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PHOSPHATE MINES-IDAHO
Simplot proposing 5 open-pit phosphate mines in E. Idaho
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Federal officials have released a final plan for five open-pit phosphate mines and reclamation work in eastern Idaho proposed by Idaho-based J.R. Simplot Company.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service released the jointly-prepared final environmental impact statement Friday for the Dairy Syncline Mine Project about 14 miles (23 miles) east of Soda Springs.
The five mines, disposal areas, tailing ponds and other mine workings would cover about 4.3 square miles (11 square kilometers).
The two federal agencies are taking comments before making decisions.
The area contains one of the nation's most abundant deposits of phosphate ore that's turned into fertilizer needed by farmers to grow food.
The area also contains more than a dozen federal Superfund sites needing cleanup from past phosphate mining activities.
CRISIS CENTER
Washington city plans crisis center based on Idaho model
(Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com)
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — County officials in Washington say they are planning a mental health crisis stabilization unit based on a nearby center in Idaho.
The Spokesman-Review reported Sunday that the North Idaho Crisis Center in Couer D'Alene served 1,404 people in 2018, enabling the clients to stay out of an emergency room or jail.
The Spokane project manager says the city plans to establish a similar facility.
The Idaho center provides walk-in service to anyone suffering a mental health or substance use crisis. Employees help draft safety plans and make references to shelters, social services or higher-level care providers.
The Spokane County Board of Commissioners is expected to vote Tuesday on whether to grant $350,000 to Pioneer Human Services to develop an operational framework for the proposed center.
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COLD FALL
October was Idaho's coldest on record
(Information from: KBSX-FM, <http://boise state public radio news>)
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Last month's chilly weather broke records for Idaho, coming in as the coldest October since the state began recording the average temperatures in 1895.
Boise State Public Radio reports the average temperature for October 2019 was 36.7 degrees Fahrenheit. That compares to the mean temperature of 44.1 degrees Fahrenheit for roughly the past century.
Steve Parker with the National Weather Service in Boise said a jet stream in Alaska moving south caused the cold temperatures across Idaho and much of the northwestern U.S.
He says it's a typical weather pattern, but it just arrived unusually early.
Parker says that doesn't necessarily mean an extra cold winter. Temperatures have been above average so far this November.
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YELLOWSTONE WOLVES
Fewer Yellowstone wolves equals no wolf-on-wolf deaths
(Information from: The Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com)
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — For the first time in 24 years, Yellowstone National Park wildlife managers have found no evidence wolves killing each other.
The Billings Gazette reports that the park's annual report on wolves says seven wolf deaths were recorded 2018, but none were wolf-on-wolf deaths and none died from major diseases. Three wolves were shot by hunters outside the park.
At the end of 2018 there were at least 80 wolves in nine packs with seven breeding pairs in Yellowstone. That's down from the previous five years and the lowest number of wolves since 2012.
But officials say those lower wolf numbers may help explain why there were fewer pack conflicts over territory, as well as no transmission of disease — both of which are more likely when populations are denser.
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SEATTLE CARJACKING
Teen boys accused of assaulting woman during carjacking
(Information from: KING-TV, http://www.king5.com/)
SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle police say two teenage boys have been arrested after assaulting a woman during a carjacking.
KING-TV reports the carjacking occurred Saturday afternoon.
Police say the woman was driving through the Highpoint neighborhood when the 14- and 15-year-old boys got into the running vehicle.
Police say the teens pushed the woman out and drove away after assaulting her.
Detective Mark Jamieson told The Associated Press the woman sustained minor injuries.
Police say officers spotted the car leaving. Police say the teens ditched the vehicle near a playfield and ran across a field where a soccer game was underway.
Officers caught one of the boys and two others stopped the other teen.
The teens were taken to the Youth Services Center and are being investigated for robbery.
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IDAHO CREEK CRASH
Idaho man dies after crashing vehicle into creek
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Bonneville County Sheriff's officials say a 70-year-old man has died after crashing his vehicle into a creek.
Officials say Ted Bromley of Bonneville County died in the crash off Fall Creek Road.
Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene shortly before 6 a.m. Sunday.
According to officials, hunters came upon the vehicle in the creek bed and could see a deceased person trapped beneath it and submerged in the water.
Authorities continue to investigate the crash, which occurred sometime during the night.
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