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YOUR VOICE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY
Free | Nov 17 - 30, 2021 | Vol. 2 - No. 23 | woodriverweekly.com
“ We a r g r a t i t u d e l i k e a c l o a k a n d i t w i l l f e e d e v e r y c o r n e r o f y o u r l i f e . ” —Rumi
HOUSING ESSENTIALS
From Sun Valley to Bellevue, housing starts focus on getting essential workers a place to live
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By Eric Valentine
f the Valley’s housing crisis never gets solved, it would be pretty hard to say it’s from lack of trying. Peruse the news or dive into city planning files and you’ll see a whole lot of little things that area leaders are hoping can add up to one big solution, and the sooner the better. Proposals to increase housing density is where the rubber meets the road when leaders and residents and want-to-be residents take action. And, expectedly, each jurisdiction in the Valley is having some degree of debate on which actions to take. But there are examples emerging weekly of some real change. Blaine County School District is implementing a housing subsidy to qualifying employees and recruits. It doesn’t put more dwelling units on the map, but it makes some of the dwelling units already on the map a little easier to afford. In June, Silver River Place, a 16-unit, downtown Hailey apartment complex opened, leasing to a mix of community members whose occupations include: fire chief, social worker, electrician, concrete contractor, waitperson, county employee, sheriff’s officer, property manager, international buying manager, nonprofit employee, financial analyst, accountant, heating technician, and club employees. Over in North Blaine County Fire District and Sun Valley, leaders are considering a draft proposal for up to eight dwelling units at the Greenhorn facility that would house first responders—not just North Blaine County Fire District and Sun Valley’s emergency personnel, but any Valley-based, eligible firefighting personnel. “It’s still very early in the permitting phase, but it could house emergency personnel from all over the Valley. It all ties in with the live-where-you-work concept,” said Sun Valley Fire Chief Taan Robrahn, adding that it could keep more personnel on call at any given time. “They’d be living right where the equipment is. It would improve response time. It would improve the service we provide.” Specifics are still to be determined since the proposal is in the preliminary draft stage and isn’t yet slated for a planning and zoning review. Robrahn estimated a P&Z review could happen in another month or two. Some general ideas, however, include outside-the-box thinking, such as developing the housing units sustainably. Robrahn said modular-home construction was being seriously discussed. “We know we can’t solve the housing problem with eight units or less, but it’s something, and if everybody in a position to do something takes a step in the right direction, hopefully we get to the right place,” Robrahn observed. In Bellevue, leaders once again tabled a discussion on increasing density along the downtown core. The proposal is to increase allowable building sizes from 28,000
An 1890s home turned commercial-residential property in Bellevue could serve the community one day as a partial solution to the Valley’s housing crisis. Photo credit: Eric Valentine
to 36,000 square feet between Cedar and Chestnut streets. Units could be as small as 350 square feet in size. And then there are ideas not yet even in the proposed idea stage, like turning what was once Green Antelope Gallery in Bellevue into a facility to house travelling nurses. Owners of the commercial-residential property did not want to reveal or confirm any details at this point, but they did acknowledge that all of their properties in that area will be used in a manner that serves the community.
St. Luke’s could not be reached for comment before Tuesday’s press deadline, but the organization has expressed its own challenges maintaining and recruiting staff. The pandemic has highlighted the need for, among other things, travelling nurses. And in the Valley, the concept of affordable and temporary housing is a bit of a brain tease. Creative, community-minded ideas may be the Valley’s most essential need.
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W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • N O V E M B E R 1 7 - 3 0 , 2 0 2 1
NEWS
LABOR
WHERE HAVE ALL THE WORKERS GONE? Gov. Little says apprenticeships will “help solve Idaho’s labor challenges”
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By Eric Valentine
e’ve all experienced it. You head out to meet a friend somewhere, let’s say your favorite eatery. Mask? Check. Event approved by your favorite local jurisdiction’s governing body? Check. You’re ready to party like it’s early
2019. But then you arrive and find the restaurant has closed—not entirely, thank goodness—but for the day due to lack of servers, or cooks, or other essential workers not being aplenty. Friend asks if you checked online first? Check. Shop hours these days, especially for smaller businesses, is a 50-50 or TBD kind of thing. Your friend is going to have to get their duck-liver charcuterie somewhere else. And you’re left standing there thinking the title of this piece: Where have all the workers gone? This week is National Apprenticeship Week, and to launch the part-marketing, part-political, part-serious event, Idaho Governor Brad Little penned an opinion piece on his website titled “Apprenticeships help solve Idaho’s labor challenges,” which reads optimistically as a win-win solution for employer, employee, and consumer. It also reads as an preemptive answer to the question in the title of this piece: Where have all the workers gone?
There is a false narrative going on about unemployment benefits being the root cause. That has certainly not been an issue in Blaine County. ” Mike McKenna, Chamber of Commerce executive director
The governor’s narrative went something like this: • • •
Post-lockdown, not all workers could return to work until schools and daycare were fully operational Economic recovery, aka inflation, kicks in, so workers are being a little more picky about which lower-waged jobs they’ll take (and, oh yeah, that whole “the virus is mutating” thing) Federal unemployment assistance has bumped up unemployment payments, which makes workers less incentivized to get back to work. So by late spring, Little opts out of the federal money and reduces Idahoans’ unemployment checks to what Idaho thinks they should be, stating, “Employers are telling me one of the big reasons they cannot recruit and retain some workers is because those employees are receiving more on unemployment than they would while working … My decision is based on a fundamental conservative principle—we do not want people on unemployment. We want people working. A strong economy cannot exist without workers returning to a job.”
