The Courier
NEWS
Ice Cream Shop Opens in Fairfield
Two years ago, Margaret Horton retired from Clear Springs Foods in Buhl, Idaho, where she had worked for 44 years. A year before, she and her husband Scot built a "vacation" home in the hills south of Fairfield, but the more time they spent in Camas County, the more they liked the idea of living there full time. "Both of us liked the small town, but it was the people that made us want to stay," said Margaret. "Retirement gave me the opportunity to volunteer my time at church, the school, and senior center. Volunteering for community organizations reminded me how much I loved serving people, and I started looking for some type of business that would fullfill that need. A young man in the community suggested Fairfield could use a ice cream shop, and the seed was planted." Scot purchased an old quonset building on the main street of Fairfield to house his metal working equipment, and they started building a small addition to the front. When they started the project Margaret didn't know exactly what it would be used for, but now we all know. On December 16th, the Longhorn Coffee Saloon and Ice Cream Bar opened its doors with specialty coffees drinks and Cloverleaf ice cream from Buhl. Margaret and her granddaughter Alyce have been busy ever since. They also have locally made cinnamon rolls, cookies, and pie. Located at 412 Soldier Road (across from Fairfield City Hall) their winter hours are ThursdaySaturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm. You can call in your coffee order at 208-539-7342, and check out their fresh baked goods on facebook.
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding Happy New Year!
January 3, 2024
Vol 48 Num 1
Idaho PUC Approves Changes to On-site and Self-generation Tariffs
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission on Friday issued an order regarding a request by Idaho Power. Idaho Power asked the commission to approve real-time net billing with an avoided cost-based financial credit rate for exported energy, a methodology for determining annual updates to the export credit rate, a modified project eligibility cap for commercial, industrial and irrigation customers, related changes to the accounting for and transferability of excess net energy financial credits and updated tariff schedules necessary to administer the modified on-site generation offering. In making its decision on Idaho Power’s application, the commission recognized that the fundamental purpose of onsite generation is to offset a customer’s own usage, that on-site generation should not create cost shifting between generators and non-generators, and that on-site generators should be given a fair value for their exported energy. In addition, the commission worked to accurately assign the appropriate share of fixed costs and unquantified benefits of on-site customer generation, and to provide a reasonable balance between the interests of customers with on-site generation and customers without it. The commission approved Idaho Power’s application to implement a real-time net billing export credit rate in accordance with the application as modified by the utility’s revised proposal and the provisions of the commission’s decision. More information available at puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7033
Feeding Backyard Deer & Elk More Harm Than Good
Seeing a herd of deer outside your door or a herd of elk may seem idyllic, and during winter they can almost seem tame. But truth is they’re wild animals that need to remain wild animals, and feeding them can quickly create a variety of problems. continued on page 6...