Ketchum lifts parking restrictions
The city of Ketchum has waived two-hour parking restrictions on selected streets near the Warm Springs ski lifts for the rest of the ski season. In addition, after discussions with Sun Valley Co., Mountain Rides developed a solution to transport skiers from the upper parking lot at River Run to Warm Springs.
With the closing of the lifts on the River Run side of Bald Mountain, the parking lot at Warm Springs has been filling quickly, Mayor Nina Jonas said. “We are encouraging people to take the Park & Ride bus from the lot near the YMCA. We also want to make more street parking available.”
Reusable sand bags have been placed over the parking-limit signs on streets where restrictions have been waived, she said. Two-hour limitations will remain on Picabo Street.
Free buses leave the Park & Ride lot at 22 and 52 minutes past the hour and leave Warm Springs on the hour and half hour. The Silver Route between River Run and Warm Springs is also free; it leaves at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on weekdays and between 8:45 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The bus will leave Warm Springs on the hour and half hour.
The mountain is scheduled to remain open through April 20.
Learn about end-of-life care
St. Luke’s Center for Community Health will present a Brown Bag lecture called “Have You Had the Conversation? Talking about End of Life Care” from 12:15-1:15 p.m. today, April 16, in the Carbonate Rooms of the St. Luke’s Clinic in Hailey.
Carolyn Nystrom, executive director of Hospice and Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley, will offer experience, practical advice and humor on how to have the crucial conversations about end-of-life care while you are healthy and not in crisis. The focus will not be on making decisions; it will be about how to open up the dialogue. Starter kits will be provided.
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.
ITD rolls out new app for travelers
Traveler information is available through a new Idaho Transportation Department 511 smart-phone application for iPhone and Android phone users.
Links to download the free 511 app for both types of phone can be found on ITD’s 511 Travel Information page at 511.idaho.gov. The new app also can be downloaded through the iPhone and Android app stores.
Idaho joins a short list of transportation departments nationwide offering a 511 app, along with Georgia, Virginia, Iowa, South Carolina and Minnesota.
ITD’s 511 Traveler Services system replaced the Idaho road report in 2005, providing computer access to information that previously was voice recorded and made available through a toll-free telephone number. The department budgeted $57,000 for development and deployment of the new app, which features camera images, incidents, construction and winter-road conditions on a map-based interface. That budget includes an upgrade to ITD’s new app planned for later in 2014 that will offer text-to-speech technology to inform drivers of reports in real time.
Candidate spurns NRA questionnaire
BOISE (AP)— Democratic gubernatorial candidate A.J. Balukoff has refused to answer the National Rifle Association survey and has criticized the organization for pushing for concealed-carry guns on Idaho college campuses.
Balukoff says Idaho’s governor and Legislature shouldn’t be beholden to the NRA.
Rather than complete the 23-question survey, Balukoff wrote a letter to the NRA, saying the questionnaire allows only for polarizing and extreme positions.
Balukoff wrote that he supports gun rights but says he’s OK with certain gun restrictions, such as limitations on concealed weapons and firearms possession by the mentally ill and ex-felons.
An NRA spokesman tells the Idaho Statesman that the NRA has tens of thousands of members in Idaho and will endorse a governor candidate in the May 20 GOP primary.
Memorial Day flyover seeks sponsors
The Hailey Memorial Day Committee is looking for sponsors for a flyover of the 2014 Hailey Memorial Day Ceremony. The Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa will conduct the flyover again this year. The group will bring one P-51 Mustang and one Curtiss P-40.
Unlike military flyovers in the past that were free, a flyover by the museum does require a donation to cover fuel and museum costs. The amount of the tax-deductible donation needed is $2,500.
“We strive to receive a flyover every year because it is ultimately the highest honor that can be shown to a fallen soldier,” a committee news release states. “Having a flyover of the ceremony helps us to honor the nearly 400 Blaine County veterans laid to rest at the Hailey Cemetery and the over 70 men and women from Idaho who’ve passed away during conflict since 2001.”
The 11th annual ceremony will take plaace at 11 a.m. Monday May 26, at the Hailey Cemetery. The theme for this year’s ceremony is “Heaven Was Needing a Hero” and will be focused on the Korean War era. This year’s ceremony will be in honor of former volunteer Nolan Kreczkowski, who died earlier this year.
