Sawtooth Valley fire burns 80 acres
The Gold Fire, which was ignited Tuesday afternoon 10 miles south of Stanley, has now burned 80 acres, mostly in lodgepole pine forest.
The fire is burning just west of state Highway 75 in the vicinity of Gold Creek. According to a press release from the U.S. Forest Service, the area is heavily covered with down and dead lodgepole.
Assisting on the fire are three helicopters, three Hotshot crews, six engines and two water tenders.
Incident Commander Brian O’Donnell said the fire is expected to be contained today by 6 p.m. and controlled by Monday.
Due to the fire, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area has closed Decker Flat Road. Nathan Jerke, public information specialist for the Idaho Transportation Department’s District 4, said the highway remains open, but a crew is monitoring the situation.
Church breaks ground on new project
The Life Church Wood River held a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday, May 31, on the church property at 931 N. River St. in Hailey, just north of Albertsons.
Founded in 1979 under the name of Valley Chapel, the Church has rented various facilities in the valley for over 34 years. The Life Church purchased the 11-acre land parcel in 1997.
“It is with great anticipation and excitement that the members of The Life Church and their pastor and his wife, Michael and Carola Hendricks, begin the building project this summer of 2014,” a news release states.
3D Builders in conjunction with Mark Loomis Construction will be contracting the project. The 8,600-square-foot building will include a sanctuary, classrooms, kitchen and offices.
For more information on The Life Church, call 788-2992 or visit its website at www.lifechurchsunvalley.org.
Democrats choose local leaders
The Blaine County Democrats confirmed their precinct captains and elected new officers during a meeting Wednesday, May 28.
Precinct captains by precinct are: 1) Jima Rice, 2) Donald Lappin, 3) Janie Davidson, 4) Betty Murphy, 5) Brent Robinson, 6) Lara McClean, 7) Leann Gelskey, 8) Sallie Hanson, 9) Carole Freund, 10) Steve Guthrie, 11) Errin Bliss, 12) Steve Kearns, 13) Teresa Gregory, 14) Tom Peavey, 15) Sergio Ruiz.
Officers are Chair Janie Davidson, Vice Chair Brent Robinson, Secretary Jima Rice, Treasurer Bev Robinson, Event Chair Betty Murphy, Information Chair Julie Dahlgren, Legislative Chair Betty Murphy, State Committeewoman Gini Ballou, State Committeeman Jeff Ballou.
According to a news release from the party, plans are being made to help candidates campaign for the November election.
Wake Up Hailey on Tuesday
The Hailey Chamber of Commerce will host Wake Up Hailey on Tuesday, June 10, from 9-10 a.m. at the Ellsworth Inn, 702 Third Ave. S.
Innkeeper Gabrielle Scott Meadow will serve breakfast treats of petite quiche and homemade donuts.
Attendees will be able to catch up on the latest chamber chatter, find out what the latest deals are at Sun Valley Real Deals and learn what else is happening in Hailey.
For more information, call 788-3484.
Bankers association ranks D.L. Evans
D.L. Evans Bancorp, based in Burley, was ranked 39th in the nation in its category by the American Bankers Association’s Banking Journal’s 22nd annual review of top-performing banks in 2013.
D.L. Evans was compared with other banks and thrifts with total assets of $1 billion to $10 billion. Rankings were based on criteria such as return on average assets, capital ratio, efficiency ratio and nonperforming loans.
2014 salmon season outlasts 2013
In 2013, the second day of June was the final day of the season for adult spring chinook in much of Idaho. In 2014, things are just getting started, and good opportunity remains for Idaho anglers hoping to catch an Idaho salmon.
According to a press release from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, anglers fishing the Clearwater River have been catching spring chinook for about a month now. The Clearwater was high and muddy in the final week of May, slowing the catch rate. High water also made conditions difficult for anglers on the Salmon River. Both of those rivers are showing signs of dropping, but with abundant snow at high elevations, runoff will continue to be sporadic.
The Little Salmon River cleared up and dropped to near normal levels by the first day of June, but the water temperature remained in the 40s, resulting in low catch rates. A few fish have been trickling into the Rapid River Hatchery, and managers expect those numbers to start rising as the water temperature increases.
June 14 is Free Fishing Day
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is inviting everyone to celebrate Free Fishing Day on Saturday, June 14, by fishing anywhere in Idaho without a license.
Though fishing license requirements are suspended for this special day, all other rules, such as limits or tackle restrictions, remain in effect. Free fishing day includes salmon; anglers don’t need a license or salmon permit, but they are still subject to all bag and possession limits.
