STATE NEWS
RESORT NEWS
KETCHUM
Annual Monroe Cup & Anderson’s USA Jiu-Jistu Academy PG 4 & 5
Ski Season’s Peaks, Valleys PG 5
Marijuana Bill Under Review PG 2 SUN VALLEY
PHOTOBOX
HAILEY
BELLEVUE
PICABO
CAREY
WOOD RIVER WEEKLY
YOUR VOICE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY
Free | February 10 - 23, 2021 | Vol. 2 - No. 3 | woodriverweekly.com
“ A n y o n e w h o h a s n e v e r m a d e a m i s t a k e h a s n e v e r t r i e d a n y t h i n g n e w. ” ~Albert Einstein
A bald eagle and determined magpie discuss lunch—in this case, a freshly-caught trout—on a rock out a canyon in Bellevue on Friday, Feb. 5. The eagle originally hauled the fish to a nearby cottonwood tree, but was harassed by numerous other magpies, and so moved his lunch to the rock. It is not known whether the eagle shared the fish with the smaller bird. Photo credit: Sunny Healey
WOOD RIVER EXTREME SKI JORING WRESJA would like to take the time to thank all of our sponsors, volunteers and the community for past years’ races. We couldn’t have had the races without you. Due to the current circumstances, we are not holding a race this year, but will be back in 2022. www.woodriveresja.com
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Wood River Weekly
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February 10 - 23, 2021
NEWS
IDAHO
MARIJUANA & MORE A constitutional ban on weed and 180+ bills under review by state lawmakers
Wh e re G re a t S t or i e s Be Begg i n
O
ne month into the Idaho state legislative session that started with more than 180 Senate and House bills to review, it’s a so-called joint resolution regarding marijuana that’s causing the Gem State to make national headlines and stir up citizen debate. Although a “joint” resolution refers to both the Senate and the House being involved, the resolution is also about “joints” and any other way one may intake THC—the chemical responsible for most of mariIdaho State Republican Senator juana’s psychological effects. Scott Grow. Photo credit: Idaho Republican Senator Scott State Legislature Grow—yes, we see the irony in that name, too—is the sponsor of the resolution, which would permanently ban the legalization of any drug that’s not approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration. He argued during a recent Senate session at the Capitol that when currently illegal drugs are legalized, it increases healthcare costs and crime. He went on to add, before garnering the two-thirds majority vote required to move forward, that states that have legalized marijuana are paying the price. In particular, he said, Oregon is a cautionary tale that shows how “all roads lead to the legalization of all drugs.” At least some states disagree. Colorado has boasted about its more than $1 billion of revenue garnered over the last five years since recreational marijuana was legalized. And according to Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti, his state collected a total of $395.5 million in legal marijuana income and license fees in fiscal year 2019, $172 million more than that of liquor. Revenues collected by Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board from legal cannabis taxes, license fees, and penalties are distributed as follows:
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• General Fund – $116.5 million • Basic Health – $188.3 million • Cities, Counties – $15.0 million • Education, Prevention – $9.5 million • Research – $0.4 million • Other – $49.2 million The weed ban could all go up in smoke given the hurdles it would have to pass. Per Idaho law, the joint resolution still must pass the House with a two-thirds majority. After that, you all get to decide, as it would go on the November 2022 general election ballot. It only requires a simple majority to pass. If the comments on a local community Facebook page are any indication, the simple majority rule figures to be a photo finish. Nearly 100 comments were generated by a post on the Blaine County 5B Rant And Rave! For just about every pro-marijuana statement, an anti-marijuana statement followed. To be clear, the Facebook page has no association with the official offices of Blaine County. 4471
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By Eric Valentine
Sorting Through the Weeds Although the marijuana resolution is high profile in recent days, it’s not the only hemp bill in the queue. Sen. Grow has said there is legislation that he believes will pass that would legalize industrial hemp. State lawmakers have been pressed hard by constituents in recent years to develop such a law. Idaho became national news fodder when multiple truck drivers, who were moving loads of industrial hemp between Oregon and Colorado, were charged with felony marijuana trafficking. Those charges were eventually reduced to misdemeanors, but they were sentenced to 180 days in jail, two years of unsupervised probation, and more than $5,000 in fines. It should be noted virtually all of the jail time was suspended by the court. However, the incident put a spotlight on the need for—at the very least—more nuanced verbiage within Idaho drug laws. Revenues collected by Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board from legal cannabis taxes, license fees, and penalties are distributed as follows: ● General Fund – $116.5 million ● Basic Health – $188.3 million
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● Cities, Counties – $15.0 million ● Education, Prevention – $9.5 million ● Research – $0.4 million ● Other – $49.2 million
Wood River Weekly
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February 10 - 23, 2021
WRW STAFF PUBLISHER Christopher Seldon (208) 788-4789 publisher@woodriverweekly.com MARKETING & SALES Mandi Iverson (208) 721-7588 mandi@woodriverweekly.com NEWS EDITOR Eric Valentine news@woodriverweekly.com ARTS & EVENTS, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Dana DuGan dana@woodriverweekly.com COPY EDITOR Patty Healey PRODUCTION & DESIGN Mandi Iverson mandi@woodriverweekly.com Christopher Seldon chris@woodriverweekly.com ACCOUNTING accounting@woodriverweekly.com DEADLINES Display & Classified Ads, Monday 5 p.m. Calendar Submissions — Friday 5 p.m. CONTACT Wood River Weekly P.O. Box 3483 Hailey, Idaho 83333 (208) 788-4789 woodriverweekly.com
PUBLISHER’S NOTE Dear Valley Residents, I am sure everyone will agree that 2020 was a difficult and challenging year. We at the Wood River Weekly are grateful and thankful to have survived the year, and we thank our clients, neighbors and friends for their support and encouragement.
