Living in Lava
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84 / 54 Living in lava Sunny, warm. Home’s construction is rooted in Shoshone history H&G 1 Agribusiness 4 IN THE GROUND >>> Grain acres down in Idaho, despite rise across rest of U.S., AGRIBUSINESS 1 TUESDAY 75 CENTS July 7, 2009 MagicValley.com T.F.city budget down 2.8 percent next year By Jared S. Hopkins $48.7 million budget is down a conservative budget and adopted an unprecedented Times-News writer as a reflection of the current Magicvalley.com will be balanced while main- 22 percent budget hike. The economy, Courtney told the READ Capitol Confidential, a political blog by taining services to the com- city has since made changes The city of Twin Falls’ Twin Falls City Council. But reporter Jared S. Hopkins. munity. to curb spending and capital preliminary budget for next the water rate increases are “When we complete the projects in light of the econ- year is 2.8 percent less than necessary to cover a portion fiscal year, the city will omy. this year’s but city residents of the debt toward the years,”Courtney said. ported funds are down 1 per- remain in good financial The 2010 fiscal year kicks would still see a 12 percent $33.3 million project to meet With the current reces- cent and the deficit will be condition,”he said. in Oct. 1. The City Council increase in water rates, Twin federal arsenic standards. sion, city revenues are in covered with reserves, Still, the preliminary will hold an informational Falls City Manager Tom “The budget this year is decline, which Courtney according to a copy of the budget is a near-180 degree discussion at 3 p.m. July 20, Courtney said Monday. considerably different from said hasn’t happened since preliminary budget. turnaround from last year Next year’s overall what we’ve seen in past the early 1980s. Tax-sup- But Courtney asserted it’s when the City Council See BUDGET, Main 2 Former legislator will run for governor By Jared S. Hopkins Times-News writer Former GOP state legislator Jana Kemp, a Garden City business consultant, has filed the preliminary paperwork with the Secretary of State to run for governor as an independent. Last week she launched a Web site, www.votekemp.com. The official filing is in March. Gov.C.L. “Butch” Otter hasn’t said whether he’s running for re-election yet. Kemp’s deci- sion was first reported Monday by the Times- News. ASHLEY SMITH/Times-News In an interview Monday, Kemp said she is Jake Norton, of Great Floors of Boise, installs tiles in the social hall area of the new Canyon Ridge High School in Twin Falls. The new school is nearing com- not running against Otter for personal reasons but rather to look out for Idahoans. pletion, with workers laying floor tiles and installing electrical fixtures before furniture begins to arrive on July 13. The new high school is expected to be “I’m a collaborative leader who looks to the ready when students report for the first day of school on Aug. 24. people who can solve the problems in order for all of us to reach the best possible decisions for the well-being of all of Idaho,” she said. “I don’t believe that’s been the leadership that we have seen.” Kemp, who served from 2005 to 2006 in the Legislature, said her biggest issues are improving the education system and helping the economy. Canyon Ridge High “People have asked me,‘What would you do differently?’” said Kemp, 44, who is married with a step-daughter. “My response is ‘every- thing.’” She said the 2009 session was not the best time economically to seek new revenue to fix Idaho’s roads and bridges — Otter’s biggest issue nearing finish line as governor — but something must be done See RUN, Main 3 By Ben Botkin Times-News writer Bit by bit, Canyon Ridge High Luna to propose School is looking more like a Hamilton school and less like a construc- tion site. Magicvalley.com school facilities In the gym, the Riverhawks logo is on the hardwood floor WATCH a video about the construc- where teams will play basket- tion of Canyon Ridge High School. Mfg. claims ball. At the school’s cafeteria, bond legislation floor tiles are starting to cover tion and higher prices for con- the floor. Lockers line the walls. struction materials cited by dis- The Associated Press changed that in the 2009 For Canyon Ridge High trict officials as the reasons for Legislature, limiting dis- larger loss School, the end of construction the increase. MOSCOW, — tricts to four dates a year work is in sight. The new high The district also saved on the Superintendent of Public beginning in 2011. By Andrea Jackson school, when finished, will add costs in areas such as slightly Instruction Tom Luna Idaho Sen. Gary Times-News writer a second major high school to cutting down on the width of wants