Valley architects win AIA awards
Every other year, the Idaho Chapter of the American Institute of Architects encourages the 280 members of the four sections, Eastern, Northern, Central and Mountain, to submit recently built projects for consideration for honor awards. This year, AIA Idaho Mountain Section (Wood River Valley) architects received five of the 13 awards. They are:
- Honor (highest award): Lower Broadford residence, Bellevue, Idaho. Architect: Michael Doty Associates. Contractor: Sawtooth Construction.
- Merit Award: Jones residence, Ketchum, Idaho. Architect: Williams Partners Architects. Contractor: Poster Construction.
- Merit Award: Poulsen residence, Blaine County, Idaho. Architect: Jack Smith. Contractor: McClatchy Construction.
- Architect as Client Award: Cosgrove residence, Ketchum, Idaho. Architect: Jennifer Cosgrove. Contractor: Lee Gilman Builders.
- Citation: Cold Springs Crossing, Blaine County, Idaho. Architect: Michael Doty Associates. Contractor: Kearns McGinnis & Vandenburg.
40 miles of Big Wood to be assessed
The Bureau of Land Management has partnered with Trout Unlimited and the Wood River Land Trust to fund an independent, detailed study of the Big Wood River. This study—or geomorphic assessment—is expected to be completed by October 2015. It is expected to lead to a better understanding of the river function, processes and conditions.
The assessment will examine approximately 40 miles of the main stem of the Big Wood River from the confluence of the North Fork down to Magic Reservoir. It will be conducted by Biota Research and Consulting Inc. from of Jackson, Wyo. There will be four phases of the study: Phase I will highlight significant geomorphic processes operating within the watershed; Phase II will collect detailed sediment, hydrology and riparian data that will identify areas not functioning naturally; Phase III will identify ways to balance ecological and social values within the area; and Phase IV will recommend and prioritize actions to support the long-term health and function of the Big Wood River system.
The data generated by the assessment will support and inform future management decisions for the aquatic and riparian resources of the Big Wood River. Additionally, the assessment will be used by conservation partners to prioritize and implement restoration, stream reconnection and flow enhancement activities.
For more information, contact Chad Chorney, Trout Unlimited project manager, at 928-7656; Keri York, Wood River Land Trust director of conservation, at 788-3947; or Codie Martin, BLM Shoshone field manager, at 732-7200.
Trustees to revisit school calendar
Establishing a school calendar became a time-consuming and somewhat emotional issue two years ago when the matter was considered by the Blaine County School District board of trustees, with the primary concern being when the next school year would start.
Ultimately, at the behest of numerous public comments, the board elected to start school after the Labor Day weekend, rather than before as was earlier the case. The board also decided in 2013 to follow the same basic schedule for both the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years.
Now, with planning under way for district priorities for the remainder of the school year, the district is considering taking care of the calendar issue early so that it doesn’t interfere with later endeavors, particularly the development of a new strategic plan.
The “calendar committee,” a group that develops school calendars for board approval, is listed as an agenda item for the next regular school board meeting, scheduled to start at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the district office at 118 West Bullion St. in Hailey.
With public participation in strategic plan development in mind, district Superintendent GwenCarol Holmes has recommended in a memo to the school board that the existing calendar structure be extended for another year.