Oct 27, 2019 The Yellow Pine Times – Valley County, Idaho
Note: The boil order and water restrictions are still in effect.
Community Calendar:
April 2 – Boil water order issued
Every Sunday – 11am Fire/SAR Training
May 15 – Nov 30 Firewood Season
Oct 31 – Halloween
Nov 1 – 3-day a week mail service begins
Nov 2 – 8pm Halloween-End Of Hunting Season Party
Nov 3 – 2am Daylight saving time ends
Nov 6 – Amerigas propane delivery
(details below)
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Local Events:
Salmon Feed
There was a salmon feed at the Yellow Pine Tavern last Monday evening, October 21st.
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Halloween-End Of Hunting Season Party Nov 2nd
Halloween-End Of Hunting Season Party at the Yellow Pine Tavern Nov 2nd, 8pm.
Chili Dogs Provided by the Tavern, bring snacks if you wish. Costume Contest or come as you are.
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Fall Back Nov 3rd
Daylight savings time ends at 2am November 3rd this year. Don’t forget to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and CO2 detectors.
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Nov 6th – Amerigas propane delivery
Amerigas will be coming in November 6th to get everyone topped off for winter. If you are a “will call customer” you will need to order online or call us or you will not get fuel.
Amerigas Phone: (208) 634-8181
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Village News:
Plumbers visit Yellow Pine
Rocky Mountain Mechanical Plumbing Crew Keaton Hess and Levi Kurta
It is often difficult to find professionals willing to come all the way to Yellow Pine to work on projects in the hinterlands. Fortunately we found a company out of Emmett that will schedule time for Yellow Pine to work on both furnaces and plumbing. Rocky Mountain Mechanical (208) 365-PIPE (7473)
Their plumbing crew traveled from a job in Cascade to Yellow Pine Monday evening, Oct 21st, found accommodations at the Yellow Pine Lodge and dinner at the Yellow Pine Tavern. On Tuesday morning, bright and early, they went to work on a couple of projects for locals. Fortunately the rain let up in time for working outside in the trenches. After finishing up 2 jobs in the School Subdivision, they headed up to the orchard (in a borrowed UTV to get up the steep hill) and worked on fixing the leak in the main water line for the village, parts for which locals had made a quick trip to town and back.
It took coordination and planning from several people to get this all accomplished – as they say, “it takes a village.” Thanks to all involved.
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Last Fall Heating Fuel Delivery
Chris Gurney of Diamond Fuel and Feed came to Yellow Pine early Friday morning, Oct 25th, to top off fuel tanks for winter heating.
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Boil Water Order Still in Effect
Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
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Get Ready for Winter Heating
* Inspect and clean the chimney. Contact the YPFD to borrow chimney brushes.
* Inspect and clean wood stoves, make sure dampers work properly and check for leaks.
* Check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors – install fresh batteries.
* Check your fire extinguisher and make sure it is handy. Manually rotate them around, tip upside down and lightly shake them, thus keeping the fire fighting agent loose, and check that the needle is still in the green. If you need a new one please call, your fire commissioner or Jeff F.
* If you have an oil-powered furnace, replace your filter and nozzle and check the tank level.
* Check your propane tank levels (early morning when it is cool in case there is a wasp nest!) Check to make sure snow falling from the roof cannot impact your pipes!
* Test the igniter switch. On an old system, you might have to relight the pilot. Newer systems have electronic igniters.
* Lubricate and clean the blower motor. First check the owner’s manual to see if your motor is the kind that needs lubricating. If it does, turn off the power, open the cover and clean the caps covering the bearings. Then remove the caps and lubricate the bearings.
* Inspect the blower belt for cracks. Turn off the power to the furnace at the main circuit breaker. Use a screwdriver to remove the steel cover of the air handler. The blower belt is the largest rubber belt that you see. Replace the belt if it is cracked.
* Inspect the exhaust flue outdoors to ensure it is free of obstructions such as branches or animal nests.
* Keep the area around your furnace unit free of debris and clutter.
* Change the air filters. Clean your air vents and ducts. Remove the vent covers with a screwdriver. Use the extension hose of your vacuum to remove the dust.
* Open all your air vents. Remove furniture, boxes and clutter that get in the way of air flowing from the vents.
Local Fuel Suppliers
Propane
Amerigas Phone: (208) 634-8181
Ed Staub & Sons Phone: (208) 634-3833
Heating fuel
Diamond Fuel & Feed Phone: (208) 382-4430
Furnace Service
Rocky Mountain Mechanical (208) 365-PIPE (7473), Emmett
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Yellow Pine Transfer Station
Oct 22nd “Bring It – Don’t Burn It” Pile Burned
Tim Dulhanty, Fuels Technician for the Cascade Ranger District, Boise National Forest reports they burned our woody debris pile at the Transfer station Oct 22nd at 2pm. He said it went well, “it was pretty clean, the signs really helped this year, thanks.” -TD
“Kudos to all that brought their woody debris to the transfer station. Cecil really worked the pile with his backhoe, he spent a lot of his time and energy to keep the pile looking good and free of non-burnables. Thanks to all the community members for helping to keep the pile as woody debris only and not furniture, building supplies, insulation, etc.” – JF
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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Yellow Pine US Mail
The 3-day a week mail delivery will start Nov 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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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:
Yellow Pine Water Use 2019
(click image for larger size)
[h/t Dave P]
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The 2019 Yellow Pine Water Users Shareholders meeting was Sunday July 7th in the community hall. (No minutes yet)
Water Update Oct 23:
Thank you for all involved for getting the leak fixed [village water main]. For those in the hole on the first go round replacing the section of pipe. Getting correct parts for the fix. To lining up plumbers that were already in town on another project for someone else, to turning water off and on, and filling in the big hole.
