20 Idaho projects in defense bill

Idaho Sen. Larry Craig has announced that 20 Idaho projects were included in the fiscal 2006 Defense Appropriations bill that cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee this week.

To become law, the $60 million in funding for the projects would have to be included in the final version of the appropriations bill that will be worked out by a conference committee between the House and the Senate. Craig said he and Idaho 2nd District Rep. Mike Simpson, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, are cooperating to ensure “that high-priority Idaho projects are included.”

The 20 projects that Craig cited include four research projects at the University of Idaho totaling $4.9 million; $8 million in continuing funding for the Naval Acoustic Research Detachment at Bayview; and three projects at the Idaho National Laboratory in eastern Idaho totaling $20 million; as well as other projects at Boise State University, Idaho State University, and elsewhere.

The UI projects include research on semiconductor manufacturing, development of better batteries for military vehicles, and microbes that can degrade the contaminant perchlorate into innocuous products.

“Idaho has long played a key role in the nation’s defense efforts and will continue to do so, and I’m pleased the committee agrees,” said Craig, a third-term Republican who also served 10 years in the House of Representatives.

Nonprofit will focus on animal welfare

A new nonprofit is forming to build an animal shelter in Coeur d’Alene.

People for Animal Welfare and Safety Inc. (PAWS) is starting a fund-raising campaign. The group is looking for volunteers, applicants for a board of directors and donations. PAWS also needs about two acres for the project.

For more information, or to obtain PAWS’ business plan, contact Jennifer Jenkins at (208) 699-4597 or e-mail acjenkins@adelphia.net. Mail donations to PAWS: P.O. Box 3614, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816.

CdA police name DUI court reps

Coeur d’Alene Police Officers Tim Vulles and Nick Knoll have been appointed law enforcement representatives to the county’s DUI court, the city announced Thursday.

The Kootenai County DUI Court Program is a joint effort of prosecutors’ offices in Kootenai County, the First District Court, Kootenai County Misdemeanor Probation, defense attorneys and substance abuse professionals, according to the city press release.

The DUI court emphasizes treatment for repeat offenders and those arrested while driving with a high blood-alcohol content.

Vulles is a 17-year veteran of the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, and Knoll has been with the department since 2002. Both are motorcycle traffic officers.

Land use planning workshop set

The Kootenai Environmental Alliance and the League of Women Voters of Kootenai County are having a workshop Monday on Idaho planning laws.

The groups say Coeur d’Alene attorney Jerry Mason, who represents several area cities and has an extensive land-use background, will help demystify planning laws and help participants understand how they relate to local land-use decisions.

This is the fourth in a series of eight free workshops in September and October to teach people how to participate in and understand local land-use planning.

The workshop is at 3:30 p.m. Monday on the Coeur d’Alene campus of the University of Idaho, 1000 W. Hubbard.

For more information, call KEA at 667-9093 or Joyce Bergan with the League of Women Voters at 699-5198.

Police seek suspect in gas station robbery

A Coeur d’Alene gas station clerk reported a robbery early Wednesday morning by a man who said he had a gun in his pocket and demanded cigarettes, according to Coeur d’Alene Police reports.

The clerk told police that a man, who appeared intoxicated, came into the Shell station at 1932 Government Way at about 2 a.m. and asked to use the bathroom. When the clerk told him the bathroom was closed, the man reportedly left.

The man returned moments later, said he had a gun in his pocket and asked for five cartons of Marlboro Red 100s cigarettes, according to police reports. He reportedly told the clerk that he lived nearby and would return on Thursday to pay for the cigarettes.

The man was described as 5-feet-9, unshaven, with scruffy red hair, medium build, and wearing a dark blue knit cap, dark blue Nike jacket with white on the sleeves, blue jeans and white shoes.

Weather Service plans open house

The National Weather Service plans an open house Saturday at its Spokane regional office to show how weather reports are made and to honor volunteers.

Forecasters will demonstrate radar, launch a weather balloon, give tours and talk shop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Weather Service office, 2610 N. Rambo Road, near Airway Heights.

At 2:30, the service’s Western Region deputy director, Robert Tibi, will present John Campanius Holm awards. Lifelong Rosalia resident William Hofmann will be honored Saturday for nearly 36 years of taking daily temperature and precipitation readings.

The other Holm award recognizes three generations of Ritzville’s Galbreath family for more than 40 years of service.