Middleton Gazette May 2020 by Middletonexpress

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MIDDLETON, ID 83644 PERMIT NO. 5

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Middleton, Idaho

Volume 4, Edition Two

COVID-19 Hits H-2A Program Page 6

May 2020

Miss Waters Retires, Leaving a Legacy at Heights Page 10

Middleton High School Class of 1945 Page 12

Congratulations Class of 2020!! We're sorry that you can't have the graduation ceremony that you deserve after all of your hard work, but we want to say...

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May 2020

 PRO - 2ND AMENDMENT  PRO - LIFE  PRO - AGRICULTURE  PRO - SMALL BUSINESS “As your Republican State Representative, I’ll work to get Idahoans back to work during these difficult times. We must provide the tools needed for the free market and private sector to be successful.”

KIRK ADAMS

Republican Candidate State Representative, District 11B

ENDORSED BY Idaho Dairy Industry Association Idaho Associated General Contractors Idaho Realtors Idaho Cattlemen Association Agriculture & Natural Resource Industry Idaho Prosperity Fund

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To advertise or to submit a story, please call Scott at (208) 963-0030 or email us at middletonexpress1@gmail.com. Deadline: May 25th

May 2020

The “Middleton Gazette”

Is a locally owned and operated community newspaper published by Gunfighter Publishing LLC. Our address is: P.O. Box 1099 Middleton, ID 83644 208-963-0030 middletonexpress1@ gmail.com Scott Brock Publisher/ Content Manager Brenda Uselton Design & Layout Deanna Brock Accounting

An Open Letter To Voters On The Upcoming May Primary Election In Canyon County on May 19. Additionally, polling place locations and poll workers are extremely limited to non-existent. The following bullet points will help you navigate this unprecedented election: • All registered voters should have received a mailer from the Secretary of State. Please read and follow the instructions. • Voters must fill out an absentee ballot request form and choose which ballot they want (Republican, Democrat, or Unaffiliated). Otherwise, the Elections Office will not know which ballot to send. • Registered voters can

request their absentee ballot at idahovotes.gov. This website gets overwhelmed at times, so I recommend trying off-times. • We have also placed absentee ballot request forms outside the Elections Office, located at 1102 E. Chicago St. in Caldwell. These forms can be filled out and dropped in the mail slot by the front door. • You must register to vote if you have recently moved, changed your name, or have never registered. If you have not voted in four (4) years, you have likely been purged from the system and must re-register.

• You may register to vote at idahovotes.gov if you have a valid driver’s license. You can also download and print a voter registration card from canyonco.org/elections, fill it out, and mail or drop off at the Elections Office. Voter registration forms are also available outside of the Elections Office. • Absentee ballot request forms must be submitted by 8 p.m. on May 19, 2020. • Official voted ballots will be accepted by mail or through the Elections Office mail slot until June 2, 2020. • The first mailing of absentee ballots in Canyon County

will be April 17, 2020. • The Elections Office DOES NOT have anything to do with the U.S. Census. • The Elections Office DOES NOT have anything to do with the government stimulus checks. • Fraudulent voting will be prosecuted. Our Elections Office is currently inundated with calls, so please use the online resources available through idahovotes. gov and canyonco.org/elections if possible. ~Thank you, Chris Yamamoto Canyon County Clerk April 14, 2020

Idaho’s Weekly Initial Claims Exceed Total Filed in 2019

dahoans filed more initial claims for unemployment benefits in the four weeks since the state of emergency was declared — 95,961 — than the total filed during all 2019 by 60 percent. Initial claims for the week of April 11 filed from job losses due to the coronavirus slowed to 18,531 — down 40 percent from the week prior — but still a record for any week since 2013. COVID-19 layoffs are affecting people of all ages, with young people ages 25 to 34 filing 26 percent of all claims. Women filed 53 percent of all initial claims last week.

Initial claims from laid-off employees for the accommodations and food services, health care and social assistance and retail trade represented nearly half — 46 percent — of the week’s total. The share of total claims for the manufacturing sector increased to almost 11 percent last week, steadily climbing over the past three weeks from 3.8 percent. Approximately $17.5 million has been paid out in benefits between the weeks of March 8 and April 11. Payouts for the most recent week of April 5 - 11 reached $9.2 million, 63 percent higher than the previous week, and

five times higher than for the same week in 2019. Weekly claims by county and industry sector are available on a new data dashboard found on the department’s

labor market information website at https://lmi.idaho.gov/ ui-weekly-claims. ~Idaho Department of Labor, News Release, April 16, 2020

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ear Canyon County Voters, COVID-19 has disrupted many things, including the upcoming May Primary Election. In conjunction with the Secretary of State’s Office, Governor Little has ordered all voting in the May 2020 Primary Election to be done by mail absentee only. As of this writing, the essential services/stay-home order is still in effect. It is anybody’s guess as to what the situation will be like when Election Day arrives

Page 3 • Middleton Gazette

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Page 4 • Middleton Gazette

May 2020

A Note From Tammy Nichols

ello! I am Tammy Nichols your State Representative for District 11. I want to let you know that I am thinking of you as we endure these challenging times together. The virus has sent most aspects of our lives into a tailspin! The good news is that we are closer to returning to some type of normal and will emerge to greet the beauty of Idaho's Summer soon. During the Governor's shutdown, I have been communicating with constituents regarding questions on absentee ballots, business help and other needs and concerns. It has been great to serve the community. Thanks go out to Zamzows, Tractor Supply and 44 Feed Store in Middleton for partnering with me in a pet food donation drive to benefit our local animal shelters. The 65th Session of the Idaho State Legislature concluded in March; thank you for the privilege to again serve you! I represented our district's interests on three very important committees; Agriculture,

