In brief: Warm weather delays resorts’ opening
A warm Thanksgiving has put the planned openings of three Inland Northwest ski resorts on hold.
49 Degrees North Mountain Resort east of Chewelah announced Friday that it would not open Friday as planned or today.
Lookout Pass reversed plans to open Friday but said it could open today. Check its website, skilookout.com, for more information.
The website for Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg, said its planned opening today was “on hold,” depending on snowfall overnight. Check www.silvermt.com for more information.
Of the five Inland Northwest ski hills, only Schweitzer Mountain Resort near Sandpoint has opened for the season.
Rock slide closes busy railroad connection
BONNERS FERRY – A rock slide has closed a main BNSF Railway connection between Washington state and Idaho.
A large slide 14 miles east of Bonners Ferry covered the tracks about 12:30 p.m. Friday, said BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas. Amtrak passenger trains running from Seattle and Portland to Chicago have been halted for 48 hours. Freight traffic also has been temporarily suspended.
Melonas says about 20 railway personnel along with heavy equipment have been brought in to clear the debris.
Poisoning suspected in crows’ deaths
PORTLAND – Authorities say corn was in the stomachs of two dozen crows and it was likely tainted, causing their deaths in downtown Portland this week.
The birds were likely poisoned intentionally, although tests on the corn are not yet complete, according to a report by the Oregonian.
Passers-by began calling authorities on Wednesday morning to report dead or dying crows flopping on the ground and suffering from seizures.
Portland Audubon Society conservation director Bob Sallinger said the flocks of hundreds or thousands of crows draw attention downtown.
Sallinger said his suspicion is supported by the fact that corn is not usually found in an urban environment.
If a poisoning is confirmed, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will investigate.
Ticketless 49ers fan appeals dismissal
SEATTLE – A San Francisco 49ers fan who sued the NFL, the Seattle Seahawks and Ticketmaster because he was barred from buying playoff tickets has appealed a judge’s order to dismiss the case.
John Williams III, of Las Vegas, filed the $50 million lawsuit in federal court in April, claiming the practice of limiting ticket sales to people who only live in certain geographic areas violates the Federal Consumer Fraud Act. Williams claimed tickets to the Jan. 19 NFC Championship Game between Seattle and San Francisco were limited to people with credit cards in the states of Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii.
The NFL said the suit should be dismissed, arguing it was not involved in ticket restrictions. The Seahawks said they had no legal obligation to ensure all fans have access to tickets.
On Oct. 31, a judge agreed and dismissed the case. Williams filed an appeal Thursday with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.