Man sentenced for seventh lifetime DUI
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 2 months AGO
COEUR d’ALENE — A man who pleaded guilty to his seventh lifetime instance of driving under the influence received a probation sentence, according to the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Richard J. Rehl, 60, pleaded guilty in April to excessive driving under the influence, possession of an open container by a driver, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors. Excessive DUI is punishable by up to one year in jail.
First District Judge Tristan Poorman sentenced Rehl last week to two years in jail, then suspended the sentence and placed Rehl on supervised probation for two years, prosecutors said. Rehl’s driver’s license is also suspended for one year.
The charges stem from April 19, after prosecutors said a witness called 911 to report Rehl “stumbling around before driving away in a vehicle.” According to prosecutors, police pulled Rehl over and he provided three breath samples, revealing a blood alcohol concentration of 0.22, 0.24 and 0.23, almost three times the legal limit.
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.