Judge: Idaho state erred in rejecting docks

A judge ruled Monday that the state went against Idaho law in rejecting dock permits for two property owners who want to build docks despite a public road running between their land and Lake Coeur d’Alene.

First District Court Judge John Mitchell ruled that the Idaho Department of Lands erred in denying the dock permits and must now reconsider both requests by Silver Beach property owners along Lake Coeur d’Alene Drive.

In the decision, Mitchell wrote that the hearing examiner for the department “misread” case law on the topic and that the Idaho Transportation Department was “just plain wrong” in arguing that who owns the roadway is irrelevant.

In the 1950s, owners of the property granted or sold easements to the state for a public road along the lake. The transportation department has objected to some dock permits for the property owners. North Idaho lawmakers attempted to fix the problem this session, but the bill died because other legislators wanted the court to rule first.

Besides the court case there are half a dozen administrative appeals for dock requests involving property along Silver Beach or along the east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene down to Harrison.

Pullman

WSU accepts $25 million grant

A $25 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will help Washington State University construct a $35 million facility to host its new School for Global Animal Health, the school announced Monday.

The school, an initiative of President Elson Floyd, is intended to capitalize on WSU’s expertise in veterinary medicine and to become a world leader in research and treatment of infectious diseases in animals and humans. It’s the largest private gift in the university’s history.

The previous record was a $7 million donation from Boeing in 1993.

The Spokesman-Review reported the grant amount last week, but details were not available.

The new 20,000-square-foot building on the Pullman campus will include research and office space for at least 12 researchers and support staff. The long-range plan for the school includes further additions of research and lab space.

The connection between animal health and human health is direct, especially in impoverished countries, officials said.

Spokane

SPJ names regional director

Scott Maben, a city editor at The Spokesman-Review, has been named regional director of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Maben will work with SPJ chapters in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington and represent those chapters on the organization’s national board. He replaces Tom Henderson, who stepped down.

Maben joined SPJ as a student at the University of Oregon in 1987 and has served as a chapter president and regional director.

Communications equipment arrives

New equipment arrived Monday in Spokane that will enable airmen to set up an emergency communications station in less than an hour, according to a news release from the Washington Air National Guard.

The 242nd Combat Communications Squadron will use the joint incident site communications capability package to bridge communications among first responders and other local, state and federal agencies.

The package comes with its own power and facility and the equipment needed for a 10-person team to set up communications in the event of emergency, according to the National Guard.

Similar equipment will be used by National Guard bureaus in all states.

Seattle

Ditch automatic toilets, report says

A report says the city of Seattle can save millions of dollars by getting rid of its five automatic toilets.

The report issued Monday by Seattle Public Utilities says the high-tech, self-cleaning toilets have become popular sites for prostitution, drug dealing and alcohol consumption because of a lack of monitoring.

The report says the city can save $4.5 million in the next five years by canceling the maintenance contract.

The City Council commissioned the report last year after reports of illegal activity around the five bathrooms increased.

The bathrooms were installed in 2004.

Great Falls

Glacier officials say bears awaking

At Glacier National Park, bears are beginning to emerge from their dens and officials are warning visitors to use caution.

The National Park Service reports grizzly bear tracks have been seen on the road in Many Glacier.

Wildlife biologists say it probably won’t be long before reports of grizzly and black bear sightings begin. Park officials say the bears can emerge from their dens groggy and hungry and fiercely protective of food and cubs.

They say park visitors should travel in groups and make noise by calling out or clapping at frequent intervals, especially near streams and blind spots on trails.

They say most bears emerge from their dens by May 1.

From staff and wire reports