On the first Saturday in May since 1994, hundreds of volunteers of all ages have come together to clean up our cities, neighborhoods and trails after the long winter.
This year, Clean Sweep falls on Saturday, May 7. Participation is free and easy. Meet at one of the following locations at 9 a.m. to register and grab garbage bags and gloves: the ERC office in Ketchum (471 Washington Ave.), KB’s in Hailey (121 N. Main St.), or Memorial Park in Bellevue (between Cedar and Elm). Complimentary breakfast snacks and coffee will be available. Fan out to pick up trash in your chosen area until 11:30 a.m. and then come back together with fellow participants to celebrate your good work with a free lunch provided by KB’s. There will be raffle drawings and team and individual prizes. If you’ve filled multiple bags and kept your eye out for any “Weirdest Items,” you or your team might win an award (costumes count, too!). Youth groups and businesses are encouraged to participate.
New to the event this year is the incorporation a dog waste pick-up effort at ERC-sponsored trailheads as well as a Croy Creek Road cleanup effort with the local National Interscholastic Cycling Association Team and the Wood River Bike Coalition.
In addition to the ERC’s Clean Sweep, there are two complimentary recycling events. On Friday, May 6 from 12-3 p.m., Cox Communications will provide free small electronics recycling (no TVs) and document shredding at the Cox Solutions Store (340 Lewis St., Ketchum). Blaine County and Southern Idaho Solid Waste’s “Clean Sweep Week” kicks off on Saturday, May 7, where community members can drop off appliances, wood waste and tires at no charge until May 14 at the Ohio Gulch and Carey transfer stations. For more details, contact the Ohio Gulch Transfer Station at (208) 788-2351.
This year marks Clean Sweep’s 22nd year and is slated to be our best yet! Celebrate the ERC’s longest running program while making our community even more beautiful!
For more information call (208) 726-4333, email hadley@ercsv.org or visit www.ercsv.org.
“I can’t stress enough the value of body language, both in reading a predator’s body language and in communicating back to them with your body language,” Buck Wilde said. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Buck Wilde to present at Whiskey Jacques’
BY YANNA LANTZ
Wildlife naturalist and filmmaker Buck Wilde returns to the Wood River Valley to give a new presentation titled “Face-to-Face with Bears and Wolves.” The night will benefit Idaho Rivers United and will take place Wednesday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m. inside Whiskey Jacques’ in Ketchum.
Come and learn practical methods to avoid close encounters and how to mitigate risks, should a bear or wolf get near. The night will begin with an introduction by Idaho Rivers United and follow with Wilde’s 40-minute presentation. Afterwards, a Q&A will give attendees an opportunity to ask the expert about specific concerns.
Wilde has 25 years of experience with bears and wolves. A wilderness guide and filmmaker, he regularly deals with large predators, primarily in Alaska and Canada.
The night’s audience will experience true first-hand accounts with video from Wilde’s two most recent films: “Great Bear Stakeout” (BBC, Discovery) and “Grizzly Empire” (National Geographic Wild).
“It just so happens that in ‘Great Bear Stakeout’ and ‘Grizzly Empire,’ I had some very close calls, both of which are captured on film,” Wilde explained. “I just about had my head taken off when I was filming for National Geographic. Footage from that program is going to be one of the centerpieces of the night. It’s a hard look at what I did wrong, what I did right and what motivated me to deliver a message to the public about predator encounters.”
One of the main bullet points of Wilde’s presentation is a recent scientific study released in February of this year from the scientific journal “Nature,” titled “Human behavior can trigger large carnivore attacks.”
“The author is a man I have a lot of respect for on the topic, Stephen Herrero,” Wilde said. “We’ve been working in this field for the same amount of time, but he is an academic and looks at this subject statistically and I am a boots-on-the-ground filmmaking guy.”
Also covered in the presentation is what to do in the case of a close encounter with a large predator. Although the expert’s ability to communicate with animals parallels Dr. Dolittle, his face-to-face negotiations are based on the science of body language.
