Coeur d'Alene Press

August 18, 2022 8:13 a.m.

VIDEO: Lake City High School teacher turns himself in to police for lewd conduct with former student

Police arrested a Lake City High School teacher for an inappropriate relationship with a former student.

August 18, 2022 1:06 a.m.

Electioneering trial approaches

A former poll worker accused of misconduct during last November’s local elections is expected to stand trial next month. Laura L. Van Voorhees of Hayden is charged with electioneering, a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000. A one-day trial is scheduled for the week of Sept. 6. Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh told The Press last year electioneering complaints are rare and that his office has not previously prosecuted any case related to electioneering.

August 18, 2022 1 a.m.

Rathdrum man jailed for child sex abuse

A man who reportedly confessed to sexually abusing a child for years is in jail. Courtney B. Gothmann, 38, of Rathdrum, is charged with lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16, a felony. The abuse is alleged to have occurred over the course of about five years.

August 18, 2022 1 a.m.

Man charged with sexual abuse

A man is being held on $100,000 bail after police said he sexually abused a child. Dakota W. Abel, 28, of Denim Springs, La., is charged with lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16, a felony. The charge stems from April, when an 8-year-old child said that Abel had touched her inappropriately while visiting his residence in Post Falls.

August 17, 2022 1:09 a.m.

LEAP OF FAITH: Hayden woman visits Ugandan orphanage she helped build

When the young man she’d met on Facebook asked her for money to buy medicine for a child sick with malaria, Verna Deno was skeptical. The young man — who goes by his surname, Kakembo — said he ran an orphanage in Mityana, a town in the Central Region of Uganda. He cared for more than 30 children, ranging from toddlers to young teens, though he was only in his early 20s himself. Kakembo was desperate for help to save the dying child.

August 16, 2022 1:07 a.m.

Man gets life in prison for crime spree

A man who led police on a weeklong, multi-state manhunt and later tried to escape from jail received a life sentence. Jesse R. Spitzer, 30, of Sultan, Wash., pleaded guilty in July to 16 charges, most of them felonies, including four counts of aggravated assault, six counts of grand theft and one count of robbery. First District Judge Lamont Berecz handed down a sentence on Friday of life in prison with 20 years fixed. That means Spitzer will be eligible for parole when he’s 50 years old.

August 16, 2022 1:06 a.m.

Patriot Front suspects appear in court

Four more members of the white nationalist hate group Patriot Front pleaded not guilty Monday in Coeur d’Alene to misdemeanor charges of conspiracy to riot. The men are among the 31 Patriot Front members accused of planning to violently disrupt a Pride celebration on June 11 in Coeur d’Alene City Park. Those who appeared before Judge Mayli Walsh via Zoom are Devin W. Center of Fayetteville, Ark., James J. Johnson of Concrete, Wash. and Lawrence A. Norman of Prospect, Ore. Spencer T. Simpson, 20, of Ellensburg, Wash., appeared in person. He is the only Patriot Front member so far to appear physically in a Kootenai County courtroom.

August 15, 2022 1:05 a.m.

Rally promotes unity in North Idaho

Residents gather to discuss issues impacting Idahoans

About two dozen Kootenai County residents gathered Saturday on the steps of the courthouse to discuss political issues impacting Idahoans, as well as how to bring Idahoans together to find solutions. Among them was Cayden Stone, an 18-year-old college student from Coeur d’Alene. Stone was the student body president at Lake City High School during his senior year. He said he wants to be involved in local and state politics in part to give a voice to Idaho’s youth.

August 13, 2022 1:09 a.m.

Air quality remains good

Air quality throughout North Idaho has been good this summer and is expected to remain that way, according to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. The clear conditions are a stark contrast to last summer’s smoky skies. “We’re a lot better off than we were last year,” said Dan Smith, Regional Airshed Coordinator for IDEQ. “The weather has been very different.”

August 13, 2022 1:08 a.m.

Kootenai County commissioners consider funding lake water analysis

Kootenai County commissioners are “cautiously optimistic” about their ability to fund an analysis of lake water samples for trace and toxic metals, but how much the county can commit to the project remains to be seen. The University of Idaho is working with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to study the impacts of wakes on water quality in the nearshore zone in Lake Coeur d’Alene. Though IDEQ will fund the two-year, $145,000 study, there is no available funding to perform additional analysis on water samples for trace and toxic metals such as lead, arsenic, zinc and other metals associated with past mining wastes from the Bunker Hill and Silver Valley mining districts.

August 12, 2022 1:09 a.m.

