Aug 25, 2019 The Yellow Pine Times – Valley County, Idaho
Note: Reminder that the water department will shut the water off Monday, August 26th at 9am to check for leaks. The boil water order and water restrictions are still in effect.
Community Calendar:
April 2 – Boil water order issued
Every Sunday – 11am Fire Training
May 10 – Burn “permits” required
May 15 – Firewood Season opens
July 22 – Daytime closures on So. Fk road begin
Aug 26 – 9am Village Water Shut Down
Aug 31 – Welch Memorial Golf Tournament
Sept 4 – 2019 11am-12pm PNF meeting Rx burn YP Community Hall
Sept 14 – 10am 5EV Memorial Run and 4pm YP Community BBQ
Sept 14 – 10am YPFD meeting at the Fire Hall budget meeting
Sept 14 – Ride to Cinnabar
Sept 21 – VYPA meeting 2pm Community Hall
Sept 28 – 2pm Fish Fry at the YP Tavern
(details below)
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Local Events:
Welch Memorial Golf Tournament
Saturday August 31, 2019
Registration 1130am Start 12:00 Noon
$20.00 per player – Come join the fun!
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Prescribed Burn Information for Fall 2019 YP Community Meeting Sept 4
The Payette NF, Krassel RD is hosting a community meeting to provide information for the Fall 2019 prescribed burn season. I will have a short presentation and we will take questions. This is informal and conversation/ discussion will be welcome.
Time: Wednesday Sept 4, 2019 11:00-12:00
Place: Yellow Pine Community Hall
We are planning on implementing prescribed burns in both the Four Mile and Bald Hill project areas this fall, likely September or October. Maps are attached with burn blocks that are planned outlined in red. If you cannot attend and have any questions or concerns please feel free to call Laurel Ingram, Fuels Tech at 208-634-0622 or Patrick Schon, Fuels Specialist at 208-634-0623.
Thanks and hope to see you in Yellow Pine on Sept 4.
Laurel Ingram
Fuels Technician
Payette National Forest
Krassel Ranger District
link to: Bald Hill Fall 2019 Notifications.pdf
link to: FourMile_Notification Fall 2019.pdf
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5EV Memorial Run Wildland Firefighter Foundation Fund Raiser and Yellow Pine Community BBQ
Saturday, September 14, 2019 10am
Midas Gold Idaho and The Corner are proud to sponsor the 5EV Memorial Run.
This 3.6 mile trail run is a fund raiser for the 5EV Memorial Trail Fund and Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Donations are greatly appreciated. The race starts at 10:00 am at the Williams Peak Trailhead on the East Fork Rd. and ends at the summit of the trail; a 3021 ft. elevation change.
A Community BBQ will be held after the race at 4:00 pm, at The Corner in Yellow Pine, Idaho. The roasted pig is provided by Midas Gold Inc. with great food by The Corner and the volunteers of the Yellow Pine Community.
Proceeds from this event will be shared 50/50 between the 5EV Memorial Trail Fund and the Wildland Firefighters Foundation
For additional information or to sign up for the race, contact:
Matt Huber Matt @ ypcorner.com 208/633-3325
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2019 Yellow Pine Escapades
The 2019 schedule for the Yellow Pine Escapades has been updated on the website!
Expect new escapades this coming year, including an ATV-UTV Photo Scavenger Hunt; two (yes, two) ATV-UTV rides, a golf tournament, and even a community yard sale. Other events will be added to the calendar as plans are finalized.
Join us for a great season of fun! The starting point for fun in Yellow Pine! The website includes information on the events hosted by the Yellow Pine Community Hall as well as the other “goings-on” in the village. Food, lodging and fuel are available in Yellow Pine. link:
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Village News:
Yellow Pine Transfer Station
Aug 23 Dump Report: The dumpsters were 30% full. The road from YP to the dump is good.
Please do not abuse our Transfer Station or we may lose it. Household trash must be placed in the bins, flattened cardboard boxes can also go into the bins. Do not stack trash in front of the doors. Woody yard debris only for the burn pile. No furniture, appliances, tires or construction debris allowed, those items must be hauled out to the Donnelly station by you.
Yellow Pine Transfer Station (aka, the dump)
The Yellow Pine Transfer Station is located approximately 3 miles south on Johnson Creek Road.
The TRANSFER STATION is for household trash and yard waste:
* Household trash must be put inside (and fit) the dumpster;
* Yard waste (limbs, pine needles, brush, et.) goes in the burn pile on the south end of the turn-around;
* Cardboard boxes should be flattened before putting the in the dumpster,
The DUMPSTERS are NOT for:
* Furniture (take to Donnelly Transfer Station);
* Appliances (take to Donnelly Transfer Station).
The BURN PILE is NOT for:
* Cardboard boxes (flatten and put in dumpster);
* Furniture and appliances (take to Donnelly Transfer Station);
* Drywall and building material (take to Donnelly Transfer Station);
* Wire or fencing (take to Donnelly Transfer Station);
* Foam Rubber (take to Donnelly Transfer Station);
* Wood with metal (like nails) attached (take to Donnelly Transfer Station.)
When closing the DOORS on the front of the dumpsters:
* Make sure the “U” brackets at the top and bottom of the door are engaged;
* The retaining bar at the middle of the door is slid into the pipe;
* And the “L” bars at the bottom of the doors dropped into place.
The Yellow Pine Transfer Station is Valley County responsibility. If it is not kept tidy, use of the Transfer Station may be revoked. That would result in residents having to take all household trash and yard waste to the Donnelly Transfer Station.
If Dumpsters Are Full, Contact Lake Shore Disposal at: 208/634-7176
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Roads
South Fork
Starting July 22 the South Fork road will be closed Monday through Friday from 7am to 4pm on weekdays, with no closures over the weekends.
More info:
Map w/info for August 19 through August 23:
YP to Stibnite Road
Update from Valley County Road Dept. Aug 13: Open with cautions – expect delays in the work area. “we strongly advise people need to be very cautious of a few dump trucks working between Stibnite and Yellow Pine. The contractor will begin laying a crushed rock surface on the repairs probably next week.”