Needless to say, only some of those workers came back, and anecdotal evidence as well as opinions from economists say it’s because rationale like the governor’s is not what’s at play. So Wood River Weekly asked our local Chamber of Commerce director his thoughts on the matter and what follows is what Mike McKenna said. WRW: Does the Valley have a labor shortage that is normal, problematic or something else? MM: Yes, we have a labor shortage that has been growing more problematic each year as the cost of living here, especially housing and food costs, keeps rising. The service industry is being hit especially hard by this. One of the challenges we face
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that some other ski areas like Park City or Whitefish or Mammoth don’t have as much of an issue with is that we don’t attract the young ski bum crowd—20- and 30-year-olds—who traditionally fill these service jobs in other ski towns. WRW: One political-economic narrative was that once the UE benefits normalized and school days normalized, people would get more serious about landing a job. But we’re still seeing the same labor shortage. Any thoughts on this? What are you seeing/hearing locally? MM: There is a false narrative going on about unemployment benefits being the root cause. That has certainly not been an issue in Blaine County as we have very low unemployment numbers and the Idaho Department of Labor has even closed down their unemployment office here. Part of the problem isn’t just the COVID impacts, but that so many members of the large baby boomer generation are retiring and getting out of the labor market and we don’t have enough qualified people to replace them. This was happening before the pandemic hit and has only been exacerbated by it. WRW: Would it be beneficial to expand or ease the role of undocumented residents and/or assylum seekers given certain labor shortages? Is the Valley losing out on any opportunities when it comes to particular solutions or specific populations? MM: No. Easing documentation is not a good or viable solution for Idaho. There doesn’t appear to be any magic formula to solve this issue that we’re not taking advantage of, outside of Marty McFly showing up in his DeLorean so we can send him back in time to talk local leaders into being more proactive about employee housing. Ah, the housing issue. That’s something we examine in another piece: “Housing Essentials” on page 1. Editor’s Note: Gov. Little’s sidebar can be found on his office’s official website gov. idaho.gov under the ‘press releases’ section.
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W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
•
NOVEMBER 17 - 30, 2021
NEWS
ELECTIONS
Election Reaction
A Hailey town square is still possible in the downtown core, but on Nov. 2 Hailey voters said the city will have to find other ways to fund its development when they rejected a general obligation bond. Image credit: City of Hailey
Who’s in, who’s out across the Valley
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By Eric Valentine
f we live in the polarized society many of us believe we do, Nov. 2 didn’t help to dissuade anyone of that notion. Up in the north part of the Valley, voters for the most part held the status quo, re-electing a number of incumbents. Down south, Carey upheaved. Out is longtime mayor Randy Patterson, in is Sara Mecham. And when it comes to how governments should add to our tax burden, a bond for Wood River Fire and Rescue’s new fire department got nearly 63% of the vote—so it failed. A bond for reimbursing the City of Hailey for purchasing what could be its town square one day got nearly 60% of the vote—so it, too, failed. All of it pretty much leaves Valley leadership with the same challenges it faced on Nov. 1, the most high-profile one: Where is everyone going to live? Neither bond was about that, so it was hard to imagine either would pass when many households are struggling and a two-thirds vote in the affirmative is required to pass this type of debt. What follows is a rundown of Valleywide results. Specific results can be found at Blaine County elections webpage: co.blaine. id.us/196/Elections. Incumbent Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw eked out a victory with just over 35% of the vote against three challengers, the most successful being Spencer Cordovano, who came 60 votes shy. Ketchum incidentally had the highest voter turnout in the Valley, with over 52% of eligible voters voting. Countywide, 34.5% of eligible voters showed up. Incumbent city council members Amanda Breen and Courtney Hamilton also won re-election. All three will start their second terms when they are sworn in at the city council’s January meeting. In Hailey, roughly 23% of eligible voters cast ballots in their city’s council race and reimbursement bond election. That resulted in wins by incumbents Heidi Husbands and Kaz Thea with substantial leads. And it resulted in a loss regarding the bond that would have reimbursed the city roughly $1 million spent from its general—or “capital”—fund last fiscal year which ended Sept. 30. It leaves the city leaders with the question, “How much will that impact city spending going forward?” “That’s complicated,” said City Manager Heather Dawson. “We won’t be closing our books until December and into January, so we’ll know better when that’s complete.” It’s complicated but not necessarily bad, explained Dawson, noting that city revenues “are strong” this year thanks to development permits and sales taxes. As for Carey, the election of Mecham comes with two other council newbies. Carey voters elected Clayton Mecham and Alyssa Cenarrusa to fill two seats for four-year terms. Logan Davis won a seat on the council; he was running unopposed. School District Blanca Romero and Dan Turner were elected to the Blaine County School District Board of Trustees. Romero, who will be serving her first term on the board, received about 95% of the vote in Zone 2. Incumbent Dan Turner was reelected with 74% of the vote in Zone 4. “What an incredible way to help shape the future of our children and our local education system,” said Blanca Romero. “I am very excited for this new venture.” “While out in the neighborhoods during the campaign, it was incredibly gratifying to hear the community’s high regard for our educators,” said Dan Turner. “I believe that this election was a referendum on the positive leadership changes in our district.” Turner almost assured himself re-election when he spearheaded the district’s drive toward housing subsidies “We congratulate Blanca Romero and Dan Turner for their election to our board of trustees. We also want to thank all of the candidates for running and discussing the important issues impacting our local schools,” said Jim Foudy, BCSD superintendent. “We continue to benefit from a highly engaged and supportive school district community. We look forward to working with the board as we plan for the future of our Blaine County schools.”
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
•
NOVEMBER 17 - 30, 2021
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NEWS
IN BRIEF
Peterbilt-Involved Wrecks Cause Highway Blockages, One Death
Two area accidents—one of them killing a passenger— blocked highways for a total of nearly 15 hours already in November. At approximately 8:19 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 3, Idaho State Police investigated a three-vehicle fatality crash at the intersection of 3700 N. and US93, in Twin Falls County. A 43-yearold male from Twin Falls was eastbound on 3700 N. in a 2004 GMC Sierra. A 40-year-old male from Jerome was northbound on US93 in a 2019 Peterbilt semi pulling a tank trailer. A 31-yearold male from Jerome was southbound on US93 in a 2008 Ford F-450, stopped in the left-turn lane to turn eastbound on 3700 N. The GMC failed to stop at the stop sign and entered the intersection, where it was struck by the Peterbilt. The GMC then struck the Ford, and both vehicles came to rest in the intersection. The Peterbilt came to rest on the right shoulder. The driver of the GMC was transported by air ambulance to a local hospital. A 43-year-old male passenger in the GMC succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the crash. Next of kin has been notified. The driver of the Peterbilt was transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital. All drivers of the vehicles were wearing their seatbelt; the passenger in the GMC was not. The roadway was blocked for approximately nine hours. Earlier that day, at 3:15 p.m., Idaho State Police investigated a single-vehicle crash on I-84 at the 201 offramp just west of Burley. A 25-year-old male from Williston, North Dakota, was driving westbound on SH25 in a 2013 Peterbilt semi pulling a cattle hauler. When taking a corner, the cattle hauler failed to negotiate the curve, then came to rest on the 201 onramp of I-84. The driver of the Peterbilt was wearing a seatbelt. The westbound I-84 201 onramp and SH25 between the frontage roads were blocked for five and a half hours, while Idaho State Police was assisted by West End Fire and Idaho Transportation Department.
