The Courier
NEWS
Lincoln County Recall Election
On Tuesday, August 25th, voters in Lincoln County are being asked to cast ballots regarding the question of recalling two County Commissioners: District One Commissioner, Richard Ellis; and District Three Commissioner, Roy Hubert. While there are a number of issues that prompted this election, the main reason revolves around the county courthouse. The current courthouse is in need of a major renovation, both for the longevity of the historic building, and to meet ADA requirements for access. The other choice is to abandon the building and build a new courthouse. Proponents of the recall are accussing the two commissioners of “willfull disregard for the wishes and desires of the public,” when the results of two surveys and the recomendation of an advisory committee were ignored. The two commissioner believe that the survey results and the failure of a bond election indicate that the public is more concerned about cost rather than the preservation of the old courthouse. They insist that new constuction is cheaper than reovation. Part of this issue was resolved in the May Primary Election when Commissioner Ellis lost his reelection bid to Joann Rutler. However, because Mr. Ellis will remain in office until January, the recall proponents are concerned that he and Commissioner Hubert will continue to make decisions that may adversely affect the future of the current courthouse. If you haven’t already voted absentee, you can go to one of the following polling locations on August 25th to cast your vote: Lincoln County Community Center in Shoshone Richfield Senior Center in Richfield Dietrich LDS Church in Dietrich
Health Advisory for Cedar Creek & Thorn Creek Reservoirs
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
August 19, 2020
Vol 44 Num 34
Fire Restrictions
This Thursday, August 20th, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will go in effect on lands within south central Idaho. Fire restrictions are intended to decrease the chance of any preventable fires in the designated areas. These restrictions are being implemented by agencies managing or providing wildland fire protection, which include the Sawtooth National Forest, Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District, and the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL). These restrictions will be in place for public and private forests and rangelands, roads, and trails situated in Blaine, Camas, and Custer counties. The specific area includes the Sawtooth National Forest, BLM and State lands north of Highway 20 to the northern most Sawtooth National Forest boundary, from Hill City east to the Craters of the Moon National Monument Park Visitor Center. Under the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, the following acts are prohibited on state and federally managed or protected lands, roads, and trails: · Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a designated recreation site and in a permanent concrete or metal fire ring, or on private land, and only within an owner-provided structure. · Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
The following are exemptions to the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:
· Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act. · Persons using fire fueled solely by liquid petroleum or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels. Such devices, including propane campfires, may be used only in an area cleared of flammable material. · Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice. · Any federal, state or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. · All land within a city boundary is exempted. · Other exemptions unique to each agency.
The South Central Public Health District (SCPHD) and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are issuing a public health advisory today for Cedar Creek Reservoir and Thorn Creek Reservoir. Recent samples the DEQ took of water in those reservoirs show levels of a cyanotoxin, Microcystin, are now at unhealthy levels because of a recent cyanobacteria Planning to visit public lands in these areas, check with the harmful algal bloom (HAB) in the reservoir. Sawtooth Ranger District offices www.fs.usda.gov/sawtooth; The public is advised to take the following steps to protect their health: the BLM Twin Falls District www.blm.gov/idaho; or the Idaho » Avoid exposure to water in reservoirs under a HAB health advisory. Make sure children, pets, Department of Lands for the latest information, or visit www. and livestock are not exposed to the water. continued on page 2... idahofireinfo.com