NW briefs

Three bodies recovered days after boat crash on Idaho lake

COEUR D'ALENE - Northern Idaho authorities say they have recovered the bodies of three people who went missing after a boat collision.

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said in a statement late Wednesday that a dive team pulled the bodies from Lake Coeur d'Alene following the crash last Saturday night.

Officials identified the dead as 34-year-old Justin M. Luhr of Medical Lake, Wash., and his two passengers, 21-year-old Justin T. Honken of Post Falls, Idaho, and 21-year-old Caitlin A. Breeze of Spokane. Autopsies are planned.

Authorities said one motorboat crashed into another that was either stationary or heading north. Five adults on the boat that crashed into the other vessel were treated and released at a hospital.

The crash is under investigation.

Mediation fails in Idaho pastor shooting case

COEUR D'ALENE - An Idaho man accused of shooting a pastor is heading to court after attempts at mediation failed.

Kyle Odom, 30, could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted on charges associated with the March shooting of Pastor Tim Remington in a Coeur d'Alene church parking lot, The Coeur d'Alene Press reported.

Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh said the two sides couldn't agree on a plea deal during a Wednesday mediation session. A retired district judge served as a mediator during the session.

Mediation sessions are kept completely

confidential.

Prosecutors said Odom shot Remington on March 6 and flew to Washington, D.C., the next day. He was arrested by Secret Service agents after being seen throwing flash drives and other items over the White House fence.

Fire guts northern Idaho strip mall

COEUR D'ALENE - Authorities say fire has gutted a strip mall in northern Idaho, causing part of the roof to collapse and ruining several stores.

Fire Inspector Craig Etherton said the entire fleet of the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department, three ambulances and vehicles from other fire departments responded to the fire Wednesday night.

He said flames climbed up to 30 feet and a quarter of the roof collapsed.

The mall includes Tangles Hair Salon, Golden City Loan and Pawn and the Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Thrift Store. Etherton said there was smoke and fire damage throughout the building and it's not clear whether the structure will need to be demolished.

Etherton said inspectors don't know yet what caused the fire, but don't suspect arson.

No injuries have been reported.

State Patrol: Alcohol a factor in fatal accident

FREELAND, Wash. - Authorities say a bicyclist was struck and killed by a suspected drunken driver on Whidbey Island.

State troopers and medics responded to the scene about 9:15 p.m. Thursday near Freeland on South Whidbey, local news media reported.

The bicyclist, a 58-year-old Langley man, was found dead at the scene.

A preliminary investigation found that a 1997 Lexus was heading east when the driver, a 52-year-old Sedro-Woolley man, veered onto the right shoulder and struck the bicyclist.

The State Patrol said alcohol was a factor in the crash. The driver of the Lexus was arrested and booked into the Island County Jail.

Washington jury awards man $36,000 for wrongful death of dog

PASCO - A Washington attorney says his client has been awarded more than $36,000 after his neighbors shot his English springer spaniel.

Attorney Adam Karp said 56-year-old James Anderson of Franklin County, who is disabled, got what may be the largest jury verdict in Washington for the wrongful death of a dog, The Tri-City Herald reported.

Chucky was trained as a hunting dog, but also understood 100 words, could ride on a motorcycle and could climb ladders.

Anderson's neighbors, a husband and wife with two preteen sons, were accused of shooting the dog while trapshooting in March 2014 and concealing it.

Karp's news release said a Franklin county jury ruled in Anderson's favor on Aug. 3. The award included $15,000 for emotional distress.

Oak Harbor police officer arrested in child porn case

OAK HARBOR, Wash. - Authorities say an Oak Harbor police officer has been arrested in a child pornography case.

The FBI said 54-year-old John Little was arrested Thursday night on probable cause related to receiving child pornography.

The FBI said investigators searched Little's Oak Harbor home and arrested him at police headquarters Thursday night.

Little has been with the department since 1989. He has been placed on administrative leave.

Oak Harbor Police said an internal investigation will also be conducted.

He is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court Friday afternoon.

Associated Press