House passes changes to skier responsibility act
The Idaho House of Representatives has passed amendments to the state’s skier and ski area responsibility act to include snowboarders within the definition of “skier” and to state that skiers assume the risks posed by avalanches, tree wells and terrain parks.
The law already has a list of snow conditions and obstacles that skiers are deemed responsible for dealing with.
House Bill 462 was passed by the House on Feb. 25 and has been referred to the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee. Reps. Donna Pence, D-Gooding, and Steven Miller, R-Fairfield, both voted in favor.
State to cut elk ranch inspections
The Legislature has passed a bill to reduce the incidence of inspections for disease at commercial elk-raising operations.
The Senate approved House Bill 431 on Thursday, Feb. 27, by a vote of 24-10. Sen. Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, voted against it.
The bill had already been passed by the House. It will now be considered by Gov. Butch Otter.
The legislation is intended to put the State Department of Agriculture’s testing program on solid financial footing and to reduce inspection costs for the elk-ranching industry. Opponents claim a reduction in inspections could allow chronic wasting disease to spread to wild elk populations in Idaho. The fatal disease exists in wild elk herds in other parts of the Rocky Mountain West, but has not been detected in Idaho.
Groups to host water seminar
A daylong water seminar at the Community Campus in Hailey on Friday, March 7, will be packed with information on aquifer hydrology, water conservation methods and conjunctive management of groundwater and surface water.
The seminar will be hosted by the Wood River Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy and University of Idaho Extension.
Registration fee of $20 includes coffee and lunch. Scholarships are available. Call 788-5585 to register.
WRHS announces Merit Scholars
Wood River High School seniors Chandler Gifford and Andrew Graves were named finalists in the 2014 competition for National Merit Scholarships. The two are among 15,000 finalists nationwide who now qualify for consideration of merit scholarships.
Gifford is a member of the National Honor Society and Business Professionals of America. He played soccer and tennis and enjoys skiing and mountain biking.
Graves is a member of the National Honor Society and skis with the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Nordic Team. He played soccer and tennis and also enjoys downhill skiing.
Stanley to host sled dog races
Everyone is invited to come to Stanley for the fifth annual Stanley Sled Dog Rendezvous on Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9. The event will feature mid-distance and sprint dog-sled races as well as skijoring.
Stanley’s nickname “dogtown” is never truer than during the Sled Dog Rendezvous. Dogs and their mushers will begin to fill the town when check-in for the event begins Friday at 5 pm.
Race mileage will be split between Saturday and Sunday. Skijoring will also take place over both days. For the spectators, food and hot drinks will be available as well as a large bonfire.
For more information, contact the Stanley city clerk at cityclerk@ruralnetwork.net or (208) 774-2286.
Lecture will address sleep issues
Psychiatrist Dr. Tim Stoddard will address some of the causes of sleep deprivation during a lecture today, March 5, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. at St. Luke’s Clinic in Hailey.
Participants will learn how to improve their sleep habits and practices, and when a visit to a doctor might be the right thing to do. According to a press release from the clinic, chronic or recurring sleep deprivation can lead to a host of health issues.
All Brown Bag lectures are free and no pre-registration is required. Call St. Luke’s Center for Community Health for information on this or other educational programs, 727-8733
Bridge players donate to YMCA
The Wood River YMCA has received a $3,105 donation from Sun Valley Bridge, which holds duplicate bridge games for newer players at the Y every Wednesday.
“The Y has been wonderful in providing space for our games,” said Chuck Abramo, director of Sun Valley Bridge. “We asked our players for donations as a thank-you to the Y at our annual party and fund-raiser, and their generosity was outstanding.”
“Bridge has become our largest single program,” said YMCA Executive Director Jason Fry. For information about lessons and games at the YMCA, contact Jo Murray at 720-1501 or jo@sunvalleybridge.com. Additional information is at www.sunvalleybridge.com.
