January 14, 2010 in City

Region in brief: Idaho panel votes to criticize health bills

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BOISE – A joint legislative task force split 7-5 on Wednesday in favor of condemning congressional health care reform legislation and backing Idaho Gov. Butch Otter’s vow to sue, if necessary, to block it.

State Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, co-chairman of the Health Care Task Force, proposed the resolution, saying he was “appalled” at what he said were constitutional violations and potential high costs to Idahoans in both the House and Senate versions of reform bills. Idaho’s congressional delegation voted against the federal measures.

House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, a physician and former insurance executive, dubbed the resolution “premature” since no final version of the bill is out. State Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene, voted with the majority in condemning the federal plans, while two Democrats and three Republicans opposed it. The resolution will now be sent to lawmakers with a recommendation that they pass it.

Men get probation, fines for killing grizzly

Two men who killed a grizzly bear in Pend Oreille County are prohibited from hunting for two years and will be on probation for five years, a federal judge ruled this week.

Brandon D. Rodeback, 26, and Kurtis L. Cox, 30, of Moses Lake, killed the bear Oct. 1, 2007, while hunting in a designated grizzly bear recovery zone near Ione.

They skinned and buried the bear in Moses Lake. A tip to authorities led to federal charges in July.

The men, who told authorities they thought the animal was a black bear, pleaded guilty Monday to transporting wildlife against federal law, a misdemeanor.

In addition to probation and forfeiture of hunting rights, Rodeback and Cox will pay a $3,000 fine and $14,857 to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for endangered species recovery projects, according to court documents.

Would-be robber leaves empty-handed

Spokane sheriff’s deputies searched Wednesday morning for an armed robber who attempted to hold up a fast-food restaurant at Division Street and Hawthorne Road about 7 a.m.

The man was armed with a silver handgun and fled the Jack in the Box, 5 W. Hawthorne Road, on foot.

He entered the restaurant, confronted a female employee and demanded money, but the worker turned and ran to a back room. The robber confronted a second employee, but she, too, ran in back. The employees watched on video as the empty-handed suspect fled on foot, said Sgt. Dave Reagan.

The man was white, in his 20s, 5-foot-10 and skinny. He had on a gray or black hooded jacket, light-colored rubber gloves, blue jeans and possibly boots. He wore a dark bandanna over his face and had makeup drawn around his eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.

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