Local briefs

Idaho investigators eye human-caused fires in Kamiah region

KAMIAH - Investigators from the Idaho Department of Lands are in Kamiah this week to look into a number of human-caused fires over the past few years.

According to a news release from the department, there were some human-caused fires in the midst of last summer's Clearwater Complex - a collection of dozens of wildfires started by an Aug. 10 lightning storm that ultimately destroyed dozens of homes and burned tens of thousands of acres - and at least one human-caused fire this year.

The recently extinguished Clear Creek 2 Fire near Kooskia was ruled to have been human caused and is part of the investigation.

Officials from the department could not be reached for comment but Zoanne Anderson, manager of the department's Kamiah-based Maggie Creek Supervisory Area, was quoted in the news release as saying, "While we can't provide any specifics regarding this initial investigation, we want the public to be aware and not concerned if they see IDL investigators during this fact-finding portion of the investigation. If anyone has information that may be helpful or relevant they are encouraged to call (208) 334-0286."

Jenny Goin selected for vacant assessor post

ASOTIN - The Asotin County Commission has appointed Jenny Goin to the vacant assessor position.

After interviewing three candidates for the job Tuesday, the commissioners chose Goin, who currently works as a paralegal at the Clark and Feeney law firm in Lewiston. She will be sworn in at next Monday's regular commission meeting.

Commissioner Brian Shinn said the Asotin County Republicans recommended three strong candidates for the role. Rick Carlson and Deana Portlock were also interviewed before the decision was made in open session.

The assessor position was formerly held by Chris Wood, who died in July. Because Wood ran as a Republican in the last election, the party was asked to recommend possible replacements. Shinn said all of the applicants did well during the interviews.

This is the second recent change in Asotin County's roster of elected officials. On Monday, a new clerk was sworn in to take over for Marie Eggart, who retired in July. McKenzie Kelley is now head of the department that handles all Superior Court matters.

Applications sought for emergency aid

NEZPERCE - Public or private volunteer agencies wishing to apply for emergency food and shelter funds are being sought by the Lewis County social services director.

The deadline for applications is 1:30 p.m. Aug. 11.

The funds are made available through the Federal Emergency management agency and Lewis County will receive $2,881 this year to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

Emergency food and shelter funds have been distributed in the past to the Community Action Partnership and the Kamiah Senior Citizen society.

Anyone wishing to make an application may contact Michelle A. Lyons at (208) 937-9248 or email mlyons@lewiscountyid.org.

No injuries reported after incident at WSU

No one was injured in an incident Tuesday morning that closed Washington State University's Engineering Teaching-Research Lab Building and adjacent College Avenue for about 31/2 hours.

The Pullman Fire Department and WSU Police Department responded to a hydrogen release at the lab building at about 9:40 a.m., Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Scharnhorst said.

Hydrogen is flammable in specific quantities, Scharnhorst said, but the incident occurred in a ventilated space.

The fire department coordinated with WSU's environmental health and safety and facilities operations departments in response to the incident.

Meeting set in Elk City to discuss fire agency

ELK CITY - A community meeting to discuss creating a fire department is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday at the conference room at the U.S. Forest Service building here.

Homeowners and residents of the town will discuss the community's emergency fire and medical needs and how to create an emergency organization that meets the needs of the community and complies with the laws of the state of Idaho.