Ketchum Solicits Community Input On Transportation Plan
City leaders are seeking public input regarding the draft Master Transportation Plan—a long-term planning document identifying transportation needs in Ketchum.
The community is invited to review the draft Master Transportation Plan and summary at www.ketchumidaho.org/projects and provide comments to participate@ketchumidaho.org. Comments will be accepted through Feb. 5.
The goal of the plan is to provide safe and efficient travel on Ketchum’s transportation system now and in the future, including all modes of travel. The transportation system should serve a wide variety of users and offer alternatives for residents, visitors, and the workforce to travel safely and easily to their destinations. The plan will assist Ketchum policymakers and staff in making sound decisions for the city transportation system to promote a greater quality of life and provide a guide for future development.
Mandatory Hunter Harvest Reports Due Jan. 31
Big game hunters have until Jan. 31 to submit mandatory harvest reports and fulfill a crucial role in the management of Idaho’s big game herds. Hunters can submit their mandatory hunter report online at license.gooutdoorsidaho.com, or by calling 1-877-268-9365.
If you purchased a tag to hunt big game this year, whether you hunted and/or harvested or not, you must fill out a mandatory harvest report by the Jan. 31 deadline. The harvest data provided by hunters is an important component of the season-setting process that will take place in February and March of 2021.
Mandatory hunter harvest reporting allows Fish and Game to better manage big game herds throughout the state. Wildlife managers need population data to develop sustainable harvest regulations, including an idea of herd sizes, sex and age ratios, how many animals are likely to be born and survive each year, and how many are likely to die.
To obtain most of that information, Idaho Fish and Game biologists spend countless hours in the field throughout the year conducting aerial population surveys, evaluating habitat quality, and capturing animals to fit them with tracking collars. They are constantly gathering data used to model big game populations. However, they can’t gather all of the information they need alone, and that’s where hunters come in.
“It might seem like a hassle at the end of the season, but accurate and precise harvest reports enable us to better manage herds for this and future generations of hunters,” said Rick Ward, Deer/Elk Program Coordinator.
Fatal Ski Accident Victim Identified
Blaine County Coroner Russ Mikel has confirmed the identity of the skier who witnesses say forcefully crashed into a tree on Baldy’s Cut Off Ski Run Dec. 20, killing him despite paramedic efforts to save him.
James “Jim” Brown, 53, of Deer Park, Ill., has been identified as the victim. Results from the autopsy and ski patrol report are still pending, Mikel said.
COVID Caller Scam Alert
The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning about an ongoing scam that may be headed to a phone call near you.
“We have received information from another law enforcement agency regarding a potential scam. The way it works is a caller tells you they are with a local medical center or hospital and tells you they are calling to notify you of your recent COVID-19 exposure. They proceed to ask for personal information that can be used against you in various scams and identity theft,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
As a reminder, never provide any personal information over the phone and be aware there are multiple fraudulent calls phishing for personal identifiers and financial information.
St. Luke’s Widens Community Vaccinations
As the coronavirus vaccine continues to arrive in Idaho, and in alignment with the state and public health districts, St. Luke’s Health System announced Monday it will begin administering COVID-19 vaccine this week to broader groups of community members in the next high-risk group. People who qualify under the State’s “Group 1A” classification include high-risk non-St. Luke’s healthcare workers, emergency responders, and very specific essential workers.
To be consistent with Idaho’s COVID-19 vaccine program, St. Luke’s developed a tiered approach to vaccinations starting with highest-risk healthcare personnel. For three weeks, St. Luke’s focused on vaccinating its qualifying employees and providers. St. Luke’s had administered approximately 8,000 vaccines by the end of Monday, with the majority of those as first-time doses.
St. Luke’s is now addressing the next prioritized group based on availability of the vaccine and recommendations from Idaho’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee. The state has divided the community into groups based on the risk of routine exposure to COVID-positive individuals and criteria for increased risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms.
To verify appropriate group placement, people will be required to provide proof of employment at their appointment. COVID vaccine will not be given if the patient does not have the proper proof of their job. Examples include a badge, pay stub or W2. After healthcare workers and first responders are vaccinated, the next priority groups include, in general, dentists, pharmacists, and long-term care facility workers and residents.
St. Luke’s patients can schedule appointments online using myChart for the quickest access. People who have never used St. Luke’s services may set up a myChart account by calling (208) 381-9000. Those who cannot use myChart may call St. Luke’s Connect at (208) 381-9500 to set up an appointment.