WRW 4 November 2020

CRIME NEWS

COVID NEWS

Murder-Suicide In Bellevue PG 4 SUN VALLEY

KETCHUM

NONPROFIT NEWS

Free Testing Goes Valley-wide PG 2

HAILEY

2nd Chance Living Achieves Firsts PG 5 BELLEVUE

PICABO

CAREY

WOOD RIVER WEEKLY YOUR VOICE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY

Free | Nov ember 4 - 17, 2020 | Vol. 1 - No. 25 | woodriverweekly.com

“The loss is immeasurable, but so is the love left behind.” ~Unknown

Daniel Midby, the brother of Ashley Midby, holds up a sign in memory and support of his sister, who died Oct. 22, 2020, at the coffee shop that she managed in Bellevue. A community vigil was held Friday, Oct. 30, in the vicinity of the coffee shop, attended by other family members and a large crowd of Valley residents. Photo credit: Jennifer Franklin

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Wood River Weekly

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November 4 - 17, 2020

Tilt Your Head Back, Don’t Move

COVID

Altruistic org, doc bring more COVID testing to Valley

O

By Eric Valentine

n the heels of a St. Luke’s announcement reminding Valley folks to not use the emergency room for COVID testing and in response to the lingering lack of available testing for people who may be asymptomatic, a recently formed community health group has stepped up to the plate. COVID Outreach Wood River—a collaboration between St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation and local physician Tom Archie—has opened three COVID-19 nasal swab testing locations across the Valley and will provide mobile testing to businesses, schools and other organizations, too.

And, it’s free. Community generosity and clinical innovation, St. Luke’s said, made it possible for the expansion of viral detection testing.

“We are incredibly grateful for Dr. Archie’s vision and the generosity of the community that has made this effort a reality,” said Megan Dawson Edwards, president of the St. Luke’s foundation. “This investment is one strategy to help suppress the pandemic in the Wood River Valley.”

The project came together with the altruistic intentions of Dr. Archie who heard a news story about a similar effort in Philadelphia. Synergistically, passionate community philanthropists were seeking innovative ways to expand testing for the Wood River Valley. The goal of the project is to fill a COVID testing gap produced by the lack of available testing for asymptomatic people. By increasing testing availability, a greater number of people with new COVID-19 infections will be able to more quickly self-quarantine and thereby protect others, limiting further spread. In fact, results will be available within 24 to 36 hours, a far faster return time than just weeks ago.

The project will prioritize those who have had a close-contact exposure to someone with COVID-19 or have an upcoming out-of-area medical procedure requiring testing. People who are symptomatic but have difficulty accessing testing will also be served. Meanwhile, symptomatic patients should continue to access testing through St. Luke’s.

To schedule testing, visit COVIDOutreachWoodRiver.com.

And there’s more Efforts are under way to be fully inclusive and ensure broad Valley access to this testing outreach by addressing language, digital-access, and cultural barriers. Currently, this includes in the coming weeks the positioning of testing locations on bus lines and near bus stops, scheduling weekend testing on Saturdays in Bellevue (and Fridays in Hailey), planning to grow staffing so as to extend into a mobile format for businesses with many employees and outbreak concerns.

Also, in the coming weeks, this effort will see the translation of the website and scheduling questionnaire into Spanish and the development of access to interpreter services. Online-only scheduling and communication can remain a barrier for some, though the website and scheduling system both function well on mobile devices.

Job creator Amid the COVID pandemic, some Valley residents are also facing economic challenges and even devastation. While the new testing program can’t entirely solve that dilemma, it is providing job opportunities for at least a few folks.

Dr. Tom Archie uses a nasal swab COVID-19 test to check for coronavirus infection in a patient. Photo credit: Dr. Tom Archie

The organization said it is in search of staffing for temporary employment in November and likely through the end of January, possibly longer. When testing is at full capacity, hours will be generally Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for 16 to 30 hours per week. Required background includes any of the following: ● Emergency first responders ● Certified nurses ● Medical laboratory scientist/technician ● Spanish language interpretation services needed The job description includes collecting nasal swabs for tests, processing PCR or antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 (rapid tests on-site), confirming patient registration information accuracy (EMR), storing lab results in an online electronic medical record (EMR), sending lab results and information to patients (portal access from EMR), and sending positive lab results to South Central Public Health District.

Where are testing locations? ● Temporary drive-up testing sites Ketchum: Lupine Building, 220 S. 2nd Ave., Suite 103 Hailey: Blaine County School District Office, 118 W. Bullion St. Bellevue: South Central Public Health, 117 Ash St. When are testing locations open? ● Monday – Saturday ● Check the website for location details: COVIDoutreachWoodRiver.com To support this effort, please visit www.slwrf.org

Let’s take care of each other.

Times are stressful, but the only way through this is together. Watch out for each other.

Check in on your friends and neighbors. Be there for those in need and listen with an open heart.

Because these days, taking care of each other is more important than ever.

Wood River Weekly

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 ARTS & EVENTS, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Dana DuGan dana@woodriverweekly.com COPY EDITOR Patty Healey PRODUCTION & DESIGN Mandi Iverson mandi@woodriverweekly.com Christopher Seldon chris@woodriverweekly.com ACCOUNTING accounting@woodriverweekly.com DEADLINES Display & Classified Ads, Monday 5 p.m.

Calendar Submissions — Friday 5 p.m.

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

PUBLISHER’S NOTE Dear Valley residents, As we move along in 2020, with COVID-19 making a resurgence, the Wood River Weekly will continue to publish every second week. We wish we could go back to our regular weekly schedule, but that will have to wait until the economic and pandemic environment improves.

• November 4 - 17, 2020

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Community Compassion Commitment

We will continue to follow important local news and provide interesting and entertaining content, along with our popular upcoming pets special section.

Thank you for your continued support.

Stay safe, stay strong, Chris & Mandi

“Somewhere inside of all of us is the power to change the world.”

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Wood River Weekly

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November 4 - 17, 2020

NEWS

CRIME

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO VOTED THIS ELECTION AND SUPPORTED OUR CAMPAIGNS.

WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, EFFORT, & SUPPORT!

Ashley Midby, 34, Bellevue. Photo credit: Prayers for Ashley and Justice for All Women Victims of Domestic Abuse

Valley In Shock From ‘Extreme Tragedy’

SINCERELY,

Michelle Stennett, Muffy Davis, Sally Toone, & Jacob Greenberg PAID FOR BY BLAINE COUNTY DEMOCRATS, ANDREA NELSON, TREASURER

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Hailey cop, Bellevue mayoral candidate and local woman found dead at coffee shop

T

By Eric Valentine

o the question “Can 2020 get any worse?” the local community was painfully reminded Oct. 22 the answer to the question can be shockingly affirmative.

With his second-effort Bellevue mayoral election fast approaching, Hailey police officer Jared Murphy entered a family-run, Main Street coffee shop and it is presumed the 28-year-old ended two young lives—his own and that of Ashley Midby, 34, his former girlfriend.

“It appears both individuals died as a result of gunshot wounds. The incident is currently being investigated as a possible murder-suicide. Investigators say it appears both individuals were known to each other,” read the brief statement to the press issued by Idaho State Police.

Soon after, a Facebook page titled “Prayers for Ashley and Justice for All Women Victims of Domestic Abuse” was published and images of happier days, information on vigils, and nearly 1,000 page followers poured in. Also just days after the incident, a statement from the City of Hailey was released.

