Asian lumber company officials
visit Idaho, Montana
MISSOULA, Mont. - A delegation representing Chinese and Korean wood and lumber companies is visiting Idaho and Montana.
The group spent Thursday in Coeur d'Alene at the Small Log Conference, hosted by the Forest Business Network.
The delegation was scheduled to arrive in Missoula Friday, where the Montana World Trade Center at the University of Montana will introduce its members to Montana wood products, lumber companies and the state timber industry.
Organizers are hopeful the visit will open a new market to the companies, which represent more than $300 million in annual lumber imports throughout the world.
Trade center executive director Arnie Sherman told the Missoulian the company representatives want to buy and they like what they see in Northwest timber.
Idaho prison guard charged
with sex with inmate
BOISE - A former prison guard at the Idaho State Correctional Institution has been charged with two felonies because prosecutors say he had sex with an inmate.
The Idaho Department of Correction announced the arrest of Roberto Guiller Escobedo on Friday. Escobedo worked at the prison south of Boise from June 2010 to Jan. 23, 2013. He was arrested after the department's Office of Professional Standards launched an investigation and contacted the Ada County Sheriff's Office.
According to court records, Escobedo has not yet entered a plea to two counts of felony sexual conduct with an inmate. If convicted he faces up to life in prison.
Department of Correction spokesman Jeff Ray said in a prepared statement that the department won't comment further because it is a personnel matter.
Yakima woman mistakenly
shot by husband dies
YAKIMA - A Yakima woman who was mistakenly shot by her husband has died.
The Yakima Herald-Republic reported 27-year-old McKaylee Higgs died Wednesday when she was taken off life support.
Yakima County Coroner Jack Hawkins said the gunshot wound in her neck caused fatal brain damage. She never regained consciousness. The coroner also said she was about 10 weeks pregnant.
Higgs was shot March 8 when her husband mistook her for an intruder in the bedroom of their Terrace Heights home.
Sheriff's Det. Stew Graham said it will be up to prosecutors to decide whether 25-year-old Cory Lindblom should be charged. He could be charged with reckless endangerment or negligent homicide.
Nine-year sentence for
Vancouver-Portland crime spree
VANCOUVER, Wash. - A 29-year-old man was sentenced Friday in Clark County Superior Court to nine years in prison for a crime spree that included two bank robberies and a carjacking on a police chase from Hazel Dell, through Vancouver to Portland.
The Columbian reported Brent J. Woodall of Vancouver pleaded guilty to robbery, hit-and-run and eluding charges.
He apologized in court and said he had struggled with addiction but learned in jail it's possible to be happy while sober. The former body builder and personal trainer said he was glad no one was hurt during the June 20 spree.
He robbed banks in Hazel Dell and Vancouver and carjacked a vehicle and fled to Portland, where police finally pinned him with a cruiser.
Suspect drives off in patrol car
MOLALLA, Ore. - The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said a stabbing suspect fled early Friday by speeding off in a patrol car.
Deputies responded about 1 a.m. to the stabbing, and one who arrived a few minutes later noticed a patrol car speeding away with no lights on.
A pursuit ended when the suspect lost control and crashed near Molalla. Deputies said the driver was not injured. They arrested 25-year-old Tara Axmaker of Clackamas on attempted murder and other charges.
The stabbing victim was identified as 33-year-old Matthew Savage of Beaver Creek. He was hospitalized in fair condition.
The sheriff's office said amphetamine played what it calls a significant role in the attack.
Officials at Yellowstone warn of grizzlies emerging from hibernation
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. - Grizzly bears are emerging from their dens at Yellowstone National Park.
Park officials said that as grizzlies come out of hibernation, people should stay in groups of three of more, make noise on the trail and carry bear spray.
Bears look for food as soon as they emerge from their dens. Park officials said bears are attracted to elk and bison that have died during the winter. The bears can react aggressively if they're surprised while feeding on the carcasses.
The Jackson Hole Daily reported that there haven't been any reports of bear sightings or tracks in Grand Teton National Park yet but, historically, half of the male population is usually out by now.
Visitors to both parks must stay at least 100 yards from black and grizzly bears.
Associated Press
