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SMALL PLANE CRASH-FATAL
Pilot and dog killed in small-plane crash in eastern Idaho
(Information from: KIFI-TV, http://www.localnews8.com/)
AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Authorities in eastern Idaho say a man piloting a small plane died after crashing in a field just outside the small town of American Falls.
The Power County Sheriff's Office tells KIFI-TV that a dog in the single-engine aircraft also died in the crash on Friday afternoon.
Authorities haven't released the man's name.
The National Transportation Board says it's investigating.
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UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO-SEX ASSAULT LAWSUIT
University of Idaho settles lawsuit from sex assault victim
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The University of Idaho has reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought by a woman who said school officials told her to transfer to another campus if she didn't want to continue attending classes with a student who sexually assaulted her.
The woman was a graduate student at the UI's College of Law when she reported that she'd been sexually assaulted by a fellow law student while off campus on Feb. 11, 2016. In her lawsuit, filed in 2017, the woman said that she filed a formal complaint and after an investigation the university concluded that a sexual assault occurred. But she said while the investigation process was moving forward — and even after the university reached its conclusions — she received no real accommodations.
Instead, she said, school officials told her to sit in the back of the classroom if she didn't want to face her attacker or move to another city to take classes.
U.S. District Judge David Nye dismissed the case Thursday after attorneys on both sides told the court they'd reached a settlement to end the lawsuit.
BOISE OFFICER-DROPPED CHARGES
Idaho officer rape charge dropped, still under investigation
(Information from: Idaho Press, http://www.idahopress.com)
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A judge has dismissed a felony rape charge against an Idaho police officer at the request of the prosecutors needing more time to present evidence to the court.
Idaho Press reported Thursday that 43-year-old Boise police officer Eric Simunich is still under investigation after the dismissal.
Ada County prosecutors say the Oct. 16 charge stems from a date Simunich had three days earlier with a woman he met online.
Prosecutors say they went back to her home after dinner where she told police Simunich forced himself on her, left bruises and threw her phone out of her grasp.
The case was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Friday, but prosecutors say they were not ready. Prosecutors can refile the charge.
A Boise police spokesperson could not be reached for comment.
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WILD HORSES-ROUNDUP
Wild horses to be captured in central Idaho to reduce herd
CHALLIS, Idaho (AP) — Officials say they plan to use a helicopter to capture 365 wild horses in central Idaho in early November to reduce the number of horses to about 185.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management in a news release Friday says the roundup in the Challis Herd Management Area near the town of Challis will begin on or about Nov. 5 and take up to nine days.
The agency says balancing herd size with what the 260-square-mile (675-square-kilometer) management area can support will help protect habitat for wildlife species such as sage grouse, pronghorn antelope, mule deer and elk.
The agency says mares released back into the management area will be treated with fertility control.
About 240 horses not released back into the wild will be transported to the Bruneau Wild Horse Off-Range Corral facility southeast of Boise for adoption.
CPA-FRAUD-SENTENCE
Oregon CPA who ripped off Olympic snowboarder gets prison
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A judge has sentenced a former Oregon certified public accountant to more than four years in federal prison for stealing about $4.5 million of his clients' investments to support his "Playboy-style" lifestyle and bolster his marijuana business.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut heard from victims who recounted how they were duped by Nathan Wheeler's cordial, personable manner only to be devastated to learn how he had pillaged their life savings.
Prosecutors say he ripped off more than $900,000 in earnings from Olympic snowboarder Daniel Kass and misappropriated the trust fund of two porn shop heirs. Prosecutors say he also brought his fiancee an engagement ring using the investments of a retired law enforcement officer.
Wheeler, 43, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and attempted tax evasion in May 2018.
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POLICE SHOOTING-BB GUN
Police: Woman killed had BB gun that looked 9mm handgun
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Authorities in southwestern Idaho say a woman pointed a BB gun that resembled a 9mm handgun at officers before two officers opened fire, killing her.
The Meridian Police Department on Thursday released the information from a multi-agency task force's investigation into the officer-involved shooting on Sunday that killed 33-year-old Amber Lea Dewitt of Caldwell.
Police also released photos of the light-blue BB gun and a similar-looking, light-green 9mm handgun for comparison.
The shooting happened after police responded to a report around 6 a.m. Sunday that a woman was acting suspiciously and knocking on doors in Boise.
Police say they found Dewitt sitting in a vehicle, and she pointed a gun at them when they attempted to make contact.
Authorities say officers opened fire, and Dewitt was pronounced dead at the scene.
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