Idaho 95 In Review

Here are the top ten local and regional stories as chosen by readers and staff members of The Idaho Spokesman-Review.

1. Randy Weaver.

The former Idaho separatist’s saga continued this year as four FBI officials were suspended, the U.S. Senate held hearings on the shootout and the federal government settled the Weaver family’s complaint for $3.1 million.

2. Militia.

For some Americans, distrust of the government turned to fear, loathing - and, sometimes, violence. Some refused to pay taxes, others moved far from government’s reach while a few self-styled patriots took up arms against local, state or federal government officials.

3. Helen Chenoweth.

Acid-tongued U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth, R-Idaho, slammed federal authorities, took heat for supporting militias and defended against accusations that favoritism may have helped her get a $40,000 unsecured campaign loan.

4. Flooding.

The Coeur d’Alene and St. Joe rivers flooded on Presidents Day and again in November. A toddler was rescued after falling into February floodwaters, but died six months later. Forest Service roads turned to slime and oozed down mountain sides in record numbers.

5. Methamphetamine.

The illegal drug methamphetamine swept the Inland Northwest, sparking violence, arrests and backlogs at law enforcement crime labs.

6. Tax assessments.

Hundreds flooded Kootenai County’s courthouse to protest increases in property tax assessments.

7. Grass burning.

Field-burning grass growers get burned with a record number of complaints.

While Washington allowed an extension to the burning season, clean air advocates hired attorneys and consider challenging an Idaho law that protects farmers from nuisance lawsuits.

(tie) 8. Mark Fuhrman.

After house-hunting in Sandpoint, the famous LAPD detective roughed up a newspaper photographer at the Spokane airport. Fuhrman eventually relocated to Sandpoint.

(tie) 8. Dog track.

In the wake of continuing scandal over mistreatment of animals, greyhound racing was axed in Post Falls due to the track’s financial losses.

9. Ken Arrasmith.

The former Washington cop dubbed a vigilante by some was convicted of murdering Ron and Luella Bingham, who he said sexually assaulted his teenage daughter.

10. Crowded schools.

School officials in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene consider double-shifting to battle crowding.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Color photos