Whitebark pine project extends to central Idaho

KETCHUM, Idaho – A project to protect whitebark pine trees from attack by mountain pine beetles will expand into the Little Wood River drainage in central Idaho after a U.S. Forest Service worker found enormous trees and clusters in the high alpine landscape.

Sawtooth National Forest north zone botanist Deb Taylor found the trees in a remote area of the Pioneer Mountains while surveying for a fuels reduction project last summer.

The Sawtooth Whitebark Pine Restoration Project will adorn the trees with 3,000 “verbenone pouches” that contain a synthetic pheromone to trick beetles into thinking the trees are already full of beetles.

Nuts from the trees are a source of food for wildlife, and the trees help trap high-elevation snowfall, an important water source in the West.

Man convicted of multiple mail frauds across nation

PORTLAND – A federal jury has convicted an Oregon man of multiple counts of mail fraud involving a moving and shipping operation that victimized customers and businesses across the nation.

Federal prosecutors said 59-year-old Lester Kasprowicz used various identities and ghost companies after a state court banned him in 2002 from operating any such business in Oregon.

Prosecutors said Kasprowicz would tell customers awaiting the arrival of family belongings or other goods they must pay hundreds or thousands of dollars more before delivery.

Even when customers paid more, prosecutors said, Kasprowicz failed to deliver.

Negligent driver pleads guilty in bicyclist’s death

OAKRIDGE, Ore. – An Oakridge woman pleaded guilty Thursday to criminally negligent homicide in the death of a bicyclist and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and three years probation.

Police say Tina Mae Baker was speeding Feb. 10 when she tried to pass another vehicle on Highway 99 south of Creswell and sideswiped an oncoming car.

The impact caused Baker’s car to strike Johnny Cayton, who was riding his bicycle on the highway’s shoulder.