– Nik
October 22nd – The crew from Rocky Mountain Mechanical repaired the main water line leak up near the orchard.
Water Update Oct 15th:
A major leak was found and a temporary fix was made until parts can be obtained. Once parts and people are available, that will be fixed. Fixing that leak doesn’t mean we will be off the boil order. The boil order was issued by the DEQ. They will not lift that order until the chlorine contact time meets the standard.
– Steve Holloway
Water Update (posted to FB Oct 4th 930pm)
Today (10/4) YPWUA worked on the section of pipe that had a number of leaks. Unfortunately we were unable to complete the repairs due to having a couple of incorrect parts. We will order the parts as soon as possible and complete the repairs. We had to do some creative Engineering today but cut 10 leaks to 2 small ones. Thank you to Jeff Forster and Dayle Bennett for working in the muck and water for two days without complaint, to Cecil Dallman for excellent excavation work, to Dave McClintock for parts and advice, to Layne Bennett, Ginny Bartholomew and Ann Forster for their support. Thanks to the community for your patience.
– Willie Sullivan
Water Update (posted to FB Oct 3rd 9pm):
YPWUA found the leaks today (above the orchard) and will be repairing them tomorrow. The water will be off from 10am till repairs and testing completed.
– Willie Sullivan
Water Update Sept 21 (excerpted from VYPA 9/21 meeting notes):
Tests were conducted by Idaho Rural Water [July 19th] in an effort to locate the source of the major leak in the system. They will return October 3rd to continue the search for leaks. The line between Alpine Village and the Saleen property, which includes the bridge across the East Fork river is the line most suspected to be leaking. Cecil Dallman will stand by with a backhoe to dig in locations found. More digging work is needed at the tanks and pipes near the water facility. A second engineer is being consulted. Getting contractors to come to YP and replace seals is difficult. The previous grant money is tied to a timeline so some specified work must be done this fall.
The possibility for a large amount of grant money is very slim because we would have to take out a loan and use the borrowed money for the required matching money, and then there would be the loan payments. Money on hand must be used on required repairs to the contact tank. Because some water users do not have voting rights YPWUA does not qualify for some grants.
There are 56 shares available for purchase at $100/share. Each piece of land is entitled to own one share. Share holders are entitled to vote; water users that do not own a share may not vote, but do have access to water. The owners of the 56 lots are encouraged to purchase shares. Ownership of a share is shown on your annual water bill.
Anyone wanting to arrange a payment plan should contact Willie Sullivan.
– Steve Holloway/Willie Sullivan
Water Update Sept 8:
Still looking for the leak. Water restrictions and boil order still in effect.
Water Update June 7:
The “boil order” is still in effect.
There [are] still large water leaks in the system. We continue to look.
Work is currently being done on the new contact tank.
Please, no lawn watering until we find and repair the major leaks.
– Steve Holloway
May 1st: Leak in alley repaired
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:
Village of Yellow Pine Association Meeting Minutes for September 21, 2019
link to: 20190921 Village of Yellow Pine Association Meeting
Village of Yellow Pine Association Meeting Minutes for August 10, 2019
link to: 20190810 VYPA Minutes
Village of Yellow Pine Association Meeting Minutes for 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
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YPFD News:
District 1 Fire Commissioner
Per the Postings on the opening for Yellow Pine District 1 Fire Commissioner, Sue Holloway came forward to volunteer her time to represent YP Fire District 1. The Fire Commissioners have unanimously agreed to accept Sue as a Fire Commissioner representing the residents of District One, (The center of Yellow Pine Ave. West). This position will run for 4 years.
We look forward to having Sue as a Fire Commissioner. Sue brings a community commitment not only as a resident but also as a business owner. Thank You Sue for stepping up for the challenge.
YP Fire Commissioners:
Sue Holloway District 1
Dan Stiff, District 2
Merrill Saleen, District 3
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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
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Meeting minutes for Sept 14, 2019
link to: 2019-09-14 YPFD Meeting_final
Meeting minutes for July 13, 2019
link to: 20190713 YPFD Meeting Notes_final
Meeting minutes for June 16, 2019
link to: 20190615 YPFD Meeting Notes_Final
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Training update 10/24: “FD training is done for the year except for anyone wanting a one-on-one orientation session with the fire station and fire engine operations/pumping. Those that are interested can call me and I’ll make it happen.” – Fire Chief Jeff
YP Helispot update 10/24: “The Helispot is on it’s final stages of completion. The sidewalk to the pad needs to be concreted but everything else is complete. The gate and signs are up and Valley County Dispatch has the GPS coordinates. (44.95968 -115.49531) It’s listed as Yellow Pine Helispot. The gate is unlocked and will remain that way. There is a snow shovel there if needed. I’m asking that NO VEHICLES go beyond the gate. We already had a muddy ATV’er ride all over the pad and over the new paint with muddy tires marking up the pad. We’re planning on a dedication ceremony on the Wednesday or Thursday prior to the 2020 Harmonica Festival. More on that next year.”
