Breaking Local News

5 SW Idaho people indicted in synthetic pot case

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:38:00 GMT

Federal authorities have arrested five Boise-area residents as part of an investigation into money laundering and trafficking synthetic marijuana products known as "spice." The arrests came after a federal grand jury in Boise issued an indictment against all five defendants on Tuesday. The indictment alleges conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance analogue, conspiracy to smuggle goods into the country, selling drug paraphernalia and money laundering. Federal officials say the scheme occurred between March 2011 and July 2012 in Idaho as well as Alaska, California, Washington and Wisconsin. Those arrested include: 35-year-old Mark Ciccarello, of Meridian; 30-year-old Robert Eoff of Boise; 43-year-old Troy Palmer of Boise; 45-year-old William Mabry of Boise and 39-year-old Holly Ciccarello of Meridian. Investigators say they imported chemicals from China to help make the synthetic marijuana.

Lahti gives 1st interview since big win

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:38:00 GMT

Holly Lahti of Rathdrum, Idaho, won one of the biggest lottery jackpots in U.S. history, and then seemed to disappear off the face of the earth. The 31-year-old Lahti this week gave her first interview since she split a $380 million Mega Millions jackpot in January 2011. As might be expected, Lahti received lots of real estate and business invitations, letters from inmates and marriage proposals from strangers. It was the second-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history at the time. She tells The Coeur d'Alene Press that soon after she hit that jackpot she fled to California, to a town she would not reveal. She says her focus has been on trying to build a normal life for her two daughters.

(Information in the following story is from: Coeur d'Alene Press, http://www.cdapress.com)

Idaho unemployment rate holds at 6.1 percent

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:37:00 GMT

The Idaho Department of Labor says the state's unemployment rate remained stable at 6.1 percent in April, in part because of a continuing decline in the number of people seeking work. April saw the fourth consecutive monthly decline in the state's labor force, which is a combination of those working and those actively seeking work. The labor force fell to under 771,000 people in April, the lowest level since October 2011. Total employment is down by 1,500 people since January, despite employers generating 17,000 new jobs. Analysts speculate the gap likely reflects a number of formerly self-employed workers securing more traditional jobs. The agency said Friday that hiring decreases in manufacturing and professional and business services were offset by better than normal hiring by retailers, private educational institutions, hotels and restaurants.

Mormon church arranged meeting ahead of LGBT vote

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:36:00 GMT

Pocatello city officials met with an attorney for a Washington, D.C.-based conservative group brought in by the Mormon church a few weeks before councilors rejected an ordinance intended to protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination. The Idaho State Journal reports that Jacki Pick of the American Religious Freedom Program on April 4 met with Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad and council members Jim Johnston, Steve Brown, Roger Bray, Eva Johnson-Nye and Craig Cooper. The meetings were held over five sessions and none included a quorum of the council, so no notes were taken. A vote on the anti-discrimination ordinance planned later on April 4 was delayed until April 18. At that meeting, the council voted down the ordinance 4-3, with all four members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints voting against.

(Information in the following story is from: Idaho State Journal, http://www.journalnet.com)

Wolves kill 31 sheep on south-central Idaho ranch

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:36:00 GMT

State wildlife officials have confirmed that wolves killed 31 sheep on a south-central Idaho ranch over the weekend, including a ewe in the process of having triplets. Carey-area rancher John Peavey tells the Idaho Mountain Express that the ewe, one lamb and two that weren't born were killed Sunday morning. Idaho Wildlife Services State Director Todd Grimm says the final mortality count for kills on May 10 and May 12 was 13 ewes and 18 lambs. Peavey says a state Fish and Game representative determined wolves were to blame and Idaho Wildlife Services has a kill order on at least two wolves in the area. Garrick Dutcher is program director for the advocacy group Living With Wolves. He says Peavey puts his sheep at risk by practicing "range lambing."

(Information in the following story is from: Idaho Mountain Express, http://www.mtexpress.com)

Idaho man in court for Uzbekistan terrorism plot

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:35:00 GMT

An Uzbekistan national living in Idaho has made his first court appearance on charges he gave support, cash and other resources to help a recognized terrorist group in his own country. Thirty-year-old Fazliddin Kurbanov (fahz-LIHD'-ehn kuhr-BAH'-nahf) pleaded not guilty Friday morning during a brief hearing in federal court in Boise and was formally charged with three federal terrorism counts. He was arrested Thursday during a raid at his Boise apartment. A grand jury indictment alleges Kurbanov gave money, computer software and other resources to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan , a designated foreign terrorist group. Kurbanov said he couldn't pay for an attorney, so federal public defender Richard Rubin was appointed to handle the case. Kurbanov will be held in the Ada County Jail until his detention hearing Tuesday.

Board approves video boards for Boise St, Idaho

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:32:00 GMT

The two biggest college football stadiums in Idaho will soon have fancy new video screens to replay some of the game's biggest plays. The state Board of Education on Wednesday approved requests to install new video boards at Boise State's Bronco Stadium and the Kibbie Dome, the indoor home of the University of Idaho. The video board for the Broncos will be about 60 feet by 33 feet and replaces the current scoreboard installed 12 years ago. The video board at the Kibbie Dome is 50 feet by 30 feet and will be hung on one of the end zone walls. It comes in at a cost of more than $1.1 million and will be ready in time for the Vandals' home opener against Northern Illinois Sept. 14.

Small earthquake jolts SE Idaho, western Wyoming

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:31:00 GMT

A small earthquake jolted parts of southeastern Idaho and western Wyoming. The U.S. Geological Survey says the temblor measured at 3.6 magnitude occurred late Wednesday on the Idaho side of the Idaho-Wyoming border. The nearest city is Afton, Wyo., about 14 miles from the epicenter. Afton police say officers felt the quake but there were no reports of damage. Police in Pocatello and Idaho Falls, both about 60 miles from the epicenter, say the quake went mostly unnoticed.

Police seize items from coin dealer's home

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:31:00 GMT

Northern Idaho authorities have seized items from the home of the owner of a defunct coin shop following a judge's order. The Coeur d'Alene Press reports that the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday took items from the Hayden Lake home of Kevin Mitchell. A 1st District court judge on Tuesday signed a writ of execution so that authorities could seize valuables after Mitchell failed to pay a $420,000 default judgment he owes to a former customer. Lt. Stu Miller says handguns, rifles, ammunition, computers and televisions were taken, as well as a small safe with some coins. On another front, Idaho last month filed a $750,000 lawsuit against Mitchell and his stepdaughter, contending they violated state consumer protection laws in connection with the coin shop.

(Information in the following story is from: Coeur d'Alene Press, http://www.cdapress.com)

E. Idaho prosecutor to seek death penalty

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:30:00 GMT

An eastern Idaho man charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 21-year-old woman will face the death penalty. The Post Register reports Thursday that Bonneville County Prosecutor Bruce Pickett filed the notice of intent last week against 22-year-old Adan Arroyo of Blackfoot. Arroyo was charged earlier this year with first degree murder and a weapons enhancement after prosecutors said he shot 21-year-old Kristy M. Aschliman four times on Jan. 19 and left her for dead on the side of the road near Ammon. Arroyo pleaded not guilty in March.

(Information in the following story is from: Post Register, http://www.postregister.com)