cake and beverages.

The public is welcome to stop by and say hi to Earl.

Cd'A employees to receive raises

As part of the Coeur d'Alene budget approved on Tuesday night, the Coeur d'Alene City Council approved a 1 percent cost of living raise for its 300-plus employees.

The pay increase will spread out $212,317 to 353 full-time positions.

The city is contractually obligated to give annual 3 percent COLA raises to its employees, but renegotiated with the unions to the 1 percent off this year.

Last year, it didn't give employees raises.

Seat belt emphasis patrol scheduled

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Department will participate in a seat belt emphasis patrol sponsored by the Idaho Transportation Department, Office of Highway Operations and Safety.

Friday through Sept. 20, Kootenai County deputies will be conducting emphasis traffic patrols at various locations around the county, focusing on moving violations and strictly enforcing seat belt requirements to reduce injuries in accidents.

"In 2007, 76 percent of those killed in single vehicle rollovers in Idaho were not buckled up," according to a press release. "More than 80 percent of those killed in DUI crashes were not buckled up and 63 percent of those killed in speed-related crashes were not buckled."