Be part of stories on family budgeting
Mortgage, heat, car payments, all seem to be going up. Or are they?
The Spokesman-Review is working on a package of stories and graphics that will look at how much things cost and how families budget their money to buy what they need and want.
We’re looking for two families to profile. Would you like to nominate your family? If so, you must be willing to talk about your household income and where it goes each month.
If that’s OK with you, please send us an e-mail at risingcosts@spokesman.com and give us your name and contact information.
DUI arrests are up second month in a row
DUI arrests are up for the second month in a row, police officials reported Thursday.
February’s arrests of 193 drunken or drugged drivers in the Spokane area was the second highest number in the last five years for that type of offense, said Trooper Jeff Sevigney, a spokesman for the Washington State Patrol. So far this year, 392 drivers have been arrested, which is 9 more than the same time period in 2005.
Troopers will continue throughout the year to focus on removing drunken and drugged drivers from the roadways, Sevigney said.
– Jody Lawrence-Turner
UI researcher injured in chem lab accident
A University of Idaho researcher was briefly hospitalized Thursday morning after being injured in a chemistry lab accident.
The person involved, whom the university would not identify, is a post-doctoral fellow. Previous reports that a student was involved are incorrect.
The researcher was working with a chemical in a lab at Renfrew Hall, said Joni Kirk, UI spokeswoman, and was treated and released at Gritman Medical Center in Moscow after the incident at about 9:20 a.m.
Kirk said the researcher had combined chemicals into a compound that caused the beaker he was working with to explode.
There were no other injuries or damage in the incident, Kirk said.
– Shawn Vestal
BOISE
Senate votes to keep potatoes on plates
The Senate Transportation Committee voted for potatoes Thursday – and against a bill that would have let drivers delete the phrase “Famous Potatoes” from their standard-issue license plates.
“It’s funny how deep this question has become,” Sen. David Langhorst said after the committee heard impassioned testimony about Idaho potatoes not only from the leading potato lobbyists but also from a representative for the region’s onion growers.
“What Idaho should be recognized for is a really huge question; that’s the kind of thing that develops over decades or generations,” said Langhorst, D-Boise. “I’m not sure that’s a decision we want to start making today.”
Idaho’s standard red, white and blue license plates now include the phrases “Famous Potatoes” and “Scenic Idaho.”
Drivers can also elect to pay extra for various specialty plate designs – including one that bears the image of a baked potato with a pat of butter. But if they don’t spring for a specialty plate, they end up with “Famous Potatoes.”
– Associated Press