YP Helispot update 10/26: “The concrete walkway to the Helispot was completed today 10/26/2019. Thanks to all who worked in the cold, rain and snow to accomplish this needed project. The stretcher can be rolled smoothly to the helicopter making it safer for the the patient and medical personnel making it more comfortable for the patient and safer for everyone. Job well done.” JF – AF
-Fire Chief Jeff
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Biz Listings:
Yellow Pine Lodge (208) 633-3377
Call for reservations. Open until the end of hunting season.
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The Corner (208) 633-3325
Our fall hours are open by request for the winter. Please call 208-633-3325, 970-379-5155 or email at matt@ypcorner.com
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Yellow Pine Tavern (208) 633-2233
Fall hours open 8am to close
Full breakfast served starting at 8am with special arrangement for earlier breakfast as needed. 92 Octane non ethanol gas available, cubed ice, beer, pop and water sold by the 6 and 12 pack, snacks, ice cream and many supplies available. Burgers and Pizza, Beer and Wine on the evening menu. Football and other sports available on our TV. Wi Fi, Verizon phone service and information available.
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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 (Oct 21) overnight low of 31 degrees, overcast sky this morning, patchy old snow in the open, about an inch or more remains in the shade. Clark’s nutcracker, nuthatches, a lone pine siskin, jays and lots of juncos visiting this morning. Old snow melting and dripping off the roof at lunch time. Pine squirrels visiting. A little warmer and overcast mid-afternoon, high of 44 degrees. Starling and a robin showed up late afternoon. Misting a little before sundown, steady light rain after dark. More rain before sunrise.
Tuesday (Oct 22) probably stayed above freezing overnight, 37F at 930am, overcast and raining lightly. Jays, juncos, nuthatches and nutcrackers visiting. Ray Arnold driving mail truck today. Rain tapered off and ended a little after lunch time. Breaks in the clouds, warmer and light breeze mid-afternoon, high of 57 degrees. Water shut off this afternoon while plumbers repair leaks in the main water line (Rocky Mountain Mechanical out of Emmett.) Broken cloud cover at sunset. A few stars out before midnight, more stars out after midnight.
Wednesday (Oct 23) overnight low of 26 degrees, partly cloudy sky this morning and frosty. Red-breasted nuthatches and several jays visiting, chipmunks still running about. Heavy truck traffic on the back Stibnite road. Water pressure extra high on this end of the village. More clouds and gusty breezes just before 1pm. Chilly breezes and smaller clouds mid-afternoon, high of 50 degrees. Mostly clear and light chilly breeze at sunset.
Thursday (Oct 24) overnight low of 21 degrees, light frost and mostly cloudy sky this morning. White and red-breasted nuthatches, nutcracker, jays and hairy woodpecker visiting. Less clouds by lunch time. Clear mid-afternoon and mild, high of 54 degrees. Very light traffic. High water pressure at the bottom of the water system. Clear at sunset, golden glow at dusk. Lots of stars out before midnight.
Friday (Oct 25) overnight low of 26 degrees, clear sky and frosty this morning. Jays, nutcracker, hairy woodpecker and nuthatches visiting before sunrise. Diamond Fuel (and Feed) made their last fall delivery to top off tanks. Sunny and mild mid-day. Very light traffic for a Friday. Mostly cloudy (high wispies), warm and light breezes mid-afternoon, high of 67 degrees. Sun went down before 630pm. Mostly clear at dusk. Cloudy before midnight. Light skiff of snow fell before sunrise.
Saturday (Oct 26) tiny skiff of snow on the ground this morning, overnight low probably right at freezing (low of 26 from Fri morning) partly clear sky. Nutcrackers, nuthatches, jays, hairy woodpecker and a goldfinch in winter plumage visiting. Mostly cloudy and occasional flake of snow right after sunrise. Sounds of heavy equipment and back-up beepers. A few flakes of snow swirling around for a short time at noon. Pine siskins and goldfinches visited with the other birds this afternoon. Snow flurries, low clouds and gusty breezes on and off in the afternoon, high of 41 degrees, then temperature dropping below freezing. Partly cloudy at dusk and cold breezes. Blustery after midnight and partly clear.
Sunday (Oct 27) overnight low of 22 degrees, clear sky, breezy and frosty this morning. Several goldfinches in winter plumage along with the jays, nutcracker, nuthatches and starlings visiting. Sunny, breezy and cool at lunch time. Clear, breezy and cool mid-afternoon, high of 36 degrees. Rosy haze to the west at dusk, below freezing, clear and lighter breezes.
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RIP:
Karen Westfall
1-19-1956 to 10-21-2019
Karen Westfall passed away peacefully at home on Monday October 21, 2019.
Karen, beloved wife of Dan, was the grand daughter of Yellow Pine pioneers Faye and Iva Kissinger.