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Yellow Pine US Mail
Dean the driver has retired. It sounds like Robert and Ray will take turns delivering mail. The 6-day a week mail delivery started June 1st. The Post Office in Yellow Pine is open six days a week year around: M-F 845am-245pm Saturday 9am-245pm. Forever Stamp: 55 cents
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Wasp Season
Yellowjackets are swarming hummingbird feeders, building nests and quite aggressive. Long legged wasps are invading sheds and seeking to come indoors. Grasshoppers are getting big enough to notice.
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Reminder for people living in bear country:
* Garbage should be stored inside the house or in a secure garage or storage building.
* If garbage cannot be stored in a secure location, a bear-resistant container approved by the Interagency Bear Committee is recommended.
* Avoid using bird feeders from March through November. Birds do not need supplemental feeding this time of year.
* Pet food should not be left outside.
* BBQ grills or anything with a strong odor should not be left out at night.
* Protect gardens, beehives, and compost piles with electric fencing.
* Never intentionally feed bears. A food-conditioned bear may pose a threat to human safety and usually results in the removal of the bear.
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Local Groups:
YPWUA News:
Update Aug 18:
Unfortunately the leak that Idaho Rural thought they found turned up no leak.
On Monday August 26th, the water will be shut down for a few hours beginning at 9 am. I am going to try to isolate the leak.
– Thanks for your patience Steve
Update Aug 9:
We are currently trying to coordinate a date that works to shut the town water supply down to repair the leak. When that date is set, everyone will be notified.
– Steve Holloway
Update Aug 7:
Donations to the Water Department
We have received two donations to the water department totaling $1,750.
First one came from Tom Keffer of the Bald Mountain Knuckle Draggers. They donated $1,150. Tom and the Bald Mountain Knuckle Draggers brought in the Highland Games to Yellow Pine. Last year they raised money for the Helipad. The Highland Games will be coming back to Yellow Pine next June 27th. Thank you Tom and the highland family.
The second one was from Keith and Delta Holloway. They raised $600 from the sales of corn dogs during this year’s Harmonica Festival. Thank you Mom and Dad for your continued support of Yellow Pine.
– Steve Holloway
Water Update July 25:
On July 19th a crew from Idaho rural water came in and found a substantial leak on the east side of the east fork bridge. We are still on a boil order due to the large capacity of water lost and low chlorine contact time. We still request that everyone conserves water by not watering lawns because we are borderline to running the town out of water.
– Steve H YPWUA
Water Update June 7:
1. The “boil order” is still in effect.
2. There is still large water leaks in the system. We continue to look.
3. A grant for $39,000 was approved for improvements to the system.
3. Work is currently being done on the new contact tank.
4. Please, no lawn watering until we find and repair the major leaks.
– Steve Holloway
The yearly Yellow Pine Water Users Shareholders meeting was Sunday July 7th in the community hall. (No minutes yet)
link to: #4430059 Yellow Pine Water Users Boil Water Notification 4-2-19
link to: 2018 September Water Department Update
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VYPA News:
If you have interest in being the chairman of the Music and Harmonica committee, please contact one of the VYPA council members. The 2020 chairman will be selected by August 30th.
Next meeting September 14th – 2pm at the Community Hall.
Village of Yellow Pine Association Meeting Minutes August 10, 2019.
link to: 20190810 YPVA Minutes
Village of Yellow Pine Association Meeting Minutes July 20, 2019
link to: 20190720 Yellow Pine Village Association Minutes
Village of Yellow Pine Association Meeting Minutes for June 8, 2019
link to: 20190608 Village of Yellow Pine Association
VYPA Meeting Dates 2019
June 8th; July 20th; August 10th; September 14th – 2pm at the Community Hall.
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YPFD News:
Yellow Pine Fire Protection District Community Service Notice
The purpose of this letter is to show how you as a Yellow Pine Resident can help protect your structure against a wildland fire by being “Fire Wise.”
link to: 20190724 Yellow Pine Fire Protection mitigation
Next Meeting Sept 14 at 10am YPFD meeting in the Fire Hall
Last meeting July 13 – minutes forthcoming.
YPFD June 16, 2019 Meeting minutes
link to: 20190615 YPFD Meeting Notes_Final
Meetings will be held at the fire station at 10am and everyone is welcome to attend. June 15th; July 13th; and Sept 14th (which will also be the budget meeting as well).
Every Sunday 11am – Training
May 10th Burn Permits – contact the YPFD
Pile burning: Dress appropriately, have enough help on hand (people, water and tools) and make a firebreak before you start. Call your local fire protection district chief to let them know you’ll be conducting a debris burn. This saves them from sending emergency responders to your property if they are not needed.
Bring it, Don’t Burn it
For us in Yellow Pine, Jake Strohmeyer, Dist. Ranger with the Boise NF said we can use the area at our transfer station for yard debris and the FS will burn it once a year. Please no furniture, mattresses, construction debris, metal objects, tires or personnel junk. Please only woody yard debris. When using the pile please be mindful of where you place the debris as it should be contained to a manageable burnable area and kept as clean as possible. – JF
Training: Sunday Fire/EMS training has begun. Sundays at 11:00 AM unless otherwise posted. If Jeff F is in town the trainings will be held. All are welcome.
YP Helispot: We are working with Valley County Road Department and the Boise National Forest for the rock base for the road leading into the Helispot and the actual Helispot itself. We are also receiving rock for the Fire Hydrants, water tank foundations, etc. The rock will come from the Valdez pit and will be less expensive than having it trucked in from Cascade.
Stop the Bleed Course: This course was well attended in the Fall and Jeff F and Ann F will be presenting another course when the new instructor material comes out. There are “Stop The Bleed” kits at the Tavern in an emergency.
Siren Testing: The YPFD siren will be tested only once this year on the first of May at noon. 3 blasts of the siren is a test, more than 3 is an Emergency.
-JF
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Biz Listings:
Yellow Pine Lodge (208) 633-3377
Call for reservations
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The Corner (208) 633-3325
Our hours will be 11-8 every day, except closed on Tuesdays. We are open for breakfast by request and always have good coffee starting at 6am.
