The Courier
News Just in Time for the Fair
As folks flock into Fairfield for this year’s fantastic fair, they will be in for a pleasant surprise, especially if they haven’t been to Fairfield in a while. The Fairfield City Council has been working for several years to get a Downtown Revitalization project on the ground to replace the deteriating sidewalks, and to complete the change over from power pole lighting to lamp posts. The new lamp posts will not be in place for this weekend, but the fresh new sidewalks will make things safer for pedestrians in the downtown area. The new sidewalks and new ramps at the post office and the old courthouse will also make it much easier for handicaped individuals to access those facilities. This project is being funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), a Rural Community Block Grant (RCBG), in-kind labor by the City, and private donations. Total cost of this project will be a little over $400,000. While the curent project covers most of Soldier Road from Garnet Avenue to Ponderosa, there are plans to continue this project with additional funding to include the area south towards Highway 20, and over time, possibly to the north. This Thursday afternoon (August 3rd) is Family Night & Bingo in the City Park preceded by the Bike Parade at 5:45 p.m. Kids are invited to the school playground at 5:15 to decorate their bikes for the ride. The 4H Dog Show will be held on Friday, August 4th, at 9 a.m. with the Community Potluck Picnic at 6 p.m. Bring a main dish, salad, or dessert, as well as your own plates and utensils. Lawn chairs and/or blankets are good too. The Camas County 4H Livestock events will take place on Saturday, August 5th, beginning at 8 a.m. This year’s parade will feature Grand Marshalls, Jeff & Carol Rast, starting at 1 p.m. (entrants should line up at the football field at 12:30). Saturday evening events downtown include Main Street Bull Riding at 6 p.m. and the Street Dance at 9 p.m. On Sunday, come to Church in the Park from 10:30 to noon and listen to music and message by Ron Geer. From 1 to 4 the Rocky Mountain Riders will fill the park with music. Be sure to check out the various fundraising activities, including the Camas Library Foundation’s annual raffle (tickets can be purchased on Saturday for $5.00 each or 5 for $20). The Cancer Society Silent auction will be on Saturday from 10 to 3:30 in the park. And of course, the American Legion Breakfasat from 8 to 11 on Sunday.
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
August 2, 2017
Volume 41 ~ Number 31
Hazardous Algae Blooms at Thorn Creek Reservoir
A health advisory was issued Saturday, July 26th, by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and South Central Public Health District (SCPHD) for Thorn Creek Reservoir, which sits on the boundary of Gooding, Lincoln, and Camas Counties. DEQ reported that the reservoir has exceeded the criteria for recommending a public health advisory. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are ubiquitous in our environment but a few species are known to produce toxins that pose a threat to humans and other animals, particularly canines.
The public is advised to take the following precautions: • Avoid exposure to water experiencing a harmful algal bloom. Take extra precautions to ensure children, pets, and livestock are not exposed to the water. • Pets that are inadvertently exposed should be washed immediately and thoroughly with fresh water taking care not to allow them to clean themselves after exiting the affected water. • Do not consume water with a blue-green algae bloom. Neither boiling nor disinfecting removes blue-green algae toxins from water. • If fish are known to have been exposed to a blue-green algae bloom, only consume the fillet portion (remove the fat, organs, and skin). Wash hands after handling. The risk associated with consuming fish caught in waters with a blue-green algae bloom is unknown. Toxins produced by blue-green algae can accumulate in the organs of fish.
SCPHD, Public Health Program Manager, Josh Jensen stated, “Exposure to cyanobacterial HAB toxins may result in life-threatening problems such as, decreased movement, labored breathing, convulsions, muscle spasms, liver damage, neurological issues, and possible death.” HABs develop when specific types of photosynthetic bacteria bloom, at times forming dense visible mats. These can occur in rivers, lakes, and ponds. Typically these conditions occur during the warmer months of summer and early fall. More information is available at www.deq.idaho.gov