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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Washington soldier killed in Iraq

The Spokesman-Review

An Eastern Washington soldier was killed Tuesday in Iraq in what the Department of Defense is calling a “non-combat related incident.”

Twenty- year-old Spc. Matthew J. Emerson, of Grandview, Wash., near the Tri-Cities, died in Ninevah province, Iraq. Emerson was part of the Fort Bliss, Texas, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

His death is under investigation.

According to Fort Bliss public affairs officials, Emerson entered the Army from Spokane in July 2005. He was awarded the Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

A date for a memorial service has not been set.

– Staff reports

Liberty Lake

Teen shot in face returns home

A Central Valley High School graduate shot in the face earlier this month in a random attack in Boise is home with his parents.

Austin Askins still has to undergo many outpatient surgeries to repair the damage caused by the Sept. 3 shooting, but he is improving, said his father, Scott Askins.

Austin Askins, 19, was at a party when a stranger approached him and several other people to talk. The man returned later and shot Askins and two others before robbing them.

Police haven’t arrested anyone in the crime.

“It was so random they just don’t have anything to go on,” Scott Askins said.

Austin Askins was in Boise to start school at Northwest Lineman College.

– Amy Cannata

Mustang adoptions set for weekend

Wild horses will be available for adoption this weekend at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

The 40 mustangs were recently gathered from federal rangeland in Southern Idaho, said Stephanie Snook, with the Bureau of Land Management.

A preview of the horses takes place from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday. The auction and silent bid adoptions are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Adoption of any remaining horses will be from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday.

The minimum adoption fee is $125. Those who adopt a horse are offered a buddy horse for an additional $25.

Adopters must meet several requirements and complete an application. For information, visit www.wildhorseand burro.blm.gov or call (866) 4Mustangs.

– James Hagengruber