Roadside Vehicle Blaze Thwarted By Local Fire Crews
Ketchum Fire Department crews responded to a vehicle fire at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area on Sunday. Crews said the fire was quickly extinguished by Engine 3, which was first on the scene.
The F-150 pickup truck that burned was apparently being towed when the tow driver noticed it was on fire and dumped it.
Speak Now (About Transportation) Or Hold Your Peace (Until 2040)
The Idaho Transportation Department is seeking public input on the department’s so-called Long-Range Transportation Plan, called IDAGO 2040. Comments are being taken through April 10, 2019. The plan identifies how future funding, technology, demographics and economics will shape transportation in Idaho to the year 2040.
Public meetings were held at each of the department’s district offices on March 26, but additional comments can be e-mailed to lrtp@itd.idaho.gov. Comments can also be mailed to: Idaho Transportation Department, Attn: Planning Services, 3311 W. State Street, Boise, ID 83703.
Visit https://itd.idaho.gov/planning and click on the Long-Range Transportation Plan tab to view the draft plan and an online comment form where people can provide input. Paper copies of the draft plan will be available at each transportation department district office. Public input is important to the planning effort as it helps the department understand statewide priorities.
Gov. Little Makes Teacher Paychecks Bigger
Idaho’s first-year teachers are getting a raise, thanks to a bill Gov. Brad Little signed last week. The new law sets the minimum teacher salary to increase to $38,500 next year and $40,000 in 2020–21. Idaho’s current minimum teacher salary is set at $35,800.
Governor Tells HOAs Solar Panels Are OK
Rep. Ilana Rubel’s (D-Boise) solar panel bill was signed into law by Gov. Brad Little on Friday, paving the way for homeowners to avoid certain installation restrictions currently imposed on them by their homeowners’ association (HOA) guidelines. HOAs had been allowed under the old law to restrict solar panel use for reasons such as being too ugly or obtrusive. Rubel says the old law ignored important innovations that now make solar panels almost undetectable, and the governor seems to agree.
“This law was a barrier for Idahoans who wanted to be energy independent,” Rep. Rubel said. “If we protect our solar panel users, then we encourage environmentally friendly practices and renewable energy in Idaho.”
The legislation applies only to homeowners—it cannot be used by those who are renting or leasing a home. The installations still must not violate safety requirements or building code.
“Every Idaho homeowner deserves the right to make choices about his or her energy consumption,” Rubel said. “When you own a home, you should reserve the right to make the calls about what you do with it.”
Idaho Power Signs Long-Term Solar Deal, Vows To Be 100 percent Clean
Idaho Power says it has entered a contract to buy 120 megawatts (MW) of clean solar power from Jackpot Holdings, an Idaho company that plans to build a large solar-generation resource south of Twin Falls, at some of the lowest solar energy prices in the nation.
“This deal will provide energy that is not only clean, but is also at a cost that benefits our customers,” Idaho Power President and CEO Darrel Anderson said.
The agreement is a 20-year power purchase with Jackpot Holdings which plans to complete the solar array by 2022. The agreement includes the potential for Idaho Power to buy the facility, as well as obtain energy from a proposed expansion at a slightly higher price.
The deal follows the utility’s recent announcement to become 100 percent clean energy by 2045.
State Of Idaho Awards Silver Medal to Silvercreek Living
Silvercreek Living, located on McKercher Boulevard in north Hailey, was given a silver medal by the Department of Health and Human Services of Idaho after a successful two-day survey of the assisted living community campus.
Anita Northwood, owner, credited Silvercreek’s administrator, Reagan McLaughlin, for the excellent results.
“As an owner, I credit McLaughlin for being diligent as a new administrator of Silvercreek without even being in the position for a full year yet. The employees as well have worked hard in performing their duties as caregivers,” Northwood said.
The award comes at an opportune time as Silvercreek is in the process of educating the public on the advantages of assisted living and the standards they have to offer to the seniors of Blaine County.
Botanical Garden Announces New Board Members
The Sawtooth Botanical Garden (SBG) announced its new board member arrivals this week as the 24-year-old organization celebrated the service of exiting board members, too.