Forest Service Christmas Tree Permits Now Available
For the second season, the USDA Forest Service is selling Christmas tree permits through Recreation.gov, which makes it more convenient for visitors to find and purchase permits to cut holiday trees from their favorite forest. In 2020, 90% of national forests that offer Christmas tree permits made them available through Recreation.gov, and more joined the system for the 2021 season. “Every tree that is found, cut and carried home creates a new story,” said USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “These stories become the memories and traditions we carry on for generations and further connect families with their local forests.” Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit and can apply by entering the pass or voucher number when purchasing a permit. And kids of all ages can download, color, and decorate their tree with this Christmas tree ornament coloring page for a fun, handmade addition to their tree. Cutting a Christmas tree improves forest health. The permit system helps to thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees. Local forest health experts identify areas that benefit from thinning trees and tend to be the perfect size for Christmas trees. Removing these trees in designated areas helps other trees grow larger and can open areas that provide food for wildlife.
Records Requests Now Easier, More Efficient, State Police Says
The Idaho State Police has launched a new public records management program, an “easier and more convenient” system for the public to use, the organization said. Beginning Nov. 15, all requests for public records will be completed by simply clicking on the Public Records Request tab on the Idaho State Police website, isp.idaho.gov. The request will be immediately forwarded to ISP public records custodians. The new request process coincides with ISP's launch of a new public records request and management program through GovQA, an industry leader in government records software. The new format can be found at isp.idaho.gov and will replace email, mailed, or faxed public records requests, consolidating the delivery of all requests for added efficiency.
City, Citizens of Ketchum To Explore Recycling Locations
The City of Ketchum says it has received many comments about the location of recycling in the city. Now to address the concerns, the city is inviting the public to meet at the current recycling location in the south YMCA parking lot. The group will walk to the proposed location on Lewis Street. Clear Creek Disposal will be on site to demonstrate current-versus-future operations. A special City Council meeting will take place after the tour at the new City Hall, 191 5th Street W. The session takes place Thursday, Nov. 18, at 3 p.m. at the Wood River Community YMCA on Saddle Road in the south parking lot.
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
NEWS
Changes To Idaho’s Voting Map Coming Soon
•
NOVEMBER 17 - 30, 2021
IN BRIEF
Idaho’s voting districts are on track to become officially redistricted starting in 2022. Last week, the bipartisan Idaho Commission for Reapportionment approved two maps—one for federal congressional districts and one for state legislative districts—that place Blaine County in District 26 with Lincoln and Jerome counties. Blaine County has been in a district with Camas, Gooding and Lincoln counties for 10 years. The districts are given a fresh look every 10 years after data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau has been calculated. Each legislative district has two representatives and one senator in the legislature. District 26 is currently represented by Reps. Muffy Davis and Sally Toone, and Sen. Michelle Stennett—all Democrats, who now have to determine whether to seek re-election to two-year terms in the November 2022 election. Idaho’s congressional districts are represented by Rep. Russ Fulcher (1st District) and Rep. Mike Simpson (2nd District). Both are Republicans. Blaine County is in the 2nd District. The plan’s final step will be approval by the Supreme Court in time for the candidates’ filing period for the 2022 primaries. Court challenges, if any, could delay things.
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The Chamber is inviting you to join us for the 18th Annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, November 25th. Starting times will be staggered to decrease group sizes.
CITY OF HAILEY COVID ORDINANCES MUST BE FOLLOWED. This great community event brings out participants of all ages to run, walk & stroll the beautiful 5K course through the Wood River Land Trust’s Draper Wood River Preserve and the streets of Hailey. Registration is online only at ValleyChamber.org
Hailey Library Injects Arsenic Into Lecture Series
The Hailey Public Library will host “Pick Your Poison – Arsenic!” on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 5:30 p.m. The virtual talk will take a fun look at the history and many uses of arsenic, often called the poison of kings. It will be part of a series with forensic chemist Cat Helms. RSVP to HPL program manager Kristin Fletcher at kristin. fletcher@haileypubliclibrary.org. “Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that has been used in agricultural insecticides, wood preservatives, bullets, artist paint and even in chicken feed,” Fletcher said. “It is classified as toxic by most countries but, interestingly, the symptoms of arsenic poisoning are not very specific. Kings of yore used that fact to their advantage to knock off the competition.” Helms, the presenter, has bachelor of science degrees in psychology from Vanderbilt University and in forensic chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University where she served as the Forensic Toxicology Laboratory manager. In 2008, she received a master of science degree in molecular medicine from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Helms also has significant experience as a science and math tutor and currently owns Cat Academy Tutoring, which provides local academic support and study strategies in math and science to middle and high school students.
