Sandpoint bypass has to pass appeals court • How slow is your Internet connection? • Run, Forrest, run • Boise company working on cool mobile phone technology • CSI snuffs out butts starting today • Celebrating National Bowling Week

Sandpoint bypass has to pass appeals court

The Bonner County Daily Bee reports that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear oral arguments today in the federal lawsuit over the Sandpoint bypass.

The North Idaho Community Action Network is arguing the U.S. Department of Transportation violated the federal charter for environmental protection when it approved the Highway 95 rerouting proposal, also known as the Sand Creek Byway.

NICAN moved for an emergency injunction in June to halt construction of the $98.4 million bypass, which was set to begin this summer. The appeals court granted the motion last month, setting the stage for Monday’s hearing.

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How slow is your Internet connection?

A new study conducted by affordable-broadband advocacy group Speed Matters found that the nine states with the fastest median download connections are all located on the East Coast.

The study, reported in PC World magazine, also found that Idaho is among the states with the slowest median download speeds.

One of the conclusions of the study was that the U.S. government should look at branching out its universal service subsidies to help support high-speed Internet adoption.

PC World says the divide in Internet connectivity between urban and rural states has been a hot topic in recent months.

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Run, Forrest, run

Idaho resident Jeramie Dreyfuss, the former wife of actor Richard Dreyfuss, flew to Denver to join in the protest against the euthanization of a dog the city has labeled as a violator of the 2005 ban on pit bulls.

Dreyfuss is among a growing group of supporters angry that Denver is trying to euthanize the mixed breed dog named Forrest.

Also, Denver's law against pit bulls clearly states that pit bulls are not allowed in the city limits, and the dog and his owner are residents of Adams County (outside of Denver).

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Boise company working on cool mobile phone technology

Boise-based M2E power has been working to bring kinetic energy to mobile phones.

M2E is expected to announce an external charger for cell phones later this month or early next month.

The charger can capture low frequency kinetic energy, which includes typical human motion, so Web sire unwir3d.com says walking or swinging your arms could produce energy to charge your mobile devices.

M2E is currently working on motion powered military products that should appear on the field in 2009.

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CSI snuffs out butts starting today

Starting today, the College of Southern Idaho campus is smoke-free.

The Times-News says initially there was a suggestion of punishing violators with a fine, which would be reduced if it was paid within a few days and if they took a smoking cessation class.

The final resolution, however, was made that violating the policy ultimately would be considered the same as breaking any other existing CSI campus rules and treated on an individual basis but could still result in a suspension.

Graydon Stanley, CSI dean of students said the best part of the policy "is it is the will of the people." It was a democratic decision initiated by the students.

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Celebrating National Bowling Week

The original National Bowling Week was held in the second week of February 1909, but was moved to the last week of August three years ago, after a proclamation of national recognition by President Bush.

The Coeur d'Alene Press reports on northern Idaho bowlers throwin' some rocks in honor of the week and a northern Idaho alley's participation in the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America's attempt to set a world record for most games bowled in a day.

The article says that each year 67.2 million people bowl in the U.S., making for a $10 billion industry.