Idaho

‘Recovery is possible’: Idaho State Police celebrate diversion program graduate

Published

2 years ago

August 23, 2024

‘Recovery is possible’: Idaho State Police celebrate diversion program graduate

COEUR d’ALENE — For a person recovering from substance use disorder, a year of sobriety is made up of countless moments of courage and resilience.

That’s how case manager Teighan Moore put it Thursday, as she gathered at the Idaho State Police District 1 office with police officers, attorneys, judges and others to celebrate a community member graduating from Idaho Law Enforcement Diversion, or ILED.

The program is a statewide coalition of local initiatives that divert low-level, nonviolent offenders into substance use treatment instead of taking them to jail. Thursday’s graduate, who has not been named publicly, is the second Kootenai County resident to complete ILED.

“Sobriety is not an easy path and it takes immense determination to overcome the challenges that come with it,” Moore told the graduate. “You have faced those challenges head on, inspiring many with your commitment to change and grow. Your journey is a beacon of hope to others who are struggling, showing them that recovery is possible and that a brighter future awaits.”

Sgt. Ron Sutton read aloud a letter from the trooper who referred the graduate to ILED one year ago.

“I just want you to know that I’m very proud of you,” the letter said in part. “You had to do a lot of hard work to get where you are today. It’s not always easy when you are struggling with addiction, but you did it. You overcame and for that, I am proud of you and happy for you and your family.”

The graduate smiled as he looked out at the room full of people who had helped him along the way.

“Thank you, everybody,” he said. “This was a great program.”

Brandi Clark, an addiction recovery coach at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, said ILED gives law enforcement another tool to combat the opioid crisis in North Idaho.

“The goal we have as a team is to see people achieve recovery,” she said.

The program has strict eligibility requirements, resulting in a small number of referrals. Those committing violent crimes and crimes involving firearms are not eligible for ILED. Trafficking, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and driving under the influence are ineligible offenses.

Participants must be adults who have no felony convictions within the past 10 years. They must not be on probation or parole. Sex offenders and individuals who are subject to a no-contact order or civil protection order are not eligible. Referrals are voluntary.

The program fills a gap in services, Clark said. Kootenai County has specialty courts offering voluntary, post-conviction programs for controlled substance offenders, but those programs are geared toward people who have a history of legal problems. ILED provides a path for low-level offenders, giving them an opportunity to get on a different path.

In Kootenai County, ISP and the Rathdrum Police Department have adopted the program. The Coeur d’Alene Police Department is also expected to join, with officers having the option to refer misdemeanor drug-related offenders to ILED.

Chief deputy city attorney Ryan Hunter said the program will affect whole communities, not just individual participants.

“This is not just a change in our graduate,” he said. “It breaks a cycle that is generational.”

Clark said it’s gratifying to see the program’s second graduation.

“It feels like such a huge victory, not only for our team but for the program moving forward,” she said. “If it helps at least one person, then we’ve done the right thing. Now we’re onto two, with more people still in the program.”

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Idaho

Fire damages sheds, power lines near W. Idaho Ave in Ontario

Published

5 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Fire damages sheds, power lines near W. Idaho Ave in Ontario

ONTARIO, Oregon — A fire in a lot near W. Idaho Ave and South Oregon Street in Ontario has visibly damaged sheds and power lines.

Idaho News 6 arrived at the scene Sunday morning at around 12 p.m., finding nearby sheds across a fence line scorched, but standing. Power lines appeared to be damaged in the blaze.

No fire, police, or EMS were still on scene, and there were no surrounding road closures.

Idaho News 6 has reached out to officials and is awaiting additional information.

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Idaho

Volunteers camp out to take part in the Succor Creek Clean-Up in the Owyhees

Published

1 day ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Volunteers camp out to take part in the Succor Creek Clean-Up in the Owyhees

ADRIAN, Oregon — The Friends of the Owyhee organized a clean-up in Malheur County in Oregon, and volunteers came out to pick up trash and get rid of abandoned campers.

“We had two abandoned RV’S and a camper that were abandoned out on public lands,” said Tim Davis, who runs the Friends of the Owyhee. “They were sitting there for upwards of a year, and it is really clear that it is hard to get rid of these.”

WATCH| Check out the video to see volunteers demolish a camper—

Volunteers camp out for the Succor Creek Clean-Up in the Owyhees

Davis worked with the local sheriff’s office and the BLM to remove the campers, but he found it difficult because there was no place to take these recreational vehicles. The Gambler 500, an off-road group, brought out some people to demolish a camper with an excavator.

“That is awesome to see the turnout with the army of volunteers we have today,” said Brian Arndt of the Gambler 500 group. “We are going to be able to get the camper all in the dumpster, get it cleaned down to the frame, and then everything that can be recycled will be recycled.”

Volunteers camped out on Succor Creek Road on Friday night so they could get an early start on Saturday. Many volunteers will camp out again on Saturday night and finish the clean-up on Sunday.

“Malheur is the 12th largest county in the United States, and it’s 74 percent public land,” said Davis. “We have very few resources with the BLM; they are understaffed, they have one rec planner right now, so us, as public land owners, should be able to step up and keep this place clean.”

Lela Blizzard works as the lone recreational planner for the Vail District of the BLM, who says most sites have signs that say pack it in and pack it out. She says the BLM really needs the cooperation of the public because of how large it is, and she was happy to see how many volunteers showed up.

“I just want to tell them thank you because I know they are taking time out of their weekend to come out here to help us make sure the land continues to look nice for everyone who comes out to enjoy it,” said Blizzard.

Volunteers covered a lot of ground during this event

Griz Ward is one of the volunteers, and he enjoyed camping out, but he also would like to see people pick up after themselves. When it comes to outdoor recreation, it is so important to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

“If you come out here and play in the area, be respectful,” said Ward. “Pack it in and pack it out, leave no trace and do the right thing, or frankly, stay home.”

The Succor Creek Clean-Up also received a lot of support from the Treasure Valley, as they got donations from the Ontario Sanitation Service with the dumpsters, Tates Rents with the excavator, and United with porta-potties for the campsite.

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