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We look forward with hopeful optimism that 2021 will bring positive change and allow life to continue as near to normal as possible. Let us not forget how desperate and difficult these times are for our community. Many are suffering, businesses are struggling, and eviction and food insecurity is a genuine threat. Let us all be compassionate, understanding and seek to help each other out wherever we can. Take care, Chris & Mandi
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Wood River Weekly
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February 10 - 23, 2021
NEWS
HAILEY
IMMIGRATION STATUS CHECKS A FEDERAL MATTER, PER CITY OF HAILEY Former mayor warns resolution is a slippery slope
mmerle, when Twin Falls City Council voted against a A number of other members of the public, one a stugun-friendly resolution, residents there were also talking dent who said she was undocumented, testified how community where all of its residents are comfort- about creating an unborn children sanctuary. common it is for undocumented immigrants to avoid able reporting crimes and communicating with “Cities are at the bottom of the food chain” when it everything from reporting crimes to getting healthcare police—without fear of being deported—is a safer comes to establishing laws, Haemand food assistance for fear they’ll community. And, immigration status checks are the job of merle argued. “You can’t have a thoube deported. the federal government, anyway. sand different cities doing a thousand What follows is one section of That was the overwhelming consensus of Hailey res- different laws. Ultimately, what that the new policy that Haemmerle exidents who spoke in favor of adopting a so-called safer results in is people not following the pressed most of his concern over. city resolution at Monday night’s city council meeting rule of law.” Depending on how one reads it, and council members who voted unanimously at that Haemmerle advocated for a pubsome of the verbiage may feel like session to adopt that resolution. The resolution instructs lic outreach campaign instead; one the local police are being asked to city personnel—such as local police officers—to refrain where members of the public would not cooperate with federal authorfrom inquiring about the immigration status of members be made aware that city police and ities. However, in each of those Former Hailey mayor Fritz Haemmerle. of the public or requiring documentation like passports other staff would not act as a wing Photo credit: Wood River Weekly statements, the language “except from anyone a city worker or city official may encounter. of the U.S. Immigration and Cuswhere required by state or federal To be clear, a resolution only dictates internal city pol- toms Enforcement (ICE) and that law” is used. icy and is different from an ordinance, which enacts a they should feel safe doing things like reporting crimes law the public must follow. Also, in matters of criminal and receiving healthcare and food assistance. Federal Immigration Civil Law Enforcement. City investigation by the federal governBut Hailey city attorney Chris- police officers shall not use any city funds, resources, ment, city personnel would still be topher Simms sees it differently, as personnel, time, or labor to enforce civil or administrarequired to cooperate fully. did another attorney who spoke as tive federal immigration laws. “Enforce,” as used in this “With this resolution I firmly a member of the public, Justin Mc- section, includes stopping, questioning, interrogating, inbelieve … that people will be more Carthy, and as did state Representa- vestigating, or arresting an individual. Absent a judicial comfortable calling us. We are haptive Muffy Davis. Essentially, their warrant or judicial order, an officer shall not detain or py to move forward with it,” Hailey argument is that immigration law is hold any individual solely for the purpose of investigating Police Chief Steve England said. the jurisdiction of the federal gov- or enforcing a violation of civil or administrative federal However, during public testimoernment, so city resources do not immigration laws or related civil immigration warrant or ny Monday, two residents spoke out need to subsidize the work federal detainer request. City police officers shall not provide fedagainst the resolution, essentially Luis Alberto Lecanda. Photo credit: Wood officials are to do. They also noted eral authorities with non-publicly available information calling it well-intended but poten- River Weekly that in cases of criminal investiga- about any individual for immigration purposes, includtially problematic. Tim Auger said tion, city personnel would have to ing by providing access to Department databases, except he didn’t want to see cops have their cooperate fully with federal law and where required by state or federal law. The Hailey Police hands tied when it came to criminal judicial warrants and orders. Department shall not conduct sweeps or other enforceinvestigations. And former Hailey mayor Fritz Haem“I don’t want to be the victim of a crime and I don’t ment efforts to detain individuals solely on the basis of merle called it a “sanctuary city” measure. Haemmerle want my daughter to be the victim of a crime that goes a violation of federal civil or administrative immigration noted the efforts in other cities to create Second Amend- unreported by a witness,” Davis said. “I don’t believe laws, except where required by state or federal law. ment sanctuaries, where federal laws restricting gun this ties (police officers’) hands. I believe this shows ownership would not be enforced. According to Hae- them what to focus on.”
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By Eric Valentine
jane’s artifacts
NEWS
PHOTOBOX
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The annual Monroe Cup was held this past weekend at Rotarun. On Saturday, 76 boys competed, and on Sunday, 63 girls. Rotarun provided a great venue to be able to give these kids a safe place to compete. The new snow and clear blue skies brought big crowds to Sun Valley Resort and we were grateful to be able to host these events in a manner appropriate with our COVID protocols and the health and well-being of our larger community in mind. Pictured above is competitor racer Jasmine Smiley. Photo credit: www.smileysmtphoto.com
Wood River Weekly
NEWS
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February 10 - 23, 2021
5
PEAKS AND VALLEYS
RESORT
Sun Valley Resort is navigating the pros and cons of a ski season like no other
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By Eric Valentine
Pass Protection Program. If someone’s season is cut short due to personal injury, pregnancy, military service, a stay-at-home order or other mandated resort non-weather closures, they’d be eligible for refunds from 20% to 80% based on how many days they’ve skied. The resort also made it possible for pass holders eligible for a renewal discount to donate their discount amount to benefit The Hunger Coalition. Sun Valley Resort matches those donations up to $10,000.
o many Valley businesses have felt the pain pandemic restrictions and limited—or delayed—government relief can bring. And it’s no different for Sun Valley Resort, the mega-business, if you will, that drives the economic engine here. From ski accident deaths, avalanches, and limits on lodge events to the grand opening of hundreds of acres of new terrain and brand new ski lifts, Sun Valley Resort is experiencing definite highs and lows in this, its second COVID-impacted season. Terrific Terrain What follows is a rundown of the ski season as we apThe biggest new draw is the so-called Sunrise Terrain, proach mid-February. a 380-acre expanse on Bald Mountain’s southern flank that is the resort’s first expansion in the last 20 years. Pandemic Problems The project added 25 high-efficiency snowmaking The ski season began with Idaho in Stage 3 of its re- guns and opened up what has been described as some opening plan, which meant that gatherings of 50 people of Baldy’s best and most challenging terrain, including or more were, for the most part, prohibited. That put a a wide-open bowl and extensive tree skiing. Completed damper on a number of events that would normally hap- last fall, the new high-speed, detachable Broadway lift pen at the resort. To offset the impact, Sun Valley Resort has replaced the resort’s oldest chairlift. The new lift risput together a number of packages to lure both locals and es 1,582 vertical feet in just over a mile. non-resident guests. The Winter Extend and Stay, which “It was with great excitement that after 51 inches of gives a fifth night for free after a four-night stay and the snowfall we were able to open the brand new Sunrise Winter Staycation which offered locals a 30% discount Terrain,” Mansfield said. “We have seen a tremendous on lodging are some examples. amount of interest in the new terrain.” “We are pleased to allow our Season Pass Holders, and The resort did not provide any specific amount of skiEpic Pass Holders, the ability to ski on both Dollar and ers who accessed the new ski area during its opening Bald Mountain without having to make a reservation,” days. resort spokesperson Sarah Mansfield said. “The mountain team has done Avalanche Awareness a great job maintaining conditions on Bald Mountain, With large snowfall comes high avalanche risk, and by and we have much of our groom-able terrain and ski area the end of January the resort had to shut down all uphill boundary acreage open, which allows for plenty of dis- traffic on Bald Mountain. Avalanche risk in the Valley tancing while skiing. We are monitoring the number of remained high as of press deadline Tuesday. daily lift tickets available for both Bald and Dollar Moun“Ongoing wind-loading and layers of weak snow contain, in order to maintain that commitment to our valued tinue to create dangerous avalanche conditions. TriggerPass Holders, and so far we have been able to have tickets ing an avalanche remains likely on steep slopes, particuavailable for every day of the season.” larly those exposed to the effects of the wind. Avalanches The resort also committed to what it called its PPP— can be triggered remotely—from below, above, and to
NEWS
A rendering of the new Sunrise Terrain which opened this ski season. Image credit: Sun Valley Resort
the sides of steeper terrain,” the Sawtooth Avalanche Center said. Mansfield added, “The mountain team takes safety very seriously and encourages guests to Know the Zone—a new initiative that identifies five distinct mountain zones within the resort and discusses each zone’s safety protocols and required etiquette, ensuring each and every guest is prepared for a fantastic skiing or riding experience.” Unfortunate Accidents Also by late January, Bald Mountain tallied its second accidental death this season when Hailey resident Gregory Plowman, 67, died of asphyxiation after apparently falling headfirst into deep, loose snow—called a snow immersion. Plowman’s accident was preceded in December by the accidental death of James Brown, 53, of Deer Park, Ill., who died from injuries suffered when he crashed into a tree. “For the privacy of our guests, we do not publicly comment on these incidents,” Mansfield said.