“I can’t stress enough the value of body language, both in reading a predator’s body language and in communicating back to them with your body language,” Wilde said. “The outtakes from the films I’ll show give real-life examples for people to see the body language on both ends, in terms of animals and in terms of filmmakers.”
The expert looks forward to his upcoming presentation and the chance to share his vast knowledge with locals.
“I really look forward to getting back to the Valley and sharing this new program with a lot of friends and hopefully some newcomers,” Wilde concluded.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the program will run until approximately 8 p.m. A $10 donation benefits Idaho Rivers United. Whiskey Jacques’ is located at 251 N. Main Street, Ketchum. Visit idahorivers.org/new-events or buckwildepresents.com to learn more.
SA Grappling Academy is the only athletic facility of its kind in the Wood River Valley.
In February, owner and head Instructor Lee Anderson received his second-degree black belt in Jiu-Jitsu from Master Fabio Santos. Santos is one of the highest ranked Jiu-Jitsu masters in the world.
The Academy offers a wide variety of classes, including kickboxing for women, adult MMA [Mixed Martial Arts] classes, as well as Jiu-Jitsu classes for adults and children. Each class is a fun, fast-paced, high-intensity workout. Women’s kickboxing will have you sweating with a smile.
The adult MMA classes are geared toward learning and executing boxing, kickboxing and grappling skills. The adult Jiu-Jitsu class is a wonderful way to learn a martial art while at the same time learning to defend yourself in a safe, team environment. The children’s Jiu-Jitsu class is a fun way for children to learn a martial art while learning respect, cooperation and teamwork.
USA Grappling Academy is located at 713 N. Main Street, Unit A, in Bellevue.
NAMI Wood River Valley (NAMI-WRV) invites you to come together for fellowship and education on Monday, May 9, at the Community Campus in Hailey. Please come, even if you’ll be late.
We will eat first at 6 p.m. and, at 6:30 p.m., will feature guest speakers, including presentations from NAMI-WRV on our programs and support groups offered in the Valley; Region 5 Behavioral Health of the Department of Health & Welfare on their services; Mental Health First-Aid; and other community partners serving those seeking mental wellness.
At 7:45 p.m., a Mental Health Fair will take place inside and outside of the Minnie Moore Room, with materials and resources provided by local mental health professionals, nonprofit organizations, St. Luke’s Wood River, and the Department of Health & Welfare. If you have specific questions for the presenters and their services, this would be the time to get them answered.
We will provide the paper plates, bowls, napkins, cups, utensils, and assorted beverages for the potluck supper, and ask each attendee to bring one item of food to share from the following options: meat; main dish casserole; hot side dish or vegetable; salad – either green salad with dressing, potato salad, coleslaw, or other vegetable-based salad; any other cold side dish; bread and butter; or some type of dessert.
Parking is available. The Community Campus has a no-alcohol and no-smoking policy on its premises, including inside the campus, outside the campus, and in the parking lot.
RSVP by noon on Monday, May 9 to NAMI-WRV at namiwrv@gmail.com or call (208) 481-0686.
ENVIRONMENTALISTS SEEK TO PROTECT ‘SACAJAWEA’S BITTEROOT’
Three environmental groups filed an opening brief in federal court on April 26 in a lawsuit intended to halt mining exploration in central Idaho that the groups claim could harm Sacajawea’s bitterroot, a “critically imperiled” plant.
The three groups, Idaho Conservation League, Idaho Rivers United and Golden Eagle Audubon Society, also argue that the effects on water quality at the headwaters of the Boise River have not been adequately assessed.
The planned mining activities include the building of an extensive road network and the drilling of up to 259 underground exploration holes in the Boise National Forest about 14 miles north of Idaho City. The U.S. Forest Service approved the plan, submitted by mining company Idaho CuMo Corporation, in 2011. However, work has been stopped since 2012 after a federal judge ruled that the Forest Service had failed to adequately address water quality impacts in approving the plan.
