Archive - Dec 2012 - Latest News
December 19th
Imagine, a few days before Christmas, you go to work like any other day, and your banker shows up at your office and surprises you with a $5,000 check. That's exactly what happened to Elizabeth Ramirez of Blackfoot at 10 a.m. Wednesday; it wasn't a joke and she wasn't dreaming.
About 30 people attended the December school board meeting at the Snake River Junior High School Wednesday.
Trustee Julie Van Orden resigned from the Snake River School Board, effective Jan. 1, 2013. She has served the school district 10 years. She represents Zone 1, the Pingree West Rockford Zone.
"We are one of the most respected boards in the state," Van Orden said.
Last November, Van Orden was elected to the Idaho Legislature. She will represent Bingham County.
December 18th
Tuesday was delivery day at Snake River High School.
Eight families and 16 individuals in the Snake River School District received gifts, food and toiletries from money and food collected from students and faculty at SRHS.
Members of the student executive council and Jodi Togiai's leadership class headed up this annual Charity Week.
The families received ham, potatoes, canned goods, toiletry items and presents for the children.
"People are so grateful," said Togiai. "Families have told us they wouldn't have had Christmas without our help."
Items of note from Nov. 28-Dec. 5.
Blackfoot Police
BIRD HUNTERS: Nov. 28, 7:53 a.m.: A man said a group of juveniles go around the neighborhood shooting birds with BB guns and they have shot his dog as well.
SEX OFFENSE: Nov. 28, 11:43 a.m.: A caller said a man did not want to go to the Willow's because he was sexually assaulted by his roommate.
CANDY BARS: Nov. 28, 12:14 p.m.: A caller at the Short Stop said a male took one or two candy bars without paying for them.
December 17th
# 12 P&Z ordinance controversial
By Lisa Lete
lisaalete@cableone.net
BLACKFOOT - Tempers flared between county residents and county commissioners following a 'standing room only' work session on Nov. 14 The commissioners unanimously approved wording changes to the controversial planning and zoning ordinance. The ordinance will be in effect at the first hearing of the new year on Jan. 9, 2013.
BLACKFOOT — Bingham County Sheriff Dave Johnson said deputies have gone into every school in the county this school year. He noted those visits when questioned about safety measures in light of the elementary school shooting tragedy in Connecticut last Friday.
"We have trained administrators and teachers throughout the county," Johnson said. "We teach people what to watch for and how to report any action — whether that action be a weapon or verbal threat — until we can get there to take over security of the buildings.
BLACKFOOT — The horrific event Friday morning at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school, where a gunman killed 7 adults and 20 children, shocked the nation and has everyone talking and asking about the safety of the schools in their own communities. Local superintendents say the tragedy has greatly impacted the teachers, students and staff at every school and that student safety is always of top concern.
Bryan Jolley, superintendent of Shelley School District, assured the public that school safety is always on the mind of the district, not just in the wake of a tragedy.
December 16th
BLACKFOOT — When he was in sixth grade, Kirby Jonas fell in love with writing.
Jonas, a Pocatello firefighter, was at Stinkin' Cute signing his latest novel, "The Secret of Two Hawks" on Saturday. It is his 11th book.
Kirby said a teacher in Shelley, whose name he doesn't remember, assigned his students to write a short story. He wrote four words, including "stream," as a possible theme.
"I thought "stream," I can write a Western story about that," Jonas said. He did, the teacher liked it and Jonas' career as an author began. "From then on, I had the urge.
December 14th
Blackfoot fire captain Kurt Aikele was honored by family, friends and firemen from around the state as he was buried Friday at the Riverside-Thomas Cemetery.
Fire trucks and paramedic ambulances from Blackfoot, Fort Hall, Ammon, Burley, Boise, Nampa and Meridian took part in the procession from the Blackfoot West LDS Stake Center.
Hundreds of people attended the service to honor Aikele and his family.
During the graveside service, dispatch called for Captain Kurt Aikele three times by name. After no response, dispatch announced Captain Kurt Aikele was 10-8.
