Holiday brings host of closures

Because 2006 started on a Sunday, many closures and service disruptions for New Year’s Day will come today.

Here’s a look at what’s open and closed:

“Government offices – Closed today

“Garbage pickup – Delayed one day in Spokane County. No change in Kootenai County

“Postal service – Express mail delivered today. No regular service today

“Parking – No meter enforcement today in downtown Spokane

“Buses – Spokane Transit will operate on a Sunday schedule today

“Libraries – Closed today

“Liquor stores – State-operated stores closed today

“North Idaho College, until Tuesday.

All Kootenai County city and rural garbage pickup will not be affected for the week.

Assistance offered to smokers looking to quit

With new state limits on smoking, more people may be trying to kick their habit.

Emily Fleury, a health educator with Community Health and Education Resources, said free classes are available in January for people trying to quit.

“A lot of people set that as their resolution,” she said.

Fleury said smokers should remove the ashtrays from their homes and talk to their physicians.

Programs through public heath specialists can provide support and answer questions:

“Community Health and Education Resources will start support classes Thursday. For more information call (509) 232-8138.

“ The Washington State Department of Health offers a toll-free tobacco quit line at (877) 270-STOP, or at (877) 2NO-FUME for Spanish.

More information can be found at www.quitline.com.

Smokers can also talk to their doctors about nicotine substitutes or withdrawal issues.

Sandpoint man dies of crash injuries

A 54-year-old Sandpoint man died Sunday morning of injuries he received Friday in a car accident on U.S. Highway 2.

Ronald Lee Collins was driving westbound on Highway 2 near Dover, Idaho, when he attempted to pass another vehicle, the Idaho State Police said. His 1995 Chevy Blazer hit a patch of ice, spun off the roadway and rolled multiple times down an embankment. Collins, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle. The accident occurred about 4 a.m. Friday.

Collins was taken by ambulance to Bonner General Hospital, then airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Two Colfax residents sought by police

Colfax police are searching for two people allegedly involved in a marijuana-growing operation and an assault Saturday afternoon.

The investigation began at about 4:40 p.m., when two people told police they had been pushed and threatened by Kenneth S. Haggith, who had what appeared to be a handgun.

The incident happened outside Haggith’s home at 812 N. Main in Colfax, according to a news release from the Police Department. The victims told police they had tried to talk to Haggith about money he owes them for rental items.

When officers arrived at the house, they noticed a strong marijuana odor, according to the news release.

They interviewed Haggith’s wife, Angela Haggith, who told them Kenneth was not at home.

Police later obtained a search warrant for the weapon and asked Angela Haggith and two children to leave the house. Officers found 32 marijuana plants in the basement along with drug-related equipment.

They also found an additional 30 plants had recently been harvested.

Kenneth and Angela Haggith, both 32, have since disappeared. Kenneth Haggith is white, about 6 feet tall, 190 pounds and has brown eyes. Angela Haggith is white, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 120 pounds and has brown eyes. She is believed to be pregnant. “The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous,” a news release said.

Anyone with information is asked to call their local police department.