Sun Valley hires interim city administrator
The city of Sun Valley has been without a city administrator since mid-June, when Virginia Egger vacated the post.
This week, Mayor Jon Thorson announced the hiring of interim City Administrator Bob VanNort. VanNort is currently the interim city manager in Gustine, Calif.
VanNort will begin his short-term tenure Sept. 1, and his contract will run through December with an option to add a fifth month if needed. Thorson said the city hopes to have a permanent city administrator in place by the first of the year.
"We are very lucky to be able to have Bob step in," Thorson said. "He knows the city and the issues already."
Hemingway Elementary still plans to start Monday
Despite heavy smoke and low air quality resulting from the ongoing Castle Rock Fire, the Blaine County School District said Thursday Hemingway Elementary in Ketchum will reopen on schedule Monday, Aug. 27, for the 2007-2008 school year.
The Idaho Mountain Express will announce any changes to the school district schedule, if they happen. Parents can also contact the school district at (208) 578-5000.
High-tech drone will map fire
A high-tech, experimental drone aircraft will be used starting today, Aug. 23, to find hot spots and map the Castle Rock Fire.
The "fully experimental" unmanned vehicle belongs to NASA and was used recently in mapping wildfires in California, said Paul Hefner, deputy incident commander on the fire.
The drone will be able to give fire officials "real-time" reads on what the fire is doing multiple times a day. Currently, the mapping is done once a day and at night using a manned airplane flying at 20,000 feet.
Man 'restrained' in fire incident
A Ketchum man was cited and released on Tuesday afternoon after police said he hindered controlled-burn operations on the Castle Rock Fire.
Andy Schernthanner, 78, of Balsam Root Drive, was cited for "interfering with fire suppression," said city spokeswoman Kim Rogers.
Schernthanner said he was tackled after a Ketchum officer told him he had to leave the area where a bulldozer operator was working near his home.
"He was restrained," Rogers said. Schernthanner said he was bruised in the incident and had not actually received the ticket as of Wednesday.
Faire to be postponed
The Sun Valley Renaissance Faire, which was to be held this weekend, has been postponed until Sept. 29 and 30, due to smoke levels in the Wood River Valley.
The smoke is deemed dangerous for people and horses to be out in for any length of time.
For more information, call event organizer Prue Hemmings at the nexStage Theatre: 726-9124.
Peregrine Ranch to be used for firefighting effort
Wood River Valley developer Harry Rinker has given permission for firefighting crews to use Peregrine Ranch for helicopter take-off, landing, and servicing during the duration of the Castle Rock Fire emergency.
Rinker offered the use of his 160-acre ranch, located north of Hailey in Blaine County, pursuant to a request from Ketchum District Ranger Kurt Nelson.
Offer prayers for fire workers
Light on the Mountains Spiritual Center will host a meditation, prayer and dialogue to help cope with the Castle Rock Fire on Friday, Aug. 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Prayers of gratitude will be offered for all of the fire, police and support workers who are work to keep valley, lives and homes safe.
Light on the Mountains Spiritual Center is located at 12446 Highway 75, south of Ketchum. Look for the multi-colored flag that marks the driveway.
For more information, call 727-1631.
