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Remember to keep your pets safe as weather warms

Remember to keep your pets safe as weather warms

Spring is finally here and Summer is just around the corner, and with the onset of warm weather across the region Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service reminds us to keep our pets safe in the heat.

"Every summer, we respond to calls of animals being left in cars," says Nancy Hill, Director of SCRAPS. "Inside a car, the temperature will rapidly increase and can overwhelm a pet in a very short time period - sometimes with fatal consequences."

If you typically bring your dog or other pets along for the car ride consider leaving them home when temperatures rise. Dogs aren't able to sweat to cool themselves down so it doesn't take much for them to overheat. Cracking a window while you run into the store isn't enough to keep them healthy.

"The temperature outside doesn't have to be in the 90's or more for a problem to exist," says Hill, "On a 78 degree day, temperatures in a car parked in the shade can exceed 90 degrees, and hit a scorching 160 degree if parked in the sun."

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N. Idaho senior center cited for safety violations

A north Idaho assisted living center that has been cited by federal regulators could be facing up to $19,000 in fines.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the citations Tuesday against Four Seasons Assisted Living, located in Coeur d'Alene.

OSHA officials say the facility, which is operated by Oregon-based Good Neighbor Care Centers, failed to provide its workers Hepatitis B vaccinations or protect them from back injuries that could be caused by lifting patients. It was also cited for failing to use syringes that have built-in protection against accidental needle stick injuries.

OSHA Spokeswoman Deanne Amaden said Four Seasons has 15 days to either pay or challenge the fines.

It's the first time the Coeur d'Alene facility has been cited by the federal agency.

Idaho sues former lawmaker over workers' insurance

The Idaho Industrial Commission has filed a lawsuit against a former state lawmaker from northern Idaho over unpaid workers' compensation insurance.

The lawsuit filed in 1st District Court against accuses former state senator Mike Jorgenson of not making any payments since Dec. 1.

The Coeur d'Alene Press reports the 64-year-old Hayden Lake Republican faces a penalty of $5,200.

Jorgenson recently announced he was closing his restaurant in Hayden -- called The Copa.

Earlier this month, Coeur d'Alene's criminal attorney's office announced it had dismissed a misdemeanor battery charge against Jorgenson. The charge was filed after an alleged scuffle with an employee at his restaurant in February.

Jorgenson lost his Senate seat in the 2010 GOP primary.

Idaho governor declares May "2nd Amendment protection" month

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter says May is the month to protect the 2nd Amendment -- and a perfect time to urge arms and ammunition makers to set up shop in Idaho.

The Republican governor issued the proclamation Monday that touts Idaho's reputation as a gun-friendly state and the perfect environment for the firearms industry.

The Department of Commerce tag-teamed with the governor, issuing its own press release touting the state's gun credentials and statutory protections. Agency officials say Idaho is already home to more than 180 companies that manufacture custom firearms, aftermarket parts and specialized ammunition.

Otter spokesman Jon Hanian says the idea was solely the governor's and something he wanted to do. Hanian says Otter wanted to make sure industry officials knew Idaho has thrown down the "welcome mat."

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Footloose in the Palouse turns your attic finds into eBay treasure

Footloose in the Palouse turns your attic finds into eBay treasure

Do you know what collectibles may be lurking in your attic? A new business in Rockford is here to help you turn those attic finds into cash treasures.

 

Laurie and Bill Benson opened Footloose in the Palouse, an eBay consignment business in early March, and so far they've been greeted with great enthusiasm.

 

“Everyday is like Christmas, you never know what's going to walk through the door,” says Laurie adding that they'll sell anything online. The Benson's are working hard to not only sell items on eBay for their clients, but also to educate the community on what has become collectible.

 

A Cup of Joe to Help ALS

A Cup of Joe to Help ALS

Friday you can drink one for Dane at any Dutch Bros, Dane lost his battle with ALS three years ago and now Dutch Bros put their money where their memory is.

The remember and now give the proceeds to MDA, ALS division to help with research and assistance to those with ALS.

We just lost Linda Sheridan to it and we see the No White Flags effort with Steve Gleason.

Its easy to help...buy a coffee or blended drink...cool and helpful.

Third Street Boat Launch closing for the summer

Third Street Boat Launch closing for the summer

If you want to drop your boat in to Lake Coeur d'Alene this summer, you might have a tough time finding a boat launch.One of the busiest launches will close because of the construction on McEuen Field.

The Third Street boat launch will close from June 1 until September 30.

While nearby businesses are battling construction at McEuen Field,boaters and boat delivering companies are battling time.

Steve from The Tobler Marina says he's constantly filling client requests in preparation for the summer.

"I deliver anywhere between 3-6 times a day," he said.

Steve uses the 3rd Street ramp because it's the easiest. Wednesday, he docked Brian Simpson's Chapparal speedboat.

"(The launch) is centrally located, everybody that docks around here, they're out from here," Steve said.

In a month, he won't be able to deliver other customers boats here. The city is temporarily closing the launch because construction workers will need the area as they improve the west end of McEuen Field.

Boaters and deliverers like Steve will have to launch at other points on the lake like Blackwell Island.