to eliminate a Schroeder, R- Twin Falls High School. sidewalks, height of curbs and constitutional Moscow, said he A lawyer for Hamilton Manufacturing Inc. “We’re on the final stretch,” changing its selection of the mandate requiring had previously said Monday that a former comptroller pilfered said Dale Thornsberry, facilities siding, Thornsberry said. school districts to introduced legisla- substantially more than the company originally manager for Twin Falls School A total of 52 semi-trucks secure a two-thirds tion to amend the thought. District. holding furniture and equip- majority of voters in state constitution The Twin Falls-based recy- Finishing touches remain ed ment will bring equipment to bond elections to and lower the cling company is suing its for- on June 30 before the first load the school. raise money for majority require- mer employee, Robie Probasco of furniture arrives this week. About five trucks a day will facilities. ment, but there has in Twin Falls 5th District Court, Unfinished work included floor arrive. Thornsberry said the Luna says the Luna never been enough after Probasco allegedly embez- coverings and light fixtures, district hopes to have every- first piece of legis- support among zled $306,030 by forging the caulking some windows and thing ready in the school build- lation he will introduce lawmakers. CEO’s name on checks during cleaning all the finished rooms, ing by Aug. 1. during the next legislative Education officials his employment there between Thornsberry said. Workers likely will still be session would lower the acknowledge they face an 2003 and 2008, according to the Probasco “It’s certainly looking more around, though, doing tasks like majority requirement from uphill battle, but say it’s a suit filed Feb. 12. like a school every day,”he said. landscaping work on the exteri- 66 percent of voters to 60 necessary step to fund Thomas High, attorney for Hamilton, said The cost of Canyon Ridge in or. percent. School districts school facilities. Monday in court that he will file an amended 2006 was estimated at about Voters passed a $49.7 million could previously choose Minidoka County School complaint,because the company has discovered $37.6 million in 2006. But the school bond issue in March any date for a levy or “additional checks” that put the company’s loss cost has grown since then to bond election. Lawmakers See LUNA, Main 2 about $47.4 million, with infla- See CANYON, Main 2 See LOSS, Main 2 Comics....................Sports 4 Crossword ................H&G 9 Obituaries ..............Main 5, 7 Commodities..Agribusiness 2 Dear Abby ..................H&G 6 Opinion ..................Main 8-9 GRAB THE SUN SCREEN Community ............Main 6-7 Movies ......................Main 4 Sudoku ....................H&G 10 Idahoans at high risk of skin cancer> Main 2 MORNINGMORNINGMain 2 Tuesday, July 7, 2009 BRIEFINGBRIEF- TN Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho Pat’s Picks TODAY’S HAPPENINGS Three things to do today ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT artists Bob Dix, Curtis Kemp, Elissa Kline Elementary Lane, Ketchum, 788-0121. Pat Marcantonio Ketch’em Alive free concert and dance, local and Troy Passey, presented by Sun Valley bands, 7 p.m.; featuring 10-piece dance Center for the Arts, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in stor- GOVERNMENT age containers on the center’s new proper- • band Albino Afrobeat, 7:30 p.m., Forest For all you Vandals or formance. Come on, who ty, corner of Second Avenue and Fourth Twin Falls County commissioners, 8:30 friends of Vandals, the doesn’t laugh or cry at this Service Park, First Street and Washington a.m., courthouse, 425 Shoshone St. N., 736- Avenue, Ketchum, no cost, picnics, low-back Street, Ketchum, no cost, University of Idaho Alumni one? sunvalleycenter.org or 726-9491. 4068. • chairs and blankets welcome; drinks sold at Association Luncheon with The Faulkner “The Rural Vernacular,” a look at people and Blaine County commissioners, 9 a.m., court- President M. Duane Nellis Planetarium at the Herrett park, www.visitsunvalley.com. house, 206 First Ave. S., Hailey, 788-5500. Robert Harlig’s “Steel Magnolias,” pay-what- places outside the urban-dominated main- starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Center for the Arts and stream by using iconic photographs of Jerome County commissioners, 9 a.m., Canyon Crest Event Center, Science on the College of you-feel preview presented by Company of courthouse, 300 N. Lincoln St., 644-2700. Fools, 7 p.m., Liberty Theatre, 110 N. Main Walker Evans as a starting point, 9 a.m. to 5 330 Canyon Crest Drive, Southern Idaho campus p.m., Sun Valley Center for the Arts, 191 Jerome City Council, 5:30 p.m., council Twin Falls.