Those interested in being a sponsor should contact Maggie Springer 309-1959.
Salmon-Challis allows more firewood
In order to reduce the number of standing dead trees, the Salmon-Challis National Forest has nearly quadrupled the amount of firewood that people can cut.
Previous firewood regulations allowed 12 cords of wood to be cut at a price of $5 per cord.
In a news release dated April 11, the forest stated that a new “maximum length” firewood permit allows firewood cutters to take an additional 30 cords at a price of $10 per cord. The new permit requires a two-cord minimum.
Under both types of permits, cut logs can be no more than 100 inches long.
The release states that the new program addresses unhealthy forest conditions due to recent insect epidemics, reduces snag hazards and should reduce the workload for road maintenance associated with clearing fallen trees.
2 Idaho rivers deemed ‘endangered’
The Clearwater and Lochsa rivers of northern Idaho were named among the United States’ most endangered rivers last week.
The annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers was released by the national conservation group American Rivers. It’s a call to action to save rivers that are at critical tipping points.
“We’d rather our rivers didn’t make this list, but the threat is real, and we’re hopeful that this national spotlight helps raise awareness,” said Idaho Rivers United Conservation Director Kevin Lewis.
The Middle Fork of the Clearwater and Lochsa rivers were deemed threatened by the shipment of massive megaloads, mining equipment typically bound for the tar sands of Alberta, Canada. Since 2008, some of the world’s largest corporations have aiming to convert the river canyons into a trucking route for this equipment.
“Wild and Scenic protections were established by Congress to prevent this type of activity in America’s revered river corridors,” Lewis said. “If allowed to continue, this sets a dangerous precedent for Wild and Scenic rivers across the nation.”
In September 2013, Idaho Rivers United and the Nez Perce Tribe won an injunction blocking megaloads temporarily from the canyon while the Forest Service further studies the issue. The Forest Service has yet, however, to ban megaload shipments in the canyons.
Firefighters plan strength contest
Ketchum Firefighters Local 4758 has announced plans for its “Ketchum Street Fight” strength and fitness competition Saturday, May 17, at Ketchum Town Square. The event will raise funds for the Blaine County Community Drug Coalition.
Teams of 1,000 pounds compete in three events: Fire Engine Push (teams push a fire engine 50 yards for time), Odd Object Mover (teams carry hose rolls, flip tires and carry a 12-foot log) and Sandbag Carry (moving 1,000 pounds of sandbags over obstacles).
To register, call Tom McLean at 720-7717.
‘Pray for Bergdahl’ signs offered
Meridian resident Lori Newkirk has partnered with Infinity Signs of Boise to start a prayer campaign to bring captive Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl home to Hailey.
“The signs are free to anyone who wants one because the initial printing was funded by donations, and Infinity Signs produced them at a steep discount,” Newkirk wrote in a news release.
The signs say “Pray for his release” and feature a picture of Bergdahl against a backdrop of a U.S. flag. The sign also states “American POW since 2009.”
For more information, call (208) 724-4156 or go to blessedislori@gmail.com.
“I just wanted to get word out. I’m looking for prayer warriors to pray this young man home,” Newkirk said.
Bergdahl was serving in a remote part of Afghanistan when he went missing nearly five years ago.
Ketchum lifts parking restrictions
The city of Ketchum has waived two-hour parking restrictions on selected streets near the Warm Springs ski lifts for the rest of the ski season. In addition, after discussions with Sun Valley Co., Mountain Rides developed a solution to transport skiers from the upper parking lot at River Run to Warm Springs.
With the closing of the lifts on the River Run side of Bald Mountain, the parking lot at Warm Springs has been filling quickly, Mayor Nina Jonas said. “We are encouraging people to take the Park & Ride bus from the lot near the YMCA. We also want to make more street parking available.”
Reusable sand bags have been placed over the parking-limit signs on streets where restrictions have been waived, she said. Two-hour limitations will remain on Picabo Street.
Free buses leave the Park & Ride lot at 22 and 52 minutes past the hour and leave Warm Springs on the hour and half hour. The Silver Route between River Run and Warm Springs is also free; it leaves at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on weekdays and between 8:45 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The bus will leave Warm Springs on the hour and half hour.
The mountain is scheduled to remain open through April 20.
