In brief: Bonner County deputy’s injuries improving
A Bonner County sheriff’s deputy critically injured in a car crash Tuesday is continuing to improve. Deputy Alexander Hughes, 29, was listed in fair condition at Kootenai Health Saturday evening.
Hughes was driving his patrol SUV south on U.S. Highway 95 near Cocolalla when he attempted a U-turn and was hit on the driver’s side by a southbound semitruck. He had to be extricated from his vehicle and suffered numerous broken bones and internal injuries.
Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler said last week that Hughes likely will be out of work for some time but is expected to make a full recovery. A fund to benefit Hughes, who is married and has three young children, has been set up at Mountain West Bank.
The crash is under investigation by the Idaho State Police.
Third strain of bird flu found in wild duck
BELLINGHAM – State agricultural officials say a new, third strain of avian flu has been found in a wild duck in Whatcom County.
Agriculture Department spokesman Hector Castro said the new H5N1 strain was confirmed in a green-winged teal killed by a hunter near Sumas.
The Bellingham Herald reported the strain bears the same name as one that has infected hundreds of people in 15 countries, mostly in Asia. But health officials stress that while it carries the same H5N1 designation, this strain has a genetically different makeup and is not considered dangerous to people.
Health Department spokesman Donn Moyer said it’s not a major public health risk.
All three types of avian flu found so far in the state are deadly to domestic poultry.
White supremacists charged in murder plot
PENDLETON, Ore. – Three members of an Eastern Oregon white supremacist gang have been charged in connection with a murder plot and other crimes.
The East Oregonian reported Jeremiah Mauer, Gregory Tinnell and Warren Gerald Browning are facing one count of racketeering each and two counts of conspiracy to commit murder in connection with a shooting in a Pendleton home. They also face second-degree assault, riot and felon in possession of firearms charges.
The charges were filed during an arraignment Friday at the Umatilla County Courthouse. They are based on secret grand jury indictments handed down Thursday.
Prosecutors say 30-year-old Mauer is the founder of the United Aryan Empire, a white supremacist gang. Tinnell, 43, and Browning, 35, are members.
Police arrested the trio this month following a vehicle shooting.