Bypass project gets green light
After five decades of planning, appeals and court fights, the Idaho Transportation Department can start building a highway to divert traffic away from downtown Sandpoint.
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a brief order Wednesday allowing construction to begin. The ruling came two days after a hearing in which a lawyer for environmental and community activists asked the court to reinstate their challenge of the $98 million project, claiming federal reviews were insufficient.
“We have believed all along that we’ve done a good job … and the court has confirmed that,” Transportation Department spokeswoman Barbara Babic said. “The contractor will be out there just as quickly as possible.”
The North Idaho Community Action Network sued Idaho and federal highway officials in 2005, claiming they did not conduct proper environmental reviews concerning the planned 2.1-mile bypass. U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge in Boise rejected their claims last spring.
Wednesday’s order lifted an injunction that had blocked construction pending the outcome of the appeal.
Associated Press
spokane
CenterStage, Ella’s schedule final events
After five years of supporting more than 1,000 local, regional and national artists of every persuasion, CenterStage and Ella’s Supper Club are calling it quits.
CenterStage, 1017 W. First Ave., fell $70,000 short of its goal to raise $225,000.
The nonprofit has suffered severe losses this summer because of a poor economy and a drop in donations and retail revenues. There were no events in CenterStage’s grand ballroom in July.
The wake for Ella’s will take place Friday, featuring live music with an early-bird set by Danny McCollum and friends starting at 6 p.m. A late-night jam led by Brent Edstrom will start at 9 p.m. There will be a limited menu of “whatever’s left in the freezer,” $4 specials on all cocktails, and $2 beers.
Isamu Jordan
Suspect arrested in man’s shooting
A man accused of shooting his roommate in the thigh Tuesday evening was arrested 12 hours later when a deputy spotted him walking down the road.
Jared B. Feasel, 33, allegedly shot his 43-year-old roommate around 7 p.m. in the 5300 block of West Sunset Boulevard, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim told police he was hosting a family barbecue with his girlfriend, and she and Feasel got into an argument as guests were leaving.
The victim said he asked them both to go outside, at which point Feasel got angry and shot him in the leg with a .22-caliber pistol. Feasel fired two more shots inside and then left, Reagan said.
Feasel was treated at a local hospital for unexplained head injuries and booked into jail on a felony assault charge.
From staff reports
Semi wreck clogs I-90 during morning rush
Westbound traffic on Interstate 90 was slowed for five hours Wednesday after a semi jackknifed near the Hamilton Street on-ramp just before 5 a.m.
The 27-year-old driver had only minor injuries and was transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center as a precautionary measure, Washington State Patrol Trooper Joe Leibrecht said.
The driver complained of neck, hip and lower back pain, and his right foot was injured from kicking at the windshield after the crash.
The driver told police he wasn’t used to driving with an empty trailer and lost control.
During the heaviest traffic from about 7 to 9 a.m., westbound lanes were backed up more than two miles to the Havana Street exit, Leibrecht said. Eastbound lanes were also congested, at one point backed up three-quarters of a mile. The road was cleared shortly after 10 a.m.
From staff reports