NorthwestJuly 22, 2000

Associated Press

COEUR D'ALENE -- Kootenai County Commission Chairman Dick Panabaker must serve two days in jail or work 16 hours in the sheriff's labor program for a drunken driving conviction.

County Magistrate Benjamin Simpson also fined Panabaker $588.

The 59-year-old Hayden resident also received a withheld judgment which could erase the conviction from his record if he abides by conditions of his one-year probation.

The labor program includes picking up litter, sorting recyclables at the landfill, stocking food bank shelves, landscaping and painting, said sheriff's Capt. Ben Wolfinger.

"There is always work to do," Wolfinger said.

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Panabaker's driver's license is suspended for 90 days. He can drive to and from work beginning Aug. 25. He must sign up to attend a victim's panel, consisting of people whose lives have been affected by drunken drivers.

Panabaker said he was pulled over June 26 after stopping at a friend's house for a few beers.

A breath test indicated his blood-alcohol level was .18 percent -- more than twice the legal limit of .08. Panabaker immediately admitted he had too much to drink.

The maximum penalty for a first-time DUI offense in which the blood-alcohol level is under .20 is six months in jail, a $1,000 fine and suspension of driving privileges for up to 180 days.

Panabaker is seeking a third term against Democrat challenger Michael Stine.

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