Mountain Rides Zero-Emission Efforts Fuels $1.7M Award
Mountain Rides Transportation Authority has landed $1,768,500 in grant funds administered by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The award, funded by the VW Environmental Mitigation Trust and earned by Mountain Rides via a competitive grant process, will underwrite Mountain Rides’ investment in advanced clean transportation vehicles, including battery-electric, zero-emissions transit buses, and related infrastructure.
Key upshots of that investment will be reduced tailpipe emissions from Mountain Rides’ fleet of transit vehicles, resulting in a cleaner environment in the Wood River Valley, as well as lowered fleet operating costs as Mountain Rides transitions from internal combustion engines to battery-electric drive trains.
“The DEQ award puts low- or no-emissions transit buses directly in our community’s future,” said Wally Morgus, executive director of Mountain Rides.
The grant funding supports the Idaho DEQ’s efforts to reduce noxious tailpipe emissions and promote clean-air practices throughout the state. Mountain Rides’ engagement in these statewide efforts squares with the Federal Transit Administration’s drive, funded via its Low- or No-Emissions Vehicle Grant Program, which awards to state and local governmental authorities funds for acquiring low- and zero-emission transit buses, to move the nation’s transit fleet toward the least-polluting and most energy-efficient vehicles on the road.
Measles Outbreak Makes Its Way To Idaho
State health authorities announced today that it has received confirmation of a case of measles in Idaho—specifically, a Latah County resident. It is the first confirmed case of measles in Idaho since 2001.
The Idaho North Central District is collaborating with Gritman Medical Center and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to respond.
Health officials state that measles is preventable and the way to prevent an outbreak is to ensure that all children and adults, who can be vaccinated, do get vaccinated. Across the country and in Blaine County, healthcare providers have struggled at times to maximize vaccinations as many parents have questioned vaccine safety and efficacy.
Leslie Manookian, a board member of Health Freedom Idaho and a producer of an award-winning documentary on vaccines called “The Greater Good,” is one such parent. Manookian says she is not anti-vaccine, but rather pro-vaccine safety.
“These outlets report that in recent outbreaks such as that at Disneyland several years ago, 38 percent of cases were in recently vaccinated individuals. To clarify, they contracted vaccine strain measles from the vaccine itself,” Manookian said in a statement to The Weekly Sun.
Health officials advise that if you think you have been exposed and you are not vaccinated, to stay at home and contact Health & Welfare. If you have questions about your vaccination status, contact your healthcare provider.
Below is the location of potential exposure to the public of this measles case in Latah County before the measles diagnosis was made. The individual with measles was in the following public location while contagious:
May 31, 2019, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Gritman Medical Center, Laboratory &
Imaging Waiting Area
Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease. It mainly spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. Measles symptoms (fever, cough, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash) begin seven to 21 days after exposure. Measles is contagious from approximately four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears. People can spread measles before they have the characteristic measles rash.
Local Theatre Joins National Ranks
Company of Fools (COF) has become the first theater in Idaho to join the ranks of the country’s most prestigious supporters of new theatrical work—the National New Play Network (NNPN).
COF joins American Shakespeare Center, San Francisco Playhouse, Skylight Theatre Company and roughly another 50 internationally recognized theatres across the United States as one of NNPN’s associate members. Membership in NNPN will help COF expand its longstanding commitment to supporting new plays and commissioning new theatrical work.
As a member of NNPN, COF will have access to a powerful and influential network of theatres as well as NNPN’s grants and funding programs.
“NNPN is an amazing organization, supporting hundreds of playwrights every year, and exposing hundreds of thousands of theatre patrons to the very best of new playwriting every year,” said Scott Palmer, producing artistic director at Company of Fools. “Our entire team is excited to support that mission and bring incredible new theatre to our community with NNPN’s help.”
Farmers’ Market Purchase Can Earn You A Pass At The Y
A continued partnership between Wood River Community YMCA (Wood River Y), Wood River Farmers’ Market (WRFM) and Local Food Alliance (LFA) provides a healthy incentive to purchase fresh, nutritious, locally-grown food.
Now through Oct. 10, shoppers who purchase $15 or more of unprepared food at the Ketchum or Hailey Wood River Farmers’ Markets will be rewarded with a free day pass (or additional guest pass for active members) to the Wood River Y. Vouchers (limit one per customer) can be picked up at the red WRFM tent with valid proof of purchase (you can simply show your purchase) and redeemed at the Wood River Y (101 Saddle Road in Ketchum) within one year.