Karen Louise Westfall, 63, of Middleton, died Monday, October 21, 2019. Funeral Home: All Valley Cremation
Published in Idaho Press Tribune on Oct. 22, 2019
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Letter to Share:
Levy would provide sustainable revenue for Valley County roads
As a former Valley County road superintendent and commissioner, I have witnessed the reduction in revenue for our county road maintenance.
Historically the needed revenue has come from timber harvest dollars from national forests and fuel taxes for over 100 years. I personally made many trips to Washington D.C. to advocate for the Secure Rural Schools dollars to assist in funding the lost timber dollars, however each year Congress reduced the amount counties received.
Today, Valley County, when the funding is approved, there is not enough to provide basic services when added to the fuel tax revenue. With the reduction of timber harvest dollars the revenue is not sufficient to maintain the roads let alone the allow equipment upgrades, paying decent wages and purchasing needed materials.
On Nov. 5, the voters in Valley County will be asked if they want the county roads maintained sufficiently or allowed to continue to degrade. The maximum cost to the property owner will be $84 per $100,000 of the property market value to provide sustainable revenue so Valley County can provide the needed service to maintain the county roads.
In the event the road levy does not pass then snow removal will be limited to less than we have seen in the past, no major road projects would happen on a consistent basis, paved roads may have to return to gravel and staffing will be smaller than it is today. Additionally if the roads are not maintained to a graded and drained, standard the fuel tax dollars may be lost as they must be in a good condition to qualify per state standards.
Some question why Valley County maintains the roads into the national forest, and I would like to point out the funding collected from adding these miles to the fuel tax formula is what is used to fund this maintenance along with partnerships with the Forest Service and Nez Perce Tribe. If we don’t maintain these access routes. then there will be limited to no maintenance and Valley County loses $500,000 in revenue.
No one likes to have higher taxes, however I don’t believe anyone wants to pay higher costs for their own maintenance let alone higher cost of repairs on their vehicles due to rough roads.
We need to remember the Valley County commissioners do not have to impose the full levy if they determine not all the funding is needed to fund the road department.
So the decision, by state statue, is for the voters to decide whether to have decent county road maintenance or lose it all, which will place the burden on individuals or home owner associations to provide their own maintenance.
Gordon Cruickshank, McCall
source: The Star-News
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Idaho News:
Levy vote will set future of Valley County roads
(Note: This is the first of a two-part review of the proposed Valley County road levy that will be on the Nov. 5 ballot. Part 2 will appear next week.)
By Max Silverson for The Star-News Oct 24, 2019
Jeff McFadden scanned Spring Valley Road west of Donnelly, obviously deteriorated with crumbling edges, patches and potholes.
“This road is my nemesis,” said McFadden, who is Valley County road superintendent, noting the thousands of dollars that have been spent patching the road.
Spring Valley Road is one of several roads that could fall into greater disrepair if voters fail to pass a new, permanent property tax levy on Nov. 5.
“Some of these roads have more patch material on them than original asphalt,” McFadden said.
As it stands now, Valley County has no funds to properly maintain the road system. If the tax doesn’t pass, Spring Valley Road may end up being converted to a gravel road after all, along with several others.
Without the levy, Valley County will also have to eliminate up to half of its general road maintenance, bridge maintenance, culvert maintenance, backcountry road maintenance, and staff,” according to voter information put out by the county.
Historically, the road and bridge department received about $3 million per year from receipts from timber harvested on federal land within the county.
In 2000, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act was passed by Congress to provide direct federal funding to counties and schools located near national forests.
Currently, no local tax dollars fund the road department. The remainder of the budget is from highway user funds.
The department received only about $75,000 in SRS funds in 2017, and about $1 million in 2018 and this year. However, the act has not been reauthorized for 2020.
Without the property-tax levy, county commissioners warn the road department’s annual budget will drop to around $2 million and lead to significant reductions in the services it provides.
Passing the levy, on the other hand, would boost the department’s annual budget to about $6 million.
The county is about 20 years and $50 million behind on road work due to years of funding shortage, McFadden said.
“Gravel roads are a problem right now because we do not have the funds to crush gravel for resurfacing,” he said.
Routine maintenance is barely keeping up in the summer months, and vital county equipment needs to be replaced.
“We have four water trucks and we could barely keep two of them running this summer because of the age and fatigue that these trucks take,” McFadden said.
Various other county vehicles need to be replaced, with several dump trucks now too rusted to haul anything heavier than snow safely, he said.
“A road network of our size should actually require $18 million annually,” Valley County Commissioner Dave Bingaman said.
“If the levy doesn’t pass, we’ll be forced to take what they’d call in the medical world a triage approach, where we try to help the most catastrophically hurt, write off the those who cannot be saved, and then work forward to help those with minor injuries,” Bingaman said.
That approach could include the halting of maintenance of roads that provide access to the backcountry, McFadden said.
Those roads could include Gold Fork Road, Lick Creek Road, High Valley Road and roads to Deadwood Reservoir and Yellow Pine, he said,
Snowplowing services would also see an unprecedented reduction without levy funding.
“If our road department’s budget gets cut in half, we may be forced to discontinue up to half of the snowplowing services Valley County provides,” Commissioner Elt Hasbrouck said.
“Priority would be given to main connectors like bus routes, emergency services, and main roads, but we may not have the staff and equipment to service some residential roads,” Hasbrouck said.