Business and Revenue and Taxation. The Committees I serve on have great impact for the people and State. I worked and voted to limit government, deregulate, control spending, lower taxes, maintain individual rights and pass and support good legislation. Much was accomplished on behalf of Idahoans while more issues will need consideration in the 66th Session. I have been posting Legislative Updates to keep citizens informed and engaged via email, and on my Facebook page at "Nichols for Idaho". One of my top goals is to be transparent and available. Addressing your concerns, feedback, ideas and input is an integral aspect of representative government… I am accountable to all of you, which I consider daily and with gratitude. Every citizen counts! Please contact me anytime. Take care and stay hopeful and strong! ~Rep. Tammy Nichols tnichols@house.idaho.gov

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Page 5 • Middleton Gazette

U.S. Gas Supply Tops Last Week's Record-High, Fuel Prices Still Falling Idaho’s average price drops another eight cents in a week, second-most in the nation

OISE– (April 27, 2020) – Gas prices kept tumbling last week amid record-high stock levels and continued low demand due to COVID-19 precautions. With another eight-cent drop for the week (the second-largest in the country behind Alaska), the Idaho average price for regular fuel is now just seven cents higher than the national

average. “A few weeks ago, AAA predicted that Idaho’s average price could make it to $1.85 per gallon, or even lower,” says AAA Idaho spokesman Matthew Conde. “But if current trends continue, we could see Idaho pump prices dip as low as $1.75 per gallon before it’s all said and done.” Today, Idahoans are paying

an average price of $1.84 per gallon, which is 52 cents less than a month ago, and an astounding $1.18 less than a year ago. The national average is currently at $1.77 per gallon, which is 28 cents less than a month ago, and $1.11 less than a year ago. At $2.04, Utah is the only state in the Rockies region with an average price above $2

per gallon – one of just a dozen states in a similar predicament. The other states in the area are well below the twodollar-mark (Colorado - $1.73, Montana - $1.81, Idaho - $1.84, and Wyoming - $1.90). According to the Energy Information Administration, U.S. gasoline demand grew slightly over the week to 5.3 million barrels per day, but that’s still extremely low when compared with 9.5 million barrels per day last April. National gasoline stocks also set a new record at 263 million barrels. “Crude oil and gas prices still face significant downward pressure – producers and refiners are having trouble convincing their customers to buy and store products that are still in the pipeline,” Conde explained. “Even as refineries cut back, and in some cases, shutter their operations temporarily, there just isn’t enough demand to make a dent in the available supply.” According to an April 11 report from Google, mobility related to retail and recreation is down by nearly 40 percent. At the end of Friday’s trading session, the West Texas Intermediate benchmark for crude oil was at $16.94 per barrel after going negative last

week for the first time since 1983. A barrel of crude is currently trading near $13 per barrel, which is $50 less than a year ago. OPEC nations and their partners recently agreed to record production cuts starting in May and June, but they are expected to have a minimal impact over the next few weeks. “We sometimes get asked the question, but even with negative crude oil prices and continued low demand, gas stations won’t be giving away free fuel any time soon,” Conde said. “Retailers still need to cover distribution costs and try to make up for some of the major losses they’re taking in their convenience stores. We’ll be watching closely, but as stay-home orders start to ease around the country, we could see gas prices heading in the opposite direction fairly soon.” Here’s a sample of today’s pump prices around the Gem State: Boise - $1.83 Coeur d’Alene - $1.63 Franklin - $1.99 Idaho Falls - $1.74 Lewiston - $1.94 Pocatello - $1.91 Twin Falls - $1.95 ~Press Release, AAA Idaho

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May 2020

COVID-19 Hits H-2A Program: The Hard Truth About Hard Workers

OVID-19 has created a pandemic across the world and influenced private citizens to seclusion, sending businesses to shut down and employees to file unemployment for four weeks. While the world stops, time still ticks, and deadlines quickly approach for farmers to meet. March is a time to prune and prep farmland, then comes asparagus harvest in April, with a short window for packing and shipping. The process starts over at a faster pace over the summer. All this runs like a well-oiled machine

The

with laborers provided by the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers program from Mexico. Beginning March 18, the U.S. Department of State declared the suspension of new Visa processes for the next four weeks in response to the CDC’s guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19. With only a few details, the U.S. Dept. of State declared closures of U.S. offices in Mexico clarifying only seasonal workers could bypass the interview process and cross the border, while new

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applicants will not be seen for another 4-6 weeks. However, onsite that was not the case. “I’ve been keeping in touch with my workers, and they let me know that’s what the letter says, but they closed the doors on them,” exclaims Shay Myers, general manager of Owyhee Produce in Parma, Idaho and Nyssa, Oregon. “I had eight guys show up at the office and only two were let through, even though they have all been here the past two years.” This inconsistency led Myers to plea for help on social media because this is a critical time for him. If he doesn’t receive the 30 workers, he requested, Myers will lose his asparagus and sweet potato crops, as well as the millions of dollars that went into their production. That’s just one farm. Without these workers, farmers across the nation will suffer severe losses, and the country will experience a food shortage in a few months. “If we lose our planting window, it will be financially devastating,” explains Myers. “Not only that, but it has serious ramifications when six months from now, we’re supposed to be eating all this food, and it won’t even be planted.” Unlike office workers, Myers explained farmers cannot work from home in times of distress or delay the work because they have planting schedules according to the seasons. In a day, Myers received

a wealth of support from members of the agriculture industry and the well-timed attention from Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, who released a press release shortly after Myers’ plea. “USDA is directly engaged with the State Department and working diligently to ensure minimal disruption in H-2A visa applications during these uncertain times,” states Secretary Perdue. “This Administration is doing everything possible to maintain continuity of this critically important program. The U.S. Consulate General Monterrey announced that