Wood River Farmers’ Market operates Tuesdays in the lower parking lot of River Run (base of Bald Mountain in west Ketchum) and Thursdays in Hailey (grassy lot north of Sturtevants off Main Street and across the street from Sun Valley Brewery) through Oct. 10. Market hours are 2 to 6 p.m.
Bellevue Seeks Artist For New Logo
The City of Bellevue is looking for an individual to help design a new city logo. The city asks that any proposed logo shall be interesting and representative of the City of Bellevue.
Artists can submit logo designs to adyer@bellevueidaho.us no later than June 30. There is no compensation for the winning design, but the contestant will receive proper acknowledgement for creating the design for the city.
Call (208) 788-2128, ext. 8, with any questions.
Fill The Summer Afternoons With Art
The Sun Valley Center for the Arts is excited to announce a new program for families to get creative during the summer months. The Center will offer two sessions of Afternoon Art to give kids and their caregivers special opportunities to enjoy art-making together. The program will be held at The Center in Ketchum, and participation is free.
Designed for families with kids who are 5 to 12 years of age, Afternoon Art will be offered on select Wednesdays during the summer. All art projects will connect to the visual arts
exhibition, “Mirage: Energy and Water in the Great Basin,” on view at the museum.
Participants and their caregivers can drop in any time between 3 and 5 p.m. to make art, spend time in The Center’s maker space and view the exhibition together. Art project themes include:
Session 1
June 12—Wet on Wet Watercolor
June 19—Nature Mandalas
June 26—A Bird’s-Eye View: Mixed Media Landscape
Session 2
July 31—Sandpaper Collage
Aug. 7—Fantasy Collage
Aug. 14—Stick Initials
For more information on this program or upcoming programs, please contact the Sun Valley Center for the Arts at (208) 726-9491, information@sunvalleycenter.org, or visit sunvalleycenter.org.
So Much To See At SIHA
The Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association’s (SIHA’s) summer season is now under way. The association has many events and activities all summer, including its Forum Lecture Series, which begins on July 15 with talks every Friday at the Stanley Museum through August 30.
“This year’s Forum Lecture Series presents a range of experts and naturalists who will talk on the current state of salmon and wolves, to an education on Idaho’s trails and its birds of prey,” said Sarah Cawley, SIHA executive director. “It’s a lineup that will offer education and interest for everyone who loves the nature and wild of the Sawtooth Valley to those on summer vacation.”
The Stanley Museum will feature its “Tool Shed” exhibit along with the continuation of gathering area oral histories as well as planning for structural upgrades and a new building at the Stanley Museum. Support for these projects, “Your Path to Sawtooth Valley History,” will be valued with a name, the name of a loved one or inspiring words inscribed on a commemorative brick to be installed in museum walkways. In addition, the Redfish Visitor Center and Gallery bookstore will have many new titles, as well as useful guidebooks and maps for the area. The Redfish Lake Visitor Center is a short, scenic walk from Redfish Lake Lodge.
For more information on programs and membership, visit www.discoversawtooth.org or email info@discoversawtooth.org.
School District Offers Free Lunch
Blaine County School District is providing free lunches at two locations for the 2019 Idaho Summer Food Service Program. They are:
Balmoral Playfield—Lunch will be served Monday through Thursday, June 17 to Aug. 8, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day (closed July 4th). Lunch in the Park will be held at Balmoral Playfield. All children ages 1 to 18 are welcome to come for a free lunch. Adults can purchase lunch for $1. Lunch in the Park is a partnership with The Hunger Coalition, Blaine County School District, and volunteers from the community. The Balmoral Playfield is located at 851 Shenandoah Drive in Hailey
Bellevue Elementary—From Monday, June 24, to Friday, July 26 (closed July 4th), breakfast and lunch will be served at Bellevue Elementary School. Any child age 1 to 18 is welcome to come for free breakfast from 8:30 to 9 a.m. and free lunch from 12 to 1 p.m. Adults can purchase breakfast for $2.10 or lunch for $3.75. Bellevue Elementary is located at 305 N. 5th Street in Bellevue.
Sawtooth Botanical Garden Announces Free Educational Offerings
The Sawtooth Botanical Garden invites lovers of flowers and learning for two free and ongoing opportunities this week: Discovery Club and Wildflower Walks. Donations to the Garden are always gratefully accepted.
