Briefs

National Day of Service and Remembrance ceremony today

POST FALLS - The city of Post Falls is holding a 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance ceremony today.

The ceremony will run 7:15 to 8:15 a.m. at Post Falls City Hall on the Plaza.

Ceremonies to remember and honor the victims of 9/11 include a moment of silence, the lowering of the U.S. flag to half-staff, a traditional bell ringing for fallen firefighters and the laying of a wreath and "Taps" for all victims of 9/11.

Honor guard units from Post Falls Police Dept., Kootenai Fire and Rescue, American Legion Post 143, and the Patriot Guard Riders will participate.

Accused Walmart thief waves her preliminary hearing rights

SANDPOINT - A Montana woman accused of pushing a cart full of items out of a Walmart without paying earlier this year waived her right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

Joanna L. Duran's waiver clears the way for her to be arraigned in 1st District Court on charges of burglary and grand theft. She is free on bail while the case is pending.

Duran, 37, of Noxon, allegedly filled up reusable shopping bags and a shopping cart with items and left the store. Duran was stopped by Ponderay Police at the corner of Triangle Drive and Kootenai Cutoff Road because she matched the suspect's description, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Duran, the affidavit said, admitted taking the items without paying when she was confronted about the theft. All told, 94 items worth a total of $1,201.73 were taken, according to court documents. The theft charge was elevated to a felony offense because the value of the merchandise exceeded $1,000.

Duran is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 21.