“We are highly aware of and deeply concerned about the mental and emotional well-being of our entire community at this time, including our police department staff,” Mayor Martha Burke wrote in her statement. “The community at large has been offered assistance from NAMI and members of the 5B Suicide Prevention counseling staff. Local law enforcement met since this tragic incident in a critical incident counseling session with a trained professional. The Hailey City Council and I will rely on the mental health experts and the experts

conducting this investigation to steer us back toward community well-being.”

By the night of Oct. 30, scores of Valley residents, many of whom hold deep and longtime connections to Midby and her family, took part in a march along Main Street in Bellevue that ended in a candlelight vigil at the Midby family’s storefront.

With the crime still under investigation and amid a pandemic and contentious election season, domestic violence and suicide prevention organizations were quick to reach out to the media with both some requests and advice. Wood River Weekly was sent information on preferred methods of covering tragedies like this one as well as infographics and toll-free numbers people can call if they or a loved one may be experiencing thoughts that are suicidal or homicidal. We are sharing some of that information in the sidebar running along with this article and on our Facebook page.

Pink balloons outside the Bellevue coffee shop owned and operated by the Midby family show support and sadness. Photo credit: Prayers for Ashley and Justice for All Women Victims of Domestic Abuse

Domestic Violence Support

Shelter, Legal Assistance, Prevention—The Advocates 24-Hour Hotline (208) 788-4191

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Financial Support—Idaho’s Crime Victims’ Compensation Program If you are a victim of a violent crime, possible payment of medical bills, lost wages, counseling, funeral bills and more may be available.

(800) 950-2110 Donate—The Advocates Visit online: TheAdvocatesOrg.org/shop/donate

Wood River Weekly

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November 4 - 17, 2020

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Men’s Second Chance Living house manager John Inman stands in the newly upgraded kitchen at the sober living facility in Hailey. Photo credit: John Inman

Home Sweet ‘Second Chance’ Home Sober living facility makes upgrades, adds new programs

By Eric Valentine

W

hen Sonya Wilander filed her 2019 annual report for Men’s Second Chance Living in January, the organization she leads spelled out seven manageable goals for 2020. For most folks and businesses, their modest aims turned into lofty pipe dreams roughly

by March 11, when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. At the Hailey sober living residence, however, a number of the dreams are becoming a reality.

“Maintain and improve our beautiful home …” Check.

“Engage community partners with opportunities for health and wellness …” Check.

“Advocate for better employment opportunities and better options …” Check.

The list goes on.

Wilander, who was on her way Monday to get the Idaho Lottery’s formal approval for a raffle-style fundraiser, had just gotten off the phone with Hyperbarics of Sun Valley, confirming that the therapeutic center would be able to take on a new client— specifically, a resident of the sober living facility who will serve as a case study to determine just how effective “super-oxygenation” of the lungs can be for combatting mental health issues such as—and/or related to—addiction to alcohol and drugs.

“It’s an expensive treatment not many people can afford and there’s been some help for military veterans here, but this is the first time help is available for someone overcoming substance abuse,” Wilander said. “If we can show success, then there may be grants available later where more people can get this treatment.”

Proof of any success wouldn’t be confirmed for another six to 12 months, Wilander explained, but even the idea that one of her current seven residents would be able to benefit from the cutting-edge therapy was exciting.

Coupled with the success of the new educational and financial planning programs offered at MSCL, things have been looking up for the organization and its participants even during these strange times.

Providing new therapies for

the residents of the sober living facility isn’t the only exciting thing happening at MSCL these days. The kitchen at the residence just saw an upgrade, too. The two-year-old facility was able to make improvements thanks to a grant from the Wood River Women’s Foundation.

Wilander, a longtime substance abuse counselor who first spent seven years volunteering for the Hailey drug courts, has a street-smart and academic understanding of recovery. And that means she has a holistic approach to helping the men who enter her program succeed. It involves more than regular or cutting-edge therapy, it involves more than a great place to live.

It’s about educating the men with new skills and building new habits, too.

Wilander has brought in Kristin Hovencamp, a Valley-based investment consultant at Hazlett Wealth Management, to conduct financial planning courses to MSCL residents. She focuses on long-term savings techniques and helps residents set specific savings goals. The program sets residents up with credit cards that have modest spending caps, something manageable to pay down, which helps establish creditworthiness. The program also allows residents to make a monthly deposit and, if the deposit goal is met, matching funds are made available.

“They can’t just make a deposit in one lump sum; it has to be done monthly,” Wilander explained. “We’re not just providing them with financial planning information, we’re helping them create new financial habits.”

The raffle Wilander was getting approved will be launched in early December if it’s allowed to go forward. “Chance for Change,” as it’s called, is a partnership with Jensen Stern jewelers in Ketchum. The jeweler has donated a $10,000 gift certificate for use in the store. A limited number of raffle tickets priced at $100 each will be sold.

“We’re keeping the ticket numbers low so it’s a good chance of winning,” Wilander said.

And chances are, any time the community supports MSCL, it’s a win for everyone.

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Wood River Weekly

OBITUARY

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•

Ashley Midby

shley Marie Midby passed away on the evening of Oct. 22, 2020, in Bellevue, Idaho. Ashley’s beautiful spirit rose to heaven at the young age of 34. Our bubbly bright star here amongst us is now shining down from above.

Ashley was well-known for her vivacious spirit that was always accompanied by her contagious and radiant smile. She was loving and compassionate and her witty humor would at times catch you off-guard, leaving you with a good laugh for the day.

As a barista, Ashley started your day and she made your day. We called her our “coffee chemist” and “barista bartender,” as she was always coming up with a new espresso creation. It was touching to see people come in and say, “Ashley, make me something amazing,” and she would do just that. We will forever laugh at some of the names she would give her drink creations. Often there would be a little giggle as you would request your order.

Ashley loved doing things with friends and family. She loved game nights and was quite competitive. She enjoyed camping, sitting by the fire, laughing and telling stories. She loved fishing, hiking and soaking in the hot springs. Most of all, Ashley loved sleeping outside under the stars. She would pass on the comfort of sleeping in a trailer or tent and choose the beauty of sleeping in the darkness under the bright, star-filled sky.

From the time she was a little girl, Ashley always loved cats and thought that a kitten

NEWS

November 4 - 17, 2020

Search For Missing Hiker Suspended, Family Offers Reward

Blaine County Sheriff Search and Rescue are suspending the search for the lost hiker, Fern L. Baird.

The decision was made after one last major search was conducted on Friday, Oct. 30. BCSAR airlifted seven K9 teams into the search area, ranging from 7,100 – 9,200 feet, along with teams of ground searchers, with no results.

“Unfortunately, despite everyone’s best efforts, Fern has not been found,” said Blaine County Sheriff Steve Harkins.

“This is not the outcome that we were hoping for, but after 10 days of searching, we have exhausted our resources. We will continue to investigate any leads we gather.”

Baird, age 62 of Park City, Utah, signed in at the Prairie After 10 days of searching using helicopters, K9 teams Creek Trailhead, north of and ground searchers, the search was suspended. Photo Ketchum, Idaho on Monday, credit: Blaine County Sheriff’s Office

ASHLEY MIDBY

was the only pet to have.

Much to her and everyone’s surprise, a little blessing came into her life almost a year ago. On Jan. 1, 2020, a cute little puppy—a beautiful golden retriever named Tag that she completely fell in love with—stole her heart. She enjoyed taking Tag on walks to the river and to the park, as the red four-legged furball became her absolute cherished best friend.

