In brief: OSHA investigates nail gun death

A 26-year-old construction worker died Wednesday morning after an accident involving a nail gun, Kootenai County Coroner Dr. Robert West said.

Damon A. Huhtala of Coeur d’Alene was framing a house at Gozzer Ranch near Harrison on Wednesday when he apparently slipped and fell.

West said a nail of about 3 inches entered the right side of Huhtala’s skull, injuring his brain stem.

Huhtala was an employee of Edwards Construction Inc. of Coeur d’Alene.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

“He apparently fell with his finger on the trigger,” said Van Howell, OSHA’s area director for Idaho. Howell said the safety mechanisms on the nail gun appeared to be in use and functioning.

Nobody witnessed the incident, according to Howell. Co-workers found Huhtala after the injury had occurred.

West said an autopsy will not be performed.

Boise

TV viewers can question Otter

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter will take calls and e-mails from viewers on live statewide TV Thursday.

Otter will appear with host Jim Peck on a special, hourlong “Idaho Reports” program, which will be broadcast live on Idaho Public Television at 7 p.m. The show will re-air on April 29 at 4 p.m., but without the live calls.

To submit a question, call toll-free (800) 973-9800, or go to the Idaho Reports Web site, idahoptv.org/idreports, to submit a question by e-mail.

In addition to the live TV broadcast, the program also will be broadcast live on the Internet at idahoptv.org. Peck said, “This is an opportunity for viewers statewide to spend an hour with the governor.”

Spokane

85-year-old man held in hit-and-run

Spokane police arrested an 85-year-old driver Wednesday night for a Monday night hit-and-run crash that sent a man to the hospital with serious injuries.

Andrew W. Neelands was arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run. His van had damage consistent with the crash, said Spokane police Officer Jennifer DeRuwe.

She said police found Neelands through an anonymous tip from a woman who had seen news accounts of the crash at Third Avenue and Lincoln Street.

Neelands was arrested at a home in the 200 block of South Fiske Street.

“He was aware that he hit him and left,” said DeRuwe. “He said the guy walked in front of him.”

The 30-year-old man who was struck is in stable condition at Deaconess Medical Center with multiple broken bones and internal injuries.

Fox Theater gets $50,000 grant

The Inland Northwest Community Foundation has given a $50,000 grant to help restore the Fox Theater in downtown Spokane.

The grant is part of more than $24 million raised through donations, grants, state funding and tax credits to finance the $31 million project to revive the 1931 Art Deco theater and establish an ongoing endowment. Opening is expected this November. The theater will become the new home of the Spokane Symphony.

The foundation, previously known as Foundation Northwest, serves 20 counties throughout the region. It manages 200 funds valued at $57 million in partnership with donors and makes grants for various community improvements.

From staff reports