NW today: 5 dead in SE Idaho, including 2 children
What’s news in the Northwest today:
AMMON, Idaho — Idaho authorities say a small house fire in Ammon led to the discovery of a man with a gunshot wound and four bodies, including those of two children. A neighbor reported the fire around 3 a.m. Friday. Police tell KIFI-TV that two sisters, ages 19 and 22, and children ages 1 and 3 died in the house. The man was found alive but later died at Eastern Idaho Medical Center. Ammon police say they are not releasing the names of the victims because their family in Utah has not yet been notified. The cause of the deaths has not been released. Officials say the fire started in the basement and only damaged the stairwell. Ammon is a city of about 12,000 just east of Idaho Falls.
Oregon bicyclist dragged by truck, cited
SALEM, Ore. — A 72-year-old Oregon bicyclist struck and dragged about 150 feet by a truck was cited for unsafe operation of a bicycle on a sidewalk. The Statesman Journal reports that Antonio Bedolla Calvillo was riding his bicycle Thursday morning when he was struck by truck towing an equipment trailer as the driver was making a turn. Salem police said the driver became aware he had struck Calvillo after motorists repeatedly waved at him, pointing to the bottom of the truck. Calvillo was treated and released from Salem Hospital.
Balloon Stampede under way in Walla Walla
WALLA WALLA, Wash. — About three-dozen hot air balloons are gathered in Walla Walla for the annual Walla Walla Balloon Stampede. The balloons will be on display this weekend floating over the valley. One balloonist, Laurie Spencer of Boise, told KVEW this is the first event of the flying season for regional balloon pilots.
Man convicted in Helena shooting seeking mistrial
HELENA, Mont. — A Helena man convicted of shooting his wife and their nanny a year ago is seeking a mistrial alleging one of the jurors read newspaper stories about the case and discussed it with his family during the trial. Jeremy MacGregor also alleges juror Justin Wearley improperly denied being a victim of domestic violence during jury selection, despite the fact that Wearley’s wife threw a pepper can at him a few weeks before the trial. The allegation of juror misconduct arose after Kim Wearley was arrested for domestic assault just after MacGregor’s trial. She pleaded guilty in Justice Court by video from the jail. MacGregor and others overheard her explaining that the fight happened because she believed her husband had violated the judge’s orders by discussing and reading about the case.
Warrant issued after Tamarack owner skips court
BOISE — A judge issued a warrant to get Tamarack’s majority owner into court after he skipped a hearing meant to determine his assets. The Idaho Statesman reports Jean-Pierre Boespflug was supposed to be in court Wednesday to disclose his assets after Bank of America’s leasing arm won a $4.9 million judgment over lifts installed at Tamarack. Boespflug, a native of France, told The Associated Press last week he “needed time to clear his head” but refused to disclose his location. He was reached on a phone that rang with a European tone, a sign he may be out of the country. Boespflug told the AP he planned to return to Boise.
Body found after house fire
FORT HALL, Idaho — A spokeswoman for the Shoshone Bannock Tribes says firefighters discovered a body in the rubble of a house fire in the Tyhee area. The fire was reported at about 4 a.m. Thursday in Bannock County on U.S. Highway 91 north of Pocatello. Officials bought in cadaver dogs to search the rubble because they could not locate the 84-year-old owner of the house. Officials have not identified the body found in the rubble. Tribal spokeswoman Laverne Beech says investigators expect it will be some time before the cause of the fire is determined, due to the extensive damage it caused.
Donation jar thief hit by bus in Seattle
SEATTLE — Seattle police say a man who stole a donation jar from a downtown business ran into the street and was hit by a bus. Police say no one was chasing the man at the time Thursday and the Metro bus driver attempted to stop but couldn’t avoid hitting the man. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center with critical injuries.
Explosion, fire kill man, destroy Helena house
HELENA, Mont. — Fire officials say several explosions and the resulting fire killed a Helena man and destroyed a house early Friday. Lewis and Clark County Coroner Mickey Nelson told the Independent Record that a man’s body was found in the rubble. His name and age have not been released. The blast was reported at about 12:25 a.m. Battalion Chief Kevin Kelly says firefighters had the fire knocked down in under an hour. Danielle Young told the paper she was just finishing work at a casino several blocks away when she heard two large explosions that shook the ground. She said the large explosions were followed by smaller explosions that sounded like gunfire. Carolan Bunegar says her house across the street vibrated from the force of the initial blast.
GOP lawmakers push for 75 mph speed limit
SALEM, Ore. — A pair of Republican state senators have launched a new attempt to raise the speed limit to 75 miles per hour on rural interstates in Oregon. The Oregonian reports that Sen. Bruce Starr of Hillsboro and Sen. Jason Atkinson of Central Point are trying to amend a bill sponsored by the city of Portland that would allow the city to lower speed limits along neighborhood greenways designed to encourage bicycle and pedestrian travel. The Republican senators acknowledge they have an uphill battle. Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber made it clear Thursday he remains opposed to increasing the speed limit, saying he feels it’s unsafe. Kitzhaber vetoed a 1999 attempt to raise the speed limit to 75 during his last term as governor.