they would prioritize the processing of returning H-2 workers who are eligible for an interview waiver. Otherwise, the Administration will continue to examine what authorities are available while ensuring public safety and health.” Upon arrival, these workers will receive an onboarding process where coordinators, like Jennifer Uranga, owner of Mountain West Ag Consulting, will educate these H2A workers on Corona Virus, how to stay healthy and what to do if they experience any symptoms. For the most part, they will be isolated from the general public, with only a few workers per dwelling and limited grocery shopping trips. “Now we’ll get all our workers because all eyes are on this issue,” expresses Uranga, who coordinates seasonal contracting workers for farmers in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. “I love the passion that Shay (Myers) has and I believe, as a result, the Government will realize how important this program is to us.” Last week, Uranga sat on the National Council of Agricultural Employees board, which she is also a member, and she presented a case as to why she needed so many migrant workers when the United States has a multitude of unemployed citizens. She has

posted all these positions in the unemployment office and all job boards possible to only receive 3 applicants. The times she hired U.S. citizens to work the land, she learned they never returned after the first lunch break. “I know that is a common argument, ‘why not hire domestic’ and I understand that aspect of it, but there’s no way,” retorts Myers. “There’s no way I will reach the numbers or deadlines if I had to depend on U.S. workers.” The cost of an H2-A worker is 25-30% more than hiring an American. The expenses that go into each applicant, travel, and room and board keep increasing annually, but that is the only choice local farmers have as many Americans choose other job avenues over farm labor. A 2013 study by the New American Economy shared that even when unemployment rises in the United States, no U.S. job seeker applies for farm labor positions, which in turn jeopardizes the U.S. economy. The Great Recession of 2008 was the only time native workers pursued farm labor. Therefore, without these foreign-workers, the agricultural economy would cease to exist. “We’re all passionate, and I can tell people in the community care,” says Uranga, but warns during these uncertain times, farm labor may be the only option. “These farmers don’t farm for the money; we do what we do because we care about the American families around us.” ~written by: Kamelia BasirRodriguez, Daxx Marketing Press Division

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May 2020

Page 7 • Middleton Gazette

F&G officer spots grizzly bear tracks about 7 miles south of Grangeville in April

Bear may be a male grizzly known to be in the area last year

resh grizzly bear tracks were confirmed by a Fish and Game conser-

vation officer in the Fish Creek Meadows winter recreation area about 7 miles south of Grangeville on April 18, 2020. Fish and Game officials warn hunters and recreationists to be Bear Aware because it is uncertain if the grizzly is still in the area or has moved on. Fish and Game’s first evidence of a grizzly in the area came from game camera pictures in the same general vicinity in spring 2019, and

biologists collected a hair sample. The hair sample was sent for genetic testing. Recent

results matched a male grizzly bear radio collared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a yearling in 2017 near the Idaho-British Columbia border. The radio collar fell off the bear in 2018. A Fish and Game officer collected a hair sample near the tracks found in April, 2020 in the Fish Creek Meadows area, which was sent for genetic testing. However, it could take months for test results.

If confirmed as the same bear, this bear is now 4 years old, and it has traveled several hundred miles through Idaho and Montana without any known conflict with people. Grizzly bears are federally protected in Idaho, so there is no hunting season for them. They are typically found in Idaho’s upper Panhandle and along Idaho’s eastern border near the Yellowstone area, but in recent years, grizzlies have occasionally been spotted farther from those areas. Young male grizzly bears roam widely in search of food and mates. Anyone who sees a grizzly bear is asked it to report it to Fish and Game by calling a regional office (https://idfg.idaho.gov/offices), or fill out an online form (https://idfg.idaho.gov/species/observations/ add#speciesid-16900). Here is how to identify a

black bear from a grizzly bear (see picture). ~by Roger Phillips, Public Information Supervisor, Idaho

Department of Fish & Game; Press Release, Wednesday, April 22, 2020

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May 2020

Trees Need Regular Maintenance & Care To Look Their Best

verybody loves a great looking lawn, but trees and a manicured landscape will also help increase the value and look of your home and neighborhood. As we service many homes and businesses in the Treasure Valley we see many trees that are diseased and dying. With an in-house certified arbor-

ist here at Zing we wanted to share with you some good tree care advice.

• Regular Maintenance

It is a good idea to prune your trees in early spring before buds leaf out. This allows you to see the entire structure of the tree canopy. Look for any crossing branches, downward growing branches, and any diseased or broken branches and remove them. By opening up tree canopies it helps the tree breathe and better receive sunlight and air. If your trees are large and you need professional assistance you can

contact Treasure Valley Tree Company. They do an excellent job pruning and hauling away. You can visit their website at treasurevalleytreeco. com.

• Fertilization.

Trees need the right nutrients to stay healthy and strong. Chlorosis is one of the most common and most noticeable tree health concerns we see. Leaves turn bright green and eventually yellow due to a lack of chlorophyll. If not treated early the tree will eventually lack the nutrients it needs and will die. Its growth and potential will never be reached and it will be under stress allowing bugs and disease to invade more easily.

• Insecticide Protection.

Trees in the Treasure Valley are susceptible to many insects. Some of the most common and invasive ones are Aphids, Borers, Cottony Maple Scale, Sequoia Pitch Moth, Spider Mites, etc. If trees are left to defend themselves they will most likely succumb to one of these and eventually die. We are currently applying a liquid fertilizer with systemic insecticide for all of our tree

and shrub clients. Trees will absorb the necessary fertilizer and insecticide treatment and transport it all throughout their leaves and branches. When insects try to take up residence and nibble on the tree they will eat the insecticide and die. It's a great way to protect your trees each spring for the upcoming battle of the bugs.

• Room to Grow.

Trees, shrubs and lawn all compete for resources to thrive. Be sure to plant your

trees in a large bed away from any lawn. Too often homeowners will plant a tree right smack in the middle of the lawn with a small circle base. Trees need adequate water and fertilization just like lawns do, especially newly established trees.

• A Watchful Eye.

