Resort hires new food director
Sun Valley Resort General Manager Tim Silva announced this week the appointment of award-winning chef John B. Murcko as the resort's director of culinary operations effective Aug. 6.
Murcko was the recipient of Best Chef in Utah by Salt Lake magazine's 2011 dining awards. He brings 22 years of experience to his position at Sun Valley Resort. Since completing his studies in 1990 at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., he has built his reputation by working at upscale restaurants and resorts in the western United States.
In addition to his Best Chef in Utah award, he earned Best New Restaurant in Utah 2011, Best Restaurant Park City 2011/2012, and earned top honors in Nicholas & Company's Ultimate Chef Challenge in 2012 and 2009.
Group secures Idaho elk habitat
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has completed two projects that permanently protect almost 2,000 acres of prime elk habitat in Idaho.
"We can all appreciate that this property is an important big game winter range for elk and other wildlife," said Blake Henning, the group's vice president of lands and conservation.
In the southeast part of the state near Soda Springs, the foundation transferred the remaining portion of a 1,657-acre tract of land to Idaho Fish and Game after acquiring it from the Bingham family in 1991. The transaction adds an additional 907 acres to the now 3,349-acre Georgetown Summit Wildlife Management Area, which features rolling, grassy habitat critical for elk, mule deer and other wildlife, and is open for everyone to enjoy.
The project took more than two decades to complete.
A second tract of land, also in southeast Idaho, is now permanently protected after the foundation partnered with a family to place a conservation easement on 259 acres across Stump Creek, site of a portion of the historic California Trail. Nestled in the eastern side of the Caribou National Forest, the diverse terrain provides excellent habitat for elk, mule deer, lynx, grouse and other wildlife. The waters are also home to native Yellowstone cutthroat and brown trout.
Got questions for your senators?
Field representatives from the offices of Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both R-Idaho, and Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, will host traveling office meetings next week in Hailey.
Field representatives will be at Hailey City Hall on Wednesday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Blaine County Senior Connection in Hailey from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Fairfield City Hall from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Representatives will answer questions from individuals with specific problems with federal agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, Veterans' Affairs and the Social Security Administration. Residents can also express concerns they have on any federal issue.
Shelter offers obedience training
The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley will offer a six-week basic obedience-training course through the months of July and August.
The class covers basic obedience training such as simple commands and social skills. The classes are only for adult dogs and their owners.
For more information, call Nadia at the shelter at 788-4351. The classes are paid, but discounts are available for shelter alumni.
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Syphilis outbreak in Idaho
According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, syphilis has been increasing in Idaho since June 2011.
From January to May 2011, four cases of syphilis had been reported in the state. But through May of 2012, 19 cases had already been reported—eight in adults ages 20 to 29 and 10 from ages 30 to 54.
The department urges practicing safe sex—i.e., using a condom, as birth control does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. The department also recommends limiting one's numbers of sexual partners and getting screened for syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Symptoms of syphilis includes sores in the mouth or on genitals, a rash on the palms, feet or chest, bald spots and white mouth lesions.
Senior-housing ribbon cutting set
The ARCH Community Housing Trust and Idaho Housing and Finance Association will conduct a ribbon-cutting for the grand opening of the River Street Senior Community, at 731 N. River St., in Hailey.
The event will take pace on Tuesday, July 10, at 12:30 p.m.
The 24-unit complex was designed to meet the needs of low- and moderate-income people 55 and older. Construction of the $5.4 million project was financed by IHFA.
Permanent funding includes $4,358,055 from National Equity Fund Inc., a $515,000 loan through the HOME Investment Partnerships program, and a $480,000 loan through the Idaho Community Reinvestment Corp. Private grants and donations of $12,500 funded the remainder of the project.
To qualify for a unit, an applicant's income must be between 40 and 60 percent of the area median. Interested renters should call (208) 860-8114.
Chinook fishing to close on parts of Lower Salmon
Chinook salmon fishing on parts of the lower Salmon River will close at the end of fishing on Sunday, July 8.
The sections to close are from the mouth of Shorts Creek upstream to the uppermost boat ramp at Vinegar Creek and from the Rice Creek Bridge upstream to the U.S. Highway 95 Time Zone Bridge.
Fishery managers estimate that by July 8, anglers will have harvested more than 90 percent of the sport fishery share of adipose-fin-clipped salmon destined for the Rapid River Hatchery.
The Little Salmon River and the Lower Salmon from Time Zone Bridge to Shorts Creek will remain open.