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OPINION
CAITLIN JOHNSTONE
US Coverup Of Syria Massacre Shows The Danger Of The Assange Precedent
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by Caitlin Johnstone
he New York Times has published a very solid investigative report on a US military coverup of a 2019 massacre in Baghuz, Syria which killed scores of civilians. This would be the second investigative report on civilian-slaughtering US airstrikes by The New York Times in a matter of weeks, and if I were a more conspiracy-minded person I’d say the paper of record appears to have been infiltrated by journalists. The report contains many significant revelations, including that the US military has been grossly undercounting the numbers of civilians killed in its airstrikes and lying about it to Congress, that special ops forces in Syria have been consistently ordering airstrikes which kill noncombatants with no accountability by exploiting loopholes to get around rules meant to protect civilians, that units which call in such airstrikes are allowed to do their own assessments grading whether the strikes were justified, that the US war machine attempted to obstruct scrutiny of the massacre “at nearly every step” of the way, and that the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations only investigates such incidents when there is “potential for high media attention, concern with outcry from local community/government, concern sensitive images may get out.” “But at nearly every step, the military made moves that concealed the catastrophic strike,” The New York Times reports. “The death toll was downplayed. Reports were delayed, sanitized and classified. United States-led coalition forces bulldozed the blast site. And top leaders were not notified.” Journalist Aaron Maté has called the incident “one of the US military’s worst massacres and cover-up scandals since My Lai in Vietnam.” NYT revealed that the US bombed 70 Syrian civilians & covered it up. The Baghuz massacre likely only came to light because of whistleblowers, Pentagon investigator Gene Tate & Air Force lawyer Lt. Col. Dean Korsak, who challenged the cover-up from within. https://t.co/jKDOkOtXyR — Aaron Maté (@aaronjmate) November 14, 2021 Asked by The Times for a statement, Central Command gave the laughable justification that maybe those dozens of women and children killed in repeated bomb blasts were actually armed enemy combatants: “This week, after The New York Times sent its findings to U.S. Central Command, which oversaw the air war in Syria, the command acknowledged the strikes for the first time, saying 80 people were killed but the airstrikes were justified. It said the bombs killed 16 fighters and four civilians. As for the other 60 people killed, the statement said it was not clear that they were civilians, in part because women and chil-
dren in the Islamic State sometimes took up arms.” I mean, how do you even address a defense like that? How do you get around the “Maybe those babies were ISIS fighters” defense? Reading the report it becomes apparent how much inertia was thrown on attempts to bring the massacre to light and how easy it would have been for those attempts to succumb to the pressure and just give up, which naturally leads one to wonder how many other such incidents never see the light of day because attempts to expose them are successfully ground to a halt. The Times says the Baghuz massacre “would rank third on the military’s worst civilian casualty events in Syria if 64 civilian deaths were acknowledged,” but it’s clear that that “acknowledged” bit is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. And it really makes you appreciate how much work goes into getting information like this in front of the public eye, and how important it is to do so, and how tenuous the ability to do so currently is. WTF???? “An American F-15E attack jet dropped a 500-pound bomb on the crowd [of women and children], swallowing it in a shuddering blast. Then a jet tracking them dropped one 2,000-pound bomb, then another, killing most of the survivors.”#WarCrimes https://t.co/2PLLkjvrFz — Peter Daou (@peterdaou) November 14, 2021 Julian Assange currently sits in Belmarsh Prison waiting to find out if British judges will overturn a lower court’s ruling against his extradition to the United States to be prosecuted under the Espionage Act for journalistic activity which exposed US war crimes. War crimes not unlike those that were just exposed by The New York Times in its reporting on the Baghuz massacre. The precedent the US government is trying to set with its persecution of Julian Assange will, if successful, cast a chilling effect over journalism which scrutinizes the US war machine, not just in the United States but around the world. If it can succeed in legally establishing that it can extradite an Australian journalist for publishing information in the public interest about US war crimes, it will have succeeded in legally establishing that it can do that to any journalist anywhere. And you can kiss investigative reporting like this goodbye. This is what’s at stake in the Assange case. Our right to know what the most deadly elements of the most powerful governments on our planet are doing. The fact that the drivers of empire think it is legitimate to deprive us of such information by threatening to imprison anyone who tries to show it to us makes them an enemy of all humanity.
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W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • N O V E M B E R 1 7 - 3 0 , 2 0 2 1
Fishing R epoRt
COMM ENT ARY
NO BONES ABOUT IT THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 17 - 30 FROM PICABO ANGLER
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ilver Creek has been fishing well this November, and The Nature Conservancy’s Silver Creek Preserve remains open until the end of the month. We have been seeing consistent, but short, hatches of Baetis around 1:00 p.m., although we expect that will change with the colder temperatures arriving. There has also been a good number of fish indulging in midges in the evenings; try targeting these fish with an emerger or pupa pattern as the fish are primarily feeding just below the surface. Streamers are also really starting to move fish; try fishing a Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow or Leech pattern in some of the deeper water. Some of brown trout are still spawning, but there seem to be fewer fish by the day on redds. Leave spawning fish alone and watch your step when wading near cleaned gravel. The Big Wood River has been very productive in the afternoons. Once the water warms up a bit, anglers can expect to see plenty of midges and even a few Baetis around. Spend time fishing the slower, deeper water as the fish have vacated faster riffles. Nymphing with a large stonefly pattern and a small Midge or Baetis nymph can produce great results. Don’t be afraid to swing a small sculpin pattern through slower runs. Try to target large boulders as well. With the cooling water temperatures, the biggest fish are going to be looking for the best lazy spots to hold, and this is often behind the biggest rocks and boulders. Swing a fly to the top and bottom side of these rocks. The clock is running out on the season’s Mayfly hatches and the South Fork of the Boise may be your best bet to get on the Fall Baetis before winter truly sets in. Late afternoon is the time to find rising fish, but anglers can nymph the riffles and foam lines prior to that surface action. Red Copper Johns, Red Squirrel Nymphs, Two Bit Baetis and Hares Ears are all good choices. The Lost River below the dam can be fished the same as the South Fork. Show up early for nymphing with your favorite Micro-Nymph patterns and almost anything red. Stick around for the late afternoon and cross your fingers for the last of the Baetis hatches. Try a Gulper Special to imitate the lower Lost River Baetis. This is also a really effective fly on the Big Wood! Happy fishing, everyone!