Ashley had many talents and skills. In addition to many years of working the restaurant service industry, she was also a cosmetologist. She completed cosmetology courses in Utah several years ago and enjoyed the profession of being a hairstylist.

Ashley Midby was born June 9, 1986, in Nampa, Idaho, to Karen Tackett and Glenn Midby.

Ashley leaves behind her mother, Karen Tackett; father, Glenn Midby; stepfather, Mike Tackett; brother, Daniel Midby; sisters, Desirée Midby and Tessa Tackett; and her dog, Tag, in addition to her grandma, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Please share a memory or photo for Ashley at www.woodriverchapel.com.

IN BRIEF Oct. 19. Blaine County Sheriff Search and Rescue members (BCSAR) and BCSO deputies began a search for Baird on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 22, after being notified she was missing.

If anyone saw Baird or has any information about her, please contact BCSO Lt. Mike Abaid at (208) 578-3371 or sheriff@co.blaine.id.us Baird’s family is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to her return. Fern Baird is 5’5” tall and weighs 115 lbs. Baird was last seen wearing a grey jacket, black pants, and carrying a black fanny pack.

Deer Hunters Have More Chances To Notch Tags

For many Idaho hunters, “deer season” is seen as two or three weeks in October, particularly if they’re targeting mule deer in central Idaho. But there are many other opportunities available for those who haven’t notched a tag and want to keep deer hunting, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game said.

Here are some hunts worthy of your attention: • Whitetail hunts—But wait, you might say, don’t I need a whitetail deer tag for those? In some units for November hunts, yes. But in others, your regular deer tag is still valid, particularly hunts in the far-north Panhandle units. If you have a whitetail tag, there’s also a long list of hunts available in November and December.

• Archery hunts—Look down the list of units offering general archery deer seasons and you will see archery hunts around the state that stretch into November and December. If you’re primarily a rifle hunter, make sure you get an archery permit, and you’re ready to go.

• Muzzleloader/short-range weapons hunts—These two are two different types of hunts, so make sure you know the rules for each. In short, you’re limited to muzzleloaders in those hunts, but you can also use muzzleloaders in short-range weapon hunts, along with archery, shotguns, handguns, crossbows and air rifles.

A Horse For Devon

Make-A-Wish Foundation surprised 17-year-old cancer survivor Devon Peterson with her new horse, Koda. Peterson had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia roughly five years ago, and three years ago she received a bone marrow transplant. She has kept riding despite significant loss of sight in one eye and the use of one hand. Photo credit: Cherise-Steve Rutherford

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Rupert, Idaho, native and Opera Idaho’s Artist of the Year Cecilia Violetta López. Photo credit: Opera Idaho

Rupert Native, Rising Star To Perform At The Argyros Rising opera star Cecilia Violetta López, who was recently named Rupert Native, Rising Star Opera Idaho’s 2019-2020 Artist of the Year, comes to Sun Valley to Tothe Perform Argyros perform for first time atAt the Argyros Performing Arts Center.

•The SEAL COATING

Rupert, Idaho, native and Opera Idaho’s Artist of the Year Cecilia Violetta López. Photo credit: Opera Idaho americansealcoating5b@gmail.com

Rising Accompanied opera starbyCecilia Nathan Violetta Salazar, Cecilia’s whorecital was recently will be filled named with •López, CRACK FILLING Opera French, Idaho’s German, 2019-2020 Russian Artist and of Spanish the Year,art comes songs. to Sun Valley to • STRIPING perform for the firsthas time at theLópez Argyros Performing Arts Center.

• one POTHOLE Opera News named of opera’s REPAIR “25 Rising Stars.”

Accompanied by Nathan Salazar, Cecilia’s recital will be filled with Most recently, USA Today named Lopez one of Idaho’s Top 10 Most French, German, Russian Influential Women ofand the Spanish Century.art songs.

Opera Newsa has named López one of opera’s Rising Stars.”

López, soprano, made her Opera Idaho “25 debut as Gilda in RigoMostletto recently, USA Today named Lopez one of Idaho’s Top 10 Most (2014). With Opera Idaho, she performed her signature role of Influential Women of the Century.

Violetta in La Traviata (2016) and debuted in the title role in Manon López, (2019), a soprano, Maria in West madeSide her Opera Story inIdaho Concert debut (2018), as Gilda andinAdina Rigo-in lettoL’elisird’amore (2014). With Opera (2017).

Idaho, She got sheher performed musical start her signature at a young role age of Violetta singing in Lamariachi Traviatamusic (2016)that andshe debuted learned in from the title herrole mother. in Manon $ Advertise onearn this forofONLY (2019), Lopez Maria in West Story in Concert (2018), and Adina in perwent on Side to a page Bachelor Music 35/week. degree (vocal (includes full color & free ad design) L’elisird’amore She got her musical startLas at aVegas, younginage formance) (2017). from the University of Nevada, 2011. She singing that she learned from her mother. hasmariachi receivedmusic accolades for her performances from The New York Lopez Times, went Theon Washington to earn a Bachelor Post, hasofbeen Music featured degreeon (vocal NPR,perIdaho formance) Public from Television, the University Univisionofand Nevada, Telemundo, Las Vegas, and many in 2011. other Shenews has received accolades for her performances from The New York outlets across the country.

Times, Lopez The Washington Post, has been featured NPR, Idaho shares has become a voice for her art formonand constantly Public Television, Univision and Telemundo, and many other the story of her Idahoan roots, humble upbringing, hardnews work and outlets acrosstrajectory. the country. career’s She is now on the artist roster of the MetroLopez politan hasOpera, become hasa sung voiceat forCarnegie her art form Hall, and she has constantly an exhibit shares at the the story IdahoofState her Idahoan Museumroots, and anhumble additional upbringing, exhibit at hard thework Minidoka and career’s County trajectory.

Historical SheSociety is nowMuseum on the artist in her roster hometown of the Metroof Rupert. politan Lopez Opera, is also hasthe sung recipient at Carnegie of an Hall, Idahoshe State hasConcurrent an exhibit at Resolution the Idaho honoring State Museum her life and as ananIdahoan additional andexhibit her work at the in the Minidoka world of opera.

County Historical Society Museum in her hometown of Rupert.

Lopez is also the recipient of an Idaho State Concurrent Resolution honoring her life as an Idahoan and her work in the world of opera.

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PET T I O N SECTION PET S E CPET Mayor Burke Clamps Down On Hailey Businesses, COVID Hailey has adopted a new public health order in Mayor Burke Clamps Down Onthe face of rising COVID-19 cases which threaten to affect the capacity of medHailey Businesses, COVID ical facilities in southern Idaho to treat patients.

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Hailey has recommendations adopted a new public health order in the face of Using from the City of Hailey’s adopted risingCOVID COVID-19 cases which threaten to affect the capacity of medRisk Suppression Plan, the Hailey City Council voted unanical facilities in southern Idaho to treat patients. imously last week to strengthen mask requirements, group-size Using limitsrecommendations for both public and from private the City spaces, of Hailey’s and physical-distance adopted Custom Cabinetry • Interior Finish Responsible, experienced & great references, COVID guidelines Risk Suppression for Remodeling businesses Plan, •the operating Hailey• during City Council the pandemic. voted unanKitchen Baths housekeeper now accepting new clients. Free estimates Retirement horse boarding for geldings.

Limited vacancy. imouslySpecifics last week strengthen requirements, group-size CAD Cabinetry aretoavailable on mask theDesign City of Hailey website (haileycitavailable for: homes, condos & offices.

