Lack of snow hurts Idaho snowpack levels

Friday, February 8th, 2013, 12:41pm

Below normal precipitation in January has caused a decline in snowpack across much of the state.

Federal water supply experts say the lackluster January creates hopes for a snowy February to avert concern about the water supply for the upcoming growing season.

National Resource Conservation Specialist Ron Abramovich says snowpack decreased by up to 30 percent from a month ago -- with snowpack ranging from a low of 75 percent to 128 percent of normal.

Most basins began the season in good shape, and he says it's too soon to panic as recent years have shown declines from one dry month can be reversed.

But two dry months in a row can create negative impacts on the water supply.

The report also shows stream flow forecasts decreased across the state.

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What is the highest Gonzaga men's basketball has been ranked?

Submitted by Jacob Palmer on Friday, February 8th, 12:22 pm

The argument is raging throughout the Inland Empire: What is the highest Gonzaga men's basketball has ever ranked?

Some swear it is No. 3, while others claim they never got higher than fourth in 2008.

See above: Gonzaga's highest ranking was not in the Dec. 8 rankings when they reached No. 4 (as was previously reported in this space), but rather in the 17th week of the 2003-2004 season.

The more you know.

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Allegiant offers Spokane to Honolulu one-way ticket for $140

Submitted by Jacob Palmer on Friday, February 8th, 10:29 am

The sun sounds pretty appealing right now, and an airline flying out of the Spokane International Airport is making that more accessible than you might have thought.

Allegiant Air is kicking off its Spokane to Honolulu direct flight offerings with a $140 one-way ticket.

“We are pleased to bring a new affordable and convenient travel option to Spokane,” Andrew C. Levy, president of Allegiant Travel Company, said. “We are confident area residents will appreciate the convenience of flying nonstop to Hawaii and the value of bundling their air, hotel and car rental reservation together.”

The new route will be traveled on a once-weekly basis from GEG to Honolulu International Airport and available to 223 passengers on each flight, according to a news release.

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Get help completing the FAFSA

Submitted by Jacob Palmer on Thursday, February 7th, 11:16 am

Even the Beatles knew when they needed help.

North Idaho College will be hosting an event Saturday, when families can get help and information on how to apply for federal financial aid on Saturday at the Molstead Library Computer Lab (2nd floor) on NIC's campus. The event starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. NIC office of Financial Aid says it is an open-door event, where you can stop by anytime between 10 and 2.

“Get help completing the 2013-2014 financial aid application regardless of which college or university you plan to attend,” the day's event page said.

According to the page, there will be scholarship giveaways, door prizes and food.

Participants are told to bring their social security number, driver's license, 2012 W2 and 2012 federal tax return – if filed.

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Avista asking to raise natural gas and electric rates in North Idaho

Submitted by Joseph Suttner, Producer

Wednesday, February 6th, 2013, 3:14pm

Avista has reached a settlement agreement that, if approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, will raise natural gas and electric rates in North Idaho in two phases.

The first increase would occur April 1, 2013, the second on Oct. 1, 2013.

According to Avista, the settlement proposes that starting April 1, 2013, Avista would increase base natural gas rates by 4.9 percent or $3.1 million. Electric rates would increase by an overall 3.1 percent or $7.8 million.

The settlement also proposes that starting October 1, 2013, Avista would again increase natural gas rates by an overall 2.0 percent or $1.3 million.

A credit resulting from deferred natural gas costs of $1.6 million would be returned to natural gas customers. The net annual average natural gas rate increase to customers would be just 0.3 percent. Similar to natural gas, s $3.9 million credit would be returned to Idaho electric customers, so the net annual average electric rate increase to customers would be just 1.9 percent.

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Lewiston man pleads guilty to burglary

Submitted by Kristy Mylroie, Spokane Public Schools Blogger

Tuesday, February 5th, 2013, 4:10pm

COEUR D'ALENE, ID - A 20-year-old Lewiston man today pled guilty in U.S. District Court to a March 2012 burglary. According to the plea agreement, on two separate occasions Stefan Hiebert, an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe, burglarized a barn located on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, with the intent to steal elk and deer antlers and sheds he knew to be inside.

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