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LANKFORD TRIAL

Brother of defendant says he acted alone in 1983 murders

(Information from: Idaho Press, http://www.idahopress.com)

CALDWELL, Idaho (AP) — The brother of a man standing trial for a third time in a decades-old double murder case says he committed the murders alone, without the help of Mark Lankford.

The Idaho Press reports Bryan Lankford gave the testimony Monday in his brother's trial. Bryan, who is serving a life sentence in connection with the killings of U.S. Marine Capt. Robert Bravence and his wife, Cheryl Bravence, has claimed he acted alone in the killings before. But he's also previously recanted that claim.

Mark Lankford was twice previously convicted for participating in the murders, but both previous convictions were overturned on appeal. Now his third trial is underway in Canyon County's 3rd District Court.

The Bravences were camping in north-central Idaho when they were killed in 1983. Mark Lankford maintains he helped dispose of the bodies but didn't participate in the murders.

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NATURAL GAS-IDAHO

Texas oil company facing Idaho lawsuit files for bankruptcy

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A Texas company that made Idaho a natural gas and oil-producing state but is facing a federal lawsuit from disgruntled royalty recipients as well as an investigation by Idaho authorities involving production records has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Alta Mesa Resources and associated companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Texas, where the company is based.

The filing means the federal lawsuit in Idaho is on hold.

Some Idaho mineral rights holders contend the company underpaid royalties using shady accounting methods.

The company has denied the allegation.

Alta Mesa says in court documents the bankruptcy filing is primarily due to unprofitable investments in Oklahoma.

On another front, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the company's financial reporting.

MOTEL FIRE-ARSON

Idaho authorities seek person responsible for motel fire

(Information from: Coeur d'Alene Press, http://www.cdapress.com)

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho law enforcement has asked the public for help in finding the person responsible for starting a fire that burned a motel built in the 1950s.

The Coeur d'Alene Press reports that authorities are offering a cash reward in exchange for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person or people responsible for the July fire at the Garden Motel.

Officials say the motel about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Spokane was closed at the time of the fire.

Police and fire investigators say no one was injured, but the fire charred a large portion of the motel.

Officials say the building was purchased in 2002 and closed in 2016 to build a $14 million, 113-room Marriott Fairfield Inn and a neighboring 22 multi-family structure.

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FOOTHILLS ATTACK

First of 4 defendants sentenced in Boise foothills attack

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The first of four people convicted of attacking a Boise woman and leaving her for dead in the foothills has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Cody Baker, 30, pleaded guilty in April to aiding and abetting aggravated battery. Prosecutors said he stomped on the head of a 20-year-old woman and held her down while she was stabbed with a knife and broken bottle during the March attack. The victim survived her injuries, but had to drag herself 2 miles to get help.

Fourth District Judge Deborah Bail sentenced Baker on Monday, noting that he'd refused to participate in rehabilitation programs during a previous prison sentence.

Three others — 20-year-old Justice Bowie of Boise, 29-year-old Kevin Ivey of Nampa and 21-year-old Brianna Brown of Nampa — are expected to be sentenced later this year for their roles in the attack.

GRIZZLY ATTACKS

3 hunters injured in 2 Montana grizzly attacks

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Montana wildlife officials say three hunters were injured in two separate grizzly bear attacks that happened in the same area less than 12 hours apart.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Morgan Jacobsen said investigators were trying to determine Tuesday if the same bear was involved in the surprise encounters.

The first attack occurred Monday in southwestern Montana's Gravelly Mountains at about 7:30 a.m. when two elk hunters were charged by a bear.

Both men were injured but were able to drive the bear away. They later sought medical treatment on their own.

At 6:30 p.m. and less than a mile away, two hunters encountered a grizzly and one was injured. He was treated in Sheridan and later in Butte.

The extent of the hunters' injuries was unclear.

THREE MILE ISLAND WASTE-IDAHO

Agency considering Three Mile Island nuclear debris in Idaho

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Federal authorities want to store the partially melted core from one of the United States' worst nuclear power accidents for another 20 years in Idaho.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Monday it's considering a request from the U.S. Department of Energy to renew a license to store the radioactive debris from the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant.

The core of a reactor south of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, partially melted in 1979.

The commission says continuing to store the debris at the Energy Department's 890-square-mile (2,305-square-kilometer) site in eastern Idaho that includes the Idaho National Laboratory will have no significant impact.

The license would be good through 2039, four years past an agreement the Energy Department has with Idaho to remove the high-level radioactive waste.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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