PHOTOBOX
We build nest eggs.
Anderson’s USA Jiu-Jitsu Academy dominates at the Utah State Jiu-Jitsu Championships last Saturday in Salt Lake City. Eight athletes put it on the line to represent Idaho, all placing in the top three in their divisions. “It feels great to be back to competition,” said Lee Anderson. “The kids are full of positive energy and are already training hard for the next tournament!” Lexiegh Dowd is now four-time Utah State Jiu-Jitsu Champion—that’s four years in a row! Her proud parents, Trevor and Penny Dowd, have made the long drive from Twin Falls twice a week for the past four years to train at Anderson’s USA Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Bellevue, with coaches Lee and Storm Anderson. Lexiegh’s dedication and determination show at every practice. She trains her heart out at every class. Lexiegh’s goal is to win gold at the world championships later this summer in Las Vegas. 2021 looks to be action-packed with three more tournaments already scheduled for March, April and May; we are training hard and plan on attending all of them! Photo credit: Lee Anderson
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Wood River Weekly
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February 10 - 23, 2021
NEWS
Two High-Profile Cases Moving Forward, Slowly
Idaho State Police on Monday confirmed the “active” status of two high-profile cases that sent Valley residents reeling in 2020. In the suicide-homicide investigation of former Hailey police officer Jared Murphy, Lieutenant Robert Boone said the state’s findings have not yet been sent to the Blaine County prosecutor’s office. Boone did acknowledge that their investigation is nearly wrapped up. “As of now, the prosecutor’s office has not seen the full report,” Boone said. On Oct. 22, 2020, with his second-effort Bellevue Ashley Midby at the coffee mayoral election fast approaching, Murphy entered a shop where she worked in family-run, Main Street coffee shop in Bellevue and it Bellevue. Photo credit: Prayers is presumed the 28-year-old ended his life and that of for Ashley and Justice for All Women Victims of Domestic Ashley Midby, 34, his former girlfriend. Abuse “It appears both individuals died as a result of gunshot wounds. The incident is currently being investigated as a possible murder-suicide. Investigators say it appears both individuals were known to each other,” read the brief statement to the press issued by Idaho State Police in October. In the matter of former Bellevue Marshal Ross Scaggs, he was arrested Oct. 13 on felony possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, following a tip alleging Bellevue’s lead law enforcement officer delivered a marijuana product while on duty and an investigation carried out by the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office and prosecutor’s office. Boone said their investigation is complete and their findings were sent to Lawrence Wasden, the Idaho Attorney General’s office. The newsroom page of the AG’s website has no press release as of press deadline Tuesday.
Grade Schoolers Back In School
On Monday, even with COVID cases at the county’s so-called critical level, elementary schools in the Blaine County School District opened their doors to all students, each day of the week. It marks the first time district schools have been in full operation in-person since the lockdown in late March 2020. Prior to Monday, students had been doing hybrid learning, wherein only half of the student population was at school on any given day while the other half did distance learning. “We recognize that our decision will disappoint many people from both ends of the opinion spectrum, but we also know that no decision we could have made or might make in the future will receive the approval of everyone concerned,” board president Keith Roark said. Middle schools and high schools—which have been less successful in preventing the spread of the virus—will remain on the hybrid schedule. All students K-12 will learn from home on Fridays. School board trustees voted 4–1 on Jan. 27 to return elementary students to the in-person schedule. Trustee Amber Larna, who has been the most COVID-restriction-leary member of the board, dissented. “Our kids need to be in school, all of them, not just the elementary students. I feel we are depriving our students of their right to a quality education and punishing them for living in a resort community. We have delayed a return to full-time classwork too long already and it’s time to move forward,” Larna said.
300 Families Receive Food Assistance
A collaborative effort by seven separate organizations will help 300 local families take more control over their food supply situations. So-called SPOUT Kits, created by the 5B Resilience Gardens initiative, will connect 300 local families to their food through hands-on experiences. The kits enhance food and eco-literacy through inclusive educational offerings and increase knowledge of the food system. Activities include growing food from seed, cooking from scratch using seasonal ingredients, and saving seeds. The activities are in both English and Spanish and are made available at no cost to families with pre-K–4th grade children throughout Blaine County. The Winter SPROUT Kits are an expansion of the successful pilot program run in October of 2020 where the collaborative group distributed 100 kits. “It is our goal that every student in this community can access the resources they need to grow and prepare their own food,” said Amy Mattias of Sun Valley Institute for Resilience. The 5B Resilience Gardens initiative seeks to broaden community access to local gardening resources, enhance the visibility of existing and new gardens throughout the community, and cultivate a vibrant gardening community through resource sharing, collaborative events, and education opportunities. This initiative is a collaboration between I Have a Dream – Idaho, Ketchum Recreation Department, Local Food Alliance, University of Idaho Extension & 4-H, Wood River Community YMCA, and the Wood River Seed Library, facilitated by the Sun Valley Institute for Resilience. You can learn more at 5bresiliencegardens.org.
COVID-19 Vaccine Demand Overwhelms St. Luke’s, Town Hall Slated
In alignment with the state and public health districts, St. Luke’s Health System opened COVID-19 vaccine appointments for Idahoans who are age 65 and older on Feb. 1. By the next day, St. Luke’s officials reported that roughly 100,000 people tried to schedule vaccine appointments online and that an overwhelming number of people called in to the hospital, shutting down its phone lines. The hospital is asking the public to be mindful of, among other things: • COVID-19 vaccine will not be given if proper proof of employment or age is not provided at the appointment. • St. Luke’s patients can schedule appointments online using myChart for the quickest access. • People who have never used St. Luke’s services may set up a myChart account online or by calling (08) 381-9000. • Those who cannot use myChart may call St. Luke’s Connect at (208) 381-9500 to set up an appointment.
IN BRIEF •
People may also set up online myChart proxy access for family members or dependents. Meanwhile, Blaine County officials in partnership with St. Luke’s Wood River and the South Central Public Health District will hold a virtual town hall to discuss COVID-19 updates on Thursday, Feb. 11. A panel discussion and question-and-answer session will feature Blaine County Commissioner Jacob Greenberg and healthcare professionals representing the health district and St. Luke’s. The public is being asked to submit questions in advance to town-hall@co.blaine. id.us. Participants can register ahead of time at attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1164946176516754443.
State Troopers To Get More Aggressive On Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving in Idaho is a contributing factor in half of all crashes and was a factor in more than one-third of all fatality crashes last year. State troopers are hoping to reduce the number of those crashes by increasing patrols that look for aggressive drivers. Extra ISP patrols are already on the road as part of a statewide education and enforcement campaign to curb aggressive driving. The extra aggressive driving patrols began today and run through Feb. 15. “If you drive, you’ve seen aggressive driving. Sadly, many of us know someone who’s been in a crash due to aggressive driving,” said Lt. Michael Winans with ISP’s District 5 office in Pocatello. “Whether it’s speeding, red light running, or other dangerous behavior, if our enforcement efforts can educate and motivate drivers to avoid driving aggressively, we know lives can be saved.” • What is aggressive driving? Here are some examples from ISP: • Speeding or driving too fast for conditions • Ignoring traffic signals • Tailgating • Weaving in and out of traffic, improper or abrupt lane changes • Passing on the shoulder • Making rude hand or facial gestures, screaming, honking, flashing lights in an aggressive manner To report an aggressive driver, find a safe place and call 911. Provide to the dispatcher your location, a description of the involved vehicle including, if possible, a license plate.
