Otter calls attention to child abuse, neglect

The growing number of child abuse cases in Idaho is “disturbing,” Idaho Gov. Butch Otter said Monday.

“Many of these young victims end up in foster care,” Otter said during a ceremony to proclaim April Child Abuse Prevention Month in the state.

“I’m hopeful that more than $40 million in state funding will help address that side of the problem,” he said, referring to recently approved funding for the state Health and Welfare Department.

“But the problem goes deeper,” the governor continued. “Many of these abused and neglected children don’t get the skills they need at an early age to deal with the complexities of life, so many end up falling behind their peers socially, behaviorally and academically.

“As a result, many end up in the juvenile court system, which adds additional burdens on taxpayers and our society.

“Make no mistake: This is a statewide problem that impacts all of us.

“As a community, we need to come together to find some solutions.”

Otter also thanked employees of Health and Welfare who “try to give these kids a better life,” and he acknowledged police officers who respond to cases of abuse and neglect.

And he recognized teachers “who find themselves in the tough position of having to report an abusive parent to authorities.”

Even though April is set aside to call attention to child abuse and neglect, “It is a 24 hour, seven days a week, 365 days a year problem in Idaho,” Otter said.

– Scott Maben

Coeur d’Alene

Truck tosses spuds taking I-90 curve

There wasn’t enough time Monday night to determine how many of the 60,000 pounds of potatoes scattered about Interstate 90 near Coeur d’Alene had been mashed or whipped by traffic.

Instead, for several hours after a semitruck carrying the tubers tumbled around a curve at milepost 17, state transportation crews used front-loaders to pick up the wayward potatoes, said a dispatcher with the Idaho State Police.

A rig owned by Mendelez Trucking was turning a corner when it tipped and let loose its load.

The driver was given a citation.

Idaho has, since 1960, advertised its fame in potato growing on every standard license plate.

But the truck bearing the starchy crop had Oregon plates and was heading west toward Washington, the dispatcher said. So it’s not clear whether these were Idaho spuds.

Most of the potatoes were pushed off to the side of the road by work crews while another crew attempted to right the semi.

– Christopher Rodkey