Progress reported in reducing lake trout in Yellowstone Lake
CODY, Wyo. - Wildlife managers are making headway with their programs to reduce the number of voracious lake trout in Yellowstone National Park's signature body of water, giving hope to sports enthusiasts who want the cutthroat trout to make a comeback.
Fishermen say cutthroat trout are rapidly replacing lake trout in Yellowstone Lake.
Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk said it is too soon to declare victory, but he said the news is encouraging.
According to the Cody Enterprise, the lake trout are targeted for removal because they are not native to the lake and prey on native cutthroat trout, which provide food for bears, osprey, eagles and other species.
The U.S. Park Service and donors are spending about $2 million a year to catch and kill as many lake trout each summer as possible.
Police report two men killed in single-vehicle crash
FILER, Idaho - Law enforcement officials say two men died Friday in a single-vehicle rollover crash in south central Idaho.
The Times-News reported that James D. Leedom Sr., 58, of Buhl was driving a 1989 Chevy Blazer when he failed to negotiate a right curve near Filer. The vehicle then went off the road and rolled.
Leedom and his passenger, Darrell L. Dumas, 54, of Buhl, died at the scene. According to the Idaho State Police, the two men were wearing seatbelts.
The crash is still under investigation.
Bainbridge teacher under investigation, placed on leave
BAINBRIDGE, Wash. - School officials say a Bainbridge Island teacher and coach is under investigation for allegedly sexually harassing a student.
The Kitsap Sun reported administrators in the Bainbridge Island School District learned of the allegations of "inappropriate interactions" July 12, but police requested delaying announcing the investigation. Parents were notified Friday.
Superintendent Peter Bang-Knudsen said the district is not authorized to release the teacher's name, but the teacher has been placed on administrative leave.
Police officials believe the investigation involves only one student.
FBI arrests suspect in Spokane bank robbery and shooting
SPOKANE - The FBI has arrested a man they believe shot a customer during a robbery at a Spokane bank in April.
The Spokesman-Review reported Don Owens was identified by DNA from a mask that was ripped off his head.
FBI agent Christian Parker said Owens was arrested in Edmonds, Wash., on Wednesday. Owens is on probation and was wanted on a warrant for escape from community custody at the time of his arrest.
Owens has been charged with bank robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Court documents say during the incident, Owens ordered everyone in the bank on their knees. The customer, identified as L.M. in court documents, said he didn't believe the robber was armed and tackled him.
The robber shot him twice, breaking bones in the customer's leg and arm.
Rigby City Council ousts police chief
RIGBY, Idaho - City council members in eastern Idaho are declining to explain why they dismissed their police chief earlier this week.
Rigby Mayor Jason Richardson told the Post Register that Police Chief Keith Hammon was ousted Thursday after the city council met in executive session.
Richardson said he couldn't discuss the reason behind Hammon's dismissal because the issue is a personnel matter. Instead, Richardson thanked Hammon for his 21 years of service.
Hammon did not return requests for comment.
Councilors and the police department have been at odds after the council began discussions of dissolving the department to save money. The council ultimately declined to contract out law enforcement services.
Teller charged with stealing
from elderly woman's account
TACOMA - A 43-year-old woman has been arrested and accused of stealing more than $42,000 from an account belonging to an elderly woman with Alzheimer's who lives in a care facility.
The Pierce County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release that Shelley Lehman was charged Friday with theft and identity theft.
Investigators say Lehman made numerous withdrawals from Jean Hockman's account at Fircrest TAPCO Credit Union between December 2015 and July 2016.
Hockman's son discovered the loss and contacted the credit union, which began an investigation.
Prosecutors said Lehman called in sick during the investigation and sent an email saying she was sorry and "had messed up so bad."
Lehman also reportedly said she had been in two vehicle collisions and had been prescribed pain medication, to which she had become addicted.
Associated Press
