Northwest Briefs June 5, 2011
Central Idaho aims for Olympic certification
KETCHUM - The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation in central Idaho has applied to the U.S. Olympic Committee to be certified as an Olympic and Paralympic training site for Nordic skiing.
The Idaho Mountain Express reported that the foundation submitted the application last week.
The application touts the 124 miles of Nordic trails that stretch from south of Hailey to west of Stanley.
Peter Ashley is vice president of the Nordic Division of Fischer Skis and former coach for the U.S. Women's Ski Team.
He said the central Idaho trail system is one of the best in the nation.
Wolf packs kill 4 calves; 1 wolf killed
HELENA, Mont. - Officials said two wolf attacks on private ranches south of Butte and another attack at a private ranch west of Helena resulted in the deaths of four calves and one of the wolves.
Nathan Lance of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks told the Montana Standard Saturday that the attacks took place on ranches near Dell, Polaris and Avon.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service killed one wolf from the Bannack pack believed to have attacked and killed a calf west of Dillon. The pack has three wolves remaining.
Officials said wolves killed two calves on a ranch near Avon. Federal trappers have been authorized to shoot any wolves spotted on the ranch.
Trappers are also authorized to shoot one wolf near Dell.
Farmer named to state board
BOISE - Gov. Btuch Otter appointed a former state lawmaker to the Idaho Transportation Board.
Earlier this week, 65-year-old Dwight Horsch joined the seven-member panel and succeeded Neil Miller, of Blackfoot, to fill a designated Democrat seat.
Horsch is a third-generation farmer from Aberdeen who raises potatoes, sugar beets, and wheat. He will serve a six-year term on the transportation board. He previously served in the Idaho House from 1978 to 1984, and in the Idaho Senate from 1984 to 1986.
Horsch was most recently a member of the Idaho State Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
Beartooth Highway could open in a week
BILLINGS, Mont. - Officials said the tourist-attracting Beartooth Highway over 10,947-foot Beartooth Pass is projected to open by June 11 as crews continue working to clear snow from late winter storms.
Steve Reed of the Montana Department of Transportation told the Billings Gazette that nearly 6 feet of snow has fallen with the last several storms.
The Beartooth Highway is a national scenic byway that offers stunning views of mountain ranges while taking motorists from Red Lodge to Cooke City and the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
The road typically opens on Memorial Day weekend.
Yellowstone National Park plows the Wyoming side of the route, but pulled its crews earlier in the week to plow Dunraven Pass in the park after a rock slide closed another road.
USDA to honor school for health, nutrition
BOISE - The United States Department of Agriculture has recognized an elementary school in North Idaho for improving the health and nutrition of its students.
The state Department of Education said A.B. McDonald Elementary School in Moscow has been awarded the USDA's HealthierUS School Challenge Silver Award. The school is among dozens that were recognized nationwide for health, nutrition and fitness excellence.
Officials from the HealthierUS School Challenge will visit the Idaho school this fall to present the award.
The project is part of first lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation.
Two years ago, Gooding Elementary School in south-central Idaho became the first school in the country to receive the HealthierUS School Challenge Gold Award of Distinction.
- The Associated Press