Idaho Briefs May 26, 2013

Idaho National Laboratory to lay off workers

IDAHO FALLS - An Idaho National Laboratory contractor notified employees that it has started what it calls an involuntary separation program as it tries to cut costs in the wake of federal budget cuts.

The Post Register reported in a story on Thursday that Battelle Energy Alliance officials told workers in Safeguards and Security that the decision follows a voluntary separation that saw 13 workers leave.

Battelle officials said the cuts are needed as part of the $85 billion in across-the-board federal budget cuts that went into effect earlier this year. The cuts in security staff were announced in March as a result of a $6.7 million rollback in the fiscal 2013 budget for lab safeguards.

2 men sentenced following stabbing attack

TWIN FALLS - Two southern Idaho men convicted of aiding and abetting in a stabbing attack have each been sentenced to three to 10 years in prison.

Jeffrey Allred, 23, and Roberto Garza, 20, were sentenced Thursday in 5th District Court.

Judge Richard Bevan retained jurisdiction and recommended the two attend a conflict resolution program run by the Idaho Department of Correction.

Depending on how the two men do in the program, Bevan will decide whether to put them on probation or impose the prison sentences.

Woman's body pulled from Boise River

BOISE - A woman's body spotted floating in the Boise River on Saturday morning in Boise was pulled from the water downstream in Garden City.

Police in Boise said two people reported a body floating in the river about 9 a.m. west of the Main Street bridge in Boise.

The Boise Fire Dive Rescue team reached the woman's body near 38th Street in Garden City.

Authorities were working to identify the body and determine the cause of death.

- The Associated Press