In brief: Third Idaho case of West Nile virus confirmed

Tue., Sept. 8, 2015

From Wire Reports

TWIN FALLS, Idaho – A southern Idaho woman has been diagnosed with the mosquito-borne illness West Nile virus, the third human case confirmed in Idaho this year.

The Idaho State Journal reported that the woman is in her 30s and from Lincoln County.

South Central Public Health District epidemiologist Christi Skuza said the woman was hospitalized but is now recovering at home.

West Nile is usually contracted from the bite of an infected mosquito. It is not spread from person-to-person through casual contact.

Two killed in Oregon plane crash

PORTLAND – A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff from an Oregon airport on Labor Day, killing two people.

Witnesses said the plane burst into flames around 10 a.m. Rescuers found it burning near the end of the runway at the Creswell Airport, 15 miles south of Eugene. Video on the KEZI-TV website showed charred wreckage.

The victims’ names have not been released.

Wolf company appeals penalty

COCOLALLA, Idaho – A wolf exhibition company in North Idaho is appealing its one-year license suspension to the Idaho Supreme Court.

The Bonner County Daily Bee reported that Cocolalla-based Wolf People filed a notice of appeal on Aug. 18.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game in February suspended Wolf People’s commercial license, contending the company failed to comply with a 2012 agreement prohibiting visitors from having physical contact with the wolves.

The agreement resolved 43 license violations, including failing to report the escape of a captive wolf and transporting wolves without permission.

But Wolf People said the agreement didn’t expressly prohibit people from touching wolves.

The group petitioned for a judicial review of the licensing actions. In July, a North Idaho judge affirmed the suspension.

Okanogan man, 53, killed in car wreck

CONCONULLY, Wash. – An Okanogan man was killed Sunday in a one-car accident on Conconully Road.

Larry W. Burley, 53, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Burley was driving southeast on Conconully Road early Sunday when his 1986 Porsche 911 left the road and vaulted into the hillside near the intersection of Ironcap Road, Okanogan Sheriff Frank Rogers said.

Rogers said the accident occurred about 2 a.m. The crash is still under investigation, but investigators believe that speed was a contributing factor. No one else was in the car.

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