In brief: Labrador jobs include resources, oversight

BOISE – Idaho’s newest congressman will be serving on committees in charge of national forests and government oversight.

U.S. Rep.-elect Raul Labrador said he’s excited to be serving on the House Committee for Natural Resources and another for Oversight and Government Reform.

The Republican won his first term in office last month.

Labrador said serving on the natural resources committee gives him direct influence over a variety of issues vital to Idaho: grazing, water rights, land use, mining and wildlife management.

Temporarily insane driver wants his license

A man who was acquitted of two counts of vehicular assault and two counts of hit-and-run in Whitman County Superior Court in May requested to have his driving privileges reinstated Friday.

Dan Noble, who was acquitted of the charges because of temporary insanity, also asked to have the terms of the court relaxed during a review hearing.

When Noble was acquitted, Superior Court Judge David Frazier revoked Noble’s driving privileges for at least a year and required a psychiatrist and psychologist submit monthly status reports to the court.

Noble faced charges of vehicular assault and hit-and-run after he hit two Washington State University students on the campus on Dec. 7, 2009.

Doctors at Eastern State Hospital determined Noble suffered an episode of delirious mania during the event and for about two months following the collision. Doctors reported that Noble could possibly face another episode at any time, regardless of treatment or medication.

Zoning board OKs 16-turbine wind farm

GREAT FALLS – The Cascade County Zoning Board of Adjustment approved Friday a special-use permit to Invenergy to build a 16-turbine wind farm about 20 miles southeast of Great Falls.

The special-use permit gives the Chicago-based company 18 months to begin construction on the 24-megawatt, $50 million Big Otter Wind Energy Project just south of Belt, Mont.

Invenergy says the project will bring an $18 million economic benefit to the area over 20 years.