Snow removal may fall to individual homeowners or homeowners associations, he said.
The Nov. 5 levy would tax property at $84 for every $100,000 of assessed value, generating about $4 million in annual revenue for the department.
“A homeowner whose property in Valley County is worth $300,000 is going to pay around $250 more per year to help maintain a consistent, reliable road network,” Valley County Clerk Doug Miller.
“If a subdivision has to take on snowplowing because the county has to cut services, $250 extra per year in property taxes is relatively inexpensive,” Miller said.
“Taking this on independently, the homeowners would likely be looking at double, triple, or maybe even four or five times that amount depending on the amount of roadway needing to be cleared,” he said
Valley County maintains 245 miles of paved road and 486 miles of gravel road, with snow removal carried out on 407 total miles of road. There are 76 bridges that the county maintains and 3,443 culverts.
source: © Copyright 2009-2018 Central Idaho Publishing Inc.
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See what’s on your ballot for the November 2019 election
Tyson Miller October 23, 2019 KTVB
VALLEY COUNTY
Cascade
Mayor
Judith Nissula
City Council (Vote for two)
Ronald Brown
Rachel Huckaby
City Council (Vote for one)
William McFarlane
Denise Tangen
Cascade City Ordinance Proposal
Local Option Tax
1% tax on all sales, with exceptions
Ballot Question:
Shall the City of Cascade adopt proposed Ordinance No. 700?
Ordinance No. 700 provides for the imposition, implementation, and collection of non-property taxes (commonly referred to as a local option tax) for a period of two (2) years from its effective date. If approved, the tax will be assessed at the rate of one percent (1%) on all sales subject to taxation (sales tax) under Chapter 36 of Title 63, Idaho Code.
Single item purchase of $1,000 or more is exempt.
The Local Option Tax revenue will be used for the following purposes:
a) Streets, sidewalks, pedestrian crosswalks, pathways, and other public rights-of-way
b) Public parks maintenance, development, and beautification
Donnelly
Mayor
Susan Dorris
City Council (Vote for two)
Leslie D. Minshall
Chelsea Bergquist
McCall
City Council (Vote for two)
Michael Maciaszek
Colby Nielsen
Jordan Ockunzzi
Valley County Road Department
Funding Request
Permanent Override Tax Levy
Ballot Question:
Shall the Valley County Board of Commissioners be authorized and empowered to increase its budget for a permanent override tax levy at a rate of 0.084% multiplied by the current market value for assessment purposes of property in 2019 pursuant to Idaho Code 63-802(h) for the purpose of defraying road department personnel costs, conducting road maintenance, and for new road construction on all taxable property within the district beginning with the fiscal year commencing on October 1, 2021?
excerpted from:
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Winter storm Saturday causes slide-off, power outages
The Star-News Oct 24, 2019
Stormy winter conditions on Saturday resulted in numerous cars sliding off the road and a brief closure on Idaho 55, the Valley County Sheriff’s Office reported.
There were no injuries from accidents during the storm, and the only closure on the highway, between Smiths Ferry Drive and Round Valley Road last about 15 minutes, the sheriff’s office said.
Snow weighing down branches and rubbing against power lines in McCall caused outages on Reedy Lane and Warren Wagon Road, according to McCall Fire and EMS.
One car slid off the road and another crashed into a pole in McCall due to the snow, although neither accident resulted in injuries, McCall Police Chief Justin Williams said.
Landmark east of Cascade received one to two feet of snow, according to the Yellow Pine Times online news service.
“There is probably at least that much at Profile Gap and Lick Creek summits – and even more on Monumental and Elk summits,” The Yellow Pine Times reported.
source: © Copyright 2009-2018 Central Idaho Publishing Inc.
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Barricades come down on Warren Wagon Road
Two-year $9.9M project nears completion
By Drew Dodson for The Star-News Oct 24, 2019
There will be no more road closures stemming from a two-year, $9.9 million reconstruction of Warren Wagon Road that is expected to be complete by Nov. 1.
The barricades came down on Wednesday after about five consecutive months of daily closures Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Crews are now working to install new road signs and raise old manholes to the level of the roadway, said Cody Brown, a spokesperson for M.A. DeAtley Construction of Clarkston, Washington, the general contractor for the federally-funded project.
Flaggers are still posted along the road as crews complete that work, but any delays would be 15 minutes at most, Brown said.
Work in the 5.5-mile project zone, which begins 2.2 miles north of Idaho 55 and extends to Eastside Drive, started in July 2018.
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Valley courthouse to limit access to one door
New security measure to start Nov. 4
By Max Silverson for The Star-News Oct 24, 2019
Public access to the Valley County Courthouse in Cascade will be limited to only the south door on Main Street starting on Monday, Nov. 4.
A security guard will be posted at the entrance and there are plans to install a metal detector, Valley County Clerk Doug Miller said.
The change in access to the building is being made to increase security for the public and the county’s employees, Miller said.
The public will be required to use the south entrance exclusively, with doors in the north end of the building reserved as emergency exits only.
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Idaho lawmakers considering property tax changes
Oct 21, 2019 By Associated Press
Boise, Idaho AP – Lawmakers are examining property tax options amid complaints that taxes are going up with rising property values, while also hearing concerns from cities and counties that they’re operating on tight budgets.
