In brief: Longtime legislator Hilde Kellogg dies

Hilde Kellogg, who served in the Idaho Legislature for 20 years and was a fixture in public service in Post Falls for decades, has died. She was 92.

Relatives and friends said she died Monday of natural causes at Kootenai Medical Center.

Kellogg retired from the Legislature at age 88 after serving 10 terms. She was a member of the House Revenue and Taxation and Transportation committees and helped lay the groundwork for the major construction upgrades now taking place along U.S. Highway 95 in North Idaho.

Before her statehouse career, Kellogg served on the Post Falls City Council. She was also a president of the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce and the first female member of the Post Falls Kiwanis club.

Associated Press

Three ski areas plan Friday opening

Three more ski areas – Schweitzer, Mt. Spokane and Silver Mountain – are planning to open on Friday.

They will join Lookout Pass and 49 Degrees North, which started their seasons Friday and Saturday, respectively.

The ski areas received more snow Sunday night and Monday morning, allowing for the early openings.

Silver Mountain was reporting 24 inches of snow on Kellogg Peak and 17 inches at midmountain Tuesday. Schweitzer reported more than 40 inches on the top of Schweitzer Peak. Mt. Spokane reported 22 inches at the lodge and 35 inches at the summit.

“It’s completely gorgeous up here,” said Brad McQuarrie, general manager at Mt. Spokane. “We’re full on.”

And for those looking for something to do while the turkey is cooking, Lookout and 49 Degrees North will be open Thanksgiving Day.

Staff reports

Hearing, trial date set in murder case

The aggravated murder trial of accused crossbow killer Cole K. Strandberg will proceed in January after a hearing to allow his defense attorney to present a case that his client should be acquitted because he is insane.

Defense attorney Chris Bugbee asked Superior Court Judge Tari Eitzen on Tuesday for what amounts to a mini-trial on Jan. 5 to present evidence about his client’s mental state at the time of the killing. Strandberg has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Eitzen reluctantly agreed but said the January trial date is “written in concrete.”

Strandberg is charged with sexually assaulting and using a crossbow to kill 22-year-old Jennifer Bergeron on Jan. 7, 2008.

Thomas Clouse