North Idaho Briefs July 12, 2012
Developers can obtain new tax exemption
The Kootenai County Assessor's Office last month implemented a new Developers' Infrastructure Exemption, the office announced, which was passed by the Legislature this last session.
The county Board of Equalization passed a resolution enacting the new exemption this June.
The Assessor's Office mailed out 923 new assessment notices this June to implement the exemption, the department announced this week.
That has exempted roughly $25.9 million in infrastructure value from platted lots held by developers for sale as business inventory, according to the Assessor's Office.
"This has a tendency to shrink the tax base just a little bit more," said Assessor Mike McDowell.
The Assessor's Office anticipates the exemption will result in a tax reduction on the new development roll for 2013, according to a press release.
For more information on the new exemption, go to: www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2012/minidata.htm.
Cd'A Fourth of July winners announced
Winners of the Coeur d'Alene Fourth of July parade were:
n Community Float: Spirit of the Lake, City of Kelowna
n Marching Band: Hot Punch Pipe Band
n Marching Unit: Asante Children's Choir
n Equestrian 2 or more riders: North Idaho Fair
n Equestrian single rider: Miss Spokane Interstate Rodeo Queen
n Classic/Antique cars: Randy Rolphe
n School Drill/Marching Group: Coeur d'Alene High School Cheerleaders
n Corporate/Company: Le Tour de Cupcakes, Frosted
n Civic/Fraternal: Spirit of '45/WWII Soldier Portraits
Foundation gives 94 scholarships
Inland Northwest Community Foundation recently awarded 94 scholarships totaling $132,573 to area students for the 2012-2013 school year across the Inland Northwest.
Locally, Lake City High School's Tabatha Poelstra earned a $2,000 Lucille Hudon Scholarship and North Idaho College's Joanna Ingerski received a $1,000 Joe and June Fulton Scholarship.
Downey makes UM dean's list
Gabriel Michael Downey, graduate of Lake City High School, made the spring semester Dean's List at the University of Montana.
To qualify, students must earn a grade of 3.5 or higher and receive grades of A or B in at least nine credits.
Shoshone County identifies inmate who died in jail
The Shoshone County inmate that died after choking on July 5 was identified as Joseph Norrid by the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office.
Norrid was known to many locals by his nickname, "Coconut Joe." Originally from Denver, Norrid was fixture in the Silver Valley for decades.
Norrid was chewing on food at the Shoshone County Public Safety building Thursday night and began choking. Corrections deputies gave medical aid to Norrid and called for medical assistance for Norrid from the sheriff's office personnel, District 1 Fire and the ambulance service in Kellogg.
The medical assistance arrived shortly and began assisting Norrid, 55, but the item could not be dislodged from his throat. Norrid was then taken by ambulance to Shoshone Medical Center. Attempts to resuscitate Norrid failed, and he died at the hospital.
Shoshone Sheriff's Office investigated the death, and it was deemed accidental.
Details released about firewood collecting death
The Shoshone County Sheriff's Office has released more information about the man who died while collecting firewood near Shoshone Base Camp on Saturday.
Raymond Martin, a 49-year-old Post Falls resident, was up the Little Guard Peak Road off the Coeur d'Alene River Road collecting firewood in his truck. The accident was not a rollover accident as reported. Martin was out of his vehicle while it was fully loaded with firewood, and the unattended truck began to roll. Martin was then stuck by his vehicle, and it continued to roll down the road until it went over a steep embankment about 10 feet from the roadway.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel provided medical assistance to Martin. Martin was transported to the Shoshone Base camp to rendezvous with a helicopter from Medstar. Shortly after meeting Medstar, Martin succumbed to his injuries.
The accident is still under investigation, but the sheriff's office does not believe that alcohol or drugs played a factor.
Area's mining history focus of presentation
The Living History Series at Silver Mountain Resort welcomes Dr. Earl Bennett of Friday to share his program "History of Mining in North Idaho."
Bennett, who holds a doctorate in geology, is considered an expert on the history of the Coeur d'Alene Mining District. His program goes through the rich history of the Silver Valley.
Bennett will speak at 7 p.m. at Noah's Canteen at Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg.