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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Car Crash Cover-Up Just A Rural Rumor

D.F. Oliveria The Spokesman-Revi

Rumor Control: On Election Eve ‘96, rumors swirled in Democratic circles that state Rep. Jeff Alltus, R-Hayden Lake, had covered up a mid-October vehicle accident. But crashgate this was not. Indeed, Alltus and former CIA agent Dave Cope of Harrison had crashed into each other on a U.S. Forest Service road in the St. Joe area. Seems Cope was returning from a hunting trip when he rounded a curve going uphill. Alltus was headed downhill. Their cars collided, causing minor damage to each. Afterward, the two exchanged insurance information but said little else. Each thought the other had been going too fast for conditions. Now, Cope said he’s considering filing a small-claims suit against Alltus to recover his $500 deductible. Stay tuned.

Down but not out

Larry Watson was surprised to be awakened Election Day-Plus-One by well-wishers offering condolences. Seems the Coeur d’Alene Press had projected that morning that he’d lost to state Rep. Tom Dorr, R-Post Falls, and KVNI radio had repeated Brand X’s error. Larry, however, had waited at the Shoshone County Courthouse until the Democratic half of his district boosted him to victory. So, he sputtered to callers: “But I won!” … Lynne Hutton, the eternal Democrat, never gives up. That explains why she phoned in this bumpersnicker: “Vote Republican: It’s easier than thinking.” … Attorney Phil Robinson wasted little time changing the message on his answering machine. On the morning after, the recording said: “You have reached prosecutor-elect Phil Robinson …” No, Prosecutor-reject Tevis Hull didn’t call to offer best wishes.

Gender imbalance

What’s wrong with this picture? Before home basketball games, my bloodhounds say, the North Idaho College men’s team is treated to made-to-order steaks and baked potatoes - complete with trimmings and special table settings. And the women’s team? The Lady Cardinals settle for burgers at the student union. Hmmm. … Dick Hollenbeck, announcer for Bonners Ferry High football games, drew chuckles during the A-2 playoff between the Badgers and Middleton when he explained the reason for a penalty: “Illegal receiver downtown.” He was wrong, of course. The high school field is south of downtown Bonners Ferry. … Anyone who’s ever traveled U.S. 95 south from here with kids knows there’s a rest area on this side of Moscow. Only now, the remaining half of the information sign says simply, “area.” If the need was urgent enough, I suppose, any “area” along 95 would be adequate.

Huckleberries

Bumpersnicker spotted by S-R photographer Jesse Tinsley: “The lottery: A tax on those who are bad at math.” … After reading about the granny who got popped for putting nickels in expired parking meters: Moscow subscriber Tim Haakenson e-mailed: “Wouldn’t that make us all guilty then? Ninety-nine percent of the time I put money in a parking meter that reads, ‘Expired.’ Does that mean we can only park legally when the person before us leaves extra time on the meter?” Good question. … New signs on the overpass at the Cataldo mission and on Highway 3 near Rose Lake greet travelers: “Entering the Silver Valley.” Or are they warnings? … Barbara Thomas of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory headquarters in Chico, Calif., must have made an impression with Coeur d’Alene chamber manager Pat McGaughey. She addressed a news release advertising a new Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory at the Factory Outlet Mall to the Coer D’Alene chamber and Pat McGoy (which is how Pat pronounces but not spells his name).

Parting shot

Speaking of misspellings, you folks have taken liberties with my surname. During the political season, I was bombarded with letters that spelled it all kinds of ways, including “Alevera” and “Oliviera.” The most common misspelling? “Olivera.” I know. I know. It sounds that way. But the last “i” is silent like the “p” in swimming.

, DataTimes MEMO: Gotta Huckleberry? Call the Huckleberry Hound Hotline: (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125; daveo@spokesman.com.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria The Spokesman-Review

Gotta Huckleberry? Call the Huckleberry Hound Hotline: (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125; daveo@spokesman.com.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria The Spokesman-Review