Feb 6, 2022 The Yellow Pine Times – Valley County, Idaho
Reminder: We are still under a boil water order.
Community Calendar:
Apr 17, 2020 – Boil water order in effect
Oct 27, 2021 – Transfer Station on Winter Schedule
Nov 1, 2021 – Winter Mail Delivery Starts
Feb 8 – Movie Mrs. Doubtfire
Feb 13 – Super Bowl at The Corner
Feb 13 – Super Bowl at the YP Tavern
Feb 14 – Valentine’s Dinner at The Corner
Feb 19 – Pie Contest 4pm YP Tavern
Mar 27 – YPFD meeting at 2pm
(details below)
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Local Events:
Tuesday Movie Nights
430pm at the Community Hall every Tuesday. Snacks are welcome, P.J.s OK. Everyone welcome.
February 8, 2022 Mrs. Doubtfire
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Feb 13 – Super Bowl Party at The Corner
Sunday February 13th we plan to host a Super Bowl party. For a $15 cover you get nachos, chicken wings and 2 drinks. Possibly some other goodies included.
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Feb 13 – Super Bowl Party at the Yellow Pine Tavern
Join us for Super Bowl Sunday February 13, 2022 4:30pm. Snacks provided by the Tavern and friends.
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Feb 14 Valentine’s Dinner at The Corner
The Corner is going to do a Valentines dinner on Monday 2/14, starting at 6pm. We are asking that reservations be made no later than 2/7 so we can plan and order. We are having Chicken Alfredo or Steak with a baked potato along with sides and dessert.
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Feb 19 Annual Pie Contest Yellow Pine Tavern
Saturday February 19th at 4pm. Bring your favorite Pie or your appetite and buy a plate for $2.00 donation and sample the Pies. The winners get the money. Chili dogs and Chips also provided by the Tavern.
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Village News:
2022 Calendars
Local Color Photography wishes to thank the folks that ordered 2022 calendars, they have all been shipped out. He has 5 calendars remaining to sell. They are $24 each if picked up and $30 if mailed out.
February Icicle from 2022 Calendar by Local Color Photography
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Attention Yellow Pine Water Users
You may now apply to WICAP for help with your water bill under the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). You may apply for help with your past-due, as well as your current bill.
Application may be made in person at the WICAP office in Cascade, 110 W. Pine St. You may also apply by phone at 208 454-0675, or on-line at wicap.org.
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Amerigas
Amerigas has updated their Terms and Conditions for residential customers. View at (link)
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Notice – Deadline
In order to have your item posted in that week’s paper you must email it in by Noon on Sunday.
A reminder – if your group or business want an event, photo, minutes, news or advertising posted in the Yellow Pine Times, please write what you want posted in text form (for copy/paste) and send it by email. Remember to include the “who, what, when, where and why.” Images or groups of images must be under 10 megs per email.
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Road News
Link: to current road reports.
Upper Johnson Creek road at Landmark, Profile Gap, Lick Creek, Elk Summit, Thunder Mountain and Deadwood roads are closed to wheeled vehicles. These roads are not maintained. Travel at your own risk.
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Critters
Be Elk Aware
Elk are hanging around the village, please watch for them on local streets. There have been a couple of near misses reported.
Be Wolf Wary
* Always keep children nearby and in sight.
* Keep pets leashed and under control.
Be Fox Aware
* Do not feed foxes human food
* Feed domestic pets indoors
* Make sure your pets are updated on Rabies vaccines
* Small pets could become a snack
Photo taken Jan 18, 2021 by AP
Be Cougar Aware
A big cat has been hanging around the upper part of the village recently. Watch your small pets and do not leave food outside.
photo courtesy NH
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Yellow Pine US Mail
The 3-day a week mail delivery started November 1st. The Post Office in Yellow Pine is open six days a week year around: M-F 845am-245pm Saturday 9am-245pm. Forever Stamp: 58 cents. Support our local post office and purchase your holiday stamps here.
Attention Mail Route Customers – FedEx Ground has changed their policy, and they will no longer pay for Mail Plane or Truck freight. If you can avoid it, we strongly encourage you to use UPS or USPS to receive packages. If you do order a FedEx Ground package, you will be billed for: Air Freight @ $0.45/lb, or Mail Truck Freight @ $0.05/lb. We are truly sorry this is the case, and are working very hard to make sure you still receive your orders. – Arnold Aviation
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Yellow Pine Transfer Station
Report Monday, Jan 24th, lots of room in the bins.
Report the road and dump plowed Jan 17th.
Report Jan 7th: Bins were emptied about a week and a half ago. Road plowed Jan 5th.
Dump update October 27th: We are now in winter mode. When it gets fairly full we will call to have it dumped. Contact Cecil.
Locals have worked hard to clean up the area, please be respectful.
Yellow Pine Transfer Station (aka, the dump)
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.
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
Dump Tips
Do you know where your trash goes after it leaves Yellow Pine?
90 tons per week of Valley Co.’s solid waste comes to the Adams Co. landfill. (Valley Co. has a contract with Adams Co.) When Valley Co.’s weekly trash exceeds 90 tons, the rest is then taken to Payette. The more garbage, the more cost in transferring it further away.
