South Valley Cities’ Spending Plans All Set
Budget season is a wrap. The Valley’s southernmost cities have all approved their spending plans for fiscal year 2019-20. The plans, which were worked on throughout the summer, take effect Oct. 1.
In Hailey, a more than $15.5 million expense package was approved last month, buttriced by the maximum 3 percent increase in property taxes and a levy approved by voters in May for road and pathway work. The levy hiked up so-called franchise fees for Idaho Power by 2 percent, bringing in more than $120,000 of extra revenue.
Bellevue mayor Ned Burns said he’d like to see “ten times the amount” of money his city’s budget calls for when it comes to upgrading streets there, but that the $4.16 million spending plan will do for now.
“Did you see the rad new bus stop?” the mayor asked, referring to the new stop on Main Street, near Cedar Street.
Meanwhile in Carey, the city council has approved its $427,475 spending plan. Roughly $31,000 of that budget is earmarked for roads.
Summer Traffic Fatalities In Idaho Decrease
Ten less. Ninety-one too many. That’s the positive and negative spin on the latest statistics from the state when it comes to how many people were killed in traffic accidents this summer.
From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, 91 people died as a result of traffic crashes, according to preliminary data from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). This is down from the summer of 2018, when 101 people were killed in crashes during the same time period. The summer months typically bring with them an uptick in deadly crashes both in Idaho and nationally. Because of this trend, the period of time between those holidays is often referred to as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer Driving.
“Summer driving is a big concern of ours,” said John Tomlinson, highway safety manager. “This is why we work so closely with law enforcement agencies and other partners throughout the state to promote safe, engaged driving.”
This summer, the Office of Highway Safety (OHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funded four high-visibility enforcement periods. During these different enforcement periods, law enforcement agencies were provided grant funding to put extra officers on the roads, looking for seatbelt violations and aggressive and impaired drivers. In addition to these grant-funded mobilizations, several media campaigns ran statewide encouraging everyone on the roads to make safe choices.
“It’s so important to get these messages out to the public,” Tomlinson said. “Our law enforcement partners do wonderful work but they can’t be everywhere. If we are going to prevent these fatal crashes, we need drivers to make smart and safe choices.”
100 Deadliest Days at a Glance:
- The majority of the 91 people killed in crashes were in passenger vehicles.
- – 62 Automobile
- – 17 Motorcycle
- – 6 Other (ATV/UTV)
- – 4 Pedestrian
- – 2 Pedacycle
- 75 people died in crashes on rural roads and 16 people were killed on urban roads.
- In the 51 passenger vehicle fatalities, 28 people were not wearing seatbelts.
- Failure to maintain a lane was a contributing factor in 23 fatalities.
- Impairment was a contributing factor in 17 fatalities.
- 13 fatalities involved an aggressive-driving behavior.
- 8 fatalities involved inattentive driving.
Woman Missing Six Days Found Injured
A Blaine County woman who went missing, her son said for six days, was located Sept. 6 in the Howard Preserve, in Bellevue. She was non-critically injured and taken to St. Luke’s in Ketchum for treatment, the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Monday.
Debra Kane’s whereabouts were unknown since at least Aug. 31, and in the days following, her son, Nick Kane, posted emotional video messages on Facebook asking for help in finding her. The younger Kane said his mother had last been seen walking along Baseline Road from Gannett toward Bellevue.
Sheriff’s deputies did not have information regarding how the woman was found, but said her family was notified.
Ketchum Brews New Public Artwork
The City of Ketchum and the Ketchum Arts Commission have unveiled their latest public art project—a mural on display at the Ketchum/Sun Valley Visitor Center inside Starbucks.
Local artist Molly Snee was commissioned to design and paint a mural adding visual interest to the Visitor Center through original artistic work that reflects the character of the City of Ketchum. The painting includes elements that all viewers can recognize, from Snee’s rendition of Idaho’s state bird to Ketchum’s dark skies.
The mural, which was funded by private donors and a grant from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, spans a 9-foot-by-25-foot wall in the Ketchum/Sun Valley Visitor Center.
“This stunning mural has revitalized the Visitor Center and captures the spirit of Ketchum,” said Mayor Neil Bradshaw. “I am thrilled by what Molly has created for our community and visitors, and thankful for the generous support of the Idaho Commission on the Arts and our private donors.”
Snee’s work, entitled Idaho Blue, underscores the city’s commitment to the value of art and its added vibrancy to Ketchum.
When asked about the mural, Snee said, “I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite sides of Idaho nature; especially the majestic night sky and bluebird days that often serve as the backdrop to the ways we experience nature in Ketchum, big and small.”
