First Bank CEO steps down
Sun Valley Bancorp and First Bank of Idaho, a locally owned community bank, announced Friday that Chief Executive Officer James Latta is leaving the bank to pursue other opportunities. Latta has been with the bank since 2000 and has been CEO since 2002.
Ev Covington, a 35-year banking industry veteran, has been appointed interim CEO. Covington, who was employed by the bank as a consultant, has extensive experience in leading commercial banks in Colorado and Kansas.
McElhinny indicated that a search for a new CEO will begin immediately.
First Bank of Idaho maintains branches in Ketchum, Hailey and Bellevue. Additionally, the bank operates in eastern Idaho and Wyoming under the First Bank of the Tetons banner, with locations in Victor and Driggs, Idaho, and Jackson and Wilson, Wyo.
Cox drops radio stations
Cable service provider Cox Communications discontinued 10 radio stations last week in the Wood River Valley. Ketchum-based 88.9 KSKI and 91.1 KECH, Boise-based 90.3 KBSU and 88.5 Minnesota Public Radio were among the stations discontinued on the regional cable service.
According to Cox Communications, the changes were made to avoid interference issues with other cable television and music channels and to free up bandwidth for newer services, including high-definition channels.
Electricity rate hike approved
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission announced on Thursday, Feb. 28, that it approved an average increase of 5.2 percent to the base rates paid by Idaho Power customers in the state, which will lead to an approximately $32 million increase in the company's annual revenues.
The new rates, which became effective March 1, mean that residential customers will see their base rate increase 4.7 percent. The monthly bill for a typical residential customer using 1,050 kilowatt-hours per month will increase from $64.42 to $67.32 during non-summer months.
The company's base rate reflects the cost of equipment, vehicles and infrastructure needed to provide electrical service to its customers.
AmeriTitle staffer completes training
Title company AmeriTitle has announced that marketing representative Stephanie Olson recently finished escrow qualification training at the company's corporate office in Bend, Ore.
AmeriTitle escrow school is a qualification that employees undergo to advance their escrow knowledge and skills.
Olson joined the company in 2007 and represents AmeriTitle offices in Ketchum and Hailey.
Grand Teton Lodge seeks employees
Grand Teton Lodge Co., the concessionaire in Grand Teton National Park, is seeking employees for numerous positions during the summer season, which runs from May 19 through Oct. 5.
The company, which operates many options for lodging, dining, tours and activities within the park, is accepting applications for jobs that include food and beverage services, guest activities, engineering, accounting and hotel services.
To apply online or view the 2008 recruiting information and schedule, visit www.gtlc.com.
Crop production increased in Idaho
The total value of the 2007 Idaho crop production increased by 14 percent over the previous year for an estimated value of $2.74 billion, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The total value of crop production in the United States was $163 billion for 2007.
The increase in Idaho is due mostly to the increased value of small grains and hay production.
The only miscellaneous crop that was down was potatoes, which were down 1 percent from 2006.
The value of each crop is computed by multiplying the marketing year average price by the production.
