Northwest briefs

Idaho horseman plans

another fundraising trek

BOISE - Idaho horseman Phil Dawson has survived getting stalked by a mountain lion in Nevada while on a 2,000 mile trek across the West.

Now he's facing another challenge: using the attention he's generated on his solo horseback travels to raise money for children with long-term illnesses.

Dawson, who trains Appaloosa horses, has gone on two long-distance trips aiming to draw attention to the plight of sick kids. But he said he hasn't had much success bringing in funds through small donations on his Web site.

So this year, he's inviting other Appaloosa horse riders to donate $1,500 to the cause, in return for a guided tour through Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho.

Dawson plans to lead five people on a 600-mile ride from Meeker, Colo., to Bannock Pass, Idaho, starting in June.

Washington above average

in Census form returns

SEATTLE - The U.S. Census Bureau says Washington is on pace to beat its 2000 participation rate, and Washingtonians are returning their census forms at rates above the national average.

According to the Census, the state's mail-participation is 63 percent, one point higher than the nation's average. In 2000, the state reached a return rate of 72 percent.

Recently, a second batch of Census questionnaires have been mailed to households that have not returned their initial forms.

Iraq veteran involved in

shooting goes into treatment

BOISE - An Iraq War veteran who pleaded guilty to shooting into two locked apartments last summer is being released from the Ada County Jail and placed into a treatment facility.

A District Court judge also sentenced 38-year-old George Nickel Jr. to an unspecified period of felony probation Monday. Nickel has spent at least 250 days in the county jail since the July 2009 shooting and was expected to begin treatment at the Boise veterans hospital.

Nickel, who was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for bravery in Iraq, has been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

"I never wanted my problems to get so severe to affect other people but it did, and there is nothing I can do to take it back," Nickel said in court Monday. "I just want everyone to know how sorry I am."

The former soldier was taken into custody July 28 after getting into an armed confrontation with Boise police.

Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Shawna Dunn said Nickel was looking for his dog in his apartment building when he used a rifle to try and shoot the locks off two doors.

Police also say he pointed a handgun at officers who tried confronting him, provoking police to fire about 12 rounds at Nickel, who then surrendered.

He pleaded guilty in December to unlawful discharge of a firearm into an occupied dwelling as part of an agreement with prosecutors, who dropped four counts of assault of a law enforcement officer and a charge of using a weapon in the commission of a felony.

Nickel faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. His attorney, Gabriel McCarthy, said the probation could last that long.

Fourth District Judge Deborah Bail withheld judgment in the case, which means if Nickel completes the terms of his probation, he can get the felony conviction removed from his record.

Idaho governor approves

grandparents' rights bill

BOISE - Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter has signed a measure that makes it easier for grandparents to take legal custody of a child whose parents are out of the picture.

Otter said Tuesday the new law will keep families together and help Idaho's children.

The law gives grandparents more rights in custody battles. Grandparents who want legal control that allows them to sign off on a child's medical and school forms now must prove in court they've taken care of the child for more than a year.

Previously, the grandparent had to prove the child's parent was unfit to monitor the child.

Yakima businesses, organizations

using apples to help Haiti

YAKIMA - Yakima businesses and organizations plan to help earthquake victims in Haiti through a "Million Apples for Haiti" campaign.

The Yakima Herald-Republic reported Tuesday they are about one-quarter way toward the goal.

Five fruit companies have committed to donating the apples. The Rotary Club and some schools are selling 900,000 of the apples at $20 a box.

The money will go to the Hope for the Hungry organization to build 23 homes in Haiti. The remaining 100,000 apples will be shipped to Haiti.