SV Community School Senior Nominated For National Honor
A senior from Sun Valley Community School has been named a candidate for the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Jackson Giles has been named one of approximately 4,500 candidates, selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2021. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. According to a news release from the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and United States Department of Education, Gile’s candidacy was based on either his outstanding performance on the ACT Jackson Giles Photo credit: Assessment or the College Board SAT, or nomination by Sun Valley Community a Chief State School Officer or one of the White House School Commission on Presidential Scholars partner recognition organizations. Giles is a member of the tennis and soccer teams, including this year’s 3A State Champion soccer team, and was a three-year member of the basketball team. He is also the editor of the school newspaper, “The Cutthroat Underground.” “Beyond his personal accomplishments, Jackson is also an exemplary member of our community. He is a kind and respectful young man. I am thrilled that he is being recognized for his hard work and deep commitment to his studies,” Head of School Ben Pettit said.
Virtual Discussion On ‘Groundbreaking’ Parenting Book
Sun Valley Community School Parents’ Association will host a virtual book discussion via Zoom with best-selling author Dr. Laura Markham on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. The discussion is the second in the Parents’ Association’s 2020-21 Book + Speaker Series. This event is free and open to the community. Guests are encouraged (but not required) to read Markham’s best-selling book “Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting” in advance of the discussion. Dr. Laura Markham. Guests can go to communityschool.org/news/events Photo credit: Sun Valley for the Zoom link to join the meeting. The Book + Speaker Community School Series is a new program offered by the Parents’ Association. New York Times best-selling author Jessica Lahey spoke in December and Dr. Michele Borba is scheduled for April 29. Published in 2012, Markham’s book is a guide to raising responsible, capable, happy kids based on the latest research on brain development and extensive clinical experience with parents. Markham’s core message: Fostering emotional connection with your child creates real and lasting change. When you have that vital connection, you don’t need to threaten, nag, plead, bribe—or even punish.
Felony Arrest For Attempted Strangulation
On Saturday, Feb. 6, at approximately 3:21 p.m., Blaine County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a welfare check on a female at St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center. Upon investigation, Isrrael Sanchez-Gonzalez, age 29, of Ketchum, was arrested on one felony count of attempted strangulation and one misdemeanor count of battery. Sanchez-Gonzalez was taken into the custody of the Blaine County Detention Center pending an arraignment.
Wood River Weekly
THE SENIOR CONNECTION SHAWNA WASKO
Umbrella Of Dementia By Shawna Wasko
T
he most common question I am asked by caregivers is, “What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.” Last December I worked on a document that answers this question. Dementia is basically a group of conditions that impact memory, thinking, and social skills. Essentially, the document shows that the umbrella term is dementia, and several forms of dementia fit under the umbrella of dementia. Many people will tell me that their spouse or mom or sister has been diagnosed with dementia. I will ask them what kind of dementia and they say to me, most of the time, “Just dementia.” I frequently will explain to them that there are several types of dementia, and the most common dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. I explain that it is estimated that Alzheimer’s disease accounts for up to 80% of dementia. This often frightens people, but I tell them knowledge is their best weapon in dealing with dementia. When we know what to expect, we can cope better with the situation and prepare better to deal with the condition their loved one has. This knowledge can help explain behaviors your loved one may exhibit. In my Office on Aging caregiver support group, I will give out this document and talk with my caregivers about the different types of dementia (for more information on the support group, please call the Office on Aging: 208.736.2122). Please review the document and see which one of the dementias fit with what your loved one is going through. Shawna Wasko Group Facilitator CSI Office on Aging swasko@csi.edu
DEMENTIA
Vascular Lewy Body
Alzheimer’s Disease
Mixed
Frontotemporal
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February 10 - 23, 2021
BETTER HOMEOWNERS NEWS
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his strategy is not about trying to negotiate the best price; it is about beating out the competition and buying the home. It may be difficult to understand until you have lost a few homes to better offers but when the reality of the situation is that there are not that many homes on the market, the competition heats up and different tactics are necessary. Sales in December were annualized at $6.76 million, a 22.2% increase year over year, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The median sales price is $309,800, which is up 12.9% from the previous year. Inventory for December fell to 1.9 months’ supply from 3.0 months’ supply in December of 2019. Six months’ inventory is considered a balanced market. Things that work in a buyer’s market will not work in a seller’s market. The shortage of available homes for sale has led to not only shorter market times but multiple offers that have sales prices above the listing price. Buyers, especially in entry- to midlevel-priced ranges, may have lost out multiple times to buy a home. Buyers must be strategic if they want to successfully find a home. There are some things that are absolutely essential to just be in the game. Unless you are paying cash and have adequate proof of funds, you need to get pre-approved. REALTORS® and financial advisors have been saying this for decades, but it is critical now. There are plenty of reasons that benefit the buyer but, most importantly, it is to show that a buyer is serious and has gone through the effort to have a lender run his credit and verify his income, expenses, employment, and credit. If the home is fresh on the market, in a desired location and price range, you need to assume there will be competing offers and you may never even get a counteroffer from the seller. You need to consider making your highest and best offer first, as if you will not get a second chance. This is more difficult for some people than others because of their bargaining nature. Earnest money that accompanies a contract shows
NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA
By Monica Carrillo
changes in their personality and become socially inappropriate, impulsive, or emotionally indifferent.
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD): is a degenerative condition with many similarities to Alzheimer’s Disease but includes ambulatory changes that are common with Parkinson’s Disease (tremors, shaking). Mixed Dementia: is a condition where changes representing more than one type of dementia occur simultaneously in the brain. Brain forms plaques consistent with AD along with blood vessel changes like Vascular Dementia. Vascular Dementia: describes problems with reasoning, planning, judgment, memory, and other thought processes caused by impaired blood flow to your brain (stroke). With each stroke the person losses more abilities, often referred to as a stair step loss of abilities.
that the buyer is acting in good faith. The amount that may be customary may not be enough in a competing market. Consider two or three times what might be normal. Talk to your agent about what would make an impression on the seller. While contingencies will protect your earnest money from specific concerns like loan approval and inspections, the seller will look at them as ways that the buyer can get out of the contract and they’ll need to put the home back on the market. If a seller is presented multiple offers, they might be prone to accept one with the least contingencies, especially, if the prices are comparable. There is usually a period connected to the different contingencies that are allowed to complete them. Shortening these times as much as possible limits the time the seller might feel they are in limbo. If you have the flexibility, you might express your willingness to move the closing and/or possession dates to accommodate the seller's schedule. This could be an important factor in your favor and could be done in a verbal statement conveyed from your agent to the listing agent. These are things buyers should consider and discuss with their agent before they find the home that they want to buy. While you are formulating your position, another offer may be accepted before you even make yours.
MONICA CARRILLO
Taskforce Transforming Towns
Dementia: is a group of conditions that impact memory, thinking, and social skills. Dementia is often used as an “umbrella” term for different types of dementia. See explanation Frontotemporal Dementia (FD): uncommon type of dementia that causes problems with behavior and of different types below: language. FD affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Some people with FD have dramatic
Frontotemporal Dementia (FD): uncommon type of dementia that causes problems with behavior and language. FD affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Some Shawna Wasko, M.OLP December 2020 people with FD have dramatic changes in their personality and become socially inappropriate, impulsive, or emotionally indifferent.
