In brief: Wyoming holding first wolf hunt

JACKSON, Wyo. – Wyoming’s first regulated wolf hunt is set to begin Monday.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced last month it would entrust Wyoming with managing wolf numbers and endorsed a plan that allows for the animals to be shot on sight in most of the state, while keeping them permanently protected in designated areas like Yellowstone National Park.

Through Friday afternoon, Wyoming had sold 2,236 wolf licenses, according to a state Game and Fish spokesman. Park County led sales with 562. Hunters in Fremont County bought 327, while Teton County followed with 324, Sublette with 228 and Natrona with 117.

Meanwhile, Gov. Matt Mead called the hunt “scientifically sound.”

Horse owner faces cruelty charges

GRAHAM, Wash. – A Graham-area man whose 39 horses were seized last week by Pierce County officials plans to fight to get them back.

The man’s attorney said the animal owner dotes on his horses and spends every last dollar and every moment taking care of them.

Pierce County officials say the horses were sick or starving and living in squalid conditions. Among the horses recovered on Wednesday and Thursday were a dozen Arabians and some stallions.

The animal owner could face charges of animal cruelty in the second degree, which is a gross misdemeanor. No charges have been filed.

Bear spray in mall sickens dozens

BILLINGS – Billings police evacuated a mall after dozens of people were sickened by bear spray used during a confrontation between two teenagers over a girl.

Forty people had to be treated Friday evening for irritation to the eyes, throat, skin and lungs, said Billings Fire Department Battalion Chief Terry Larson.

The treatment included a water rinse and oxygen for some people, he said.

Police Sgt. Matt Brewer said a dispute over a female acquaintance caused the conflict between 18-year-old Alex Brady and a juvenile male at Rimrock Mall. About 10 other juveniles watched the encounter unfold.

Brady had bought the bear spray from one of the mall stores because he feared a fight, Brewer said. The teen discharged the spray when the juvenile approached him because he felt threatened, Brewer said.

Police and firefighters evacuated the entire mall. About an hour later, store managers or employees were escorted back inside so they could shut down operations and lock the doors.

Both Brady and the juvenile male were arrested for disorderly conduct, Brewer said.

Airliner delayed after bird strike

JUNEAU, Alaska – An Alaska Airlines flight from Juneau to Anchorage was delayed by about four hours on Saturday morning because a bird hit the Boeing 737 as it was landing in Juneau on Friday night.

Alaska Airlines spokesman Paul McElroy said no one on the plane was injured and it was able to land normally. But maintenance workers needed to work overnight to finish repairing the plane before it took off again.

Officials say trees were poisoned

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – Idaho Falls officials say someone poisoned a half-dozen green ash trees along a main city street.

Officials knew something was wrong when the leaves on the six 30-foot tall, 14-inch diameter trees failed to grow back this spring, city forester Delbert Lloyd said.

The trunks were sprayed with glyphosate, a chemical found in the herbicide Roundup.

The loss is estimated at $18,000. A police investigation has not identified any suspects

The trees on Lindsay Boulevard surround a sign for the Le Ritz Hotel and Suites. Lloyd said the city has received complaints about the trees blocking the sign.

He said two other trees showed signs of poisoning but they were not as severely damaged.