300 Army reservists leaving for Iraq
About 300 Idaho Army Reserve soldiers depart this weekend for hazardous duty in Iraq, where they’ll spend the year clearing roadside bombs that have been responsible for hundreds of U.S. troop deaths and injuries.
“This mission is obviously crucial,” 321st Engineer Battalion Capt. John Vogt said. “The (roadside bombs) are the leading cause of casualties over there.”
The soldiers have been training in Missouri and Wisconsin this summer, learning urban warfare tactics and how to spot and remove roadside bombs, Vogt said. The Idaho soldiers, along with 300 soldiers from other states, are bound for western Iraq, though for their safety their exact destination hasn’t been disclosed.
In addition to Boise, the battalion has companies in Hayden Lake and Ogden, Utah.
In mid-July, about 60 Army reservists from North Idaho and Spokane attached to the battalion’s B Company deployed to Iraq. They were among about 350 soldiers with the 321st who headed to the Middle East July 17.
– Staff and wire reports
HAILEY, Idaho
Highway flagger sues 1960s pop star
A 1960s pop star who rode the British Invasion to U.S. fame for his songs “Teenage Failure” and “Rest in Peace” has been sued by an Idaho highway flagger who says he smacked her with his car while driving through a construction zone.
Chad Stuart, 65, the guitar-playing half of the duo “Chad and Jeremy,” in August agreed to a plea-bargain arrangement in Blaine County under which he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failure to give immediate notice of an accident.
Stuart, who lives in Hailey where he sometimes plays benefit shows, originally faced felony charges of aggravated battery and leaving the scene of an injury accident.
The lawsuit filed by Barbara Chandler of Twin Falls seeks at least $10,000 in damages, claiming “injuries to her body” that caused pain and suffering, loss of sleep and enjoyment, and required medical attention.
– Associated Press
Region
More showers expected today
The Inland Northwest’s long hot summer turned distinctly fall-like with highs of 52 in Spokane and 54 in Coeur d’Alene on Thursday following highs in the 80s on Tuesday.
Cool weather and showers are expected again today as an upper-level low pressure area moves across the Pacific Northwest. Milder weather with clouds is expected over the weekend.
The combination of showers and higher humidity aided firefighters trying to contain large wildfires in Washington. “This is a help,” said forecaster Laurie Koch of the National Weather Service in Spokane. She said any thunderstorms should be accompanied by showers.
The Tripod Complex fire in Okanogan County was reportedly 70 percent contained at 172,900 acres. The Columbia Complex fire near Dayton was 80 percent contained at 107,720 acres, officials said.
The forecast high for today is 56 in both Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, rising to the low 60s on Saturday and upper 60s on Sunday. Lows at night are expected to remain well above freezing in the upper 30s to low 40s. The normal temperatures for mid-September are 73 for a high and 46 for a low in Spokane.
– Mike Prager