Small family farm environment with excellent facilities. limitsyhall.org/documents), for both public Mike and private spaces, and physical-distance @ (208) 720-7250 but Mayor Martha Burke also sent a letterExperienced geriatric care. Veterinarian references. beatrizq2003@hotmail.com, guidelines for businesses businesses operating during the pandemic.

Check out our Facebook to Hailey summarizing thepage new orders which went into (208) 720-5973 Text or call (208) 720-7252 Specifics effect on areOct. available 14. Thewww.ffcid.com onmeasures the City of include: Hailey website (haileycityhall.org/documents), Mayor Martha Burke also sent letter occu• Face masksbut or face shields must be worn by allapeople to Hailey businesses summarizing the new orders which went into pying a public space with another person, subject to limited effect on Oct. 14. The measures include: answer from page 12 answer from page 12 exceptions.

Jack of all trades. Reliable, insured, clean. Small jobs to large • •FaceHand masks or face shields must be worn by all people occuremodel projects, or the “honey-do” list. washing/sanitizing must be available and used at pyingentrances a publicCall space with another person, subject to limited (208) 573-1784 toMark, each business. exceptions.

• A minimum of 6 feet must be maintained between people • Handwithin washing/sanitizing must available and used at limit the the same room in allbebusinesses, which will entrances to each business. room occupancy to a maximum of one person for each 64 • A minimum square feet of 6 of feet room mustspace. be maintained There are between no exceptions people to this within requirement. the same room in all businesses, which will limit the occupancy a maximum of one person for each 64one of •roomIndoor groupto sizes may not exceed 10 people, unless Submit a photo of your pet to see it printed in this special section! square feet of room space.

There are no exceptions to this the exemptions within the attached Order applies.

(Please include the name of your pet, breed/type and your name and contact information) requirement.

• Outdoor group sizes may not exceed 50 people, unless one • Indoor group sizes maywithin not exceed 10 people, unless one of Submit a photo of your pet to see it printed in this special section! of the exemptions the attached Order applies. the exemptions within the attached Order applies.

(Please include the name of your pet, breed/type and your name and contact information) • All businesses are required to post signage at each entrance Quarter Junior Horizontal (5.78” x 3.875”) - $185 • Outdoor group sizes may not exceed 50 people, unless one in English and Spanish, which states that face coverings and of the exemptions within the attached Order applies. hand washing/sanitization are required to enter and 6-foot Quarter Junior Vertical (3.8” x 7.875”) - $185 • All businesses required to post signage at each entrance distancingare must be maintained within each business.

Quarter Junior Horizontal in English Spanish, which thatrequirement. face coverings and Quarter (5.78” x 7.875”) (5.78” - $275x 3.875”) - $185 There are and no exceptions to thestates signage Businesses washing/sanitization are required enter 6-foot arehand prohibited customers whotodo not and comply with Quarter Junior Vertical (3.8” -x$475 7.875”) - $185 (Please includefrom the serving name of your pet, breed/type and your name and contact information) Half Page (9.75” x 7.875”) distancing maintained within each face coveringsmust and be distancing regulations, withbusiness. penalties resulting Quarter (5.78” x 7.875”) There in business are no closure exceptions when to businesses the signageare requirement. noncompliant.

Businesses Full Page (9.75” x 16”)- $275 - $775 are prohibited from serving customers who do not comply with Half Page (9.75” x 7.875”) - $475 face coverings and distancing regulations, with penalties resulting Advertorials (you write them, we publish them)* in business closure when businesses are noncompliant.

FINE FINISH CARPENTRY

HANDYMAN

Happy Fall

RETIREMENT HORSE BOARDING

CROSSWORD

HOUSEKEEPING

CLASSIC SUDOKU

RATES (including FULL COLOR)

RATES (including FULL COLOR) ubmit a photo of your pet to see it printed in this special section!

RATES (including FULL COLOR)

Quarter Junior Horizontal (5.78” xFull 3.875”) - $185 Page (9.75” x 16”) - $775

8

COMM ENT ARY Wood River Weekly

Fishing R epoRt

•

November 4 - 17, 2020

NO BONES ABOUT IT THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 4 - 17 FROM PICABO ANGLER

T

he weather forecast for the end of this week ushers in colder daytime temperatures and likely some snow. Anglers will need to adjust their tactics accordingly. No matter where you fish, when the weather changes, concentrate angling efforts during the warmest parts of the day, and look for fish in typical winter holding lies— soft current seams, slow, deep pools, and calm tailouts.

Silver Creek south of Highway 20 remains open until the end of November. North of the highway, the Creek remains open until the end of February. Note—duck hunters are active on Silver Creek this time of year, so anglers should be aware.

The Creek’s large brown trout have completed spawning and are actively feeding to “pack on the pounds” before winter. Dry-fly activity is limited to the late afternoon, but anglers should expect small Baetis (BWO) and midges during calm days.

Throwing streamers to deep, dark water and undercut banks will take plenty of fish.

The old adage of “bright day, bright fly and dark day, dark fly” seems to hold true. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite streamers.

On the Big Wood River, Baetis and midge activity remains strong, given the right weather conditions. A size 18 or 20 Olive Gulper Special or Film Critic accurately imitates Baetis and will fool trout all along the Big Wood.

To take fish eating midges (look to the foam lines!), fish a visible midge cluster imitation followed by a trailing midge emerger or adult. A white-winged Griffith’s Gnat in a size 16 or 18, trailed by a size 20 or 22 Tie-Down Midge, is an excellent choice.

Nymphing will be extremely productive throughout the winter months. Go-to double nymph rigs include large Rubber Legs, Princes, Hare’s Ears, and Copper Johns followed by more diminutive imitations such as black or red Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tails, Rainbow Warriors, or Brassies. Sculpin imitations such as olive Buggers, Zonkers, and Sparkle Minnows fished on a slow swing effectively imitate the numerous sculpin found in the Big Wood. This technique will yield quality over quantity, and produces some exceptional rainbows.

Remember the adage of “Peace, Love, and Fly-Fishing” and get out and enjoy all our Valley has to offer.

Happy fishing, everyone!

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

FRAN JEWELL

Kalidor’s Puppy Diary Week 4

K

By Fran Jewell

alidor has been going new places almost every day and meeting someone new every day. Socialization is so important, especially for a German shepherd. This CONTROLLED socialization must occur very young, and hopefully before a puppy reaches 16 weeks of age. It should be with people and other friendly adult dogs. All of these interactions happen on a loose leash.

There is a critical imprinting period up to that 16-week marker.

This is true for both socialization and learning life skills and nice manners. What you expose a puppy to at this age will last its lifetime, especially learning how to respect you as a leader. That also goes for things we don’t like, including jumping on people and biting. It is critical to make no jumping and no biting clear to your puppy during this time.

Right now I am working on teaching Kalidor to accept the everyday important things in life. He needs to learn that restraint is not a bad thing. If he has to have medical care, he needs to be able to accept being restrained; if he doesn’t, then the visit becomes very unhappy and scary for him. At this time, I am teaching him to be held by me in a “puppy hug.” I hold him close, and firmly. When he wiggles and tries to get down, I hold just a little firmer so he cannot get down. When he relaxes, I relax and pet him, love him and then let him down. I want him to know that relaxing means lots of love and good things.

