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EDUCATION NEWS

ELECTION NEWS

Kevin Lupton Retires PG 5

SUN VALLEY

KETCHUM

SCIENCE OF PLACE

Losing Finds New Focus PG 2

MUSTANG: FERAL OR WILD? PG 8 BELLEVUE

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WOOD RIVER WEEKLY

YOUR VOICE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY

“Without rain, there is no life.”

Free | June 1 - 14, 2022 | Vol. 3 - No. 11 | woodriverweekly.com – J e r r y Ya n g

WRMS LOCKDOWN MET WITH FAST RESPONSE

A multitude of first responders lined Cobblestone Lane in Hailey on the morning of May 17 in response to reports of a possible active shooter at Wood River Middle School, located nearby on North 2nd Avenue. Following a district-wide lockdown that lasted approximately 80 minutes, it was determined that the gunshot-like sound in a sixth-grade hallway bathroom was caused by a balloon being popped. Photo credits: Kathy Swanson

First responders draw praise, scrutiny

By Eric Valentine

n May 17, local law enforcement responded to a call at Wood River Middle School that was every parent’s worst nightmare. There were reports of popping sounds that many feared was gunfire. It was allhands-on-deck as a fleet of first responders arrived at the Hailey school within five minutes of the intial 911 call and followed all their training for a possible active-shooter situation which included entering the school immediately. Within an hour, it was determined that the sound was innocuous; balloons had been popped in a student bathroom, but no one was taking any chances. The incident didn’t just lock down the middle school; for a time, the entire district went into lockdown. Police and paramedics from every jurisdiction rushed through multiple Main streets to get to the scene. St. Luke’s had its Life Flight helicopters ready to transport any injured students or staff to Twin Falls or Boise, if need be. And parents swarmed the area to make sure their kids were safe. While some, when it became clear that there was no real threat, felt the response had been overdone, in light of the tragedy last week in Uvalde, Texas, many are reconsidering and appreciating how seriously the situation was taken, as well as the lightning-quick response time. On May 24, at Robb Elementary School in Ulvalde, Texas, 19 young children and two dedicated teachers were murdered by an active shooter. Many questions and concerns have since arisen regarding the response time and actions taken by law enforcement, who did not go into the school for more than 45 minutes even as the 911 calls poured in and there was no question of a true life-threatening emergency. Certainly, what went wrong in Uvalde will be examined for years to come.

Here, the response to the May 17 call will also cerWhat follows is the joint statement to the press by Haitainly be discussed and analyzed. “[Hailey Police] Chief ley police and the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office detailEngland and I are very proud of the quick response by ing how quickly they got matters under control. our agencies and local partners who responded to this event and are thankful this turned out to be a false alarm. • On May 17, at approximately 10:15 a.m., the Blaine County Emergency Communications Center received We understand this was a traumatic event for teachers an electronic lockdown message from Wood River and students inside the building and for the parents of Middle School in Hailey. the students. A review of this event will occur with local agencies to evaluate our response and to see what • At approximately 10:16 a.m., the Hailey Police Department, Hailey Fire Department and Wood River improvements can be made. We also greatly appreciate Fire and Rescue were dispatched to the school for the all the support and response from the local fire departreport of a lockdown. ments,” Steve Harkins, Blaine County Sheriff, said. To recap: It took local, armed law enforcement just six • At approximately 10:17 a.m., a Wood River Middle School staff member called 911 and relayed that sevminutes to enter the building after receiving notification eral teachers had reported hearing a possible gunshot of a lockdown and to confirm students and staff were in the sixth-grade hallway. safe. It took just over an hour to determine the cause of the lockdown. And it took just an hour and 15 minutes to • At 10:21 a.m., officers from the Hailey Police Department and deputies from the Blaine County Sheriff’s lift the lockdown. Office arrived at the school and entered the building. Officers and deputies quickly began a search of the These 10 Valley agencies responded to the Election Day school for an active shooter and ensured the students lockdown at Wood River Middle School: and faculty were secure in their classrooms. • Hailey Police Department • At approximately 11:07 a.m., a student was ques• Blaine County Sheriff’s Office tioned and admitted to popping a balloon in the sixth• Bellevue Marshal’s Office grade hall restroom. At approximately 11:20 a.m., this information was confirmed and officers inside • Sun Valley Police Department ensured that the students and faculty were safe by • Idaho State Police making contact with each classroom. • Wood River Fire and Rescue • At approximately 11:33 a.m., the lockdown was lifted • Hailey Fire Department and emergency units began to clear the scene. • Sun Valley Fire Department • Bellevue Fire Department • St. Luke’s Life Flight

In the next issue of Wood River Weekly, we’ll talk with school district leadership about safety measures they plan to take before kids come back to school in the fall.

W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY

NEWS

•

JUNE 1 - 14, 2022

Now What?

ELECTIONS

Election losses refocus city, fire district, citizens on new approaches

hile many articles in the news have been focusing on how the midterms are shaping up now that primary season is wrapped up, the issues and the candidates that did not win enough votes shouldn’t be overlooked. Because when you take a look at three particular Valley losers, you may be seeing what Valley challenges won’t be going away any time soon. A LOT Of Disappointment Starting up north in Ketchum, an effort to inject funds into development of workforce housing coffers failed. Specifically, Ketchum leaders placed a tax increase on the ballot (called a local option tax or LOT) wherein revenues would be earmarked to subsidize the cost of affordable housing projects. There’s no bigger issue in the Valley than the cost of and low inventory of workforce housing, and voters said ‘oh well.’ Mayor Neil Bradshaw did the only thing he could do after the election—tried to see things positively. “While a majority supported the local option tax (LOT) housing initiative, we did not reach the 60% threshold for the measure to pass,” Bradshaw said. “I want to thank everyone who participated in this ballot initiative. We value your voice and your opinion. We will learn from this result and will work harder to craft a way forward to address our housing crisis in a direction that has broader community support.” Ketchum leadership and city staff spent much of the past year working on the city’s Housing Action Plan—a guidebook that identifies several actions Ketchum can take to increase housing supply. Most require funding. With the ballot measure failing to pass, Bradshaw said the city will focus on the actions that have “smaller funding requirements.” “We will consider revisiting this funding initiative a year from now, possibly without a retail tax component. In the meantime, we will work with the ‘housing tools’ that we have,” Bradshaw said. Bond Goes Down In Flames Extreme drought conditions and a potential rescue situation taking place, literally, on the morning of the primary, wasn’t enough to convince voters in the Wood River Fire District to approve a bond that would build a new fire

NEWS

station for those crews and equipment. “I talked to half a dozen folks personally in the weeks leading up to the election. They expressed concerns about the location, the zoning, the cost, other entities not participating, but no one mentioned in any of my conversations that the need for a fire station didn’t absolutely exist,” Chief Ron Bateman said in a letter to the public he posted on social media the next day. Bateman added that he had recently found a folder labeled “Strategic Plan July 2014.” The two top goals on that eight-year-old document were: • New Fire / EMS Facility • Cooperative Efforts with KFD, HFD, SVFD and BFD. So, the success or failure of the election seems ancillary to the fact that district leaders have taken two overdue ideas and made them a significant conversation. What doesn’t seem ancillary is that voters—already stacked with across-the-board inflation and higher property taxes—struggle to OK seeing more money taken out of their pocket no matter how good or important the cause. “It’s certainly my hope that continues,” Bateman said regarding the conversation. Bateman added: “I’d like to thank the Life Church for the opportunity to give this question a go, in almost exactly where the 2011 ESCI study said, “a very desirable level of coverage [would be] achieved” (p. 183). “Finally, I’d like to thank our membership. I told them that the success or failure of the election question wasn’t an affirmation or rejection of their work. I think it’s human nature to conflate these things. I reminded them that they do remarkable things every day, I am very proud to work with them, and the community truly values that work.” Parker In Overdrive The disappointment in Eric Parker’s voice was thick enough to cut with a knife when the conversation starts with, “Were you surprised you lost again?” But once the Bellevue electrician and Real 3% of Idaho founder started talking about how he’d get to give his wife a much-needed break and spend more time with his kids, optimism took over. “I think the future is bright,” said Parker.

