Idaho Briefs October 16, 2012

Travel Channel to visit Scarywood Theme Park

The Travel Channel will be filming portions of Scarywood throughout Silverwood Theme Park on Wednesday, Oct. 24 for a special segment airing in next year's episode of "Halloween's Scariest Thrills."

Their focus will be Timber Terror running backwards, The Zombiewood Express Train Ride, as well as, the numerous other attractions and scare zones at Scarywood, considered one of the top Halloween haunts in the nation.

Their producers have asked Silverwood to identify a number of guests who would be willing to interview with them and talk about Scarywood on camera.

"If you're at Scarywood Wednesday, Oct. 24, and you see the camera crew, don't hesitate to ask the Scarywood staff person if you can interview," according to a press release.

Ed reform ad uses union comment out of context

BOISE (AP) - An ad promoting Idaho education reforms recycles a three-year-old speech, using it out of context to bash those trying to repeal the changes on Nov. 6.

The advertisement played Monday on the Internet and Idaho radio stations uses an excerpt from a 2009 speech by National Education Association lawyer Bob Chanin.

Chanin's speech actually preceded Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna's 2011 reforms by two years.

The ad also doesn't give the speech's context - and could mislead people about Chanin's message.

In 2011, the same excerpt appeared in national political advertisements financed by a group led by Karl Rove, a former staffer for President George W. Bush's administration, to link Democrats with unions.

The pro-reform group behind the ad, Yes for Idaho Education, didn't return a phone call.

Police investigate after body found in Idaho park

BOISE (AP) - Boise police are investigating after someone visiting a downtown park found the body of a man near a duck pond.

Authorities identified the man Monday as 47-year-old James Allen. His body was found partially submerged in a small canal in Ann Morrison Park, and investigators believe the body had been there for some time.

A park user called 911 to report the body immediately after discovering it Sunday evening.

Officers say Allen was transient. The cause of death wasn't immediately clear, and the detectives and the Ada County coroner are investigating.