In Brief

Cookbook Proceeds Serve Fire, Rescue Services

   Last summer, sisters Leslie Doheny-Hanks and Robyn Watson asked the community at large to submit some of the recipes they’d been cooking during the stay-at-home order in the hopes of putting together a cookbook wherein proceeds would support local fire and rescue services. The community answered the call.

   Seventy people submitted a total of 200 recipes that have now been compiled, edited and published in the Sun Valley Commemorative Quarantine Cookbook. Funds raised go to Wood River Fire and Rescue and the Ketchum Sun Valley Volunteer Association.

   The books are for sale at retail stores throughout the Valley, including: Atkinsons’, Brass Ranch, Chapter One, Country Cousins Store, The Haven, Ketchum Kitchens, Silver Creek Outfitters, Sun Valley Lodge Gift Shop and Signature Shop, Sun Valley Culinary Institute, Village Market and Willow Papery.

Fungal Infection Likely Caused Duck Deaths Near Salmon

   State and federal officials have received further indication that over 100 mallard ducks, found dead near Salmon, died of an acute fungal infection. The cause of death is almost certainly acute Aspergillosis, a respiratory tract infection caused by a fungus commonly found in soil, dead leaves, moldy grain, compost piles, or in other decaying vegetation.

   Fungal cultures of the lungs of two of three ducks tested resulted in growth of Aspergillus fungi. However, final confirmation is pending according to the most recent update from the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisc. The fungus can cause severe respiratory tract infections in birds that inhale the spores but it cannot be passed from one infected duck to another.

   “We are fortunate that the die-off seems to have stopped, likely due to the fungus source no longer being available to the ducks,” said Dennis Newman, Idaho Fish and Game wildlife manager based in Salmon.

   While the disease is not contagious to humans who eat the meat, hunters can be exposed by inhalation of spores from contaminated carcasses. Though the risk of exposure is minimal, Fish and Game suggests hunters wear masks when dressing their birds. As with all game, hunters should also wear latex gloves when field dressing, and the meat should be thoroughly cooked before eating.

   The first dead ducks were reported by a concerned resident December 7 south of Salmon. Fish and Game responded to the area and found 50 ducks along an irrigation ditch and in nearby sloughs and ponds. Since the initial report, Fish and Game has found a total of 115 dead ducks.

Buy 2021 Hunting, Fishing Licenses Now

   Idaho Fish and Game is reminding hunters and fishermen to get their 2021 licenses now to take advantage of some great hunting and opportunities, such as:

   Ice fishing – Ice fishing is fun, and a great way to get out of the house and catch some fish during winter. Here’s more information about Idaho’s ice fishing.

   Steelhead fishing continues – Idaho’s “spring” season opens Jan. 1, and you can catch this prized fish throughout winter and well into spring. See the current steelhead fishing rules.

   You can still catch trout in rivers and streams – Winter stream fishing is often an overlooked opportunity, but trout fishing can be good, especially in “tailwater” fisheries where rivers are fed by dam releases, or in parts of the state with mild climates, such as along the Snake River.

   One of the best times to catch whitefish – Another winter fishery that fly anglers enjoy, and many other anglers. These fish feed in riffles and aren’t fazed by the cold water, and they’re often schooled up during winter.

   Hunt game animals that you may have overlooked – The hunting season for cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares and red squirrels last through March 31, so if you want to keep hunting, you have those options, and you probably won’t have a lot of competition.

  Late season upland bird hunting continues – Hunting season remains open for chukar, Hungarian partridge, California quail, and forest grouse during January in most areas, and late-season hunting can be good for those birds. See the upland game bird rules booklet for season dates.

Whitelaw Wins Coach Of The Year Award

Sun Valley Community School’s soccer coach Richard Whitelaw has been selected as a 2020 National Coach of the Year for High School Boys in the private school category by United Soccer Coaches. Awardees will be recognized at the 2021 United Soccer Coaches Digital Convention on Jan. 13, 2021. Founded in 1941 and based in Kansas City, Mo., United Soccer Coaches has grown into the world’s largest soccer coaches’ organization that serves members at every level of the game.

   “Richard is an excellent soccer coach, but more importantly, he is a relentlessly kind, humble, and dedicated mentor and educator. He is also an incredible ambassador and representative of our school. We are more than lucky to have him serving as our athletic director and soccer coach. We are thrilled for his steadfast contributions and successes to be recognized with this award,” said SVCS Head of School Ben Pettiit.

   Whitelaw also serves as the school’s Director of Athletics, a post he’s held since 2011. He’s been the head boys’ soccer coach since 1992 and a member of United Soccer Coaches since 1989.

    Whitelaw led Sun Valley Community School to its third consecutive Idaho Class 3A State Championship this season, finishing the year at 9-3 overall. It was the fifth state championship overall for him (2020, 2019, 2018, 1992, 1999). He has now led his teams to 16 district titles and earned State Coach of the Year honors for the fifth time. His career record in 29 years now stands at 360-135-40.

Healthcare Providers Applaud Downward COVID-19 Trend

   South Central Public Health District (SCPHD), St. Luke’s Health System and others are joining together to thank residents who have helped slow the spread of disease in our communities and alleviate some of the pressure on our healthcare system. Case rates in December have declined across most of the district, but are still high compared to summer and spring months.

    Hospitals in south-central Idaho are also reporting improvement in their overall impact from COVID-19, including a reduced number of COVID-19 cases requiring hospitalization over the last two weeks and fewer staff members forced to stay home after exposure to the virus.

   “The first three weeks in December had more than three times the number of cases in September and earlier months. Obviously, we aren’t out of the woods yet but this shows that working together we can slow the spread of this disease and protect lives,” said Josh Jensen, SCPHD Ppogram manager.

   Local hospitals warn the strain on emergency rooms is often higher around the holidays because of accidents, holiday stress, and winter conditions. It’s important to keep beds open and hospital staff available to handle the holiday patient needs. Watching our distance, wearing masks, and washing our hands are simple steps to keep case rates low and get our hospitals back to regular operating conditions.