Idaho Briefs January 23, 2011

Rexburg urges residents to clear snow from roofs

REXBURG - City officials in the eastern Idaho town of Rexburg are advising residents to inspect their roofs following the collapse earlier this week of a commercial building likely due to heavy snow and ice.

No one was injured in the collapse of the flat-roofed cinder block commercial building on Tuesday morning.

Val Christensen is Rexburg's community development director.

Christensen recently sent out the warning to residents to clear snow and ice from roofs if the amount appears significant.

Christensen said that recent wet, heavy snow combined with alternating freezing and thawing cycles has increased the load on roofs.

Parents charged with endangering daughter

GRANGEVILLE - Two north central Idaho parents are facing felony injury to a child charges for severely neglecting the health of their 16-year-old daughter.

After a two-day preliminary hearing, 2nd District Magistrate Judge Jeff Payne ruled there is enough evidence to send the case against Duane and Deborah Wadsworth to trial.

Doctors and nurses who testified at the hearing described the girl as severely malnourished, possibly near death. They also described how her body was covered by numerous bed sores and signs of gangrene on her fingers and toes.

Medical experts first learned of her condition when she was brought to St. Mary's Hospital in Cottonwood by her parents last month.

The girl is currently in intensive care at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

Snowmobiler killed in E. Idaho crash

IDAHO FALLS - The Madison County Sheriff's office said a snowmobiler died in a crash in Teton County in a rugged, backcountry location in eastern Idaho.

Police said the snowmobiler died at the scene of the crash in the Temple Peak area of Kelly Canyon.

The Post Register reported a Madison County Search and Rescue team responded to the area where Madison County and Teton County meet.

Madison County authorities said at least one other snowmobiler was in the backcountry with the victim but was not involved in the crash.

The victim's name has not been released.

- The Associated Press