Officials ID more crimes by prisoners released early

OLYMPIA – Corrections officials say at least 27 prisoners mistakenly released early due to a software coding error committed crimes when they should have been in prison still.

During a conference call with reporters Friday, Corrections Secretary Dan Pacholke said of that number, eight committed felonies and 19 committed misdemeanors. Those numbers reflect a review of prisoners released early between December 2011 and December 2015.

Officials have said as many as 3,200 offenders have been wrongly released early since 2002.

Biologists puzzled by cat’s deformity

POCATELLO, Idaho – State wildlife biologists have been left puzzled over a mountain lion found with teeth growing out the side of its forehead in southeast Idaho near the Utah border.

The Idaho State Journal reported an unidentified hunter caught the yearling cougar last week near Weston. Idaho Fish and Game biologists say they’ve never seen such a “bizarre” abnormality before.

Biologist Zach Lockyer said the teeth were protruding from hard tissue on the left side of the mountain lion’s forehead.

Biologists speculate the animal’s deformity may possibly be the result of either a conjoined twin that died in the womb or a rare tumor.

Fish and Game said it hopes the hunter will bring in the lion so they can further examine it.

Boeing tax savings must be disclosed

SEATTLE – Boeing and hundreds of other aerospace firms in Washington will have to publicly disclose savings from some of their biggest tax breaks by early May.

The state Department of Revenue has reversed its previous decision on the issue, which said the companies would not have to reveal their tax savings for a decade, the Seattle Times reported.

The Times had challenged the tax agency’s interpretation of a tax-incentive transparency law passed in 2013. In a letter sent to the newspaper this week, the agency’s assistant director of taxpayer services said it reconsidered the Times’ appeal and will require disclosures beginning this year.

The department said it has notified Boeing and other aerospace firms they must disclose their benefits for 2014 and 2015 by early May. Similar filings will then be required annually.

Dog shooting leads to police training

LEWISTON – A shooting that left a bull terrier without a leg has also changed things at the Lewiston Police Department.

Lewiston police Chief Chris Ankeny said Thursday he plans to invest in training so his officers can be better prepared for dog encounters, the Lewiston Tribune reported.

“It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it,” Ankeny said. “I’m encouraged, and I believe this training can be a good thing.”

An officer in November fired two shots at deaf bull terrier Mr. Chang at Sacajawea Junior High after a teacher reported an aggressive dog on campus. Mr. Chang survived, but his leg had to be amputated and owner Lauren Rose HuiHui said he isn’t the same.

“He is depressed,” said HuiHui’s mother, Corazon HuiHui. “He sleeps a lot and hangs his head.”

The HuiHuis said they also believe the department is moving in the right direction, but they wish earlier incidents had prompted the same response.

Ankeny said the shooting was justified, but that training to stop such incidents in the future will be worthwhile.