Trees are an investment and should be treated as such. Your work is not done once you stick them in the dirt. Each season brings different insect invasions and diseases. Watch

for any signs of stress including early leaf drop, wilting leaves, bark splitting, or any other abnormal signs. With the right treatment most trees can recover if caught early enough. Our tree care team can work with you to develop the most effective maintenance and care program for your trees. ~Zing Lawn & Tree Care. Give us a call or email today, 208585-9400 or info@zingidaho. com.

Dandelions Are Here - Is Your Lawn Protected?

he war of the weeds has begun in the Treasure Valley. Those yellow pesky dandelions will take root in any bare and unprotected spot of soil they can find. Is your lawn protected from your neighbor's dandelions? The spread of dandelions can be reduced by regular lawn maintenance and good preventative practices. Grass and weeds compete for resources and space in a lawn. Weeds often invade a lawn that is under or over watered, improperly fertilized, improperly mowed, or highly compacted. Lawns that have been weakened by plant disease and insects are also likely to see weeds establish. By watering and mowing properly, aerating regularly, and applying fertilizer, pre-emergents and herbicides your lawn will win the war against the weeds and become lush, green and healthy.

Occasionally hand removing one here and there is also a good preventative measure, just be sure to pry out the entire root. If you mulch mow your lawn this can also shield your lawn from invading weed seeds. The mulch acts like a barrier preventing weed seeds from landing on turf soil and germinating. By also keeping your lawn height at 3" this can shield turf from invasive weeds. Another benefit to keeping your lawn slightly longer is that this also helps your lawn retain moisture especially in the hot summer temperatures. Our lawn fertilizing and

weed control program is designed to treat and prevent weeds, diseases and insect invasions at just the right time in the Treasure Valley. ~Zing Lawn & Tree Care. Give us a call or email today if you have any questions or would like a FREE no-hassle quote, 208-585-9400 or info@zingidaho.com.

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May 2020

h, how the world has changed in just a few short weeks! There’s no doubt the Covid-19 pandemic has turned all our lives upside down. We’re social distancing, working from home, distance learning, and finding new ways to communicate and obtain supplies. The real estate market certainly isn’t exempt from change caused by the pandemic. Our new normal involves gloves and mask for realtors and their clients while viewing properties, keeping six feet apart while conducting business, more hand sanitizer than most of us have used in a year, and a steady stream of Lysol disinfectant spray to ensure that properties are safe for us, buyers, and sellers. It’s a whole new world for agents. These safety measures are important for the safety of the general public and they’re critical if we wish to continue selling homes during these trying times. Beyond real-life showings, technology is taking the real estate world by storm. As is the case in many people’s personal

Page 9 • Middleton Gazette

Pandemic and the Path Forward in Real Estate

and professional lives, digital tools to communicate and convey important information to minimize in-person interactions have become more important than ever. Meetings take place via Zoom video conferencing services, important documents are being signed digitally, and consistent communication via text and phone are more valuable than ever when it comes to connecting clients to their real estate professionals. Quarantine can be BORING! The feeling of being trapped at home has people raring to be more productive. They’re decluttering, cleaning, and completing longprocrastinated projects around the house that may mean their homes are ready for the market. Stay at home orders and travel restrictions mean that people are shopping for homes on their computers. Technologies like 3-D imaging with high-resolution photography, aerial drone photography, and Matterport 360° virtual tours provide buyers with

experiences similar to walking through the home in person. Interest rates are also incredibly low, making this an ideal time for many people to get into a new home. These low rates allow buyers to get more house for their money and sellers to receive more competitive offers. Those who aren’t in immediate need of the liquid cash influx from their stimulus check may look to bolster down payments with their unexpected windfall. The combination of all the above factors mean that the real estate market will be set up for a boom once Governor Little lifts restrictions. Demand for homes is building while we’re all stuck at home. Nothing makes you long for a new home like being stuck in one you don’t love, day in and day out, for more than a month! While the virus has brought many facets of the economy to a screeching halt, the real estate market in the Treasure Valley remains steadfast. As life begins to shift towards our new normal, buyers will be

Fuel injectors are precision instruments. They have to deliver the right amount of fuel at exactly the time the vehicle engine needs it. They are also engineered to inject fuel with a specific spray pattern. This spray pattern allows for maximum fuel efficiency and proper atomization. Direct injection engines require a much higher degree of precision than conventional engines. For this reason, they are equipped with more sophisticated computers. When fuel injectors get dirty, their precision drops off. The spray pattern won’t be precise, and the timing of the fuel delivery may be off. This decreases fuel efficiency and fuel economy as well as delivers less power to the engine. Fuel injectors are not cheap to replace. Direct injection fuel injectors are even more costly. And we’re talking a mortgage payment to buy a set of new fuel injectors for a diesel engine. So keeping your fuel injectors clean is just good auto advice. The best way to do this is change your air and fuel filters regularly and practice other habits of good vehicle care and preventive maintenance. Cleaning additives in your fuel can also help as a preventive maintenance, not repair. If you end up with gum or varnish in your fuel injectors, you’ll need a professional fuel system cleaning. This will clean out your whole system, including the injectors. The good news is that with proper

maintenance, drivers will enjoy better fuel economy and their fuel injectors will last for a long time. If you have any problems or any questions feel free to contact us for more information here at Steve’s Auto Care.

Fuel injection: It Keeps Getting Better for Drivers

e all know that engines need to burn fuel to operate. Fuel is pumped from your fuel tank to your vehicle’s engine where it is squirted or injected into your engine’s cylinders. This is the function of the fuel injectors. There are two ways to inject fuel into your engine. Fuel needs air to burn, so in the first method, fuel is injected into a port and allowed to mix with air before it is drawn into the cylinders. In the second method, fuel is injected directly into the cylinders and mixes with air after it enters the vehicle engine. Direct injection engines burn fuel more efficiently than conventional vehicle engines. Some models can deliver the power of a V8 with the economy of a V6. For example, in one family of engines, the conventional version V6 delivers about 250 horsepower. The direct injection version delivers over 300 horsepower and gets about the same gas mileage. The turbocharged version delivers 350 horsepower. Why the big difference in power? Direct injection systems allow fuel to be squirted into the vehicle engine at hundreds of times the pressure of a conventional engine. This atomizers the fuel better, breaks it down into tinier droplets, which means more of it gets burned, which translates to more power for your engine. It also results in cleaner emissions.