Molly Snee is a Virginia native who moved to Idaho after graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in fine arts and illustration. Snee provides drawings to BuzzFeed, The New York Times and NPR, among others. Currently, Snee works for the City of Ketchum providing original artwork and graphic design services.
Eugene Ballet To Conduct Auditions For ‘Nutcracker’
Eugene Ballet will be conducting auditions for children’s parts ranging in ages from 5 years old to late teens for a performance of The Nutcracker that will be held Dec. 8 in the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater. The audition is open to all dancers.
There is a $10 audition fee to Eugene Ballet and there are specific time, age and height requirements. Parts are available for both girls and boys.
The auditions will be held at the Footlight Dance Studio at the Community Campus in Hailey. Arrive at least 20 minutes before your audition time to get ready and registered. No latecomers. You must audition in person to be chosen for a part.
Questions should be addressed to Hilarie Neely, Director, Footlight Dance at footlightdance@gmail.com or (208) 578-5462. Rehearsals will be held on Saturdays until the performance.
Alleged Drunk Driver Who Killed Three Kids Pleads Not Guilty
The Fairfield man who police say was intoxicated when he rear-ended another vehicle at a temporary traffic signal along Highway 20 pleaded not guilty in court Monday to two felony counts of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence and three counts of felony Vehicular Manslaughter.
Matthew R. Park will stand trial starting Feb. 19 at 9 a.m. in front of Blaine County 5th District Court Judge Ned C. Williamson and a jury of his peers. A pre-trial conference is set for Feb. 3.
The fatal crash happened in the early morning of Aug. 10 at milepost 173 east of Hot Springs Landing where temporary traffic control signals had been installed for roadwork there. A family of five was stopped in their Dodge Neon. The three girls in the back seat, ages 3 to 6, were all killed.
The Weekly Sun will continue to follow this case.
Three-Vehicle Crash On Highway 75 At Woodside
On Sept. 3, at approximately 8:32 a.m., deputies from the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office and the Hailey Police Department responded to a three-vehicle crash on Highway 75 near the intersection of Woodside Boulevard in Hailey.
All three vehicles were travelling northbound on Highway 75. A 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Valerie Rush, age 52, of Bellevue, rear-ended a 1990 Ford Bronco II driven by Ross W. Cooper, age 28, of Bellevue. Cooper’s vehicle then rear-ended the vehicle in front of it, a 2004 Honda Element driven by Jose A. Gonzales, age 34, of Bellevue. This was a chain reaction crash as traffic slowed or stopped.
All parties were wearing their seatbelts except Rush, who sustained a head laceration. Rush refused transport to the hospital.
Traffic in the area was reduced to one lane for about 20 minutes and traffic was backed up until emergency vehicles cleared the scene.
Fundraiser Hauls In $800 For Bellevue Fire Department
The 10th annual Bellevue Labor Day Celebration (BLDC) Fun Run/Walk raised almost $800 for the Bellevue Fire Department’s “Burn Out Fund.” The event began and ended at Bellevue Memorial Park.
For the 10th anniversary, organizers added a 10k distance to the standard 5k race that had been held the last nine years. Also offered to the 49 people who registered was a T-shirt for the first time. In addition, two goats, Relish and Dijon Mary, also participated. No word on what they did with the T-shirts. Alex Bolinger, of Pocatello, came in first place in the 5k, with an unofficial time of 20:07. Dave Keir, of Hailey, came in first place in the 10k, with an unofficial time of 45:34. The Burn Out Fund helps Bellevue residents in the immediate aftermath of a house fire.
School District Needs More Bus Drivers
Blaine County School District is putting its recruitment of bus drivers into overdrive. Offering up to $21.77 per hour and a signing bonus up to $1,000, the district is seeking to fill out its roster of drivers. Commercial driver’s license training will be provided by the district. The driver positions are full-time with weekends off and a benefits package.
Please visit blaineschools.org to apply or to obtain detailed job information or call human resources at (208) 578-5000. Referral bonuses of up to $250 are being offered, as well.
Health District Offering Free Tobacco Cessation Classes
The South Central Public Health District wants smokers here to learn how to live tobacco-free, for free. The health authority is offering tobacco cessation classes every Tuesday at 5 p.m. in St. Luke’s Hailey Clinic.
Tobacco causes a majority of the preventable death and disease in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), every year more than 440,000 people die from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. Meanwhile, around 8.6 million people are living with serious illness as a result of smoking and/or use of smokeless tobacco.
“Our classes are designed to help people overcome their tobacco addiction and take control of their health,” said Cody Orchard, health education specialist. “These classes are just a start.”
If you want to quit and can’t make it to a class, call (208) 737-5968 to find out how the health district can work around your schedule.