In the lawsuit, the environmental groups are asking the court to overturn project approval.
According to the opening brief, the proposed mining activities would take place on land that is critical to the survival of Sacajawea’s bitterroot, which is found only in central Idaho near the headwaters of the Boise River.
“Sacajawea’s bitterroot is already in a perilous situation due to previous drilling and a recent wildfire at the exploration site,” said Bryan Hurlbutt, an attorney with Advocates for the West, which is representing the environmental groups. “The Forest Service must make sure that building roads and constructing drilling pads doesn’t push this rare plant closer to extinction.”
NAMI ANNOUNCES NEW STAFFFOR MARKETING AND FUNDRAISING
From left are NAMI resource person Sallie Hanson, NAMI volunteer leader Roger Olson and newly hired staff member Christina Cernansky. Courtesy photo from NAMI Wood River Valley
The National Alliance for Mental Illness Wood River Valley (NAMI-WRV) announced April 27 the appointment of Christina Cernansky to help the organization with marketing and fundraising activities.
“NAMI-WRV is excited to have Christina join the team,” said Tom Hanson, president of NAMI Wood River Valley. “She started volunteering over the holidays for our annual bell-ringing fundraiser, and we saw her dedication and hard work. We think she will bring a lot to the table and we are thrilled to start implementing some of her ideas.”
Cernansky moved to the Wood River Valley from Washington, D.C., in 2015. NAMI-WRV reported in a press release that Cernansky has 15 years’ experience with local, national and international nonprofits and has worked on numerous “issue-based campaigns.”
NAMI-WRV reported that Cernansky’s first tasks will be to help the organization with “May is Mental Illness Month” activities and the Idaho Gives campaign on May 5. She will also be coordinating the organization’s “Biking for NAMI in the Wood River Valley” fundraiser this coming fall.
SILVER CREEK GIRLS COMPETE AT NATIONAL CHESS TOURNAMENT
Silver Creek High School students Dylan Porth and Yayee Tongsiri competed the weekend of April 22 at the Kasparov All-Girls National chess tournament in Chicago. Joining Porth and Tongsiri in representing Idaho at the competition was Carmen Pemsler, a senior at Eagle High School.
Silver Creek chess team coach Adam Porth reported in a press release that “Yayee’s and Dylan’s combined score allowed the Silver Creek High School students the opportunity to earn a large, national trophy.”
The competition included six rounds of games that could last up to three hours. Porth and Tongsiri also competed in Blitz, or fast chess, and Bughouse, a team-oriented variation of chess.
“All the girls worked together and created a very memorable experience,” Adam Porth said. “This is a tremendous feat.”
BELLEVUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO CLOSE
The Bellevue Chamber of Commerce announced plans Monday to disband because of low participation by its members in chamber activities and events.
“The volunteer nature of our board and staff makes it difficult for us to maintain momentum,” Bellevue Chamber Board Member Erin Crawford stated in a press release. “We are asking our members to consider joining the Hailey Chamber of Commerce to fulfill their needs.”
As part of the transition process, the Hailey Chamber of Commerce is offering all current Bellevue Chamber members a one-time introductory membership of $60.
“We’re hoping the Bellevue business community will take advantage of this great deal and learn about all the benefits a chamber membership brings their business,” stated Hailey Chamber Membership Director Jeff Bacon. “Our goal is to help build a vibrant business environment in all our communities.”
The Bellevue Chamber further announced that the city’s Labor Day festivities will continue to be produced “by an entity within Bellevue.” For more information on Bellevue’s Labor Day celebration, contact Bellevue City Hall at (208) 788-2128.
COMMUNITY CHEST TAKES OVER SV ROAD RALLY
Sun Valley Community Chest, a new organization dedicated to organizing local events to support youth programs and to provide local business stability and growth, has taken ownership of the Sun Valley Road Rally, an annual fundraising event previously owned by the Blaine County Community Drug Coalition. This year’s Road Rally is scheduled for July 22-23.
