Local Briefs December 24, 2011

Two killed in Friday accident

Seventeen-year-old and 12-year-old girls from Carlin, Nev., were killed together Friday in a head-on crash with a logging truck on U.S. 95, the Idaho State Police said.

The accident occurred near Desmet at 7:30 a.m.

A 14-year-old girl, also from Carlin, was injured and taken to Gritman Medical Center, police said. Carlin is 22 miles west of Elko, Nev., on Interstate 80. Carlin is about 12 hours south of Desmet.

Alexandria M. Baysinger, 17, was northbound on the highway when she crossed the center line and collided with a tractor rig pulling a logging trailer. She was driving a 1998 Nissan Coupe.

Baysinger died at the scene. Passenger Amber J. Baysinger was pronounced dead at Gritman, in Moscow.

The second passenger was Andrea L. Baysinger.

Police did not say whether the girls were sisters.

The road was blocked for approximately seven hours, police said.

The logging truck, a 2006 Peterbilt, was driven by Jack A. Hester, 34, of Sagle. He was not injured.

Searchers locate runaway teen

Law enforcement on Friday afternoon found 16-year-old boy who ran away from the Innercept House on Dodd Road late Thursday night in Hayden.

Jacob Lee was located in the area of the 6200 block of English Point Road, said Kootenai County Sheriff's Maj. Ben Wolfinger

Lee was located by ground searchers after they had tracked him for more than 6 miles from the residence on Dodd. He was cold, but otherwise, unharmed.

He had been last seen running west from the residence wearing only pajama bottoms and a flannel shirt.

Lee's parents live in Santa Clara, Calif.

Spokane County and Border Patrol aircraft assisted in the search on Friday after clouds lifted.

Precinct change meeting delayed

COEUR d'ALENE - The discussion will continue.

After hearing various objections and suggestions at a public hearing this month, Kootenai County commissioners will continue weighing their idea to reduce voter precinct numbers at their usual weekly meeting at 2 p.m. Jan. 3 in the Kootenai County Administration Building.

Clerk Cliff Hayes has presented a proposal to shrink the county's 71 precincts to 44, expected to save $59,000 on odd election years and $79,000 on even election years.

Due to some voters' concerns of long driving times and a greater burden on precinct committeemen, Hayes has agreed to consider alternatives before the Jan. 3 meeting.