Once Kalidor accepts some loving restraint, I start touching him everywhere; in his ears, his paws and between his toes, his tail, even inside his mouth. When he accepts it nicely, I give him lots of special food. I often like to give him cream cheese off my finger when he does this well. It’s very helpful to have someone else to help. My helper can give him cream cheese from a squeeze tube or off their finger, while I do the touching. Then, I graduate to trimming his nails with a nail Dremel. My favorite is a Dremel grinder because I can get the job done very quickly and don’t risk cutting the quick of the nail as easily as clippers. All this time, Kalidor is getting this

SCIENCE OF PLACE

I

BY HANNES THUM

n a canyon nearby, one recent evening, we saw a moose bedding down for the night in an open meadow, studded with old burned trees and a small spring frozen to a stop at this time of year. It was already cold, and the sun hadn’t even finished setting. We, with our electronic weather forecasts, knew how much colder it would be in a few hours. Perhaps, the moose knew, as well.

The next morning, the moose was still there. We had spent the night warmed by a wood fire, insulated clothing, and hot food.

The moose had none of that, yet there he lay, as the sky lightened, his measured but regular breaths visible in the air.

For any local animal, what amounts to their version of shelter would look pretty meager to any of us humans on nights like these.

It’s a truth of our universe that hot things eventually cool to warm things, and warm things eventually cool to cold things. The Second Law of Thermodynamics makes it clear: there is only so much energy available in a system, and that energy can only dissipate in time.

What does this mean for our local species who are now preparing for winter? It means that they have to fight for warmth—the world will draw their heat away, slowly but surely, and with infinite patience. The only way to add heat is to find food, and the best one can hope for is to slow down the process of losing heat long enough to make it through until the next dawn after a freezing black night, the next warm day, or, ultimately, springtime.

Could I ever be as tough as the moose in the face of profound cold and long dark nights and thin fuels and the season that leaves very little choice except to simply endure? Could I dare to try, like the chickadee, to find enough food to keep my furnace fed through the winter that poses me with the double challenge of reducing the food available while increasing the draw of energy out

Here, Kalidor is learning loving restraint. Photo credit: Fran Jewell

incredibly special cream cheese treat! Nail trimming now becomes something he looks forward to.

When I start nail trimming at this young age, I have NEVER had any of my puppies resist or fear having their nails trimmed. What a relief! And, none of my puppies has ever feared being restrained for medical attention.

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.

Endurance

HANNES THUM

Bull moose (Alces alces) Photo credit: USDA Forest Service, accessed via wikipedia

of my tiny, vulnerable body?

Probably not. We humans aren’t much built for winter survival, really, if you take away our shelters and our synthetic clothing and our global shipping systems that provide us with as much high-calorie food as we can afford to buy. We long ago took an evolutionary choice to trade physical toughness to endure the hardness of the world for a different, but certainly valuable, trait: our brains.

And our brains have led to our synthetic clothing and our warm shelters and our

crafty woodstoves and to the mauls that split the wood that we put into those stoves—so, the tradeoff works well enough. Let the moose hunker down in the bitter cold and do his slow breathing to persevere in his own way; let me do it my way. To each their own, I suppose.

But watching the moose, the chickadee, as winter approaches, makes me uneasy somehow. What do they know that we have forgotten?

Wood River Weekly

MONEY MATTERS

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SUZANNE HAZLETT

WHAT IS PHILANTHROPY?

By Suzanne Hazlett, MBA, CIMA®, CFP®

P

ersonal finance involves more than the machinations of transactions, compounded interest, and the downfall of overextending. It’s about how we identify our life’s priorities and where we attribute the most value. It’s about working toward a successful outcome and sometimes failing along the way.

Eighteen years ago, when I was a new resident of our Valley, I contacted the local schools to create a financial curriculum that would potentially appeal to middle and high school students. It was a middle school teacher who took me up on my offer.

We agreed we wanted to create experiences over the academic term that would be of particular interest to eighth-graders. I suggested we ask the kids themselves what was on their minds. What about personal finance did they wonder? They responded with lots of questions.

“WHAT IS PHILANTHROPY?” Charity and donations were familiar terms to these students; philanthropy was not.

Philanthropy entails a broader scope of passion and altruistic concern for a cause.

We took this topic on, and with the students we explored regional charitable organizations.

It was essential to identify a cause that resonated with them on an emotional level. When I asked how many in the class had rescued pets, nearly every hand in the room was raised. We had our hook. The students selected our local animal shelter as an organization about which they would like to learn more. During one class ses-

ON LIFE’S TERMS

sion, we invited staff members and a couple of their four-legged charges. The children learned about the difference between a for-profit enterprise and a tax-exempt nonprofit. They gained an appreciation of the costs the organization faces every day and how donations of money, in-kind gifts, and volunteer support help sustain the care and feeding of animals they shelter.

Takeaway: If charity is vital to your family, teach your child to give. Provide the child in your life with a list of charitable organizations to choose from and a proposed donation amount. With them, research the variety of organizations that pique their interest. Design the review process to fit your child’s abilities and comprehension. Then find the cause that touches them.

If possible, make a visit with your child to the organization.

Make the gift in the child’s name and ask that the charity’s acknowledgment and thanks be sent to your child.

Suzanne Hazlett, MBA, CIMA®, CFP®, is a Certified Investment Management Analyst® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. HAZLETT WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC is independent of Raymond James and is not a registered broker/dealer. 675 Sun Valley Road, Suite J1 + J2, Ketchum, Idaho, 83340 208.726.0605 HazlettWealthManagement.com

JOELLEN COLLINS

November 4 - 17, 2020

9

THE WAY I SEE IT

CHRIS MILLSPAUGH

And the Winner Is...

I

BY CHRIS MILLSPAUGH

n a most unbelievable twist of fate, amidst a startling upset in the presidential election, the 46th president of the United States, upon reaching 270 electoral votes early this morning, is Kanye West!

Pollsters scratched their heads in wonderment as, apparently, no one saw this coming. Biden and Trump followers are screaming their heads off and demanding a total recount, but at this time, Mr. West is celebrating wildly with his supporters, also known as his “posse.”

Future ‘First Lady’ Kim Kardashian said, “Wait until you see what I’m wearing to the Inauguration!”

When reached for comment, Mr. West said, “I am absolutely floored by this occurrence. I just didn’t see this coming. However, I am prepared to take over the reins of this divided nation and am determined to put it together by uniting all sides and living in harmony. Hey, I wrote a song about it! Wanna hear it?” (The press corps quickly moves away.)

As the champagne flowed in West’s campaign headquarters in the penthouse suite at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, the mother of the future First Lady exclaimed, “This is bigger than OJ’s trial outcome in 1995!”

Mr. West, overcome with joy, whipped out a piece of paper from his pink jumpsuit with a bunch of names scribbled on it and said, “In no particular order, these are my selections for my cabinet:” U.S. Attorney General – Ice T Secretary of State – Ice Cube Secretary of Labor – Marshawn “Skittles” Lynch Secretary of the Interior – Taylor Swift (I owed it to her for that Grammy fiasco) Secretary of Homeland Security – Mike Tyson Secretary of Defense – LeBron James Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare – Dr. Fauci Secretary of Energy – Paula Abdul “I have complete faith in my choices and look forward to cementing our standing in the world as its most powerful nation. Wanna hear my rap about it? (The press corps quickly moves away.)

The newly elected president added, “I invite all of you to my inauguration in January where we will begin a new period in history, entitled, “Make America Groove Again.” (Music blares as all begin to dance.)

That is all from Campaign Headquarters. There’s a new beat going on! God bless the United States of America!”

Nice voting with you.

Editor’s Note: Mr. Millspaugh lives in a log cabin (just like Abraham Lincoln) on a major thoroughfare with his cat, Myles, and is loving it.

