Briefly

Lightning sparks fires at Lightning Creek

Sandpoint Two lightning-caused fires in the Lightning Creek drainage north of Clark Fork, Idaho, have been controlled, according to a statement from the U.S. Forest Service Sandpoint Ranger District.

The half-acre South Ridge fire was extinguished Sunday. The 11-acre Bear Creek fire was declared 100 percent contained Monday afternoon. Forty firefighters remain on scene to fight any flare-up.

At least two other small lightning-caused fires were ignited over the weekend in the St. Joe River Drainage, emergency staff said.

New camping area proposed at Farragut

A proposal to add a new camping area at Farragut State Park will be the topic of a public hearing Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Dalton Gardens City Hall, on the southeast corner of Fourth Street and Hanley Avenue.

The additional camping area is needed because of the park’s growing popularity, according to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

Comments on the campground addition may also be submitted by writing to: Farragut Campground Alternatives, 2750 Kathleen Ave., Suite 1, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.

NIC seeks $2 million for Health and Sciences

A $2 million fund drive begins today for the new Health and Sciences facility at North Idaho College.

Although the state is providing $11.9 million to construct the building, the additional money is needed to pay for equipment and provide scholarships, according to a statement from the college.

The two-story, 58,000-square-foot building is expected to open in August 2005.

The fund-raising kicks off with a celebration at 11 a.m. on the college’s soccer field. The event is open to the public.