{"id":7374,"date":"2016-04-15T17:58:56","date_gmt":"2016-04-15T17:58:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/idsunmedia.com\/?p=7374"},"modified":"2016-04-15T17:58:56","modified_gmt":"2016-04-15T17:58:56","slug":"news-briefs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/2016\/04\/15\/news-briefs\/","title":{"rendered":"NEWS IN BRIEF"},"content":{"rendered":"

ITD EXPLAINS \u2018NON-TRADTIONAL\u2019 WILDLIFE SIGNAGE<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"nontraditional\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Idaho Transportation Department has installed several non-traditional wildlife warning signs along State Highway 75 in the Wood River Valley to increase driver awareness to the possibility of large animals, mainly deer and elk, suddenly darting onto the roadway.<\/p>\n

The signs show the outline of a crashed vehicle and a bull elk and have been installed to supplement the traditional wildlife warning sign of a jumping deer. ITD explained the purpose of the non-traditional signs in an April 5 press release:<\/p>\n

\u201cIn some areas, wildlife crossing a highway is predictable or frequent enough that a driver may lose the urgency to watch for animals crossing a highway. When this happens, traditional methods to alert drivers lose effectiveness. Other, non-traditional methods are then required.\u201d<\/p>\n

ITD reported that the new signs will hopefully reduce the number of animal-vehicle collisions. The agency reported that there have been 94 animal-vehicle collisions between Timmerman Junction and Ketchum in the past five years.<\/p>\n

The new signs were recommended to ITD by the Blaine County Regional Transportation Committee and its Wildlife Crossing Subcommittee.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur hope is that these signs are attention-grabbing to drivers and raise awareness of the wildlife on the roads,\u201d said Blaine County Commissioner Angenie McCleary, who chairs both the transportation committee and its subcommittee.<\/p>\n

Other recent measures taken to reduce the number of animal-vehicle collisions are the implementation of a reduced nighttime speed limit on SH-75 north of Hailey and the provision for wildlife crossing pathways under the new bridge that is being constructed across the Big Wood River south of Ketchum.<\/p>\n

\"Richard
Richard Whitelaw<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

COMMUNITY SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR HONORED<\/strong><\/p>\n

Community School Athletic Director Richard Whitelaw has been named the state\u2019s 1A-D2 Athletic Director of the Year by the Idaho Athletic Administrators Association. The award was presented at the recent association conference in Boise and is based on nomination and votes from association members.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am humbled by this honor,\u201d Whitelaw said. \u201cThis is great exposure for our school and athletes. It is truly a team effort. I have received great support from the school, and am surrounded by excellent, caring and dedicated administrators, coaches and faculty. Above all, I work with talented student-athletes, and in the end, I am just doing my job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn behalf of Community School, we congratulate Richard on the award, said Head of School Ben Pettit. \u201cIt is well earned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whitelaw has been Community School athletic director for five years and has been the school\u2019s varsity soccer coach for 24 years, accumulating an overall record of 278-120-38.<\/p>\n

AMBER LARNA NAMED HEAD OF DRUG COALITION<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"amber
Amber Larna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The board of directors of the Blaine County Community Drug Coalition has selected Amber Larna is the organization\u2019s new executive director.<\/p>\n

Larna is a Wood River Valley native who has been working with the coalition since May of 2015.<\/p>\n

The coalition reported in a press release that Larna is \u201cwell suited\u201d to the position and that her \u201cdetermination to prevent substance abuse and unwavering support has enabled the drug coalition to expand their reach and build strong partnerships with like-minded organizations and individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additional information on the drug coalition is available at www.thedrugcoalition.com.\\<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS\u00a0<\/strong>SEEK HALT TO SELWAY LOGGING<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two environmental groups filed for an emergency preliminary injunction in federal court on April 6 to stop logging operations in the Selway River area of North Idaho.<\/p>\n

The injunction request, alleging \u201cimminent and irreparable\u201d environmental harm, was filed by the law firm Advocates of the West on behalf of Boise-based Idaho Rivers United and Moscow-based Friends of the Clearwater.<\/p>\n

The groups accuse the U.S. Forest Service of infractions of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, National Forest Management Act, Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act. The injunction request is intended to stop logging of 34 million board feet of timber on more than 2,000 acres of national forest land.<\/p>\n

