Operation Green Light

February 28, 1987--September 7, 2022

Nick (Scott) Luthi went to be with his grandparents in heaven on September 7, 2022.

He was born on February 28, 1987, in Casper, Wyoming to Tammy Luthi. Nick lived in Glenrock, Wyoming for the first four years of his life. He was a student of the head start Program for two years, which he graduated from.

In June of 1991, he moved to Malad, Idaho with his mother and family. Nick attended school in Malad and received his GED in 2005.

Nick has worked several different jobs in his short life, but the one he enjoyed the most was being a heavy machine operator. He had recently started working for Stone Ridge Contracting. He was so happy with his new job.

He had a dog "Loki" that he got as a puppy 4 years ago that is 90lb "American Bully". Loki was a wonderful dog that was his true companion, saw him through 3 back surgeries.

Nick enjoyed snowmobiling, darts, and pool. He participated on teams in Pocatello. His next favorite thing was going shopping, dinner, movies or anything with his mother, his most "important person", as he enjoyed telling people. He was living in Blackfoot at the time of his passing. Nick loved being with people and people loved bring around him. Nick is survived by his mother, Tammy Luthi, one son Carter, 2 sisters, 3 cousins, 3 nieces, 1 nephew, and several 2nd cousins. Nick was preceded in death by his loving grandparents, Gerald and Donna Scott, uncle DeRay Scott, and his uncle, Edward "Ed" Scott. The graveside services were October 1, 2022, at 1:00 pm at the Malad Cemetery. Anyone that knew Nick were welcome to attend.

Nicholas Wade Luthi

Grandparents Only

Not recommended for parents and kids

By Gramma Dot

I spent a lot of years at Malad Elementary and I have a lot of stories. One of my favorites took place when I was teaching first grade. It was the first of the year and we were getting ready for Back to School Night. I had asked the students to draw a picture of themselves and write a sentence telling their parents about something they liked to do. It was always fun to decipher their phonetic writing. We planned to put the finished product on their desks, so mom and dad could “read” it when they visited the classroom.

One of my talents is being able to figure out first grade writing. As I walked around the room encouraging these young authors, one of the students asked, “What does this say, Teacher?” I looked it over. I examined the picture. I asked him a few questions, but I wasn’t getting it. “What do you want to say?” I probed, which was a silly question in his mind because he had it written right in front of me. His look told me I wasn’t being very helpful. “I just want to know what it says,” was his reply. “Well, I’m not sure,” I had to admit, and before I could kneel to help him write what he wanted to say, he informed me, “That’s OK, Teacher, my Mom can read anything.”

Now, that’s a vote of confidence, brought about by a relationship of trust. Moms and Dads, you find the Good Life when you nurture that trust. Grandparents, you savor the Good Life when your grandkids have parents like that. Just goes to show you really did do something right!

Malad City Mayor Participating In Annual Mayor’s Walking Challenge

The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health program rewards mayors for walking in October.

Malad City Mayor Joan Hawkins is one of a record 98 Idaho mayors that are participating in the Mayor’s Walking Challenge, a program of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health that promotes the importance of physical activity. The challenge takes place during October.

Idaho mayors can earn up to $1,000 for their efforts and have two chances to earn funds for their communities. Mayors can: • Walk an average of 5,000 steps a day during October to earn $500 for their community • Walk an average of 10,000 steps a day during October to earn $1,000 for their community

Mayor Hawkins is offering a challenge to Malad City residents to put on their walking shoes and join her in walking for their health. “I love to walk, and this is such a beautiful time of year,” she said. “I hope everyone, young and older, will set a goal to walk during the month of October. My goal is 10,000 steps a day, but you can set whatever goal you feel comfortable with!”

“Walking is one of the easiest and best things people can do for their health, and we appreciate the record number of Idaho mayors who are participating in the Mayor’s Walking Challenge,” said Kendra Witt-Doyle, Executive Director, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. “These mayors are doing something great for their own health while setting a good example and earning funds for their communities.”

Since the Mayor’s Walking Challenge became a statewide event in 2018, Idaho mayors have earned $271,000 for their communities. Those funds have contributed to a variety of projects and programs that promote a healthy lifestyle across Idaho, including playgrounds, physical education equipment for schools, walking clubs, amenities at parks, scholarships for youth programs, and more.

Mayor Joan Hawkins in the middle of her favorite walking trail in town

In advance up the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, the county announced that buildings will be illuminated green from November 7 through November 13 as part of Operation Green Light, a new national collaborative initiative of the National Association of Counties (NACo) to support military veterans, as well as raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources that are available at the county, state, and federal level to assist veterans and their families,

The new national collaborative is spearheaded by the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers, building upon the successful efforts of the New York State Association of Counties and the NYS County Veteran Service Officers’ Association in 2021.

“Since the tragedy of September 11, 2001, our nation’s voluntary military force members and their families, have made immense sacrifices for our safety and security over a two-decade period,” said Board of County Commissioners Chairman Bill Lewis. “Similar to the sacrifices of previous generations of our armed forces, this service to country also often results in significant stress to many of the veterans who served in times of war and conflict. We want to make sure our veterans and their families know that their service mattered, that we are grateful for their sacrifices, and that it is now our turn to make sure they are served by their county government and our community.”

Resident are encouraged to participate simply by changing one light bulb in their house to a green bulb. This can be an exterior light that neighbors and passersby see, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends. By shining a green light, we are letting out veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported.

While the event is focused around the week of Veterans Day, participants are encouraged to continue shining the light year-round. Residents can share their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.

“Operation Green Light is a simple way to express our collective appreciation for the for the public service of our veterans,” said NACo President Denise Winfrey. “We encourage everyone to join us in displaying a green light for veterans and to also reflect on how we, as a nation and at the county level, assist our military service personnel back into civilian life upon completion of their service to our country.”

NACo hopes to “shine a light on the plight of veterans in counties across the country who are having a hard time connecting with benefits after serving their country.” According to recent statistics, “11.7 million veterans are over the age of 65, which is about 61 percent of all veterans.” National Veterans and Military Services Committee Chair Chris Lukasevich reports that “we have a problem in this country—it’s extremely difficult to transition from military to civilian life.” Operation Green Light is designed to “send a clear message to inspire veterans to reach out to their county veteran service officers.”

Plans were discussed at last week’s County Commission meeting to arrange for the distribution of green lights to those who would like them. The American Legion Post 65 has also passed a motion to support the operation in whatever ways are necessary.

Those interested can visit naco.org/operationgreenlight for more information and links to resources available to veterans, and watch this paper for further details on the operation as they develop.

The American Legion, as well as many buildings across the county, will be lit green for November