~Steve Green, Steve’s Auto Care Starautocare@msn.com (208)863-2748

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Page 10 • Middleton Gazette

iss Toni Waters will retire from Middleton School District after 35 years of ser-

vice in May 2020. Miss Waters’ contribution to Middleton students, staff and community is priceless; she will be missed by thousands of individuals she made healthier and happier with her dedication to educating students through physical education and health. Miss Waters started her career back in 1985 with the Middleton School District, teaching health and PE. Besides teaching, she coached basketball, track and volleyball in Middleton for many years. She was even a driver’s education instructor for Middleton schools. Middleton Heights Elementary School was built in 1987 and Miss Waters has been the only PE teacher for the school. She wrote a state department grant to build a fitness track. With that grant money, numerous parent donations and helping hands, she managed to get the track built. Today, it is currently used by all students and the community.

May 2020

Miss Waters retires, leaving a legacy at Heights Elementary after 35 years of service

Heights fitness track hosted over 20 years of May Day Fun Runs. Hundreds of students received college scholarships from the running program Miss Waters created. She even mentored a current Olympic marathon runner, Carlos Trujillo! New York Road Runners supported Miss Waters’ grants requests for children’s running shoes and prizes. The American Heart Association benefited from the 32 years of fundraising by student participation in Jump Rope for Heart. Heights was the top fundraising school in Idaho for 10 years. Under Miss Waters’ instruction, Heights Elementary was a physical education model school twice and first-ever grant recipient of $30,000 for roller blades from the Roller Blade company. Miss Waters also helped write a $750,000 Physical Education Progress (PEP) grant for Middleton School District. In addition, Heights has been awarded dozens of monetary and equipment grants written by Miss Waters. Over the course of her career, Miss Waters was awarded SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Educators) Idaho Teacher of the Year and the SHAPE Idaho and Northwest Distinguished Service Award. She also served as SHAPE Idaho president, treasurer, historian and conference chair. Additionally, she was named “Home Town Hero” for Canyon County.

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Miss Waters’ creation of the Heights “PE Extravaganza” is a favorite of 1000’s of former students, including present Middleton school board members and their own children. Students also loved bowling, YMCA and walking field trips to the park as part of their PE

experience. Miss Waters’ future plans include traveling the world, spending time with her daughters and doing nonprofit work with Christian ministries. We will be forever grateful for her contribution to the school district of Middleton. She can be

reached at twaters@msd134. org until August 31, 2020. ~Written by April Chainey, Media Specialists for Heights Elementary

Mill Creek Elementary News

ill Creek wants to thank all of our students, families, and stakeholders. This is not how we wanted to finish out the school year, but we couldn’t imagine doing it with a better group of families and staff. We miss seeing our students daily. Thank you for all of your support! ~Jessie Holman, Mill Creek Principal

Teachers at Mill Creek hold virtual class meetings and our students and teachers are excited to see each other and interact with their classmates. This is not a mandatory assignment but students continue to work either online or through their paper packets.

Teachers and students have embraced instruction during this time. Hayden is hanging out with Mrs. R, working on sight words. It's fun to see him interact with his teachers. "She teaches me a lot,” Hayden said. #TeachersAreSuperheroes

Each week Mill Creek students follow PositiveBehavior-Intervention-Support expectations. One week was Kitchen Expectations. For that assignment, Gavin and Avry Lucore recently made their family members breakfast while everyone else slept and even cleaned up the mess when everyone finished eating.

During class meetings, Mrs. Maxwell’s class did a Show and Tell exercise. Connor brought his dog and many classmates brought pets too! The Larsen girls show off their packaging creations they used for the Mill Creek Elementary Egg Drop. Many Mill Creek students created and tested their Egg Drops from home, following the annual tradition of the April event when students are usually in school.

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May 2020

Page 11 • Middleton Gazette

Scout Troop 255 Is Holding 20th Annual Plant Sale & Fundraiser Starting May 8th

cout Troop 255 is still growing plants this year, but for the protection of our scouts and our community we will not be having our traditional plant sale the day before Mother’s Day at the Middleton United Methodist Church. Instead, we will be taking orders for our plants, which can then be picked up by appointment at the greenhouse or delivered to you by a scout family. As usual, we will have a wide variety of vegetables, flowers, and herbs. We will start taking orders from the community on May 8 and hope to have them available within a few days. Call (208) 407-3571 or email cn257@msn.com for more information.

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Teachers at Heights are working to Connect with Kids!

reached out to some of our teachers from Heights Elementary. I asked them how they are staying connected with their kids. Ms. Ploski, who is one of our Kindergarten teachers, stays connected with them through Google classroom. She posts videos of herself reading to her students, practicing skills and routines they have done in the classroom. Ms. Ploski posts daily messages and wants her students to know that she is there for them every single day. She loves

and cares for every one of her students. Mrs. Platt, one of our fourth-grade teachers, wrote personal letters to her students and included a self-addressed envelope for them to write back. She is making phone calls to the students as well as the parents to keep lines of communication open. She also plans to send out postcards and to have an online meeting with the class or small groups at a time. Ms. Godinho, a fifth-grade teacher, stated they are trying

Purple Sage Elementary

Whip Cream Snow

Snow is like whip cream fluttering down. Snow is like shaving cream napping on houses. Snow is like an arctic fox hiding in the snow. Snow is like a snowy owl floating in the sky. Snow is like stars watching over us. Snow is like cotton balls dancing on the ground. Snow is like paper parachuting down. Snow is like tissues surfing on the clouds. Snow is like bubbles drifting in the sky.