Tips to reduce trash:
1. When purchasing groceries refuse plastic bags as they reek havoc at the Adams Co.’s landfill, causing problems with equipment.
2. Garbage: recyclables, compost, trash
If each household would have containers for these three categories this is the place to start.
– B. Dixon
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Local Groups
YPWUA News:
Water Use Jan 28 – Feb 6
| 01/28/22 | 19732237 | 47975 | 24 | 1999 | 33 | F | 1786 | |
| 01/29/22 | 19778973 | 46736 | 24 | 1947 | 32 | S | 1239 | |
| 01/30/22 | 19826815 | 47842 | 24 | 1993 | 33 | S | 1106 | |
| 01/31/22 | 19874547 | 47732 | 24 | 1989 | 33 | M | 110 |
| Date | Flow | Used | Hours | gph | gpm | dow | more | less |
| 02/01/22 | 19921222 | 46675 | 24 | 1945 | 32 | T | 1057 | |
| 02/02/22 | 19967940 | 46718 | 24 | 1947 | 32 | W | 43 | |
| 02/03/22 | 20015327 | 47387 | 24 | 1974 | 33 | T | 669 | |
| 02/04/22 | 20061589 | 46262 | 24 | 1928 | 32 | F | 1125 | |
| 02/05/22 | 20108753 | 47164 | 24 | 1965 | 33 | S | 902 | |
| 02/06/22 | 20155981 | 47228 | 24 | 1968 | 33 | S | 64 |
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Water Update Jan 19th
Hello Yellow Piners,
After the news went out about high water use, the demand went down about 10,000 gallons per day by the following five days. That seems to indicate that the message was heard and action was taken.
Mike Amos was a huge help when I came in on Sunday 1/16/2022 to clean filter #2. He provided a four-wheeler and shuttled it up close to Nicki’s place for me which was extremely helpful. I loaded it up with tools and pumps etc., and hauled it all up to the plant. Filter #2 was then cleaned and flow has been restored to an acceptable level. Please keep in mind that daily demand still exceeds the design capacity of the system by approximately 30%.
I also took the necessary DEQ compliance samples and took care of regular maintenance issues while there. Aside from the high demand, everything else seems to be normal.
Regards, Warren Drake
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Water Usage Jan 9, 2022
In the past few days our water usage has jumped to over 61,000 gallons per day. In November we were consistently around the 27,000 gallons per day. I am thinking a water line has frozen and broke somewhere in town. Please let me know if someone hears or suspects major water leaks. – Steve Holloway
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Update Dec 31, 2021
Yellow Pine water use up 80% this month
Today’s water meter reading indicates that 48164 gallons of water was used yesterday. Compared to the beginning of the month, daily water use has increased by approximately 80% . This rate of increase is unsustainable and is cause for some concern. If water demand continues to increase at or close to this rate, interruption of water service is a real possibility.
The cause of the increased demand should be investigated. Running toilets, over use of trickle faucets to prevent freezing, a broken service line or waterline in a cabin, or other distribution system leaks are likely to blame.
I recommend that we get a message out to residents Informing them of the circumstances and asking for their help in conserving water and locating any potential leaks.
Regards,
Warren Drake
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We are still under a Boil Order. Please conserve water.
DRINKING WATER WARNING January 10, 2022
Yellow Pine Water Users PWS 4430059 BOIL WATER ADVISORY Due to insufficient treatment
We routinely monitor the conditions in the drinking water distribution system. On 4-19-2020 we experienced a period of insufficient treatment due to extreme water demand which exceeded the capacity of the treatment system. A drop in water pressure is a signal of the existence of conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system through backflow, by backpressure, or back-siphonage. As a result, there is an increased chance that the drinking water may contain disease-causing organisms.
What should I do?
* DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.
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.
* Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.
* The symptoms above are caused by many types of organisms. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
What is being done?
Efforts are under way to curtail water use. Once water use is diminished, the water treatment system will again be operational and the boil water order can be lifted
We will inform you when you no longer need to boil your water. We anticipate resolving the problem within 365 days.
For more information, please contact Warren at 208-573-6261 or wdrake @ drakediversified.com
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by Yellow Pine Water Users Assoc.
PWS ID #: 4430059. Date distributed: 1-10-22.
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Water Conservation Tips
1. Turn OFF the tap when you brush your teeth
Pretty much everyone runs the tap whilst brushing their teeth, when in fact you only need water at the beginning and the end (to wet the brush and rinse it).
2. Try and conserve water when using the toilet
We’ve heard a simple saying for this “If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown flush it down”.
Also don’t use the toilet as a bin, every time you throw a small bit of trash and flush the toilet 5 gallons is gone.
3. Shorten your shower and turn it off when you can
You can also turn the shower off in between, wet yourself, lather up then turn the water off. When you’re ready turn it on and rinse off.
4. If you have any dripping taps – FIX THEM.
A single dripping tap can waste 4 gallons of water a day (or more) or 1450 gallons of water a year.