Community Chest reported in a press release that new ownership will allow for continued success of the Road Rally and will allow the Drug Coalition to focus on its mission of fighting substance abuse by young people in the Wood River Valley.
Community Chest was founded by Dave Stone, owner of Sun Valley Auto Club and one of the founders of the Sun Valley Road Rally. Now in its eighth year, the Road Rally was first held in 2009.
Stone is now president of Sun Valley Community Chest. In addition to Stone, the board of directors includes Mark Williams, Dave Stevens, Hal Lindquist, Peggy Baker and David Concannon. Staff includes Maya Blix as executive director and Whitney Werth Slade as director of development and communications.
Community Chest reported in the press release that the organization’s “mission extends beyond just generating financial donations. It is committed to fostering local talent by working with creative professionals who bring a fresh perspective to event production and community engagement. Sun Valley Community Chest also believes strongly in stability and growth of the Blaine County business community.”
“As a business owner, I know how often local businesses are approached for donations, product sponsorships, etc.,” Stone said. “Sun Valley Community Chest would like to support our local entrepreneurs. In fact, we promise to source locally first and not to solicit locally owned businesses for sponsorships. We want to work with the community and hope that local businesses see our organization as a partner in their endeavors.”
The Sun Valley Road Rally is held north of Ketchum on a 3.2-mile section of State Highway 75. In the event, the road is temporarily closed and racers are allowed to drive as fast as possible, often reaching speeds of over 200 miles per hour. The event has grown in popularity over the years and had an attendance last year of over 7,000 people. The event also includes the Ketchum Cruise & Car Show.
SYRINGA MOUNTAIN SCHOOL SELECTS NEW DIRECTOR
Syringa Mountain School, Blaine County’s only state-funded charter school, announced April 27 that Christine Fonner has been selected as the school’s new director. Fonner replaces co-directors Mende Coblentz and Svea Grover, who will be leaving the school prior to the start of the coming school year.
Syringa reported in a press release that Fonner is now working at the school with Coblentz and Grover to “ensure a seamless and effective transition.”
“I’m excited for the opportunity to inherit the legacy and culture of Syringa Mountain School and to lead the school into the 2016-2017 school year,” Fonner said. “Syringa creates the space for students to balance the Waldorf philosophy with the pragmatics of public education. It’s a space for students to explore, create and develop. For me to be an integral part of this experience will be a privilege. I very much look forward to the coming year.”
Fonner holds a Master of Science degree in School Building Leadership and Administration from St. John’s University in Jamaica, N.Y., and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Bilingual (Spanish) Education from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash.
Syringa reported that Fonner “has served as the English/Language Arts Director for Alliance Schools with specific emphasis in providing professional development and mentoring for teachers.” She was also the English as a Second Language and International Language program director and instructor for the Ross School. She has worked for the National Sports Academy, at the Hillside Children’s Center mentoring incarcerated high school students and as an elementary teacher and curriculum director at Charles J. Fox Elementary School.
“The Syringa board is thrilled to welcome Ms. Fonner to our school,” said Syringa Board Chair Greg Bloomfield. “As we begin our third year of operation, her skilled leadership will bring many opportunities for our students, staff and community at large.”
Syringa invites the public to contact Fonner at (208) 806-2880 or at cfonner@syringamountainschool.org.
FEDERAL AGENCIES RE-LAUNCH ‘ADOPT-A-TRAIL’
The Ketchum Ranger District of the Sawtooth National Forest and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management Shoshone Field Office announced plans in a joint press release April 27 to “reinvigorate” the area’s Adopt-A-Trail program.
The agencies explained that the program has been “on hold” for the past several years because of “wildfires and other pressing priorities.”
The agencies will be working with the Blaine County Recreation District to implement the program, and BCRD Wood River Valley Trail Coordinator Chris Leman has been appointed to coordinate the program.
Leman said that trails in the area are in need of work.