Eric Parker addresses a crowd of Blaine County voters during his recent Republican primary bid for what would eventually be an unsuccessful attempt at garnering the nomination. The Bellevue resident says he’s still optimistic about the political future. Photo credit: Eric Parker

How so? For Parker, he looks at the statewide results and sees roughly a dozen Republican candidates he described as “liberty minded.” And in a state firmly embedded in the political red, that means the state legislature is positioned to move even a little more to the right. Parker doesn’t know what, if anything, his next political campaign move may be. He failed to get 40% of his own party’s vote. And he resides in one of only two parts of the state with a Democratic foothold. He does know he’ll be vocal and active at the statehouse during legislative sessions and across the Valley on a variety of matters. Among other issues, his sights are set on the windmill proposal at Lava Ridge, which he opposes and wants to see county jurisdictions get to make zoning decisions rather than the federal government, who he points out just manages lands.

PHOTOBOX

A NEW CROP OF VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

Volunteer firefighters from Sun Valley Fire Department, Wood River Fire & Rescue, Hailey Fire and Bellevue Fire complete their Fire Essentials training with live fire at the training facility in Ketchum. Many hours of study and hard work are required and we thank and congratulate these dedicated men and women. Contact your local fire department if this is something you would like to do! Photo credit: Wood River Weekly

W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY

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JUNE 1 - 14, 2022

WRW STAFF PUBLISHER Christopher Seldon (208) 788-4789 publisher@woodriverweekly.com MARKETING & SALES Mandi Iverson (208) 721-7588 mandi@woodriverweekly.com NEWS EDITOR Eric Valentine news@woodriverweekly.com

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CONTACT Wood River Weekly P.O. Box 3483 Hailey, Idaho 83333 (208) 788-4789 woodriverweekly.com

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W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY

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JUNE 1 - 14, 2022

NEWS

IN BRIEF

Hailey Asks Public To Name City Building

JUNE 10-13 SUN VALLEY, IDAHO

PASSES ON SALE NOW

The City of Hailey and the Hailey Public Library are inviting the community to help rename the old Copy & Print building, located at 116 South River Street, which the city purchased in August 2021. The 4,000-square-foot building is adjacent to and directly west of the city hall/library building. It once housed the Hailey post office and, until recently, was occupied by Copy & Print. “The old Copy and Print building needs a new name to match its new purpose as a community gathering place,” Lisa Horowitz, city administrator, said. “We need the community’s help. What should we name it?” The first phase of the naming contest runs from May 19 to June 3. The public is invited to jot suggestions on a ballot and drop them into voting boxes located at both Hailey Public Library and Hailey City Hall. Final voting for the top four to six suggestions will run from June 13–27, again at both the library and city hall. The winning name will be announced on the Fourth of July. ‘Hailey Town Off Center’ anyone? ‘Pound’s Town Hall’ perhaps? Hey, if Ketchum gets to claim Hemingway, why can’t Hailey have Ezra Pound? He was born here, after all, and fascist for only a limited time. Pound also committed more admirable acts, discovering T.S. Eliot, James Joyce, and some young American veteran in Paris named Ernest. For more information, contact Hailey Public Library at (208) 7882036.

Ketchum Agency Seeks To Redevelop High-Profile Property

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The Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency (KURA) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the 1st Street and Washington Avenue property currently owned by the KURA. The undeveloped land is approximately 0.5 acres, four lots, located at 211 East 1st Street in the downtown core of Ketchum. Specifically, KURA is seeking experienced, creative and community-focused development teams to partner with as they seek to develop a mixed-use downtown project that includes market-rate and income-restricted workforce housing, active ground-floor and shared public/private parking. The KURA has owned two of the four lots since 2006 and purchased the other two lots in 2018 from the City of Ketchum. The property is currently a public pay-to-park surface parking lot leased to the City of Ketchum, but the long-term vision of both entities for the property is development for workforce housing. According to KURA Executive Director Suzanne Frick, since the property’s original purchase in 2006 and expansion in 2018, it has been targeted for development of workforce housing. In June 2021, the KURA conducted an annual work plan discussion as part of the budget cycle, concluding that the 1st and Washington redevelopment project should be their top priority for the coming year. “We have to be 100% focused on this project,” said Susan Scovell, chair of the KURA board. “Right now, our existing businesses are barely surviving. We have no workers because there is no housing. Until there are people living at 1st and Washington, this is our top priority project.” The KURA conducted community outreach through a series of one-on-one interviews and a community open house in April. There is strong support for a project that meets the following three goals: • Provide local, affordable workforce housing downtown, particularly for professionals and those essential to a strong, diverse downtown economy. • Provide structured public parking in anticipation of long-term downtown growth and development. • Provide active ground-floor opportunities to maintain vibrancy of downtown. The deadline for RFP submittals is Aug. 26, 2022, at 4 p.m. MT. The RFP, media photos, and all supporting information can be found at www.ketchumura.org.

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Honor the memory of your pet in The Wood River Weekly. This year, we’re offering 20% OFF our regular obituary rate for pet obituaries. Pet obituaries cost just 16¢ per word and include a large color photo.

To reserve space for an obituary or pet obituary, call Mandi at (208) 721-7588

W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY

NEWS

•

JUNE 1 - 14, 2022

EDUCATION

ENGINEERING DREAMS

“You wouldn’t start a road trip without knowing where you’re going. Why should your financial journey be any different?”

Longtime BCSD teacher leaves behind a legacy that looks to the future

By Eric Valentine

hen 60 Residential Construction Academy (RCA) students at Wood River High School designed and developed a newly constructed Hailey residence, they probably didn’t realize that the modest, gray-and-white single-family residence was the perfect metaphor for the teacher who spent the past four years helping them make it a reality. Gray: What better color to reflect the longer, less-predictable construction timeline thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic? Single-family home: What’s more desperately needed than that in these parts? Contemporary, modest, unassuming, and charming: Numerous students and co-workers would use those words to describe Kevin Lupton himself. This January, the WRHS Engineering, Architecture and Robotics teacher announced his intent to retire on social media and got swarmed with congratulatory comments, but moreover, grateful ones. Like this one, from former student Matthew Johnson: “I wouldn’t be where I am without you. Your guidance was top-notch. Thanks for your dedication,” the alum wrote. “I have two particular memories to share,” Lupton replied. “I was in the stands the game you broke your leg and I remember your mother went running out on the field. The second was in the classroom. I had a programmable robotics board I had purchased, kind of the precursor to an Arduino board. I bought it with you in mind, knowing you were a student that would problem his way through it.” ‘Problem your way through it’ is Luptonese for troubleshooting and learning by trial and error. It’s a concept Thomas Edison captured when he said (paraphrased): “I have never failed, but I have learned a thousand ways how not to make a lightbulb.” And it’s a concept Lupton masterfully embedded into his students over a career that spanned 30 years. How so? “That’s the biggest advantage electives teachers have—we can meet the students where they’re at. We don’t have a core curriculum we have to get through per semester,” Lupton said. “This is a training experience not a production line. Training kids how to navigate the permit process and the design takes time, then they have to actually execute it.” In 2004, the construction academy was launched by Lupton and community member Sue Woodward—who Lupton said understood there were housing and workforce issues in the Valley years ago. It enables students to learn and master a wide variety of construction methods and techniques, from rough framing to cabinetmaking and intricate woodworking. Late last month, an open house was held at the most recently built turnkey home. The project started with a design created by Lupton’s architecture students, who presented their plans to the City of Hailey for permits. Once the permits were approved, RCA students got to work on building the home under the guidance of construction teacher Ian Blacker, which is the third to be completed in the program’s history.

