In brief: Idaho man among two victims of avalanches

JACKSON, Wyo. – An Idaho man died in an avalanche while snowmobiling in Wyoming’s Jackson area, the second person killed by a slide within two hours, authorities said.

Rex J. Anderson, of Arco, Idaho, was killed Thursday while snowmobiling in Waterfall Canyon near the Idaho border, the Jackson Hole News & Guide reported.

The slide occurred less than two hours after 29-year-old Jackson resident Michael Kazanjy was killed by an avalanche while he was skiing a slope known as Pucker Face.

Anderson, 39, was with three other snowmobilers when he was buried by the slide, the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center said.

Anderson’s companions were not caught in the slide. They found him with the help of his avalanche beacon and dug him out within 10 minutes but could not revive him, authorities said.

A helicopter from Air Rescue Idaho arrived within 37 minutes. Rescue crew members confirmed Anderson could not be revived, authorities said.

The avalanche was about 350 yards long but the depth wasn’t immediately available. It occurred at about 9,000 feet elevation.

Kazanjy was initially reported to be snowboarding at the time he was killed in an avalanche, but a Jackson Hole Mountain Resort spokeswoman said he was skiing.

State Parks host New Year hikes

State parks across Washington are sponsoring family-oriented  New Year’s Day hikes to get the year off on the right foot. Events in the Spokane area include:

• Mount Spokane, 10 a.m. – Snowshoe along Trail 130 for a 2- to 4-mile, round-trip hike. Meet at the snowmobile parking lot. A Seasonal Sno-Park Permit or a One-Day Sno-Park Permit and a Discover Pass are required for vehicle access to the event. (Purchase Sno-Park permits online at parks.wa.gov/winter.) Snowshoes are required, and pets are allowed on a leash.

• Riverside State Park, 1 p.m. – Take the foot bridge over the Spokane River for a hike on the Bowl and Pitcher River Trail. Participants will see the unique basalt rock formations cut by the Spokane River known as the Bowl and Pitcher. Meet in the Bowl and Pitcher swing bridge parking lot. Snowshoes may be required. Pets on leash are allowed. 

No wolves shot on first day of hunting derby

BOISE – Organizers of a wolf- and coyote-shooting derby in central Idaho say about 200 people signed up but only about 50 or 60 are hunters and the rest are just offering support for the event.

Steve Alder said no wolves had been reported shot late Saturday, the first day of the event that ends late this afternoon.

He said one hunter’s vehicle was vandalized with paint and scraping, and that authorities were investigating.

Environmental groups had sought to stop the derby, arguing the United States Forest Service was ignoring its own rules that require permits for competitive events. A federal judge on Friday allowed the derby to proceed.

Officers use sandwich to resolve standoff

PORTLAND – Portland police officers used a sandwich to stop a naked man from jumping off the ledge of a parking structure.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, on Saturday morning officers found a naked man who appeared to be experiencing a behavioral health crisis, was cutting himself with a knife and threatening to jump off the ledge.

After the man said he was hungry, officers obtained a sandwich from a nearby hotel and used it to lure the man away from the ledge.

Officers were then able to take the man into custody. He is currently being evaluated medically at an area hospital.

Investigators said criminal charges related to vandalism to vehicles in the parking structure were being considered.