“Budgets for trail maintenance have been slashed year after year, and with the fires we’ve had, land managers have fallen further behind in their ability to keep our trail routes in good repair,” Leman said. “Yes, our most popular trails need attention.”
Parties wanting more information or that would like to adopt a trail should contact Leman at (208) 720-7713 or at cleman@bcrd.org.
Parties adopting a trail will be expected to provide ongoing maintenance of their trail and to stay in close communication with Leman. The federal agencies stated that “work will include the cleaning out and maintenance of drainage structures, keeping the trail brushed back and free of downed wood, and other regular maintenance chores required to keep the trails functioning well.”
ORIENTATION REQUIRED FOR NEW CSI STUDENTS
The College of Southern Idaho announced this week that student orientation, advising and registration, a program referred to as SOAR, is now required for all new degree-seeking students or for students returning to CSI after a two-year absence. Those students must attend a SOAR session in order to register for fall 2016 classes.
The CSI Blaine County Center in Hailey will offer Soar sessions on Wednesday, May 18, and Thursday, June 16. SOAR sessions are also available weekly at the CSI Twin Falls campus.
The Blaine County Center sessions will run from 1-5 p.m. The cost per student is $25. Students must apply to CSI online before registering for a SOAR.
CSI reported in a press release that “students are strongly encouraged to participate in SOAR as soon as possible as classes for fall will fill quickly.”
During SOAR sessions, students will be provided with information on their rights and responsibilities, learn about CSI resources, meet with an advisor and register for classes.
Additional information on SOAR is available from the Blaine County Center at (208) 788-2033 and at the CSI Office of Admissions at (208) 732-6221. Information for new students and their families is also available at www.csi.edu/soar.
LOCAL ‘GRAPPLERS’ COMPETEIN ‘SUBMISSION CHALLENGE’
Eight-year-old Meredith Hoskins took first place in the kids white-belt division, earning a gold medal at the Northwest Submission Challenge in Boise. Courtesy photo.
Eight students from the USA Grappling Academy in Bellevue competed April 22-23 at the Northwest Submission Challenge in Boise.
Five-year-old Maddison Hoskins took second place in the kids white-belt division, earning a silver medal. Six-year-old Carlos Martinez took second place in the kids white-belt division also earning a silver medal. Seven-year-old May Vargas won fourth place in the kids yellow-belt division.
Earning a gold medal with a first place win in the kids white-belt division was 8-year-old Meredith Hoskins.
Nine-year-old Christian Vargas took fourth place in the kids yellow-belt division and 11-year-old Jose Martinez took third place in the kids white-belt division, earning a bronze medal.
In the adult white-belt division, Greg Knoepfel finished in the top five. In the adult blue-belt division, Dustin Levesser also finished in the top five.
All eight local competitors train under second-degree Jiu-Jitsu black belt Lee Anderson, a former professional cage fighter.
Grappling is a fighting form using various techniques to force an opponent to submit without striking the opponent.
HAILEY GARDEN TOUR SET FOR JULY 9
Friends of the Hailey Public Library announced on April 28 that after a four-year hiatus, the Hailey Garden Tour will return this year on Saturday, July 9. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds will be used to benefit the Hailey Public Library.
Friends of the Hailey Library reported in a press release that the tour will feature 12 gardens in the city. Included are The Hunger Coalition’s Hope Garden and Webb Nursery on Main Street. Featured will be “the best of Hailey’s hidden gems, from established perennial beds to amazing garden vegetables.”
“The Hailey Public Library has a funding need, so we brought back the garden tour,” said tour organizer Robin Crotty. “This is a great fundraiser for the library and allows access to some of Hailey’s most beautiful gardens. We look forward to a great day of learning, music, art and, of course, wonderful plants.”
Tickets for the tour are $20 and will be available in June at Webb Nursery. To volunteer, or to learn more about the tour, contact Crotty at (208) 721-2368 or at crotty@live.com.