KRISTIN HOVENCAMP This past spring the Blaine County Bots—Wood River High School’s robotics team—won the Idaho state championships version of horseracing’s Triple Crown: Tournament Champion, first place in Excellence and Skills, and also the Design Award. They were coached by Engineering, Architecture and Robotics teacher Kevin Lupton. Photo credit: Kevin Lupton

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A WRHS teacher since 1994, Lupton is retiring this year and proved it on social media with his official Dear John letter. Photo credit: Kevin Lupton

“Preparing kids for a life past high school—a career doing something they love and are good at—that’s what our job is,” Lupton said. “I know there are numerous kids who graduated from this program to go on to become architects, engineers, you name it.” Legacies In So Many Directions One of Lupton’s favorite all-time students did just that. His son spent all four years on his dad’s extremely successful robotics team. He went on to get a mechanical engineering degree and just recently started working for POWER Engineers in Hailey. His daughter lives in Coeur d’Alene, where she is a nurse practitioner. Lupton, who spent a career on the technical side of things, said he and his wife will spend a lot of their new free time in nature.

IT TAKES A VALLEY In addition to the WRHS program, students at Carey High School also have the opportunity to take part in the Residential Construction Academy (RCA). That school’s program has completed six homes since 2000. The house, located at 2761 Winterhaven Drive in Hailey, was made possible thanks to the support of numerous local businesses and community partners. They include: Apollo Excavation • Blake Turner • Bob Wright • Bozzuto Appliances • Bradley Construction • Blaine County Education Foundation • BCSD Maintenance Department • Buffalo Electric • C&R Electric • City of Hailey Building Department • Classic Stoneworks • Clearwater Landscaping • Conrad Brothers Construction • D&S Heating & Sheetmetal • D Swaner Welding • Electrical Wholesale Supply • Elevation Builders • Evans Plumbing • Ferguson Plumbing • Franklin Building Supply • Gale Insulation • Galena Engineering • Greenworks • Hank Brown Painting • Houston Lumber • Howie Royal • HyLift Crane • Idaho Lumber • Idaho Mountain Builders • Interior Contractors • Jay McCoy • Jeff Anderton • Jodie Taylor • Lloyd Construction • Magleby Construction • Mike Chatterton • Morell Engineering • Mrs. Pratt’s FCCLA Class • Neighbors of 2761 Winterhaven • Overhead Garage Door • Platt Electric • Professional Roofing • Rocky Mountain Flooring • Sawtooth Paint & Airless • Standard Plumbing • Stromberg Moore • Sue Woodyard • Tanner Construction • Terry’s Heating & Air • Valley Maintenance • Vital Ink Architecture

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WOOD RIVER WEEKLY

YOUR VOICE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY

Free | Feb 9 - 22, 2022 | Vol. 3 - No. 3 | woodriverweekly.com

“ I f l o v e i s t h e a n s w e r, c o u l d y o u r e p h r a s e t h e q u e s t i o n ? ”

MAKING LAW - L i l y To m l i n

Gov. Little tax cut, Sen. Stennett farewell jolt 2022 state legislative session

By Eric Valentine

daho’s top-ranking Democrat and one of Ketchum’s longest-serving representatives, District 26 State Sen. Michelle Stennett, of Ketchum, will not be seeking re-election to the office she took over from her late husband and had been consistently re-elected to over the past 13 years. The senator’s decision comes on the heels of two other Democratic shakeups: • Muffy Davis’ move from the Idaho House of Representatives to a commissioner’s seat for Blaine County • District 26’s all-but-certain reconfiguration to include Jerome with Blaine and Lincoln counties starting with the November midterm elections this year, realistically turning the proverbial blue Democratic island in Idaho’s Republican red sea a bit purple The Blaine County Democrats called the news of the farewell “bittersweet” in a three-paragraph statement the group released Monday. “We are ever so grateful for the many years and many ways that she has served and bettered our Legislative District and the entire State of Idaho. A qualified Democrat will run for her seat, and we know Michelle will mentor all of us during this time of transition,” the statement read. “We should personally thank her for what she has done for our generation and for the generations to come. She is truly an incredible example of someone who listens to and represents everyone, despite the challenges that we all face.” Some folks who reacted to the news articles online threw shade on the Minority Leader and Minority Caucus Chair’s announcement. In one comment, a reader asked Stennett’s supporters to name any of her accomplishments, implying there were none. The criticism, however, doesn’t take into account the senator is just one blue vote in a chamber that’s firmly implanted in the red. In positions like that, often the accomplishments are what’s not easily seen—for instance, the compromises to legislation the minority party can get the majority to make, the contrarian public voice opposing or supporting something the majority party does or doesn’t undertake. In late January, when Gov. Brad Little was boasting about his proposed balanced budget, House members

The Democratic office holders of District 26, from left to right, Sen. Michelle Stennett and Representatives Sally Toone and Ned Burns pose outside the state Capitol building in Boise earlier this year. Photo credit: Michelle Stennett

of his party put forward H436, a bill that would reduce taxes for everyone, including the rich and mega rich. Stennett’s response, issued from her blog, was this: “The House Republicans have passed H436 on a nearly party-line vote despite every constituent who testified in committee opposing it. The bill would give someone with $1 million in annual taxable income an ongoing yearly tax cut of $5,000 on top of a nearly $8,000 one-time rebate. Idahoans with the most modest incomes will receive a rebate of $75. The bill also reduces the corporate income tax rate from 6.5% to 6%.” Stennett then commended her Republican counterparts for increasing the education budget overall, but how that increase still fell short. Despite the governor’s

increase in teacher pay, Stennett said, “When adjusted for inflation, Idaho teachers are now making less than they did in 2009.” Political roadblocks aside, Stennett, a widow to her late husband Clint, had personal business challenges just last year. In March, a prominent building at the corner of River and Croy streets in downtown Hailey and co-owned by Stennett was on its way to becoming much-needed workforce housing before it was completely destroyed by flames March 16. Roughly half a dozen tenants were evicted at the end of 2020 when Continued MAKING LAW Page 2

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W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • J U N E 1 - 1 4 , 2 0 2 2

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NEWS

INBRIEF

Valley-Wide Adult Summer Reading Begins

The Hailey Public Library, The Community Library and Bellevue Public Library are collaborating to host the 2022 Valley-Wide Adult Summer Reading program. The theme is The Place We Live: Reading and Knowing Home. The program aims to encourage newcomers and longtime locals alike to explore the Valley’s literary, cultural and natural history. For example, participants can read a book by an Idaho or Wood River Valley author, watch a local parade, or visit a nearby nature preserve. “Summer reading isn’t just for kids. We hope adults will enjoy the opportunity to learn something new, too,” said Kristin Marlar-Gearhart, Bellevue Public Library director. Adult Summer Reading will run through Labor Day weekend. In-person and online registration is ongoing at each library and the program will end Tuesday, Sept. 6. After registering, participants will receive a passport which is available in either English or Spanish. For each book read or activity completed, they will get a page in their passport stamped at their home library and receive one ticket per page to enter drawings for great prizes. In addition, two participants will be selected from each library to enjoy a casual dinner at the historic Ernest and Mary Hemingway House this September. “We want the Wood River Valley to be known as a place where everyone reads and learns together about our community and local environment,” said Kristin Fletcher, HPL’s programs and engagement manager. “It just made sense for all three libraries to work together to promote reading.” Martha Williams, The Community Library’s programs and education director, said the new program can help people who are new to the Valley learn about the history here. She added that the program would also help people who have lived here a long time learn something new. For more information, contact your librarians at the Hailey Public Library, The Community Library or Bellevue Public Library.