INSPIRATIONS FROM MY HEART

DOVE

A Plethora Of Disasters Human Effectiveness

tunately, that has never been an option for me. Even in the worst of times, I am able oo many events occurring in a short to find a reason to prefer life, as corny as period of time can cause extreme that sounds. stress. Some may be happy, such as Agatha Christie agreed, saying: “I like marriage, a baby’s birth, or moving to a living. I have been wildly, despairingly, better job or home; some are sad, such as acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but deaths of family or friends, job loss, a circle through it all I still know quite certainly of acquaintances suddenly scattered, a bro- that just to be alive is a grand thing.” ken romance, or divorce. Whether positive What can we do with this sadness? or negative, these events tumbling together I hope we can help others remember the may signal a period of despair. simple pleasures of life, perhaps a path out Today, we are experiencing the pandem- of our despair. At least we can wave, smile ic, fires, floods, hurricanes, under our masks, call civil and political unrest, racial or write actual letters to injustice, and a huge blow to friends we haven’t seen even normal economic security. lately, tell those we apI know people who are also sufpreciate and love that we fering from the loss of beloved do, spend less time angry friends or pets, some kind of acat the hatred evident on cident, illness, or dealing with the media, try to laugh the anxiety of others during difoften (like tuning in old, ficult family issues. Now these funny TV sketches), and personal strains fall on top of a read works that may prodangerous time of public insevide relief. Adopting a pet curity. might restore some of that One assumes that the piling JoEllen Collins—a longtime need for positive touch. up of these events in the past resident of the Wood River Going outside in our mageight months, with only a glim- Valley— is an Idaho Press nificent surroundings is mer of hope that we can return Club award-winning colum- essential. Some dance to some semblance of normality nist, a teacher, writer, fabric to good music in their as individuals and country, is artist, choir member and living rooms. We might what has stimulated an increase unabashedly proud grandma revisit an activity we in severe cases of mental stress known as “Bibi Jo.” have neglected under the and suicide. We may even be pressures of former days, like creating art isolated from accessing help. To put more or playing a musical instrument. Having a ice on the iceberg’s tip, the absence of phys- gratitude list reminds us of our blessings. ical touch and support may be the greatest Finally, we can turn angst into action loss. Media contacts just don’t suffice. by advocating for others, supporting wonI am not a psychologist, so I lack the derful nonprofits like NAMI, The Hunger knowledge to effectively ease the serious Coalition or The Advocates for Survivors emotional consequences of this plethora of Domestic Violence, and for ourselves, of painful events. I cannot judge anyone’s reading helpful notices from St. Luke’s and struggle with the concept of suicide For- connecting with our community of faith.

T

By JoEllen Collins

F

BY DOVE

orty years ago, I was given a wonderful opportunity by the company my husband worked for to take a class called Human Effectiveness Training, through United Learning Institute. The greatest take-away I got from this class was to “catch people in the act of doing things right.” What a change in perception this was. Don’t focus on the negative, compliment on the positive. It feels so good for an individual’s actions and work to be approved. You are then training the person to do more good things, work better, be kinder—in other words, build on the beneficial actions and deeds.

If parents did this with their children, can you imagine the confidence that would be built in the child? We would change the way our whole society functions. Instead of raising children who do not have the ability to cope with adversity, they themselves would be strong enough to know who they are and that they have amazing skills. The same would exist in the workplace. Competition would not be the dominant focus—one being better that the other—but each would have their own strength.

Many Native American cultures had the practice of ignoring children when their behavior was inappropriate and putting their focus only on the good behavior. Is it not time for us to change from constant viewing of events from the negative point of view and shift our energy to the good things, even the very small things that each of us accomplishes?

As this article will come out a day after the elections and hopefully there is a definitive result, I would ask all of us to place our focus not on personality of the winner but on the good things that have been accomplished. Maybe the media could finally relate truth instead of the babble they put out. Do your research and determine what is really going on. Know why you approve or disapprove of someone, and is it true.

I don’t know if you have ever had a political conversation with an 8-year-old but it can be most enlightening. My grandson was repeating opinions his friends had stated about the current administration. I explained that the current president did not take a salary for the work he was doing. After explaining what a salary was, I told my grandson that one of the things the president did with his salary was give it to veterans. He said “Does he give any money for children? I think we need to build a children’s hospital here and it needs to be small. Children don’t like great big hospitals.”

Out of the mouths of babes, focus on what can be done that is positive. I love this place and I love my country. Can we find what is good in each of us?

10

Wood River Weekly

COFFEE CHATS WITH KIKI

KIKI TIDWELL

Post-Election Thoughts

BY KIKI TIDWELL

During the course of my campaign, I have knocked on thousands of doors and met residents where they live—from Carey to Hulen Meadows, from Golden Eagle to the Westwood mobile home park. I listened to what was important to residents. I met so many hardworking families in neighborhoods where their children play outside and bicycle around safely. But I saw a teacher break down in tears as she worried about how one week of being out sick could end up with her losing her home—and a co-teacher had already tested positive [for COVID-19]. I heard from residents in Bellevue about how their $134 water and sewer bill is really tough each month. I heard from restaurant workers in Ketchum who have lost full-time wages and now are losing their housing. I learned that my Spanish needed to improve.

I heard from many people worried about how rapid growth may affect our small-town lifestyles. I heard from residents in Carey that the power has gone out a lot in the past there.

Even though I have lived here for almost 40 years now, and had been in most all of those neighborhoods from time to time, I really was brought up to speed on what has changed (a house selling for $1.3 million in Cold Springs! A 780-square-foot “blue-tops” selling for $390,000!) and what the current reality is of each area. I learned that we need to better connect our community as one fabric; Bellevue can’t be left to struggle on its own with inadequate funding for streets and services as it provides the workforce housing for many workers who work in Sun Valley. Many of the police, road crews, and government services workers we depend on drive in from Carey each day.

It seems that many people value having a yard and a family neighborhood to go home to; they wouldn’t be candidates for living in small apartments with no parking in Ketchum. Let’s recognize this.

Let’s lift all boats. I have looked at the financial budget to actual results from the county’s fiscal year 2020, dug into the construction permits year-to-date for new residential and commercial construction, have digested the information that almost $1 billion in property sales have occurred this year, and have thought through next year’s budget. I have come away convinced that county property taxes don’t have to be raised by the annual state-allowed 3 percent and that a good chunk of road repairs could be accomplished. I challenge all the o County Commissioners to see this, too.

I also see that energy-efficiency improvements and solar-energy installations could really help. Bellevue’s sewer plant could increase efficiency by 40-50 percent and decrease those monthly bills to residents. Bellevue and Hailey could earn additional property tax revenue from solar farms and also decrease their annual city operations’ utility bills. Community solar could provide low-cost electricity to residents.

During the course of my campaign, I have brought current information to Blaine residents about energy issues. Renewable energy is the cheapest power today (Jackpot solar PPA 2.175 cents per kwh!), retiring coal plants early has sent over $20 million back to electrical ratepayers, many other communities have gone to non-transmission solutions of batteries and backup generation, and demand-response programs can really cut down on energy consumption without lifestyle impact (turning down thermostats in unoccupied buildings a few degrees!). We don’t have to waste our dollars on a transmission line non-solution, but instead can put those dollars into our energy improvements for our community and pull together as one fabric. *my prior columns are all on my website at http://tidwellcommissionercampaign.com

Blaine County Commissioner Candidate

www.tidwellcommissionercampaign.com twitter: @kikitidwell

K i ki Ti d wel l

Paid For By Citizens For Kiki Tidwell, Cindy Mann Treasurer.

