Local Briefs November 3, 2011

Cd'A candidates to speak today

COEUR d'ALENE - Hear them speak.

The Kootenai County Republican Women will be hosting a Coeur d'Alene City Council candidates forum today at noon at the Shore Lounge in The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Social hour starts at 11:30 a.m.

Post Falls impact fees approved

POST FALLS - The Post Falls City Council on Tuesday night approved revised impact fees on new growth.

Impact fees for multi-family structures will decrease from a total of $2,645 to $2,172 and for single-family homes of up to three bedrooms from $3,414 to $2,443.

Total fees for a home of four bedrooms or more will increase from $3,414 to $3,528.

Total fees for non-residential growth will decrease, including commercial from $2.70 per square foot to $2.10, office from 93 cents to 76 cents, manufacturing from 31 cents to 26 cents and light industrial from 56 cents to 48 cents.

The fees changed, city officials say, because the city's current plan for annual growth has been changed from 3 percent to 1.5 percent due to the recession.

Impact fees are one-time payments from builders or developers to represent new growth's fair share of capital facility needs for parks and recreation, public safety and transportation. The fees can only be used for capital improvements, not operating or maintenance costs.

Officials correct ballot error

The Kootenai County Clerk and county Elections Department are working to correct an error on ballots for the city of Harrison's election next Tuesday.

Elections personnel printed ballots instructing voters to select two city council candidates instead of three, Clerk Cliff Hayes reported on Wednesday.

Corrected ballots have been ordered and will be delivered in time for the Nov. 8 election.

Of seven absentee ballots requested for the Harrison election, only three have been returned. Those seven voters, as well as a Harrison individual who voted absentee in person, will be delivered correct ballots to vote on, Hayes stated.

The error affected precincts 68 and 70. Any voters there with an absentee ballot are encouraged to call Elections at 446-1030.

Sample ballots in today's paper might also have inaccurate instructions. The ballots on Nov. 8 are promised to be correct, according to a press release from the Clerk's Office.

Crash knocks out power, closes road

SPIRIT LAKE - A crash near Spirit Lake Wednesday morning knocked out power and closed a major intersection for about four hours.

According to Idaho State Police, Dustin S. Gilton, 25, Blanchard, was northbound on Ramsey Road in a 1998 Jeep Wrangler at 3:10 a.m. when he failed to stop at a stop sign at Highway 54.

Gilton proceeded across Highway 54 and struck a power pole. The vehicle overturned and came to rest on its top. Power was knocked out in the area.

Gilton suffered minor injuries.

Meanwhile, a second vehicle, a 1996 International log truck driven by Dustin L. Bame, 37, Spirit Lake, was eastbound on Highway 54 after Gilton crashed and the truck struck hanging power lines, damaging the vehicle.

Bame was not injured.

The roadway at Highway 54 and Ramsey and the Highway 41/Highway 54 junction were closed about four hours.

An investigation continues.

Single stream recycling turns 1

COEUR d'ALENE - The single stream recycling program in Coeur d'Alene has been in effect for one year. Since 2010, the city's contractor, Waste Management, has picked up more than four million pounds of recyclable materials and emptied 245,619 carts.

The city is averaging just over 62 percent participation. Prior to the introduction of the single stream recycling program, the city was averaging about 27 percent participation.

"We're thrilled with the participation rate," said Steve Roberge, waste management district manager.

Info: www.wmnorthwest.com/coeurdalene or call 765-4968.