~by Rocco Sanguinetti, 2nd Grader - (Purple Sage Elementary)

Congratulations Lillian!

illian McKinley (Middleton High School class of 2010) is a 2020 graduate of Washington State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Lillian earned her Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology/ Zoology in 2014 from Boise State University. At BSU, she was a Top-Ten scholar and Distinguished Honors Scholar. Those who remember Lilian from her years at MHS, will recall that she was Valedictorian of her class and excelled in softball and soccer.

to do their best with weekly phone calls, sending follow up emails and holding office hours for students and parents who need support. The teachers and administrative staff are trying to be creative and do their best to navigate through these unprecedented times; they want to make sure the students and parents don’t feel they are alone while we are embarking this new way of learning. ~by Rachel Spencer for Heights Elementary

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Page 12 • Middleton Gazette

n normal times, May newspapers are filled with the news of commencement addresses, graduation celebrations, and valedictorians. Since our current situation cannot be described as “normal times,” we thought it might be interesting to look back at a graduation 75 years ago. Middleton’s newspaper at that time was called Boise Valley Herald and came out weekly. The following is an article from the May 17, 1945 edition: Middleton Finishes School Year The Middleton school exercises began with the Baccalaureate services Sunday evening with Rev. Charles N. Donaldson of Nampa giving the sermon, the subject, “The Secret of Achieving Personality.” Monday evening the eighth

May 2020

A New Look At Old Middleton: Class of 1945

grade graduating exercises were held and consisted of a program of class talent with Tommy Matsumoto giving the valedictory subject, “Citizenship.” The members of the class were – Edward Bailey, Melvin Hittle, Beverly Barnes, Joe Kratzberg, Mary Brennan, Tommy Matsumoto, Dale Corn, Gary Matthews, Joyce Cornell, Betty Casper, Dale McHenry, Jr., Ruth Casper, Iris Mendenhall, Catherine Chase, Maxine Michel, Faye Chase, Mary Monroe, LaVaughn Endicott, Helen Rutledge, Walter Gerhauser, Ruth Riley, Albert Harvey, Wilbur Shell, Eldon Story, and Jane Shreffler. Wednesday evening the High School graduating exercises were held with Ronald Rutledge valedictorian, subject, “America's future.” The members of the class were — Lois Albright, Opal Ballard,

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Jim Dustman, Shirley Ellingsworth, Dick Foote, Keith Fletcher, Doris Foster, Cleo Friesen, Colleen Green, Virginia Huff, Stella Ireland, Richard Johnson, George Haruko, Mitsue Matsumoto, Bill McCreary, Wilma McEwn, Ray Mendenhall, Ronald Rutledge, Jim Rayne, Hazel Taber. The Annual SchoolClosing Picnic is dated to be held tomorrow. These students had just

Middleton High School, 1945

been through World War II with its rationing, blackouts, and devastating death toll. With this background, maybe we can look at shelteringin-place due to the corona virus with a different perspective. Let’s also remember to do all we can to help students

celebrate their graduation, since formal ceremonies may be limited. (Quotes are from Boise Valley Herald, March 17, 1945 edition. Special thanks to Brent Cornell for providing this information.) ~by Dennis and Claudia Moberly

American Legion News

istrict 3 tried something new for their Annual Spring Conference— holding a virtual meeting. Theirs was April 25. And Post 39 tried one on April 27. This gave legion members the ability to attend from home without violating the separation orders. The good news is that we have surpassed our membership goal and now have 105 members. It has been quiet at the Post Home which is located at 2 W. Main St. in Middleton, across the street from Clarity Credit Union and Jackson’s Shell Station. We rarely have only one or two visitors at a time. Veterans and their families are welcome to relax, get help with getting your benefits, or conversation. We are generally open from 8:30 to 11:30 on Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat. and Sun. When church services resume, Sat. and Sun. will be 12:30 to 3:30. We can generally open at other times by appointment. Meetings are usually held on the last Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. and preceded at 6:00 by a dinner. The May meeting is one of the exceptions— it will be a week

early due to Memorial weekend. During the COVID crisis, we will know about the meeting status by the preceding Wednesday. The Auxiliary Unit meets at noon on the

first Wednesday of the month at the Post Home. ~News Release, 4-20-2020; Bruce Irving, eaglebruce2003@ yahoo.com, 208-713-6101

Membership Form

Historical Society of Middleton

Mail form and check to: Historical Society of Middleton 6 N. Dewey #3 Middleton, ID 83644 Annual Membership type (Please check one) _____ Individual $20.00 _____ Family $30.00 (Immediate household) _____ Organization $50.00 _____ Contributing Partner $100.00 Organization: ____________________________ Member Name 1: __________________________ Member Name 2: __________________________ Member Name 3: __________________________ Member Name 4: __________________________

The Middleton Gazette

Submission Deadline for the June 2020 issue is May 25th.

Member Name 5: __________________________ Member Name 6: __________________________ Address: ________________________________ City: _________________ State: ____ Zip: _____ Main Phone: _____________________________ Cell Phone: _____________________ Text:Yes/No Email: __________________________________

To advertise or to submit a story, please call Scott at (208) 963-0030 or email us at middletonexpress1@gmail.com. Deadline: May 25th

