Health Advisory: Thorn Creek Reservoir,
Harmful Algal Bloom
The South Central Public Health District (SCPHD) and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are issuing a public health advisory today for Thorn Creek Reservoir. Results from recent DEQ water testing show the concentration of cyanobacteria (sometimes called blue-green algae) in the reservoir are now at unhealthy levels and have formed a harmful algal bloom (HAB).
This is the fourth health advisory issued for a reservoir in south-central Idaho. The first was issued on July 8 for Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, the second was issued July 25 for Mormon Reservoir, the third advisory was issued Aug. 9 for Magic Reservoir. All three previous advisories are ongoing.
The public is advised to take the following steps to protect their health in all four reservoirs:
Avoid exposure to water in reservoirs under a HAB health advisory.
Make sure children, pets, and livestock are not exposed to the water.
Do not drink water with a HAB advisory.
Boiling and disinfecting DO NOT remove toxins from water.
Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
If fishing in HAB water, remove all fat, skin and organs before cooking. Toxins are more likely to collect in those tissues. Wash hands after handling.
“This is the fourth advisory in our region, but there are several more around the state. These toxins can be damaging so we urge you to check any reservoir you want to recreate in before you, or your pets, enter the water,” said Josh Jensen, SCPHD public health program manager.
HABs are not unusual in warm summer months and typically shrink quickly as the water temperature drops in mid to late fall. SCPHD will issue another press release when DEQ tests show Thorn Creek, Magic, Mormon and Salmon Falls Creek reservoirs are at safe cyanotoxin levels again.
You can help by reporting suspicious looking water to DEQ by phone, email, or with the bloomWatch app.
Two-Vehicle Crash, Fire At Hwy. 75/20 Intersection
On Aug. 20, at approximately 5:30 p.m., deputies from the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to State Highway 75 and the junction with U.S. Highway 20 for a two-vehicle crash.
Initial reports stated one of the vehicles hit a power pole, with power lines blocking a portion of the roadway and one of the vehicles was on fire. With help from citizens, the fire was extinguished before emergency personnel arrived.
The crash investigation revealed that a silver 2018 Kia Soul, driven by Emmet G. Hartlove, age 18, of Concord Calif., was driving westbound on U.S. 20. Hartlove failed to yield to oncoming traffic and struck a white 2000 Jeep Cherokee driven by Silvia H. Leal Martinez, age 42, of Gooding, who was driving southbound on Highway 75.
Hartlove and his passenger were transported to St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center for minor injuries. All parties were wearing seatbelts. Hartlove was cited for Failure to Yield from a Stop Sign.
“Recently, we have seen an increase in traffic accidents at this intersection. We have committed extra patrol resources to this area and have been doing this for some time now. Deputies are out showing a presence near this intersection. Citations for speed and stop sign violations, among other violations, are being written when warranted,” said Blaine County Sheriff Steve Harkins. “My message to local citizens, who travel regularly through this intersection, is to always be aware of other motorists and your speed.”
In the past, the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office has requested the Idaho Department of Transportation conduct traffic and safety studies to explore options for making this intersection safer.
Sheriff’s Office Refunds Ketchum, Again
The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office and Blaine County Board of Commissioners have cut a check in the amount of $135,991to the City of Ketchum. The funds were generated, the Sheriff’s Office said, from savings through the law enforcement contract between the two entities.
Over the past 10 years, this contract—in which the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services to the City of Ketchum—has resulted in savings of over $927,000. The Sheriff’s Office attributed the savings to proper management, leadership, supervision and fiscal responsibility.
This cash refund represents the third in a series since the contract began in 2009 which includes payments of $141,166 in 2013, $243,609 in 2017 and $135,991 in 2019, totaling $520,766 in cash refunds back to the City of Ketchum. Additional contract savings were also used to purchase equipment estimated at $307,000, including eight patrol vehicles and ancillary law enforcement equipment over the last 10 years. These savings have all but eliminated the need for the City of Ketchum to budget for a police car and assures that a reliable fleet of vehicles is maintained. Meanwhile, $100,000 remains in the Ketchum trust account to cover payroll liability and major incidents.
“We are honored to be allowed the opportunity and trust to provide these crucial police services. We have a great team of trained, professional and dedicated staff in our Ketchum Police Division,” said Sheriff Steve Harkins.
Local Playhouse Releases Fall Lineup
Company of Fools’ (COF) 24th theatre season continues this fall with “Cry It Out”—Molly Smith Metzler’s play about the realities of motherhood in the 21st century. COF’s 24th season focuses on family—the family that we choose, the family we are born into, the family that we make and, in the case of Cry It Out, the family that we find. The production is directed by founding company member Denise Simone and will run Sept. 25 through Oct. 12 at the Liberty Theatre in Hailey.