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YPWUA 2021 Annual Shareholder Meeting July 4, 2021 at the Community Hall at 10am. Link: to 20210704 YPWUA minutes
YPWUA 2020 Annual Shareholder Meeting held July 5, 2020 at the Community Hall 2pm. link: to 20200705 YPWUA minutes
Water Board:
Steve Holloway
Willie Sullivan
Dawn Brown
Stu Edwards
Candy Hardisty
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VYPA News:
Sept 11, 2021 – VYPA Meeting minutes link:
Aug 14, 2021 VYPA Meeting Canceled (lack of quorum.)
July 10, 2021 VYPA meeting minutes link:
June 12, 2021 VYPA Meeting Minutes link:
VYPA Meetings are the 2nd Saturday of June, July, August, and September at 2:00pm at the Community Hall.
Village Council members:
Chairman – vacant
Vice Chairman – Josh Jones
Treasurer – Ronda Rogers
Secretary – Hailey Harris
Member-at-large – Rhonda Egbert
Cemetery Committee:
Ron Basabe
Marj Fields
Ron Earl
VYPA Bylaws adopted 8/8/2020 (link)
YPAC Corp Bylaws (link)
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YPFD News:
If you have an emergency, please call 911
Yellow Pine Fire Commissioners Meeting
January 30, 2022
Officers In Attendance: Bill McIntosh #3, Lorinne Munn #1, Tom Lanham #2, Tim Rogers Fire Chief, Ronda Rogers Secretary/Treasurer.
Others: Sarah Lanham, Cecil Dallman, Sam Field, Tim Aldrich, Ginny Bartholomew, Nikki Harnar, Clint Limbaugh, Cindy Fortin, Leslie Jensen, Phil Jensen, Lynn Imel, Kat Amos, Mike Amos, Lexi Redman.
Meeting called to order at 2:01 PM; Visitors notified that there would be a comment period after the Commissioners Meeting.
Action Item: Approved minutes from last meeting 1/10/2022 3/3 vote
Discussion : Revisit appointment of officers from 01/10/2022 meeting. Bill McIntosh is the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners; Tim Rogers is Fire Chief; Ron Basabe is Assistant Fire Chief.
Action Item: Discussion on Proposed Bylaws. Changes noted. Commissioners voted: Bill McIntosh – Yes; Lorinne Munn – No (disagreed with process); Tom Lanham – Yes. Bylaws adopted by 2/3 vote. Identified changes will be incorporated after the meeting.
Treasurer’s Report: Idaho State Ins $402.00 and Forestry suppliers $480.00, missing receipts for transactions on 1/10/22. Commissioner Munn will provide the receipts. Taxes $11,727.32 received 1/14/22. Unknown charges for Adobe $24.99 and UPS $25.15 on 1/18/22. Insurance paid $1245 ICRMP on1/18/22. Paid $447.73 generator repair 1/28/22. Current balance $25,535.91. Former treasurer records have not been handed over. Commissioners approved expenses.
Fire Chief’s Report: Volunteers – Fire Chief has a new volunteer form that includes code of conduct. All volunteers will be asked to complete the form. Copies of the new form were provided to the Commissioners. Training – plan to have winter training; access existing skills that the villagers have; coordinate with other fire departments; working to get first aid; crew chief from Air Guard is in the works. Want to establish training expectations of volunteers. Fuel Tanks – concerns about relying on the General Store for fuel as it has run out multiple times. Feel there is a need for the fire department to be self-sufficient.
Discussion : Damaged Generator – unknown how the generator got damaged. It has been repaired at fire department expense.
Discussion : Need for a safe at the firehouse – need expressed for a small safe at the firehouse to keep vehicle titles, other important documents. Mike Amos said that he had one he would donate. Chief Rogers will check it out to see if it will work for us.
Discussion : Radios – need to locate all of the radios and have a record of who checks them out.
Discussion : Repair of Large Pump/Location – parts will cost about $300. Will look into Special Use Permit to locate it at the bridge over on the East Fork.
Discussion : Would also like to talk about Forest Service training on wildfire policy in February, it might have to do with money being available to do fire mitigation. Chief Rogers said the YPVFD will have representation at the FS presentation.
Commissioner Munn would like a meeting on Thursday to discuss FOIA requests. Chairman McIntosh will not be available. Executive meeting might happen February 3rd at 2pm if all can attend.
Meeting Adjourned at 3:02 PM
Comment period started after the meeting.
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Meeting Minutes
January 30, 2022 Fire Commissioners Meeting Link:
Jan 10, 2022 YPFD Special Meeting Link:
Jan 9, 2022 YPFD Special Meeting (no minutes yet.)
November 23, 2021 Special meeting Link:
November 8, 2021 AAR Report (Hopeless) Link:
October 31, 2021 Special meeting Link:
October 14, 2021 Special meeting Link:
September 27, 2021 Special meeting Link:
September 18, 2021 Special meeting Link:
Sept 11, 2021 YPFD Budget meeting Link:
Aug 28, 2021 – YPFD Meeting to discuss election (no notes taken.)
