Deputies send disc golfers back to Washington

Unwanted neighbors getting educated

POST FALLS — Frisbee golf at Corbin Park might seem a harmless activity attracting little attention — unless you’re from Washington state.

On Thursday, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office responded to the disc golf course at the south end of Corbin Road, off Riverbend Avenue, for a report of several vehicles with Washington license plates.

Game over.

A deputy located some people who “were educated on the updated Governor’s Order and told to educate the rest as they packed up to go home,” according to the KCSO report.

As more Idahoans complain about Washington residents coming to Idaho to golf and visit parks — because golf courses and parks are closed in Washington due to the coronavirus — the KCSO is stepping up efforts to let them know they shouldn’t be here.

“Kootenai County deputies will be conducting educational outreach at our popular recreation areas beginning today for out of state residents to be informed of the Idaho Governor’s latest amendment to the Stay at Home order,” said a Friday press release.

Areas of interest include boat launches, trailheads, and recreational facilities.

A quick check by The Press at Higgens Point on a sunny Friday afternoon found several vehicles from Washington both there and at pullouts along the North Idaho Centennial Trail.

Per the stay-home order, people from out of state may enter Idaho only if they’re performing essential services or those who live outside Idaho and work or gain essential services here, the release said.

If a person from another state is coming into Idaho for non-essential reasons, they must quarantine for 14 days or the number of days they are here if less than 14, it said.

Deputies will be handing out flyers to those from other states “as a means of education.”

The flyer states a violation of the order is a misdemeanor offense and the violator may be cited or arrested.