A North Idaho man who illegally cut trees from Forest Service lands was sentenced to three years of probation in federal court on Thursday and ordered to pay $1,700 in restitution.

Norman Leroy Bogart, 51, of Kingston, pleaded guilty to one felony count of willful injury or depredation of U.S. property.

Bogart cut and hauled timber from the Idaho Panhandle National Forests near his home between April and October last year, according to the plea agreement. More than 58 cords of firewood were seized from his home.

The Forest Service started an investigation after discovering that 40 green trees had been cut within a single area. Officials set up a field camera to capture Bogart’s vehicle traveling to and from the site. They were able to match some of the larger timber seized from Bogart’s property to several stumps.

Police searching for runaway Ferris students

Spokane police are asking for help locating two Ferris High School students who left a note indicating their plans to run away together earlier this month.

Carolyn JoAnn Toner, 17, and Adin Haines, 15, have been missing since Sept. 4, according to police. The two teenagers left a note and took survival gear, a first aid kit and a long hunting knife with them, according to a news release. Toner and Haines are both described as about 5-feet-9-inches tall and around 125 pounds. Toner has red hair with blue eyes, and Haines has brown hair and brown eyes.

At the time they took off, Toner was wearing a red and white sundress. Haines was clad in a shirt depicting “Star Wars” character Yoda, a light gray Army jacket and Nike pants. He was also wearing a backpack and a camouflage bandanna, according to police.

The two are suspected to be camping somewhere in the area, or near Lincoln City, Ore. Their cellphones have been turned off and police think they have about $180 on hand. Anyone with information as to their whereabouts is asked to call 911.

Blixseth’s $3.3 million in attorney fees on hold

BILLINGS – Montana tax authorities say a judge has turned back former billionaire Tim Blixseth’s bid for $3.3 million in attorney fees following unsuccessful efforts to force him into bankruptcy.

State officials said U.S. Bankruptcy Judge William Thurman in Nevada halted proceedings on the fees Friday while the state appeals the bankruptcy case.

Montana officials want $57 million in alleged back taxes from Blixseth, a Washington state resident. But his team of dozens of attorneys has so far prevailed in the case.

If the state’s appeal fails, federal law says he can be repaid for his legal expenses.

Blixseth founded and enriched himself off Montana’s ultra-exclusive Yellowstone Club before the resort went into bankruptcy in 2008. He’s put most of his assets into a Nevada trust out of reach from his creditors.