New board members include certified master arborist and owner of ArborCare Resources, Inc. Bill Josey, master gardener Kathie Gouley, landscape designer Dean Hernandez, commercial real estate broker Matt Bogue and naturopathic doctor Jody Stanislaw. These five join current directors Susan Flynt, Jolyon Sawrey, Heidi Shelton and Cherie Kessler.
Departing board members include Jenni Simpson, Julie Potter, Laurie Ahern and John Wolcott. Most departing directors have joined subcommittees of SBG, continuing their direct support of the region’s only public botanical garden, the nonprofit said.
Roadside Vehicle Blaze Thwarted By Local Fire Crews
Ketchum Fire Department crews responded to a vehicle fire at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area on Sunday. Crews said the fire was quickly extinguished by Engine 3, which was first on the scene.
The F-150 pickup truck that burned was apparently being towed when the tow driver noticed it was on fire and dumped it.
New Hire Looks To Connect Youth To Nature
The Sawtooth Society has hired Autumn Lear as its stewardship and volunteer projects coordinator, a position tasked with managing the organization’s extensive volunteer trail maintenance and at-risk-youth programs. Lear will partner with Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Sawtooth NRA) staff and others to identify priority projects for volunteer groups and will focus on expanding public participation in the program.
Lear is a longtime Sawtooth NRA and backcountry-experienced advocate, with over a decade of United States Forest Service (USFS) work, forestry technician and instructor expertise, most notably where motorized and mechanized equipment are prohibited.
“I am committed to engaging youth and adults alike to the benefits of wilderness,” said Lear. “There is no greater sense of accomplishment than empowering people to connect with nature.”
A University of Idaho graduate in natural resources ecology and conservation biology, Lear has also earned a Miche-al Institute Waldorf Certification as well as numerous crosscut sawyer and wilderness-skill training certificates as she works toward a teaching degree.
“Autumn has the right combination of passion for the area and the can-do attitude that we need to solidify the Society’s role as the Sawtooth NRA’s go-to partner in trail maintenance,” said Sawtooth Society President Wayne Hughes. “We expect our boots-on-the-ground effort to be busy indeed.”
New Hire Looks To Connect Youth To Nature
The Sawtooth Society has hired Autumn Lear as its stewardship and volunteer projects coordinator, a position tasked with managing the organization’s extensive volunteer trail maintenance and at-risk-youth programs. Lear will partner with Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Sawtooth NRA) staff and others to identify priority projects for volunteer groups and will focus on expanding public participation in the program.
Lear is a longtime Sawtooth NRA and backcountry-experienced advocate, with over a decade of United States Forest Service (USFS) work, forestry technician and instructor expertise, most notably where motorized and mechanized equipment are prohibited.
“I am committed to engaging youth and adults alike to the benefits of wilderness,” said Lear. “There is no greater sense of accomplishment than empowering people to connect with nature.”
A University of Idaho graduate in natural resources ecology and conservation biology, Lear has also earned a Miche-al Institute Waldorf Certification as well as numerous crosscut sawyer and wilderness-skill training certificates as she works toward a teaching degree.
“Autumn has the right combination of passion for the area and the can-do attitude that we need to solidify the Society’s role as the Sawtooth NRA’s go-to partner in trail maintenance,” said Sawtooth Society President Wayne Hughes. “We expect our boots-on-the-ground effort to be busy indeed.”
Sawtooth Campgrounds Open For Steelhead Fishing Season
The Sawtooth National Recreation Area has opened its campgrounds along the Salmon River for the spring steelhead fishing season. Mormon Bend and Salmon River campgrounds are located downriver from Stanley in close proximity to popular fishing areas and are available to the public for an overnight fee of $5.
Deputy area ranger Brian Anderson stressed the need for anglers to use the campgrounds rather than camping along Highway 75 for safety reasons.
“Camping in turnouts along the narrow, twisty Salmon River road create considerable safety hazards due to limited visibility. This also complicates snow removal along the highway, especially in the vicinity of the Yankee Fork confluence,” Anderson said.