\u201cContrary to the Forest Service\u2019s assertions, this huge clearcutting proposal is irresponsible and poses serious risk to water quality and endangered fish habitat,\u201d said Friends of the Clearwater Executive Director Gary McFarlane. \u201cMoreover, the Forest Service\u2019s wild and scenic management plan, which is grossly outdated and in dire need of revision, expressly prohibits commercial logging.\u201d<\/p>\n

Advocates for the West Executive Director Laird Lucas, lead attorney in the case, said the \u201cForest Service is guilty of systematically breaching its legal duties to protect the Selway and Middle Fork Clearwater wild and scenic rivers.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. LUKE\u2019S FOUNDATION RECEIVES CANCER GRANT<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    St. Luke\u2019s Wood River Foundation is the recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Idaho Montana Affiliate of Susan G. Komen, a grassroots network committed to fighting breast cancer.<\/p>\n

    The foundation was one of 15 recipients of affiliate grants, totaling $157,500 for the 2016-2017 grant slate. Grants were awarded to specifically address screening and diagnostic services.<\/p>\n

    St. Luke\u2019s Foundation reported that its grant money will be used for its project \u201cBreast Cancer Screening for the Uninsured and Underinsured Women in the Greater Wood River Region.\u201d The funding will bolster the foundation\u2019s efforts to improve access to advanced breast imaging technology in the Wood River Valley and will \u201cmake possible 3-D mammography scholarships for uninsured and underinsured women 25 years and older who are in need of screening and diagnostic\u201d services.
    \nFor more information on the scholarships call (800) 720-1478.<\/p>\n

    RESORT HOLDS POST-SKI SEASON CELEBRATIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Sun Valley Resort is celebrating the end of what it calls an \u201cexceptional\u201d ski season with parties this weekend in Warm Springs.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe had an exceptional winter,\u201d said Jack Sibbach, the resort\u2019s director of public relations and marketing. \u201cWe invite everybody to come out and enjoy the festivities.\u201d<\/p>\n

    A street party is set for 12-6 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Warm Springs base area and Picabo Street. Harry Lee & The Back Alley Blues Band, along with the Emily Stanton Band, will provide live music. Food and beverage specials will be available.<\/p>\n

    The ski season ends on the Warm Springs side of the mountain on Sunday, April 17. The last day of skiing on the River Run side was Sunday, April 10.<\/p>\n

    Parties were also held last weekend at both the River Run and Warm Springs lodges.<\/p>\n

    FLIGHT SCHEDULE RELEASED FOR SUMMER AND FALL<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Fly Sun Valley Alliance reports that \u201ctraveling to Sun Valley this summer and fall will continue to be more convenient with a 17 percent increase in airline seat capacity on nonstop flights from five major cities.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The schedule for the fall and summer is now available for online booking. Additional information can be found at www.flysunvalleyalliance.com.<\/p>\n

    According to the schedule, United Airlines will offer service between Denver and San Francisco and Sun Valley from June 24 through Sept. 18.<\/p>\n

    Alaska Airlines will provide service between Los Angeles and Sun Valley from June 10 through Oct. 2. Service between Seattle and Sun Valley will be provided from June 10 through Oct. 16.<\/p>\n

    Delta Airlines will offer three daily year-around flights from Salt Lake City to Sun Valley for most of the summer and fall seasons and will offer nonstop flights from Los Angeles on Saturdays and Sundays during peak summer season.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe are continuing to work with our airline partners to strategically increase our air service access and the marketing of that service, a strategy which has proven successful to date,\u201d said Eric Seder, Fly Sun Valley board president. \u201cFor example, this past winter season we increased our contract air seats by 16 percent and the bookings for those seats increased by 15 percent.\u201d<\/p>\n

    KETCHUM SEEKS FELLOWSHIP APPLICANTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The City of Ketchum is seeking applicants for its new fellowship program to help the city with four specific issues. Applicants are being asked to submit proposals to address one of the following:<\/p>\n

    -\u2013Solution for the Effects of the Short-Term Rental Market on Affordable Housing,<\/p>\n

    -\u2013Achieving Net Zero Energy Use by City Departments,<\/p>\n

    -\u2013Interactive Website Enhancements to Simplify Public Access to Useful Information,<\/p>\n

    -\u2013Furthering the City\u2019s Strategy on a Real Estate Transfer Fee to Fund Community Housing.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe goal is to get valuable assistance on city initiatives, inject the city with fresh perspectives and introduce Ketchum to a new audience,\u201d said Ketchum Mayor Nina Jonas.<\/p>\n

