The Courier
NEWS
Winter Events with Idaho Parks and Recreation
There are plenty of upcoming outdoor events to celebrate the new year! Several Idaho State Parks are hosting a First Day Hikes (Jan 1) event as well as the annual Free Ski/Winter Access Day (Jan 7). Some details are still being arranged, please contact the parks directly for latest and most up-to-date information. FIRST DAY HIKES: City of Rocks/Castle Rocks State Park - Almo: A guided snowshoe hike (weatherdependent). Meet at the Visitor Center at 1 p.m. Snowshoers can bring their own snowshoes or check out some from the park. It is also recommended to bring water and a snack. continued on page 2...
RSV Cases Declining, COVID-19 Cases Plateau
As the respiratory season continues, South Central Public Health District (SCPHD) again urges residents to stay home when they are sick and take extra precautions to protect their health. Data from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) show hospital admissions for influenza patients increased from 185 patients two weeks ago to 283 patients last week. Nearly twice as many patients were admitted with influenza compared to COVID-19 last week. Meanwhile, the positivity rate for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lab tests in the state have mostly plateaued around 20 percent over the last couple of weeks. In south central Idaho, the positivity rate sits at about 23 percent for the season. These rates are much higher than usual for this time of year. Many respiratory viruses are contagious before symptoms start so practicing good hygiene at all times can help prevent disease spread. SCPHD recommends people: • Stay home when sick. • Wash hands often, especially after sneezing, coughing, using a bathroom, or blowing your nose. It is always important to wash your hands before touching your face. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth whenever possible. • Cover your coughs and sneezes or cough into your sleeve. • Make healthy living a priority: get enough sleep, exercise regularly, keep a healthy weight, and keep a balanced and healthy diet. • Quit habits that harm your respiratory and immune health. This includes overindulging in alcohol, using tobacco/nicotine products, taking drugs that are not prescribed for you.
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
December 28, 2022
Vol 46 Num 52
Petition Approved to Expand CSI Taxing District
The Idaho State Board of Education has approved a petition put forth by citizens of Elmore County to expand the College of Southern Idaho’s (CSI) taxing district to include Elmore County. With the Board’s approval, the petition will be forwarded to the Elmore County Commissioners to call a special election in Elmore County for the purpose of voting on the question of joining the CSI taxing district. A simple majority of votes would be needed for approval. CSI’s taxing district currently encompasses Twin Falls and Jerome Counties. If approved, Elmore County property owners would contribute just over $2 million annually to the CSI taxing district. On November 14th, CSI’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to endorse the petition.
Dyslexia Handbook Approved
The State Board also approved the Idaho Dyslexia Handbook for use in Idaho public schools. The handbook, created by a workgroup of educators, dyslexia experts and parents of dyslexic students, will help educators identify characteristics of dyslexia in young students and provide them proper educational supports. “The workgroup that put this together was outstanding,” Board Member Dr. Linda Clark said. “We worked very hard to make sure we had the right specialists, we had representatives of Coding Dyslexia Idaho and our universities involved. It really was a stellar group and I think this will be an excellent resource.” The Board will work with the State Department of Education to distribute copies of the handbook to public schools. In another action, the Board gave final approval to a policy change that will assist and guide Idaho’s higher education institutions in the development of microcredentials and specialized certificates that students can earn outside of traditional career Vaccination is particularly important for people at high risk for serious flu complications. This technical certificates. These new credentials and certificates are includes older adults, children under the age of two, people with chronic health conditions like designed to create more career pathways for students and to diabetes, cancer, or heart conditions, and pregnant women. expand workforce training opportunities.