NEW THIS MORNING: Friday, September 20

1. Commissioners, assessor spar over personnel policy

Kootenai County elected officials sparred Thursday over reports that Assessor Bèla Kovacs may have improperly disciplined an employee. 

Commissioners convened for the tense special meeting, prompted after an employee within the assessor’s office was reportedly locked out of county systems Sept. 9, without warning or explanation. 

Sources within county government told The Press the employee remained locked out and unable to perform work duties until Thursday morning, when Kovacs placed the employee on paid administrative leave, still without providing a reason for the discipline. 

“We cannot be in a situation where employees have had something done to them, whether that’s removing some sort of access to a work tool or being placed on an administrative leave, without them understanding exactly why this is being done,” said Commissioner Bruce Mattare. “I thought it was prudent to bring this to the board’s attention.” 

2. Reward offered in May gun theft

A reward is being offered for anyone with information about a robbery that occurred in May which resulted in the recovery of a handgun near Kellogg High School.   

The robbery happened May 16 at the Downtown Gun and Pawn in Missoula, when a man entered the pawn shop and requested to see a firearm that was for sale. After the handgun was in his possession, the suspect left the store with the firearm and fled in a dark gray or silver Lexus bearing unknown out-of-state license plates.  

The gun was found May 20 by a KHS teacher, who discovered it inside a box while her class was picking up trash along Jackass Creek. The teacher turned the firearm over to the school resource officer, police said. 

3. Post Falls author announces new novel, iHeart Radio show spot

A Post Falls author and producer with a passion and flair for Western culture has released a new book and will soon co-host a new show on iHeart Radio.

Anita Waggoner's new novel, "Dakota Wells," follows protagonist Dakota, a woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery in the wake of personal tragedy. As Dakota finds herself in the heart of a small Western town, she confronts her past, rebuilds her life and discovers a new purpose along the way.