May 2020

ell, hasn’t this coronavirus affected just about every aspect of our lives!?! Obviously, we didn’t have our Books ‘n’ Bake sale we’d planned for April, and we are very disappointed that didn’t happen. It’s on the back burner, though, and we hope to have it in the future. What I do have to share with you all, though, is some very bad news: The location where we’ve had our book store for the past few years – the LAB – is being reallocated to the Middleton Police Department, and every tenant

ads come and go, especially with young people. Some are good and worthwhile; others aren't worthwhile. One fad when I was in grade school in the 1940's was children carrying small hardback books with blank pages called autograph books. These were designed to hand to friends and ask them to write something on a page and sign it. I am so thankful for my autograph books which I have kept for more than 80 years. The memories included in them are many. Memories of uncles, aunts, Grandmother, school teachers and many school chums. Adults usually wrote good advice and kids usually wrote something funny or silly. But many years later, when reading those writings, the memories which they bring back are so valuable! As you travel along life's rugged road May you to everyone be true And when you meet with trouble, Ask the Heavenly Father what to do. ~Your Loving Grandmother, Margaret Reagor Excellent advice, as is the following from my 4th grade teacher, Mildred Farmer: Voyager upon life's sea,

Page 13 • Middleton Gazette

Middleton Friends of the Library Happenings

of the building is having to relocate. Unfortunately, the Cover2Cover Book Store has

no place to go! The Friends is truly a NONprofit organization, operated strictly by volunteers, with every penny of our income from book sales going to assist the Library with programs, purchasing books and the like, and nothing in our treasury to provide for paying rent, utilities, etc. So, this month we’re all putting on our thinking caps and trying to come up with some solutions, and would like the community to do the same: if anyone has any ideas of places the bookstore might move to, please let us

Your Autograph Please

To yourself be true And whatever your lot may be, Paddle your own canoe. Never though the winds may rave, Falter nor look back, But upon the darkest wave, Leave a shining track.

And then there is this from my first grade teacher written on June 11, 1940: I will always remember you as a sweet little first grader. I hope you succeed as quickly as you travel along through life as you started out to do. My second grade teacher, Miss Ruth Crozer, wrote: Little moments make an hour, Little thoughts, a book, Little seeds, a tree or flower, Water drops a brook, Little deeds of faith and love, Make a home for you above. My autograph book has so many wonderful messages from so many loving people who are all gone now; uncles, aunts, cousins, teachers, family friends… and even most of my classmates who wrote in it are no longer here. What shall I write What shall it be, Two little words, Remember me! That one from a grade school classmate and another

one:

2 Y's U R 2 Y's U B ICUR 2 Y's 4 me.

Here is one from a family friend Orpha, who lived in Parco, Wyoming. We stayed at her house on our way to visit relatives in North Platte, Nebraska before our move to Idaho in 1940. It was in her home that I had my first bath in a real bathtub with a drain in the bottom and with pink Lifebouy Soap. I was so very excited and that was such a good memory that when I read her writing in my book, I always remember that experience. She wrote: When you get old and can hardly see, Look at this book and think of me. So many memories in my autograph books which probably cost fifteen cents each, but which are extremely valuable to me now. I am so very thankful for them. ~by Margaret (Breach) Crill My family homesteaded in remote northwestern Colorado in the 1920’s and 1930’s and

know! And if you know of or have some storage space where we can store our shelving, carts, books and other properties until such time as a permanent location is found, please let us know that as well! You can call me at 208/866-1495 or email me at MJodyT@gmail. com with suggestions. Thank You! And THANK YOU, Middleton and surrounding area, for continuing to support the Middleton Friends of the Library and the Cover2Cover Book Store!! Don’t forget, when you shop on Amazon, if you’ll designate the Middleton Friends

of the Library as your favorite charity, we will get an itsybitsy portion of your purchase price. It costs you nothing and is good for us! You can do this by visiting the Amazon Smiles program and following the link at https://smile.amazon. com/ch27-3921514. Till next time… ~M. Jody Taylor, President

This Business Spot Could Be Yours! Call the Middleton Gazette at (208) 963-0030 or email us at middletonexpress1@gmail. com today to find out how!

moved to Greenleaf, Idaho in 1940.

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Page 14 • Middleton Gazette

May 2020

Property Tax Relief, Anyone?

y family has lived in Canyon County for over a hundred years, and I'm proud of my heritage. We've helped shape this area into the community it is today, a community where honesty, patriotism, self-respect and individualism are fundamental, where neighbors care about neighbors, and where children are raised with love and a strong moral compass. It's really no wonder that people from other states are

discovering what we've known all along: this valley is an excellent place to live! Historically, the cost of living in Idaho has been relatively low, primarily because wages are also very low. Idaho still has the national minimum wage instead of higher minimum wages like other states in our region. I don't feel that raising the minimum wage in our state is a good answer because a low paying job for many is better than no job at

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ~ John 10:27 NKJ

SUNDAY: 10:30 AM TUESDAYS 6 PM "PURSUING HIS PRESENCE PRAYER" 303 South Hawthorne, Middleton • 208-412-8778 MiddletonChurch.com • TerrysDevotions.com

Middleton United Methodist Church 104 East Main St. (State Hwy 44) Or, as we like to say, in “The Heart of Middleton” We’ve been here since 1896 with programs for all ages. Sundays: worship service at 11:00 a.m. with Sunday school at 10:00 a.m. Our office phone number is 208-585-6621 email: MiddletonMethodist@outlook.com website: www.middleton-umc.org

ALL ARE WELCOME! “WE FEED PEOPLE BODY AND SOUL” Do you know in your heart there must be more to your life? Are you tired, struggling and feel ready to give up? Come join us on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Community Center in Middleton... ...when we gather for Bible Study.

There’s coffee, tea, worship, prayer and time in God’s Word for all. We spend time in fellowship, meeting like-minded folks and learning what God’s intention is for our lives. Our study is an expositional teaching going book by book, verse by verse through the inspired and inerrant Word of God. We love God because He first loved us ! We believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, desiring to know Christ and be conformed into His image by the power of the Holy Spirit. We hope to see you soon! Everyone is welcome!

Would you like to advertise in the

Middleton Gazette?? Gazette

Call Scott today at (208) 963-0030 to find out how!