The Corner has firewood permits in stock now. 4 cord minimum at $6.25 per cord. Please bring drivers license and cash is preferred, no CC.
The Corner Store will also be open with snacks, groceries, fresh produce, soda, ice and packaged beer. If you know you will be coming in over the summer and need special grocery orders, let me know and I will order it in for you while you are here, 2 deliveries a week. The best way to get a hold of me is to call or stop by and say hello.
Karaoke is back at The Corner! Choose your favorite songs from our online music library and entertain your friends up on stage through our professional sound system.
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Yellow Pine Tavern (208) 633-2233
Summer Hours Daily 8am to Close
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Buck Horn Outfitters LLC 208-633-3614
Tom & Sarah Lanham
156 Yellow Pine Ave, Yellow Pine Id 83677
Website:
FB page:
It’s official starting June 2020 We will be doing trail rides out of Yellow Pine along with summer pack / camping trips to high mountain lakes in the area!
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Wapiti Meadow Ranch – Johnson Creek (208) 633-3217
or 208-315-3554 – cabin rentals
website:
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Deadwood Outfitters
website:
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Local Fuel Suppliers
Amerigas Phone: (208) 634-8181
Ed Staub & Sons Phone: (208) 634-3833
Diamond Fuel & Feed Phone: (208) 382-4430
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Outside Biz that will service Yellow Pine:
The Star-News
subscribe:
A reminder that those who live in other states can subscribe to the online edition only since the mail can take days for hard copy to reach them.
Rocky Mountain Mechanical
Plumbing – Heating – Air conditioning
(208) 365-PIPE (7473), Emmett, will service Yellow Pine
Elkhorn Heating & Cooling
(208) 906-4067 Middleton, Idaho, will service Yellow Pine
B&T Safety Solutions LLC
208-271-1600 Based out of Donnelly
Snow removal, cleaning chimneys and stoves, we do cabin staining/chinking as well
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Follow The Yellow Pine Times on Facebook (updated more often than emails)
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Local Observations:
Monday (Aug 19) overnight low of 45 degrees, clear sky and strong sunshine this morning. Haze of dust in the air from the rock crusher. A few finches and red-breasted nuthatches, plenty of chipmunks. Yellowjackets building nests. A few clouds, warm and breezy mid-day. Red-breasted nuthatches visiting. Hot, sunny and breezy mid-afternoon, high of 93 degrees. Hairy woodpecker visited. Warm evening, slow to cool down, a few high wispy clouds and very light breezes, haze of smoke in the air. Rosy haze to the west at dusk. Hazy moon after midnight.
Tuesday (Aug 20) overnight low of 46 degrees, mostly clear sky and poor air quality this morning. Huge clouds of dust rising from the crusher on the hill. A few finches and red-breasted nuthatches visiting. Some clouds mid-day and breezy. Helicopter at 238pm – headed towards Stibnite. Hot, breezy and mostly cloudy mid-afternoon, high of 97 degrees. Calliope hummingbirds visiting. Mostly cloudy and still quite warm before sundown. Some stars out before midnight.
Wednesday (Aug 21) overnight low of 58 degrees, partly cloudy sky and poor air quality this morning. Noisy crusher putting up a very large cloud of dust over the village. A few finches, a juvenile jay, and a couple of red-breasted nuthatches visiting. The yellowjacks are swarming the hummingbird feeders, calliope hummers fighting for a sip. Increasing clouds mid-day (mostly to the south) warm and light breezes. Mail truck made it in on time. Heard a flicker calling in the neighborhood. Hot, mostly cloudy and light breezes mid-afternoon, high of 96 degrees. A pair of evening grosbeaks joined the finches at the feeders. Overcast, calm and quite warm before sunset. Mostly cloudy at dusk and calm. Gusty breezes and little sprinkles on and off during the night.
Thursday (Aug 22) overnight low of 51 degrees, partly clear sky this morning. Only 0.01″ of rain from last night, not enough to settle the dust. Crusher belching dust again this morning. Red-breasted nuthatches, a few finches, a couple pine siskins and a jay visiting. Partly cloudy and light breezes mid-day. Yellowjackets are very active. Warm, partly cloudy and breezy mid-afternoon, high of 81 degrees. Not many birds around late in the afternoon, pine siskin and a red-breasted nuthatch. Partly cloudy and cool breezes before sunset. Partly cloudy at dusk. Yellowjackets inactive at full dark.
Friday (Aug 23) overnight low of 42 degrees, clear sky this morning. A few airplanes shattering the early morning quiet. Crusher putting up a cloud of dust over the village again. Red-breasted nuthatches, a couple evening grosbeaks, a few finches and pine siskins and a jay visiting. High wispy clouds mid-day and light breezes. Warm and mostly clear mid-afternoon and light breezes, high of 86 degrees. Yellowjackets dominating the hummingbird feeders. Extra traffic and dust. Mostly clear and calm at sunset. Mostly clear (some high haze) and calm at dusk.
Saturday (Aug 24) overnight low of 47 degrees, mostly cloudy – high thin “bubble-wrap” clouds – this morning. A few evening grosbeaks, finches, pine siskins, red-breasted nuthatches and a couple of jays visiting. Better air quality this morning (crusher day off.) Increasing traffic and dust during the day. Small clouds and breezy mid-day. Yellowjackets and long-legged wasps active. Warm, gusty breezes and mostly cloudy mid-afternoon, high of 88 degrees. Mostly cloudy – high wispies – and light breeze at sunset. At dusk some high haze, bright Saturn low to the south.
Sunday (Aug 25) overnight low of 42 degrees, mostly clear sky this morning. Pretty good air quality (crusher day off.) Evening grosbeaks calling, nuthatches, finches and pine siskins visiting, lots of chipmunks scurrying about. Shooting at 1234pm, sounds like they are down by the river. Mostly cloudy and breezy mid-day. Busy afternoon for traffic and dust. Cooler, mostly cloudy and gusty breezes mid-afternoon, high of 81 degrees. At sunset it was cooling off, the sky was mostly clear and light breezes. Rosy haze at dusk, lots of bats and a nighthawk flying around.
