UI ramping up North Idaho efforts
The University of Idaho aims to increase its activity in rapidly-growing North Idaho.
It announced on Thursday a revamped position of associate vice president for Northern Idaho.
Larry Branen, the associate vice president for research and outreach, will have the added responsibility of being the chief administrator of the UI Research Park in Post Falls and UI-Coeur d’Alene Center. The change starts Monday for Branen, who has been a faculty member since 1983.
“The position was restructured to enhance UI teaching, research and outreach activities that will improve the quality of life of the people of northern Idaho and the state of Idaho,” Doug Baker, provost and executive vice president, said in a statement.
CdA officer shoots aggressive pit bull
A Coeur d’Alene police officer shot a pit bull Thursday after the dog reportedly charged the officer.
The female dog was struck in the right rear leg, transported to Sunset Animal Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, according to a press release from Coeur d’Alene police.
Police responded to a home on the 3600 block of Government Way on a follow-up call for a previous incident, the release said. The pit bull mix was being aggressive, according to the release, so the officer yelled at the dog to try and get it to back off.
As the officer knocked on the door, the dog reportedly charged the officer. According to the release, the officer “had a well-founded fear he would be bitten by the dog” and fired a shot. The dog retreated and was recovered and taken to the animal hospital, police said.
“The police department is sorry for the injury to the dog,” Coeur d’Alene police Capt. Steve Childers said in the press release. “It is a regrettable situation, but the circumstances required the officer to take immediate action to protect himself. We are fortunate the officer was not injured as well.”
I-90 ramps in Valley will close for paving
Freeway construction crews are scheduled to pave several Interstate 90 on- and off-ramps Saturday as part of a project to widen the freeway between Sullivan and Argonne in the Spokane Valley.
Paving is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. at the Sullivan westbound loop on-ramp. Other ramps to be paved include the other Sullivan westbound on-ramp, the Pines westbound on- and off-ramps, and the Argonne westbound off-ramp.
It will take crews two hours to pave each ramp. They will be closed during paving work.
Drivers should also prepare for freeway slowdowns during the paving because westbound freeway traffic will be reduced to one lane near the ramps being paved. The work will be postponed if it rains.
Public urged to catch fish trapped in canals
Boise The state Department of Fish and Game wants people to catch fish trapped in agricultural canals and ditches that are being emptied of water following the harvest.
“Fish that have entered the irrigation system during spring and summer are left high and dry in the fall once water flows are suspended,” the agency said in a statement Thursday. “Rather than waste them, Fish and Game encourages the public to salvage these fish for consumption.”
There are no bag limits, but a fishing license is required. The fish salvage season runs through Dec. 31.
Most canals run through private land, so Fish and Game officials urge people to check with landowners before going fishing.
Fish can be caught using traditional rods, bows and arrows, or dip and seine nets. They can also be snagged, speared or caught with bare hands. State law forbids blowing up fish with explosives, shooting them with guns, poisoning them or electrocuting them.