Safe Haven signs transition contract
Safe Haven Health Care this week signed a transition and lease agreement allowing it to take over operations at Blaine Manor beginning Oct. 1. The Blaine County Commissioners approved the agreement on July 23.
“We are pleased with our agreement,” Commissioner Larry Schoen said in a press release. “Safe Haven Health Care will offer excellent care and services to patients at Blaine Manor in the coming year, and their new facility at Bell Mountain Village will be a very important part of our community in the long term.”
Safe Haven CEO Scott Burpee said his team will make every effort to ensure that the management transition occurs as smoothly as possible for residents and employees.
“Bell Mountain Village is going to be a beautiful facility,” Burpee said. “It will provide skilled nursing along with a variety of other services that will benefit residents and families in this community for a very long time.”
The release stated that the commissioners reiterated the importance of maintaining safe, compassionate and affordable skilled nursing services in the community without causing a financial burden on county taxpayers.
Crapo co-sponsors wildfire bill
U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Michael Bennet, D-Colo., have introduced a bill to provide grants for fire mitigation and preparedness.
The Prepare, Ready, Equip and Prevent Areas at Risk of Emergency Wildfires Act directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency to establish a funding stream specifically for wildfire mitigation. The bill would authorize an additional $20 million to $30 million per year for a five-year pilot program as part of the agency’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation fund.
Crapo and Bennet have also proposed an offset elsewhere in the budget to ensure that the proposal is fully paid for.
A press release from the senators’ offices stated that studies have shown that investments in mitigation will prevent and reduce large-scale wildfires and save money in the long run.
States that have received a large number of Fire Management Assistance Grant declarations from FEMA in the past decade would be eligible to apply for the newly funded grants. States and local governments would provide matching funds.
Travel Council to meet in Sun Valley
The Idaho Travel Council will hold its annual summer meeting and grant awards at the Sun Valley Inn on Monday, Aug. 5, at 1 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 6, at 9 a.m.
The Monday afternoon agenda includes a tourism budget update, Drake Cooper agency updates, a proposed public relations co-op with the Idaho Statesman, a presentation by Fly Sun Valley Alliance, tourism grant program updates and a progress report from the Short Term Vacation Home Rental Task Force.
On Tuesday morning, the ITC will award nearly $3.4 million in grants to encourage travel and tourism, and will hear a presentation by the Sun Valley Marketing Alliance.
Created in 1981, the Idaho Regional Travel and Convention Grant Program is funded through a 2 percent lodging tax collected by Idaho hotels, motels and private campgrounds.
The meeting is open to the public.
The Idaho Travel Council is an eight-member, private-sector advisory board appointed by the governor. Its members include Dick Andersen from the Sun Valley Resort.
Idaho Community Foundation to celebrate anniversary
The Idaho Community Foundation will celebrate its 25th anniversary at the Central Idaho Luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at the Sun Valley Inn.
Tickets are $40 each. Sponsorship tables of eight are $400 and reserved tables of eight are $300. Deadline to reserve is Aug. 12. Reserve by downloading a form from www.idcomfdn.org, emailing britney@idcomfdn.org or calling 208-342-3535.
The keynote speaker will be Jim Everett, CEO of the Treasure Valley YMCA. Nick Purdy and Vicki Riedel will be honored as Friends of the Foundation for their families’ work on the Silver Creek Restoration Project.
Blaine County Seniors/The Senior Connection, Nurture and Sun Valley Performing Arts/nexStage Theatre will be the On the Spot Grant presenters. Luncheon attendees will vote to see who receives a $2,500 grant. The other two organizations will receive grants of $1,000.
The Idaho Community Foundation’s tax-deductible funds can be tailored to suit almost any charitable intent and provide a permanent funding source to those in need. The foundation has nearly 500 funds and provides grants to every county in Idaho. More than $7 million was distributed in 2012. For more information, see www.idcomfdn.org.
