Bellevue Woman Dies In Rollover, Alcohol Suspected
On Thursday, July 18, at approximately 6:43 p.m., deputies from the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a single-vehicle rollover at milepost 191 on U.S. Highway 20, just east of Picabo.
Upon arrival, deputies found the single occupant of the vehicle, Yvette M. Cabrito, age 34, of Bellevue, deceased.
It was determined that Cabrito was driving eastbound on Highway 20 in a 2003 Honda Civic when she lost control. Based on the investigation and witness statements, Cabrito’s vehicle left the roadway at a high rate of speed, rolling numerous times and coming to rest approximately 350 feet from the pavement. Cabrito was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected in the crash. Speed and alcohol are suspected to be a factor.
“We have had far too many tragedies this year in Blaine County. Always drive with patience and respect, obey traffic laws and speed limits, don’t drive distracted, and don’t ever drink and drive. You not only endanger yourself but many innocent people who travel on our roadways. I ask you to have these conversations with family members and friends and help us reduce these horrible tragedies. In 2018, we had three vehicle-related fatalities in Blaine County. In 2019, we have already seen that number increase to nine vehicle-related fatalities, which is more than the last five years combined in Blaine County. We can’t stress it enough—seatbelts save lives. Please wear your seatbelt,” Sheriff Steve Harkins wrote in a statement to the press.
Beat The Heat With Summer Energy-Saving
Tips From Idaho Power
Idaho Power is doing its part to keep your utility bills in check this summer. Hot weather has arrived, and that can mean increased energy use as we keep our homes and businesses cool. Idaho Power has a few tips for staying cool and managing your summer energy use (and bill!) when it’s hot outside:
Close doors, windows and blinds during the day when you’re out of the house, especially on the east and west sides. If safe to do so, open them at night or in the morning to let in cooler air.
Consider installing an attic fan to draw hot air out of the house.
Consider installing a ceiling fan in rooms used frequently. Moving air can feel up to 4 degrees cooler than still air. Ceiling fans are effective in homes both with and without air conditioning. Turn them off when you leave the room.
Turn the air conditioner off when you’re going to be gone for an extended period. Make it easy by installing a programmable thermostat to allow for higher temperatures at night and when you are away without sacrificing comfort when you need it.
Change the air filter in your heating/cooling system. Dirty filters reduce a system’s efficiency.
Not sure where to start? A home energy audit is a first step if you want to make home improvements to save energy. An audit can determine where your home wastes energy and how you can change that. The program offers a reduced price for a home audit done by an experienced, certified professional.
The total value of the audit is $445, but participants pay only $99 for all-electric homes and $149 for homes with other fuels. The auditor will come to your home and identify key energy-saving opportunities like insulation, windows and doors, lighting, and heating and cooling systems. The auditor may also install energy-saving items like LEDs, showerheads or pipe wrap.
Women’s Foundation Set To Honor Grant Recipients
The Wood River Women’s Foundation (WRWF) will honor its 2019 grant recipients at its 14th Annual Celebration of Grant Recipients and Annual Luncheon, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the Trail Creek Pavilion. Awards this year will total more than $267,918 and will be granted to 11 local nonprofits. Since 2006, the WRWF has funded more than 137 grants totaling more than $2,594,000.
“The announcement of our new grant recipients is always the highlight of our mission each year,” said Peggy Grove, WRWF president. “This year’s grants support local youth and families through academic, food security, mental health and outdoor education programs.”
The WRWF 2019 grant recipients include: Blaine County Education Foundation, Blaine County Hunger Coalition, Blaine County Recreation District, Environmental Resource Center, Inc., Hospice and Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley, Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children, Idaho BaseCamp – South Valley After-School Program, Men’s Second Chance Living, NAMI-Wood River Valley, St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation, and The Advocates. Details on these grants are attached.
Given that the work of these nonprofits benefits all in the Wood River Valley, the WRWF invites the community to attend this special event. Tickets are $40 and are available for purchase at www.woodriverwomensfoundation.org. For more information, contact the WRWF office at (208) 309-2530.
Gutknecht Named Outstanding Special
Education Administrator Of The Year
The Idaho Association of Special Education Administrators (IASEA) has recognized recently retired Debi Gutknecht as its 2019 Administrator of the Year. Gutknecht started administering special ed programs for Blaine County School District in 1997.
Gutknecht began teaching special education 26 years ago in Las Vegas, where she was named Henderson, Nevada’s Teacher of the Year in 1995-96.
Blaine County School District Superintendent GwenCarol Holmes said Gutknecht has “developed and strengthened programs and supports for students with disabilities from preschool to adulthood, to the point that they have become a magnet that attracts families to Blaine County.”
Through her career, Gutknecht has implemented the V.O.I.C.E. 2 transition program for 18- to 21-year-olds, social-emotional learning standards and programs, as well as several literacy expansion programs. She has also expanded the GATE [Gifted And Talented Education] program and served as a trainer for many entities, including the Community Resilience Model, Idaho’s State Department of Education and Lindamood-Bell Learning.
JRM Foundation To Accept Hometown Hero Nominations
The Idaho’s Hometown Hero Organization Committee is accepting nominations for the 2019 Idaho’s Hometown Hero Medal. The selected medalists will be honored at the 9th Annual Idaho Hometown Hero Awards Ceremony, Gala Celebration and charity partner Exposition on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Stephens Performing Arts Center in Pocatello. Nominations will be accepted until July 30.
