Huckleberries Best of the INorthwest — 2/16/07

Model Megan Hauserman, left, and Helena (Mont.) native and Harvard graduate Alan ”Scooter” Zackheim, are seen during during final talent showcase and final vote for the winner on “Beauty and the Geek.” Zackheim and Hauserman won the $250,000 prize in the third season of the CW Network show. Helena Independent Record: Showing geekness is cool here/AP Photo.

Eye On Boise: Trouble brewing for vote-by-mail bill here?

1. A Sunday morning incident in which Pullman police officers used a TASER to subdue a black athlete from the University of Idaho has renewed controversy over the Pullman Police Department’s methods here. UI Argonaut story here.

2. The autographed football that arrived at the offices of the Salish Kootenai College Foundation last fall was one of a few items donated by professional sports teams for the school’s annual scholarship auction. But as the National Football League season went on, the ball became more and more valuable. By Feb. 4 the ball, signed by the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts, became the centerpiece of this spring’s auction for the college on the Flathead Indian Reservation here.

3, The presence of wolves in and around Yellowstone National Park has led to changes in elk breeding patterns, likely a significant factor in the decline in elk populations, a study published Friday concludes here. Related: Wolves kill hunting dogs in North Idaho here. And: Photos of wolf pack chasing moose are from Michigan, not Idaho, here.

4. Simon Cowell told the world that Seattle has the shallowest talent pool “American Idol” has ever waded through — but five singers who auditioned here made it to the talent competition’s semifinals here.

5. Idaho football coach Robb Akey lived up to his billing as a coach committed to the Vandals.
Akey has agreed to a five-year contract with the Vandals that includes a $1 million buyout if he leaves on or before Jan. 1, 2009 here. Also: UI Vandals want to spend $1.6 million on plans for new athletic/events center here. And: BSU coach Chris Peterson agrees to 5-year, $4.25M contract here.

6. IMHO-NW: Frank McGovern/UI Argonaut (Die, robot, and the Snickers kiss), David Johnson/Lewiston Tribune (A zookeeper on the Clearwater River), Dan Hammes/St. Maries Gazette Record (Don’t believe your calendars), Ginny McConnell/Moscow-Pullman Daily News (Love, love, crazy love), and Idaho Statesman (Open Meeting bill is good government).

Online Poll: 92% of 796 respondents to an Idaho Statesman poll said the media coverage of Anna Nicole Smith’s death was “too much.”

*Idahoan sez Nissan cars overstate miles driven to shorten warranty period here.

*BYU-Idaho students charged with stealing textbooks here.

*Ex-Eddie Bauer CEO gets $4.5M golden parachute here.

Orbusmax Special: Smoker who orders cigarettes online gets $8000 comeuppance from state of Washington here.