Idaho Briefs April 3, 2011

Test megaload scheduled to start moving Monday

LEWISTON - The Idaho Transportation Department said an oversized test load that's a precursor to equipment being shipped through Idaho and Montana to oil sand fields in Alberta, Canada, is scheduled to leave the Port of Lewiston at 10 p.m. Monday.

But agency spokesman Adam Rush also said that Imperial Oil, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corp., won't start the move until it has permission to cross into Montana.

Officials with the Montana Department of Transportation said they haven't issued a permit for the 508,000-pound test load to enter the state.

If the test load leaves the Port of Lewiston on Monday, it's scheduled to reach Kooskia by 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Washington man gets 7 years for selling LSD

BOISE - A 39-year-old Washington man convicted for selling LSD in the parking lot of a Boise bar has been sentenced to seven years in prison.

But 4th District Judge Michael Wetherell agreed Friday to place Randolph Morse, of Wenatchee, Wash., on rider program that includes substance abuse treatment.

Under the program, Morse qualifies for three months of treatment before the judge determines whether Morse should serve seven years in prison or the same period on probation.

Morse was arrested last year after a citizen complained to police about Morse selling drugs. A Boise Police Department K-9 unit later discovered from Morse's car a liquid in a bottle that tested positive in the field as LSD.

State pump prices clear $3.50 average

BOISE - The average price for a gallon of gas in Idaho has cleared the $3.50 mark, bringing Gem State pump prices closer to record highs reached in 2008.

AAA Idaho reported Idaho's pump price for regular-grade gas was $3.51, up three cents from last week but still 12 cents below the national average.

Lewiston reported the state's highest price at $3.60 and biggest increase, up 7 cents from last week, among the six cities surveyed.

Idaho Falls checked in with the lowest price at $3.45.

AAA said some of the increase is due to the annual draw down of gas inventories as traders empty winter blend stocks to make way for a mandated switch to pricier summer blends.

- The Associated Press