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KIDNAPPING-BEATING INVESTIGATION
Suspect arrested in Idaho kidnapping, 2 others not found
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Falls Police Department has arrested a 29-year-old woman wanted on kidnapping, robbery and aggravated battery charges. Police say she and two others attacked another woman last month. The Post Register reported Tuesday that Maddeline McKenzie Ovard was arrested Monday after the victim told police Ovard beat her and stole $400, her phone and keys. She told authorities that her assailants seemed to believe she was in a relationship with Ovard's ex-boyfriend. Ovard has not yet had a chance to enter a plea and her public defender could not be immediately reached for comment. The other suspects have not yet been found.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-IDAHO
Idaho panel to oversee $1.25 billion virus rescue package
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. Brad Little has ordered the creation of a committee to oversee Idaho's $1.25 billion share of the $2.2 trillion coronavirus economic rescue package approved by Congress last month. Little's budget chief is Alex Adams and he will head the committee announced late Tuesday that is responsible for using the money to support businesses, health care providers and struggling families during the pandemic. The governor's office says State Controller Brandon Woolf will report where the money is spent on his agency's website. Idaho had 1,210 confirmed virus cases and 15 deaths as of Wednesday morning.
WILDFIRE FUEL BREAKS
Wildfire fighting plan eyes 1,000 miles of new fuel breaks
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A plan to help in the battle against devastating wildfires creates fuel breaks 400 feet wide along nearly 1,000 miles of roads in southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon that will be tied into an existing fuel break system in northern Nevada. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management on Friday released a final environmental impact statement for the Tri-State Fuel Breaks Project, opening a 30-day comment period. The agency says fuel breaks will help firefighters stop wildfires and protect key habitat for sage grouse and other wildlife on land also used by cattle ranchers. Critics say fuel breaks create avenues for invasive, fire-prone plants that will increase fire potential.
FATAL DUI CRASH-CHARGES
Police: DUI-related crash kills 1, injures 2 in Caldwell
CALDWELL, Idaho (AP) — Prosecutors have charged a Nampa, Idaho man after a fatal crash that killed one woman and injured two other people in Caldwell. The Idaho Statesman reported Monday that 20-year-old Grayson Thurston was charged with suspicion of felony vehicular manslaughter and felony aggravated driving under the influence. The Idaho State Police says Thurston collided with 37-year-old Janet Gonzalez. Police say Gonzalez died on scene and her two passengers were transferred to local hospitals. Authorities say Thurston was taken into police custody after allegedly admitting to drinking. Thurston has not yet had the opportunity to enter a plea. He has not yet been assigned an attorney.
AVALANCHE DEATH
Competitive snowmobiler killed in Idaho avalanche
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Authorities have recovered the body of a competitive snowmobiler who was buried in an avalanche in southeastern Idaho. The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office says 46-year-old Robert Kincaid, of Victor, was riding with a group of about 10 people in the Austin Canyon area when the slide happened Friday. One rider went for help while the others started searching for Kincaid, whose body was found about 2 1/2 hours later. Investigators say Kincaid was wearing an avalanche beacon, but it wasn’t activated at the time. The Jackson Hole News & Guide in Wyoming reports Kincaid competed in the X Games in Colorado in 2015.
LAND MANAGEMENT
Bureau of Land Management director to continue through April
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — The temporary head of the federal Bureau of Land Management is expected to continue overseeing the agency for another month. The Daily Sentinel reported William Perry Pendley will continue as acting director through May 5. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt issued an order delegating the responsibilities of the office to Pendley, who has carried out the director’s duties since last summer. The agency opened a new headquarters in Colorado in January but has not had a permanent director during the Trump administration. Pendley has drawn criticism over views he espoused as president of the conservative Mountain States Legal Foundation.
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