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Forest Service head makes consolidation official

�The U.S. Forest Service has decided to consolidate two national forests into one and moving the supervisor's office to a new office in Kamiah.

U.S. Forest Service chief Tom Tidwell announced the decision Monday to combine the Nez Perce and Clearwater national forests.

The Lewiston Tribune reports that the goal is to save money and resources. The agency began working toward consolidation in 2008 with the intent of saving $2 million annually by combining administrative positions.

Forest Supervisor Rick Brazell says the agency will keep a presence in Orofino and Grangeville -- cities where the two separate forests had supervisor offices.

Grangeville Mayor Bruce Walker says he's disappointed and was hoping the agency would give more time to a separate plan to keep administrative staff in town.

Commissioners table merit pay increase for embattled jail commander

Commissioners table merit pay increase for embattled jail commander

ASOTIN, WA - Asotin County Commissioners today tabled a Merit Pay increase for Asotin County Jail Commander Jon Singleton because commissioners did not receive job evaluations for the previous two years of his employment. Commissioner Brian Shinn says pursuant to the county's personnel policy, they have "no way to make a decision without the evaluations" for 2011 and 2012 and there will be no action on the matter until they are provided to them. It is unknown if the evaluations were conducted.

Judge sides with conservationists in megaload case

A federal judge has sided with environmentalists and ruled the U.S. Forest Service erred by not exercising its regulatory authority when the state allowed huge trucks to haul giant oil refinery equipment along U.S. Highway 12.

U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill issued a decision Thursday that handed Idaho Rivers United a victory in the case.

The group sued the government in 2011 after the state allowed ExxonMobil's Canadian unit to ship hundreds of so-called mega-loads from Idaho's Port of Lewiston along the two-lane highway. The roadway runs through a scenic corridor protected by the 1968 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

IRU claimed the forest service neglected its duty by not getting involved in the decision-making process.

Winmill agreed, saying the agency has the authority to intervene in such cases.

Genesee boy reported missing

Genesee boy reported missing

The Latah County Sheriff's Office is looking for a Genesee child who never reported to school this morning.

Devon Revord, 14, was last seen at 7:30 a.m. heading to school. He was reported missing at 1:06 p.m.

"He was last seen wearing a black Carhart jacket, blue jeans, white Vans shoes and possibly an orange stocking cap," a news release from the sheriff's office read. "He has short brown hair, glasses, blue eyes, 110 pounds and is 5-feet-8 inches tall."

Officers are on scene and "search and rescue has been mobilized," the sheriff's office said.

The school is a block-and-a-half away from his home.

If you have any information on his whereabouts, contact the sheriff's office at (208) 882-2216.

UPDATE: Revord was found in the downtown Lewiston Arby's, and he is "getting a ride home," according to scanner traffic.

Lewiston officer avoids decertification despite board recommendation

MERIDIAN, ID - A Lewiston Police Officer today kept his certification after the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training Council disagreed with a hearing officer's recommendation. The POST Council, meeting in Meridian, voted against decertifying Rick Fuentes. He has been with the department for about eight years.

A hearing officer made the recommendation that Fuentes be decertified following a hearing that took place in May in Lewiston regarding allegations of off-duty misconduct during a Halloween party that involved other LPD employees and civilians on October 30, 2010 at the Lewiston Airport.

Commissioners to vote on merit pay increase for embattled jail commander

 

ASOTIN, WA - Asotin County Commissioners on Monday will consider a Merit Pay increase for Asotin County Jail Commander Jon Singleton. The 47-year-old Singleton last month received a deferred prosecution in connection with a harassment charge that was filed by the Washington State Attorney General's Office after an investigation into alleged threats he made toward the prosecutor. According to the commissioners office, merit employees are eligible for the increase every two years. The issue is on Monday's agenda and has not yet been approved.

Commissioners to vote on merit pay increase for embattled jail commander

 

ASOTIN, WA - Asotin County Commissioners on Monday will consider a Merit Pay increase for Asotin County Jail Commander Jon Singleton. The 47-year-old Singleton last month received a deferred prosecution in connection with a harassment charge that was filed by the Washington State Attorney General's Office after an investigation into alleged threats he made toward the prosecutor. According to the commissioners office, merit employees are eligible for the increase every two years. The issue is on Monday's agenda and has not yet been approved.