Candidates: Start your engines
Monday is the first day to file to run for the Ketchum City Council. Two seats will be up for vote on May 15.
The city called for a special election to fill the seats that would have been decided in November had the council-manager form-of-government initiative not been on the ballot. Ketchum voters rejected the change in government, nullifying the vote for council members also occurring that day.
The two seats up for election in May are those held by Curtis Kemp and Larry Helzel. Helzel announced earlier this month that he is not running for re-election.
The filing period is Feb. 27 through March 9.
Declarations of candidacy must be filed with the Ketchum city clerk.
Ketchum lauds resort snowmaking
Sun Valley Co.'s investments in snowmaking have paid dividends to the entire local community, according to Ketchum Mayor Randy Hall.
Hall read a proclamation during a City Council meeting Feb. 21 in recognition of the economic benefits of snowmaking.
"The Sun Valley Resort, due to the foresight of owner Earl Holding, has had consistently good snow despite the drought due to superior snowmaking," the proclamation reads in part. "These investments have given the Sun Valley area a competitive advantage this winter."
Hall said that effort has sustained the local economy, bringing in visitors during a long dry spell in the early season.
"On behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Holding, it's a great honor to accept this recognition," said Sun Valley Resort General Manager Tim Silva.
Silva said credit also goes to the crews on the mountain, represented at the meeting by Grooming Manager Kerry O'Brien and Snowmaking Manager Dennis Harper.
"If there are any congratulations to be given, it really belongs to these two guys and the crews working with them," he said.
Ketchum appoints 1 to housing board
The Ketchum City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution reappointing Carter Ramsey to the Blaine County Housing Authority for a five-year term.
Ramsey has served as Ketchum's representative on the board since 2009, stepping in to fill a vacancy.
"Carter has been a thoughtful representative for the City, and is committed to housing issues," states a staff report.
His term will expire in January 2017.
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Learn about Idaho's mining history
How did mining helped shape Idaho's history?
Historian Tom Blanchard will talk about the rise and fall—and rise—of mining in Idaho, and about the Minnie Moore Mine.
John Robison of the Idaho Conservation League will talk about new mining proposals such as the Thompson Creek Mine, environmental issues including impacts of mining waste on water quality, and the politics of reforming the Mining Law of 1872.
The free talk is Wednesday, Feb. 29, at 6 p.m. at the Community Library in Ketchum.
Event to benefit Bike Coalition
The Ketchum Row Down, a fundraiser for the Wood River Bicycle Coalition, will be held Saturday, March 31, at the Ketchum Town Square. The Ketchum Professional Fire Fighters and Ketchum Volunteer Fire Fighters are hosting the event.
It will consist of competitions on rowing machines set up at the square. The five Row Down events are:
- 500 meter row.
- Kids 500-meter fun row for children 5-13 years old.
- 2,000-meter row. Many participants will finish in under eight minutes.
- 10,000-meter team row. Each four-member team will use one rowing machine to complete 10,000 meters.
( CrossFit WOD: The final event combines the participant's time in the 2,000-meter row and a mystery CrossFit workout.
The event is sponsored by 5BCrossFit of Sun Valley and Hailey.
Funds raised from the Row Down will benefit the Wood River Bike Coalition, which works to create a more bicycle-friendly Wood River Valley. The coalition stated in a press release that it has set a fundraising goal of $2,000. The funds will start the process of extending the trail from the end of the Corral Creek Trail to the trailhead of the Pioneer Cabin Trail.
For more information, call Tom McLean at 578-2121.
Web page has free tax help
Senior citizens and low-income taxpayers of any age can find free income tax return preparation sites by going to one of several new websites, according to the Idaho State Tax Commission. The sites, sponsored by either the Internal Revenue Service or the American Association for Retired Persons Foundation, are listed together by county.
Those who are submitting a state return only to get a grocery credit refund can also get help there, as can those filing a federal return only to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Go to the Tax Commission's home page and click on the "Low income? Elderly? Get free tax help!" link under the "Quick Picks" section. Most locations offer electronic filing for faster refunds and some offer help in Spanish.
Those without Internet access can find a site by calling the Idaho CareLine at 211 or 800-926-2588 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or AARP's automated system at 888-227-7669. Taxpayers can also get help by calling the Tax Commission at 800-972-7660.
