Kempthorne faces Senate vote today
The full Senate is scheduled to vote this morning on Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne’s nomination as U.S. secretary of the Interior, and Idaho Sen. Larry Craig, speaking on the floor of the Senate on Thursday night, predicted a “resounding” vote of approval.
Craig noted that Kempthorne is a former senator who left the Senate “in a tremendous state of good will.” He also cited Kempthorne’s experience negotiating the Nez Perce water agreement, his work with the Western Governors Association on forest issues, and his initiative in expanding Idaho’s state parks system. As secretary of the Interior Department, Kempthorne would oversee public lands, water and energy issues, national parks and more.
Craig also noted Kempthorne’s endorsement by a bipartisan group of 40 governors. “I am not quite sure I have ever seen that before, that 40 governors, Democrat and Republican, would step up and say on behalf of one of their colleagues that he is qualified and they support him without condition to become the next secretary of Interior,” Craig said.
If Kempthorne’s nomination is confirmed, he’d no longer be governor of Idaho, and Lt. Gov. Jim Risch would succeed him in office. Risch would name a new lieutenant.
Betsy Z. RussellKingston, Idaho
Wind damage closes part of campground
Much of the Bumblebee Campground on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River will be closed over Memorial Day weekend following a massive windstorm this week, according to U.S. Forest Service District Ranger Randy Swick.
A powerful microburst of wind Monday knocked down huge grand firs throughout the south loop of the popular camping area, closing 16 first-come, first-served sites, Swick said. Crews are working to clear the debris, but the south loop of the Forest Service campground will not be ready for weekend camping, he said. The reservation-only north loop of the campground remains open.
The wind caused several large trees to fall and smash the campground host’s camper. The trailer was unoccupied at the time, Swick said.
For more forest information, contact the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District at (208) 664-2318.
– James Hagengruber
Coeur d’Alene
Police seeking 82-year-old man
Authorities are looking for an 82-year-old Colorado man reported missing from the Coeur d’Alene Casino late Wednesday.
Theodore Edward Fasso reportedly left the casino around 11:30 a.m. to fill his car with gas at a nearby service station, his wife told authorities. He has not been seen since.
Fasso was last seen driving a gold 2000 Buick LeSabre with Colorado plates EXA7021, according to a press release from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department.
Fasso suffered a stroke last year but has no other known medical conditions, police said. Authorities said his credit cards have been used to buy gas since he left the casino, but they reportedly can’t track the location of the purchases until Tuesday, when information will be available from his credit card companies. Anyone who has seen Fasso is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at (208) 446-1300.
– Taryn Brodwater