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Idaho News:
Cruickshank to step down as Valley commissioner
Long-time official to leave with one year left on term
By Max Silverson for The Star-News Aug 22, 2019
Valley County commissioner Chair Gordon Cruickshank will step down on Sept. 30 after serving on the commission since 2007.
Cruickshank submitted his letter of resignation to the Valley County Republican Central Committee on August 12.
Cruickshank will leave with 15 months remaining on his term of office, which ends in December 2020.
“(I will) hopefully have some down time to relax and enjoy my family more as they have sacrificed their time so I could do my level best for the citizens,” he said.
“I have had a great 28 plus years working for the citizens of Valley County and hope I have found the balance of all issues even when folks will disagree with the results,” Cruickshank said.
Cruickshank began working for Valley County in 1991 in the road department, eventually being named road superintendent. He was appointed to a vacant seat on the commission in 2007.
continued:
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Valley commissioners propose 40% raise for themselves
$62,000 salary called needed due to heavier work load
By Max Silverson for The Star-News Aug 22, 2019
Valley County commissioners are set to receive a roughly 40% raise in both pay and time commitment if the 2020 county budget is adopted as proposed on Monday.
Commissioners currently make about $44,000 per year, but the new budget would raise commissioners’ wages to about $62,000.
A public hearing on the 2020 budget, which includes the higher commissioners wages, will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at the Valley County Courthouse in Cascade.
The current wage assumes commissioners Gordon Cruickshank, Elt Hasbrouck and Dave Bingaman work about 20 hours per week, a figure that is regularly exceeded, Cruickshank said.
The new wage will assume a time commitment of about 30 hours per week, he said.
continued:
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Valley County employees would get 6% raises under proposed 2020 budget
By Max Silverson for The Star-News Aug 22, 2019
The proposed 2020 Valley County budget includes a 6% salary increase for all employees.
A public hearing for the proposed 2020 budget is scheduled for Monday at 1 p.m. in the Valley County Courthouse in Cascade.
The proposed operating budget for 2020 is about $11.4 million for the county.
The county would take the maximum allowed 3% increase in taxes and new construction under the proposed budget.
continued:
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Valley solid waste fee proposed to go up $25 per year
Fees for dumping certain items would increase 20%
By Max Silverson for The Star-News Aug 22, 2019
The annual fee charged to Valley County property owners to operate the county’s waste transfer station would go up $25 under a proposal to be aired Monday.
A public hearing to raise the annual assessment from $85 to $110 for residential properties will be presented to Valley County commissioners starting at 1:45 p.m. Monday at the Valley County Courthouse in Cascade.
The fee is levied on nearly 12,000 residential parcels to pay for operations of the transfer station on Spink Lane northeast of Donnelly.
Annual assessments for commercial properties would go from $255 per year to $330 per year under the proposal.
The fees are separate from monthly charges charged for trash collection in the county done under contract by Lake Shore Disposal.
continued:
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Donnelly fire district to pull $121K from property tax reserve
By Drew Dodson for The Star-News Aug 22, 2019
About $121,000 in deferred property taxes from 2010 to 2015 would be added to the Donnelly Rural Fire Protection District’s 2020 budget under a current proposal.
The extra money is needed to hire three new full-time firefighter/EMTs and one new full-time firefighter/medic, Chief Juan Bonilla said.
Public hearings on the base budget and the addition of the deferred taxes will be held on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Donnelly Fire Station at 244 W. Roseberry Rd.
Under the base budget, the district would collect about $774,000 in property taxes in 2020, up from the $732,000 it collected in 2019. The total budget for 2020 would be about $1.1 million.
That number includes about $22,000 from a property tax increase of 3% and about $21,000 for the value of new construction in the district.
If the deferred taxes, also known as foregone taxes, are approved the total property tax draw would jump to about $895,000.
continued:
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Possible water contamination in Silver City
Joey Prechtl August 20, 2019 KTVB
Silver City, Idaho — Don’t drink the water. That’s the message from Silver City officials to the residents of the town.
Clarence Orton, the chairman of the town’s water committee, said tap water has turned cloudy.
He isn’t sure what’s causing it, or if the water poses any sort of health risks.
… The town gets its water from a spring on Florida Mountain, according to Orton. That’s also where the Delamar mining project is. Orton says he contacted the company, which then began collecting samples of water from around town to test.
full story:
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Couple rescued after UTV crash in the Sawtooths
KTVB August 20, 2019
Rescue UTV
Blaine County, Idaho — An elderly couple needed a rescue after rolling their UTV in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Monday.
According to the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office, the pair was about five miles up Boulder Creek from Highway 75 when the crash happened at about 2:47 p.m.
Officials say the UTV had tipped over onto its side. The people inside were not hurt, but needed help getting out. Blaine County Sheriff’s deputies and a US Forest Service law enforcement officer responded out to the Boulder City historical area with a rescue UTV.
continued:
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Idaho officials OK $84.5 million endowment distribution
by Associated Press Tuesday, August 20th 2019
Boise, Idaho (AP) – State officials have approved a 4.5 percent increase in payouts to public schools and other beneficiaries from money generated from the state’s 3,750 square miles (9,700 square kilometers) of endowment lands.
Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little and four other statewide elected officials on the Idaho Land Board voted 5-0 Tuesday to approve the record $84.5 million distribution.
Most of that money, $52.5 million, will go to public schools. The rest will be split up between universities, state hospitals for the mentally ill, state veterans homes, the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind, Idaho’s juvenile correction system and Idaho’s prison system.
The $84.5 million comes from timber sales, leases on state lands and earnings from investments in the $2.3 billion land grant endowment fund.
Idaho received the endowment lands in 1890 when it became a state.
source:
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Tips and Advice:
New warning about common mistake home cooks make with chicken that could make you sick
by WKRC Tuesday, August 20th 2019
It’s a big debate among home cooks – should you wash raw chicken before you cook it? Now the USDA is weighing in with a clear “NO”!