For 2019, the Idaho Hometown Hero Award focuses on individuals who share their resources as well as time, intellect and ideas. The JRM Foundation for Humanity was founded by Jamshaid, Rahim and Mannan of the JRM family in 2010.
For more information and details on supporting the JRM Foundation and submitting a hero nomination, visit jrmfoundation.org.
Red Flag Warning
Implemented In Blaine County
Due to hot, dry weather, Wood River Fire Chief Bart Lassman said on Tuesday that there is now a red flag warning for the county, and no open burns will be allowed south of Greenhorn Gulch. There were several calls about lightning strikes on Monday night at Timmerman Hill, in Carey, and about a powerline issue at the north end of Buttercup Road.
Lassman added that the Bureau of Land Management fire department is “short-staffed right now” due to fighting some fires in southern Idaho and along the Nevada border.
“Fire Zone 422 has a red flag warning,” said Tom Bowman, Ketchum’s acting fire chief. “This zone extends from the Wood River Valley all the way north to Stanley. It’s the combination of heat, low humidity, high winds and possible lightning.”
Sun Valley Music Festival Has New Website
The Sun Valley Music Festival, formerly known as the Sun Valley Summer Symphony, has a new website that more completely represents the new image of the annual music festival held at the Sun Valley Pavilion every summer. It can be found at svmusicfestival.org.
People can now view concerts in order in a list, or on a monthly calendar. Since most people access the website on their mobile device, the initial view will be a list. There’s an arrow to easily toggle the view to the calendar. Clicking on a concert in either view will bring up more information, including a video from music director Alasdair Neale introducing each concert; full program notes; and bios for all guest artists and featured musicians.
The Sun Valley Music Festival will run July 29-August 22, with the gala featuring Branford Marsalis scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 11.
Chamber Business Event In Bloom Thursday
The Chamber of Hailey and the Wood River Valley is inviting businesses and the public to attend this month’s free Business After Hours at the Bloom Community Farm in Hailey. The “BAH” will be held on Thursday, July 25, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The Bloom Community Farm was established in 2016 to help The Hunger Coalition provide opportunities for people to participate in programs like Volunteer For Veggies and to help fulfill their mission to make sure everyone has access to good food. The Bloom Community Farm is located at the end of Fox Acres Road, past Wood River High School, in Hailey’s Quigley Canyon.
The community is invited to attend this free monthly event to find out more about the Bloom Community Farm, to meet local business owners and to catch up on Chamber-related news and events. Food and beverages will be provided—and don’t forget to bring your business cards to enter in the “BAH” raffle.
For more information, please contact The Chamber at Info@ValleyChamber.org, visit ValleyChamber.org or HaileyIdaho.com, or call (208) 788-3484.
Challis Man Ejected From Cement Truck
On Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at approximately 9:14 a.m., Idaho State Police investigated a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 75 at milepost 199.2, near Stanley.
James Swigert, 59, of Challis, was driving a Ford commercial cement vehicle southbound on State Highway 75. Swigert crossed over the centerline, went off the roadway, and rolled his vehicle. His vehicle came to rest next to the Salmon River. Swigert was ejected from the vehicle and was transported by air ambulance to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, where he succumbed to his injuries on July 21.
Swigert was not wearing a seatbelt.
Idaho State Police was assisted by the Custer County Sheriff’s Office and the Idaho Transportation Department. The southbound lane was blocked for approximately five hours. The crash is under investigation by Idaho State Police.
School District To Consider Ballot Levy
Blaine County School District is holding a special session at 3 p.m., Monday, July 29, to consider placing a levy on a future ballot. The levy is for plant facilities maintenance and improvements, similar to one that is currently in place but ends next year. The new levy would likely be a 10-year program that will require at least a 55 percent approval from those voting in a levy election.
A project priority list will be available at the meeting. The session will take place in the district boardroom at 118 W. Bullion Street in Hailey.
Environmental Groups File Petition
Challenging Water Quality Certifications
Pacific Rivers and Idaho Rivers United filed a petition this week in Multnomah County, Ore., challenging the issuance of water quality certification under section 401 of the Clean Water Act by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for the Hells Canyon Complex. The three dams, owned and operated by Idaho Power Company, are located on the reach of the Snake River that forms the border of Oregon and Idaho. In the complaint, the conservation groups argue that DEQ failed to follow the requirements of state and federal law when they certified the dams will meet water quality standards for temperature and mercury. The groups also say the recent settlement agreement between Oregon and Idaho Power regarding fish passage fails to comply with the requirements of Oregon’s fish passage law.
Idaho Power Company seeks a new 50-year license for the dams from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and water quality certification by Oregon and Idaho is a necessary component before FERC can issue the new license.
“The Hells Canyon Complex has an enormous impact on water quality and salmon populations in the Snake River,” said Greg Haller, executive director of Pacific Rivers. “The actions proposed by Idaho Power, and certified by DEQ, are far too speculative to ensure compliance with important water quality standards. It’s a leap of faith that salmon can’t afford to take.”
Salmon once swam far upriver of the dams deep into Idaho, Oregon and Nevada. Today, however, the dams block fish passage for all species, eliminating important spawning habitat and fisheries in all three states.
Pacific Rivers and Idaho Rivers United are represented by the Environmental and Land Use Clinic of University Legal Assistance at Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Wash.