North Idaho Briefs December 2, 2011

PFHS robotics team to hold auction/dinner

POST FALLS - The Post Falls High robotics team will hold its annual auction and dinner fundraiser on Saturday at the school.

Silent auction bidding runs from 5-7:15 p.m.

The auction is free to attend. All proceeds will benefit students competing in the international "FIRST" Robotics Challenge.

A lasagna dinnerwill be available for $8.

Information: Salvatore Lorenzen, 773-0581

Food drive offers photos with Santa Claus

COEUR d'ALENE - The Coeur d'Alene Fire Department, Local Union 710, is happy to announce the early arrival of Santa Claus this year.

For a donation of canned goods, children and their families can have their pictures taken with St. Nick from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Fire Station 3, 1500 15th St.

The food drive benefits the local food bank.

Info: 769-2340

Sand Creek bypass open pushed back

SANDPOINT - The Sand Creek Byway is still ahead of schedule, although the new alignment is not expected to open entirely this year.

Idaho Transportation Department officials were optimistic traffic could start using the U.S. Highway 95 bypass by the end of the year, but the department announced on Wednesday there's still too much work to be done.

The new alignment is now forecasted to open next spring or early summer.

Crews are still installing a number of safety features that must be in place before traffic can start flowing over Sand Creek.

The work includes signage and crash impact attenuators.

Work on a pedestrian structure at the east end of the Cedar Street Bridge is also ongoing. That work will require the placement of a large crane on the southbound lanes of the main roadway, according to ITD.