SHOSHONE COUNTY, Idaho — Shoshone County voters rejected a public safety levy this week, forcing the sheriff's office to consider significant cuts to staff and services as the agency struggles with hundreds of thousands of dollars in budget shortfalls.

The sheriff's office turned to voters for additional funding after the county commissioners cut a chunk of its funding earlier this year.

"It's disappointing," said Clint Knowels, who has lived in Shoshone County for over 30 years. "We're in dire need of more funds for our public services."

The levy failure comes as the rural north Idaho county grapples with drug trafficking along Interstate 90.

"Having I-90 going right through your county, particularly a rural one, it's hard to staff the resources and fund the resources to properly comb

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