ANNA & MICHELLE
Make Your Best Offer FIRST
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD): is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. Brain develops many abnormal clumps (amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (tau tangles). Most common dementia, accounting for up to 80% of dementia.
Vascular Dementia: describes problems with reasoning, planning, judgment, memory, and other thought processes caused by impaired blood flow to your brain (stroke). With each stroke the person losses more abilities, often referred to as a stair step loss of abilities.
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ADVERTORIALS
Dementia: is a group of conditions that impact memory, thinking, and social skills. Dementia is often used as an “umbrella” term for different types of dementia. See explanation of different types below:
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD): is an irreversible, progressive Lewy Body Dementia (LBD): is a degenerative condition with many similarities to Alzheimer’s Disease but brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking includes ambulatory changes that are common with Parkinson’s Disease (tremors, shaking). skills. Brain develops many abnormal clumps (amyloid Mixed Dementia: is a condition where changes representing more than one type of dementia occur simultaneously in the brain. Brain forms plaques consistent with AD along with blood vessel changes like plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (tau tangles). Most Vascular Dementia. common dementia, accounting for up to 80% of dementia.
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OUR VOICE COUNTS
lthough recently created, the Hispanic LatinUS Leadership Taskforce has taken underway in connecting community members of Blaine County and other counties in Idaho. As a member of this taskforce, I have been able to connect to community members from Hailey, Jerome, Twin Falls and more, and I have been able to give my perspective as a student and as a member of the Hispanic community. This is crucial, especially because we need to be able to hear from upcoming generations and have an outside perspective on new ideas, implementations and academic choices; plus, when there is a language barrier between families and growing minority groups, it can be difficult to reach out, which is why being a part of this taskforce is so important to me. Nevertheless, with united forces between directors, students and community members on this call on a weekly basis, the Hispanic LatinUS Leadership Taskforce hopes to continue to hear from parents, teachers, and other outreach members in the community and surrounding counties for growth in action and a growing mindset. *If you or anyone is interested in being on this call, make sure to email projectoolsuccess@yahoo.com for more information.
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NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA
unque recientemente creado, el grupo llamado “Hispanic LatinUS Leadership Taskforce” ha establecido una conexión con miembros de la
comunidad como nunca antes en el condado de Blaine y otros condados en Idaho. Como miembro de este grupo de trabajo, he podido conectarme con miembros de la comunidad de Hailey, Jerome, Twin Falls y más, y he podido dar mi perspectiva como estudiante y como miembro de la comunidad hispana. Esto es crucial, especialmente porque necesitamos ser capaces de escuchar a las próximas generaciones y tener una perspectiva externa sobre nuevas ideas, implementaciones y opciones académicas; Además, cuando hay una dificultad entre idiomas, entre las familias y los crecientes grupos minoritarios, puede ser esencial extender la mano. Por eso ser parte de este grupo es tan importante para mí. Sin embargo, con fuerzas unidas entre directores, estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad en este llamado semanalmente, el Hispanic LatinUS Leadership Taskforce espera seguir escuchando a los padres, maestros y otros miembros de la comunidad y condados circundantes para el crecimiento en la acción y una mentalidad creciente. *Si tu o alguien más quisiera ser parte de esta llamada, por favor mande un correo electrónico a projectoolsuccess@yahoo.com para más información.
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COMM ENT ARY Wood River Weekly
Fishing R epoRt
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February 10 - 23, 2021
NO BONES ABOUT IT THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 10 - 23 FROM PICABO ANGLER
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ur most recent snowstorms have bumped up local snowpack levels; as of this writing, the Big Wood basin is at 87%, the Salmon basin is at 93%, and the Little Wood and Big Lost basins sit at 77%. It looks like additional snow is in the forecast for next week, so we are hopeful that our snowpack levels will elevate even further. Do your snow dance! In addition to snow, it looks like our region will see a bit of very cold weather toward the end of next week. With daytime high temperatures in the teens, fishing will slow down considerably. Cold spells are a great time to take inventory of your gear, and ensure that flies, leaders, lines, rods, reels, and waders are ready for the upcoming season. Fly lines can be cleaned easily using warm water and dish soap; it’s a good idea to clean your lines periodically to increase floatation and slickness. Lines that are significantly cracked or abraded should be replaced. Take a look at your leaders and tippet. Now is a great time to replace any sizes you might need. The same can be said of your fly selection. The winter is a perfect time to tie and/or order new bugs! Rods, reels, waders and wading boots can be cleaned as well. Check the various manufacturers’ websites for specific cleaning instructions. If any of these items are beyond repair, now is the time to replace them. Fishing remains productive on local waters, particularly when anglers encounter prime conditions. The warmest part of the day is typically most productive, as are days when the wind has settled down. On Silver Creek, small leeches and streamers are the best bet. Size 8–12 leech patterns in olive, brown, and black fished on the swing are deadly. When fish are aggressive, our Custom Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow is the only fly you need. Nymphing is still the best option on the Big Wood, Big Lost and South Fork Boise rivers. Indicator and tight-line nymphing methods are both excellent ways to fish; consider a dual nymph rig with both methods. Use a larger, heavier fly as the point, with a smaller dropper fly. Dry-fly fishing on these rivers will continue to improve as we transition from late February through all of March. Stay safe, and happy fishing everyone!
Hwy 20 in Picabo info@picaboangler.com (208)788.3536 www.picaboangler.com
Canine Peacemakers
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By Fran Jewell
ogs display so many behaviors that are simply enchanting to watch. I spend every day watching dog behavior because it is so fascinating to me. I see their feelings, their hierarchy, and their distinct personalities. As an instructor and trainer, this is critical to helping dog owners to understand their own dogs. I also spend a lot of time photographing these behaviors. One of my favorite behaviors is called “splitting”; it is done by the “peacemaker” of a group of dogs. It is usually the dog that is neither high in rank nor low in social rank. The peacemaker is usually right in the middle. There are many that do not believe in social rank in the dog world, but to understand how dogs think, one must accept that in every species on the planet there is a social rank, even among dogs. To understand splitting, that acceptance of social rank is important. I re-discovered this photograph recently and realized what a wonderful capture it is, especially looking at the dogs involved. On the left is my Brinx. He is what I call the “high-ranking male.” He is rather passive, clear, decisive, and every new dog that comes to my house will try to establish a relationship with him first. They will test his authority. They will see if he is playful or serious. As I see it, this is the new dog’s attempt to figure out where they are socially in the group. Brinx doesn’t need to fight. It’s like he has a general uniform on that all dogs recognize. Sometimes, just a lip curl is all he needs to establish himself with a visitor. And sometimes he just stands up when a puppy tries to mount him. He is a benevolent leader. A true high-ranking dog does not need to fight to establish position.