July 10, 2021 – YPFD Meeting Minutes. Link:
June 12, 2021 – YPFD Meeting Minutes. Link:
May 15, 2021 – YPFD Meeting Minutes. Link:
Sept 30, 2020 YPFD budget meeting. (No minutes yet.)
If you are burning any piles of forest litter and debris – please have a connected and charged garden hose that can reach your piles. If your hose cannot reach where you are burning, follow the good advice of having a shovel, axe, and water bucket at the scene. Rake away from anything that could ignite. Stop burning if winds become an issue. Make sure your fire is out before you leave the area. Nothing like getting surprised by an escaped fire in the middle of the night!
Better yet, “Rake It and Take It” your yard waste (limbs, pine needles, brush, etc.) to the burn pile at the Transfer Station on the south end of the turn-around. Remember, keep the pile neat. Woody debris only, no nails, no cardboard and no furniture! The Boise NF will burn the pile in the fall when it is safe.
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.” Click the link: to view 20190724 Yellow Pine Fire Protection mitigation
Valley County Wildfire Evacuation Checklist
A wildfire evacuation checklist that property owners in the Yellow Pine area might find useful. link: Valley County Evacuation Checklist – 2021
YPFD COVID19 Policy
link: YPFD Covid-19 SOP
link: Covid-19 EMS
Fire Chief: Tim Rogers 208-633-2005
Assistant Fire Chief: Ron Basabe 208-633-9001
YP Fire Commissioners:
Lorinne Munn – District 1
Tom Lanham – District 2
Bill McIntosh – District 3
Secretary/Treasurer – Ronda Rogers
2022 Meeting Schedule:
January 30, 2022, Sunday at 2pm
March 27, 2022, Sunday at 2pm
May 29, 2022, Sunday at 2pm
September 11, 2022, Sunday at 2pm Budget Meeting
November 27, 2022, Sunday at 2pm
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Biz Listings:
The Corner (208) 633-3325 Facebook Page
Winter hours:
Open Wednesday 11-6
Fridays 11-9
Saturdays 9-6
Sunday’s 10-6
Closed Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
Exceptions are by appointment and we’ll be open on Mondays of Holiday weekends.
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Yellow Pine Tavern (208) 633-2233 Facebook Page
Winter Hours at the Tavern
Open Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat: 9am-2pm 4pm-8pm
Open Sunday 9am-2pm
Closed Tues & Thurs
Call the Tavern 208 633-2233 or Cell 208 739-7086 for other arrangements
Full Breakfast Menu. Burgers, Pizza, Fajitas, Beer Wine and Pop
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Yellow Pine General Store and Motel (208) 633-3300
Website Facebook page
The Yellow Pine General Store will be observing new Winter Hours. We will be officially open on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 11am-4pm. Josh or Christy are in town on the off days and will be available to open the store as needed. Their contact information is posted on the front door of the store if you need to reach either of them locally. The motel rooms and the laundry room are still available 7 days per week. Store phone: 208-633-3300 Email:
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Yellow Pine Lodge (208) 633-3377
Closed for the winter.
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Murph’s RV Park and Mary’s Cabins
FB page link
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Local Color Photography
Website
Facebook page
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Knotty Kat Crochet Works – 509-406-2221
FB page
Open Tue – Sat, 9-5
Yellow Pine eggs $3/doz
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Buck Horn Outfitters LLC 208-633-3614
Our Elk & Deer hunts are booked for our 2021 season, we do have a couple openings for our 2022 Elk & Deer hunts. We Also have a couple openings for Mountain Lion hunts December 2021 through February 2022 and Spring Bear hunts May of 2022. Please see our Website site for further details.
Tom & Sarah Lanham
156 Yellow Pine Ave, Yellow Pine Id 83677
website:
Facebook:
Wapiti Meadow Ranch – Johnson Creek (208) 633-3217
or 208-315-3554 – cabin rentals
website:
Big Creek Lodge
website:
Deadwood Outfitters
website:
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Local Fuel Suppliers
Amerigas Phone: (208) 452-4361
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:
Arnold Aviation (208) 382-4844
Watkins Pharmacy Cascade (208) 382-4204
Cascade Auto (208) 382-4224
Cascade Vet Clinic (208) 382-4590
The Star-News
click to 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
Website:
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Follow The Yellow Pine Times on Facebook (updated more often than emails)
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Local Observations:
Monday (Jan 31) 24 hour low of 4 degrees from Sunday morning. Likely snowed between 1am and 5am. This morning 25 degrees at 10am, 1 1/4″ new snow (SWE=0.08″) and an average of 21″ on the ground. Pine squirrel, jays, hairy and downy woodpeckers, red-breasted nuthatches, mountain chickadee and dark-eyed juncos visiting. Mostly cloudy and breezy at lunch time. Mostly cloudy with sun peeking out the clear spots, and breezy mid-afternoon, high of 34 degrees. Mostly cloudy with chilly breezes and below freezing at dusk. Light snow after midnight.