Management is also asking that anglers refrain from building fires outside of designated fire rings to prevent damage to surfaces underneath the snow and to limit the cleaning required after the snow melts.
No water or trash collection will be available, but restrooms will be open. For additional information contact the Stanley Ranger Station at (208) 774-3000.
Mountain Humane Serves Up Programs For Humans
Mountain Humane has launched a new program, this one designed for humans. The Humane Book Club gives residents a chance to enjoy coffee or tea while discussing literature with themes related to people, animals, the environment, and how to build a more compassionate world.
Books will be chosen by a rotating group of guest facilitators, as well as Jenny Emery Davidson, executive director of The Community Library. Sessions are one hour.
In other human-friendly news at the shelter, one-hour yoga classes are being offered in Penny’s Barn with Pure Body Bliss Studio owner and director, Alysha Oclassen.
A handful of mats will be available, but if you have your own mat, the shelter asks that you please bring your own. Visit mountainhumane.org for more details.
Blaine County Reconfigures Its Recycling Program
Effective April 1, Blaine County will implement significant changes to its paper recycling. The big difference? Only newspaper and printer/copier paper will be accepted, at least for now. Previously, the county was accepting just about anything that was paper, from milk cartons and cereal boxes to glossy magazine paper.
“Recycling (paper) requires the highest level of purity, which means that the product needs to be free of contaminants,” the county stated in a press release.
China’s recent refusal of all American recyclables factored into the county’s decision. With less of a market for recyclable goods, the county had been putting its paper in a landfill.
“Most people don’t realize we only have two staff dedicated to sorting recyclables,” said Colleen Clark, the county’s outreach and education specialist. “It just wasn’t doable.”
Clark said the county will now be able to send its recycled paper to a facility in Twin Falls.
“It was important to send it somewhere local to avoid the environmental impact of shipping,” Clark explained.
Curbside paper pick-up will continue, but will follow new guidelines, accepting newspaper and printer/copy paper only. Paper for recycling will not be picked up if it is mixed with materials other than those specified. Please call (208) 788-5574 if there are any questions on what can be recycled.
Blaine County will continue to explore other recycling opportunities and will provide updates as viable alternatives arise.
State Senators Approve ‘Revenge On Voters’ Act
The bill that Democratic leaders have been calling the “Revenge On Voters” act cleared another legislative hurdle and heads to Gov. Brad Little’s desk. The state Senate voted 18–17 to approve SB1159 to allow for an increase in the amount of people who need to sign petitions before an initiative can be placed on an election ballot. The bill also requires more legislative districts to be represented on signed petitions. The bill emerged after 61 percent of the electorate approved Medicaid expansion in Idaho, also known as Proposition 2.
A big argument behind SB1159 is that Prop 2’s outcome did not properly represent what rural voters wanted, and that requiring more district involvement will increase rural input. Democratic leaders, however, note that 27 rural counties voted in favor of Prop 2. In fact, out of the 10 counties that had the highest support for Medicaid expansion, eight of them are considered rural. Even District 14, home to SB1159 sponsor Sen. Scott Grow, voted overwhelmingly for this initiative.
Medicaid Expansion Restrictions Keep Moving Forward
In what some insiders are calling a surprise move, House leaders sent Rep. John Vander Woude’s (R-Nampa) controversial Medicaid Expansion Restrictions Bill (HB277) to the House floor for a vote.
Vander Woude’s bill would require Idahoans making between 100 and 138 percent of the federal poverty level, who are currently receiving subsidies (around 20,000 people), to remain on private insurance. In addition, an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 people living below the federal poverty line would be kicked off of Medicaid Expansion for failing to satisfy the work reporting requirements.
Fiscal notes on Vander Woude’s bill indicate it will cost between $3 million and $7 million a year to administer his program. Officials with the State Health and Welfare Department estimate they will have to hire close to two dozen people to administer it.
Proposition 2 passed in 29 of Idaho’s 35 legislative districts and 35 of Idaho’s 44 counties. The measure passed with 57 percent of the vote in Vander Woude’s district and 61 percent overall.
