Idaho
Idaho prisoner allegedly killed his cellmate last year. He now faces a murder charge – East Idaho News
BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — A 33-year-old prisoner at the Idaho prison complex south of Boise was indicted on a murder charge by an Ada County grand jury after he was accused of a fatal beating on his cellmate.
James M. Johnson, already serving time at the Idaho State Correctional Center on several prior felony convictions, was indicted last week with a first-degree murder charge in the death of fellow prisoner Milo Warnock, the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
Grand jury indictments are sealed until the suspect is served with a warrant and makes their first court appearance.
Warnock, 45, died less than an hour after an in-custody assault in December, the Idaho Department of Correction previously announced. Warnock’s family is pursuing a lawsuit related to his death from multiple blunt-force injuries and has awaited charges against the alleged perpetrator for nearly nine months.
The Idaho State Police investigated the attack on Warnock. After Warnock’s death, Johnson was transferred to the complex’s maximum security prison, where he remains today, according to prison system records. His prison sentence for his prior convictions, which included possession of a controlled substance, grand theft and fraud out of Bannock County, were set to be satisfied in February 2025.
Warnock was serving up to 10 years in prison following his second DUI conviction since 2013, according to prior Idaho Statesman reporting. He could have been released after two years in prison but was moved to a more secure area of the prison after breaking rules related to receiving his prescribed medication, his mother, Kathy Warnock, previously told the Statesman.
Before his death, Milo Warnock told his family he was having trouble with his new cellmate, having stated that the man was “mentally disturbed” with “a pattern of escalating behavior,” the Statesman previously reported. The Warnock family is seeking almost $500,000 from the prison system, several of its employees and the prison’s health care contractor.
If convicted of Warnock’s murder, Johnson could be sentenced to the death penalty or life in prison. He faces no less than a decade in prison. Johnson’s next appearance in court is scheduled for Sept. 18, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
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Idaho
Fire damages sheds, power lines near W. Idaho Ave in Ontario
ONTARIO, Oregon — A fire in a lot near W. Idaho Ave and South Oregon Street in Ontario has visibly damaged sheds and power lines.
Idaho News 6 arrived at the scene Sunday morning at around 12 p.m., finding nearby sheds across a fence line scorched, but standing. Power lines appeared to be damaged in the blaze.
No fire, police, or EMS were still on scene, and there were no surrounding road closures.
Idaho News 6 has reached out to officials and is awaiting additional information.
Idaho
Volunteers camp out to take part in the Succor Creek Clean-Up in the Owyhees
ADRIAN, Oregon — The Friends of the Owyhee organized a clean-up in Malheur County in Oregon, and volunteers came out to pick up trash and get rid of abandoned campers.
“We had two abandoned RV’S and a camper that were abandoned out on public lands,” said Tim Davis, who runs the Friends of the Owyhee. “They were sitting there for upwards of a year, and it is really clear that it is hard to get rid of these.”
WATCH| Check out the video to see volunteers demolish a camper—
Volunteers camp out for the Succor Creek Clean-Up in the Owyhees
Davis worked with the local sheriff’s office and the BLM to remove the campers, but he found it difficult because there was no place to take these recreational vehicles. The Gambler 500, an off-road group, brought out some people to demolish a camper with an excavator.
“That is awesome to see the turnout with the army of volunteers we have today,” said Brian Arndt of the Gambler 500 group. “We are going to be able to get the camper all in the dumpster, get it cleaned down to the frame, and then everything that can be recycled will be recycled.”
Volunteers camped out on Succor Creek Road on Friday night so they could get an early start on Saturday. Many volunteers will camp out again on Saturday night and finish the clean-up on Sunday.
“Malheur is the 12th largest county in the United States, and it’s 74 percent public land,” said Davis. “We have very few resources with the BLM; they are understaffed, they have one rec planner right now, so us, as public land owners, should be able to step up and keep this place clean.”
Lela Blizzard works as the lone recreational planner for the Vail District of the BLM, who says most sites have signs that say pack it in and pack it out. She says the BLM really needs the cooperation of the public because of how large it is, and she was happy to see how many volunteers showed up.
“I just want to tell them thank you because I know they are taking time out of their weekend to come out here to help us make sure the land continues to look nice for everyone who comes out to enjoy it,” said Blizzard.
Griz Ward is one of the volunteers, and he enjoyed camping out, but he also would like to see people pick up after themselves. When it comes to outdoor recreation, it is so important to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.
“If you come out here and play in the area, be respectful,” said Ward. “Pack it in and pack it out, leave no trace and do the right thing, or frankly, stay home.”
The Succor Creek Clean-Up also received a lot of support from the Treasure Valley, as they got donations from the Ontario Sanitation Service with the dumpsters, Tates Rents with the excavator, and United with porta-potties for the campsite.
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Idaho
No Kings movement brings statewide protests to Idaho this weekend
IDAHO — ‘No Kings 3’ protests will take place throughout Idaho on March 28, including in Boise and Twin Falls.
According to the Idaho 50501 Facebook page, there will be speakers & musicians playing at protests across the Treasure Valley.
Protests will take place in Boise, Caldwell, Nampa, Mountain Home, Twin Falls, and other Idaho cities.
NoKings.org
On March 28, Neighborhood Reporters Allie Triepke & Lorien Nettleton will bring coverage of the Boise & Twin Falls protests on Idaho News 6 at 10.
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