Tuesday (Feb 1) overnight low of 10 degrees. This morning 15 degrees, overcast, flaking and 1/2″ new snow (SWE=0.03″) and an average of 21 1/2″ on the ground. Pine squirrel tracks in the new snow. Downy woodpecker and jays visiting. Light gray overcast at lunch time and not snowing. Thinning overcast and a few flakes of snow mid-afternoon and below freezing, high of 26 degrees. Light snow falling before dusk, foggy clouds on the ridges and cold light breeze. Fat trace of snow by dark. More snow after dark. Clearing and cold after midnight.
Wednesday (Feb 2) overnight low of -4 degrees. This morning -3 degrees, mostly high thin haze, measured 7/8″ new snow (SWE=0.05″) and an average of 22″ snow on the ground. Pine squirrel, juncos and jays visiting. Mostly hazy with filtered sunshine and cold at lunch time. Mail truck was on time and reported snow floor all the way in. High thin hazy overcast mid-afternoon, cold light breeze and still below freezing, high of 26 degrees. Overcast at dusk, chilly light breeze and temperature dropping. Looked cloudy before midnight. Scant trace of snow fell around 230am.
Thursday (Feb 3) 24 hour low of -3 degrees from Wednesday morning. Started snowing this morning before sunrise, by 10am it was 18 degrees and 1/4″ new (SWE=0.01) and an average of 22″ snow on the ground. Pine squirrel, red-breasted nuthatches, hairy woodpecker and jays visiting. Done snowing by 1130am and filtered sunshine. Breaks in the overcast at lunch time and scattered sunshine. Snow melting. Overcast and occasional flakes of snow mid-afternoon, high of 37 degrees. Wolves howling near the village today. Partly clear/cloudy at dusk and below freezing. Wolves howling near the village after dark. Looked cloudy or hazy before midnight.
Friday (Feb 4) overnight low of 10 degrees. Yesterday’s new snow melted so recorded a “Trace” and measured 22″ on the ground. At 10am it was 16 degrees and thin overcast. Fresh fox tracks. Jays, pine squirrel, nuthatches and hairy woodpecker visiting. Cloudy at lunch time. Blustery breezes early afternoon. Overcast with lighter breeze mid-afternoon, high of 41 degrees. Still above freezing at dusk and overcast. Partly clear before midnight.
Saturday (Feb 5) 24 hour low of 16 degrees from Friday morning. This morning 27 degrees, overcast and measured 22″ snow on the ground. Raven calling early. Pine squirrel, 2 hairy and 1 downy woodpecker, jays, juncos and nuthatches visiting. Overcast at lunch time. Thinner overcast and filtered sunshine early afternoon. Snowmobile traffic. Warm with thin overcast mid-afternoon, high of 43 degrees. Thin hazy overcast at dusk and still above freezing. Hazy or cloudy before midnight. Partly clear after midnight.
Sunday (Feb 6) overnight low of 8 degrees. This morning 11 degrees at 10am, mostly high thin wispy clouds and measured an average of 21 1/2″ of snow. Snowmobile traffic. Pine squirrel, red-breasted nuthatch and jays visiting. Partly hazy to mostly clear and strong sunshine at lunch time. Mostly high thin clouds mid-afternoon, warm and drippy, high of 44 degrees. Mostly clear with a little haze at dusk and dropped below freezing.
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Idaho News:
Crews setting up shipping containers as safety catchment on Highway 55 near Smiths Ferry
Drivers on Highway 55 should expect alternating one-way traffic with 15-minute delays nears Smiths Ferry Thursday, Friday and Monday (Feb. 7).
KTVB Staff February 3, 2022
Beginning Thursday, crews working on the Highway 55, Smiths Ferry Project will start setting up shipping containers in the project zone.
According to Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) chief communication officer Vincent Trimboli, the shipping containers “are providing any extra safety catchment in case any rocks or snow slide down.”
Valley County, Idaho first made the announcement on Facebook, stating drivers on Highway 55 should expect alternating one-way traffic with 15-minute delays for multiple hours each day. The announcement also said placing the shipping containers should happen during a three-to-four day period over the next two weeks.
continued:
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COVID-19 Updates: 2,428 new Idaho COVID-19 cases, 12 new deaths
Feb 4, 2022 Local News 8
Idaho officials reported 2,428 new COVID-19 cases and 12 new deaths Friday.
That brings the total confirmed and probable cases reported since March 2020 to 389,715.
The state reports data for the most recent 2-week period are incomplete. Due to the recent surge in cases, approximately 40,900 outstanding positive laboratory results are pending local public health district review and follow-up.
The state said 107,978 people have received one dose of a two dose series, and 379,971 people have received an additional or booster dose. 2,254,429 total doses have been administered. 912,717 people are fully vaccinated.
The state said 25 new hospitalizations have been reported bringing the total number to 15,075, and 4 new cases have been admitted to the ICU bringing the total to 2,541.
12 new deaths were reported bringing the total recorded deaths to 4,478.
full story: [Valley County 2,294 cases, 15 deaths.]
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New Valley County COVID-19 cases fall to 119 in week
By Tom Grote The Star-News Feb 3, 2022
New cases of COVID-19 reported in Valley County last week continued to drop from previous weeks.
A total of 119 new cases were reported by the county’s two hospitals, down from the 198 new cases the previous week and down from 269 cases the prior week.