    City council has appropriated $10,000 for stipends for the program.<\/p>\n

    Additional information can be obtained by writing to participate@ketchumidaho.org or on the city\u2019s website at ketchumidaho.org\/fellowship.<\/p>\n

    ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES CONCERTS AND PLAYS <\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Sun Valley Center for the Arts has announced its summer concert schedule and upcoming Company of Fools presentations.<\/p>\n

    Tickets are now on sale for Center members and will go on sale May 2 to the general public. Additional information is available at sunvalleycenter.org.<\/p>\n

    Concerts for the summer include Mavis Staples & The James Hunter Six on July 29 and Lake Street Dive & Gregory Alan Isakov on Aug. 17. Both concerts will be held at River Run Lodge in south Ketchum. Concerts feature open seating on grass, blankets or low-backed chairs. Picnics are allowed but no alcohol can be brought to the concerts per Sun Valley Co. policy.<\/p>\n

    Company of Fools presentations include \u201cGrey Gardens\u201d June 28 through July 20, \u201cArt\u201d Aug. 9-13, \u201cGrounded\u201d Sept 28 through Oct. 15 and \u201cA Day in Hollywood\/A Night in the Ukraine\u201d Dec. 14-30.<\/p>\n

    Company of Fools will present \u201cConstellations\u201d from Feb.15 through March 4 in 2017.<\/p>\n

    HAILEY STUDENTS SWEEP FICTION WRITING CONTEST<\/b><\/p>\n

    \"FB_Fiction+Writing+Contest\"
    Hailey Elementary School fourth- and fifth-graders took top honors in the youth category of a fiction writing contest at Idaho Magazine. From left are student writers Lella Aicher, Gina Greenberg, Korbin Heitzman and Lucy Pietsch. Courtesy photo from Blaine County School District<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Budding fourth- and fifth-grade writers from Hailey Elementary School won all four top awards in the youth category of the 2016 fiction writing contest at Idaho Magazine.<\/p>\n

    Korbin Heitzman won first place with his story \u201cThe Troll and the Giant Hamster.\u201d Lucy Pietsch took second place with \u201cThe Trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Third place was a tie between Lella Aicher with \u201cThe Elephant\u2019s Feet\u201d and Gina Greenberg with \u201cStrayed from the Herd.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The students\u2019 stories can be found under the \u201cContests\u201d tab at the Idaho Magazine website at www.idahomagazine.com.<\/span><\/p>\n

    MUSICAL FUNDRAISER<\/b><\/p>\n

    SET FOR BELLEVUE GIRL<\/b><\/p>\n

    A musical talent showcase is set for Sunday, April 17, to raise funds to help Devon Peterson, a 12-year-old Bellevue girl who has leukemia.<\/p>\n

    The event starts at 4 p.m. at the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater at the Community Campus in Hailey. Admission, payable at the door, is $10 for adults and $5 for students.<\/p>\n

    The event, entitled \u201cPaper Hearts,\u201d was organized by singer-songwriter Tyia Wilson, who describes her music as a \u201cspiritual offering.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAs a mentor for other musicians, I want to infuse the idea of using musical entertainment for the benefit of others, as well as ourselves,\u201d Wilson said.<\/p>\n

    Performing in addition to Wilson will be musicians Keith Waller, Leyla Ba, Chloe Vogel, and Deva Burns.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMy daughter Leyla and I will perform a duet to an Alicia Keys song; Keith is paying tribute to David Bowie, among others; Chloe is going to sing a classic song while Leyla accompanies her on piano; and Deva is going to bring some dance music to the scene,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cI also like to focus on songwriting development, so Leyla and Keith will present original material. Many more surprises await.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Devon Peterson is the daughter of Bellevue residents Tyler and Jennifer Peterson.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    ITD EXPLAINS \u2018NON-TRADTIONAL\u2019 WILDLIFE SIGNAGE \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Idaho Transportation Department has installed several non-traditional wildlife warning signs along State Highway 75 in the Wood River Valley to increase driver awareness to the possibility of large animals, mainly deer and elk, suddenly darting onto the roadway. The signs show the outline of a crashed vehicle and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","_pvb_checkbox_block_on_post":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[84,18],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-7374","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-in-brief","7":"category-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7374"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7374\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}