A new report from the USDA finds rinsing raw chicken can actually boost the chances you pick up a nasty food-borne illness like salmonella. Researchers had 300 people prepare chicken and salad in test kitchens. They found in about a third of the cases where the cooks rinsed raw chicken their salads were contaminated with bacteria.
Rinsing chicken means you’re spreading any bacteria on it to your sink. So when you accidentally drop that carrot while peeling it a few minutes later, it’s now contaminated. Same goes for the lettuce you rinsed off in a colander resting in that sink.
continued:
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Scam Alerts:
Scam Alert from McCall Police Department
via Valley County Sheriff FB page Aug 22, 2019
Earlier today a male approached a home in McCall and gave one of the residents a letter that stated “Confidential”. The letter instructed the homeowner to contact their mortgage service. The letter included a phone number that when called asked for a social security number as verification. This is a scam.
If you are approached at your home or find a letter in your door concerning your mortgage please do not call the number.
The male was described as short, tan, and in his 40’s. he may be driving a grey/blue station wagon.
If you see or have contact with this male please call us immediately at 208-382-5160.
Please contact the Valley County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center if you have contact or information regarding this scam. 208-382-5160
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Better Business Bureau warns customers to watch for email hacks
Local business emails spoofed to trick consumers
Aug 19, 2019 KIVI
Boise, Idaho — Better Business Bureau is warning you to keep a close eye on your inbox after local businesses experience an email hack.
Idaho businesses have reported the hack that led to mass phishing emails being sent to their client lists. The emails can appear to be from services you know and trust, including your local plumber, dentist or spa. Businesses of all types–from construction to technology, big and small–are susceptible to data breaches.
Hackers know that every business has its weak spots, and they search for those open doors and raid them. Once hackers have credentials to gain access, they go to work. Hackers take the time to copy contact lists, mimic past email messages and copy company signature lines. By impersonating a local company you’ve worked with previously, con artists hope you’ll fall for their tricks.
continued:
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Mining News:
Midas Gold plans to keep road open through mine area
Original plan would have detoured traffic around Stibnite
(Note: This is the second in a series of stories detailing changes proposed by Midas Gold to its Stibnite Gold Project. Next Week: Tailings Storage).
By Drew Dodson for The Star-News Aug 22, 2019
Hikers, campers, hunters and other recreationists would be able drive through Stibnite during Midas Gold Idaho’s mining operations under changes proposed by the company.
The change was one of several proposed to the Payette National Forest in May by Midas Gold to the operating plan submitted in 2016.
The Payette forest is now reviewing the proposal and is expected to issue a draft environmental study of the project by the end of the year.
The changes were made in response to public comments from Yellow Pine residents expressing a desire for public travel through the mine site to be allowed during operations to maintain access to lands east of the site, Midas Gold Idaho Permitting Manager Dale Kerner said of the change.
Allowing public travel through the site would cost Midas Gold more money and require several additional measures to maintain public safety, Kerner said.
“A public access route through the mine site is a challenge. However, it is not insurmountable,” he said.
Public traffic could continue to travel to hiking trails, campgrounds and other area east of the mine site via Stibnite Road, the current access road, for the majority of the 20-year project.
But a 12-foot-wide gravel roadway through the site would not be built until after the first year of mining operations, or about four years after construction at the mine site begins.
The new roadway would connect to the existing Thunder Mountain Road, which would be linked to the proposed Burntlog Road east of the project site as the primary mine traffic access.
Midas Gold’s original proposal would have forced public traffic from Yellow Pine to detour around the mine site via Johnson Creek Road and Midas Gold’s proposed upgraded and extended Burntlog Road.
The detour would add about 43 miles to a trip of normally about 18 miles to reach Monumental Summit and other land east of the mine on existing Forest Service roads, Kerner said.
Travel through the site would be limited to protect the public from dangerous mine operations like blasting, he said.
Restrictions would remain in place for about 20 years until mine operations and site clean-up is complete.
The road could be closed for hours or even days at a time during mining operations that could threaten public safety, Kerner said.
Plans call for gates at each end of the project site that would be manned by guards to prevent public traffic from entering at dangerous times.
Pilot cars also could be used to ensure public traffic would not linger on the project site during blasting or other dangerous mining operations, according to the modified plan.
Berms and fencing would also be added along the sides of the roadway to screen views of mining operations to avoid distracting motorists.
The road would not be plowed during the winter, Kerner said.
Midas Gold’s modified plan proposes changes to the alignment of about a five-mile section of the Burntlog Road near the Riordan Creek drainage.
The realignment would straighten the roadway and reduce the overall length while also moving the road away from wetlands and flattening steep grades.
The change would move the road closer to the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness, but would remain at least 100 feet away, Kerner said.
source: (used with permission) © Copyright 2009-2018 Central Idaho Publishing Inc.
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Payette suggests moving tailings storage at Stibnite mine
Midas Gold resists plan, citing damage to environment
By Drew Dodson for The Star-News Aug 22, 2019
The East Fork South Fork Salmon River could be re-routed around Midas Gold’s 100 million-ton tailings storage pile under an alternative to the proposed mine being weighed by the Payette National Forest, a Midas Gold official told The Star-News.
Relocating the tailings storage facility from Meadow Valley to the East Fork South Fork Valley is being considered by the Payette forest as it reviews Midas Gold’s proposed mine near Yellow Pine, Midas Gold Idaho Permitting Manager Dale Kerner said.
The tailings are neutralized before being placed in a lined storage area designed to prevent lingering metals from leaching into the ground or neighboring streams.
Kerner has been provided with documentation about the Payette’s alternative, which he presented last month to the Stibnite Advisory Council, the citizens panel that receives monthly briefings on the project.
Midas Gold does not want the tailing storage facility in the East Fork South Fork drainage because it has been unaffected by previous mining operations and forest fires.
“We’d rather not touch this drainage,” Midas Gold Idaho Permitting Manager Dale Kerner said. “It’s got cool water, it’s got good shading, good vegetation and great fish habitat.”
Moving the tailings to the East Fork South Fork would also potentially harm the environment, he said.
The relocation would make it difficult to reprocess and properly store tailings from past mining operations that currently lie in Meadow Valley, which is where Midas Gold proposes to put tailings.
