Headlines @ Closin’ Time — 1/23/09

T hree-year-old Kyra Wine is at home with her grandparents George and Deanna and sister Amanda, 6. The toddler has undergone several surgeries since she was taken from the Hells Gulch home of her mother, Christina Haynes, last June. Today, 29-year-old Charles Smith admitted he inflicted Kyra’s injuries. See highlighted item below. Photo by Ralph Bartholdt, St. Maries Gazette Record.

Smith Admits Kyra Wine Abuse: The North Idaho man authorities say is responsible for the worst case of child abuse in Benewah County history has admitted he was guilty for Kyra Wine’s injuries. Twenty-nine-year-old Charles Smith has pled guilty to severely abusing his girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter Kyra Wine. Smith changed his plea to guilty Friday morning/ KXLY . More here .

• ‘Toon: Economic Valley Forge /David Horsey, PI
• A vista wants still more money /Bert Caldwell, SR
• UI graduation venue unknown /Erin Harty, UI Argonaut
• Bayview marina denied privatization /Herb Huseland, Bayviews
• Kempthorne considering presidential run? /Rocky Barker, Idaho Statesman
• Idaho House rejects 5% pay raise 66-0 /Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise

• Spokane River is ripe for study /Becky Kramer, SR
• Blanchette: WSU navigates toward its identity /SR
• Pay raise rejected by Idaho House /AP
• Panel gets local-option. property tax bills /Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise
• Western forests dying at alarming rate /AP
• Panhandle State Bank gets $27M bailout /David Keyes, Bonner County Bee