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The organization that supports senior citizens in their pursuit of quality of life and the organization that supports all members of the community in their pursuit of quality of mind are merging their signature offerings. The Senior Connection and The Community Library have teamed up to provide nutritious meals, social connection, and cerebral stimulation to elders in the north Valley. On Thursdays, beginning June 2, takeout meals will be available at Cimino Plaza on the corner of 4th and Walnut Street, at the Children’s Library entrance in Ketchum. Lunch will be distributed between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. “We have been wanting to have more of a visible presence in the north Valley for several years now,” said Teresa Beahen Lipman, executive director at the Senior Connection. “The Community Library is a great resource to let seniors know the resources we have available.” The Specifics The Senior Connection will be providing meals at a cost of $5 for adults 60 and better and $8 for those under 60 years of age. Kids are $4. Scholarships are available if cost is a barrier. Reservations are required and need to be made by Thursday at 9 a.m. by calling the Senior Connection at (208) 788-3468 or emailing brittany@seniorconnectionidaho.org. The menu is available at www.seniorconnectionidaho.org/menu or by calling the Senior Connection and asking to be put on their newsletter mailing list. Participants are encouraged to bring their own reusable bag for their lunch. The Community Library will be providing a reading each week and diners are encouraged to linger and enjoy lunch in their wonderful outdoor space. Wi-Fi is available and people can engage with each other while following social distancing protocols. “Over lunch, with the elders of our community, we can connect with each other through casual conversation, things we’ve read, and news we’ve heard, right in the heart of downtown Ketchum,” said Jenny Emery Davidson, executive director at The Community Library. “This is how community happens.” The Senior Connection’s mission is connecting seniors with essential services, meaningful programming, their peers and the local community to foster purposeful and passion-filled lives. The mission of The Community Library is to bring information, ideas and individuals together to enhance the cultural life of the community.

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W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • J U N E 1 - 1 4 , 2 0 2 2

Fishing R epoRt

COMM ENT ARY

NO BONES ABOUT IT THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR JUNE 1 - 14 FROM PICABO ANGLER

ishing season is officially open again in Idaho. It’s been a few years since spring runoff has had an effect on the opening weekend, but this year we are getting lucky with a decent runoff to help fill our reservoirs and ease the drought. It won’t make it go away, but every drop counts these days. The important thing is, despite some muddy rivers, we still have the best spring creek in the nation sitting in our backyard. Silver Creek has started the season with decent weather and a lot of kind anglers. Baetis and PMDs are the main bugs hatching. A few hot days and we could start seeing Green Drakes on the Silver Creek Preserve and even Brown Drakes on the waters near Picabo Bridge. If you don’t want to play match the hatch, then consider Ants and Beetles. Anglers can get away with some pretty oversized patterns the first few weeks of the season. The big black stink bugs are well represented with Black Chubbies and other foam flies. The other effect from runoff will be a few more anglers than normal on the Creek as the season begins. For the past few years anglers could find other places to fish with the lower river levels. The tailwaters will still fish well early this season. Consider the South Fork of the Boise or the Big Lost rivers if you want a change from Silver Creek the next few weeks. Both tailwaters fish relatively well with small attractors, terrestrial patterns and nymphs before the season’s first big Stonefly hatches on the South Fork and the Baetis hatches of the Lost River. Keep an eye on the flows, though, as they can change from fishable and boatable flows to quite the opposite very quickly. If you see the flows change, give the systems a few days for the fish to resettle into their favorite haunts and lies. With a brand new season upon us and plenty of new norms to go along with it, we ask everyone to please stay kind, remain patient and mostly keep in mind that, at the end of the day, it’s just fishing. The act of going fishing is where it’s at. Catching the fish is fun, but never let that simple act become bigger than just being out there alone or with those you love. We’re all just trying to have fun and we can certainly do it together. Happy fishing, everyone!

Hwy 20 in Picabo info@picaboangler.com (208)788.3536 www.picaboangler.com

FRAN JEWELL

Making The Most Out Of Playtime

By Fran Jewell

ost of us make play dates with other dogs, especially for our puppies, so they learn how to interact appropriately with other dogs. While this is a GREAT idea, many times playtime teaches dogs to become nuts and uncontrollable around other dogs. One of the biggest concerns people call me about is that their dogs “come” very well except when they see another dog! Well, unfortunately, we probably unconsciously taught that to our dogs as puppies by letting them have play dates that are wild free-for-alls. Play dates can be a marvelous place to use as a training opportunity. It isn’t just our time to chat on our cellphones or drink wine with our friends. What can you teach during playtime? Two VERY important skills: • How to “come” even when there is another dog around. • “Impulse control,” which is the new jargon for self-control. To start teaching impulse control as the playtime outing begins, start by not letting your dog out of the car until they sit and look at you. These are skills that should be taught in a low-distraction situation first. Then, attach a leash. Have your dog sit and look at you again. Reward your dog with a special treat to help him feel good about sitting and waiting to get out. Use a release word such

as “release” or “alright.” Do not use “okay” since we use that word too much in our everyday conversations. The goal to work towards is waiting until your dog settles before releasing him to get out. Let him drag the leash for the playtime. It will seem like the leash is such a bother but here is where it becomes such a wonderful tool. As your dog (hopefully as a puppy) is playing gleefully with the other dog, walk over to the play, grab the leash and say his name. Draw him away from the play with the best treat he can imagine. Maybe use some cooked chicken breast or freeze-dried liver. Gently pull him away from the playtime, using the leash if necessary. When your dog comes away from the play, ask him to sit, then reward with lots of goodies. Have him look at you again, then say, “go play!” and let him go back to playtime. Let him play for a bit. Do this several times until he willingly comes from the play without you having to use the leash. Once you get to this point, start saying “come” as he comes to you. The owner of the other dog can do the same thing at the same time, which will help tremendously. Two of the biggest mistakes I see is using the word “come” and ending the playtime to go home. Then “come” becomes an evil word. If you start associating “come” with food, and a moment of rest and cooperation, pretty soon “come” becomes a wonderful game and no longer associated with ending a good time. Then the leash can come off.

I use lots of food during playtime to make the “come” word as fun as possible. Come = food, then go play again! Photo credit: Fran Jewell

The same exercises can be done with your dog before and during hikes to create an excellent recall in the woods. A dog with self-control is a safe dog. A dog that jumps out of a vehicle anticipating playtime or a walk can be dangerous. He may actually jump out, knocking someone over or into an unexpected car!!! Incorporating some simple obedience exercises can help you have safe adventures and FUN ones, too! Fran Jewell is an IAABC Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, NADOI Certified Instructor and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC in Sun Valley. For more information, visit positivepuppy.com or call 208-578-1565.