Hwy 20 in Picabo info@picaboangler.com (208)788.3536 www.picaboangler.com
FRAN JEWELL
REAL Sun Valley Dogs Have Etiquette! Hike responsibly and safely
By Fran Jewell
t’s that time of year to hit the trails with our dogs. Nothing is finer than a great walk with your dogs through one of our wonderful national forest hiking paths. We love to let our dogs off leash and to run to their heart’s content. What a wonderful opportunity we have! But, in doing so, we also have certain responsibilities. Those include being considerate of your fellow recreationalists. That might be someone hiking, too, with their dogs, or riding a horse, mountain biking or some other mode of travel. If your dog scares a horse and the rider falls, do you know you are liable for the damages? If your dog jumps on or bites someone on a mountain bike, and they fall, you are also liable. Having a dog is a responsibility and a privilege. Your dog does not have a God-given right to harass others off leash. Please be considerate. 1. Train your dog to COME when called the first time, NO MATTER WHAT THE DISTRACTION. If your dog cannot come the FIRST time, he should not be off a leash. This can be a matter of life and death out on the trails. A dog that chases game or other people or dogs is a dog likely to get lost or killed by a predatory animal. Don’t fool yourself. We live in a wilderness environment with bears, coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, badgers, etc., that can make quick pickings of your dog. Even if you don’t see wild animals, they are there. Statistically, you are being watched by a mountain lion on nine out of 10 of your hikes! 2. Carry a leash with you so you can leash your dog, if needed. Carry treats and practice “come” along your hike. Teach your dog that the command “COME” does not mean the end of a good time and that he gets to return to his hike. He is far more likely to come in an emergency if you practice on every hike. Leashes are not evil things. It is a way to be “CONNECTED” with your dog. Your dog will respect you more for it. Any dog will respond to commands more readily if he respects you. 3. Carry citronella spray in a canister to use on dogs that are aggressive with your dog. As many of you know, I had an off-leash dog attack and bite my Brinx FOUR times IN TOWN!!! Protect yourself and your dog from other dogs that do NOT have good manners. If you or your dog is attacked by another dog, be sure to get a description, name if possible and REPORT THEM to the authorities for the area you are in. Document their description, time and location. TAKE A PHOTO WITH YOUR CELLPHONE OF THE DOG and OWNER! 4. Call your dog and move OFF the trail when someone approaches. Have your dog do a sit or down-stay while the other people/dogs/horses/mountain bikes pass by. Your dog does NOT have to play with every dog that comes along. And besides, many other dogs are NOT in the control of their owners and DO NOT have good
Have a great hike and enjoy your dog and help others to enjoy your dog, too! Photo credit: Fran Jewell
manners. Protect your dog from others who are not as responsible as you are. 5. Put a Swiss bell on your dog at all times in the forest. This alarms other animals that your dog is near so they will leave and there are not confrontations with wild animals. This also helps you to hear where your dog is and also allows others hiking to hear an approaching dog and be prepared to move off the trail in courtesy to you. Swiss bells are made to last and are audible over long distances. If you ride horses, accustom your horse to the sound of bells, so he/she is not startled or over-excited at the sound. 6. Put a reflective collar on your dog for visibility and a reflective vest in the fall so hunters see you have a dog. Be sure to include a nametag even if your dog is microchipped. 7. Carry plastic bags to pick up waste your dog leaves. This is not only unsightly, but unhealthy for wildlife and other dogs. Your dog packs it in; you pack it out. 8. Carry water for your dog and a small bag of treats or kibble in the event you are not able to get home and are forced to stay in the woods overnight, and especially to reward that perfect recall you practice on your hike! 9. Carry a whistle and teach your dog that a whistle means treat! A whistle will carry much farther than your voice if your dog does run off. Fran Jewell is an IAABC Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, NADOI Certified Instructor and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC in Sun Valley. For more information, visit positivepuppy.com or call 208-578-1565.
SCIENCE OF PLACE
HARRY WEEKES
Musing On Mountains
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BY HARRY WEEKES
ately, mountains have been on my mind. In early October, I stood on top of a smallish hill in the Green Mountains marveling at the colorful leaf blanket pulled across the landscape. The temperate deciduous forests of New England are, quite literally, awesome. Watching cloud shadows swim across the canopy interrupted only by the dazzling effects of sun breaking through is stupefying. “How many leaves do you think we’re looking at?” was about all I could manage to say as we stood and stared across Vermont. Then, rather quickly and disorientingly (as is made possible by modern travel), I was in the Salt Lake City airport listening to what I call “auditory postcards”—those short snippets of conversation you pick up in public spaces. Two people were referring to skiing and various mountains in the West. Talking about Sun Valley, one person said, simply, “It’s a good mountain.” Baldy is a good mountain. A familiar mountain. That entity I commonly refer to when I say, “I have lived within five miles of one mountain for 50 years.” These ideas bounced around my mind, drawing me into my simplified view of the world. This is where I start to think about things and put them into big cartoon categories. The Appalachians and the Rockies. Old
mountains and young mountains. East versus West. So it was that I was musing about mountains when I woke up in a hotel room in Tacoma, Washington, having arrived the night before, to look out my window and see Mount Rainier—a great shadow standing in front of a lightening sky. Oh, that’s right, there are these kinds of mountains, too. Big, explosive ones that live in the imagination of almost everyone, and in the viewshed of millions of people. I thought the obvious: “That’s a volcano.” Even alone, I found myself looking around the room asking no one in particular, “What’s it like to grow up next to that?” There is something about the natural world that delivers almost every time you turn your attention to it. On one hand, the non-human
world gives you what you are looking for. I go out to see birds, and I find birds. I go looking for leaves changing, and I find trees and forests in different stages of fall display. On the other hand, though, there is all you were not looking for. And this is where the magic lies. Most recently I heard this described with the analogy of looking through a telescope— at once, you train your vision on a specific area. Not only do you see more clearly what you are looking at, but you see all the other stuff as well. This is looking at a bird through binoculars to discover its colors, the fact that it is eating little insects off a branch, and that there are other little birds twittering around and with it. Taking any moment to focus on one thing marvelously opens you up to many more things. Looking at the leaves on the ground, you find a frog. Pausing to look at a blue heron, you see the muskrat. Thinking about mountains, you discover a volcano. Yep. These are good mountains. Harry Weekes is the founder and head of school at The Sage School in Hailey. This is his 50th year in the Wood River Valley, where he lives with Hilary and one of their three baby adults—Simon. The other members of the flock, Georgia and Penelope, are currently fledging at Davidson College in North Carolina and Middlebury College in Vermont, respectively.
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
MONEY MATTERS
KRISTIN HOVENCAMP
WHY BONDS?
