The Courier
News
A Blessing On Wheels
A year ago, 92-year-old Rosemary was presented an unusual bicycle by her family in Boise - a cargo style bicycle retrofitted to carry a person out front while a second individual pedels from behind. The design was simple, no hand brakes or gears, but the ride was amazing. Rosemary had ridden bicycles all her life, but at 92, her balance wasn’t what it used to be. With the new bike, she and her family have been riding all around Boise and Meridian. And, as you might imagine, this has generated interest by others wanting one of these bikes for themselves. The family formed a not-for-profit organization to provide access to affordable passenger bikes to families with loved ones experiencing age, health or disability related barriers. Thus was born... The Blessing Bike. Since then, 24 Blessing Bikes have been built with an all-volunteer group in the family garage. An “Idaho Gives” campaign in May enabled them to donate 3 bikes to veteran’s homes across Idaho and help a few low-income families obtain bikes as well. Inspired by the story of how this impacted Rosemary’s life, the staff at Bennett Hills Rehabilitation & Care Center in Gooding decided this was something they needed for their facility. They raised funds through donations to purchase a Blessing Bike and in mid-May they took their first rides with residents of the nursing home. The Blessing Bike is a fun way to get elderly or disable individuals outside in the fresh air. Every ride is a opportunity to interact with the community, to smile, and to feel alive. It’s great exercise for the staff as well.
94th Annual Gooding County Fair & Rodeo
The Main Steeet Parade is TODAY... Wednesday, August 14th (line up at the south end of town, parade starts at 5:30). $1 Night at the carnival will open after the parade along with exhibit halls. At 8:00 p.m. check out the PRCA Xtreme Bull Riding at the Andy James Arena.
PRCA Rodeo will run August 15th thru 17th, starting at 8:00 p.m. each night.
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
August 14, 2019
Vol 43 Num 33
Health Advisory Issued for Magic Reservoir
South Central Public Health District (SCPHD) and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) have issued a public health advisory for Magic Reservoir. Results from recent DEQ water testing show the concentration of cyanobacteria (sometimes called blue-green algae) in the reservoir are now at unhealthy levels and have formed a harmful algal bloom (HAB). This is the third health advisory issued for a reservoir in south-central Idaho. The first was issued on July 8th for Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, and is ongoing. The second advisory was issued July 25th for Mormon Reservoir, and is ongoing. The public is advised to take the following steps to protect their health in all three reservoirs: * Avoid exposure to water in reservoirs under a HAB health advisory. Make sure children, pets, and livestock are not exposed to the water. * Do not drink water with a HAB advisory. Boiling and disinfecting DO NOT remove toxins from water. * Do not allow pets to eat dried algae * If fishing in HAB water, remove all fat, skin, and organs before cooking. Toxins are more likely to collect in those tissues. Wash hands after handling. “We are issuing an advisory because these toxins can be so damaging- especially for animals who drink or play in the water,” said Brianna Bodily, SCPHD Public Information Officer. “Until this advisory is lifted we urge you to choose a different reservoir to fish and recreate in.” HABs are not unusual in warm summer months and typically shrink quickly as the water temperature drops in mid to late fall. SCPHD will issue another press release when DEQ tests show Magic Reservoir, Mormon Reservoir, and Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir are at safe cyanotoxin levels again. “You can help by reporting suspicious looking water to DEQ by phone, email, or with the bloomWatch app,” said Brian Reese, DEQ Water Quality Standards Analyst. More information is available at: www.deq.idaho.gov or www. phd5.idaho.gov