It is too soon to tell if the lower numbers reflect a trend, Cascade Medical Center CEO Tom Reinhardt said.
“Another week or two should tell,” Reinhardt said.
The lower numbers may be skewed by the fact the hospital ran low on testing supplies last week plus the increased availability of in-home tests, he said.
No changes have occurred at St. Luke’s McCall and its clinics even though special rules for treating COVID-19 patients were reinstated last week in southwest Idaho.
“People needing health care should continue to seek it as needed,” Green said.
Green was encouraged by the decline in new cases, but said the case numbers and demand for testing are still higher than at any time since the pandemic started.
An increase in visitors for the McCall Winter Carnival likely will see an increase in COVID-19 cases, she said.
St. Luke’s McCall cares for COVID-19 patients if their care does not require a higher level than the hospital can provide, such as an intensive-care unit, Green said.
All COVID-19 patients needing higher levels of care are transferred to another hospital, she said.
The two hospitals have reported 2,543 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic started nearly two years ago.
A third probable death from COVID-19 in Valley County was reported in the past week by Central District Health.
A total of 11 deaths confirmed from COVID-19 and three probable deaths from the virus have now been reported by the health department.
Clinics & Tests
St. Luke’s Clinic – Payette Lakes Family Medicine is now offering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and boosters to anyone age 18 and older. Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines continue to be offered for anyone age 5 and older.
Also available are Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine boosters for ages 12 to 15 and to moderately or severely immunocompromised youths age 5 to 11.
Pfizer vaccines are offered on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays. The Moderna vaccine is offered on Wednesdays only.
Those wanting to get a vaccination can schedule through MyChart at (link) or call 208-381-9500.
Parents of minors should create a MyChart for eligible children and set up proxy access. Instructions are available at (link).
Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for adults who are seeking their initial COVID-19 vaccine dose only.
St. Luke’s McCall and Cascade Medical Center have take-home COVID-19 tests available. The saliva-based test offers results for COVID-19 in two to three days.
The tests can be picked up at the main entrance to St. Luke’s McCall at 1000 State St. in McCall or at the clinic at Cascade Medical Center at 402 Lake Cascade Pkwy in Cascade.
Cascade Medical Center offers a walk-in vaccination clinic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The Moderna vaccine for those age 18 and older is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays along with the Moderna booster.
The Pfizer vaccine for those ages 5 and older is available in Cascade on Wednesdays.
full story: © Copyright 2009-2021 Central Idaho Publishing Inc. All rights reserved (used with permission.)
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Cascade fire district plans growth fees
$2,900 would be charged to new homes to fund improvements
By Max Silverson The Star-News Feb 3, 2022
The Cascade Rural Fire Protection District is considering fees for new development that district officials hope will fund about $2.3 million in building and equipment improvements over 10 years.
Proposed fees would be about $2,900 for each new home and $1.15 per square foot for each new business.
The fees, called impact fees, are one-time payments to help ensure current service levels provided by an agency do not decline as growth occurs, said Anne Wescott of Galena Consulting of Boise, which conducted a study of the fees.
The Cascade Rural Fire District includes all of the City of Cascade and extends to Round Valley to the south.
The district extends about nine miles north of Cascade on Idaho 55 and includes developments as far west as West Mountain Road to Marina Drive.
The district extends about six miles east of Cascade on Warm Lake Road.
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Vulnerable Population Registry for Valley County, Idaho
Feb 2, 2022 Valley County FB page
The Valley County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that we have launched a new program on the Valley County, Idaho website. (link) following the lead of other agencies in Idaho.
We have created a Vulnerable Population Registry for persons residing in Valley County which allows family members to register their loved ones who fall into the vulnerable persons category – such as dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, have an autism diagnosis or some other special need.
The purpose of this registry is to provide vital information to first responders to address the specific needs of the people on the registry if there is a call for service. The information could also help first responders find people on the registry who are lost and return them home safely.
Please complete as much information as possible. You must be a family member to add someone to the database. Non-family members can request special permission. All registrations are approved by authorized personnel prior to entry. The registry is voluntary and all information is confidential.
If the link [above] does not work, then go to the official Valley County Idaho website, under departments look for Sheriff’s Office and on the right side column is the Vulnerable Population Registry.
If you have a question about the registry please send an email to sheriff@co.valley.id.us
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Valley County Age-Friendly Community Survey
We hear it everywhere – the Baby Boomer generation is growing older, and communities are taking steps to assure residents can safely and comfortably stay in their homes as they age. This age-friendly focus not only benefits older adults, but everyone in the community–adequate healthcare services, good outdoor lighting, and safe sidewalks aid the lives of young and old alike. But what does it take to make these community-specific efforts successful? Feedback from local residents and commitment from partners in the community.
Students and researchers with the Center for the Study of Aging at Boise State University–in partnership with the City of Cascade, Cascade Medical Center, and St. Luke’s McCall – want to know: What does a community need for older adults to grow old safely, joyfully, and age in place comfortably? Do you have personal suggestions as to how to improve your community – such as age-friendly infrastructure including benches, crosswalks, and sidewalks – making it an even greater place to live?
