Has anybody seen the Sheriff? • Skiing magazine turns a lens on Sun Valley • Brady blogging on the DNC • Remember the rules of the road • Northern Idaho community makes school a reality • In the thick of fire season

Has anybody seen the Sheriff?

Nez Perce County Commissioners announced the County Sheriff's Office was empty on Monday since Sheriff Jim Dorion has been missing for more than three months.

Dorion requested medical leave from commissioners on May 1st, saying he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was in need of some time off for medical treatment. However several weeks after his request for 90 days of medical leave was granted Dorion disappeared.

"We haven't heard from him," Acting Nez Perce County Sheriff Dale Buttrey said. "We're talking about the sheriff. A colleague, a friend."

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Skiing magazine turns a lens on Sun Valley

The Mtn. Express reports that Skiing magazine has an eight-page photo spread in its September issue on the effects of the Castle Rock Fire on Bald Mountain, Sun Valley's primary ski area.

Photographer Chris Figenshau was given front-line access to the fire and documented events as the flames came close to Baldy. Figenshau then returned to the Sun Valley/Ketchum area last winter to discover how the fire had changed skiing in the area.

The September 2008 issue of Skiing is on newsstands now.

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Brady blogging on the DNC

Jerry Brady has been a Democratic candidate for governor in Idaho, has headed the Post Register in Idaho Falls for the last 20 years and is the publisher of the weekly Wood River Journal in Hailey.

Now he can add the title of Democratic National Convention blogger to his resume. Brady is blogging on the convention for New West.

His posting about day one of the convention talks about his support for Barack Obama (no surprise) and a huge bash thrown in Denver by the Louisiana delegation.

See the blog here.

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Remember the rules of the road

The Post-Register in Idaho Falls reminds drivers about cyclists' rights on Idaho roadways.

Among the interesting facts the paper lays out are:

• Bicyclists don't have to stop at a stop sign. They only have to slow down - unless there's an immediate hazard.

• Bikers must stop at red traffic lights, though they can proceed through the intersection if traffic is clear.

• At night, every bicycle should have a light-emitting device that can be seen at least 500 feet away and a rear reflector.

• A turn signal should be made at least 100 feet before the bicyclist intends to turn, unless his hand or arm is needed to safely operate the bike.

The theme of the article is that more people are ditching their cars for bikes, potentially increasing the chances for run-ins between motorists and bicyclists.

Read more at the Post-Register's Web site. (Subscription required)

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Northern Idaho community makes school a reality

Bonners Ferry's newest school, which was made possible by a $70,000 community-wide fundraiser and donated land, is set to welcome its first class.

The new Julien Bucher Early Childhood Learning Center will open its doors on Sept. 22 to 39 preschoolers, according to Northwest Cable News.

Panhandle State Bank pledged to match whatever amount was raised for the school. Along with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho's $20,000 donation, individuals came up with another $14,000. The bank doubled that amount, making the school a reality.

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In the thick of fire season

While the blaze that ravaged a southeast Boise neighborhood becomes a national story, The South Barker Fire east of the Boise National Forest grew to more than 16,000 acres.

Read about the southeast Boise fire here on IdahoStatesman.com, and read about the South Barker Fire here.