SCIENCE OF PLACE
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FRAN JEWELL
BY HARRY WEEKES
Kalidor, my black, long-coat German shepherd, tried his best when he turned a year old to challenge Brinx, to see if he could climb the social ladder. In the photo here, he is trying to be the dog that wins the toy. Winning a possession is important to young lads trying to establish themselves higher in social rank. What is interesting is that Baewulf, the black-and-red, long-coat German shepherd, barges between Brinx and Kalidor hoping to force the interaction to stop. This behavior is called splitting. In this particular case, Baewulf did not stop the interaction, but he did make it clear his discontent with the struggle. It further told me the determination of Brinx and Kalidor, and just how strong and confident each of their personalities was. Until Brinx left this good earth, Kalidor and Brinx had a mutual respect for each
other. Baewulf kept an eye on their interactions, ready to intervene if needed. He was the peacemaker in my group. And without him, Brinx and Kalidor could have had more challenges with each other. His role was imperative to the peace and contentment of my pack of dogs. Now that Brinx and Baewulf are gone, Kalidor has assumed the role of high-ranking male and in my pack the peacemaker is Pele. She will split interactions with newcomers to help the young one, Daenera, in her place. 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 208578-1565.
Undercover looking for plants. The plants long ago found success in strategies of abundance mixed with both subtle and blunt forms of survival—thousands of seeds, hundreds of shoots, chemical cocktails of tannins and terpenes, often covered in thick and scaly bark and other forms of plant skin. Everything else hunts. Back and forth, searching for seeds or a scent, literally covering every available inch. We people walk through this freshly frosted landscape and marvel at its tranquility, about the quiet after the storm, about how peaceful everything seems. Below our thundering hooves is a dynamic world of action, one that has been in constant motion, now, as it has been all winter, confined to trails and a webwork that no matter how complex is still less space than the open ground of spring, summer and fall. Lucky humans make sport of winter. We bundle up in parkas, we cover ourselves in
HARRY WEEKES
padded clothes, we strap skis and skates to our feet, and we chase powder and pucks in and around the mountains and the rinks. And probably closer to us than we know, a whole suite of animals moves around with similar activity and purpose. Cloaked in parkas of fur they have grown, and layers of fat they have carefully cultivated, they twitch, snuffle, shuffle, and scamper. The major difference, of course, is consequence. In Salmon, one of the games went into overtime, so-called “sudden-death.” Needless to say, this has an entirely different meaning three feet under the snow.
ecently, I was standing on the side of the Salmon hockey rink vaguely mesmerized by the Zamboni cleaning the ice. As much as I appreciated the clean sheet, I was equally impressed that 20 minutes later there was not a square inch on the ice surface that wasn’t covered in snow and the lines of skates. Thirty girls in 20 minutes of chasing 6 ounces of vulcanized rubber, and there was “no stone unturned.” Naturally, this got me thinking about that great subnivean world we simply call “under the snow.” Depending on to whom you talk, we got four feet of snow at the end of January. And Harry Weekes is the founder and head of just like that, the great comforter of winter school at The Sage School in Hailey. This is got a whole lot thicker. Looking out on the his 49th year in the Wood River Valley, where carpet of white, I tried to imagine how all he lives with Hilary and two of their three baby of the little beasties—shrews, mice, voles, adults—Penelope and Simon. The other memweasels, ground squirrels—were faring. The ber of the flock, Georgia, is currently fledging ground squirrels probably didn’t register the at Davidson College in North Carolina. snow at all, as they’ve been hibernating for months. What was the snow like for the others in their subnivean tunnels? In the movie version of my mind, Edgar the chubby vole squats on his ample haunches, nibbling a tasty rhizome of grass. His quiet world gets a bit more muffled. As the weight of the storm accumulates, there is a subtle “whumph,” and crystals of snow rain down the tunnel, slightly dusting my plump buddy. Edgar shakes once or twice, preens his sleek coat, then moves another inch to scour the ground, looking for any stem, grass shoot, or seed he can find. And so it is with this entire world, hidden, but constantly active, all searching every nook and cranny for the food they need. Depending on which side of the equation the animal is on, this is either A coyote pouncing on a rodent active in Subnivean Zone. Photo credit: Yifei He, accessed via wikilooking for plants or looking for the thing media
Wood River Weekly
MONEY MATTERS
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February 10 - 23, 2021
KRISTIN HOVENCAMP
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he general question on investors’ minds seems to be: How long can the stock market sustain its historic gains? If you listen to the news, you will undoubtedly hear pundits debate whether the market has become too frothy. When is the bubble going to burst? How can we predict when a crash is coming? In Waiting for the Last Dance, value investor Jeremy Grantham described the current bull market as a “fully-fledged epic bubble.” Understandably, we are all concerned that the market has potentially reached its peak, and stocks are no longer trading on fundamentals. The Buffett Indicator, a popular gauge used to determine if the market is overvalued, has been a historically good predictor. The Buffett Indicator is a measure of the U.S. stock market’s total value divided by the economy’s gross domestic product (GDP). If the market is trading below GDP, this suggests it is trading on fundamentals, and there are buying opportunities. If stocks are trading well above GDP, this indicates a sell signal. Buffet described the indicator as “probably the best single measure of where valuations stand at any given moment.” Proponents of this bull market point to low-interest rates (and Fed capital infusions) to justify high market valuations and sentiment. Fixed-income investments offer little to no yield, and with few safe options, investors are seeking opportunities in equities. As stock prices become elevated, a company’s stock may trade well above valuations despite weak fundamentals. Dr. Ed Yardeni suggests, “Investors are partying with abandonment.” The Buffett Indicator reveals equities have been overvalued for several years. A market correction is imminent, be it next month or next year. My two cents recommend you tune out the noise and focus on your established financial plan. Market timing is a fool’s errand. Whether you are bullish or bearish, this is a good reminder of why, as investors, we take a long-term outlook. Kristin Hovencamp is an Investment Executive, and Director of Business Development with HAZLETT WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC, independent of Raymond James and is not a registered broker/dealer. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Securities are offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. 675 Sun Valley Road, Suite J1 + J2 Ketchum, Idaho 83340 208.726.0605. HazlettWealthManagement.com
ON LIFE’S TERMS
JOELLEN COLLINS
Mrs. Malaprop Reborn