The Property Tax Working Group took no action Monday following a day of presentations that also included university and state financial experts.
Ultimately, the group aims to make recommendations and perhaps offer legislation to the full Legislature in January.
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Over 6,000 pounds of frozen meat sold at Walmart recalled
Recall due to possible salmonella contamination
By Scottie Andrew, CNN Oct 21, 2019 Local News 8
More than 6,400 pounds of a Walmart brand’s frozen meat have been recalled for possible salmonella contamination.
George’s Prepared Foods, the company that produces Walmart’s Great Value frozen, fully cooked meat, said that the products were meant to be disposed of after a small group of them tested positive for salmonella but were accidentally shipped nationwide.
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Mining News:
Midas Gold estimates $6 billion in precious metals lay under Stibnite
(Note: This is the first part in a series detailing Midas Gold Idaho’s operating plan for its proposed gold and antimony mine near Yellow Pine. Next week: Digging and Hauling)
By Drew Dodson for The Star-News Oct 24, 2019
Beginning at the surface of the Stibnite Mining District and extending down more than 1,000 feet lies an estimated $6 billion in gold, silver and antimony, according to estimates by Midas Gold.
About 4.5 million ounces of gold, 1.5 million ounces of silver and 68 million pounds of antimony would be harvested from three open pit mines proposed by the company.
The bulk of the project’s value stems from gold, which is currently priced at about $1,500 per ounce and would generate nearly $6.2 billion for Midas Gold.
However, Midas Gold would need to spend at least around $1.1 billion in infrastructure and equipment and about $2.7 billion in operating costs to recover the precious metals, according to company figures.
Since 2009, Midas Gold has spent about $182 million studying mineral deposits at Stibnite, conducting environmental studies and collecting data to confirm that the project is economically viable, said Mckinsey Lyon, vice president of external affairs for Midas Gold.
Within the 521-acre footprint of its three proposed open pit mines lie 390 boreholes from 10 years of Midas Gold drilling into the ground to extract cylindrical samples of the Earth from as far as 1,602 feet below the surface.
Historic exploration data from previous mining companies have also been incorporated into Midas Gold’s data, enabling the company to study more than 100,000 samples from the project site, Lyon said.
Studies have shown that gold is scattered relatively evenly throughout the first 1,000 feet of ground in tiny granular particles embedded among solid rock, she said.
High-grade deposits of gold have been taken by previous mining operations across the last century, leaving behind the scattered gold that was too risky or too costly to mine.
The capacity of modern haul trucks, gold processing mills and other equipment have increased greatly to allow the processing of more rock at lower costs, Lyon said.
“It’s all economies of scale,” she said. “Back in the 1950s, trucks had a 10 to 20 ton capacity. By the 1980s, they were 40 to 50 ton trucks. Now trucks carry 150 to 300 tons.”
Most of the gold particles lie within the Yellow Pine and West End pits, two of three open pit mines proposed by the company.
The Yellow Pine pit and West End pits have been previously mined. The Yellow Pine pit is probably best known because of the large lake that has filled it and is visible from Stibnite Road.
The Yellow Pine pit contains the highest grade ore and would produce about two grams of gold for each ton of rock excavated, or an ounce of gold per 17 tons of rock, according to Midas Gold.
“To put this in perspective, this would be the fourth-highest grade open pit deposit in the United States,” Lyon said.
Antimony also would come from the Yellow Pine pit and a new pit called Hangar Flats.
Another 10,000 pounds of antimony is expected to come from historic tailings that Midas Gold plans to reprocess as part of the Stibnite Gold Project.
Antimony is used in fire retardants for electronics and is considered a “critical” mineral by the United States government, but generally is not profitable enough to mine on its own.
“In this case, the presence of gold makes getting to the antimony feasible,” Lyon said.
The 68 million pounds of antimony at Stibnite would generate about $169 million for Midas Gold, or about 3% of the project’s estimated $6 billion in precious metals.
More than half of the project’s estimated silver reserves are within the Yellow Pine pit, which is currently a lake.
At current prices, Midas Gold would generate nearly $26 million from the estimated 1.5 million ounces of silver to be mined. Silver is mostly used for jewelry, electronics and batteries.
Harvesting all of the company’s estimated mineral reserves within the projected 12-year to 15-year life of the mine would require Midas Gold to process between 20,000 and 25,000 tons of ore per day.
source: © Copyright 2009-2018 Central Idaho Publishing Inc.
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Public Lands:
Cascade Ranger District Pile burning
Oct 21, 2019
The Cascade Ranger District on the Boise National Forest is planning to complete some of our pile burning tomorrow the 22nd of October, we hope to burn the debris pile at Crawford Work Center and the debris pile at the Yellow Pine transfer site. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me, Tim Dulhanty at 208-382-7445.
Tim Dulhanty
Fuels Technician
Boise National Forest, Cascade Ranger District
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Logging starts on dying trees hit by moth outbreak in Idaho forests
by Ryan L Morrison Tuesday, October 22nd 2019
Boise, Idaho (CBS 2) — Logging has started on the dead and dying trees hit by the tussock moth outbreak in Idaho forests.
The Idaho Department of Lands sold nearly 2,000 acres of dead and dying timber as part of two salvage sales.