•

November 4 - 17, 2020

ADVERTORIALS BETTER HOMEOWNERS NEWS

ANNA & MICHELLE

Cutting Your Housing Costs In Half

C

utting the price will generally bring buyers of anything out of the woodwork that were not serious before. Some renters could easily lower their monthly cost of housing by half or more by purchasing a home with all the financial benefits that come with it.

The most obvious thing in today’s market is that the mortgage payment could be less than the rent the tenants are paying. With mortgage rates hovering around 3 percent, this is a major factor of the savings.

The two other major contributing factors are appreciation and amortization of the mortgage, neither of which benefit tenants continuing to pay rent. According to the FHFA House Price Index, home prices rose 5.4 percent from July 2019 to July 2020. There were 400,000 less homes on the market during the summer of 2020 than the previous summer, which is influencing appreciation.

With each payment a homeowner makes on their mortgage, a portion is used to reduce the principal amount owed. This is like a savings account for the owner because it lowers their unpaid balance and increases their equity.

The equity becomes an asset that can be accessed by doing a cash-out refinance or a home equity line of credit once the equity has reached 80 percent loan-to-value.

A $300,000 home purchased with an FHA loan at 3 percent for 30 years would have a payment of approximately $2,013, including principal and interest, taxes, insurance, and mortgage insurance premium. If the tenant were paying $2,400 in rent, this would be a savings of almost $400 a month.

The monthly principal reduction would average $500 a month for the first year, which would lower

the net cost of housing. The other major item to consider would be the appreciation. Assuming, in this example, the home was appreciating at 3 percent annually, the monthly appreciation in the first year would be $750, which would further lower the cost of housing.

Rent....................................................... $2,400 Total House Payment............................ $2,013 Less Monthly Principal Reduction....... $513 Less Monthly Appreciation................... $750 Plus Estimated Monthly Maintenance.. $200 Net Cost of Housing.............................. $950

In this example, it would cost over $1,400 per month more to rent than to own.

A different approach to this would be that the equity in this home in seven years would be $121,579 based on appreciation and principal reduction. If the same person continues to rent, there would be no equity buildup.

If you’re curious as to how much you could cut your housing cost, go to the Rent vs. Own or contact your real estate professional.

NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA

FAMILY FIRST FUND

By Monica Carrillo-Casas

F

OUR VOICE COUNTS

or the past few months I have had the pleasure of experiencing a connection with people in the community by working with the Blaine County Charitable Fund. This newly made fund was created to help assist families that have been struggling to cope with illness and unemploymentdue to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has been a new experience for me to not only take phone calls and assist the community, but to do all of that in Spanish. I truly wouldn’t want it any other way, however.

It’s been amazing to see the number of people that have reached out and trusted this fund and trusted the people involved in this fund to help them in the best way we can.

And for those who are hesitant to reach out due to certain situations, please give us a call anyway. I’m sure myself or anyone else on the line can answer one or more of your questions and even start your application process, if that is something that you feel comfortable enough doing after learning more about BCCF. Because, undocumented or not, you qualify, you matter, and you are part of this community. We are here for you.

D

NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA

urante los últimos meses, he tenido el placer de experienciar una conexion con la gente de la comunidad trabajando con el Blaine County Charitable Fund. Este fondo recién creado fue creado para ayudar a las familias que han estado luchando para hacer frente a la enfermedad y el desempleo debido a COVID-19.

Ha sido una nueva experiencia para mí no solo para tomar llamadas y ayudar a la comunidad, sino para hacer todo eso en español. Sin embargo, no lo quiero de ninguna otra manera. Ha sido increíble ver la cantidad de personas que han alcanzado y confiado en este fondo y confiaron en la gente en este fondo para ayudarles de la mejor manera posible. Y para aquellos que dudan en llegar a algunas situaciones, por favor llámenos de todos modos. Estoy seguro de que yo o cualquier otra persona en la línea puede responder a una o más de sus preguntas e incluso iniciar su proceso de solicitud si eso es algo que usted se siente lo suficientemente cómodo haciendo después de aprender más sobre BCCF. Debido a que los indocumentados o no, califican, usted importa, y usted es parte de esta comunidad. Estamos aquí para ustedes.

Wood River Weekly

OPINION

A

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November 4 - 17, 2020

11

CAITLIN JOHNSTONE

Violence After The Election Will Only Benefit The Powerful

by Caitlin Johnstone

ny violence arising from the US election or its aftermath will only benefit the powerful, will be used to justify authoritarian agendas which serve the powerful, and will in all probability have been initiated by the powerful.

There are plenty of arguments to be made for situations in which intelligent application of force by the citizenry could have good results. Killing each other over which oligarch crony will be the president is not one of those situations about which such arguments can be made.

Please everybody stay cool and live to fight another day. ~ Most of the Democratic establishment’s arguments are basically “Vote Biden so we can stop deliberately psychologically brutalizing you with nonstop hysterical clickbait about Trump.” It’s just a more complicated version of “I’ll stop hitting you when you give me what I want.” ~ Russiagate is the largest clickbait operation in history. It’s a clickbait operation conducted by the entire western political/media class upon the whole world. Only difference is instead of just making money it was designed to reignite the cold war and make money. ~ The probable next elected leader of the most powerful government on earth frequently exhibits signs that his brain is literally dying, and it ranks like twelfth on his list of flaws. ~ I don’t know that the Hunter Biden October surprise shows anything more scandalous than you’d expect for any major US presidential nominee. I do know that the uniform conspiracy of silence from the mass media about it is uniquely scandalous and says bad things about the future. ~ All of the most influential anti-Trumpers support all of Trump’s most evil policies. ~ The establishment is getting everything it wants out of the Trump administration and if you think you’re sticking it to them by supporting him you’re just as brainwashed as the people you criticize. ~ MSM isn’t truthful. It isn’t even partisan. At least if it were partisan it would’ve spent the last four years attacking Trump for his warmongering and persecution of Assange, which would have been very politically damaging to him. It’s been lying by omission to Trump’s benefit, because it isn’t biased against Trump, it’s biased for the oligarchic empire. ~ If you ever want to understand what the US power alliance is doing on the world stage, just think about what it would need to do in order to ensure continual unipolar global domination, then ignore all the excuses it makes up for doing those exact things. ~ The US empire is the creepiest thing in the world. This smiley faced serial killer monologuing about freedom and democracy and churning out movies about how fun and happy it is while butchering human beings all around the world. The more you think about it the creepier it gets.

~ Liberal media: Glenn Greenwald is an evil monster because he goes on Fox. Greenwald: Well can I go on your shows instead then?

Liberal media: LOL no. ~ I can’t believe there’s still a debate about whether leftists should go on huge conservative platforms or just wait eternally for a call from the liberal platforms who hate them. Yes, getting leftist values into the mainstream by any means is better than being ignored. Duh. Letting leftist ideas and values remain marginalized under the notion that you’re “legitimizing” people who already have audiences of millions is the absolute dumbest thing you can do. Get the ideas out there if for no other reason than to force the bastards to push back on them.

The left will never have a meaningful movement as long as it’s relegated to the unseen fringes, and there are people whose entire job is figuring out how to keep them there. Don’t give them your marginalization for free; at least make them come out in the open and fight for it.

