North Idaho county approves request for megaload money

MOSCOW (AP) - The Latah County sheriff has won approval to request money from a company transporting oil equipment for Exxon Mobil along a North Idaho highway.

County commissioners signed off Monday on Sheriff Wayne Rausch's plans to bill hauling contractor Mammoet for the overtime his deputies have incurred while overseeing the shipments amid protests from environmentalists.

Rausch plans to bill the company for $5,500 to $6,000. Latah County commissioners approved the request, saying taxpayers shouldn't have to foot the bill.

The city of Moscow, which is the county seat, has issued a similar request for $12,800.

The shipments have been diverted through Moscow on U.S. Highway 95 while a court challenge in Montana holds up transports on the original route on U.S. Highway 12.