NEW THIS MORNING: Saturday, Oct. 12
Gabriel
1. Gabriel named for council seat
Retired fire chief Kenny Gabriel is expected to be voted in as the newest member of the Coeur d’Alene City Council on Tuesday.
“He can hit the road running,” said Mayor Woody McEvers on Friday.
Gabriel was selected from three candidates, including past city finance director John Austin and sign compay owner Jeff Connaway, who were interviewed for the post by City Council members Monday.
2. New apartments, restaurant planned for downtown Post Falls
Downtown could soon feature a new mixed-use building that features apartments and a restaurant.
The 50,000-square-foot site occupies most of the north block, adjacent to Republic Kitchen + Taphouse.
Mother-daughter team Laura and Kelsey Horn plan to open Miss Dazee's, a 3,000-square-foot brunch restaurant, at the corner of North Spokane Street and Fourth Avenue. The development will also incorporate the parcel to the east, expanding the commercial space at 102 E. 4th Ave.
"That location at the corner is a perfect location for a mixed-use building and it's a key property in revitalization of the downtown," Community Development Director Bob Seale said.
3. Man sentenced to prison after being found with pound of meth in Shoshone County
Joshua Alan Berg, 47, of Spokane, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, according to U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit.
Court records indicate that on Feb. 8, 2023, law enforcement officers responded to an overdose incident in St. Regis, Mont. During the investigation, Berg was identified as a person with knowledge about the incident, and surrounding agencies were notified.
Officers in Shoshone County later identified Berg and attempted to stop his vehicle. Berg led officers on a high-speed pursuit, crashed his vehicle into a snowbank and fled on foot, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. He was subsequently arrested near the abandoned vehicle.
At the time of his arrest, Berg was found in possession of approximately 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine and 0.5 pounds of fentanyl pills, court records said. During the pursuit, Berg discarded a firearm, which was later recovered by officers.
4. Fundraiser for Goncalves family nears $60,000
A GoFundMe account to help Kaylee Goncalves' family attend the trial of her accused killer has raised nearly $60,000.
“We are in complete awe of all the love and support from everyone,” wrote Kristi Goncalves, Kaylee’s mom. “You all mean the World to us and I wish I could hug each and everyone of you. God bless you all. We will never forget what you all have done for us and we hope we can pay you back one day.”
The fundraiser was started by family friend Brooke Miller.