The tree harvest reduces fire risk, addresses safety concerns to the recreating public, and clears the way to plant trees that are less preferred by tussock moth.
The salvage sales also generate money to help fund public schools in Idaho and other beneficiaries to endowment lands.
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Decision Signed for Ola Summit Project
Forest Supervisor Cecilia Seesholtz has signed the decision for the Ola Summit Project located on the Emmett Ranger District of the Boise National Forest. A copy of the Decision Memo can be found on the Ola Summit project webpage (see the Decision tab). Thank you for your interest in this project. If you have any questions, please direct them to Katie Wood, Emmett District Ranger, at 208-365-7000.
Sincerely, Tera Little, Forest Planner
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Decision Signed for Tripod Project
Oct 25, 2019
Forest Supervisor Cecilia Seesholtz has signed the decision for the Tripod Project located on the Emmett Ranger District of the Boise National Forest. A copy of the Decision Memo can be found on the Tripod project webpage (see the Decision tab). Thank you for your interest in this project. If you have any questions, please direct them to Katie Wood, Emmett District Ranger, at 208-365-7000.
Sincerely, Tera Little, Forest Planner
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Study finds US public land workers facing assaults, threats
By Matthew Brown – 10/21/19 AP
Federal employees overseeing U.S. public lands were assaulted or threatened at least 360 times over a five-year period marked by heightened tensions with anti-government groups and dwindling ranks of law enforcement officers, a congressional watchdog agency said Monday.
The Government Accountability Office in a new report highlights anti-government tensions that at times have boiled over, including a six-week armed occupation of a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon in 2016 and other standoffs with armed protesters in Montana and Nevada.
The clashes have been rooted in a deep distrust of government on the part of the protesters, who view the federal bureaucracy as unlawfully impeding people from using public land for grazing, mining and other economic purposes.
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Letter to Share:
Mystic Farm Wildlife Rescue, Inc.
Oct 22, 2019
Happy Fall From Mystic Farm Wildlife Rescue, Inc.
Things are winding down here on the farm. Fawns are all released and we are now in the “clean up and fundraising stage”… Please click on the link in the information below and Vote to Nominate Mystic Farm Wildlife Rescue, Inc.! If we make the nomination cut, there will then be the final vote in November.
Also, Mystic Farm will once again be a part of the Ponderay Arts and Crafts Festival on November 23rd. I’ve been busy making the wonderful, handmade, Mystic Farm candles, creating “antler art”, and so many other goodies to have available at the event.
Remember, Mystic Farm operates 100% on donations and volunteers. We depend on you for support (like voting in the Findlay Post Falls Charity below) and purchasing goodies. Thanks…and the fawns thank you!
Mystic Farm Needs Your Help! Please go to this link:
Scroll down to the “Nominate” section and VOTE for Mystic Farm Wildlife Rescue, Inc. to be nominated to be in the running for the November Charity of the Month! DO IT NOW! We are getting in way late, so only a few days left in this month to be nominated for NEXT month. If we are one of the top three (we can do this!) we are entered into the November running to win $2000! Please Share… We Can Do This! Do it for the fawns.
-Dory
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Critter News:
PNF Seeking Winter Boarding for Pack Stock
The Payette National Forest is looking for a location to contract a stock boarding facility or pasture for the Forest Service pack stock during the winter months and shoulder seasons on either side of the field season. The time period would be annually from approximately late October to early May, starting in 2020.
The preferred location would be lower elevation, experience mild winters, and be within 100 miles of McCall. The facility shall make available adequate feed and provide for the safety, security, and health and well-being for the pack stock. The pack stock herd consists of 18 mules and horses. The Forest Service would prefer to enter into a 5 year contract with the option of renewal.
Please contact the Krassel Ranger District at 208-634-0600 with interest or for more information.
(via Facebook Oct 22, 2019)
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Fish and Game confiscates captured bear cub
Managers assessing next move
Oct 21, 2019 By Steve Liebenthal KIVI TV
Boise, Idaho — A Boise man who thought he was rescuing a dying bear cub from the wild says he was blind-sided when Fish and Game officers confiscated it.
Charles Erickson says he found the bear during a hunting trip.
He says the cub appeared to be sick and dying, so he captured it and brought it to his home in Boise where he and his family kept it warm and bottle fed it.
Erickson says he contacted two bear rehabilitation centers hoping they could nurse the bear back to health, but before he was able to make that happen, Fish and Game officers contacted him and took the bear.
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A Day In The Sun
Oct 25, 2019 IME
Courtesy photo by Nicholas Coletti
A cow and calf moose take a drink in a Wood River Valley wetlands on Sunday. People and animals alike enjoyed a sunny, blue-skies day after a snowstorm passed through the region on Saturday.
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Challis wild horse “gather’ to start November 5
Oct 25, 2019 Local News 8
Challis, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) – The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans a helicopter-assisted method to gather 365 wild horses from the Challis Herd Management Area beginning Nov. 5. It’s expected to last 5 to 9 days.
The “gather” is aimed at reducing the overpopulation of wild horses by approximately 244 horses. Any mares released back to the range will be treated with fertility control. Once complete, approximately 185 wild horses will remain in the management area.
