In brief: Missing boy found in Moses Lake

KC Allen Kultgen, a 13-year-old boy missing for almost two weeks, was found Sunday in Moses Lake.

“Kultgen disappeared about 11 p.m. on March 30 and was believed to be endangered based on past history,” according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

His mother had told police that she believed her son, a Chase Middle School seventh-grader, was headed to Hayden or to a relative’s home in Moses Lake. He was found early Sunday, just after midnight, evaluated by mental health professionals and released to his mother early Easter morning.

Sandpoint

Officials may ban drive-throughs

Residents here might have to start waving bye-bye to drive-through businesses.

A proposal to prohibit drive-through services recently passed the city’s planning and zoning commission and goes before the City Council in May.

If approved the ordinance would regulate drive-through restaurants, banks, coffee shops, pharmacies, dry cleaners and other businesses that cater to customers in cars.

Existing drive-through businesses would be allowed to continue but not rebuild.

“Conceivably, as these existing drive-throughs degrade if they’re not maintained, this could lead to a Sandpoint of the future with no drive-throughs,” said City Planner Jeremy Grimm.

The proposed change is one of many being considered as part of a strategy to handle new growth and reflect the city’s recently completed comprehensive plan aimed at making a more attractive city.

Opponents say the drive-through ban will hurt the economy, and Dick Hutter resigned from the planning commission last week amid concerns the changes will harm the city.

New rules also look at banning the use of fluorescent or metallic colors as part of the plan to have “exterior building materials and colors that are aesthetically pleasing.”

Hailey, Idaho

Sun Valley losing winter popularity

Sun Valley is falling out of favor as a winter vacation destination because bad weather closes nearby Friedman Memorial Airport and forces travelers to endure long highway commutes, according to a central Idaho official.

Len Harlig, a member of the Friedman Memorial Airport Authority, said potential visitors have other ski destinations where they’re treated better and access is better.

The airport in Hailey is surrounded by homes in the bottom of a valley and sometimes closes in winter, with planes diverted to Boise or Twin Falls.

Three potential sites south of Hailey are being considered for a new airport.

Boise

Husky could be on long walk home

A Siberian husky that survived a car crash that killed its owner could be making a 700-mile trek home through Idaho and Oregon.

Deborah Moore, of Kelso, Wash., said the dog, named Neo, was last seen Wednesday in Idaho, headed toward Boise, and is likely on his way home to southwest Washington.

Moore’s sister, 47-year-old Joyce Moore, of Kelso, was killed, police say, when she lost control of her car on Interstate 84 and crashed near Snowville, Utah, on April 4.

Officials say Neo stayed at his owner’s side but ran off when an ambulance arrived.

Deborah Moore said Neo is a friendly dog and is likely wearing a blue collar and possibly a black harness.

From staff and wire reports