Story Published: Dec 31, 2009 at 11:33 PM PST
Story Updated: Dec 31, 2009 at 11:33 PM PST
Here are ten of the biggest stories Action News covered in 2009.
The year kicked off with unrest when it comes to EMS. With Lewiston asking for more money for ambulance transport in the Valley and surrounding area, Clarkston pulled out of negotiations and started its own ambulance service. Asotin County signed a new contract with Lewiston, as did Nez Perce and Whitman County. The current EMS contract ends December 31 at midnight.
On March 5, flames scorched LCSC's Center for Arts and History in downtown Lewiston. Firefighters said a tray left on a hot stove appeared to be the cause. It took several hours to put out the fire.
Former Nez Perce County Sheriff Jim Dorion pled guilty in May to one count of Accessory to Burglary. In August he was sentenced to prison with withheld judgment and was released last week after completing alcohol treatment in a Boise prison.
In May, Randal Vernon “Vern” Ellenwood died and Ricardo Rodriguez was injured in a shooting involving Idaho State Police Trooper Jeffery Talbott . The FBI said a high-speed chase ensued after the men refused to pull over for Talbott. After the chase, there was a scuffle that led to the shooting.
After a six month delay, inmates were finally moved into the new Nez Perce County Jail in June, almost two years after the county broke ground on the new facility.
And a Moscow man was arrested after police said he killed his wife and unborn child before setting fire to their apartment. Silas Parks is awaiting trial for double homicide and arson. A bond amount of $200,000 was recently set for him.
In July, Moscow followed Washington's lead and outlawed smoking inside bars and clubs in the city. The issue was hotly contested, but easily passed in a city council vote.
After years of debate, on the first day of the first legal wolf hunting season, Robert Millage of Kamiah shot and killed a 2-year-old female wolf, becoming one of the first to do so in Idaho.
As summer ended, the new super Walmart opened in Clarkston. Some even camped out to be the first to shop.
In November, citizens voted in a new city council. The so-called COPS ticket of Brad Cannon, Dennis Ohrtman, Kevin Poole and Thyra Stevenson, won the election while Mayor Doug Havens and Jim Kluss were voted out of office.