Instead, the existing uncontained tailings would continue to leach toxic metals into the ground and nearby streams.
“Relocating the tailings storage facility is a missed opportunity to utilize an area that’s been previously disturbed,” Kerner said.
The Payette’s proposed relocation would also involve re-routing more streams, including the East Fork South Fork Salmon River, around the tailings storage to prevent contamination.
About 98 acres would be added to the project’s footprint by moving the tailings storage facility from Meadow Valley to the East Fork South Fork Valley, according to Midas Gold officials.
The Payette forest has not released the alternative plan and will not discuss it until a draft study of Midas Gold’s plan is released at the end of the year, Payette Public Affairs Officer Brian Harris said.
The Payette is required to evaluate alternatives for the mine according to the federal review process, Harris said.
Kerner told The Star-News that Payette officials have not stated a reason for revisiting the East Fork South Fork tailing storage location.
source: (used with permission) © Copyright 2009-2018 Central Idaho Publishing Inc.
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Fire Season:
Updates posted Aug 25, 2019
link:
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Public Lands:
Prescribed Burn Information for Fall 2019 YP Community Meeting Sept 4
The Payette NF, Krassel RD is hosting a community meeting to provide information for the Fall 2019 prescribed burn season. I will have a short presentation and we will take questions. This is informal and conversation/ discussion will be welcome.
Time: Wednesday Sept 4, 2019 11:00-12:00
Place: Yellow Pine Community Hall
We are planning on implementing prescribed burns in both the Four Mile and Bald Hill project areas this fall, likely September or October. Maps are attached with burn blocks that are planned outlined in red. If you cannot attend and have any questions or concerns please feel free to call Laurel Ingram, Fuels Tech at 208-634-0622 or Patrick Schon, Fuels Specialist at 208-634-0623.
Thanks and hope to see you in Yellow Pine on Sept 4.
Laurel Ingram
Fuels Technician
Payette National Forest
Krassel Ranger District
link to: Bald Hill Fall 2019 Notifications.pdf
link to: FourMile_Notification Fall 2019.pdf
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Boise Forest Coalition
Boise Forest Coalition Field Day on September 10th
by Elizabeth Spaulding on 08/22 6:32 PM
Please join the Boise Forest Coalition and the Boise National Forest on Tuesday, September 10th for a Citizen Science Field Day near the Sage Hen area of the Boise National Forest. Participants will learn how to conduct a variety of monitoring activities, including:
* Photo monitoring plots
* Hydro meter stations
* Unauthorized route assessments
* Wildlife monitoring with game cameras
* Legacy tree surveys
The goal of the field day is to train interested individuals on the role of monitoring and how to use associated equipment and tools. Participants will then be prepared to assist volunteers at the Boise Forest Coalition’s Volunteer Work Day next spring. All are welcome!
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Stanley to Landmark Road
Forest road 579 temporary closure planned from September 16th – Sept. 29th for maintenance.
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Temporary closures planned for roads to Red Mountain and within the Rock Creek area of the Lowman Ranger District
Lowman, Idaho, August 22, 2019 — The Boise National Forest wants to inform the public that a number of roads in the Lowman Ranger District will have temporary closures planned for hazard tree felling beginning the second week in September through the end of the month. The worked will be completed by a private contractor.
The contractor is expected to begin the felling work on National Forest System (NFS) 515 and then move into the Rock Creek area. They will work on NFS road 594 and then continue through the Rock Creek road system and end with NFS road 551. When a road is completed the Forest is expected to reopen it for public access.
Temporary National Forest System road closures scheduled include:
* NFS road 515 which leads to the Red Mountain trailhead north of Lowman: Sept. 9 – Sept. 23 The road closure will also temporarily restrict access to the west end of the Red Mtn. trailhead.
* NFS roads 594, 594A road system and 551 within the Rock Creek drainage west of Lowman: Sept. 9-Sept. 30. Work is expected to begin on NFS road 594 first.
“We want to give enough notice to the public, particularly archery hunters, who may have plans to hunt in this area of unit 33 (Sawtooth Zone). They need to plan their hunt accordingly because these forest roads are expected to be closed for public safety,” said John Kidd, Lowman District Ranger. “Once the work begins we encourage folks to call the District office or check our website for specific area information.”
While some of these trees where commercially salvaged after the Pioneer Fire, there are still some hazard trees remaining in locations were commercial harvest did not meet restoration objectives.
The North Pioneer Fire Salvage and Reforestation Project decision signed in 2017 recommended this treatment to provide for public safety and reduce future maintenance needs over multiple years by forest personnel.
Once the closures are in place they will be posted here:
Lowman Ranger District: 208-259-3361.
link to: 0402-05-82 NFS Road 515 Closure Timber MAP.pdf
link to: 0402-05-81 NFS Roads 594-551 Closure – Timber MAP.pdf
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USDA Forest Service Sinker Creek Project Post-scoping Update on Sinker Creek-Boise Ridge Forest Health Project
In August 2018, the Mountain Home Ranger District of the Boise National Forest conducted scoping for two projects (Sinker Creek Project and Boise Ridge Forest Health Project). As communicated in the scoping cover letter, these projects were anticipated to be completed using a categorical exclusion (CE) for each project. Based on the comments received during scoping and additional considerations brought forward by the interdisciplinary team, the Forest Supervisor has decided to combine the proposed actions for both projects and conduct one Environmental Assessment (EA) instead of two CEs. The project is now referred to as the Sinker Creek-Boise Ridge Forest Health Project. link:
The Forest intends to complete the EA using the provisions found in the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA), Title VI, as amended by the Agricultural Improvement Acts of 2014 and 2018. It has been determined that all proposed treatment areas are within the wildland urban interface (WUI) and within 1.5 miles of an at-risk community, as defined by HFRA (Section 101). Because the project meets the WUI and at-risk community analysis criteria outlined in HFRA (Section 104(d)), the Forest is only required to analyze the proposed action and does not need to develop and analyze an action alternative. The proposed actions have also already been modified, as described in the next paragraph, in response to comments received during initial scoping. Even without considering the HFRA provisions regarding alternative development, no other issues have been identified that would drive development of an alternative to the proposed action.
