In brief: Wolf, two pups captured, tagged and released

An adult male wolf was captured and outfitted with a satellite-tracking collar in northern Pend Oreille County Friday.

The collar will help state biologists monitor Washington’s second confirmed wolf pack, which has been named the “Diamond Pack.”

The 105-pound wolf is believed to be the pack’s alpha male. Two pups were also caught, outfitted with ear tags and released.

The wolves were caught in padded leg traps. State biologists had been monitoring the undisclosed area for several weeks, after motion-sensor cameras picked up the image of a lactating female.

Biologists don’t know how large the pack is, said Kevin Robinette, a regional manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in Spokane. Four pups, already coyote-size, were on a recent picture taken by the motion-sensor camera.

A trapper from Idaho Fish and Game helped with Friday’s capture.

Last year, Washington’s first breeding pair of wolves since the 1930s was confirmed in western Okanogan County.

Faith healer gets 60 days

OREGON CITY, Ore. – An Oregon City man convicted of criminal mistreatment in the faith-healing death of his toddler daughter was sentenced Friday to 60 days in jail and ordered to provide medical care for his other children.

Carl Brent Worthington and his wife and co-defendant, Raylene, must choose a pediatrician to care for their 5-year-old daughter and the child the couple are expecting soon.

The couple must allow regular checkups and treatment, along with allowing the doctor and school officials to consult with the probation officer for Carl Worthington for the duration of his sentence.

The conditions were set by Judge Steven Maurer, who also sentenced Worthington to five years on probation.

A jury convicted Carl Worthington of the misdemeanor charge of criminal mistreatment after acquitting the couple of felony manslaughter charges in the March 2008 death of their 15-month-old daughter, Ava, from pneumonia and a related blood infection that could easily have been cured with antibiotics.

Raylene Worthington was acquitted of the mistreatment charge but the jury forewoman said afterward that was because Carl Worthington was responsible for making decisions in their family.

The couple belong to the Followers of Christ Church in Oregon City, which avoids doctors in favor of spiritual healing.

Science center exhibit opens

A temporary, free exhibit opening today in Spokane offers a glimpse of the planned new Mobius Science Center, set to break ground in 2011.

MobiusLab at NorthTown Mall, designed for ages 8 and older, features an interactive exhibit designed to customize the visitor experience. On-screen talking avatars greet visitors by name and can paraphrase the exhibit content.

Exhibits focus on sound, energy, magnets and more. Each requires users to interact with the lab to see how science works. The exhibits are similar to displays that will be available at Mobius Science Center, which will be built downtown on the north bank of the Spokane River.

Mobius Science Center will open in fall 2012. The project is projected to cost $29.5 million.

MobiusLab will be open about two months.

Freya bridge closure arrives

A reminder for Spokane drivers: Starting at 7 tonight the Freya Street Bridge will be closed to all traffic for the next year.

The bridge – bridges, actually – will be demolished and replaced by a single span expected to open next summer.

Motorists will be detoured around the closure to Broadway Avenue, Fancher Road and Trent Avenue. Freya Street will remain open to local traffic, allowing access to the businesses along the project.

Food bank’s van burns

Coeur d’Alene’s food bank lost its 1989 Dodge van and 500 loaves of bread Thursday when the vehicle caught fire.

“It was an old clunker – with well over 100,000 miles – but it filled the gap,” said Angie Lee, the Community Action Partnership’s food bank manager.

The driver was returning from Bimbo’s Bakery in Spokane, which is the food bank’s largest weekly bread donor. After he parked the van to run an errand in Post Falls, the driver noticed smoke coming from under the hood.

No one was hurt in the fire, which officials believe was caused by a fuel leak.

Lee said the food bank will hold a fundraiser for a replacement van. “We’re looking at around $10,000 in order to get something reliable,” she said.

Donations for a new van can be sent to the Community Action Partnership Food Bank, 4942 Industrial Ave. East, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815. They should be designated “van donation.”