Breaking News:
Boise, Idaho: An emergency session of the Idaho State Legislature has met to push through legislation making it a criminal offence to wish for a white Christmas. A conviction carries with it a mandatory sentence of one year house arrest for a first offence. Prisoner will be allowed out for shoveling. A second offence is life in prison with no parole.
Public opinion was heavily in favor of the death penalty, but Bishop Michael Driscoll stepped in and said the Catholic Church does not support the death penalty for "white Christmas wishing" offences. There is also a large Mormon population which also backed the life in prison sentence.
Two-time offenders have already been spotted in snow mobiles trying to cross into neighboring states to avoid prosecution. Most have been turned back at the border. Utah in particular has been vigilant at patrolling their borders.
Utah official, Benny Hanna, was quoted as saying, "we have our own criminals to worry about. Utah is considering the same legislation and will pattern it after the recent Idaho law. These people have got to realize they just can't go around wishing for anything they want without concern for the impact on others."
Tensions continue rising with snow levels
Dec 26, 2008 06:32 PM PST
KXLY
SPOKANE -- Over the past few days the number of assaults on plow truck drivers, which have ranged from shovel throwing to gun threats, have continued to climb along with December's record snow levels.
Ho, ho, ho, and Merry Christmas
Fear of roof collapses mounts with snow
Trevor VanDyke/KREM 2
INLAND NORTHWEST - Another round of snow is expected this weekend, and forecasters say that the expected warmer temperatures will make for more wet and heavy snow.
With record snowfall in the month of December, many home and business owners are concerned about the threat of roof collapses. Clearing rooftops has become as big a priority for many as clearing driveways and walkways.
SPOKANE - The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for much of the Inland Northwest until noon Saturday.
KREM 2
Snow accumulations of 3-6 inches are expected by Saturday afternoon over portions of the Palouse and Spokane area. Up to 9 inches is possible in the Coeur d'Alene area.
Snow is expected to start this evening and continue through Saturday morning. By Saturday afternoon snow may change to rain.
