Ketchum Fire Department
Performs Backcountry Rescue
On Tuesday, Feb. 25, Ketchum and Sun Valley Fire Departments responded to a call for the rescue of an injured skier. The injury took place on the slopes of Hyndman Peak, near the Pioneer yurt in the Pioneer Mountains east of Ketchum/Sun Valley. A paramedic from Ketchum Fire Department was flown in by helicopter and landed near the skier and extracted her without incident.
A higher number than average ski injuries have occurred this season due to infrequent snowfall and firm conditions. The Blaine County Ambulance District has a “call-when-needed” contract with Sun Valley Heli-Ski, which has assisted on three backcountry rescues this season.
“The availability of the helicopter really helps keep our rescuers safe,” said City of Ketchum Fire Chief Bill McLaughlin. “We can get in and get the victim out much more quickly than we can on foot.”
The helicopter extraction was backed up by a snowmobile and ski team staged at the trailhead, ready in case the helicopter was not able to land.
“It takes a big team. We’ll have 10 to 20 firefighters and paramedics involved, sheriff’s deputies, search and rescue, avalanche forecasters and even the medical director out in the field,” said McLaughlin. “It’s great to see the cooperation and focus on getting the patient out quickly and safely.”
Ketchum Issues ‘Art On
Fourth’ Sculpture Call For Artists
The City of Ketchum is inviting experienced artists to apply for Ketchum’s outdoor summer sculpture exhibition, “Art on Fourth.” The selected three-dimensional artwork will be featured in the heart of downtown Ketchum along the Fourth Street Heritage Corridor from June through October 2020.
Selected artists will receive a $2,500 stipend for the exhibition of their work. The deadline for submission is April 6, 2020.
In its 13th year, Art on Fourth has become an exciting part of the city’s summer attractions, presenting artwork by diverse artists ranging from locals to those of national standing. Past exhibitors include Rod Kagan, Boaz Vaadia, Gwynn Murrill, Steve Jensen, Will Robinson and Robert Kantor, among others. The exhibition is organized and curated by the Ketchum Arts Commission, whose mission is to integrate arts and culture into the community’s life.
Artists may enter up to 10 sculptures for consideration. The call for artists, which provides detailed information on the submission process, can be found at ketchumidaho.org/arts. The call is open to all artists, regardless of their state of residence. Local artists are encouraged to apply.
Resort Passes On Sale Soon
The 2020-21 winter season passes for Sun Valley Resort go on sale March 2 with special early pricing and enhanced benefits through May 31, 2020, resort management said. The Challenger, Freedom Found, and 15 Day passes also have the added benefit of free spring skiing if paid in full during the initial pricing period.
In addition to the enhanced benefits, Sun Valley will also have another 380 acres of skiable terrain as a part of the Bald Mountain Expansion. The expansion will also include the replacement of the resort’s oldest chairlift, Cold Springs #4, with a new high-speed detachable chair, the extension of the Lower Broadway run with 25 snowmaking guns, and more beginner, expert, and gladed skiing and riding.
Passholders of the Sun Valley Challenger or College Pass will also receive a 50 percent discount on the daily lift ticket window rate at Vail Resorts-owned and operated destinations that are a part of the Epic Pass next season.
The popular Sun and Snow Pass is back for the Winter 2020-21 season. Passholders will have three days of skiing or riding at both Sun Valley and Snowbasin, no blackout dates, and 50 percent off the lift ticket window rate for additional days at each resort.
Open Call To Valley Artists For 8th Annual Studio Tour
Professional visual artists who work and live in the Wood River Valley are invited to apply online at wrvstudiotour.org beginning March 1. The call continues through April 30.
Early-bird registration is $150 when artists successfully complete their online registration by April 20. A procrastinators’ special registration fee is $250 from April 21 to 30. The open studio tour takes place Aug. 22–23 and a free reception open to the community will be hosted by WRVST on Friday, Aug. 21. The Wood River Valley Studio Tour (WRVST) is one of the largest open studio events in the state and draws thousands of visitors each year.
Bringing together artists from around the Valley who open their studios to the public for a weekend every summer, the WRVST creates a welcoming experience for the public to explore fine art and craftsmanship through the eyes of the artists. The tour includes a three-day weekend of art-related events and an artist reception among the much-anticipated Group Exhibition and Mosaic Project, both of which may be viewed in person Aug. 21–23.
All Studio Tour events are free to visitors. All ages and interests are welcome. For more information, visit wrvstudiotour.org or email info@wrvstudiotour.org.
Park Manslaughter Trial Moved To April
The trial for the Fairfield man charged with three counts of vehicular manslaughter and two counts of aggravated Driving Under the Influence has been reset for April 28 with a pre-trial conference set for April 13, Blaine County Courthouse documents reveal.
According to the courthouse, Matthew Park’s lawyers asked for more time to prepare for the jury trial and Judge Ned C. Williamson granted that request. The trial had been originally slated for Feb. 19.
Park is accused of killing three young girls from Mountain Home when he rear-ended their family car along Highway 20 on Aug. 10 at the site of a temporary traffic signal for an Idaho Transportation Department bridge construction project just east of Hot Springs Landing. The driver of the vehicle (the girls’ father, Somchai Ray Lee Lurak) and passenger (Emma Weigand) were also injured but survived.