ARTS LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE SET FOR AUG. 7-9
For the third year in a row, Americans for the Arts, a national organization committed to the arts and arts education, will hold its annual Leadership Roundtable in Sun Valley. The event is scheduled for Aug. 7-9.
The organization reported in a press release that the roundtable will “bring together a select group of approximately 30 distinguished artists, philanthropists, corporate and thought leaders in a proactive dialogue exploring how the arts can be utilized as a positive force for change.” The theme of this year’s event is ‘Creative Problem Solving: The Arts, Business and Innovative Ideas.”
Local organizations involved in organizing the event include Sun Valley Center for the Arts, Sun Valley Gallery Association, Ketchum Arts Commission and Wood River Valley Studio Tour.
Additional information is available from Inga Vitols at Americans for the Arts at (202) 371-2830 or locally from Trina Peters at (208) 440-5561.
French occupation occurred because of Mexico’s outstanding debt
BY JEAN JACQUES BOHL
Benito Juarez, president of Mexico, on May 5, 1862. Public domain photo, accessed via Wikimedia Commons
Thursday is Cinco de Mayo, an ethnic holiday celebrated in the United States, but not widely observed in Mexico, except in the State of Puebla. Some people assume, wrongly, that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s independence day. However, that event is commemorated on September 16. Instead, Cinco de Mayo remembers a battle fought on May 5, 1862, in Puebla, by the Mexican Army against the French.
A military conflict between France and Mexico might seem like an unlikely historical event, since the countries do not share a common border and are separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Nonetheless, it happened.
The chain of events which led to a French intervention in Mexico and subsequent occupation started in 1861. After years of civil strife, Benito Juarez had just been elected president of Mexico. He ran on a secular platform advocating the confiscation of the considerable properties owned by the Catholic Church. Due to Mexico’s dire financial situation, Juarez decided to suspend all foreign debts owed to the European powers of England, France and Spain. France decided to collect the debt, regardless.
France, at the time, was ruled by a mediocre leader, Emperor Napoleon III, the nephew of Napoleon I, and did inherit his uncle’s genius for strategy and administration. Leading a very active private life, he had much to be forgiven for by his wife, the devout Catholic Spanish Princess Eugenie de Montijo. She repeatedly asked him to help ease the plight of the Catholic Church in Mexico.
Napoleon III made the decision to invade Mexico and install a puppet regime that would undo Juarez’ policies and serve French interests. Although such an enterprise would go against the Monroe Doctrine, the French leader believed he could get away with it since the United States was embroiled in the American Civil War and was in no position to interfere. So, in late 1861, a French fleet set sail for Mexico and landed a 6,000-man-strong expeditionary force at Vera Cruz.
However, the French expedition did not go according to plan. After seizing Vera Cruz, the French forces marched north toward Mexico City, but hit a snag on May 5, 1862, in Puebla. A Mexican army corps under the command of General Zaragoza stopped and defeated the French advance. Stunned, the French retreated back to Vera Cruz to lick their wounds and ask for reinforcements. The outcome of the battle created a great sense of pride and national unity in Mexico; hence, the Cinco de Mayo fiesta.
In 1863 the French resumed their march toward Mexico City and this time they meant business. Their army, now 30,000 strong, won the second battle of Puebla on May 16, 1863, giving the French an open road to Mexico City.
Once capturing the city, the French installed their handpicked ruler, Maximilian I, younger brother of Austrian emperor, Franz Josef I. Following that, the followers of Juarez fought a guerilla-type war, with their numbers ever increasing.
The American Civil War having ended in 1865, the U.S. government provided military assistance to Juarez and made it clear to Napoleon III that the United States did not rule out military intervention. Taking the threat seriously, the French began withdrawing from Mexico in 1866, leaving Maximilian out to dry. He was captured and executed in 1867 and Juarez resumed his presidency.
There are several events planned in the Wood River Valley to help commemorate Cinco de Mayo. KB’s Burritos in Hailey will have a party from 5-8:30 p.m. with the band Cherry Creek 3. Featured will be lobster tacos and burritos and Margaritas.
