National Guard armory under consideration
The Idaho Army National Guard has started discussions with Bonner County to build an armory near this North Idaho town.
The National Guard wants to build a 33,000-square-foot Sandpoint Readiness Center at either the Sandpoint Airport or the Bonner County sheriff’s complex.
County commissioners are interested in the armory because it could also hold some county operations, such as public works, emergency management and law enforcement. The facility would have room for a water treatment and transportation detachment of 55 soldiers.
“Our goal is to recruit locally,” said Brig. Gen. Alan Gayhart, deputy commanding general of the Idaho Army National Guard.
The military portion of the project is estimated to cost $5.2 million, and would be paid for by state and federal agencies. The guard is asking the county for a 50-year lease, which would include token annual payments of $1.
– Associated Press
Roseburg, Ore.
Body in river identified as missing student’s
The body found on the North Umpqua River last week has been identified as Jeffrey Schmidt, of Medford, the Oregon State University student missing since his vehicle ran off a highway and into the river in November.
Friends in Corvallis reported Schmidt and his girlfriend, Quinn Do Truong, 20, of Tigard, missing Nov. 20 after they failed to return from a fraternity and sorority event at Diamond Lake Lodge.
Truong’s body was recovered at the time, as was the Jeep the two had been traveling in, but searchers said Schmidt had apparently been swept downstream.
Forest workers doing a float survey discovered the body Thursday near Horseshoe Bend Campground, about a mile from the crash site. The state’s medical examiner identified Schmidt from dental records.
Schmidt, 22, was a geography major and member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
Lt. Gregg Hastings of the Oregon State Police said Sunday the cause of the accident has not yet been determined.
– Associated Press
Boise
Lawmaker foresees energy boon for Idaho
Idaho stands to create hundreds of jobs and make millions of dollars if the nation were to adopt a new energy plan to spur alternative fuel sources, a lawmaker from Washington state said.
U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., speaking at the Idaho Democratic Party’s annual Frank Church Banquet on Saturday, said a plan he is introducing in Congress could help Idaho because of the state’s ability to produce wheat and harness wind power.
“Idaho has a tremendous potential for an energy revolution that will replace some of the losses they’ve had in timber and mining if we have the right policies,” Inslee said.
He said tax and financial incentives in the New Apollo Energy Act would spur alternative energy sources, including wind and cellulosic ethanol, made from wheat straw.
– Associated Press