of my home state with, “I love my California steak.” ne of my favorite literary characters As I matured, I learned to take a very brief probably appealed to me because, pause before I misapplied certain words, even as a girl, I sensed that I was but as I have now entered into the later part afflicted with the same malady. Of course, of life, they slip in more often. The other I didn’t know about her until college, but I day a friend asked me if I was going to cook immediately recognized her linguistic flaws. a dish using my ………….. She forgot the Mrs. Malaprop is a forceful word “blender,” so I filled in character in a William Sheri“ostracizer” instead of “Osdan 1775 play called “The Riterizer.” A good chance for a vals.” She abuses the English laugh at my expense. language by using wrong My family had a great words, often to the hilarity of sense of humor, and I have her listeners. The word “maldeveloped a rather self-depapropism” (mal a propos, “out recating one. I was planning of place”) has become familto meet some friends recently iar due to her character. Exat one of the several parks in amples she voiced were, “As Blaine County, and I wasn’t headstrong as an allegory on sure I knew how to get there. the banks of the Nile.” “He As we arose from our seats, is the very pineapple of progI said the following, asking ress” and “My affluence over for directions: “I don’t want my niece is very small.” to get there without knowing My mother had an extenwhere I’m going.” Another sive vocabulary, a quality I JoEllen Collins—a longtime chance for gentle laughter, resident of the Wood River unconsciously emulated as Valley— is an Idaho Press including mine. I developed my love of sto- Club award-winning columSometimes I even toss in rytelling and performance. nist, a teacher, writer, fabric phrases gleaned from the inSometimes that led me into artist, choir member and ternet. While reading aloud a trouble, even as a teacher. I unabashedly proud grandma passage with the phrase “We used, for example, the word known as “Bibi Jo.” are not saints,” I intoned, “conundrum” instead of “We are not robots.” After “problem” to a senior class at Santa Monica the laughter, I realized that I was citing sevHigh School and couldn’t understand why eral of those computer ID checks. Texting all the boys were snickering. Later, I real- also does me in: an autocorrect word, ”stuized they imagined I meant “condom.” pid” was substituted for “studly” about my As an adopted and much-awaited child, I friend’s husband. was encouraged to talk a lot, and sometimes My excuse is that I keep my mind full and I found myself the object of gentle laughter. often remember useless things rather than I used to think, for instance, that the words important ones, like people’s names. So “Stand beside her, and guide her,” in “God Annie, NOT Agatha, please forgive me. Bless America,” referred to a Mister Stan You ARE important to me, a simple older and his friend Giter. My parents thought it lady. was “cute.” For years I extolled the virtues
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By JoEllen Collins
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INSPIRATIONS FROM MY HEART
THE BUFFETT INDICATOR: IS THE I MARKET OVERVALUED? By Kristin Hovencamp
DOVE
Trees BY DOVE
have decided that trees are especially important in my life. Connecting with a tree is one of the most peaceful things you can do. Did you know that an aspen grove is one of the largest organisms on the planet? The aspens all communicate with each other. Trees that are healthy actually support other trees that are not so healthy. You may think this is all fantasy but research has shown this to be true. Even if you think it is not true, it is a wonderful concept of how to live in peace and harmony with each other. If we all took the time to give of our energy to the earth, animals, water, plants and each other, we would not have any need to be ruled by forces that don’t have our best interest at heart. We could all choose to be kind—that’s all, just choose to be kind. I have a grove of aspen trees in my yard and I have placed a bench right in the middle. I lean my back against one of the trees, take a deep breath and share it with the aspens, running my energy all the way into the earth and roots of the trees. I then visualize that energy spreading to all other trees and they light up with health. Then, I see all the animals receiving the light from the roots of the trees. They are nurtured and feel the blessings. I then see all the waters purified and the oceans healed with love. I end this vision or meditation by seeing myself out in space looking at planet Earth alive with the light of love. Everything is alight with energy, peace and love. I do this every day; it is especially delightful when the sun is shining on my face. My husband has cleared a path with the snowblower to my place in the trees. He doesn’t even think I am weird anymore for taking the time to do this journey. What a long journey it has been. I was stressing about what more I could do to uplift the planet so that humanity could also be uplifted in this time of chaos and this is what my soul came up with. You might give it a try with the intention of joining with all persons and bringing them light and love. We can change the reality of chaos to that of peace and abundance if we all just make a little daily effort. PEACE BE WITH YOU. Dove
4TH ESTATE
ERIC VALENTINE
True Or False By Eric Valentine
“The media lies,” she said. That was the way my friend who desperately wants to fully re-open her brick-andmortar shop ended our conversation about how she’s not going to get the COVID vaccine, at least not anytime soon. Her inaction may be one factor then in delaying her shop’s ability to get back to normal. “Patriots on the Capitol. Patriots storming. Men with guns need to shoot their way in,” wrote retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Larry Rendall Brock, Jr., on social media while he stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. He thought he was trying to save his country from a violation of voters’ rights, he didn’t think he was causing the violent overthrow himself. While we—at least some of us—can look at these examples and feel confident these folks got caught up in a false belief system, not everyone can. In fact, some people who hold beliefs similar—or far more absurd—than these examples are getting elected to office. Case in point: U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from the 14th District of Georgia. She has made numerous headlines in recent days for her recently held beliefs, one whopper involving lasers from space funded by elitist Jews causing wildfires in California. She took some of them back when she addressed the House of Representatives, which promptly removed her from her committee positions where the actual work—beyond voting yea or nay—of Congress takes place. So if a government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth, it seems the people need to get a better hold on what is true or false. But how? It’s not like the media has always been spot-on or bias-free in its covering of issues. And the very nature of science is to keep asking questions and doubting conclusions. Philosophers have racked their brains over the millenia trying to define and fully understand truth. The best they’ve done is come up with something called correspondence theory. That’s a fancy way of saying that what you hold as fact in your mind corresponds to what bears out in a mind-free world. Case in point: You believe eating kale daily cures heart disease. You then eat kale daily and after a few months, let’s say, all your medical tests show zero signs of heart disease. But correspondence theory doesn’t necessarily take into account something experimental psychologists call the third variable. That is, what cured your heart disease may have been the regular exercise you started doing or the changing of your job to one with less stress or the fact that you ended what was a toxic relationship. Many factors, including kale, could have caused the positive result you wanted. And this is the question the media and the people who absorb media must ask themselves every day. Did you consider the existence of a third variable? I believe the most powerful third variable is whatever we want to believe, whatever we already hold to be not just true, but important. That is where all of our biases lie (pardon the pun). So before you read your next news article or turn on your next podcast or view your next newscast, take a moment to write down the things you not only believe but also the things you believe to be important. Once you have that frame of reference in front of you, you’ll be better able to see why it is you are believing or not believing the things you read, hear, or see.
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Wood River Weekly
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
J.J. SPAIN
Is Trapping A Sport?
