Region in brief: Idaho 511 callers reach Rhode Island

Idaho transportation officials have a mystery on their hands.

Every fourth or fifth telephone call to the state’s travel information service is somehow getting rerouted to a similar traffic and transportation hotline operated more than 2,600 miles away in Rhode Island. Qwest technicians were investigating.

Jeff Stratten, a public information officer for the Idaho Transportation Department advises that if you call 511 and are connected with Rhode Island’s travel information service, hang up and call again.

Any information you get about Rhode Island won’t be of much use in Idaho. The Ocean State is only about the size of Kootenai County, and its tallest peak is only a few feet higher than the lowest point in Idaho.

“We apologize for the inconvenience,” Stratten said. “While many highways in Idaho are still snow covered, I understand the highways in Rhode Island are clear.”

Idaho road conditions also are available at www.511.idaho.gov.

– Staff reports

Sandpoint

Judge rejects lawsuit opposing bypass

A judge has rejected a lawsuit meant to stop a highway project routing high-speed traffic away from downtown.

U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge ruled Thursday against the North Idaho Community Action Network, which claimed that the Federal Highway Administration should have required a more thorough review of environmental impacts and alternative routes before approving the U.S. Highway 95 Sand Creek Byway project.

In a separate suit, the network is challenging a final permit issued in October by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Liz Sedler, executive director of the action network, said Lodge’s decision will be appealed.

Environmentalists say the $70 million byway would destroy the fragile creek and be a blight on Sandpoint’s scenic waterfront.

The byway would follow railroad tracks along the east side of the creek.

– Associated Press

Spokane

Police say car break-ins dropped after arrests

Police say downtown vehicle break-ins dropped from 18 in one week to three the next after the recent arrests of two Spokane men, including one police believe is responsible for the February break-in of a car belonging to a Spokane County sheriff’s deputy.

The public helped capture Ty M. Olds, 35, and Shawn D. Hall, 20, said Spokane police Officer Janice Dashiell.

Olds was arrested after a March 19 report of a car prowling in progress near 14th Avenue and Adams Street. The caller provided a detailed description of the prowler.

Break-ins in the week starting March 19 dropped to just three.

Hall was arrested Sunday after a caller reported two men looking into vehicles near Regal Avenue and South Riverton, Dashiell said.

Olds was the target of a weeks-long off-duty investigation by Deputy Daryl Smith after his wife’s purse and credit cards were stolen.

Smith spent his days off questioning store clerks, tracking down surveillance footage and building a case against Olds that led to the search of his Nora Avenue home this month.

– Staff reports