North Idaho Briefs September 24, 2011

Boat ramp to close for repairs

Honeysuckle Boat Ramp will be closed for asphalt pavement repairs Monday through Friday.

The park and beach will remain open.

Boaters are advised to use other launch locations during the closure.

Animal blessing set for Oct. 1

The 13th annual Blessing of the Animals is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Kootenai Humane Society Thrift Store, 916 N. 3rd St.

KHS invites all creatures, great and small, for a non-denominational blessing from members of the local clergy.

Dogs, cats, snakes, rabbits, birds and more pets are welcome.

"This custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures," according to a press release.

It is free.

There will be drawings for prizes and a bake sale.

LCDC leaders remain in posts

COEUR d'ALENE - Lake City Development Corp., the city's urban renewal agency, reelected its leadership board Wednesday.

Chairman Denny Davis and Vice Chairman Jim Elder will remain in their current positions, the board agreed during its monthly meeting.

Boy escapes mountain lion

BOISE (AP) - State wildlife managers say a 10-year-old Idaho boy who encountered a mountain lion in rural Boise County escaped with minor scratches - and concerns that his friends at school would not believe his story.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game said Friday the mountain lion was tracked down and killed after the encounter late Thursday.

Senior Conservation Officers Matt O'Connell says the boy came across the mountain lion while searching for a missing hunting dog with his father near their home about 15 to 20 miles northeast of Boise.

O'Connell says the boy ran from the predator but stumbled and fell. It was then the mountain lion took a swipe, scratching the boy's arm and hand, before the dad fired his rifle and scared the predator away.