Community, sheriff's office rally for deputy

Support for deputy who suffered a paralyzing stroke

When Yvonne Cress woke up with a headache and vision loss in one eye, the 35-year-old deputy sheriff and new mom wrote off her symptoms as a migraine. Then her speech became slurred and she lost her balance. Yvonne’s husband, Dan, rushed her to the hospital, where scans confirmed that she’d had a stroke. The blood clot was inoperable and couldn’t be treated with medication. The stroke paralyzed the right side of Yvonne’s body. “It turned things upside down overnight,” Dan said.

August 11, 2022 1:08 a.m.

Proposed airport storage facility stalls

Concerns about potential Chinese financing, a 50-year lease and other factors caused Kootenai County commissioners to pump the brakes on a proposed revenue-sharing deal with a storage facility at the Coeur d’Alene Airport. Commissioners met Wednesday to consider a development and ground lease agreement with Luxury International, LLC for approximately 20 acres. In addition to the base annual rent of $43,560, Luxury International would pay the airport $50,000 per year or between 10% and 13% gross income, whichever is greater. The proposed deal previously came under scrutiny from Rep. Doug Okuniewicz (R-Hayden), who questioned the project’s financial backing.

August 11, 2022 1:06 a.m.

Duck’s death shocks golf community

Members of Avondale Golf Course frequently enjoy sightings of the local wildlife, from birds to deer to muskrats. But Dale the duck was special. For years, the black cayuga duck was Avondale’s unofficial mascot, beloved by golfers and staff alike. A group of four people allegedly ran Dale over with a golf cart Friday, killing the duck and devastating the Avondale community who loved it.

August 9, 2022 1:09 a.m.

Justice Building expansion project moving forward

Kootenai County commissioners voted Monday to choose a contractor to provide construction management services for a planned $22 million addition to the Justice Building located on the county’s main campus in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Commissioners Leslie Duncan and Chris Fillios voted to award the construction management contract to Spokane-based Bouten Construction, while Commissioner Bill Brooks abstained from the vote. The county will enter price negotiations with Bouten Construction for the project management services.

August 9, 2022 1:08 a.m.

Property values delay concerns county clerk

The delay by the Kootenai County Assessor's Office in providing the county's property values to the auditor could result in property owners paying more taxes than are needed by local taxing districts for their fiscal year 2023 budgets, according to Kootenai County Clerk Jim Brannon.

August 6, 2022 1:08 a.m.

Kootenai County Assessor misses property roll deadlines

The county assessor's office's delayed completion of 2022 property rolls has left Kootenai County taxing districts unable to finalize their budgets. Idaho law requires that each county auditor release the final new construction roll by the fourth Monday in July and the remaining rolls by the first Monday in August. These property rolls detail appraisal values, which taxing districts use to create their budgets. The rolls are meant to be provided to the county auditor by the assessor's office no later than the fourth Monday in June. But the Kootenai County Assessor’s Office missed the June deadline and did not deliver the rolls to the auditor before that office's July and August deadlines.

August 5, 2022 1 a.m.

Concerns raised over proposed airport storage facility

Lease, potential financing from China among issues discussed

Some Kootenai County residents have raised concerns over a proposed revenue-sharing deal for a storage facility at the Coeur d’Alene Airport. The proposed 50-year development and ground lease agreement is with Luxury International, LLC, for approximately 20 acres. Airport Director Steven Kjergaard said the proposed lease is virtually identical to the rest of the airport’s leases, including the 50-year term. Where it differs, he said, is in the revenue sharing agreement based on acres developed.

August 3, 2022 1:09 a.m.

Grave decorations disturbed at Coeur d'Alene cemetery

When Linda Whitehead visited her parents’ grave in Forest Cemetery one Sunday in July, she found the red, white and blue silk flowers she’d previously put in vases scattered on the grass, along with the miniature American flags she’d placed. She poured out the sprinkler water that had accumulated in the vases — and was shocked when chicken bones and pieces of meat fell out, too. Somebody had stuffed the waste inside the vases. “I was appalled, especially that anyone would throw an American flag on the ground,” Whitehead said.

August 3, 2022 1:08 a.m.

Cd’A PD plans $4.5 million station expansion

The Coeur d’Alene Police Department got the green light to hire contractor CORE West for pre-construction services for a planned expansion of its headquarters. CORE West is a national firm that specializes in municipal buildings and public safety buildings. The firm is also building the $44 million Veterans Home in Post Falls.

August 2, 2022 1:09 a.m.

Commissioners to consider $120 million budget

Kootenai County commissioners voted Monday to publish a preliminary balanced budget of $120 million for fiscal year 2023, an increase of about $12 million over the prior year. The budget projects collecting the full 3% increase in property tax revenue permitted by law — but that revenue is only an estimate, because the county has yet to receive final property values from the Assessor’s Office. That means all taxing districts in Kootenai County will have to publish budgets based their “best guess” for revenue, said county staff accountant Brandi Falcon. Included in the tentative budget is an approximate 6% cost of living adjustment wage increase for county employees. Wage study and cost of living increases are expected to total around $8.1 million.