Discovery Club is a one-hour, drop-in session for children ages 2 to 5 years old and their adult. Each week will feature a different theme, such as Worms, Fruits & Seeds, and Brave & Curious, to be accompanied by stories, activities, and exploration of the Garden. Discovery Club will run on Wednesdays beginning today, June 12, from 10 to 11 a.m.
SBG’s popular Wildflower Walks continue this week on Thursday, June 13. Participants are asked to meet at the Garden at 9:30 a.m. then carpool to the trailhead chosen by our Bloom Beta experts. You can anticipate returning to the Garden by 3 p.m.
Wildflower Walks are also free and open to the public and no registration is required. Bring appropriate outerwear, sturdy walking shoes, water, sunscreen, hat and lunch. Some walks are appropriate for children age 7 years and older accompanied by an adult, but please leave your dog at home.
For more information, visit sbgarden.org or call (208) 726-9358. SBG is located at 11 Gimlet Road, four miles south of Ketchum.
Sawtooth Area Landslide Impacts Camping, Driving
On Wednesday, June 3, a landslide closed the road to Grandjean Campground, trailhead and dispersed camping areas beyond the Sawtooth Lodge. This was the result of heavy spring rains on slopes that were burned in the Wapiti Fire last fall. Due to saturated soils, repair work has been delayed. The Sawtooth National Forest Construction and Maintenance Crew will begin working on clearing the road. Due to the sheer amount of debris, it is estimated that it will take two weeks to open the road.
The Sawtooth National Forest will utilize the Forest Facebook page to advise the public when the road is open. In addition, the Boise National Forest Facebook page will be updating the public in the same manner.
If you have any questions, contact the Stanley Ranger Station at (208) 774-3000.
Free Art Therapy Available
The Sun Valley Center for the Arts is launching a free museum-based art therapy program, called “Stepping Out of the Frame,” designed especially for adults living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
During the six-week program, which will be held 1:30–3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays between July 23 and Aug. 29, participants will explore The Center’s summer visual arts exhibition, “Mirage: Energy, Water and Creativity in the Great Basin,” through therapeutic art experiences both inside and outside the museum.
The experiences will expose participants to and engage them with visual artworks and visual arts directives that are specifically designed to promote individual, social and educational goals for transformation. The program builds upon The Center’s mission of enriching the community through transformational arts and educational experiences.
Participants should plan to commit to all weekly sessions in order to gain the maximum educational and therapeutic benefit.
Fatal Crash On Blue Lakes Boulevard
On June 7, at approximately 6 p.m., Idaho State Police investigated a multiple-vehicle injury crash at the intersection of Blue Lakes Boulevard and Heyburn Avenue, in Twin Falls.
Cedric Mitchell, 34, of Twin Falls, was driving westbound on Heyburn Avenue, in a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500. Dwayne Steiner, 59, and his passenger, Maryann Steiner, 60, of Twin Falls, were stopped westbound on Heyburn Avenue at the intersection of Blue Lakes Boulevard, in a 1997 Dodge 1500.
Arturo Leon Avila, 58, of Twin Falls, was driving northbound on Blue Lakes Boulevard in a 2016 Nissan Frontier, with passenger Lilia Leon-Vega, 51, of Twin Falls, as well as two juveniles. Harley Gridley, 25, of Belgrade, Mont., and passenger Michael Fischkelta, 27, of Jerome, were also driving southbound in a 2005 Ford Mustang.
Mitchell rear-ended the Dodge 1500, which was pushed into the intersection where it struck the Nissan Frontier. All three vehicles collided with the Ford Mustang.
Mitchell was transported via air ambulance to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. Dwayne and Maryann Steiner, as well as Arturo Avila, Lilia Leon-Vega and one juvenile, were transported by ground ambulance to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Regional Medical Center in Twin Falls. Maryann Steiner succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
All lanes of travel were blocked for approximately four hours. Idaho State Police was assisted by Twin Falls Police Department, Twin Falls Fire Department and Magic Valley Paramedics.
Local Theatre Company Readies For Season 24
Company of Fools (COF) will kick off its 24th theatre season with a production of Crimes of the Heart—the 1981 Tony Award nominee for best play and Pulitzer Prize winner for drama. Written by celebrated playwright Beth Henley and directed by Scott Palmer, the production will run June 26–July 13 at the Liberty Theatre in Hailey.
The theme of COF’s 24th season, “Welcome to the Family,” is reflected in a special collection of plays that capture the beauty and complexity of the contemporary world and consider what family means: the family we are born into, the family we make, the family we find, and the family we choose. The season also exemplifies COF’s longstanding commitment to telling the stories of the human heart.