Refusing to let leftist ideas and values be heard by conservative audiences just deprives conservatives of something they need, and it deprives liberal audiences as well since if you can get your point into the mainstream the liberal platforms have to talk about it too. ~ Antiwar journalists should never go on Fox to share urgent information with a large audience. They should instead wait until a respectable outlet like CNN will have them on, and keep waiting, and just keep waiting and waiting until we all die in the nuclear winter together. ~ Leftists are immature children who don’t understand the importance of being practical and making compromises. The real adults are the ones who advocate strategies that never work, believe whatever the TV tells them, and support murderous power structures who constantly destroy lives at home and abroad in the name of an imaginary economic system. ~ If you were sent to a foreign civilization to report on what they do, you would slowly start absorbing their language, culture and customs, and gradually their strange ways would become the norm for you. Anyway, that’s what goes wrong with journalists who report on politicians. ~ Anyone you ask will tell you they think world peace would be great, then as soon as you start talking about rolling back the worst disruptors of world peace they start experiencing cognitive dissonance. ~ In an empire that is held together by propaganda brainwashing, freeing your mind is literally an act of insurrection. That’s why truth tellers are being increasingly treated like terrorists. ~ An entire globe-spanning empire depends on the ability of the ruling class to keep “unity” an impotent feel-good buzzword instead of something people do to remove their oppressors.

NEWS

IN BRIEF

New Orthopedic Surgeon At St. Luke’s

St. Luke’s Wood River has added Derek Ipsen, D.O., to the team of orthopedic surgeons serving the Valley. Dr. Ipsen specializes in hand surgery. He recently retired as a colonel in the United States Army.

Dr. Ipsen did his first hand rotation during his residency and decided to focus on this form of surgery.

“I wanted to learn how to fix the tiny, intricate structures that made up the hand since it is so important to people’s occupation, livelihood and everyday life,” Dr. Ipsen said.

Ipsen’s military education and career took him around Dr. Derek Ipsen of St. the world, taking care of people in all kinds of settings, Luke’s. Photo credit: St. including field trauma such as gunshot wounds and burns Luke’s incurred in combat. He often handled orthopedic issues and surgeries and became engrossed in upper-extremity trauma. When things slowed down, he returned to focusing on elbow and hand surgery, most recently at Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. Happy to return to civilian life and his Idaho roots, Dr. Ipsen and his family are looking forward to getting to know the community. They enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing and skiing.

St. Luke’s Issues COVID Testing Guidelines, Reminders

As COVID-19 cases surge once again in Idaho, St. Luke’s Health System is reminding people to not use emergency departments for the sole purpose of COVID-19 testing without severe illness. COVID-19 tests are only available by appointment and at certain clinics.

St. Luke’s provides COVID-19 tests for symptomatic patients in select primary care clinics by appointment. At this time most locations have same-day tests available and results are back within one to two days. St. Luke’s is unable to accept walk-ins.

For patients with COVID-19 symptoms, the first step is to use St. Luke’s self-triage tool in myChart; it will help determine what to do next. MyChart accounts can be created online. St. Luke’s offers asymptomatic COVID-19 testing only for patients who have an upcoming planned surgery or specific procedures that involve increased exposure to a patient’s breath and/or airway. The test will be part of the pre-surgery process, as ordered by a provider, and done by appointment. Asymptomatic testing at St. Luke’s is also done before a patient is discharged or transferred

from a St. Luke’s hospital to a long-term care or skilled nursing facility.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. Go to the nearest hospital right away if you are experiencing symptoms of any life-threatening illness. Do not ignore your body’s warning signs.

• Symptoms that may indicate you have a life-threatening emergency include: • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure • Sudden dizziness, weakness or fainting • Sudden change to vision • Confusion or sudden change in your mental status • Sudden or severe pain • Uncontrolled bleeding • Severe vomiting or diarrhea • Vomiting or coughing blood • Difficulty speaking A COVID-19 hotline offers instructions or assistance at (208) 381-9500.

Bull, Cow Moose Poaching Marks Fifth Incident This Month

Idaho Fish and Game is asking the public for information regarding two moose that were recently poached and left to waste on the border of Unit 32 and Unit 32A west of Banks.

This case marks the fifth incident where moose were illegally shot at, and the fourth and fifth moose that were illegally killed in Fish and Game’s Southwest Region in October. Here is more information about the other cases.

Fish and Game conservation officers received a call from the Citizens Against Poaching hotline on Oct. 18 regarding a cow moose that was shot and left to waste near Dry Buck Road, about three miles west of Banks.

When officers arrived and investigated, an officer’s dog located another bull calf moose that was shot and left just a few yards away from the cow. Officers gathered and processed evidence from the scene, and believe that the two animals were shot sometime between Oct. 14 and Oct. 18.

Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) is offering a reward for information and callers can remain anonymous. Call the CAP hotline at 1-800-632-5999, available 24 hours a day. People can also report online at idfg.idaho.gov/poacher. In addition to CAP, persons with information regarding this case may also contact Officer Josh Leal at (208) 989-9321.

12

Wood River Weekly

COLUMN

•

November 4 - 17, 2020

VISION 2020

Hard way Pipeline

If You Could Change Just One Thing

By Eric Valentine

I

Steel Fencing

got word today that Shakespeare & Company—a landmark English bookstore on the left bank of the Seine River in Paris and frequented by many then-aspiring writers such as Ezra Pound, Ernest Hemingway, and James Joyce—was struggling financially thanks to COVID. So I bought a book from the boutique enclave of hard covers and first-editions online, a small gesture of appreciation and support. It’s a book called Germany: Memories of a Nation, written by Neil MacGregor.

It took me two seconds to make that decision after seeing just one news item. But in months of being asked online for donations to a variety of political campaigns, I’ve always decided against it. I have 14 billion reasons why.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, $14 billion is what was spent on the 2020 presidential election and other congressional races across the United States. Imagine if that money was spent on something else, like PPE for frontline workers or small business loans for HVAC upgrades. It’s an amount that could do more than fill a few potholes across the Valley, that’s for sure.

Wood River Weekly news editor Eric Or, perhaps that spending is the boost the economy needs. Af- Valentine (right) and his friend and ter all, someone has to make the commercials, print the signs, fellow writer Scott Allen Looney (left) write the speeches, and put gas in the tour buses. And, the Su- in Paris, France. Photo credit: a ranpreme Court of the United States has ruled that spending money dom, nice Parisian on elections is an act of free speech, protected by Amendment 1 of the U.S. Constitution.

I disagree.

Money expenditures are not an act of free speech; they are an act of free will. If I have $100 to my name and you have none, that doesn’t give me more freedom of speech. It gives me more freedom of will. The First Amendment protects free speech, not free will. If it did, we could do far worse than yell fire in a crowded theater.

So, my will for this country as we now—at least begin to—put the 2020 election to bed, is for us to find a way where no private money is allowed to fund public campaigns. In a nutshell, it would mean we would no longer have in office the best politicians money can buy. A corporation, for instance, couldn’t fund someone’s campaign hoping for payback later. A wealthy person, for example, couldn’t outspend an opponent of lesser means. There would be some details to work out. Public television and radio would need to carry the load of allowing candidates air time. Candidates would have to abandon the use of websites and social media—too easy to let “commenters” promote fake information.

My solution wouldn’t solve everything. Nothing can. But it would be a start in the right direction, one that shifts power away from corporations (large ones not small businesses) and toward the people. Or not. But at least my form of charity would contribute to understanding the economics and history that affects politics, rather than the other way around.

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.

CLASSIC SUDOKU See answer on page 7

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