NEW THIS MORNING: Tuesday, September 24
In this 2023 photo, Kootenai County Clerk Jennifer Locke checks the ballot boxes that were prepared for the November election. The boxes are stored in a locked room which no one can enter alone.
KAYE THORNBRUGH/Press file
1. Kootenai County absentee ballot requests high
Thousands of Kootenai County voters have requested absentee ballots ahead of the Nov. 5 general election, and there’s still time to request one.
A total of 15,219 voters had requested absentee ballots as of Monday morning, according to the county clerk’s office. More than 14,000 ballots were part of the first batch mailed out last Friday.
“Typically, the first batch is the biggest,” Kootenai County Clerk Jennifer Locke said Monday.
With a month left until the Oct. 25 deadline to request an absentee ballot, ballot requests are already close to eclipsing the number that Kootenai County voters filled out and returned in November 2022. In that general election, the final count was 16,414.
2. Remodel of Post Falls City Hall is on track
The City Hall remodel project's cost has risen to approximately $1.3 million, according to public works director John Beacham's presentation to the city council. The project is funded through the city's facilities account.
"We're currently under construction in case you haven't noticed, but there's no dirt piles in front of Council Chambers tonight so that's good news," Beacham said.
Initially, the project was about a third of its current size, focusing on recommendations from a 2021 facilities needs assessment. Additional projects were later included to consolidate construction into one time period.
3. Person rescued after fire in Post Falls barn
A structure fire involving the rescue of a person having a mental health crisis occurred Saturday night on Meyer Road in Post Falls, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue reported.
The initial 911 concerned a person inside of a barn, which was actively on fire.
4. Shoshone deputies: Jury commissioner attempted to purchase meth
A local jury commissioner is suspected of attempting to purchase methamphetamine, according to a recent probable cause affidavit.
Charges have been filed by the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office against Tammie Russell, 63, of Mullan on Sept. 13.