Other changes in response to the comments received, which will be evident in the EA, include:
* Substantially reducing the miles of new temporary road construction (from 15.3 miles [for both projects, as described in the scoping letter] to 7.1 miles for the combined project); and
* Better describing the Riparian Conservation Area (RCA) delineation process and clarifying no treatments are proposed in RCAs.
There will still be no miles of permanent road construction and there have been relatively no changes to vegetation management actions (e.g. treatment types, acreages) as described in the previous scoping letter – though minor adjustments to treatment boundaries have been made to address resource concerns identified after additional field work.
HFRA requires public notice of authorized hazardous fuel reduction projects in accordance with applicable regulations and administrative guidelines (Section 104 (e)(1)) and this letter satisfies the requirement. HFRA requires a public meeting during the preparation stage of the project (Section 104(e)(2)).The Boise National Forest is hosting a public meeting on September 5, 2019 from 6:00-8:00pm at the Collister Library located at 4724 W State St, Boise, ID 83703.
HFRA also requires an opportunity for public comment during development of an EA (Section 104 (g)). Scoping of the proposed actions, even though initially proposed under CEs, satisfies the opportunity for comment as these comments helped inform modifications to the proposed action and the need to do an EA instead of a CE. While comments may be submitted at any time, for the purposes of this project the responsible official is not seeking additional written comments.
By changing from a CE to an EA, the project is also now subject to a pre-decisional objection process (36 CFR 218). Because this is a HFRA project, subparts A and C of 36 CFR 218 apply. Notification of the beginning of the pre-decisional objection period will be provided via publication of a legal notice in the newspaper of record (Idaho Statesman) and to those who provided comments in response to scoping.
Thank you for taking the time to review the updates to this project, which were made in large part based on the comments received during scoping. If you have any questions, please direct them to Josh Newman, Project Leader, at 208-559-3087.
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Tips and Advice:
Be bear aware
Being outdoors means being with wildlife. Many people never encounter a bear. But if you do, here’s some simple advice: A graphic with a grey bear icon. it reads bear country
* DO NOT RUN.
* Remain calm.
* Group together and pick up small children.
* Continue to face the bear and back away slowly, talking calmly to identify yourself as a human.
* If the bear continues to approach, try to scare it away by making yourself as large and imposing as possible by stretching your arms overhead and making loud noises.
* Carry and know how to use bear spray, which is available at many outdoor retailers and can be used to deter a charging bear.
source:
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Letter to Share:
Chronic Wasting Disease/Mystic Farm Wildlife Rescue, Inc.
Many of my Mystic Farm followers/supporters have been asking me about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and what it means for the future of the rescue. Honest answer? I don’t know. This subject has been weighing heavy on my mind for some time. The future of Mystic Farm is in the hands of the outcome of future findings in the state of Idaho. There has NOT been a documented case in our state…yet. IDFG will be stepping up their testing of harvested game this hunting season. There is presently no field test to be used on fawns/deer – a sample of the brain must be submitted for testing and can take weeks for results. There have been two recent documented cases just over the border in Libby, Montana. Deer know no borders… So, in the meantime – while we wait – here is an article with information and a map showing the areas of the U.S. most affected.
Dory McIsaac
link to story in the UK’s Daily Mail:
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Critter News:
Valley County Bat tests positive for Rabies
A bat recently found in a Valley County yard has tested positive for rabies. If you or your pet come into contact with a bat, work to capture and save the bat in a container (without touching it!) and contact your local health department to arrange for testing. In Valley County, call CDH at 208-634-7194. For more on how to safely capture a bat you or your pet came into contact with, visit:
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Pet Talk – Acute leukemia in dogs and cats
By Dr. Karsten Fostvedt Aug 23, 2019 IME
Acute leukemia in dogs and cats is usually a cancer of young lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. The lymphocytes involved are formed in the bone marrow and other lymphoid organs such as the liver and the spleen and other lymph nodes. Young lymphocytes are called blast cells. Often, these blast cells are released into the bloodstream, where they can be seen under the microscope. If blast cells are seen, then acute leukemia is diagnosed. Many different types of leukemia are possible, but we will deal primarily with the common lymphocytic leukemia in this article.
With leukemias, so many blast cells are released into the blood that the white-blood-cell count becomes very elevated. This is called leukocytosis. There are other reasons for leukocytosis besides leukemia. Leukemia differs from other forms of leukocytosis in that the white blood cells being produced are abnormal, and are primarily these immature blast cells. Lymphocytic leukemia may be acute or chronic. In general, acute leukemia is a more aggressive disease than chronic leukemia. Acute lymphocytic leukemia can be a dangerous, rapidly progressive cancer that can affect all ages of dogs and cats.
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Study: Dogs help owners maintain heart health
Study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings Friday
By Leah Asmelash Aug 23, 2019 Local News 8
Dog’s aren’t just our best friends, they’re also good for our health, new research suggests.
A study published Friday in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings says that owning a pet, especially a dog, may help maintain a healthy heart — in case you needed any more reason to head to your local animal shelter.
… The researchers compared the cardiovascular health scores of pet owners with those of petless people. In general, people who owned a pet were more physically active than those who did not, with healthier diets and blood sugar levels.
full story:
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West Valley Humane Society receives 63 cats in a day following program announcement
by CBS 2 News Staff Wednesday, August 21st 2019
Caldwell, Idaho (CBS 2) — The West Valley Humane Society received an overflow of cats following the Community Cat Program announcement.
This program will prioritize spaying/neutering and vaccinating all cats that come into shelter care and returning them back into their communities.
Following the announcement, community members brought 63 cats into the shelter in one day.
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4 last wolves in Washington pack killed by state hunters
By Nicholas K. Geranios – 8/19/19 AP
Spokane, Wash. — The last four members of a wolf pack that preyed on cattle in a rural Washington state area bordering Canada have been killed by state hunters, prompting protests from environmental groups.
