Arraignment set in helicopter shooting case

WALLACE, Idaho — Arraignment is set for Monday for a 58-year-old Idaho man charged with shooting at a helicopter while the pilot was doing controlled burn work over Potlatch Corp. land in North Idaho. The Lewiston Tribune reports John Ernest Ross of Fernwood has waived a preliminary hearing and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday on a felony charge of interfering with or destruction of an aircraft. The helicopter is owned by Hillcrest Aircraft Co. of Lewiston. Prosecutors allege four shots were fired at the helicopter on Oct. 14, 2010, and two shots hit it. One bullet damaged a control arm housing. The pilot, Earl Palmer, was able to land safely.