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DUI arrests in Kootenai County have increased 25% compared to same 2020 period
Between court expenses and fines, attorney fees and higher insurance, the average cost of a first-time DUI is between $5,000 to $15,000.
Kootenai County Sheriff s Office Author: Bill Buley (Coeur d Alene/Post Falls Press) Published: 11:34 AM PDT May 17, 2021 Updated: 11:34 AM PDT May 17, 2021
This year through April, the Kootenai County Sheriff s Office has recorded 76 DUI arrests. For the same time period last year, there were 59 DUI arrests, an increase of about 25%.
According to KCSO s Friday booking summary, there were five DUI arrests, including one that was a second offense.
KCSO Lt. Ryan Higgins said they are being more proactive when it comes to preventing drunken driving.
• Equipment updates and restocks
• Maintenance
• General operation improvements
Significant contributors to the budget increase, department speakers stressed, are Kootenai County s rapid growth, the housing market, and lack of competitive pay.
Hiring jail staff is incredibly challenging, KCSO Undersheriff Dan Mattos said, and retaining employees is no easier. We don t have the people, we can t hire the people because we can t pay, and we don t keep the people because we can t pay them, he said. I m not saying that the answer to everything is throwing money at it, but we re in a unique position.
To assist in enlisting employees, KCSO is asking for several thousand promotional dollars for recruiting bonuses and job fair registrations. Capt. Stu Miller said in the meeting that KCSO is considering offering a $1,500 hiring bonus a small price to pay, he noted, compared to Spokane s current recruiting offer of $15,000.
N. Idaho woman arrested for aggravated DUI in head-on crash
May 6, 2021 8:55 AM Erin Robinson
Updated:
Credit: Kootenai County Sheriff s Office
RATHDRUM, Idaho A Rathdrum woman was arrested for aggravated DUI in a head-on crash that sent another woman to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The crash happened at 5:35 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Meyer Road and Wyoming.
According to a release from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, 36-year-old Corina R. Larabee of Rathdrum was driving northbound on Meyer Road, crossed the center line and struck a car driven by 50-year-old Michele L. Mahn.
Kootenai Fire and Rescue had to extricate the women from their vehicles and Mahn was then airlifted to Kootenai Health.
Rathdrum woman sentenced after pleading guilty to killing her newborn baby
Elizabeth B. Keyes, 24, pleaded guilty in accordance with Alford to murder in the second degree and to concealment of evidence, both felonies.
Credit: Kootenai County Sheriff s Office
Elizabeth B. Keyes mugshot Published: 9:39 AM PDT April 29, 2021 Updated: 9:39 AM PDT April 29, 2021
Elizabeth B. Keyes, 24, pleaded guilty in accordance with Alford to murder in the second degree and to concealment of evidence, both felonies.
By entering an Alford plea in February, Keyes did not admit guilt but acknowledged there was enough evidence to convict her if the case went to trial.
Judge John Mitchell sentenced Keyes on Tuesday to 10 years fixed and 15 years indeterminate on the murder charge, with 377 days credit for time served. He also sentenced her to five years fixed for concealing evidence.