We have created a survey to collect feedback from older adults in Valley County, available online through February 11, 2022. Please visit: (link).
Nobody knows a community like the people living within it and we would love to receive your valued input! Thank you for your time and thoughts.
Andrea Hill
Instructor – HLTH 105
Dept. of Public Health & Population Science
Boise State University
Research Assistant
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Idaho plan has $300M for drinking and wastewater systems
by Associated Press Thursday, February 3rd 2022
Idaho officials want to spend $300 million over the next five years to upgrade drinking water and wastewater treatment systems across the state.
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Director Jess Byrne told lawmakers on the Legislature’s budget-setting committee on Thursday that the plan is to spend $60 million a year over the next five years.
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DEQ awards nearly $345,000 to 8 drinking water and wastewater systems across Idaho
Feb 3, 2022 Local News 8
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced the award $345,000 to eight drinking water and wastewater systems to help the facilities evaluate system deficiencies and determine necessary upgrades.
The systems include: Rigby, Garden City, Murtaugh, Big Twelve Water Association, Oden View Estates Improvement Association, Inc., Central Shoshone County Water District, St. Charles, and Kingston-Cataldo Sewer District.
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February 2022 Water Supply Outlook Report released
February 4, 2022 Local News 8
NRCS
The Natural Resources Conservation Service in Idaho has released the February Water Supply Outlook Report for the 2022 water year.
After the first week of January, meaningful storms have been few and far between. While less than desirable January precipitation has curbed some of the previous optimism for a drought-busting snowpack and subsequent efficient runoff season, the snowpack is still near or above normal in nearly all of Idaho’s streamflow generating mountains.
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Public Lands:
USDA Forest Service St. Helens Mine Plan of Operations Update
The McCall Ranger District of the Payette National Forest (PNF) announces the public comment period on the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the St. Helens Mine project. The purpose of the project is to respond to a Plan of Operations for Mining on National Forest System lands in the Goose Creek watershed, approximately 5.8 miles northwest of McCall, Idaho. The EA, along with other project information, is available for public review and comment on the project webpage at: (link). Hard copies of the EA may be provided upon request by calling (208) 634-0400.
This project implements the PNF’s 2003 Land and Resource Management Plan and is subject to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B, which provide for comments and objections. This opportunity to comment will end 30 days following publication of the legal notice in the newspaper of record, The Star-News (McCall, Idaho). The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the comment period. A copy of the legal notice will also be posted on the project webpage, linked above. Only those who submit timely and specific written comments regarding the proposed project during a public comment period established by the responsible official are eligible to file an objection. For objection eligibility, commenters must also either sign the comments or verify identity upon request.
You may submit comments electronically through the project webpage (link above) by clicking the “Comment/Object on Project” link. Webform submission is preferred but written comments may be mailed to the responsible official, District Ranger Jennifer Blake, 102 W Lake Street, McCall, ID 83638, or 208-634-0433 (fax). Please include “St. Helens Mine Project” in the subject line. We are currently unable to accept hand-delivered comments due to COVID-19 precautions. Note that comments received in response to this request will be available to the public and will become part of the project record.
For further information on this project, please contact Forest Geologist Clint Hughes at clinton.hughes@usda.gov.
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Gathered Idaho wild horses available for viewing and adoption
BLM January 31, 2022
Boise, Idaho – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced upcoming viewing and adoption opportunities for wild horses gathered last September from the Four Mile Herd Management Area (HMA), located on public lands north of Emmett.
The public is invited to view the wild horses at the Boise Wild Horse Corrals located south of Boise just off Pleasant Valley Road on Feb. 12 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about the program and adoption opportunities.
Many of these wild horses will be made available for adoption via BLM’s Online Corral (link). Online viewing of the adoptable wild horses will launch Feb. 5 and bidding will be open Feb. 15-22. Some of the Four Mile HMA wild horses will be available for adoption through the BLM Idaho 4-H partnership and the Mustang Mania Trainer Incentive Program.
“We have found offering animals for adoption through the Online Corral to be a very successful avenue for placing them into good homes,” said Raul Trevino, BLM Wild Horse and Burro Specialist.
The horses were gathered to reduce overpopulation of wild horses within the Four Mile HMA and prevent further degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses.
During the gather 215 wild horses were removed from public lands. There were 13 studs and 13 mares released to the Four Mile HMA to reach the low end of the Appropriate Management Level of 37 wild horses in December. The mares were treated with the fertility control vaccine GonaCon Equine, one of the vaccines the BLM uses in its management of wild horses on the range. Video of the release can be seen at (link).
Information about BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program, can be found at (link).
For more information contact Raul Trevino at 208-830-4522.
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Critter News:
World Center for Birds of Prey $3.2 million expansion reaches milestone
by CBS2 News Staff Friday, February 4th 2022
A $3.2 million expansion is happening at the World Center for Birds of Prey.
On Friday, groups gathered together to celebrate a milestone.
Students from Northwest Lineman College installed a model power line in the new Idaho Power Flight Lab hawk exhibit.
