Otter names stimulus panel

Gov. Butch Otter named eight people, including three former governors and five current lobbyists, to a panel that will review proposals from Idaho agencies and companies wanting a share of the federal stimulus package.

They are former Republican Gov. Phil Batt, former Democrat Govs. Cecil Andrus and John Evans, former Republican budget chiefs Mike Brassey, Brian Whitlock and Jeff Malmen, and former Democrat budget chiefs Marty Peterson and Darrell Manning.

Otter has given state agencies until March 4 to submit proposals for Idaho’s share – which could be $1 billion.

Then, the eight-member panel will review them before submitting recommendations …

Gov. Butch Otter named eight people, including three former governors and five current lobbyists, to a panel that will review proposals from Idaho agencies and companies wanting a share of the federal stimulus package.

They are former Republican Gov. Phil Batt, former Democrat Govs. Cecil Andrus and John Evans, former Republican budget chiefs Mike Brassey, Brian Whitlock and Jeff Malmen, and former Democrat budget chiefs Marty Peterson and Darrell Manning.

Otter has given state agencies until March 4 to submit proposals for Idaho’s share – which could be $1 billion.

Then, the eight-member panel will review them before submitting recommendations to Otter by March 19 for a final selection of projects.

Also Thursday, Otter signed a stimulus provision letting the U.S. government add $25 a week to every unemployment benefit check issued through the end of 2009.

Spokane

Sex offender living downtown

A level 3 sex offender is living in downtown Spokane, police said Thursday.

Theodore S. Adolph, 24, was convicted of third-degree child molestation and commun- ication with a minor for immoral purposes, according to police. His victim was an 8-year-old girl, police said.

He was drunk when he committed the crimes “and is a high risk to reoffend if he continues to consume alcohol,” according to police.

Level 3 sex offenders are the classification considered most likely to reoffend. Adolph is not wanted by authorities, but police want people to be aware of his presence.

Seattle

Zoo shut after monkey escapes

Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo was locked down Thursday after a monkey escaped from his pen.

The male Debrazza’s monkey managed to jump out of his outdoor exhibit Thursday morning, prompting zoo officials to shut down the zoo and escort visitors out. No animals, staff or visitors were injured.

Zookeepers quickly spotted the 12-year-old monkey near his exhibit area and tranquilized him with a dart about 45 minutes after he escaped.

From staff and wire reports