Praised by the New York Post for its “heart, wit and a surprisingly zany passion that must carry all before it,” Crimes of the Heart is an exploration of “the family we are born into.” It relates the story of the three Magrath sisters—Babe, Lenny and Meg—who reunite at their Old Granddaddy’s home in Mississippi in the wake of a family crisis. Beth Henley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play brings a twangy Southern style to a story that is equal parts comedy, tragedy and family redemption.
“Because Crimes of the Heart deals with family, conflict and forgiveness in a really wonderful way, the play is a brilliant vehicle to start our 24th season,” said Scott Palmer, who joined COF in March 2019 as producing artistic director. “Beth Henley’s play is funny, charming, moving, emotionally powerful, and one of the most heartfelt explorations of family in American drama.”
The cast of Crimes of the Heart features COF veterans Audra Honaker (Lenny), Sharon Barto (Meg), Aly Wepplo (Babe), David Janeski (Barnette) and Tess McKenna (Chick), along with Tim Gouran (Doc), who is making his COF debut with this production. The crew includes K.O. Ogilvie (stage management), Joe Lavigne (scenic design) and Melissa Heller, a professional costume designer from Portland, Ore., who worked with director Scott Palmer for more than 10 years at Bag&Baggage Productions.
Price Decreases Take Effect For Most Idaho Power Customers
For the second year in a row, many Idaho Power customers will benefit from a price decrease. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission approved Idaho Power’s four spring cost adjustments, resulting in an overall savings for Idaho residential and irrigation customers and most business customers. The cuts took effect June 1.
This year’s price changes include the annual Power Cost Adjustment and Fixed Cost Adjustment as well as an adjustment to recover costs related to the company’s planned exit from the North Valmy power plant and a downward adjustment to the Idaho Energy Efficiency Rider.
In total, residential customers will see a slight decrease (0.65 percent) on their monthly bill, while large power (7.06 percent), large general service (5.55 percent) and irrigation customers (5.13 percent) will experience even larger decreases.
Overall, Idaho Power’s residential prices are about 20 percent lower than the national average, while business prices are about 30 percent lower.
Grizzly Deaths Spur Bear Baiting Challenge In Idaho, Wyoming
Wildlife advocates are challenging in federal court a U.S. Forest Service policy granting states authority to allow black bear baiting in national forests, despite knowing that such practices have resulted in the deaths of threatened grizzly bears. Hunters have killed threatened grizzlies attracted to bait stations, typically stocked with human food intended to lure black bears.
Currently, only Idaho and Wyoming allow bear baiting in national forests. The challenge comes as Congress considers a bill to enact expanded protections for threatened grizzlies.
“Bear baiting not only violates ‘fair chase’ hunting ethics, it has caused deaths of iconic grizzlies,” said Lindsay Larris of WildEarth Guardians. “Federal agencies are bound by the law to recover threatened grizzlies, and knowingly allowing bear baiting flagrantly violates that duty.”
Until 1992, the Forest Service required hunters and guides to obtain a special use permit to use bait to hunt black bears in national forests. After the Forest Service allowed states alone to decide whether bait could be used, the grizzly bear population in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem increased. Since 1995, at least eight grizzly bears have been shot and killed at black bear bait stations in national forests in Idaho and Wyoming, and more have been killed at bait stations on other public and private lands.
The groups involved in the case want the Forest Service to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service to re-evaluate whether bear baiting decisions should be up to states, and whether baiting is too harmful to threatened grizzly bears.
Sawtooth Botanical Garden Announces Interpretive Tours
The Sawtooth Botanical Garden’s interpretive tours program is now open.
Interpretive tours are led by SBG’s AmeriCorps assistant educator, Kim Chaplin, who has an incredible breadth of knowledge relative to native and cultivated plants.
Tours are available to groups by request of any of the Garden’s outstanding features, including the Garden of Infinite Compassion, which showcases a Tibetan prayer wheel that was personally blessed by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama during his visit in 2005.
Organized group tours by request are free of charge, though donations are encouraged. Visitors to the Sawtooth Botanical Garden pay a nominal admission fee. Admission is free to SBG members and those participating in a private or SBG event and those attending SBG’s educational classes and workshops.
For more information, visit sbgarden.org or call (208) 726-9358. Sawtooth Botanical Garden is located at 11 Gimlet Road, four miles south of Ketchum.
