Archive - Jun 2011 - Latest News
June 12th
BLACKFOOT — After the birth of his son, David Taylor of Blackfoot was looking for an additional revenue stream.
"I decided to do it when I saw some dog waste in the yard," he said of DooDooKing, his waste management company now seeking clients. "It's a health issue as much as anything.
"A lot of people don't have time or don't want to do it," he said of that onerous job of cleaning up after Fido and his friends.
June 11th
FIRTH — Firth School District will have a four-day school week starting this fall.
Firth trustees were able to keep the lid on a meeting that could have been explosive.
They approved the following changes:
° A four-day school year with Fridays off. Trustees approved this change by a 3-1 margin. John Monson voted in opposition.
The class hours will run from 8 a.m. to 3:51 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The number of days in school totals 146. This meets state requirements. (During the Firth school year 2010-2011, the number of days in school totaled 161.)
MORELAND — Moreland Grain & Seed Company elevator hosted a luncheon to celebrate the completion of the largest single steel grain bin in the state of Idaho.
It stands 70 feet high at the eves and 105 feet at the peak. Its diameter measures 105 feet. By comparison, a basketball court is 96 feet long.
The concrete floor was put in first and then the roof was built, said Ken Morgan, the company's grain merchandizer. The roof was jacked up as each layer of steel was added. The number of steel sheets that were used on this project totaled 914.
June 10th
BLACKFOOT — Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter, as well as federal, state and county officials, toured areas affected by flooding or in danger of flooding in eastern Idaho Thursday.
“Bingham County is more prepared for flooding than we were in 1997,” said Bingham County Commissioner Cleone Jolley.
Bingham County Disaster Services Director Craig Rowland said “at the Blackfoot site Thursday, the water level is at 11 feet. That’s one foot below flood stage.”
THOMAS — The new facilities at the Snake River School/Community Library opened with its summer reading program this week. The library is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday during the summer.
The summer reading program is at 10 a.m. and 12 noon each Wednesday and Thursday and lasts through June.
Activities are scheduled for younger children, said librarian Sherrilynn Bair. “For kids in junior high and above, there will be video editing next week and photo editing the following two weeks.”
“Signing-up is not necessary,” she said. “Just come.”
June 8th
THOMAS — Snake River School District trustees unanimously approved the 2011-2012 budget on Wednesday.
Chris Nelson, the district's business manager, noted that revenue for the district is down $730,000.
To make up some of this difference, the district has transferred $356,000 of previously dedicated funds. These one-time designated funds come from the state tobacco fund and from savings.
BLACKFOOT — Jayson Meline, executive director of the Latino Economic and Development Center (LEAD), shared a statewide award presentation with members of the Greater Blackfoot Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.
Irene Gonzalez, a representative of the Small Business Administration, presented Meline with the organization's Minority Small Business Champion of the Year award.
June 7th
BLACKFOOT — The Blackfoot Ladies Golf Association is sponsoring a Relay for Life Golf Tournament June 15 to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
The tournament will begin at 6 p.m. at the Blackfoot City Golf Course. The cost is $100 per four-person team, which includes green fees and dinner. Cart rental is a separate cost.
Teams are encouraged to register in advance and space is limited to the first eight teams. To register call the Blackfoot CIty Golf Course at 785-9960.
All proceeds will go towards Relay for Life.
POCATELLO — Last fall, students in the graduating classes from elementary schools in American Falls, Blackfoot, Chubbuck and Pocatello were challenged by Jason Meador, general manager of Phil Meador Toyota, to have perfect attendance—bell to bell, all day every day—throughout the school year. Each student could have no absences, no tardies and no early outs.
The program was called PASS—Perfect Attendance Spells Success.
BLACKFOOT — The Blackfoot City Council has banned texting and driving within the city limits. The council unanimously approved the ordinance and waived all readings at their meeting Tuesday. The ordinance goes into effect immediately.
The ordinance clearly defines texting as using an electronic wireless communications device to communicate using a text-based communication including test messages, instant messages or electronic mail.
A texting violation is classified as an infraction and is punishable by a fine of $50.
