Idaho Briefs August, 26, 2011

Ed Corridor construction moves north

Beginning Monday, a portion of Northwest Boulevard will be restricted to one lane as work begins on the installation of a new traffic signal at Northwest Boulevard and Hubbard Street. Motorists should expect delays when traveling in this vicinity.

West Hubbard Street will be closed. Students, employees, and visitors may access the University of Idaho and Lewis-Clark State College at the Harbor Center through the North Idaho College campus, by turning onto Military Drive from River Avenue and cutting across the former log yard to connect with Hubbard and the entrance to the Harbor Center at Academic Way.

A portion of Hubbard Street to the east of Northwest Boulevard will also be closed, restricting access to parking lots for the businesses in that area. Alternative access will be available via Lincoln Way.

This portion of the project is expected to be completed by Oct. 3. For more information, please contact Stacy Hudson, Public Information Coordinator, North Idaho College, at 769-7819 or email [email protected].

State official warns about lawsuit scam

BOISE - A company called Corvus Law Group is mailing ads to Idaho homeowners inviting them to join scam lawsuits against their mortgage lenders, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden warned Thursday.

The ads look like government forms and claim homeowners can get large principal reductions or other monetary relief if they join the lawsuit.

"The scam is a pretext to collect an unlawful $5,000 upfront fee from homeowners," Wasden said. "The representations in the solicitations are false and are designed to prey on vulnerable homeowners."

The ads, which appear to be "notices," may be mailed to homeowners or posted on their doors. Typically, the business asks for a "retainer fee" and may ask homeowners for their credit card numbers or offer to set up a weekly payment plan.

State and federal laws prohibit companies from charging upfront fees for foreclosure rescue or mortgage modification services. Complaint forms are available at www.ag.idaho.gov or by calling (208) 334-2424.

Attorney: Plea reached in death of infant

POCATELLO (AP) - Attorneys say a Pocatello man charged with first-degree murder in the beating death of his infant son has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Defense attorney David Martinez told 6th District Magistrate David Evans on Wednesday that his client, Lee Ross Barbone, was prepared to plead guilty at a future court date. Martinez said that in exchange for Barbone's plea, prosecutors have agreed to recommend that he be sentenced to between 10 years and life in prison.