Layoffs announced as Hanford site studied

Yakima

The contractor handling construction of a nearly $6 billion waste treatment plant at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation announced plans Thursday to lay off 700 workers as the plant’s design is reviewed to determine whether it could withstand a severe earthquake.

Bechtel National already had announced layoffs of about 300 workers in the past two weeks. An additional 350 workers were laid off Thursday, reducing the total number of construction workers at the site by almost half.

The company had employed about 1,400 construction workers in March.

Another 350 employees not handling construction work also were to receive 60-day layoff notices.

Bechtel employs about 2,400 such employees at the site.

“We will periodically review our staffing plan, but I am hopeful that no further reductions in the waste treatment plant workforce will be necessary,” Project Director Jim Henschel told Bechtel employees Thursday.

The waste treatment plant is being built to treat millions of gallons of radioactive waste left from Cold War-era nuclear weapons production.

Former U.S. poet laureate Robert Pinsky to speak at UI

Moscow, Idaho A former U.S. poet laureate will be at the University of Idaho next week to speak and teach.

Robert Pinsky, known for his original work and for his translation of “Dante’s Inferno,” was U.S. poet laureate for three one-year terms, from 1997 to 2000.

The position is awarded by the Library of Congress to American poets who have distinguished themselves. Holders of the title advise the library on poetry matters, and lecture or read there each fall and spring.

Pinsky has two speaking engagements in Moscow, appearing Wednesday at the university’s Borah Theatre and Thursday at the Administration Building Auditorium. His appearance is the first free lecture in a new series sponsored by an Idaho alumnus.

Pinsky is a writing teacher at Boston University. He also works as a commentator on “The News Hour with Jim Lehrer,” and is poetry editor of the online journal “Slate.” He writes a weekly column for the Washington Post.

Man who buzzed town with biplane held on arson charge

Downey, Idaho A southeast Idaho man once charged with stealing a biplane and using it to buzz area residents is back in jail, this time on suspicion of arson.

Raymond Lee Montgomery, 55, is being investigated in a fire at an unoccupied house, barn and farm shed early Wednesday near rural Downey. No one was injured, but the fire destroyed the structures and several pieces of farm equipment.

There were no estimates of financial losses, but one farmer lost a swather, a grain truck and other farm implements.

Montgomery was given five years of federal probation for taking the biplane in 2001. In the aircraft, he buzzed area residents, struck power lines and dropped a fake pipe bomb.

He faces up to 15 years in prison plus fines and possible restitution on the arson charge. Montgomery could face additional penalties if federal prosecutors find he violated terms of his probation.

Idaho State plans to ask board for increase in student fees

Pocatello, Idaho Idaho State University administrators plan to ask for a 9.2 percent increase in student fees when the State Board of Education meets next week in Idaho Falls.

If approved at the April 21 meeting, this would be ISU’s 16th increase in 17 years, raising fees to about $2,020. University staff and faculty expect to receive a 2 percent pay boost if it passes.

“Our salaries are so depressed, we just need to stay competitive,” said Ken Prolo, ISU’s financial vice president. “We pretty much know what we’re getting from the state and we’ll know next week what we’re getting from the state board.”

Last year, ISU raised student fees by 7.3 percent after an increase of more than 10 percent was turned down.

A move by the Legislature to allow ISU and some other state universities to charge admission won’t take effect this year. Still, tuition charges could become a reality next year, Prolo said.