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COLUMN
4TH ESTATE
BY KRISTIN HOVENCAMP
bond is an instrument of indebtedness. Companies and governments issue bonds to raise capital by borrowing from investors. When an investor purchases a bond, they are buying the bond issuer’s debt. The bond’s issuer is committed to paying the bondholder the principal amount and the pre-established interest when the bond reaches maturity. Bonds are not risk-free. Before purchasing a bond, be aware of the bond’s maturity date, credit quality, liquidity, and geographical location. Bonds also come with interest rate risk, as their principal value is sensitive to changes in interest rates. Bonds have experienced a historic 40-year bull market run. In the third quarter of 1981, the Treasury 10-year note yielded approximately 15.75%. In the third quarter of 2021, the 10-year was paying about 1.5%. As yields have diminished and bonds have offered lower and lower interest, what role does fixed income now play in your portfolio? Unsurprisingly, the bond market continues to grow at a constant rate, outpacing Kristin Hovencamp is an equity market growth. According to the Se- Investment Executive and curities Industry and Financial Markets As- Director of Business Developsociation, in 2020 the global bond market’s ment with HAZLETT WEALTH outstanding value was $123.5 trillion and MANAGEMENT, LLC. the global equity market capitalization was $105.8 trillion. There are benefits of holding both stocks and bonds in a diversified investment portfolio. When you invest in a stock, you are buying equity ownership in the company. Stocks have unlimited upside potential but also more volatility. Bonds may help mitigate equity risk due to their less volatile nature, greater stability, and promised income stream. As complementary assets, stocks and bonds have different risk-return profiles and react differently to changing market conditions. Bonds continue to be an anchor in a long-term investor’s portfolio due to their ability to yield income and help reduce risk. As an asset class, fixed income diversifies a portfolio and offsets investments in other assets. HAZLETT WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC is independent of Raymond James and is not a registered broker/dealer. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. 675 Sun Valley Road, Suite J1 + J2 Ketchum, Idaho 83340 208.726.0605. HazlettWealthManagement.com
One of Bellevue’s history-rich homes on South 2nd Street will be the future site of a boarding facility for traveling nurses. Photo credit: Eric Valentine
Full Circle Thankful I By Eric Valentine
’ll spare you the gory details, the stuff you can gossip about at the local bar. But to get to the good news, the stuff—as Thanksgiving Day approaches—I’m thankful about, I need to provide some background. I’m a native Californian. I moved to Boise in 2004. And while the nation’s housing market crashed in the late 2000s, I—by mere and good fortune—had my still most lucrative writing position of my career. So I bought a condo, in Boise’s North End … It’s more like I stole it, for pennies on the dollar, one of many foreclosed properties available during that collapse. Cut to: 2018. Idaho real estate is booming and my career is transitioning, morphing, evolving, going nowhere, going places … It’s all in the eye of the beholder, but I knew leaving the Treasure Valley for the Wood River Valley made a lot of sense. I sold the Boise condo and bought a commercial residential property in Bellevue at the corner of South 2nd Street and Oak Street, the site of the former Green Antelope Gallery. It had a converted garage that could house art workshops and band practices. It was historic—not a registered landmark, per se—but it had: • Been built in the 1890s • Housed a century-old (at least) 100-foot (at least) fruit-bearing apple tree • Served as a medical clinic in the early
INSPIRATIONS FROM MY HEART
DOVE
Nature’s Magic
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BY DOVE
wake up each morning and I ask myself, “Self, what magical thing can you create today?” After all, as I have said many times, where your focus goes, energy flows. My focus this morning was on the beauty of the snow. I was ecstatic that all the leaves had been raked the day before and put in my garden for compost—perfect timing. And now, this morning, as I was sitting and enjoying breakfast, one of the local bunnies came to the door and put his nose against the screen and said, “Hello! Hello! Can you see what just happened?” How blessed we are to have the perfection of nature so close. Last week I had seven deer just walking in my yard. They did not even scatter when I came into the yard from my walk. Nature has the ability to fill my soul with peace and joy. My heart goes out to people who are trapped in cities and don’t receive the energy from nature, as that is what fills my heart and every day is a choice where I put my focus. I love the coziness of my home when the snow if falling. A good pot of soup and fresh bread baking are truly blessings of my life. Add a few good friends to share the abundance with and truly you have a recipe for peace and contentment. So much is going on in our world that tries to create fear and control. That is not where I put my
focus, because I reject fear and I do not accept the illusion that someone or something has control over my life but me. I can choose to be joyful and magical. I choose magic even if the magic is as small as figuring something out in QuickBooks or reorganizing my office to a more pleasing arrangement. I have chosen my focus. I would love to give everyone the gift of time for yourself—quiet moments of silence, creative moments of making garlic French bread or beef stew cooked in apple juice. I once taught a class of about 40 people and I asked each of them to name something that filled their soul. What was fascinating was that not one of the things that filled their soul cost money. Now that is truth! Our souls cannot be filled by money because it is so fleeting. What is necessary is that each person has shelter, enough food to eat, clothing to keep warm, love of self, companionship of a few who love them, and a purpose in life. The purpose can be as simple as loving nature; maybe loving nature is one of our greatest gifts. That is my prayer from my heart for today—that we each have the time to embrace this amazing place where we live. Take a moment of quiet time just for yourself and focus on what fills your soul. Fill yourself all the way to the top and let is spill over into Mother Earth. She loves our joy. Seek your own truth and be at peace. Blessings, Dove
days of Bellevue Cutting out a lot of gory details, I had to sell the property after nearly losing it to a business partner gone awry who also trashed the place inside and out. I felt relieved to gain some investment back and guilty that I put a scar on Bellevue history, too. So, here’s the part I’m thankful about: • I sold the property to my neighbors, who had plans to restore the property, the same way they did their own. • After the sale was complete, I learned the new owners had plans to donate the property back to the city along with their own, and to make it part of Bellevue’s living history. And here’s the part I’m beyond thankful about: “Essential Housing”—an article in this issue of Wood River Weekly that talks about the current plans my old neighbors have for the property. The plan: to make it temporary housing for travelling nurses—a little like the original plan for 116 S. 2nd. “They lack housing and we lack nurses,” my neighbor told me in a text conversation last week. It was a hole in our joint fence that led to another text conversation with my neighbors, this one about selling the property to them, so they could make it a little like the original plan for 116 S. 2nd. Full circle.