Idaho Dems Warn: Speak Up Now About Medicaid Bill
Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare has started a 30-day public comment period on the controversial restriction Idaho’s state legislature placed on voter-approved Medicaid Expansion earlier this year. Idaho residents may now submit comments on the so-called “work requirement” restriction until Sept. 22. Residents may send comments to the Department via email. They will also have a chance to comment publicly at two open hearings:
Tuesday, Sept. 3; Lincoln Auditorium in the Idaho State Capitol Building, 700 W. Jefferson St., Boise, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 6; East Conference Room in the Joe R. Williams Building, 700 W. State St., Boise, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Opponents call the work restrictions “paperwork schemes” that can disqualify patients from coverage if they make an error on various forms. They say the restrictions have been tried in Kentucky, Arkansas and New Hampshire and that a federal judge struck down the laws in all three states. In each case, the judge noted that government officials ignored overwhelming opposition to the restrictions.
“A lot of Idahoans think that sending in a comment won’t make a difference, but this is one of those cases where a federal judge has ruled just the opposite. Not only do public comments matter, the government, by law, is required to consider them,” said Rebecca Schroeder, executive director of Reclaim Idaho. “If the government ignores the voices of average Idahoans on this subject, they do so at their peril.”
Wolftone Road Closed For Cleanup
Wolftone Road will be closed for approximately two weeks, the U.S. Forest Service said. Crews started removing tailings from the MG Smith mill site on Monday. The work is being completed using the road due to the location of the tailings and loaded into heavy dump trucks.
There will be heavy dump truck traffic on Deer Creek Road during this time. Use caution when traveling the main Deer Creek Road.
The public is being asked to please stay out of the Wolftone area during this time for their safety as well as for the workers that are in the area. If you have questions, please contact the Ketchum Ranger District at (208) 622-0091.
Sun Valley Improves Nonstop Flight Access For Winter
Traveling to and from Sun Valley will be easier than ever this winter with an improved schedule of flights for the 2019–20 winter season, featuring more flights from Seattle and Chicago, along with daily flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver and three daily nonstop flights from Salt Lake City.
Fly Sun Valley Alliance (FSVA), in partnership with Sun Valley Resort, recently announced the Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) airline flight schedule for the upcoming winter season, which will provide travelers improved access to the area.
From Seattle (SEA), Alaska Airlines has increased its service to two daily nonstop flights to SUN during the holidays, December 19 through January 5, and will also offer two daily nonstop flights three days a week on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from February 12 through March 22. From Chicago (ORD), United will expand its nonstop service to run daily during the holidays, December 19 – January 5, and then weekly on Saturdays throughout the rest of the season, January 11 through March 28.
In addition to Chicago, United Airlines will offer daily nonstop flights from Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) from December 19 – March 29.
Delta Air Lines, which serves Sun Valley year-round, will once again offer three daily nonstop flights to their Salt Lake City (SLC) hub during the core winter season, offering easy connections to a multitude of cities. Delta will also offer a daily nonstop flight from LAX December 21 to January 5.
FSVA Director Carol Waller noted that the opportunities provided by Sun Valley Resort’s new EPIC pass partnership is a major factor in increasing the air service level from key markets.
“We are excited for the potential of bringing new skiers to Sun Valley through the EPIC pass and an important part of how we do that is making Sun Valley more accessible by air. The fact that we now have nonstop flights from six major cities and continue to make improvements in schedules and frequency is a big plus,” Waller commented.
The total number of scheduled winter 2019–20 SUN flights is 996, up from 962 flights the previous winter.
Yearly Flapjack Event Seeks Volunteers, Donors
Organizers of the annual Papoose Club Pancake Breakfast say they could use support with additional volunteers and/or sponsors.
“Grab a team from your company for a fun give-back opportunity that can take place before the Wagon Days parade starts or the day following,” organizers said in a press release.
The Papoose Club supports educational, athletic and cultural growth for children in the Wood River Valley. If you can’t volunteer, please consider making a donation.
The breakfast event runs Saturday, Aug. 31, and Sunday, Sept. 1.
Tree Work Shuts Down Bald Mountain
An area closure on Bald Mountain within the Sun Valley Ski Area was implemented on Tuesday. Sun Valley Resort, the United States Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are coordinating three forest health projects happening on Bald Mountain as a part of the ongoing Healthy Forests Initiative.
The tree-thinning work on Bald Mountain will improve glade skiing, reduce fuels, and maintain long-term forest health and resiliency for future generations. To accommodate the glading process and for the safety of guests and employees, the Traverse Trail, French Connection and Roundhouse Connector will be restricted for four weeks starting on Aug. 27. The Bald Mountain Trail will also have some reroutes, adding a small amount of mileage to the path that runs from the base of River Run to the top at Lookout.
The public is being asked to please stay out of the closure area during this time. If you have questions, please contact the Ketchum Ranger District at (208) 622-0091.
