In brief: Overheight truck damages overpass

An overheight truck damaged an Interstate 90 overpass near Easton early Wednesday morning, and the Washington State Department of Transportation is detouring traffic around the damage as a safety precaution.

The eastbound lanes of I-90 at the overpass are closed and may remain closed until Friday. The overpass is also closed. Westbound I-90 traffic is unaffected.

The overheight load hit the overpass about 4 a.m., knocking pieces of concrete onto the freeway.

– Amy Cannata

Coeur d’Alene

Malnourished horses seized; 2 animals dead

Two dead horses and eight other horses showing signs of malnourishment were discovered in recent days by animal control officers with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department, according to a statement issued by Capt. Ben Wolfinger.

The horses were discovered Oct. 24 after officials obtained a warrant to search the old Coeur d’Alene Auction Yards on Seltice Way near Atlas Road.

After finding the dead and malnourished animals, officials gave the owners guidelines on proper nourishment. Five days later, on a follow-up visit, the officers decided the recommendations were not being followed and seized the animals, Wolfinger said.

In addition, officers found two other dead horses at another location near Stateline that’s associated with the former Coeur d’Alene Auction Yards.

The names of the owners are not being released until decisions are made on whether to file criminal charges, Wolfinger said.

– James Hagengruber