Hot Potatoes — 2/20/07

* 14-year-old commits to WSU: Recent success attracts 6-7 Ephrata youngster / Glenn Kasses , Spokesman-Review — Poor kid doesn’t realize that Tony Bennett, the uber-talented first-year coach of the Cougars, will be long gone to a bigger, better-paying school before he graduates.

* Bonner County toughens boating rules: Penalty increasing for speed, noise violations / Keith Kinnaird , Bonner County Daily Bee — Owners of monster boats and trophy wives now will face a misdemeanor and possible jail by speeding, roaring their engines. I know some folks at Priest Lake who will be happy with this decision.

* Ban smoking in bowling alleys, unanimous committee says / Betsy Russell , Eye On Boise — Wonder how long it’ll be before this country bans tobacco altogether?

* Idaho soldiers back from Afghanistan: More Guard members heading home soon /Associated Press — Can’t wait for my niece to put Afghanistan in her rear-view mirror.

* Contentious Foxtail request back: 280-acre plan calls for 649 single-family lots, 245 multi-family units in PF / Brian Walker , Coeur d’Alene Press — Now that the 9th Circuit Court has dealt the grass-seed industry a death blow with its field burning decision, owners of the Rathdrum Prairie will switch to the next best grow crop: houses.