In brief: Mentally ill man’s body recovered

Spokane police recovered the body of a mentally ill man over the weekend after he had gone missing last week.

The body of Patrick Willard, 66, was found under the Monroe Street Bridge on Saturday afternoon. Detectives on Monday were still investigating the death, police said.

Willard suffered from dementia and schizophrenia, officers said. He was last seen Dec. 7 in the 3400 block of East 30th Avenue.

Truck-plow crash witnesses sought

Detectives are looking for witnesses to a fiery fatal crash between a pickup truck and a snowplow on U.S. Highway 195 last week.

William H. Adsit, 49, of Spangle, was killed when his southbound 1994 Ford Ranger crashed into a snowplow truck that was stopped on the shoulder of the outside lane at 8:49 p.m. on Dec. 7.

Reports at the time said the compact truck was speeding south on U.S. 195 when it crashed into the snowplow between Hatch and Mullen Hill roads and exploded into flames.

The Washington State Patrol major accident investigation team is looking for witnesses who saw the collision “or any event leading up to or following the crash,” according to a news release issued Monday.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sgt. Jerry Cooper at (360) 805-1192 or Detective Curt Ladines at (360) 805-1160.

Let moose be, official advises

Moose are starting to wander into Coeur d’Alene in search of ornamental shrubs and other food sources.

People should keep their distance and give the moose a day or two to wander off, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

“Many people expect IDFG to immediately show up and move the moose,” said Mark Rhodes, a district conservation officer. “That sounds far easier than it actually is.”

Drugs administered by a dart to subdue the moose can be fatal if the moose is agitated or its weight is misjudged, he said. Moose can run a long distance through a neighborhood before the drug takes effect. Rhodes said it takes eight people to lift a moose, and the animal has to be transported in a modified horse trailer.

  “Having a moose in town can be novel and interesting, but only for a short time,” said Rhodes, noting that moose can be dangerous if approached.

When moose persist in hanging around, people should call Fish and Game at (208) 769-1414, he said.

Judge upholds law on teens, abortion

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A new state law requiring that parents be notified before a girl younger than 18 can get an abortion will take effect as scheduled today after a judge denied a request to block it.

Superior Court Judge John Suddock on Monday rejected the request from Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest but made some changes to the law, which was approved by voters in August.

The judge removed provisions calling for a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment of up to five years for people who violate the law. He also struck a section allowing physicians to be liable for damages.

Other revisions included a change aimed at making it easier for physicians “or their designee” to notify parents, legal guardians or custodians that a minor is seeking an abortion.

Planned Parenthood said it will continue to challenge the parental notification law in court.