SCIENCE OF PLACE

LARRY BARNES

MUSTANG: FERAL OR WILD? A

BY LARRY BARNES

band of wild horses shimmering in the heat waves of a graygreen Western expanse is an ancient North American image, lost for a time, but made new by Christopher Columbus. It began when Earth was shocked by an asteroid about 66 million years ago, causing a great extinction. Another 10 million years passed before the first proto horses rose from the ashes of the dinosaurs. These five-toed diminutive tropical forest creatures diversified into rhinoceroses, tapirs, and horses. The horse branch progressively lost its toes and by about 3.5 million years ago became the one-toed running wonders that we would recognize as a modern horse. From their birthplace here in the Americas, the horses, along with rhinos and tapirs, made it to the Old World through Beringia – a gift from the New World. A migration in the opposite direction brought Earth’s super-predator to the New World around 20,000-40,000 years ago. The Pleistocene extinction that followed has been dubbed the Blitzkrieg Effect for the devastating loss of American megafauna that coincided with the arrival of man. Seventy percent of the large mammals were lost around the period that the novel Homo sapiens was spreading southward toward Tierra del Fuego. There is much equivocation on this subject in the scientific literature. Maybe the Pleistocene extinctions were climate driven, maybe human caused, maybe both. Undisputed is that nearly every island on Earth experienced a domino extinction effect following the first human footprints in the sand. The scientific notion of parsimony is that the simplest explanation is probably most correct. If mass extinction followed our colonization of every island, why should continent-wide extinctions following man’s arrival be any different? Regardless, the Pleistocene extinctions left North America bereft of horses for about 10,000 years. By 500 years ago, Columbus and his followers had reseeded North America with escaped horses that found the middle ocean of grass and the Western xeric ranges to their liking. The horses had profound political and economic impacts amongst the Native Americans and later the colonists. The horses thrived, becoming the Mustangs of the West, and all was well except for one thing. Ecologically, we live in a top-down world. The growth of different members of an ecosystem is often (always?) limited by predators at the top of the food pyramid. Though few in number, predators have an outsized impact on the diversity and robustness of the ecosystems in which they reside. When predators are removed, ecosystems go akimbo. The plants are overgrazed, the soil is exposed, erosion increases, plant diversity is reduced, and the land becomes victim to nature’s vicissitudes. The horses came back, but not their predators, their saber-toothed cats, their dire wolves, their American cheetahs. These were my recent thoughts upon camping eight nights in a

Photo by Larry Barnes, Malheur County, Oregon.

land of wild horses in southeastern Oregon. My tribe of degreed wildlife biologists refer contemptuously to them as “feral” to underscore their non-native and ruinous impact upon the shrub-steppe ecosystems that horses, in their predator-free state, are helping to despoil. The insult to the land was codified by the 1971 Wild Horse Act which secured more protection to feral horses than is provided to real and deserving wildlife, like bighorn sheep! But as I watched these wild horses – really, for the very first time – pangs of apostasy crept in as I became smitten by them. Moving about in their multicolored bands, the mustangs were alert to their world. They observed us with interest, breaking into a run for no reason, or the slightest reason. Their manes and tails were stiff with cockleburs, they were unkempt and scarred. The mares kicked and bucked dangerously, upholding hidden equine agreements. The foals had one job: stay with mom when she runs, and she always runs. Humans are surrogate saber-toothed cats now, crudely doing what the missing predators would have done so perfectly. We use helicopters, roundups, birth control, and adoption in an attempt to keep horse numbers down. But on the range, on the move, away from the hand of man, manes flying, hard, nicked bodies propelled by ironfree toes, mustangs bring the shrub-steppe alive with a piece of the Wild. Larry Barnes retired from 26 years as a biology teacher at Wood River High School and is now transitioning to spending more time exploring the natural world.

W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY

MONEY MATTERS

JENNI RILEY

Money Talks With Kids

BY JENNI RILEY, MBA, FPQP™

ids make money decisions, spend their allowances, and ask you to spend without knowing why or how it affects household finances. They engage in activities that require them to spend money at younger and younger ages without understanding the source or limitations of funds. Most of what a child learns about money will come from home. If you talk to them about spending wisely and earning their money, there is a higher likelihood that they will respect it. You can also do this with your grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Don’t leave them out of the conversation, even if you think they’re too young to understand. Where to begin? •

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Savings At younger ages, it may be saving up their allowance to make a more significant purchase later instead of blowing through their money to buy small items that they don’t need. Encourage young adult children to start retirement accounts as soon they begin working. Saving and investing even small amounts over time benefit from the power of compounding. Money vs. Credit Children need to understand that if you use a credit card, you still must have Jenni Riley, MBA, FPQP™ the money to pay for it and that interest will ac- Jenni Riley is the Director of crue on any balances. Credit can be a hard lesson Operations for Hazlett Wealth Management. at times for young adults. Money Management Talk about budgets with them. Let them be part of small decisions like the amount budgeted for entertainment. They learn to prioritize by making their own decisions, for example, when weighing online gaming purchases versus buying tickets to the waterpark to spend time with their friends. Demonstrate If you vocalize that you don’t have the money to be doing something frivolous but then put it on the credit card, you are not leading by example.

Please talk with your kids, not at them. Make money talk casual and open-ended. Once you make it a lecture, that two-way street becomes barricaded. Jenni Riley, FPQP™, is a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ and Director of Operations with HAZLETT WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC, independent of Raymond James and is not a registered broker/dealer. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Securities through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. 675 Sun Valley Road, Suite J1 + J2 Ketchum, Idaho 83340 208.726.0605. HazlettWealthManagement.com

THE REPUBLIC

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JUNE 1 - 14, 2022

ON LIFE’S TERMS

JOELLEN COLLINS

PAST NOT PRESENT

BY JOELLEN COLLINS

s I write, just before Memorial Day, I am overwhelmed by painful awareness of the recent school shootings in Texas and thus compelled to share a couple of stories about my experience with violence when I was a teacher. My first shock occurred during my second year at Santa Monica High School. As my last class emptied, a girl approached me and said she was afraid of her boyfriend, who had threatened to kill her; maybe he was waiting outside. I told her to hide behind my desk. Before mobile phones existed, and in a new building awaiting connected landlines, I ran into the hallway, shouting “Help!” Two math teachers immediately sped to my room and were able to confront the hidden boy, high on ‘bennies.” I was grateful that they could restrain him until police arrived and relieved that he didn’t have a gun. My next fear wasn’t actuated, but I observed some student behaviors dealing with a violent personality. My 10th-grade class was reading A Tale of Two Cities and working on a research paper about an aspect of the book. One boy, clad every day in camouflage outfits, had spent most of the time in the back row, slumped in his seat, book turned upside down and his eyes glaring or rolling at me above the book’s binding. Previously, I had quietly and privately talked with him about that behavior, but nothing changed. The paper he submitted was focused entirely on the guillotine. His specific details highlighted the construction and sharpness of the blade, the anguish of the potentially beheaded, and the crowd’s cheers of vengeful pleasure. Even though my students were able to choose their subjects, I went to his counselor and asked her what I should do (other than grade the paper fairly). I worried for him. She refused to call his parents. Quite new to the profession, I cooperated, even after I men- JoEllen Collins—a longtime tioned that now fellow students were bullying him, resident of the Wood River Valley— is an Idaho Press and he seemed more withdrawn than usual. She told Club award-winning columme just to know the adolescent brain better and not to nist, a teacher, writer, fabric worry. Two years later, as I watched his class gradu- artist, choir member and ate, I saw him arise, sans graduation robe, still wear- unabashedly proud grandma ing camouflage, and march towards the principal, known as “Bibi Jo.” arm raised in the Nazi salute, saying “Heil, Hitler!” Again, thank God he didn’t carry a weapon. Sometime later, on Aug. 1, 1966, Charles Whitman killed his mother and wife and then went to the University of Texas at Austin. There he began indiscriminately shooting people with multiple firearms from a campus tower, resulting in many deaths, including his. I imagined my former student copycatting the same violence. I am haunted by those incidents and the increasing possibility of this kind of rage being directed at innocent children and adults in schools. Assault rifles and easy access to weapons have, sadly, also made places of worship and now even more public places locations to fear. I would hate to be told I needed to carry a gun with my corrected papers if I taught in today’s America.

