Water filtration bond rejected
Voters in Kellogg, Smelterville and Osburn said no Tuesday to a $12 million bond to install a new water filtration system for the Central Shoshone County Water District that serves 2,700 homes and businesses.
District Office Manager Cindy Elfsten said the district didn’t want to release the results until Wednesday night, after the 433 no votes and 104 yes votes and one spoiled ballot were certified.
The board will meet Aug. 13 to decide what to do next. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has ordered the water district to have a filtration system operating by January 2009.
If that doesn’t happen, the state could pursue enforcement and ultimately disapprove the water system, which would make it difficult for people to buy and sell homes in the district.
The filtration system would remove potentially harmful microbes that aren’t killed by the existing disinfectant system.
For two years, water district residents have been advised by the state to boil drinking water.
If the bond passed, the monthly user fee of $30 would have increased to between $47 and $65.
Coeur d’Alene
NIC will offer certification
North Idaho College will begin offering basic certificates in four high-demand professions as part of an effort to give students shorter programs that lead to full-time employment.
Beginning this fall, students can earn eight-week certificates in diesel or automotive technology, or a 20-credit certificate in manufacturing, which is part of the machine technology program.
A nine-month technical certificate in the resort/recreation management program will be offered starting in January, in addition to the two-year degree.
Students can pursue an advanced certificate or associate’s degree or get a job with just a certificate.
It’s part of a “career pathways” concept NIC is looking to bring to its programs.
“Students should have options on whether they want short-term training to enter the work force quickly or if they want to earn an advanced degree,” Barbara Hanson, NIC’s executive director for strategic program development, said in a news release.
3Cs giving to 28 charities
The 3Cs (Cancer and Community Charities) Organization announced Thursday it would give a record $70,000 to 28 charities in Kootenai County.
A ceremony to announce the gifts was held at the summer home of businessman Duane Hagadone and his wife, Lola, on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
It included a cruise, brunch and tour of the home’s gardens.
Recipients included North Idaho Cancer Center, $10,000; Alzheimer’s Association-North Idaho chapter, $8,000; and Dirne Health Clinic, $8,000.