ITD rolls out new app for travelers
Traveler information is available through a new Idaho Transportation Department 511 smart-phone application for iPhone and Android phone users.
Links to download the free 511 app for both types of phone can be found on ITD’s 511 Travel Information page at 511.idaho.gov. The new app also can be downloaded through the iPhone and Android app stores.
Idaho joins a short list of transportation departments nationwide offering a 511 app, along with Georgia, Virginia, Iowa, South Carolina and Minnesota.
ITD’s 511 Traveler Services system replaced the Idaho road report in 2005, providing computer access to information that previously was voice recorded and made available through a toll-free telephone number. The department budgeted $57,000 for development and deployment of the new app, which features camera images, incidents, construction and winter-road conditions on a map-based interface. That budget includes an upgrade to ITD’s new app planned for later in 2014 that will offer text-to-speech technology to inform drivers of reports in real time.
Seasons Steakhouse to host BAH
Season Steakhouse will host the April Business After Hours networking event in Hailey from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 17.
The Hailey Chamber of Commerce is inviting business operators and the public to the event. Seasons Steakhouse is located at 103 S. Main St. Food and light refreshments will be provided.
Call 788-3484 for more information.
Hailey plans Arbor Day celebrations
The city of Hailey will acknowledge Arbor Day on May 10 during the third annual ArborFest celebrating “Trees, Community and Earth.”
Activities include free tree-seedling giveaways, expert advice from local arborists, a visit from Smokey Bear, a bouncy forest, local musicians and the ArborFest Mud Run.
The day kicks off at 11 a.m. with forest education with Susan Kranz of the U.S. Forest Service. An Arbor Day Proclamation and Tree Planting Demo with Jeff Beacham of ArborCare is set for noon, and live local music will start at 12:30 p.m.
The ArborFest Mud Run will begin at 1:30 p.m.—registration begins at 11 a.m. Categories allow teams and solo competitors of all ages. For more information, call 788-3484 or visit www.facebook.com/HaileyArborFest.
Hailey enacts police alert system
The Hailey Police Department has teamed up with Nixle, a website that posts instant community warnings, advisories and alerts.
Nixle alerts to Facebook pages and text messages led to the recovery of a young Hailey boy last month, Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter said.
Other alerts have included warnings about vandalism and scams by thieves claiming to represent Idaho Power Co.
Anyone wanting community updates can register at Nixle.com by filling in the registration form and including the zip code or city name.
Health care seminar set in Hailey
The Hailey Chamber of Commerce will host a health care reform seminar from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 23, at the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theatre in Hailey.
Sibyl C. Bogardus, chief compliance officer for HUB International Insurance Services, will share information regarding the impact health care reform has on businesses. Bogardus has 25 years of employee benefit law experience and was recently invited by the U. S. House of Representatives to testify on health reform impacts to the Small Business Committee.
To RSVP, call Alma at 737-6430 or email alma.tyree@hubinternational.com.
Hospital offers cholesterol screening
St. Luke’s Wood River will once again offer its “Heart of the Matter” cholesterol testing this month. Screening includes a blood cholesterol test for HDL and LDL, triglyderides and glucose level, and a blood pressure check for a $10 fee (cash or check preferred). For the first time, the hospital will offer a hemoglobin A1C blood test. This optional test measures the long-term control of glucose for diabetics, and is available for an additional $6. All participants must be 18 or over and fast for at least eight hours prior to testing.
Two dates are scheduled: Saturday, April 19, from 7-10 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum, and Thursday, April 24, from 7-10 a.m. at the Community Campus in Hailey.
For more information, call 727-8733.
Hospital offers cholesterol screening
St. Luke’s Wood River will once again offer its “Heart of the Matter” cholesterol testing this month. Screening includes a blood cholesterol test for HDL and LDL, triglyderides and glucose level, and a blood pressure check for a $10 fee (cash or check preferred). For the first time, the hospital will offer a hemoglobin A1C blood test. This optional test measures the long-term control of glucose for diabetics, and is available for an additional $6. All participants must be 18 or over and fast for at least eight hours prior to testing.
Two dates are scheduled: Saturday, April 19, from 7-10 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum, and Thursday, April 24, from 7-10 a.m. at the Community Campus in Hailey.
For more information, call 727-8733.
