Idaho Briefs January 22, 2012
BYU-Idaho instructor finds significant fossil
REXBURG - A tiny fish fossil found by a Brigham Young University-Idaho biology instructor a decade ago has been recognized as a previously unknown fish species.
Dave Stricklan found the 3-centimeter specimen in the Manning Canyon Shale Formation near Lehi in north-central Utah. The university announced Thursday that experts identified the fossil as a new species last month.
"This area is famous for plants, but virtually no fish have been found, until now," Stricklan said. "It has been an exciting process because it indicates that the area may have been marine, something not thought of before. It gives me more than just another story to share in class, but puts me in contact with people on the cutting edge of science."
The fossil is named Bourbonnella jocelynae in memory of Stricklan's daughter, Jocelyn.
The journal of Vertebrate Paleontology recently described the fossil. Experts said the fossil is the earliest known representative of its kind from North America and leads to potential investigations into whether a marine connection exists between North America and Europe 325 million years ago.
Stricklan in 1984, searching in the same sediments, found a new species of fossil insect named Brodioptera stricklani.
Tattoo artist's request for new trial rejected
LEWISTON - A North Idaho judge rejected a request for a new trial by a former tattoo artist convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy in the 2001 shooting death of a Moscow woman.
The Lewiston Tribune reported that 2nd District Judge Carl Kerrick on Friday denied 28-year-old David Meister's motion for a third trial.
The case involves the point-blank shooting of 21-year-old Tonya Hart on Dec. 11, 2001. Meister was convicted of the killing in 2003 and sentenced to life in prison, but the Idaho Supreme Court in 2010 ordered a new trial.
That trial concluded Nov. 22 when another jury convicted Meister of first-degree murder and conspiracy.
Meister earlier this month asked for a new trial contending jurors were too hasty in reaching the guilty verdict.
Police to crack down on scofflaw dog owners
HAILEY - The police chief in the central Idaho town of Hailey said officers will be cracking down on dog owners who let their pets run loose.
Chief Jeff Gunter said that loose dogs are causing problems and pet owners need to be reined in.
He said police are getting 10 to 12 calls a week about dogs chasing kids, chasing cars, causing traffic problems, and fighting.
Gunter also said the city ordinance requires dogs not on the owner's property to be either on a leash or within voice command. He added violators face a $300 fine along with animal shelter impound fees.
- The Associated Press