The four wolves were part of a pack that originally had seven members and attacked cows, killing or wounding them 29 times since 2018 and nine times over the last month, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a statement last Friday. Agency director Kelly Susewind authorized the killings of the remaining pack members on July 31.
Environmental groups opposed the killings, which they contended benefited one ranching operation in Ferry County in the remote Kettle River Range of mountains that stretches into the Canadian province of British Columbia.
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Nonresident, second elk tags selling out for 2019 Idaho hunting
by CBS 2 News Staff Monday, August 19th 2019
Idaho – Nonresident elk tags sold out Friday, and nonresident elk and deer tags have sold out the past two years, and are selling faster this year.
Nonresident hunters who plan to buy a deer tag, or resident hunters interested in buying a second tag, should do so quickly.
Of the 15,500 nonresident deer tags available this year, less than 3,000 are left.
source:
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Idaho hunters warned of game meat in warmer weather
by CBS 2 News Staff Saturday, August 24th 2019
Boise, Idaho (CBS 2) — Idaho Fish and Game are warning Idaho hunters to take extra precautions with game meat in warmer weather.
“Have a plan in place to take care of game meat if you’re hunting during hot or warm weather,” says Mike Demick, staff biologist.
Early season big game hunts have started, which means they may be harvesting animals during hot weather.
Hunters can be cited for wasting game. They have a legal (and ethical) obligation to properly care for the game meat they harvest.
continued with tips and advice:
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Idaho works to identify pronghorn migration patterns
by Colin Tiernan (Associated Press) Sunday, August 25th 2019
(Idaho Department of Fish and Game)
Bellevue, Idaho (AP) – The helicopter banked left and tracked its quarry over the field for about 10 seconds before the net gun went off with a distant pop. The chopper touched down abruptly and two men, helmeted and clad in orange, leaped out and bolted toward the captured pronghorn.
It was an unwelcome surprise for an animal that had been calmly grazing in a green-gold field, back dropped by the Sawtooths. But the Idaho Fish and Game Magic Valley Regional Office had good reasons Aug. 8 for descending on pronghorn from the sky and capturing them with nets fired from guns. Compared to other big game species, like elk and mule deer, pronghorn in Idaho are understudied.
“We know they summer in one place and winter in another,” Magic Valley Region Fish and Game Wildlife Manager Mike McDonald said. “What we don’t know is how they get there.”
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Massive juniper tree-cutting project aims to aid sage grouse
By Keith Ridler – 8/21/19 AP
Murphy, Idaho — The largest-ever project in the U.S. to remove thousands of juniper trees to help imperiled sage grouse has started in Idaho.
Junipers provide perches for raptors that attack and kill sage grouse. Junipers also force out sagebrush and other plants that produce bugs that sage grouse eat. Sage grouse also feed on the sagebrush during the winter.
Overall, sage grouse numbers have dwindled from an estimated 16 million before European settlement of the West to no more than 500,000 today in 11 western states.
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Resource advisors help protect Chinook Salmon during Idaho fire
by Ryan L Morrison Monday, August 19th 2019
McCall, Idaho (CBS 2) — Terrestrial wildlife; deer, elk, squirrels, and birds, they all usually manage to escape large wildfires like the Nethker Fire.
Fish, on the other hand, can’t make it out quite as easy.
When big wildfires break out, officials find resource advisors to help fire teams prevent further damage.
Resource advisors, “reads” for short, work with firefighters on different areas advising for wildlife, streams, burn scars and fish.
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Fish & Game News:
Second controlled hunt draw results now online
By Brian Pearson, Conservation Public Information Specialist
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Results of the elk, deer, pronghorn, fall turkey and black bear second controlled hunt drawing have been posted through Fish and Game’s licensing system.
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Public’s help sought in pronghorn poaching near Stanley
By Mike Demick, Staff Biologist
Monday, August 19, 2019
Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) is offering a reward for information
An illegally killed pronghorn buck was discovered recently near Stanley, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game is asking the public for information to bring the poacher to justice.
continued: Warning – disturbing photo
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Mule deer killed with pellet gun in Pocatello
By Jennifer Jackson, Regional Communications Manager
Friday, August 16, 2019
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking information regarding the illegal killing of a mule deer doe in Pocatello.
At approximately 9:00 am on August 1, Idaho Fish and Game received a call about an injured deer in a south Pocatello neighborhood. The deer was reported to be lying in a backyard of a residence located on Fruitwood Lane off of Bannock Highway, motionless with labored breathing. The deer died before Fish and Game arrived at the scene.
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Roadkill research to continue with new mission
Aug 20, 2019 Local News 8
Idaho Falls, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) – An Idaho Fish and Game Department study focusing on roadkill incidents on US Highway 20 and State Highway 87 in Fremont County will continue, but with a slightly different mission.
The department received a $25,000 Citizen Science Grant in February to pay for volunteer mileage and fund a wildlife technician to coordinate the study through December.
One of the goals of the initial grant was to gather information for the Idaho Transportation Department as it made decisions about wildlife crossings. Since then, however, Fremont County Commissioners and citizens have made it clear they are not interested in constructing wildlife crossings there.
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IDFG uses giant net, 60 people to round up salmon
by CBS 2 News Staff Wednesday, August 21st 2019
Idaho Fish and Game uses giant net, 60 people to round up salmon. (Brian Pearson, IDFG)
Idaho Fish and Game gathered more than 60 staff and volunteers to round up Chinook salmon using a very, very large net.
Most years IDFG waits for the fish to naturally return to hatcheries, but this summer nearly 250 fish were downstream and couldn’t make the final swim.
So, they helped them out at the Sawtooth Hatchery near Stanley.
With a variety of nets strung together, the team made a giant loop across the river.
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More F&G News Releases
link:
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Fun Critter Stuff:
Dogs take over the pool at the Natatorium in the Boise tradition
Aug 20, 2019 Steve Dent KIVI
Boise, Idaho — Every year when kids go back to school, the Boise Parks & Recreation Department opens up the Natatorium for the See Spot Splash event.
Dog owners bring their pooches to the pool and let them frolic in the water.
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Seasonal Humor:
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Photo contributed by Sharon McConnel
The Yellow Pine Times 