Parting Shot: Is he back yet? 4
Thor and Milo ponder the return (fate?) of professed cat-hater, Dave Oliveria, following vaction days 122-125.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 1, 2015
Idaho Panhandle Forest restrictions continue through Labor Day 1
Some 70 fires are burning 80,000 acres on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, and many areas will remain closed to public access over the Labor Day weekend.
Haggen sues Albertsons for $1 billion, alleging sabotage 7
The supermarket battle between Haggen and Albertsons is getting uglier. Haggen, based in Bellingham, sued Albertsons for allegedly engaging in “systematic efforts” to eliminate it as a competitor in five states, including California.
Whatcha reading? 3
I'm really enjoying Ann Pachett's collection of essays. She's one of my favorite authors.
Teens face jail for private "sexts" 10
Fayetteville, North Carolina, cops have charged 17-year-old Cormega Copening with sexual exploitation of a minor—his girlfriend, who is the same age—because the couple sent each other nude photos of themselves during their relationship.
Oil sheen on St. Joe closes down boating access
An oil sheen on 1.5 miles of the St. Joe River is restricting boating traffic at the Aqua Park beach and boat launch in St. Maries. “As a precaution, we are asking people to avoid the area,” said St. Maries Fire Chief Larry Naccarato. “Please avoid any contact with nearby water.” The oil sheen was report Monday morning. The boat launch and park have been shut down until further notice.
Miley Cyrus’ VMA flash little cause for shock 14
Janet Jackson exposed a breast on national television a decade ago, and it sparked national outrage. Miley Cyrus’ flash barely caused a shrug. Cyrus’ exposure came near the end of Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards. She peeked her head out from behind a black curtain that covered up all but her head, then the curtain slipped to briefly reveal a bare breast.
Personal assistant offended by National Dog Day 8
Milo went on strike last week to protest National Dog Day. He felt the proliferation of dog photos on the Internet created a hostile working environment.
Four pronghorns run down by poachers in Idaho 6
Somebody used a vehicle to run down four pronghorns in an agricultural field west of Mud Lake, bordering the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), south of State Highway 33 just after midnight on Aug. 27. Three does and a fawn were killed.
More than 240 arrested in California immigration sting 10
LOS ANGELES – Immigration agents arrested more than 240 people with criminal records during a four-day sting in Southern California, authorities said Monday in a show of force that comes as fewer people are being deported.
Officer shooting prompts manhunt in Illinois 21
FOX LAKE, Ill. — Police in northern Illinois say a manhunt is underway after an officer was shot and killed. Lake County Undersheriff Raymond Rose says the officer was pursuing people described as suspicious when he was shot and killed in Fox Lake, 55 miles north of Chicago.
European settlers renamed many Washington mountains, too 3
If President Barack Obama starts a trend to change the name of a mountain back to the one used by a region’s original inhabitants, there’s plenty of possibilities in Washington state. European late-comers to the Northwest made it a habit of sticking new names on many of the state’s peaks, from Mount Spokane to Mount Rainier.
Spokane school year begins amid fears of teachers strike
On Monday, Hy Yoeun dropped off her second-grader, Alex, at Bemiss Elementary. "He didn’t want the summer to be over,” Yoeun said. If things go poorly over the next few days, Alex might get a little more summer. Has your family ever been impacted by a teacher's strike?
Proposed Idaho initiative would raise cigarette tax, lower college tuition 9
BOISE - A group launched by former college friends is pitching a 2016 ballot initiative to raise Idaho’s cigarette tax by $1.50 a pack, and use the money to lower tuition at the state’s public colleges and universities.
RIP Wayne Dyer 7
LOS ANGELES – Wayne W. Dyer, who became the pied piper of the self-help movement with the 1976 publication of his runaway best-seller, “Your Erroneous Zones: Step-By-Step Advice for Escaping the Trap of Negative Thinking and Taking Control of Your Life,” has died at age 75.
Hunter recovering after grizzly attack in eastern Idaho 2
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — An archery hunter is recovering after being attacked in Idaho by a grizzly bear with three cubs. Wildlife officials say they could find no signs the bear had been wounded when the hunter fired at it with a .44-caliber handgun.
Found $20 buys lottery winner worth $1M 4
Am I the only one who's never bought a lottery ticket? A Bay Area bartender is flying high after he won $1 million with a $20 bill he found outside San Francisco International Airport. California lottery officials say the man, Hubert Tang, was outside the airport Wednesday when he found the bill, which he used to buy a pair of scratchers at a market in Millbrae
Supreme Court rules against Kentucky clerk in gay marriage case 24
MOREHEAD, Ky. – The Supreme Court on Monday ruled against the Kentucky county clerk who has refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses, and the clerk will arrive at work this morning to face her moment of truth. Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis will have to choose whether to issue marriage licenses, defying her Christian conviction, or continue to refuse them, defying a federal judge who could punish her with fines or order that she be hauled off to jail.
Labrador to oppose Iran nuke deal 8
Idaho 1st District GOP Rep. Raul Labrador announced today that he’ll oppose the nuclear agreement that President Obama negotiated with Iran. In mid-July, when the deal first was announced, Idaho Sen. Jim Risch immediately came out against it, calling it “horribly flawed,” while Labrador, Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo and 2nd District Rep. Mike Simpson expressed deep skepticism, but said they’d scrutinize it.
Tuesday Wild Card 9.1.15 2
September is here and with it brings DFO's return to the blog, tomorrow. Yes, that means he's facing another grueling 3-day work week. Must be nice. I think I'll look for some kitty photos to post to welcome him back to the blog.
WSU instructors under fire for trying to ban words — including “male” and “female” 15
PULLMAN – Three Washington State University instructors are being accused of violating students’ First Amendment rights by banning terms like “illegal alien,” “male” and “female” in the classroom. Students were told they would risk losing points or failing a class if they repeatedly use terms deemed oppressive or hateful in discussions or assignments.
ignite cda responds to Sen. Souza 12
The Cda Press reports Tony Berns, the executive director of ignite cda, the city of Coeur d'Alene's urban renewal agency, responded to Sen. Mary Souza's Aug. 19 questions about the agency's new name and its public relations campaign. Berns repeatedly says, "ignite cda views this initiative as a communication outreach effort not a public relations campaign...." Do you see a major difference between "communications outreach effort" and PR campaign?
Judge backs anti-abortion group in birth control challenge 4
WASHINGTON – A federal judge on Monday sided with an anti-abortion group in its challenge of a key birth control provision of the Obama administration’s health care overhaul. The decision from U.S. District Judge Richard Leon adds to the legal debate surrounding the law’s requirement that contraceptives for women be included among a range of cost-free, preventive benefits offered to employees.
Why do children die? New Idaho team searches for links 3
BURLEY, Idaho – The death of any child warrants a closer look to search for ways to keep Idaho’s children safer. And there are many, the new Idaho Child Fatality Review Team concluded this spring.
Wheelchair access installed at City Beach 4
COEUR d'ALENE - A wheelchair to the beach? Down to the shoreline? Yes, actually, at City Beach. Such access had been requested over the years in Coeur d'Alene, and it finally became a reality Monday.
D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.