Archive for July, 2007

Records show prison problems led to suicide

Monday, July 9th, 2007

After months alone in his cell, Scot Noble Payne finished 20 pages of letters, describing to loved ones the decrepit conditions of the prison where he was serving time for molesting a child.

Then Payne used a razor blade to slice two 3-inch gashes in his throat. Guards found his body in the cell’s shower, with the water still running.

From the Associated Press

School data requests spark ‘Passing’ report

Sunday, July 8th, 2007

The Times-News initially requested copies of district policies regarding student retention and absences from 20 school districts in the Magic Valley. All complied.

The newspaper followed up by sending to six districts – chosen to represent size and demographic diversity – written requests for information such as class grades, Idaho Standards Achievement Test scores and gradepoint averages for individual students, without names or other identification.

That’s all public information. But only three of those six districts provided it…

From the Twin Falls Times-News