News Digest:
Monday, September 29, 2008 10:41 AM PDT
GOOD AFTERNOON
IDAHO
Wood products industry hit by slowdown
LEWISTON (AP) — The wood products manufacturing industry in north central Idaho has seen employment slip more than 10 percent since last year, as a lackluster economy and collapsing home construction industry forced layoffs.
Kathryn Tacke, a regional economist with the Idaho Department of Labor in Coeur d’Alene, says 988 people are now working in the sector, according to her agency’s figures.
That compares with more than 1,100 in 2007.
The trend means there’s less money flowing to other businesses in the community, as well.
State leads land use study in S.W. Idaho
BOISE (AP) — A federal grant will help state officials conduct a study looking at the compatibility of the Mountain Home Air Force base with other land use policies in southwest Idaho
The land use study will focus on Ada, Elmore and Owyhee counties and is financed by a $235,000 grant from the U.S. Defense Department.
The goal is to safeguard military operations and training opportunities at the base, but at the same time strike a balance with surrounding communities on current and future land uses. Other factors include environmental protection, sustainable economic growth, public health and safety.
OREGON
Group wants
legal marijuana
dispensaries
ASHLAND (AP) — A medical marijuana activist group is working on an initiative to create marijuana dispensaries in Oregon similar to those in California.
The group, called Voter Power, hopes to put a measure on the 2010 ballot that would set up a limited number of nonprofit dispensaries.
Under current Oregon law, medical marijuana cardholders must grow their own marijuana or find someone else to grow it for them. If the dispensary system is approved, patients will still be able to grow their own marijuana or select a grower. Marijuana is still illegal under federal law — even for medical use. But the federal government typically just monitors the state program for reports of abuse.