Ban Any Good Books Lately?

erencing misogyny, domestic violence, sexual assault and rape, promiscuity and prostitution, as well as the nless your current COVID protocols have really entire litany of transgressions recounted in Dante’s Incut you off from civilization, you no doubt know ferno. Because to genuinely be alarmed by those topics about the Nampa school board’s recent decision to such an extent that censorship is the only solution puts to permanently ban from Nampa School District libraries hundreds of masterpieces of the Western canon on the 22 titles—principally books addressing issues specific to chopping block. marginalized communities—and to forbid their mention Let me toss off a few you may be familiar with: The or inclusion in any curriculum. Never mind Canterbury Tales, Tess of the that the formal review of the books was unD’Urbervilles, Oliver Twist, Les der way but not yet completed. Never mind Misérables, The Cider House that the reasons were, at best, specious. Rules, Anna Karenina, The Sun Never mind that the decision parroted an Also Rises, To Kill a Mockingbird unsuccessful attempt by Idaho House Reand my personal favorite, Canpublicans to hold librarians criminally liable dide. Of course, Inferno would for disseminating so-called ‘harmful mateneed to go. And the Holy Bible as rials,’ the specifics of which were included well. in a notorious ‘super-secret folder.’ Never I was almost hesitant to even mind that the majority of these books are list specific titles lest I provide critically acclaimed bestsellers. Never mind both the Nampa school board and that this is precisely the kind of situation Republican state legislators with where parental discretion should be invoked one-stop shopping for their next in lieu of government mandates. purge. Now here’s why I’m not As a former contestant on Jeopardy! I concerned: to ban or in any way would love to quiz the board members on a discourage the teaching of the pilsmattering of key details from the banned François-Marie Arouet (1694–1778), lars of the Western canon would books. We all know they’d flunk. There’s known as Voltaire, was a writer, phi- directly compromise the ability no way any single member, much less the losopher, poet, dramatist, historian and/or opportunities for Nampa entire board, read all 22 books. Given the and polemicist of the French Enlight- School District graduates to sedecision to forego the formal review pro- enment. Image credit: Jean-Antoine cure admission to most of—and cess which was under way, the banning of Houdon, sculptor certainly to the top—liberal arts any book by citing passages out of context colleges and universities. rather than having read the book in its enCan you imagine the Nampa tirety by the decision-makers wasn’t simply lazy, it was school board putting any obstacles in place that would the very definition of ignorance. compromise the ability of one of its student-athletes to It’s also clear from the selections that the Nampa secure a scholarship or admittance to a top university? school board, like the zealots from which they take their Well, guess what, sports fans, without an independent cues, is principally interested in gay-bashing with a side effort by students to compensate for this failing in their order of misogyny and racism, anchors its outrage in a formal education, Nampa high school athletes who few contemporary, popular titles and incendiary sound- dream of playing for Stanford, USC, UCLA, UW, and bites, and doesn’t really have a problem with books ref- about 100+ other schools which have exacting standards

By Ken Stokes

KEN STOKES

and require impeccable preparation… Well, forget it. The term is ‘student’ athlete. And the admissions scandals of the past have only reinforced that bar. Nampa, Nampa, Nampa… Not our problem, right? You can bet Republicans will make this a priority for the 2023 legislative session—the Idaho State Board of Education’s position be damned. It’s coming to a library near you unless cooler—and rational—heads prevail. Sorry, bureaucrats, most of the books are firmly established in popular culture, and the ban has done for these titles and for ‘indecent books’ in general what Prohibition did for booze. Book stores, libraries and the majority of the public is outraged over this bald attempt of censorship and discrimination and are mounting a counteroffensive—namely, a return to reason. I’m sure many of the speakers at the upcoming Sun Valley Writers’ Conference will be weighing in on the issue and unambiguous in their condemnation of the ban. And no doubt the courts will weigh in. Art is subjective. And to develop an appreciation of the merits and value of art requires immersion. So let me return to those classics I referenced earlier. They used to be called The Great Books. They still are. I know the titles are familiar, but—come on now, honestly—have you ever read them? If so, they’re worthy of a revisit. If you choose to keep ignorance at bay while immeasurably enriching your life and deepening your insights into the human condition, read a classic of any genre. They are timeless for a reason. There are numerous sources for a list of recommended classics (Goodreads, Penguin, Amazon). And may I suggest starting with Voltaire’s Candide. It’s less than 100 pages long. It’s hilarious. It’s tragic. It’s sublime. And although written in 1759, it is shockingly relevant today. If a stop on the grand tour of great literature isn’t your idea of a summer read, the Hailey Public Library, The Community Library and the Bellevue Public Library are collaborating to host the 2022 Valley-wide Adult Summer Reading Program, which will focus on works celebrating this place we call home. In either case, please read. The best defense against ignorance is enlightenment.

W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • J U N E 1 - 1 4 , 2 0 2 2

INSPIRATIONS FROM MY HEART

Road Trip & Birth

BY DOVE

e created a wonderful opportunity for a road trip last week. It started with a journey to Idaho Falls for an appointment, then to Yellowstone National Park and back home through Jackson, Wyoming. Now, we had not traveled any distance since the season of the C began. Upon entering the Park, one of the first things we encountered was a silver-tipped grizzly bear. It was beautiful. We actually saw two of them during our journey. My husband had wanted to see a grizzly in the wild his whole life. We were indeed blessed by the energy of bear. As we continued to travel, we came to “slow traffic”—there was a herd of approximately 100 to 200 buffalo casually wandering down the highway. If a baby buffalo was hungry, it would stop for a little nursing action and then proceed on its journey. What amazed me was the courtesy presented by the many cars traveling down the road. No one became impatient with the slowness of the traffic, no one was honking their horn to get the animals to move. We all just traveled together down the highway for at least an hour. The buffalo were so close you could reach out your car window and touch them, but the buffaloes’ territory was respected. Everyone absorbed the peacefulness of nature, filling their energy field with the magic presented. Pictures were taken, but the travelers were fully present in the moment. I am so grateful for the presence and the abundant opportunity we have to participate

GUEST COMMENTARY

DOVE

in nature. If you want to shift your energy from all the drama taking place, choose to step into nature and be one with it. It truly does heal your heart. Spring is a time of new birth—not only for the animals but also for humanity. We can choose to start new habits, become less focused on doing and more focused on just being. I am planting my garden according to the moon signs and astrological signs appropriate for the type of plants I want to grow. That is a whole new way of gardening for me! Let’s see if I get a more abundant crop from nature. Also, this practice is supposed to help with water usage. We shall see. Take time to sit with your heart and ask, What can I give birth to this spring? What fills my soul or my imagination to create in a new way? If we never change how we do things, we can only continue down the same old path. I am ready for new beginnings in many aspects of life—new gardening techniques, change in eating habits, finding exercise I love to do. There are not any rights or wrongs here, just a change in energy. Hopefully, we can all adopt change in our lives to make for more joy of being instead of doing. Go barefoot on the earth. It will keep you grounded and connected. Stay out of your head and journey with your heart. You, too, may be blessed by the energy of bear, which is introspection, or the energy of buffalo, which is prayer and abundance. Where your focus goes, energy flows. Take responsibility for yours. Nature is so much more fulfilling than electronics. Blessings, Dove

