In brief: Governor extends East Side burn ban

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire has extended the burn ban east of the Cascade crest for another week to help with fire containment efforts.

Outdoor burning is prohibited in all counties east of the mountains through midnight Sunday, Oct. 7.

She extended the ban because of a weather forecast calling for more warm and dry conditions.

Gregoire said she doesn’t want to lose the momentum fire crews have right now as they gain control over several large wildfires near Yakima.

The burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including campfires, bonfires, yard debris clean-up and fireworks.

Girl, 11, dies after fall from bus window

PORTLAND – Portland police say an 11-year-old girl has died after falling out of a party bus window in downtown Portland.

The bus was carrying about 20 kids to a quinceañera party where they were going to meet their families. The girl fell out of an emergency window on the bus around 6:30 p.m. when it turned from Southwest First Avenue onto Southwest Harrison Street.

Police spokesman Robert King said the force of the girl’s body against the window during the turn caused her to fall out. She died at the scene of her injuries.

The waiting families were immediately notified and came to the scene of the accident.

King said the driver of the bus cooperated with police and there was no indication that alcohol was involved in the accident.

Ketchum, Sun Valley spar over marketing

KETCHUM, Idaho – A plan to pitch the central Idaho resort area of Ketchum and Sun Valley to tourists has strained relations between the two towns, with some officials finding it hard to be in the same room.

Several Sun Valley City Council members say they no longer want to meet with the Ketchum City Council for progress reports on the marketing partnership.

Council President Bob Youngman went a step further, vowing Thursday to boycott future joint meetings.

Ketchum Mayor Randy Hall shot back, saying Sun Valley officials should be embarrassed by their behavior during the venture.

The partnership was forged in 2010, with each town spending $400,000 that year to promote the region. But the relationship has since frayed, with Sun Valley lowering its financial commitment.