Submission Deadline: May 25th

all... employers are forced to cut back on their number of employees. Or they raise their prices to compensate, making prices go up on everything throughout the economy. It's much better to allow market forces to increase wages. However, due to lower wages in our state, the average retiree in Idaho has benefits based on lower lifetime earnings than retirees in many other states. Up until recently that has been sufficient. But will it continue to be in the face of all the changes happening in our state? Government officials, in the interest of strengthening our economy, have encouraged large companies and corporations to move here by offering large tax break incentives. This brings many jobs to the region, but how many of these jobs pay significantly better than the national minimum wage? And how many of these companies actually bring with them employees from other regions to occupy the highest paying positions in the company? Eventually, these companies may help the economy in our state, but in the meantime, they not only receive the tax breaks, but they also increase the burden on the tax base by adding to the already increasing population and by placing more demands on our infrastructure. Older residents who are approaching retirement typically aren't the ones hired for the better paying jobs. Also, many are moving to our state from regions that have higher property values. They sell their homes in other states where property values are much higher and move to our area, building impressively large homes, driving up home values even on those who live in modest older homes. This is great if you have property to sell, but long-term residents who have spent years paying off the mortgages on their homes don't want to sell… they simply want to stay put and enjoy what they've worked so hard for. Rapidly rising property values are bringing rapidly rising property taxes, but they're not actually adding anything tangible with which to pay those taxes. For longterm residents, the increase in the value of their property won't be realized in most cases until after they die and someone new inherits their property. This year many saw a 20% to 30% property tax increase… how many more increases like this will there be before longterm homeowners are forced to leave the area! Those who have lived in a home for twenty or more years are facing expensive repairs by this time, not to

mention exhorbitant health insurance rates. If one does sell their home to reduce expenses, it is now next to impossible to find another home in this area without taking a drastic downgrade in lifestyle...if one is even available. People who have been living in the same house for twenty or more years aren't looking for upgrades like curbing or sidewalks, or other "frills" that are included in new neighborhoods. They are not looking for expensive beautification projects, fancy community buildings, or costly recreational programs. They likely don't have kids attending the schools. Shouldn't they be granted a ceiling on just how much their property can be taxed? Couldn’t more of the tax burden be shifted toward those who are contributing to the growth burden? As helpful to our overall economy as the influx of new people seems to be, the laws and policies coming with them are actually endangering the very way of life they're seeking. The impact of thousands of people moving into our area is obvious in so many ways! Houses are rapidly appearing where only cows and tractors were seen before. The stress on our infrastructure cannot be denied; tax money is needed to meet the additional needs for schools, roads and prisons. There are no easy answers. But the impact of these higher taxes on our long-term residents should not be ignored! Idahoans approaching retirement are facing a very uncertain future unless things change. Their income often is no longer enough to cover rising expenses and higher paying jobs for them remain in short supply. Rather than kicking these citizens to the curb, maybe our legislators should seriously consider an impact tax

on every new residence and of increasing impact taxes where they have been implemented. The impact tax could be prorated over the first five years of the new home ownership and financed with the home. To make sure an impact tax will be used to ease Idaho's growing pains, the legislators could provide guidelines on how the monies should be spent… towards schools, roads, prisons… to any urgent infrastructure need that is directly affected by a growing population. The state and the counties should work together, but the tax should go directly to the county where the residence is built, not to the state, because it is the county that feels the brunt of the impact and growth varies from county to county in direct relationship to how many new residences are built. It's important that our law makers don't let this rapid influx of people override what's best for Idaho. This is a great state, and we must not allow things that are urgent to overtake things that are actually important to Idaho! Each party dealing with the necessities of handling our increasing population has his own perspective, and it seems our counties are rubber stamping everything requested by new corporations, land developers and newcomers. A different perspective is desperately needed! Instead of only looking at things from the top down, they need to seriously consider the perspective from the bottom up. Don't overlook the people who have spent their lives making Idaho an excellent place to live or we will lose a part of our history as well as a valuable asset to our state. ~Concerned Middleton Resident

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To advertise or to submit a story, please call Scott at (208) 963-0030 or email us at middletonexpress1@gmail.com. Deadline: May 25th

May 2020

Page 15 • Middleton Gazette

Please vote "Yes" on the Middleton School Levy

or many years, patrons have supported the levy, as they know the importance of maintaining our buildings, giving children opportunities for athletics, and the arts. In a season in which cuts are a given, we ask that you continue your support of a fiscally responsible yet excellent education for our children. Once again, please vote "Yes" for our schools. This year the election is by mail, so please request an absentee ballot from the registrar of voters! Educators/Staff/Community: Janette Kisner, Teresa Brown, Nina & Matt Crane, Peggy

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Middleton Schools Supplemental Levy

iddleton School District is asking residents to replace the current supplemental levy, which expires on June 30, 2020. This is not an additional tax, rather a continuation of the current levy that must be renewed in order to continue to fund current programs and staffing positions. The proposed tax rate is 3.88 per $1000 of taxable property value. The levy is a chance for our local community to make decisions about the education of the next generation. What programs and positions do our levy dollars support? • Activities including athletics, art and music • Nurse, counselor and staff positions • Special education services • Technology, including training and maintenance

• Safety and security Creating a strong community includes supporting quality education for the next generation. By doing so, we show industries, businesses and families that are looking to settle here that this community is education-friendly and a supportive place to live and work. We urge all to vote IN FAVOR OF the upcoming Middleton School District levy to make sure our kids receive the quality education that a quality community supports. We support replacing the supplemental levy: Shaun Rupp, Marta Rupp, Julie Stewart, Chad Stewart, Ryan Stewart, Dave Fisher, Shelly Fisher, Sharene Campbell, Kami Robinette, Scott Robinette, Christina Dixon, Erin Kofoed, Pam Wagoner, Zach Wagoner, Melanie Mills, Alan Mills, Kami Schmitt, Angie Lammey, Tim Lammey

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May 2020

Page 16 • Middleton Gazette

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