On Saturday, May 7, starting at 11 a.m., St. Charles Catholic Church in Hailey will host traditional Hispanic dance groups. Mexican food will be available for purchase.
Board of trustees approves expenditures for five-year plan
BY TERRY SMITH
The Blaine County School District Board of Trustees has approved spending funds from its plant facilities levy to pay for a five-year maintenance plan.
The amount to be used was not specified but was estimated at about $3 million. In a plan proposal submitted to the board, district Buildings and Grounds Director Howard Royal wrote that the plan will be in a “constant state of flux as new items enter into the scope.”
Approval to use levy funds for the plan came from the school board at its regular monthly meeting on April 19. The vote was 4-0. Trustee Rob Clayton was not present.
Approval of the measure was recommended to the board by the district’s Finance Committee, which consists of district officials and members of the public.
The plant facilities levy, approved by Blaine County voters in 2009, provides for collecting $59.8 million in property taxes over a 10-year period for building improvements, energy system replacements and technology and security upgrades.
The levy also provided about $14 million for a new district elementary school. That money has not yet been spent or committed because student enrollment numbers have been mainly steady over the past several years.
Using plant facilities funding for a five-year maintenance plan is not specified in the language of the levy proposal as put to the voters; however, the proposal does mention “maintenance” as a possible use for the money.
Royal wrote in his five-year maintenance proposal that items needing repairs or replacement include roofs, heating systems, carpet and flooring. Specific roofing sections that need to be addressed are at Carey School and at Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum. Heating system repair or replacement needs are at Wood River Middle School.
The proposal also states that safety improvements are also required at some facilities by the Idaho Department of Building Safety and the Hailey Fire Department. The proposal also mentions the need for irrigation improvements, athletic track resurfacing and surface repairs at the Wood River High School tennis courts.
Further school board approval will be required if contracts are to be awarded for the work.
Change of venue follows earlier ruling of mistrial
BY TERRY SMITH
Keith Blankenship
Fifth District Court Judge Jonathan P. Brody ordered Tuesday that a trial in the second-degree murder case against Keith Eric Blankenship be moved to Minidoka County.
The trial, expected to last up to three weeks, is now scheduled to begin before Brody in Rupert on Sept. 27.
The change of venue follows declaration of a mistrial by Brody in Blaine County 5th District Court in Hailey on April 14. The mistrial was declared on the first day of testimony when a prosecution witness divulged information before the jury that was not previously known by either the defense or prosecution. In requesting the mistrial, Public Defender Keith Roark claimed that the information, concerning an allegation that Blankenship tried to break into a neighbor’s house in the Deer Creek Road area, was prejudicial to his client.
Blankenship, 51, is charged in the shooting death on or about Jan. 15, 2014, of his neighbor, 47-year-old Steven Michael Romanchuk, in a dispute over money. Blankenship has remained incarcerated on $500,000 bond since his arrest in May of 2014. He is also charged with a second felony of concealment of evidence.
With the change of venue, the trial will now be held in Brody’s home court. He normally presides over 5th District Court in Minidoka County but was assigned to the Blankenship case following the disqualification of Blaine County 5th District Court Judge Robert J. Elgee.
Clayton to continue serving as school district trustee
BY TERRY SMITH
Rob Clayton
The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation reported Tuesday that Executive Director Rob Clayton has “moved on from his position” with the foundation.
SVSEF reported in a press release that Clayton’s departure became effective Saturday, April 30. The foundation further reported that Clayton and his family will continue to live in the Wood River Valley and that Clayton will retain his position as a trustee with the Blaine County School District.
Clayton has served as the district’s Zone 4 trustee since December of 2014, having been appointed to the post by the school board to fill a vacancy from the earlier resignation of former Trustee Richard “Rick” Roberts. Clayton’s term of office extends through June of 2017.
Clayton had served as the foundation’s executive director since 2013, replacing former Executive Director Don Wiseman. Prior to that, he was head of school at the Winter Sports School in Park City, Utah, for 11 years. He worked as head coach for the Park City Ski Education Foundation from 1997-2002.
