News Digest
Sunday, April 27, 2008 6:09 AM PDT
GOOD MORNING
IDAHO
Fire experts plan for harsh season
BURLEY (AP) — Increased runoff from massive snowpacks in Idaho’s mountains could lead to more intense fires this summer, federal wildfire officials say.
‘‘It’s very, very difficult to predict what to expect in a fire season,’’ Bureau of Land Management fire management officer Chris Simonson told the South Idaho Press. ‘‘It’s our job to prepare for the worst, and the track record of the last few years sets us up to be busy.’’
Randy Richter, Simonson’s U.S. Forest Service counterpart with the Sawtooth National Forest, agrees.
‘‘I think it’s going to be an active year. I think we’ll see a lot of fire activity in the West,’’ he said. ‘‘We see a little bit of improvement due to the precipitation over the winter, but I wouldn’t say it’s cured the long-term drought.’’
See story Page A8.
Man found guilty of meth conspiracy
POCATELLO (AP) — A Mexican national living illegally in Idaho Falls has been convicted of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine in federal court.
A jury also found Ivan Arredondo-Meza guilty of a continuing criminal enterprise after the four-day trial in Pocatello.
Federal prosecutors said Arredondo-Meza was part of a drug organization responsible for distributing about 15 pounds of methamphetamine per month. He was one of 12 people charged in connection with the drug ring after state, local and federal authorities conducted an investigation they called ‘‘Golden Spike.’’
OREGON
Federal funding
reduction hits
animal shelter
EUGENE (AP) — Unowned dogs, cats and other animals are the latest group facing possible cuts from expected drops in federal timber funding. The Lane County government says it will close its animal shelter next month as a cost-cutting step to brace for a possible loss of $47 million in annual federal timber funding in the fiscal year starting July 1.
Eugene and Springfield officials are trying to come up with alternatives to the shelter, which they partially fund.
County officials have called animal services some of the most important to citizens. And in response to public pressure, the shelter in recent months had been trying to save more dogs and cats rather than euthanize them.
County Administrator Jeff Spartz said that without the federal money, the county must cut essential services including jail beds, sheriff’s patrol and prosecution and there simply isn’t enough money left to run the shelter.
The county in early May will move animals to other facilities and impound only those animals that must be euthanized for medical reasons. By the end of the month, the county will end all community animal services and discontinue response to dangerous situations.