BLM managers says the herd size reduction will balance it to what the 168,700 acre area can support. The reduction will protect habitat for wildlife species like sage grouse, pronghorn antelope, mule deer and elk. BLM says its objective is between 185 to 253 horses. Right now there are about 429 horses in and directly outside the management area.
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Fish & Game News:
F&G finalizes agreements to allow public access on corporate timberlands in North Idaho
By Roger Phillips, Public Information Supervisor
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Corporate timberland agreements are part of F&G’s programs that provides millions of acres for public access
With final agreements now signed, hunters, anglers, trappers and other recreationists have access to 336,630 more acres of private timberland through an agreement between the landowners and Fish and Game.
You can see locations of the parcels on Fish and Game’s Map Center.
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Two mule deer bucks left to waste south of Idaho Falls
By James Brower, Regional Communications Manager
Monday, October 21, 2019
F&G seeks information from the public in deer case
Fish and Game is investigating two mule deer bucks that were wasted and dumped south of Idaho Falls. They were discovered on Thursday Oct. 17 south of the Sand Creek Golf Course on Henry Creek Road.
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Mule deer doe & fawn wasted near North Tom Beall Road near Lapwai
By Jennifer Bruns, Regional Communications Manager
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
On Thursday October 17, 2019 a mule deer doe and fawn were found wasted near North Tom Beall Road east of Lapwai, ID. Investigation by Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers showed both deer had been shot and no meat taken from either animal. It is believed that both deer were killed at separate locations and dumped where they were discovered.
Anyone with any information about this incident is encouraged to call IDFG Sr. Conservation Officer Tony Imthurn at (208) 716-8099 or call the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline 1-800-632-5999. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
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Only antlers and ivories taken from bull elk shot and wasted near McKown Road north of Potlatch
By Jennifer Bruns, Regional Communications Manager
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
On Thursday October 17, a bull elk was found wasted in a wheat field near McKown Road north of Potlatch, ID. The elk had been shot one time with only the antlers and ivories removed from the animal. All of the meat was left to waste from the elk. It is believed the elk was killed sometime between Sunday October 13, 2019 and Wednesday October 16.
“Someone has information regarding who killed this elk and we would be very interested in talking to them and solving this case” says Moscow Sr. Conservation Officer Tony Imthurn.
Anyone with any information about this incident is encouraged to call IDFG Sr. Conservation Officer Tony Imthurn at (208) 716-8099 or call the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline 1-800-632-5999. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
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Tiny tags and antennas help track juvenile Chinook in Lemhi and Salmon rivers
By Brent Beller, Fisheries Technician
Friday, October 25, 2019
Tracking the lives of thousands of tiny salmon is no easy task. But knowing where they prefer to live and how far they move and survive is invaluable for fish managers
Radio tag (at bottom) compared to passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags.
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More F&G News Releases
link:
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Fun Critter Stuff:
Rare yellow cardinal spotted in Florida
Expert says it’s ‘one in a million’ sighting
By Elizabeth Wolfe and Saeed Ahmed, CNN Oct 16, 2019 Local News 8
An extremely rare yellow northern cardinal was spotted in Port St. Lucie, Florida, exciting bird enthusiasts and drawing in anyone who can appreciate a good bird photo.
While there is no precise number for how many yellow cardinals are spotted a year, Geoff Hill, a professor and a self-described “curator of birds” at Auburn University, estimates the chances of seeing a yellow cardinal are “one in a million.”
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Tips & Advice:
Remember to clear your devices before disposing them
Personal information may be stored on printers
Oct 21, 2019 KIVI TV
Boise, Idaho — Sending and receiving information digitally is the norm in society today, but forgetting to clear your personal information from devices before disposing them could leave you susceptible to hackers.
Better Business Bureau reports printers are commonly forgotten about when it comes to clearing personal information. Printer hard drives can store some of the most sensitive data, including birth certificates, income tax forms, and bank statements. Keeping that information secure is essential.
Personal home printers generally have smaller storage space, but it’s important to wipe it clean before selling or getting rid of it. Make sure to check for any external storage like SD card readers. You can also unplug your printer for 60 seconds or more to purge temporary memory. Long-term memory is typically erased after more jobs are completed. You should also check your printer manual on steps to perform a factory reset.
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Winter Trivia:
Winter Precipitation Types
Snow is small white ice crystals formed when supercooled cloud droplets freeze. Snow crystals can have different shapes usually dictated by the temperature at which they form.
Snow pellets, also called graupel, are white, opaque ice particles round or conical in shape. They form when supercooled water collects on ice crystals or snowflakes. They typically bounce when they fall on a hard surface and often break apart.
Snow grains are very small, white opaque particles of ice, more flattened and elongated than snow pellets. Snow grains can be thought of as the solid equivalent of drizzle, or as I like to call it, “snizzle”.
Ice pellets, or sleet, are small balls of ice. They form from the freezing of raindrops or the refreezing of melting snowflakes when falling through a below-freezing layer of air near the earth’s surface.
Freezing rain occurs when rain occurs and the surface temperatures is below freezing. The raindrops become supercooled as they fall through the layer of cold air near the surface and freeze upon impact with surfaces below freezing.
source: CoCoRaHS
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Seasonal Humor:
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The Yellow Pine Times 