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HATE CRIME-STABBING
Oregon truck stop stabbing investigated as hate crime
ONTARIO, Ore. (AP) — Authorities are investigating a stabbing in an eastern Oregon truck stop as a possible hate crime. The Ontario Police Department said Ronnell Hughes, who is a 48-year-old black man, was at an Arby’s Restaurant Saturday morning when he was stabbed multiple times in the neck by 26-year-old Nolan Strauss of Nebraska. Strauss, who is a white man, is a truck driver and remains in Malheur County Jail on charges of attempted murder, assault and intimidation. It's unclear if he's represented by an attorney. Police said in a statement that the motive "leans heavily towards a racially motivated crime.”
ASIAN GIANT HORNET
Invasive Asian giant hornet found in Washington state
SEATTLE (AP) — Officials are warning about the Asian giant hornet, a new invasive species found in Washington state that can pack a powerful sting and be a threat to honeybees. The Washington State Department of Agriculture said the bug was found in Blaine near the Canadian border in December. The state's health officials are now warning people in the area to be on the lookout and avoid the hornets, which are typically an inch and half long with large yellow heads. The species isn't usually interested in humans or animals but may sting if they or their ground nests are disturbed or threatened.
LAKE PARK-COURT RULING
Idaho high court rules district does not own boat launch
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho Supreme Court ruling has upheld a lower court decision regarding ownership of a boat launch on Lake Coeur d’Alene. The Coeur d'Alene Press reported the Dec. 11 ruling says the Eastside Highway District does not own the launch in Boothe Park in Coeur d'Alene. The highway district had appealed a decision establishing a boundary on the park's east side. District administrators say the case has kept alive a debate over district and public access to the area. The state Supreme Court affirmed the lower court decision that residents Gregory and Ellen Delavan own the launch.
SOLAR POWER SETTLEMENT
Idaho PUC rejects proposal to slash solar power incentive
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has rejected a proposal that would have slashed the incentive for the power generated from solar panels. It would have changed how Idaho Power customers with solar panels are reimbursed for the energy they harness that goes back into the power grid. The PUC on Friday rejected the idea, saying the public wasn't adequately notified about the significant changes. The commission instead directed Idaho Power to conduct a cost-benefit analysis on the solar panel program while also voting to permanently grandfather in the 4,000 existing Idaho Power customers so that their rates will not change.
SUSPICIOUS DEATH-MISSING KIDS
Police: 2 missing Idaho kids may be tied to suspicious death
REXBURG, Idaho (AP) — Authorities are searching for two children tied to a suspicious death case in Idaho. The Rexburg police department said 7-year-old Joshua Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan have not been seen since September. Rexburg police said the parents never reported the kids missing, have repeatedly lied about where their children are and aren't cooperating with the investigation. Their mother, Lori Vallow, recently married Chad Daybell. Though police haven't disclosed the exact nature of the connection, authorities note the new marriage happened shortly after Daybell's first wife, Tammy Daybell, was found dead at home in October.
ANIMAL SHELTERS-TRANSPORTS
Local rescues decry county shipping animals to other states
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona’s most populous county has shipped more than 4,000 cats and dogs to shelters in other states over the past 19 months, angering local rescues who say the program has severely depleted the pet supply in Phoenix. The Arizona Republic reports that two-thirds of the animals shipped out of state between January 2018 and July 2019 were never given an opportunity to be adopted locally before they were placed on transport hold. County leaders say they were animals Arizona families didn't want such as pit bulls, chihuahuas and pets with medical or behavioral issues. The animals go to shelters in New Mexico, Utah, Idaho and Washington state.
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