Reckless driving ends in fatality
SPOKANE VALLEY - The Washington State Patrol said a driver was speeding recklessly and passing cars when he collided head-on with an oncoming car Wednesday in Spokane Valley, killing the other driver.
Sgt. Lennie Walker told KXLY 43-year-old Brett Birge may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He is facing a vehicular homicide charge.
Birge is recovering from injuries in the crash that killed 21-year-old Brittany Babinski.
Officials identify woman killed
in Ketchum bicycle crash
KETCHUM - Blaine County officials have released the name of a 56-year-old woman who died when her bicycle fell into the path of a dump truck in Ketchum.
Sheriff Gene Ramsey said Bonni Curran of Ketchum was traveling north on Main Street, as was the dump truck. Traffic was stopped for a pedestrian crossing the road.
As the dump truck started moving forward Curran started pedaling. Ramsey said her bicycle wobbled and she fell under the wheels of the truck.
The sheriff said an initial investigation turned up no signs of negligence.
Brother of man charged in assault
faces child pornography charges
BOISE - A Boise man who is charged with helping his brother avoid arrest in an assault case is himself facing charges in a child pornography case.
Police in Boise said 29-year-old Richard Scott Macho was arrested Wednesday on a warrant charging him with five counts of possession of sexually exploitative material. A search warrant served at Macho's house on June 25 turned up the pornographic images.
Macho is also charged with destruction or concealment of evidence for helping his brother, Greggory Macho, alter the appearance of his pickup truck while he was wanted on suspicion of attacking a woman in a Boise mall parking lot and running over another one as he fled.
Suspect arrested in gold coin burglary
COEUR D'ALENE - A 24-year-old Coeur d'Alene man has been arrested on suspicion of being involved in a home burglary in which thousands of dollars in gold and silver coins were taken.
Coeur d'Alene Police said Derek D. Hague was arrested Tuesday night. Court records said he was arraigned Wednesday in Kootenai County on charges of robbery for the home break-in early Sunday along with burglary and grand theft for crimes that prosecutors said took place on Aug. 2. His bail was set at $50,000.
Police spokeswoman Sgt. Christie Wood said the burglary investigation continues. She did not immediately return a phone message Thursday asking if the coins had been recovered.
The homeowner said the burglars got away with one safe, but left another in the driveway. Police said the two safes had a combined $250,000 worth of coins.
Flows at famed Shoshone Falls
about to decline for the summer
BOISE - Time is running out for fans and tourists to see Shoshone Falls at its peak summer splendor.
Idaho Power officials said they are getting ready to lower flows of the Snake River that feed the spectacular water falls near Twin Falls.
The utility intends to lower volumes significantly on the river by today. In the past few weeks, Idaho Power has been releasing water stored at American Falls Reservoir to generate electricity at dams downstream - and thus boosting volume spilling over Shoshone Falls.
Flows on the Snake River peaked at 2,500 cubic feet per second Thursday. Idaho Power will reduce flows to about 600 cubic feet per second by tonight.
Idaho man arrested for sex with girl
MERIDIAN, Idaho - A southeastern Idaho man was jailed in Boise after being charged with having sex with a 14-year-old girl he met online.
Prosecutors allege 31-year-old Jason James Melchor of Terreton traveled to Meridian to have sex with the girl in July. He was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on two counts of lewd conduct with a child younger than 16 and enticing children.
Deputy Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea said officers were notified when a relative of the girl came home to find Melchor in the house. The relative called police, believing Melchor was a burglar. Melchor fled before officers arrived.
During the investigation, officers learned Melchor was having sex with the girl.
Associated Press
