In brief: Pharmacist pleads guilty to wire fraud

Steven R. Milot, of Kellogg, pleaded guilty Tuesday to wire fraud to cover up his theft of oxycodone from the pharmacy where he worked, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Idaho said.

Milot, 66, admitted to stealing large quantities of the narcotic pain reliever for personal use and ordering controlled substances via wire transmissions to avoid detection, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson said in a news release Tuesday.

He worked for years as a pharmacist at Osburn Drug in Kellogg. In 2012, the owner became suspicious that Milot was stealing controlled substances. Video surveillance recorded Milot misappropriating the drugs. 

Milot was charged in U.S. District Court in July 2012. Sentencing is set for Nov. 12.

Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release.

176 sheep deaths attributed to wolves

IDAHO FALLS – A southeastern Idaho ranch lost 176 sheep as the animals ran in fear from two wolves that chased through a herd of about 2,400 animals south of Victor on Saturday.

Idaho Wildlife Services State Director Todd Grimm said it’s the greatest loss by wolves ever recorded in one instance in the state. About nine years ago, wolves killed 105 sheep on one night.

Shepherds for the Siddoway Sheep Co. heard the wolves at about 1 a.m. Saturday but did not know the extent of the damage until they saw the sheep piled up on each other at daybreak.

J.C. Siddoway, of Terreton, Idaho, said almost all of the sheep died from asphyxiation. About 10 died of bite wounds and one was partially consumed.

Grimm said a dozen wolves have been removed from the Pine Creek area this year.

Police: No foul play in man’s death

Police said it is likely that a man found dead Monday night died of natural causes.

Police responded to a report of a dead body found near West Fourth Avenue and South Oak Street in Browne’s Addition on Monday. Lt. Mark Griffiths said it appeared someone had stolen from the man after he’d died but said it was unlikely that foul play was involved.

The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office has not released the man’s identity or cause of death.

Brush fire south of Spokane contained

A brush fire burned about 50 acres south of Spokane on Tuesday.

After briefly threatening about five homes and outbuildings near West Depot Springs Road and South Cheney-Spangle Road, the fire was fully contained Tuesday evening without damaging any structures, KHQ-TV reported.

Fighting the fire from the ground and the air was difficult because of dry conditions, officials told the station.