In brief: Residents file claims over police actions
SANDPOINT – Two North Idaho residents have filed tort claims totaling $500,000 against Bonner County concerning the actions of police who responded to a party.
Brandon Scott Fisher, 21, is seeking $450,000, and 20-year-old Shelby Pierce is seeking $50,000, the Bonner County Daily Bee reported.
Police responded to Pierce’s residence at an apartment complex on May 20. Police said they had to use force on Fisher because he bit down on a deputy’s finger and refused to let go. Fisher said he was thrown to the ground and suffered a broken nose.
Man in holding cell dies in jail bunk jump
OLYMPIA – Sheriff’s officials say a man arrested for investigation of third-degree assault is dead after jumping head-first off a bunk in the Thurston County jail.
The man’s name wasn’t immediately released. The sheriff’s office said he was standing on the upper bunk of a holding cell before being booked Friday night when a corrections deputy saw him jump.
Jail staff and medics performed CPR but were unable to save him.
Forest’s watersheds rated worst in region
HELENA – A U.S. Forest Service report identifies the Helena National Forest as having the worst watershed conditions of all national forests and grasslands in a region that includes Montana and parts of Idaho, North Dakota and South Dakota.
“We knew we had issues because of the history of the Helena forest,” said Meredith Webster, a soil scientist for Forest Service Region 1, which produced the report. “When the Forest Service acquired those lands, there had been a lot of heavy use on them. So while the results weren’t surprising, it certainly got our attention.”
The heavy use includes a century of mining, logging, fire suppression and other human activities.
The report looked at forest watersheds and classified findings such as water quality and quantity, aquatic life, roads, trees, vegetation and soils.
The report found the Helena National Forest had 28 watersheds in need of serious help. Most other forests had zero to six.
Helena National Forest officials told the Independent Record they have put together plans as part of a new national initiative that will improve conditions and result in better fish and wildlife habitat, improve Helena’s source of drinking water, and guard against wildfire.
New bridge to help bull trout, wildlife
BOISE – Workers are close to replacing a 300-foot-long culvert with a bridge on State Highway 21 near Lowman that Idaho transportation officials say will improve passage for bull trout and other aquatic species in Five Mile Creek.
“It particularly benefits bull trout, a threatened and protected species that has lost habitat and the elements that contribute to its health due to past land use, management and natural disasters.” said Greg Vitley, of the Idaho Transportation Department.
The $1.2 million project 11 miles east of Lowman is being financed by the U.S. Forest Service and is scheduled to be finished in December. Officials say it will also allow wildlife to cross under the popular highway and avoid collisions with motorists.
Hunter chasing dog hit, killed by train
BEND, Ore. – A Bend-area grocery store manager was struck and killed by an Amtrak train while chasing his dog during a duck hunting outing in southeast Washington.
The victim was identified as 47-year-old Steve Allison, of Powell Butte, longtime manager at the Albertsons supermarket in northeast Bend, KTVZ-TV reported. Company spokeswoman Lilia Rodriguez said it is a tremendous loss for the Allison family and for Albertsons, where he worked for more than 30 years.
Benton County sheriff’s Sgt. Bob Brockman said Allison was duck hunting with two friends early Friday about 10 miles east of Roosevelt, Wash. Witnesses told police that Allison was trying to chase down his dog and stepped directly in front of the train.