A person places a metal trap on the ground, on public lands, to catch/ trap an animal that has no prior ‘alert’ or warning, no means of escape, such as is found in hunting deer, elk, moose, fowl, etc. That person (trapper) is allowed up to 72 hours to return to check his trap. Does this exhibit the ideals of sportsmanship? Surrounding states have laws in place that state violations by trappers result in confiscation of said person’s vehicle, weapons, traps, etc., and prohibit future permits or licenses. There’s also a lack of adequate enforcement/supervision in Idaho. In the aforementioned sports (i.e., elk, deer, moose, fowl hunters), I know of only two instances where human life and domestic animals (dog) were injured or killed accidentally. Such is not true of trapping, regrettably! The beautiful land that comprises Idaho, that most of us love and want to care for, is our land, a.k.a. “We the people...” It includes abundant wildlife to be enjoyed and treated humanely with respect to permitted hunting and, albeit, trapping. However, the nature of traps and existing laws have endangered people’s lives, including our children, domestic pets, and that of unintended wildlife (eagles, martens, fishers, etc.). We, guests, tourists, new residents should not have to be afraid/fearful to go forth to enjoy a hike, bike ride, horseback ride, snowshoe, etc., on our public lands! I believe that a more perfect union of all interests and perceptions can coexist wisely, facilitating an equitable, safe and enjoyable path forward for all of our people and domestic animals. Let us avoid the ‘politics,’ and have frank, open discussions, including science and facts, for the ‘good’ of Idaho and how it is viewed in history. For those who are interested in specific rules and information, check out Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) title 36/Idaho State Legislature and IDFG trapping link: Trapping and Furbearer Information. Warning— it’s a labyrinth of material! The latter presents videos demonstrating traps and how to release them. It’s very informative, but it fails, in my opinion, to portray the trauma, pain and horror that the animals and people involved would be experiencing. I felt like I was taking a calm sewing or knitting class. It didn’t emphasize the physical prowess and strength that is required, nor tools (except for a wirecutter) to break or pry open these various traps of different weights, many of which rapidly and forcefully snap right back! Refining and perfecting laws and guidelines should be done with thoughtful expediency. The following are a few suggestions I will offer: reinstate flagging (use 6-foot poles with fluorescent-colored flags, firmly anchored in the ground, visible from distance whether on foot, bike, horseback, etc., and not camouflaged by tall grasses, trees, and other terrain features); increasing the 10-foot distance from public trails, paths, roads and highways considerably farther; trapping areas allowed to be defined and marked with suitable signage to alert/inform people; decrease the 72-hour allowed time for checking traps; change rules regarding the victims as pertains to disassembling/moving traps... currently, they could be jailed; include a trapper’s liability for victims’ (human and their pets) medical expenses incurred due to being captured in illegal traps. I also suggest educative clinics, such as Idaho Chukar Foundation hosts (idahochukarfoundation@hotmail.com), to inform people and their dogs about rattlesnake, skunk, and porcupine avoidance—and trapping! I have attended several with my dogs. They are excellent! I support them being held in the Wood River Valley and elsewhere in Idaho. In closing, I wish to mention that I’ve had the pleasure to speak with our regional supervisor for IDFG, Craig White. We are fortunate to have him. He is informed, knowledgeable, fair-minded and clear-thinking. Thank you all for your time. Let’s get moving! J.J.Spain Blaine County
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February 10 - 23, 2021
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WILLIAM F. HUGHES
Working Americans Have Been Played For Complete Fools
If the truth is actually now an option open for consideration in the public arena, activists on both sides of the political divide recently revealed the real problem as being not left to right on wedge issues or along racial or geographic lines, but instead the result of a completely corrupted economic paradigm as exposed in the recent GameStop controversy. Hedge-fund parasites and private-equity pirates inhabiting Wall Street, along with the corporate oligarchs, have owned the agenda and the offices of the politicians promoting exclusively the aggressive upward redistribution of wealth for four decades. For forty years it has been about nothing but the extraction and accumulation of mountains of unearned investment wealth for the economic aristocracy. Ten percent of the population receive almost 90% of this unearned investment income, much of it resulting from the systematic devaluation of the American worker. Your 401(k) is not even on the radar. The propagandists incite many to scream “socialism” when Bernie points out that three—yes, three individuals—have more income than the bottom half of this country’s population. Please, with an open mind empty of tribal allegiances, wrap your head around that reality for a minute. The middle class and American Dream have been destroyed not only through outsourcing and technology, but also through intentionally neglecting to fund monitoring and enforcement at the southern border, allowing a brown wave of cheap labor across to achieve the GOP objective of destroying the unions, representing over 30% of the workforce in 1981, now 5%. The hypocrisy of a faction of the Republican Party now demonizing the same brown folks who helped achieve their objective of aggressively devaluing labor is staggering. Imagine agriculture in Idaho today without Hispanic labor. In the endless tug-of-war between labor and capital, capital prevailed, convincingly, but at what costs? A country that produced and delivered the requisite materials for global conflict across oceans and continents on time, and put boots on the moon, could not muster the logistical competence to deliver and administer a vaccine during the pandemic. But man-oh-man, can we manufacture billionaires! From Business Insider: “As it turns out, it is red states that are overwhelmingly the Welfare Queen States. Yes, that’s right. Red States—the ones governed by folks who think government is too big and spending needs to be cut—are a net drain on the economy, taking in more federal spending than they pay out in federal taxes. They talk a good game, but stick Blue States with the bill.” Idaho is one of the less dependent of the red states, receiving $1.21 in return from the feds for every $1 in revenue contributed to the collective. As a taxpayer, I am fine with that, and want our precious public lands to remain public, not the private preserves of the oligarchs. The foundation on which this great country was built is agricultural. With a global population projected to be 10 billion by 2050, requiring a 60% increase in food production, Idaho is critical to meeting that demand. I’m just glad I’ll be dead by then! Rupert Murdoch, Peter Navarro and the oligarchs on the right attempted to exploit the election of Donald Trump and a Republican Senate to convert our constitutional democracy into a fascist dictatorship, an even more efficient system for the upward redistribution of wealth than the parasitic, crony capitalism of the past four decades. As accomplished propagandists, they also manipulated the xenophobic inclinations of many on the right, and exploited associated fears to perpetuate a profit-privatized, risk-socialized economic paradigm emphasizing tax avoidance for the economic aristocracy... $750 in taxes annually for a real estate billionaire?! Don’t take my word for it. Google “rutger bregman davos 2019” for the most comprehensive, four-minute video clip providing the truth regarding both the problem and the solution, and listen very closely. For forty years, working Americans have been played for complete fools by the oligarchs and the political class they have owned, Citizen United codifying this corruption of democratic principles and political processes by money. “Trickle-down” is simply a less menacing euphemism for “fascism,” the primary characteristic being the merging of state and business leadership. It has failed miserably, for everyone except the 1%. Time to try something else. The propagandists on the right will again scream “socialism,” but over 70% of Americans believe it is time the economic aristocracy pays their fair share. And in conclusion, beating a cop almost to death with an American flag on a pole IS NOT patriotism. William F. Hughes Hailey, Idaho
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CLASSIC SUDOKU CLASSIC answer fromSUDOKU page 16 answer from page 12
12
Wood River Weekly
CHAMBER CORNER
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February 10 - 23, 2021
MIKE MCKENNA
Hard way Pipeline
Hailey Ice Carving 2021: A tradition is born By Mike McKenna
B
y all accounts, the first ever Hailey Ice Carving event was a success and a new winter tradition has been born. Festivities kicked off last Saturday morning as five teams of volunteers set out to turn 8-foot-tall, 27,000-pound blocks of ice into art. The Kiwanis Club created an impressive bear. The team from Mountain Humane, naturally, made a cute dog. Project Tools and Success made a giant Rubik’s Cube. The Hailey Fire Department created a fire hydrant in front of a huge snowflake. The Chamber and Hailey Ice team, led by Dr. Ron Fairfax, made a large relief map of Idaho as well as Thomas the Train. Scores of families strolled by throughout the weekend. They called out things like, “This is cool!” “It’s so great you guys are doing this.” “That bear is amazing!” “Sweet, a Rubik’s Cube.” “I love the train!” and “Yea, Idaho!” “We’re really pleased with how this turned out and that it helped bring some enjoyment to the community,” Brian Yeager, from the City of Hailey, said. The Chamber and the City of Hailey created the event and the onslaught of positive feedback means it will be brought back next year. It would not have been possible without the support of sponsors Big Belly Deli, Copy & Print, Hyperbarics of Sun Valley, Merrick Construction, Inc., and Pioneer Federal Credit Union. Weather permitting, the ice sculptures will be up all week at the corner of East Croy and Main streets. Go to the City of Hailey’s Facebook page to vote for your favorite. And check out Eye on Sun Valley for full coverage of the event.
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How To Play Sudoku
The Classic Sudoku is a number placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.
CLASSIC SUDOKU See answer on page 11
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See answer on page 11
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Few Snow Showers 32%
high 35º low 15º FRIDAY
Snow Showers 39%
high 21º low 12º SATURDAY
Partly Cloudy 16%
high 25º low 10º SUNDAY
Mostly Cloudy 24%
high 28º low 15º MONDAY
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high 33º low 16º TUESDAY
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