KEITH WILSON

A Teacher without A Gun By KEITH WILSON

The door burst open into the dark room. I was under my desk in the corner, behind my rolling chair. I couldn’t see their faces, but I could see five uniforms behind five guns aimed at my racing heart. I could hear their rapid-fire shouting just fine. “Hailey police! Get off the floor! Get off the floor! Hands up! Freeze! Hands up! I said hands up! Freeze!” I don’t know how fast or slow it happened, but I was off the floor, my hands were up, and I couldn’t move even if I wanted. “Who are you? Why are you in this room? Who are you? Why are you in here?” Finally, one of them asked me, “Are you a teacher?” He stepped close enough that I could see his face. I’d seen this officer around—a young guy who thought he might have just captured a school shooter. “Yeah,” I said. “I’m a teacher.” It was my prep period when the intercom system announced the lockdown, and I was working at my desk. I locked my door, turned off the lights, and pulled the blinds just like we had done in our drills. Then I continued working. When a half-hour passed, and I heard police checking the bathrooms on the other side of the wall, I knew it wasn’t a drill, and I got under my desk. I sent a text message to my wife. Lockdown at the middle school No details yet but it’s not a drill She responded right away. Yikes. Keep me posted. Be careful. Love you. Minutes later, she wrote, Don’t be a hero. Get out. She had heard sirens. There were helicopters and ambulances and police in the street. I’m by myself in my room. I can hear the

resource officers checking the bathrooms. Well, if you hear anything, break the window and get out of there. It was a warm, sunny day. I thought I’d be taking a quick walk outside, but as the bell transitioned from my prep period to lunch, I remained huddled under my desk. Now I was thinking I might run. I didn’t need to break the window. I could open it, pull out the screen, slip out easily into the daylight, and run home. We often hear the same arguments about school shootings, about arming teachers, or at least allowing us the option. “Teachers need to step up and protect our most sacred treasure—the children!” “Teachers need to take responsibility instead of waiting while the police do their job for them!” “Teachers need to understand that the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun!” A principal I worked with, at a different school in a different state, kept a gun strapped behind his lower lumbar. He encouraged us to follow suit. He said, “I want them to know that if they’re firing at us, we’re firing back!” Back then, I didn’t fire back with opinions, but after those police busted into my classroom ready to shoot, I’m glad I wasn’t standing there with a gun. I’m glad they hadn’t come in to see me fleeing the scene. I’m glad to be alive. Those good guys with guns had no idea that I wasn’t the bad guy. “How did you know about the lockdown?” an officer asked. “The intercom system,” I said. “Did you hear any gunshots?” “No,” I replied. “Okay,” he said. They promptly left the room, closing the door behind them. Some kid had popped a balloon.

A WRANGLER’S RECKLESS WRITINGS

BRYCE ANGELL

TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER

I’d like to tell you ‘bout the man of stature five-foot-three. My eyes saw him at ten feet tall. He meant the world to me. Last week this good man passed away. Our family called him dad. Dang sure we’re gonna miss him. He’s the only one we had. My father taught me right from wrong. Not from the spewing word. I learned from his example, which was clear and never blurred. He told me once, I won’t forget, said, “Always trust your gut. And if it don’t feel right to you, get out before you’re stuck.” My father had the quirky saying, “Keep it on the road.” That’s how he said goodbye. Did he mean stay in safety mode? He never slept much past daylight. He’d get this in his head. He’d say, “I don’t dare stay too long. ‘Cuz people die in bed.” He couldn’t understand a man who didn’t want to work. He was proud of his good work ethic and never thought to shirk. He took the time to teach and taught me how to stack the hay. And build a fence and straighten nails to use another day. My father had one simple rule, comply, or he’d see red. We’d only eat our breakfast when the animals were fed. His love for horses was the trait we shared from year to year. He taught me ‘bout the pack horse, how to load up all the gear. We packed into the Yellowstone. Each horse was loaded down, with food and clothes and prob’ly even Grannie’s old nightgown. The nights were cold and frosty but inside the big wall tent, a blazing fire, a deck of cards… the best time ever spent. My father’s word was golden and a man that you could trust. He taught me that a man’s good name should always be a must. Some say up high in heaven, dad, you’ve earned a rocking chair. Your answer was, “Heck no, I’m gonna stretch my legs up there.” I guess I’m asking once again, “Find Stretch and Shortcut, please.” And get ‘em ready for a ride, from west clear through to east. So dad, in time I’ll see you there, through God’s forgiving grace. And then I’ll give you one big hug—a long-deserved embrace. – Bryce Angell Bryce Angell - The outdoors has always been a large part of my life. My father was an outfitter and guide for 35 years and I was there to shoe and care for the horses and help him do the cooking. We took many great trips into the Yellowstone area. Even now that I’m older, we still ride into the Tetons, Yellowstone and surrounding areas. My poems are mostly of personal experience. I am now retired and enjoying life to the fullest. I plan to do more riding and writing.

NEWS

IN BRIEF

State To Fund $1 Million Lions Park Cleanup

The City of Hailey says the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) will conduct a $1 million cleanup of buried landfill waste at Lions Park. Lions Park was used as a landfill for more than 70 years, beginning in the early 1900s. During this time, the Big Wood River was constrained, and trash and fill were dumped along its banks and into the river. In the 1970s, the landfill was capped with soil and the area was converted into a park with a ball field and large gravel parking area. Due to this existing contamination, Lions Park is classified as a brownfield site, which is defined as “a vacant or underutilized property where redevelopment or reuse is complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination.” The IDEQ conducted an environmental assessment in 2009 which determined that there is potentially hazardous waste buried onsite. The assessment found that the majority of the waste is buried 3- to 6-feet deep and that the main concerns are metals, arsenic, lead and zinc. There was no evidence of leaching found and the assessment concluded that the site was stable. The Wood River Land Trust and City of Hailey have been working together to realize the goals set forth in the Hailey Greenway Master Plan, which include: • Restoring the parking lot portion of the Lions Park site • Future plans for river restoration • Organized parking • A play structure • A picnic shelter IDEQ will utilize the $1 million of allocated ARPA funding to focus on removing waste from beneath the gravel parking lot north of the existing ball field. These funds can only be used in areas where there has been waste identified. This summer and fall, the parties will be conducting additional planning to identify quantities of waste for removal. The waste removal will likely take months and could start in April 2023. The park will be closed for the majority of the season to accomplish this cleanup. Efforts will be made to preserve glass and other possible historic artifacts in the waste removal process.

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JUNE 1 - 14, 2022

BETTER HOMEOWNERS NEWS

ANNA AND MICHELLE

NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA

Helping the Seller See Your FHA/VA Offer More Favorably Proud graduates. Congratulations! Photo courtesy of Kristy Heitzman

BIG DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE BY KRISTY HEITZMAN

OUR VOICE COUNTS

his year, the largest dollar amount was awarded by local scholarships to graduating seniors for their post-secondary dreams. Blaine County Education Foundation (BCEF) awarded almost half of those scholarships worth over $120,000. Some of those scholarships are multi-year scholarships, and all of the scholarships have a specific criteria for a range of student interests, from the first to attend college in their family, political interests, to a student interested in a two-year program like mechanics or cosmetology. There were amazing applicants and students with big dreams. Some students hope to open their own restaurant or come back and teach in the Blaine County School District. A few students even want a degree in neuroscience to heal the world one patient at a time. It is our job to help provide the best education and tools for all students to succeed. After all, they hold the key to our future. Blaine County Education Foundation, our board, donors and volunteers have a great devotion for student success in our community. BCEF is proud to support all students, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, at all eight BCSD schools. They are the only organization working on behalf of all students throughout Blaine County public schools. BCEF works directly with BCSD teachers, social workers, counselors and administrators to bring additional support to students. Our signature programs are designed to support student success regardless of financial barriers. BCEF believes every student deserves an education that empowers and elevates them, preparing them for life’s journey.

