Logan Ramsey

Editor-in-Chief

Local: A Pocatello woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly assaulting a police officer

Patricia Ferro, a 59-year-old Pocatello resident, is facing multiple charges in Bannock County after allegedly assaulting a police officer. Ferro has been charged with a felony for battery on a law enforcement officer and misdemeanors for driving under the influence and resisting and obstructing officers. The alleged crimes took place on Wednesday, Jan. 23. Ferro has been released from jail, but she’s expected back for court Feb. 7 and could face up to five years in jail.

Regional: A Pocatello native has written a book that takes place in the area of Sun Valley

Pocatello native Stella J. Raasch recently debuted her first novel, “18th Winter,” set in the area of Sun Valley, Idaho. The book is a fantasy novel that includes a legend of the coming-together of the Bannock and Shoshone tribes in the 1800s. The story centers around a girl named Collette and outdoorsman Bryce Chatterton as they seek out the truth around Collette’s family curse, the Cyokiana.

Statewide: An Oregon border town could see a windfall come from marijuana sales to Idahoans

Traditionally conservative Ontario, Oregon, is getting its first marijuana dispensary with plans for three others in the works, and the town is right on the border of western Idaho. The town is already a huge draw for shoppers who want to avoid the Idaho sales tax, and now it could be a draw for Idahoans looking to buy marijuana. The dispensary is expected to provide a new economic jolt to the businesses in Ontario.

National: The longest government shutdown in United States history has ended

On the 35th day of the government shutdown, President Donald Trump signed legislation to reopen the government and end the longest shutdown in U.S. history. He made his announcement from the Rose Garden, saying that he would sign legislation to reopen the government through Feb. 15. The legislation came with compensation for the time furloughed government employees went without a paycheck, but not border wall funding. Conservative media is split on whether this was a good move by the president or if he should have kept fighting for his long promised wall. Trump maintained he could shut down the government again if he “doesn’t get a fair deal from Congress.”

International: Maduro faces the greatest challenge to his power that he’s seen from the European Union

After a rigged election in Venezuela, European governments threatened on Saturday to recognize Nicolás Maduro’s chief opponent, Juan Guaidó, as Venezuela’s leader unless plans for a new election were announced within eight days. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on the United States to support Guaidó, who declared himself President of Venezuela on Wednesday. Russia, China and others have defended Maduro. Maduro responded to the situation by severing relations with the U.S. and warning embassy officials that they had 72 hours to leave the country, but that deadline has already passed and embassy officials remain in the country. Pompeo has warned Maduro not to test “the United States on our resolve to protect our own people.”