What a load of trash

COEUR d'ALENE — A large pile of illegally dumped garbage was found near public land last week by Kootenai County Sheriff's Office deputies.

According to a deputy's report, the sheriff's office was called to the scene of the illegal dump on the evening of March 17. When deputies arrived at Nelson Loop Road, north of Biggs Road and east of Hauser Lake, they discovered an apparent case of illegal dumping.

"We found a large pile of mixed garbage including punctured paint and chemical cans, beer cans, cardboard boxes, and paper and plastic bags of garbage disposed of in front of a closed gate clearly marked as Idaho Department of Lands property," the report states.

The deputy added they also noticed a "makeshift range" at the site, with a pallet placed upright as a target. Cartridge casings were scattered throughout the roadway, according to the report, and bullet holes were found in the pallet, as well as in paint cans which were punctured and "leaking directly into a stream."

"It appeared the garbage had been placed there within hours of our arrival," the report states.

Upon further investigation, the report states the deputy discovered what appeared to be a resume and bill of sale in one of the boxes dumped at the site. Using the information from the documents, deputies were able to contact and question a Spokane Valley man.

According to the report, the man told deputies that his brother had hired two strangers to take their household garbage to the dump.

"(He) paid these individuals $180 for this service," the report states. "The day prior, (he) had paid a similar amount to them for the same service."

The man told deputies the individuals had picked up the garbage in an older-model Ford pickup truck, painted green "like the old Forest Service" trucks with a matching canopy. According to the report, the man said he did not have the names or contact information for either of the individuals who picked up the garbage.