Local Briefs December 2, 2010
Llamas welfare checked in Harrison
Kootenai County Animal Control checked on the welfare of llamas at a Harrison ranch this week after a county resident complained that the animals were being neglected.
The county is talking with the owner of the ranch, said county animal control officer Sandra Osburn. Animal control has confirmed that the 14 llamas are being fed every day and have water available, Osburn said.
She said the owners are being cooperative, and animal control is working with them to make sure they maintain the llamas' health.
She added that the owner is putting money into repairing the llamas' fence that was recently broken.
"It looked like she's trying to do her best," Osburn said.
Trash, recycling suspended in Cd'A
Trash and recycling services provided in alleys will be suspended in Coeur d'Alene starting today, Waste Management of Idaho announced.
"Alley trash and recycling services have been suspended due to persistent, heavy snow storms which have made it impossible for Waste Management trucks to safely navigate in alleyways," according to a press release.
Residents are asked to place trash and recycling materials in front of their home on their service day, and then remove them from the streets so city plows can pass through.
Information: 765-4968
Heavy snowfall knocks out power
COEUR d'ALENE - More than 2,000 homes in North Idaho and Eastern Washington were without power for several hours Tuesday night and Wednesday due to heavy snowfall.
Kootenai Electric Cooperative reported there were outages scattered through Kootenai County, with a large outage in the Hayden area.
"Heavy snow contributed to the majority of the outages during the night/this morning," according to a press release. "KEC crews have been working through the night and continue to work now to restore power. Broken poles and transformers that need to be replaced are making the restoration process more time-consuming than usual."
Most power was restored by Wednesday evening.
KEC members should report power outages and downed power lines to (877) 744-1055.
Avista reported there were 411 homes without power early Wednesday afternoon, again due to heavy snowfall. Of those, 109 were in the Coeur d'Alene/Post Falls area, and 80 in St. Maries.
To report an outage, call Avista at (800) 227-9187.
November snowfall reaches 38.3 inches
COEUR d'ALENE - Here's a number for the record books: 38.3.
That's how many inches of snow fell in Coeur d'Alene in November, which shattered the mark of 31.6 set in 1973.
Climatologist Cliff Harris said it snowed 8.4 inches on Tuesday, also a record for Nov. 30.
Normal snowfall for November in Coeur d'Alene is 7.8 inches.
Spokane also set a snowfall record in November, with 25.9 inches, breaking the 1955 mark of 24.7.
Harris said the area should see some snow flurries, perhaps with rain mixed in, over the next few days. The thermometer rose to 36 degrees on Wednesday, turning the snow in a slushy, mushy mess on streets and sidewalks.
However, the temperature should drop back into the teens this week, with highs into the 20s, as a cold air mass arrives from the north Friday night.
"A cold front is coming," Harris said. "It will dry things out and cool us off again."
He said another substantial snowstorm is due in 10 days.
"So be prepared," Harris said.