TETON VALLEY HEADLINES

Idaho businesses hired fewer people in June than they have over the last decade…pushing the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate up a half percent…to 8.3%.   62 thousand Idahoans are now without work.   Regional Department of Labor Economist Tonya Albin says the trickle down effects of the national economy are still the big factor.

Teton County was among the few in Idaho to show improvement last month…falling to 4.3%.   Madison County ended the month at 5% and Fremont at 7.1%.

 

As the Teton Valley Summer Festival got underway Thursday, Chamber of Commerce President Reid Rogers acclimated regional and national media representatives to a couple of key developments over the past year.   One is national recognition of the Teton Valley Scenic Byway and its larger links. It’s now being promoted as one of the top 10 scenic driveways in the northern states and he believes that’ll encourage a significant amount of tourist travel over time. Another development is National Geographic’s endorsement of Driggs as site for its new Geo Tourism Center.   Rogers says that could be operating by this time next year.

 

The Caribou Targhee National Forest advises the Calamity Campground and Boat Ramp are open.   The facilities are located near the so-called Calamity Landslide….a large, active landslide between Palisades Dam and the campground.   The only area closed in the slide area is where hazard trees have been felled.

The Teton County, Idaho Mosquito Abatement District has begun spraying approximately 14 thousand acres by airplane.   The first treatment was scheduled last night. The district says it took the action in response to high adult mosquito populations and the threat of West Nile Virus.

 

The new parking configurations may take some time to get used to…but when Main Street Victor is re-sealed this year new striping should address a couple of community concerns. First…it’ll serve to lower vehicle speeds. Secondly, Teton Valley Trails and Pathways Director Tim Adams believes it’ll create a much safer and pedestrian friendly environment.

By the way…TVTAP and volunteers have now completed a new Mountain Bike trail at Victor’s Pioneer Park. It’s now open and available to anyone.

 

Last week, the Driggs City Council adopted plans for a new North-South pathway.    Teton Valley Trails and Pathways helped secure a $355 thousand ITD grant to pay for initial work.   TVTAP Director Tim Adams says a key component will be a bike-pedestrian cross walk at Creekside Meadows. The pathway will connect through two parks and public schools.   Later, downtown development projects will connect into that path.

 

More Idaho families may be eligible for WIC…or Women, Infants and Children assistance this year. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare spokesman Tom Shanahan says new rules took effect Wednesday (July 1). It’ll raise maximum income requirements by about $1300 (ie. $33,874 for a family of 3).   That program provides healthy food for pregnant or new mothers and children under the age of five with about $55 per month. 

It also provides education and health screenings.

 

Idaho began its fiscal year Wednesday with a balanced budget and with its financial house in order.   That from State Treasurer Ron Crane noted, and we quote, “we pay our bills on time and as promised”.   He credits that to frugal, conservative government.   Governor Butch Otter says he’ll continue to keep a close eye on the new budget and may, if necessary, use things like holdbacks, program cuts, furloughs or layoffs to keep it in line.

Eastern Idaho has its first confirmed case of West Nile Virus this summer.   Eastern Idaho Public Health District epidemiologist Mike Taylor says a 70 year old Bonneville County man has tested positive for the mosquito borne illness.   West Nile Virus can be very serious…especially for the elderly or those with compromised immune systems.   Our cool, wet spring has created perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Health officials are encouraging us, once again, to “Fight the Bite”.     Remove all standing water around your house, cover up, and use a repellant containing DEET especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are active.

 

Beginning July 1st, about half of Teton County, Wyoming residents will fall under a new Bear Ordinance. In Conflict Priority Area 1….an area north of Highway 22 including the Alta area….it’ll require all trash be stored in bear resistant containers. It also lays out rules for hanging bird feeders out of the reach of bears.   

You can find all the details on line at:  

 

Revisions to Idaho’s open meeting law take effect today. Attorney General Lawrence Wasden says they’re intended to “ensure the people’s business remains the people’s business”.   The amendments clarify procedures for amending an agenda, expand restrictions on closed-door “executive sessions”, and increases civil penalties on public officials who intentionally violate the provisions.  

 

The city of Victor is hosting an open house this afternoon (July 1) to outline its proposals for Main Street lane and parking configurations. The road painting scheme would create a center turn lane, two through lanes, a bike lane and a parking access lane.   That access lane would help create a new reverse-angle diagonal parking configuration.   In short, you’d back into a parking space…creating a greatly improved sight distance for re-entering the traffic flow when you leave. The city will also offer a demonstration of the process. The open house is set from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Victor City Hall.

 

The US Senate is continuing its debate of the “Travel Promotion Act.” It’s being closely watched by our region’s hospitality industry.   Senator Mike Crapo says it would establish a fee on some international visitors that would generate millions of dollars for promotional activity. It’s intended to offset a decline in international tourism caused by negative foreign perceptions of US Security requirements.  

But, Crapo says the bill is being loaded down with some highly controversial amendments that have nothing to do with tourism.   They deal with things like TARP funding, GM Stock ownership, and even oil speculation regulations.

 

A 22 year old Atlanta, Georgia man was hospitalized Sunday after a rollover crash on Highway 26 near the Idaho-Wyoming state line. Idaho State Police say Nicholas Haggard failed to negotiate a curve and rolled the vehicle….which turned out to be reported stolen out of Wyoming. Haggard was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. His passenger, 24 year old Edward, Young of Macon, Georgia was treated and is now being held in the Bonneville County jail as investigation continues.

 

Language in the recently passed Omnibus Public Lands Bill will create a million dollar fund to reimburse landowners losing livestock to wolf depredation. The Wolf Livestock Demonstration Project will apply to ranchers in Idaho, Wyoming or Montana.   Last year, there were 400 confirmed and probable losses to wolves in Idaho alone.  

 

Area residents are reminded that they are required to have a couple of permits on hand before conducting any large burns.   For air quality reasons, the Idaho DEQ requires a permit for crop residue fires. And, Teton County Idaho Assistant Fire Chief Bret Campbell says a local permit is also required.   He says that’s primarily intended to give the fire district opportunity to talk with burners about fire-safety issues.   There’s no charge for the county permit. Some jurisdictions have different rules…so call your local department before burning.

 

The Teton County, Idaho Fire District is conducting what it calls some “triage surveys” this spring.   Assistant Fire Chief Bret Campbell says they’re trying to assess subdivision fire potential and pre-plan fire fighting strategies.    While some trouble spots are in wildland fire areas near forest land…many rural homeowners overlook some basic fire-safety standards. Those are 1) a correct address, 2) good access roads, and 3) water supply.

Firefighters don’t want a repeat of an incident in the Grove Creek subdivision last winter.   In that one, a simple chimney fire destroyed a home because access to it was limited.

 

The Driggs City Council has approved a deal with Huntsman Springs that will place five or six public parks throughout the development.   The city has donated money available to go towards the park purchase.   They’ll be built by Huntsman Springs and maintained by home owner associations. Three of the parks are already nearly complete.