Abell wins county commissioner race; Mitchell HD3
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years AGO
Brad Abell (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Republican Brad Abell easily won the District 1 Flathead County commissioner race in Tuesday night’s election, 38,226-20,246, over Democrat Kristen Larson as results were completed about 3 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Braxton Mitchell also defeated incumbent Democrat Debo Powers in the House District 3 race in Tuesday night’s election, 3,578-2,387.
Powers was appointed to the post last year after Democrat Zac Perry resigned to pursue his education.
In the Senate District 2 race, Republican Carl Glimm of Kila beat Democrat Kyle Waterman of Kalispell, 8,740 to 4,057.
For the first time in decades, the district, which covers Columbia Falls and surrounding areas, including the Canyon, will be represented by someone who doesn’t actually live in the district.
Waterman didn’t live here, either. He lives in Kalispell and is a city councilman.
In other local results of importance, the 911 levy passed, 31,091-26,821.
The new levy will do away with the old system, which, in effect, charged residents who lived in the cities twice for 911 service.
The election results locally followed the trend statewide, as Republicans won major state races. Greg Gianforte won the governor’s race over Democrat Mike Cooney, incumbent Steve Daines retained his Senate seat over Democrat Gov. Steve Bullock and Republican Matt Rosendale defeated Democrat Kathleen Williams.
Note: This story reflects updated numbers, as the county posted the wrong file on Tuesday morning on its website.
For updated complete local election results, go to: https://flathead.mt.gov/election/
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.