The Lewiston Police Department is using every resource at its disposal to catch the individuals responsible for some 20 daylight burglaries in the Normal Hill area. Public Information Officer Monte Renzelman says the cases are unique due to the bold nature of the perpetrators and their willingness to steal in broad daylight.

Public Information Officer Monte Renzelman, LPD, comments

While the Normal Hill area has seen the majority of burglaries, investigators are advising residents throughout the valley to be on the lookout for strange vehicles and people in their own neighborhoods.

Renzelman continues

LPD has made the burglaries its top priority and has re-activated the Secret Witness tip line – (208) 748-CRIME. Anyone who observes anything unusual is urged to call the tip line or the Lewiston Police Department immediately at (208) 746-0171.

U.S. Senator Patty Murray says Fairchild Air Force Base still is expected to be among the early homes to a new air refueling tanker, although no timetable has been set.

Murray and U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers met this week with Gen. Arthur Lichte, head of the Air Mobility Command, after a ceremony to dedicate an $8.2 million facility at the Air Force Survival School, which shares the base with the refueling wing. Lichte said he was “very confident” Fairchild would be among the first bases where new tankers would be assigned.

Any schedule for replacing the KC-135s at Fairchild and throughout the Air Force is speculative because the Pentagon was forced to reopen the bidding between Boeing and Lockheed for the $35 billion contract, and members of Congress have questioned whether the new rules give an advantage to one manufacturer. (Spokesman Review)

No injuries were reported as a wildfire threatened homes and businesses in North Lewiston Monday night.

Crews from Lewiston, Clarkston, Asotin, and Asotin County responded to the blaze just after 8 p.m. It’s believed the fire started from two smaller grass fires along 28th Street North and grew from there, fueled by hot temperatures and high winds. Flames destroyed several trailers parked in a storage yard, but the fire kept clear of homes. The fire was contained after 9 p.m. and personnel stayed on site to mop up and watch for hot spots.

A preliminary investigation pointed to a downed power line as the cause of the fire, but it will be a day or two until the official cause is determined.

Last night’s thunderstorms also kept fire crews busy elsewhere. An Asotin County crew was mopping up a grass fire at the corner of Valley View Drive and Evans Road late last night. That fire is believed to have started on a ridge top above Evans Road, and winds pushed it along U.S. Highway 12 to Valley View Drive.

High winds apparently also caused trees to down power lines and cause small fires elsewhere in the city of Lewiston. Avista had a number of outages reported throughout the region, including 200 customers in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley and 120 in Pullman.

An electrical problem is being blamed for a fire reported late Monday night at a Lewis-Clark State College apartment.

The Lewiston Fire Department responded at 11 p.m. to a report of smoke at the College Place apartments in the 800 block of Fourth Street. The fire is believed to have started in the attic above a third-floor apartment, and ‘fire stops’ and sprinklers kept the flames confined to a small area.

No injuries were reported, but the building was evacuated for the night.

Due to extremely dry conditions, the Asotin County Fire Marshal has placed a county-wide emergency ban on all campfires and recreational fires. Approved propane and charcoal barbeques are still allowed. The ban does not include the areas within Chief Timothy State Park. The ban takes effect Saturday morning August 16 at 8am PDT.

A defense attorney has filed a motion seeking either acquittal or a new trial for the Lewiston man convicted last month in the death of a toddler.

A Nez Perce County jury found Stacey Grove, 29, guilty of first-degree murder for causing injuries that led to the death of 23-month-old Kyler Martin in 2006. Grove was living with Martin’s mother when the child was hospitalized for head and abdominal injuries.  He died a day later and a Spokane deputy medical examiner ruled the death a homicide as a result of blunt-force trauma.

Defense attorney Scott Chapman filed a motion this week in Lewiston’s 2nd District Court seeking to set aside the jury’s verdict. A hearing on the motion has not been set.

Grove faces the possibility of up to life in prison when he is sentenced Oct. 22.

The LC Valley YWCA in Lewiston, Idaho is accepting donations for its upcoming annual school supplies distribution day. The event is intended for students who’s families are unable to afford some back to school basics. Nellie Frost, Children’s Advocate at the “Y” says there is still time for people to donate items or money to this year’s drive.

Nellie Frost, Children’s Advocate, comments

Last year more than 600 area students benefited from the program and officials expect an even greater need this year.

Frost continues

Donations can be dropped off at the YWCA building located at 300 Main Street in Lewiston. For more information call the “Y” at (208) 743-1535 or visit the website at www.ywcaidaho.org .

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo is making his way around the state of Idaho during the Senate’s August recess to talk to residents and gather input and find out what is on their minds.

The Idaho Falls Republican was in Lewiston on Wednesday and says that, not surprisingly, high gasoline prices and energy policy are at the forefront of the discussions.

US Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) comments

Crapo and other Republicans have been pushing for off-shore drilling, exploration in ANWR, and other methods of domestic oil production. However, no bills have been brought to the floor that would bring about a national discussion on the best way to approach the nation’s energy crisis. Crapo says the difficulty of passing any significant legislation this session is exacerbated by the 2008 election year.

Crapo continues

The Senator says Idahoans are also concerned about Endangered Species Act reform and the protection status of wolves in the state.