Associated Press - February 9, 2010 8:54 AM ET

NAMPA, Idaho (AP) - A 37-year-old Nampa man has been sentenced to nearly nine years in prison sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm and distribution of methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge also ordered Michael Wheeler to serve three years of supervised release after his 80-month prison term and to complete 200 hours of community service.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - A federal judge has sentenced a Twin Falls man to nearly three years in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Boise says 33-year-old Clifford Velasquez pleaded guilty to the charge in November and was sentenced last week. Authorities say he couldn't possess a rifle because of a previous aggravated assault conviction.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - The chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee wants to revamp Idaho's rules governing where and how giant poultry farms are operated, in case a new California animal cruelty law drives big egg farms here. Idaho Sen. Tim Corder says in his state, the industry will decide on changes. The California law bans cramped cages for laying hens by 2015.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - The Idaho Senate has voted unanimously to dump a voluntary check-off box on Idaho tax forms that lets residents give a dollar of their taxes to their political party. The measure now heads to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter for his approval. Lawmakers say every penny in tax revenue is necessary when schools and state programs are facing budget cuts.

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