COWBOY POETRY
BRYCE ANGELL
We’ve Changed The Tools
One thing I’ll never do is tell you how to raise your kid. Lord knows that raising children was the toughest thing I did. Each parent shares a technique how to raise up their own child. Till their routine’s interrupted by a young one screaming wild. While walking down the candy isle at Merkle’s local store, I witnessed one long tantrum from a little boy ‘bout four. The young boy bellowed out just like a gut-shot buffalo. Then jumped down from the shopping cart right on my left big toe. I’m sure I cursed out loud, which didn’t stop the boy a bit. He started kicking on the cart and throwing one big fit. By now his crying changed to screams, a tantrum at its best. His mother looked at me and said, “He has put us to the test!” But then her words surprised me. “We don’t want to stifle growth or change his personality. Chastising might ruin both.” I wondered, was she kidding? Were my old ears failing me? It seems this new age parenting shows cause to disagree. I couldn’t help but think about when I was just a boy. My parents would be thinking of the folks I might annoy. There wouldn’t be a tantrum, I can tell you that for sure. You daresn’t even start one—wasn’t worth a butt so sore. We knew by four years old to show respect to Mom and Dad. ‘Cuz disrespect had consequence that always turned out bad. You seldom saw a temper from a disrespectful soul. Was it fear that kept us kids in check? Well, more than likely so. Have we done our children favors changing all the parent tools? And maybe would it help each child to have a set of rules? – Bryce Angell Bryce Angell - The outdoors has always been a large part of my life. My father was an outfitter and guide for 35 years and I was there to shoe and care for the horses and help him do the cooking. We took many great trips into the Yellowstone area. Even now that I’m older, we still ride into the Tetons, Yellowstone and surrounding areas. My poems are mostly of personal experience. I am now retired and enjoying life to the fullest. I plan to do more riding and writing.
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HEALTH BEAT
ST. LUKE’S WOOD RIVER
Holiday Safety Tips 2021
ADVERTORIALS BETTER HOMEOWNERS NEWS
ANNA & MICHELLE
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here are ways to enjoy the season while protecting your and your loved ones’ health. Because many generations tend to celebrate holidays together, the best way to minimize COVID-19 risk for yourself, friends and family is to get vaccinated. In addition, maximize protection from the Delta variant by wearing a mask in public indoor spaces if you’re in an area of substantial or high transmission. Also, be sure to get your flu shot! Gathering Safely • Limit in-person gatherings to members of your household; celebrate virtually with other family and friends. • Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination, like young children, by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated. • Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth while in public indoor settings. (Do not put a mask on children younger than 2 years old.) • Outdoors is safer than indoors; avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces. • If you’re sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering. • Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or come in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. If your gathering includes multiple households or out-of-town guests, consider additional precautions. Ask everyone to avoid crowded indoor spaces before traveling or take a COVID-19 test before your gathering to further reduce risk.
Traveling Safely Travel increases your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. If you must travel, make sure you’re well informed about the risks you face and any specific requirements at your destination(s), such as proof of vaccine or masking. • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) travel page. The CDC still recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated. • If you’re not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s domestic travel or international travel recommendations for unvaccinated people. • If you’re traveling in a group with unvaccinated people, choose safer travel options. • Everyone (even those fully vaccinated) is required to wear a mask on public transportation and follow international travel recommendations. For more information and resources, including how to cope with stress, knowing your travel risk and when to delay travel, community transmission, risk and how to best avoid spreading the virus, visit: cdc.gov. CORRECTION In the Oct. 22, 2021, issue of Wood River Weekly, the St. Luke’s Health Beat advertorial mistakenly referred to Dr. Charles Smith, a radiation oncologist with Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI) in Boise. Dr. Smith is deceased. St. Luke’s regrets the error.
Have You Checked These Lately? H
BY ANNA & MICHELLE
omeowners know the need to periodically check certain things around the home to ensure that things operate properly and efficiently. If maintenance is required, it may be less expensive to take care of it early rather than waiting until it is not working at all. Checklists are helpful because it requires little effort to know what must be done. They are usually concise and provide enough information to complete the task. These items apply to most homeowners but in no way offer a comprehensive list. • Vacuum dryer exhaust ... Not only does it affect the efficiency of your dryer itself, the accumulation of lint along with the hot air can ignite and create a fire hazard. • Replace HVAC filters 4 to 6 times a year ... This is one DIY project that almost everyone should feel confident in handling. Locate the filter, make a note of the size, and keep replacements available. Turn off the unit, open the door or housing, remove the dirty filter, and replace it with the new one. Pay attention to the direction of the airflow; filters are marked to indicate the correct direction. • Test all GFCI breakers … GFCI breakers, as well as outlets, have a test button on them. Pressing the test button should cause the breaker to trip, which shuts off all power to the entire circuit. To reset the breaker, push it completely to off and then back to on. • Vacuum refrigerator coils ... Coils on refrigerators can be in different places depending on the model and manufacturer. Locate the coils and clean the dirt and dust from them using a soft bristle brush or a vacuum cleaner with a brush.
• Replace batteries in smoke detectors ... Smoke detectors should be tested monthly by pushing the test button. Annually, the batteries should be replaced, even if they appear to still have life in them. After replacing the batteries, test the smoke detector to see if it is functioning properly. • Check windows and doors for leaks ... There are several ways to check for leaks. One method used on a cold day would be to hold your hand a few inches from the window or doorframe to feel for drafts. Another method would be to light a candle and trace the outline of the window or door to see if the flame or smoke pull in one direction, indicating an air leak. • Inspect all sprinkler system stations to see if heads are leaking or need adjusting ... Manually, turn on each of the stations and look at each sprinkler that is running to see if it is leaking or if it is properly covering the area intended. • Check garage door opener to see that safety features engage properly ... Place a cardboard box in line of one of the sensors before trying to close the door. The door should reverse itself after sensing the obstruction. • Check and clean fireplace(s) annually, if used ... This may be a job that you want to have someone else do, but you may be able to recognize indicators that the chimney needs cleaning. These things include evidence of birds or animals; fireplace smells like a campfire; smoke fills the room; difficulty starting or keeping a fire going; the fireplace walls have oily marks; the damper is black with soot and creosote. The frequency of use on woodburning fireplaces will impact the need for cleaning.
It’s your life We help you live it NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA
By Monica Carrillo
DACA In ACTION!
