Anheuser-Busch will stop making alcohol drinks containing caffeine or other stimulants, as part of a legal settlement with attorneys general from Idaho and ten other states.

The attorneys general say alcohol energy drinks such as Tilt and Bud Extra taste and look like non-alcoholic energy drinks, but young people often believe, incorrectly, that the caffeine in the drinks will counteract the intoxicating effects of the alcohol. Idaho attorney General Lawrence Wasden says the incorrect beliefs are fueled by aggressive marketing campaigns.

Idaho AG Lawrence Wasden comments

Wasden praised Anheuser-Busch for being a responsible industry leader and for eliminating all caffeinated alcohol beverages from its product list.

Wasden continues

While Anheuser-Busch denied the AGs’ claims, it cooperated with the investigation and promptly decided to reformulate the drinks without caffeine or other stimulants.

Other states involved in the settlement are Arizona, California, Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, and Ohio.

Regence BlueShield of Idaho and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lewis-Clark Valley have announced a partnership that incorporates a “Regence Triple Play” program into the club’s core offerings. Mike Tatko, Media Relations Manager with Regence says the company’s $33,000 donation will be used to help expand on the activities available in the Lewis-Clark Valley.

Mike Tatko, media relations manager at Regence, comments

The Boys and Girls Club was chosen as one of three partnership organizations in Idaho that Regence officials described as sharing the same goals.

Tatko continues

The contribution will go toward supplies for cooking classes, pool tables, gym and outdoor recreation equipment, an indoor remote scoreboard and staff support.

U.S. Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) on Wednesday reintroduced an amendment to the emergency supplemental appropriations bill to extend the county timber payments program.

The one-year, $400 million extension would secure funding for over 775 counties and 4,400 school districts across 42 states while Congress works on a multi-year solution.

The original Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act established a six-year payment formula for counties that receive revenue sharing payments for U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands. The formula, based on timber receipts, provides a dedicated funding stream for rural schools which cannot collect property taxes from national parks, U.S. forests and other public lands.

Craig’s amendment would restore the county payments legislation to the supplemental bill that was passed by the House last week.

US Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) comments

In addition to war funding, the House-approved bill includes veterans’ provisions as well as disaster relief for flooding in the Midwest. The full Senate is expected to consider the legislation this week.

As record-high fuel prices continue to stress household budgets, some motorists are going to new and sometimes dangerous lengths to cut costs. The American Automobile Association is particularly concerned about the increased number of drivers “hypermiling” in efforts to exceed a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Triple-A Idaho’s Dave Carlson says while the goals of “hypermiling” are positive, motorists should refrain from unsafe and dangerous actions associated with the practice.

AAA-Idaho’s Dave Carlson comments

Other tips to achieve better fuel economy include having tires inflated to vehicle manufacturer specifications and also using manufacturer recommended motor oil based on climate.

Despite concerns from U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), a bill aimed at helping hundreds of thousands of homeowners in danger of foreclosure cleared an important test vote in the Senate on Tuesday, raising the prospects for final passage of an aid bill by mid-summer.

By 83 to 9, the Senate agreed to end debate on the assistance package and move to a final vote, which could come very soon. The centerpiece of the package is a foreclosure rescue program in which the Federal Housing Administration would provide $300 billion in new, cheaper mortgages for distressed homeowners who otherwise would be considered too financially risky to qualify for government-insured, fixed-rate loans.

All nine votes against closing debate on the bill were cast by Republicans, including Sen. Crapo.

US Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) comments

The measure faces a veto threat from President Bush and disputes among Democrats about key details. Those challenges will probably delay any final deal until mid-July. (NY Times)

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will complete improvements this week and re-open the Waha Lake Recreational Area. Mike Demick with the department’s Clearwater Office says visitors will notice many upgrades to both lake access and facilities.

Mike Demick, IDFG Clearwater Office, comments

Officials will re-open the Waha Lake boat ramp Wednesday, while the campground is scheduled to re-open Friday. For more information contact the IDFG Clearwater Office in Lewiston, Idaho at (208) 799-5010.

With summer here and more and more people spending time outdoors, the Washington State Department of Health is urging the public to take steps to avoid mosquitoes that may carry West Nile Virus. Tim Church, Communications Director with the health department says the best way to prevent contracting West Nile Virus is to avoid being bitten at all.

Tim Church, communications director, comments

While most people bitten by infected mosquitoes don’t become ill, some may have mild to severe flu-like symptoms. A small number of people may develop a serious neurological disease. People over 50 and those with compromised or weakened immune systems are at greater risk for serious illness. For more information contact the nearest state health department.

The deadline for paying the second half of 2007 Nez Perce County property taxes is 5pm PDT Friday, June, 20. County Treasurer Barb Fry says the two payment option is a popular choice by many property owners instead of paying one lump sum at the end of each year.

Barb Fry, county treasurer, comments

Those who fail to make payment by the Friday deadline face the risk of being assessed late charges and added interest penalties.

Fry continues

Anyone with questions can contact the Nez Perce County Treasurer’s Office at (208) 799-3030.