“This exhibit will tell the story of local falconer and conservation hero, Morley Nelson, and our local energy company, Idaho Power, working together to stop a common threat to birds of prey – electrocution. Their work has prevented raptors from being killed by power lines, not only here in Idaho but, around the world,” said Tate Mason, World Center for Birds of Prey director.
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Meetings set on Chinook salmon fisheries management
The Star-News Feb 3, 2022
Idaho anglers can offer input on managing the spring/summer Chinook salmon fisheries during public meetings on Tuesday in Riggins and Thursday, Feb. 24, in Cascade.
The meeting in Riggins will be held on the second floor of the City of Riggins Community Center, 121 Lodge St.
The meeting in Cascade will be held in the Valley County Emergency Operations Center, 108 W. Spring St.
Pizza and refreshments will be served at 5:30 p.m., and the presentations will begin shortly after.
Biologists will discuss what they learned from last year’s Chinook salmon season, what this year’s salmon return is projected to look like and strategies they could use to manage this year’s Chinook run.
Anglers can then provide comments and opinions on how best to manage the Chinook salmon run.
The meetings, hosted by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, will focus on fisheries in the Clearwater, Hells Canyon, lower Salmon, Little Salmon and South Fork Salmon river drainages.
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Fish & Game News:
Boise foothills residents and recreationists asked to take precautions as coyote mating season arrives
By Brian Pearson, Regional Communications Manager
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
IDFG
Coyotes tend to be more aggressive towards dogs during mating season
Amid increasing reports of coyote activity in the Boise foothills, including the Hulls Gulch and Military Reserve areas, Fish and Game is asking recreationists and homeowners to take additional precautions with their pets as coyotes enter their breeding season and become more territorial.
Recently, Fish and Game officials in the Southwest Region were made aware of a possible fatal coyote attack on a dog in a neighborhood northwest of Hulls Gulch. On the night of Saturday, Jan. 29, an area resident let their two dogs out into their partially fenced yard. The dogs ran out to the back corner of the yard, beyond a shrubbed property edge. Shortly thereafter, the resident heard a yelp and attempted to recall their dogs, but only one returned.
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Be respectful of birds and their habitats while observing or photographing them
By Brian Pearson, Regional Communications Manager
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Follow these tips to limit unnecessary disturbance or stress
Elizabeth Medes
A great gray owl — a relatively uncommon raptor in Southwest Idaho — was recently spotted by birders at a popular birding location in the region, and Fish and Game biologists are reminding people who are eager to snap the perfect photo to be respectful of birds and their habitats.
While the majority of birders and wildlife photographers observe and capture photos of birds responsibly, there have occasionally been issues with people harassing or disturbing birds. Those problems are often amplified when an uncommon species is spotted and people travel from far and wide to catch a glimpse.
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Lake Cascade and Payette Lake ice conditions – Feb. 2, 2022
By Mike Thomas, Regional Fisheries Biologist
Thursday, February 3, 2022
On Wednesday, February 2 we checked conditions on Cascade and Payette Lakes. New snow has fallen on each lake, but not very much of it. In general ice conditions are good. The weekend weather forecast looks to have single digit nighttime temperatures and daytime highs near 35 degrees. These temps should further facilitate great conditions for ice fishing, but be aware that surface conditions will likely soften in the afternoons and could make travel difficult. Another ice update will be posted next week. STAY TUNED!
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Some Cascade Reservoir ice access areas will remain open later than signage indicates
By Brian Pearson, Regional Communications Manager
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Updated March 1 closure date provides ice angling access with minimal impact to wildlife
Despite signage indicating that a closure to protect birds runs from Feb. 1 through July 1, hardwater anglers will have an additional month to use several ice fishing access areas around Cascade Reservoir, including popular access sites like Crown Point and Sugarloaf.
Many of the ice access areas around Cascade Reservoir are on six Bureau of Reclamation-owned Wildlife Management Areas. The primary purpose of this land is wildlife and habitat protection, which is why some of these areas are closed seasonally to protect nesting birds. However, wildlife managers recognize that extending the start date of the closure another month is likely to have a minimal impact to wildlife because of the amount of snow and ice still present throughout February, so the closure period has been changed to March 1 through July 1.
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More F&G News Releases
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Crazy Critter Stuff:
Gene mutation that makes dogs small existed in ancient wolves
by Cell Press Phys Org January 27, 2022
Popular belief has been that small dogs, such as Pomeranians and Chihuahuas, exist because once dogs were domesticated, humans wanted small, cute companions. But in the journal Current Biology on January 27, researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) identify a genetic mutation in a growth hormone-regulating gene that corresponds to small body size in dogs that was present in wolves over 50,000 years ago, long before domestication.
The search for this mutation had been ongoing at the NIH for over a decade, but researchers didn’t find it until Jocelyn Plassais, a postdoc in geneticist Elaine Ostrander’s lab, suggested that they search for sequences around the gene that were positioned backwards and confirm if any were present in other canids and ancient DNA. With this approach, their team found a reverse form of the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene with variants that correlated to dog body size. “We looked at 200 breeds, and it held up beautifully,” says Ostrander.
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Seasonal Humor:
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The Yellow Pine Times 