OUR VOICE COUNTS With another round of DACA Awareness Events at the University of Idaho in full swing this fall semester, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and I are proud to present keynote speaker, Karina Ruiz de Diaz. Ruiz de Diaz, executive director of the Arizona Dream Act Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for immigrant rights, will be joining us as a keynote speaker through Zoom on Nov. 17 at 5 p.m., MST, to talk about her journey advocating for immigrant rights and the experiences she has endured. I was able to meet Ruiz de Diaz on both of my trips to Washington, D.C., in early April and October, and the ambition she holds and the stories she expresses are continuously inspiring, which is why I didn’t hesitate to ask if she could join us for DACA Awareness Events. At 7 p.m., after the webinar, Ruiz de Diaz will be doing a workshop, also virtually, about the ins and outs of organizing. Although it will be hosted through the university, both events are available to anyone who would like to join. Click on the following for registration in advance: https://uidaho.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YxxQmxi9T4iHeGKWiIsQRw
Karina Ruiz de Diaz getting her hair shaved off in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.. Ruiz de Diaz was one of 51 who participated in the event. Photo credit: Monica Carrillo
NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA Con otra ronda de Eventos de Conciencia de DACA en la Universidad de Idaho este semestre de otoño, la Oficina de Asuntos Multiculturales y yo estamos orgullosos de presentar a Karina Ruiz de Diaz. Ruiz de Díaz, directora ejecutiva de Arizona Dream Act Coalition, una organización sin fines de lucro ded-
MONICA CARRILLO
icada a apoyar por los derechos de los inmigrantes, se unirá a nosotros como oradora a través de Zoom el 17 de noviembre a las 5 p.m. MST hablando sobre su viaje luchando por los derechos de los inmigrantes y las experiencias que ha soportado. Pude conocer a Ruiz de Díaz en mis dos viajes a Washington DC, a principios de abril y octubre, y la ambición que tiene, las historias que expresa, son continuamente inspiradoras, por lo que no dudé en preguntar si podría unirse a nosotros para los eventos de concientización sobre DACA. A las 7 p.m., después del webinar, Ruiz de Díaz estará haciendo un taller, también virtualmente, sobre los pormenores de la organización. Aunque se llevará a cabo a través de la universidad, ambos eventos están disponibles para cualquier persona que desee unirse. Haga clic en lo siguiente para registrarse con anticipación: https://uidaho.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YxxQmxi9T4iHeGKWiIsQRw
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
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NEWS
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IN BRIEF BITCOIN
Grant Funding Fuels Garden Growth
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Hailey Elementary School students are learning how to grow and maintain plants in a high-altitude environment thanks to a new garden box project. The effort has been made possible through a Rural Schools Collaborative grant awarded to art teacher Shawn Schumacher, who used the $1,500 to purchase growing stands and supplies needed to get a school garden started. She also donated back an additional $1,000 stipend she had received to help fund the project. Additionally, Hailey Elementary secured $2,000 from the Blaine County Education Foundation to help build the boxes. Winn’s Compost donated 8 cubic yards of dirt, while two local landscaping companies contributed wood chips. “This project has been a great way for our students to learn about gardening, consider the various factors that can affect plants in our climate and connect with nature in new ways,” said Schumacher. “We look forward to continuing to expand this program and get more of our students and staff involved.” Last school year, several Hailey students started plants from seed that were then transplanted to the garden. Schumacher would like to eventually provide more classrooms in the school with their own growing box to observe and maintain. Until then, the garden will serve as a school-wide place to teach, observe, and learn. It’s also where students can read and relax. Parent volunteers will also help build garden boxes Local grade schoolers learn the ins and outs of making mountain plants thrive. Photo once spring arrives. credit: Blaine County School District
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W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • N O V E M B E R 1 7 - 3 0 , 2 0 2 1
CHAMBER CORNER
MIKE MCKENNA
Hard way Pipeline
Passing On The Dental Explorer Dr. Benson takes over for Dr. Ron By Mike McKenna
A
dental explorer, also known as a sickle probe, is one of the most common tools of the trade for dentists. Of course, what really makes a great dentist isn’t just an ability with tools, but also the ability to connect with the people they care for. For nearly a quarter of a century, “Dr. Ron” Fairfax ran one of the most popular dental offices in Blaine County. Ron and his staff watched their patients grow from kids to parents, from parents to grandparents. “Being a family dentist in a small town for nearly 25 years was great. It just created so many relationships. I got to follow families. I’d see them every six months and find out what’s happening with them,” said Dr. Ron, who is now officially retired. “I miss the people.” Dr. Ron began practicing dentistry in Southern California and originally came to the Wood River Valley to help some friends move here in 1983. When he got home, he jokingly told his wife, Pamela, that he’d never take her to Idaho to visit because she’d want to move there. They started visiting regularly in 1986 and wound up moving to Hailey in 1996. Dr. Ron opened his dental office the following year. The Fairfaxes raised two sons locally, Matt and Scott, and immediately became active in the community. Dr. Ron joined The Chamber and helped fundraise for the annual Days of the Old West Fourth of July fireworks. He also served on the Citizens Committee to get the Local Option Tax enacted and was on the Friedman Memorial Airport Board for 20 years. Besides his dental practice, what Dr. Ron is perhaps best known for is championing the creation of the Campion Ice House. He also spent countless hours driving the Zamboni for the free outdoor ice rink in Hailey each winter. When Dr. Ron decided to retire so he and Pamela could spend the non-hockey season exploring America on a boat, he wanted to make sure his practice was passed along to the right person. The ideal candidate would be “very personable, committed to dentistry and who would care about the community.” Dr. Chase Benson was the perfect fit.
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Kelly Wardell 208-309-0916
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CLASSIC SUDOKU See answer on page 11 “We feel really lucky,” Dr. Benson said. Chase, his wife Sheyanne and their young son Bronx have been calling Hailey home for six months now and have quickly taken to the small Idaho town. “People have been so nice and friendly,” said Dr. Benson, adding he’s lucky that Dr. Ron’s longtime staff has stayed on. “I really do have a passion for dentistry,” Dr. Benson said. “What I love about it is developing relationships with people and having the capability to make people feel better about their teeth or relieve them of any pain or discomfort.” Dr. Benson’s goal is to “keep Dr. Ron’s great tradition going,” he said. “I think he’s a good choice to take over,” Dr. Ron said. “I hope he gets involved and loves the community as much as I do.” For more information, go to BensonDentalDMD. com or call (208) 788-0048.
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WOOD RIVER VALLEY 7-DAY WEATHER FORECAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Mostly Sunny 1%
high 35º
low 22º WEDNESDAY
Cloudy 6%
high 43º low 31º THURSDAY
AM Snow Showers 45%
high 45º low 26º FRIDAY
Mostly Sunny 6%
high 43º low 22º SATURDAY
Partly Coudy 3%
high 43º low 26º SUNDAY
Mostly Sunny 12%
high 46º low 27º MONDAY
Partly Coudy 10%
high 41º low 25º TUESDAY
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