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Weekend trash closes Illia Dunes until further notice

Weekend trash closes Illia Dunes until further notice

A popular recreation spot for residents of the Palouse was trashed over the weekend prompting its closure until further notice. Over 3,000 people visited the Illia Dunes and left a giant mess for somebody else to clean up.

The Army Corps of Engineers is concerned for visitor safety and health because of the trash. They found broken bottles, beer cans left in the water at the site located downstream of the Lower Granite Lock and Dam along the Snake River. The refuse extended into the parking lots and roadway.

A cleanup plan is underway for the site, but Corps officials do not know when the recreation spot will reopen to the public.

Officials say they're disappointed with the situation. Even with reduced funding, they provide free garbage bags to visitors to help remove trash from the premises.

The dunes is one of the few locations along the river where recreation and wildlife is managed.

"Blue moon" scheduled for Friday evening

"Blue moon" scheduled for Friday evening

Strange things always seem to happen on full moons, but what about an additional full moon on the same month? That's called a blue moon. Sorry to disappoint you, but technically - it's not blue.

Because lunar events are not aligned with our calendar months, sometimes the 29.5 cycle resets. We already had a pre-funk earlier this month, a full moon on August 1. History is now is repeating itself this Friday, August 31.

It will be awhile the next time you see two full moons in the same month. You'll have to wait until July 2015. The skies are expected to be clear, so don't stand alone this Friday. Grab a love of your own and check out the night sky.

Lightning causes 9,500 acres to burn along Snake river.

Lightning causes 9,500 acres to burn along Snake river.

A wildfire caused by a lighting strike on Monday near the Oregon-Washington Border has grown to 9,500 acres in three days.

The fire started around 4:30 p.m. in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area on Monday. The fire is now burning adjacent to the Snake river.

As of Wednesday, firefighters said the fire continues to grow but is expected not to reach Idaho.

The fire has burned in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Vale BLM lands and have hurt Washington Fish and Wildlife.

Fire officials said multiple crews and helicopters are working on the fire. The Central Oregon Incident Management Team will be assuming fire managment efforts 6:00 a.m. Thursday morning.

$1.3 million grant will fund Port of Lewiston dock extension

$1.3 million grant will fund Port of Lewiston dock extension

Public officials toured the Port of Lewiston this afternoon following the announcement of a $1.3 million grant to extend the port's container dock by 150 feet. The extension allows for two barges to sit along the dock to import and export goods, instead of just one.

Construction on the project is expected to start next year in July. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, toured the future site on Wednesday afternoon along with Governor Butch Otter and his wife.

The expansion was approved in April by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after multiple reviews of potential impact on a federal levee, landside easement agreements, and permits for navigation and the Clean Water Act.

The project was not expected to have significant impacts on the environment and followed the National Environmental Protection Act according to former district commander Lt. Col. David Caldwell who recently rotated out of command in July. 

The port moves products for agriculture and products for Clearwater Paper which were on display during the tour.

When completed in September 2013, total construction cost should be about $2.9 million.

Community Sponsors

Local film maker seeking donations

Local film maker seeking donations

Lights, Camera, Action! - The rolling hills of the Palouse set the stage for a locally produced film about a feuding family finding peace in the midst of tragedy.

The movie is called "The Merry Graingers" and its been a labor of love for Serena Belsby who wrote the script after a family member died a few years ago. 

According to Belsby, the movie opens with the Grainger family preparing for their father's funeral.  As the film progresses, relationships change and they begin to enjoy each others company.

"We take the ride with them and see a bit of ourselves in them," writes Belsby

"It ends on an upbeat note and we realize they are going to be okay and they are going to start to accept one another warts and all. The film is about hope and acceptance."

With an Independent Film Project sponsorship, Belsby has had enough money to shoot the movie but now she needs help finishing it.

Police solve car theft case when vehicle drives by

Officers in northern Idaho didn't have much trouble resolving a stolen vehicle case after the missing car drove by while police were taking a report from the owner.

According to reports, Dianne E. Blazer of Lewiston noticed her 2003 Nissan Sentra had been stolen overnight and was talking with police at 9:30 a.m. Thursday when an officer noticed the car driving down the street.

The officer ran after the vehicle and ordered the driver to stop. Chon E. Tackett of Coeur d'Alene told police he didn't remember how he got the vehicle and was trying to find a friend's house.

Tackett, who is 30, was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and driving under the influence.

Farmers turn their corn maze into a tribute to "Wave the Flag"

Farmers turn their corn maze into a tribute to "Wave the Flag"

This is one way to wave the Cougar flag. Embedded into a giant corn field about 12 miles south of Pullman, a very green Cougar flag waves in the breeze. It’s the work of two Washington State University alumni, Ty and Kay Wolf Meyer who turned their Colton corn maze at Red Barn Farms into a work of art.

Even the pirates of the Palouse make an appearance in the maze. A skull and crossbones can be seen in the upper left section of the corn maze.

The maze makes reference to the famous #GoCougs hashtag used throughout the Twittersphere. We hope Coach Leach approves.