Avista: Starling caused booming noise, outage

COEUR d'ALENE — Downtown businesses thought Tuesday morning's power outage was for the birds.

Employees at several businesses in the area of Second and Lakeside rushed outside after they heard a loud boom at 9:03 a.m. and the power went out.

What they found in the alley between Calypsos Coffee and Roasting Co. and Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty was a dead starling under a power line and transformers.

"The bird caused the fuse on a transformer to disconnect, which resulted in the outage and the loud noise that was heard," said Debbie Simock, Avista Utilities spokeswoman. "When a crew arrived at the site, the bird was found on the ground."

Simock said the fuse was reconnected and service for the nine businesses affected was restored at 10:02 a.m.

Todd Jenicek, Calypsos owner, said he was relieved Avista promptly restored the power because some potential customers turned back after discovering they couldn't find refuge from the heat without an air-conditioned building and drink choices were limited during the outage.

Jenicek said this was the sixth time the power has gone out at his business due to animals since he purchased the business in 2010.

"I've found a bird three times," he said.

Simock said there are animal guards on the equipment on the pole, but they are not effective because of the high volume of starlings that roost there.

"We are looking into what other steps can be taken to prevent bird-related outages on the pole," Simock said.

Jenicek said animal-related outages have proven to be costly for his business. He lost a $5,800 barista machine during the first such outage. He worried that his $20,000 roaster may have been roasted on Tuesday, but it was spared. He said such occurrences are not covered by his insurance because they are considered an act of nature.

Jenicek said he can also lose $200 to $300 per hour in business during outages.

Dennis Hall, general manager for the advertising agency Blue 541, also had concerns about loss of business during the outage.

"Every hour we're down costs us several hundred dollars," he said. "But, at some point, we also have to think of the bird."

Some Calypsos patrons remained visiting at the business despite the outage and limited coffee choices.

Larry Petillo, of Coeur d'Alene, said he was alarmed by the noise as he pulled up to the business.

"I thought it was a gunshot before I learned what happened," he said. "I can't plug my computer in, so I'll probably just go for a walk."

Bob Henager continued to read The Press thanks to the outdoor light at the front of the business.

"You can still talk in the dark," Henager said with a smile.

Petillo added: "Some people do — literally."