GRANDES SUEÑOS PARA EL FUTURO BY MONICA CARRILLO

BY ANNA & MICHELLE

ith multiple offers the norm on many listings these days, the seller relies on their listing agent to help them determine which one to accept. In some cases, offers subject to FHA or VA mortgages tend to move to the bottom of the list. Some sellers consider all cash offers first, and then conventional offers with at least 20% down payments as the next most likely to close. It may be because of a common misconception that FHA or VA buyers are poor credit risks and have a higher likelihood of not being approved. Both FHA and VA do not require as strict credit requirements as conventional loans, but if a buyer has been preapproved, that should alleviate that worry. A legitimate concern regarding FHA and VA contracts could be that if the appraisal doesn’t come in at the sales price, the buyer has an option to void the contract. This means that the property would have to go back on the market and valuable time could be lost. However, that could also be true for a conventional mortgage. One major advantage for buyers using these government-insured or -guaranteed loans is that a lower down payment is required. Just because buyers prefer not to put 20% down payment does not mean that they are not credit worthy. In the case of veterans, the VA loan is a perk for serving their country that provides one of the lowest cost mortgages available. For FHA buyers wanting a low-down-payment option, the mortgage insurance could be considerably less expensive than on a conventional loan. Conventional loans usually want a 740-credit score for the best rate and lowest mortgage insurance. As the credit score gets lower on conventional loans, the price for mort-

gage insurance goes up. This is not true with FHA; the price is the same on any acceptable mortgage. For buyers to increase the odds of getting their contract considered seriously or even accepted, the first step is to identify a mortgage professional who specializes in FHA and VA loans and get pre-approved before starting to look at homes. Another option is to attach the pre-approval letter to the offer when it is made along with the contact information of the loan officer. Have the mortgage professional personally call the listing agent as soon as the offer is made so they can go to bat for you and provide verified information that can be communicated with the seller. Some agents have a predetermined idea that all FHA and VA loans are difficult and fraught with problems. The mortgage officer—who specializes in these types of mortgages—can give the listing agent factual information about the way the loans work in today’s market. For the buyers who have the resources, another tactic may be to let the seller know that your first preference is to use an FHA or VA loan, but if during the approval process a snag develops, making it not possible, you would be willing to go with a conventional loan. There are real estate agents who have never participated in an FHA or VA loan and there are agents who specialize in them and have lots of experience. It is to your advantage to be working with an experienced agent. They are going to be the agent who recommends a mortgage professional, writes your offer, presents it to the listing agent, and works with all the other professionals to get your FHA or VA transaction to settlement.

NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA

ste año, la mayor cantidad de dólares fue otorgada por becas locales a estudiantes de último año que se gradúan por sus sueños postsecundarios. La Fundación de Educación del Condado de Blaine (BCEF) otorgó casi la mitad de esas becas por un valor de más de $120,000. Algunas de esas becas son becas de varios años y todas las becas tienen un criterio específico para una variedad de intereses estudiantiles, desde el primero en asistir a la universidad en su familia, intereses políticos, hasta un estudiante interesado en un programa de 2 años como mecánica o cosmetología. Hubo solicitantes y estudiantes increíbles con grandes sueños. Algunos estudiantes esperan abrir su propio restaurante o regresar y enseñar en BCSD, incluso algunos estudiantes quieren un título en neurociencia para curar al mundo un paciente a la vez. Es nuestro trabajo ayudar a proporcionar la mejor educación y herramientas para que todos los estudiantes tengan éxito; Después de todo, ellos tienen la clave de nuestro futuro. Blaine County Education Foundation (BCEF), Nuestra junta, donantes y voluntarios tienen una gran devoción por el éxito estudiantil en nuestra comunidad. BCEF se enorgullece de apoyar a todos los estudiantes, desde pre-kindergarten hasta el grado 12, en las ocho escuelas del Distrito Escolar del Condado de Blaine (BCSD). Son la única organización que trabaja en nombre de todos los estudiantes en todas las escuelas públicas del Condado de Blaine. BCEF trabaja directamente con los maestros, trabajadores sociales, consejeros y administradores de BCSD para brindar apoyo adicional a los estudiantes. Nuestros programas exclusivos están diseñados para apoyar el éxito de los estudiantes, independientemente de las barreras financieras. BCEF cree que cada estudiante merece una educación que los empodere y los eleve, preparándolos para el viaje de la vida.

NEWS

Senior Connection Welcomes New Leader

IN BRIEF

The Senior Connection has appointed Jovita Piña as its new executive director. With 15 years of extensive operating and nonprofit experience, Piña takes over a spot previously held by her mentor and co-worker for the past 15 years, Teresa Beahen Lipman. Piña will assume responsibilities starting July 1. In 2017, Lipman brought Piña onto the leadership team at the Senior Connection with the intent of Piña being her successor. Lipman’s original retirement was planned for December of 2020, but the global pandemic forced the organization to push back its Sustaining Campaign, which Senior Connection incoming executive Lipman wanted to see through to its successful end. director Jovita Piña and outgoing execLipman and Piña are credited with transforming the or- utive director Teresa Beahen Lipman. ganization into a more efficient and sustainable operation. Photo credit: Senior Connection “I am beyond honored to be taking the Senior Connection torch from such a great leader. It is a very large and bright torch, but I am up for the challenge,” Piña said. “I know I can depend on the support of our staff, the board of directors and our members. I am grateful that they have trusted me to continue moving our organization forward.” Lipman said she will be moving into her new Quigley Farm home this summer. By September, Lipman will serve as a consultant to the Senior Connection as needed. “Besides my husband and my kids, this has, by far, been the best thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Lipman said.

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Homestead

Hard way Pipeline

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Steel Fencing

Kelly Wardell 208-309-0916

How To Play Sudoku

The Classic Sudoku is a number placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.

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Wednesday through Saturday Thursday Wednesday - Friday Wednesday - Friday 11:00to to 5:00 ednesday - Friday 11 to 611 to 6 available by appointment 11 to 6AlwaysSaturday Saturday Saturday and if we’re here. Saturday 11 to 4 11 to 11 or to 788-0216 44 720-9206 11 to 4

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720-9206 or 788-0216 or S. 788-0216 -9206 or720-9206 788-0216 509 Main Street S. Main Street 09 S. Main509 Street Bellevue, Idaho Bellevue, Idaho Bellevue, Idaho

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WOOD RIVER VALLEY 7-DAY WEATHER FORECAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Partly Coudy 6%

high 66º

low 44º WEDNESDAY

Partly Coudy 4%

high 73 º low 49º THURSDAY

Partly Coudy 13%

high 73º low 48º FRIDAY

Mostly Cloudy 20%

Isolated Thunderstorms 32%

low 49º SATURDAY

low 45º SUNDAY

high 71º

high 66º

Partly Coudy 21%

high 66º low 45º MONDAY

Partly Coudy 24%

high 66º low 44º TUESDAY

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