August 2, 2022 1:06 a.m.

Patriot Front members appear in Idaho court

Three members of the white nationalist hate group Patriot Front pleaded not guilty Monday in Coeur d’Alene to misdemeanor charges of conspiracy to riot. The trio are among the 31 Patriot Front members accused of planning to violently disrupt a Pride celebration on June 11 in Coeur d’Alene City Park. Those who appeared before Judge John Cafferty were Garrett J. Garland of Freeburg, Ill., Branden M. Haney of Kaysville, Utah and Forrest C. Rankin of Lorenzo, Texas. At the time of his arrest, Rankin resided in Colorado.

July 30, 2022 1:08 a.m.

Wally rocks

Beloved local rock painter celebrated after his passing

July 30, 2022 1:07 a.m.

Schedule concealed carry license appointments online

Beginning Aug. 1, Kootenai County residents can get appointments for concealed weapons licenses and fingerprint services through the QLess app. Idaho residents aged 18 and older don’t need a license in order to carry a lawfully-possessed firearm. But those who obtain an enhanced license can carry concealed in the many states that recognize licenses issued in Idaho. Sheriff’s Deputy Ron Broesch said going through the licensing process helps gun owners learn how to be safe when handling firearms.

July 30, 2022 1 a.m.

Lewd conduct trial approaches

Almost two years after the alleged abuse, a man charged with sexually abusing a child is expected to stand trial next week. Warren C. Williams, 65, of Post Falls, is charged with lewd conduct with a child under the age of 16 and with witness intimidation, both felonies. The charges stem from August 2020, when a 7-year-old child reported that Williams had sexually abused him.

July 29, 2022 1 a.m.

Criticism of library contents continues

While some area Republicans continue to push for certain materials to be removed from area libraries, staff maintain that libraries must include books on all topics — including those that some deem controversial or objectionable. “The library can’t discriminate,” said CLN Director Amy Rodda. “We have books on all viewpoints.” At a meeting of the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans on Thursday, Marianna Cochran led a presentation about what she called “toxic” books available to children and teens through the Community Library Network.

July 28, 2022 1:09 a.m.

$1 billion Mega Millions jackpot keeps growing

Taylor Curtis bought his second-ever lottery ticket Wednesday afternoon. He bought his first ticket Tuesday, at Gittel’s Grocery on Government Way, hours before the $1 billion Mega Millions drawing, a jackpot that went unclaimed and continues to grow. It’s the third largest jackpot on record — and expected to reach at least $1.02 billion by the next drawing Friday evening.

July 26, 2022 1:07 a.m.

Young Republicans expel members

Idaho Young Republicans have expelled two members after a Kootenai County delegate to the state GOP convention allegedly used homeless families as part of a political prank.

July 26, 2022 1:06 a.m.

Commissioners consider impact fees

County commissioners indicated that they’re open to imposing impact fees on development that include a commitment to hiring more patrol deputies and completing unfinished housing units at the jail. What remains to be seen is whether the county can hire the employees it would have to promise in exchange for the fees.

July 24, 2022 1:09 a.m.

Hayden celebrates hometown heroes

Hundreds of people lined Government Way on Saturday morning for the Hayden Days “Hometown Heroes” Parade. The parade marked the beginning of the second and final day of the annual celebration, with festivities centered around McIntire Family Park.

July 23, 2022 1:07 a.m.

McHugh sets exit date

County commissioners will choose replacement

July 23, 2022 1:06 a.m.

3Cs celebrate another year of charity

3Cs will distribute $111,550 at their annual Appreciation Luncheon next month.

July 23, 2022 1:05 a.m.

Convicted killer gets up to life in prison

The Bonners Ferry man convicted of killing 45-year-old Melyssa Schloe could spend the rest of his life behind bars. A jury convicted Victor A. Claus of first-degree murder in May, after about three hours of deliberation. First District Judge Scott Wayman sentenced Claus on Friday to 25 years to life in prison for the crime.

July 22, 2022 1:07 a.m.

Homeless shelter says Kootenai County delegate pulled pizza prank

The director of a Twin Falls homeless shelter said David Reilly attempted to make families receiving shelter services the butt of a political prank during the Idaho Republican Party’s convention last week.

July 21, 2022 1:09 a.m.

‘Stay away from the water’

After teen drowns, authorities warn of dangerous waters near Corbin Park

After 14-year-old Spokane resident Henry Jack drowned Saturday in the river near Corbin Park, authorities are urging the public to stay out of the water. The boy was at least the seventh person to drown in that stretch of the Spokane River within the last 12 years.

July 19, 2022 1:08 a.m.