Trucker hospitalized after crash on I-90

The driver of a semitrailer that overturned Saturday and closed Interstate 90 near Wallace for about three hours is recuperating at a Coeur d’Alene hospital.

Rodney D. Hardy, 52, of Billings, was listed in fair condition Sunday at Kootenai Medical Center with unspecified injuries suffered in the 7:45 p.m. accident, according to the Idaho State Police.

A passenger in the 2000 Peterbuilt, Debby K. Bjorklund, suffered unspecified injuries as well and was treated Saturday at the hospital and released, a nursing supervisor said.

According to investigators, the westbound truck’s speed may have been a factor in the accident. The food-laden trailer blocked both eastbound lanes while the tractor blocked one westbound lane.

Investigating the accident and cleaning up the scene kept the freeway closed until nearly 11 p.m.

– David Wasson

Browning, Mont.

Grants to support Indian languages

Preserving what remains of some American Indian languages is the goal of a grant program planned by the National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial.

The council said grants to be offered later this year, in amounts from $2,500 to $25,000, are intended to fund tribal language programs offered through schools and communities.

Mandan, which was critical to the success of the Lewis and Clark expedition, is among the fading languages.

Members of a committee that will guide allocation of the grants include Browning resident Darrell Kipp.

He founded the Piegan Institute, which strives to research and preserve languages.

Kipp described American Indian languages as “libraries of ancient knowledge” and said that when a language dies, “that wisdom is lost forever.”

Funding for the grants includes interest on proceeds from sales of a Lewis and Clark commemorative coin.

– Associated Press

Sandpoint

Plea entered in landlord attack

One of three family members accused of attacking their landlords over an eviction threat last summer has entered a modified guilty plea.

Flint Nichlous Ingersoll Jr., 19, made the Alford plea last week in 1st District Court.

In such a plea, a defendant admits no wrongdoing but concedes a conviction is likely if the case goes to trial.

He is scheduled to be sentenced May 7 and faces a $5,000 fine and five years in prison.

According to court records, prosecutors have agreed to recommend a suspended sentence.

In exchange for the plea, unrelated charges of aggravated assault and statutory rape involving a 15-year-old girl were dismissed.

His younger brother, Joshua James Ingersoll, also 19, and father, Flint Nichlous Ingersoll Sr., 46, have pleaded not guilty.

Jury trials are scheduled for April 23.

All three were charged with two counts of aggravated battery after a confrontation with their two landlords in August, when, according to court records, the three kicked and punched the landlords after being threatened with eviction.

Court records said the landlords suffered facial fractures, and Bonner County Prosecutor Phil Robinson called it a “mob attack” at a hearing.

– Associated Press