SVSEF reported that in his tenure with the organization, “Clayton presided over significant organizational improvements,” including remodeling of the Engl Training Center “into one of the most modern and sophisticated ski training centers in the nation.”
Enrollment also increased during Clayton’s tenure, growing this past ski season to include 585 young athletes. SVSEF further reported that the foundation’s partnership with the Blaine County School District, Community School and The Sage School was strengthened under Clayton’s leadership “to provide excellent training in conjunction with the best possible education for all its students.”
“Rob elevated our organization to a new level, leaving us well positioned in attaining our vision of becoming the best junior winter snow sports program in the country,” said foundation Board President Sam Adicoff. “We thank him for his hard work and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
SVSEF reported that Adicoff will serve as interim executive director while a nationwide search is conducted for a new executive director.
Clayton could not be reached on Tuesday for comment.
Idaho Press Club award-winning columnists JoEllen Collins, left, and Leslie Rego, right, hold up their prizes with Brennan Rego, The Weekly Sun’s publisher, at the club’s “Best of 2015 Awards Banquet” in Boise on Saturday night. Photo by F. Alfredo Rego
‘Sketchbook Hiking’ column wins, paper receives increased news reporting recognition
BY WEEKLY SUN STAFF
Terry Smith, The Weekly Sun’s news editor, received news reporting awards in the “Crime / Courts – Weekly Print” and “Agricultural Reporting – Weekly Print” categories.
The Weekly Sun received several awards from the Idaho Press Club at the association’s annual awards banquet in Boise on Saturday night, including increased recognition in the news reporting categories and continued top placement for columns.
At the “Best of 2015 Awards Banquet” at the Owyhee Hotel, Sun News Editor Terry Smith took second in the “Agricultural Reporting – Weekly Print” category for a news story titled “Cloud-Seeding Operation Expanding in Wood River Basin.” Smith also brought home second- and third-place prizes in the “Crime / Courts Reporting – Weekly Print” category for news stories titled, respectively, “Accused Murderer Escaped Shooting Rampage in 1977” and “Camas Murder Case Transferred to Blaine County.”
A first-place award was bestowed by the judges on Leslie Rego for her art column “Sketchbook Hiking” in the “Specialty Column – Weekly Print” category.
In the “General Column – Weekly Print” category, JoEllen Collins and Dick Dorworth placed second and third, respectively, for Collins’ column “On Life’s Terms” and Dorworth’s column “Peaks & Valleys.”
The Idaho Press Club is a statewide association of working journalists from all media, including retired journalists and journalism students. The club’s members also include teachers and public relations professionals. Its mission is to promote freedom of expression and information and to improve the practice of journalism in Idaho.
To see the full list of the club’s 2015 awards, including all media categories, visit www.idahopressclub.org/best-of-2015-winners.
Editor’s Note: Congratulations to the City of Ketchum for placing second in the “Public Relations – Newsletter – External” category for the city’s email newsletter. Ketchum placed second for its letter titled “First it Sleeps, Then it Creeps and Then it Leaps” — published on October 19, 2015.
Publisher’s Note: 2015 was great! And we simply keep growing here at The Weekly Sun as both a top-quality news source for Blaine County readers and a results-based public relations platform for our advertising clients.
We’re hoping to submit more entries in the 2016 Idaho Press Club contest, and each entry costs about $40. The money does fund advocacy for First Amendment rights in Idaho, so The Weekly Sun is always proud to host its top contributors to an entry. We do have a limited budget, so if you’d like to help us bring in even more Idaho Press Club booty next year, become our patron on Patreon. Simply visit patreon.com/theweeklysun and pledge however much you’d like each time we publish an issue of The Weekly Sun (most patrons pledge about $1 per issue).
On the first Saturday in May since 1994, hundreds of volunteers of all ages have come together to clean up our cities, neighborhoods and trails after the long winter.
