Legislature honors Knight, Farrington
Olympic hockey medalist Hillary Knight, a resident of Sun Valley, was honored by the Legislature through a resolution passed Thursday, March 20.
Knight, 24, won her second silver medal at the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, as the star forward for the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team.
“We recognize and honor Hilary Knight for her superior sportsmanship and conduct, her silver medal winning performance at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and for the pride she brings to Idaho and America,” the resolution states.
A similar resolution honoring Kaitlyn Farrington was passed on March 12. Farrington, 24, who grew up on a cattle ranch near Bellevue, won a gold medal in women’s snowboard halfpipe.
Both resolutions were introduced in the Senate by Sen. Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, and in the House by Reps. Donna Pence, D-Gooding, and Steven Miller, R-Fairfield.
County P&Z gets 2 new members
Triumph resident Pat Murphy, 66, and south county resident Judy McLean have been appointed to the Blaine County Planning and Zoning Commission.
The county commissioners, with Commissioner Angenie McCleary absent, unanimously made the appointments to the seven-member body during a meeting Tuesday.
Murphy, a former P&Z commissioner, will fill a seat vacated by Kim Nalen, and McLean, a former recording secretary for the P&Z, will fill a seat vacated by Lily Simpson.
McLean is a freelance bookkeeper who has lived in the area since the 1970s. She said her motive for serving as a commissioner is to maintain the Wood River Valley’s scenic values.
“When I first came over Timmerman Hill, I fell in love with that view,” she said. “I want to keep this valley what we all saw when we got here.”
McLean said her experiences with the P&Z convinced her that the commissioners always try to be fair. She said that experience will help her in her new role.
Murphy could not be reached for comment by press deadline Tuesday.
Comment on planned power line
The Bureau of Land Management is accepting public comments on proposed upgrades to the 138-kilolvolt transmission line between the King Substation (near Hagerman) and Wood River Substation (in Hailey). The upgrades are among the Community Advisory Committee’s recommendations in Idaho Power’s 2007 Wood River Electrical Plan.
“The King-Wood River line was built in 1962, and the aging wood poles and equipment now are in need of an upgrade,” an Idaho Power Co. news release states. “The project was expedited following the Christmas outage in 2009. The line extends up to Ketchum and currently is the only transmission line for the north valley.”
“The project would rebuild the King-Wood River line at the current voltage in the current location, but build it stronger, use steel poles, and upgrade access to the line,” said Idaho Power Project Leader Tom Barber. “It would be more fire- and weather-resistant, and would improve reliability in the Wood River and Magic valleys.”
In a separate project, Idaho Power continues to move forward on permitting the addition of a second 138-kV line from Hailey to Ketchum.
Comments on the upgrade project will be accepted through April 8. They can be sent to: Dusty Parson, BLM Realty Specialist, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709, or by email to blm_wo_king_woodriver@blm.gov.
Learn about health insurance
St. Luke’s Center for Community Health will host a Brown Bag Health Talk about health insurance on Thursday, March 27, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. in the Baldy Rooms of St. Luke’s Wood River, south of Ketchum.
“Even though the Health Insurance Exchange has begun, many people still would like to sign up and the questions about health insurance are abundant,” a news release states. “Staff from Select Health will help you understand the Insurance Exchange, health insurance terminology, how to pick a good plan for you and your family, when and how to change a plan, and how to manage your coverage.”
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.
Ketchum among ‘top small towns’
Smithsonian magazine has named Ketchum as one of the 20 best small towns to visit in the U.S.
“Present-day Ketchum is a celebrated center for arts and culture in the Wood River Valley,” the article said. “The town is home to 20 art galleries and boasts a year-round lecture series, as well as various musical and theatrical productions at the Sun Valley Center for the Arts.”
“This is an excellent recognition,” Mayor Nina Jonas said. “We are a great town to visit and are pleased Smithsonian appreciates the arts and cultural opportunities we offer, as well as the outdoor recreation for which we have long been known.”
