Northern Idaho gun shop offers obstacle course that cashes in on growing popularity of ‘zombie TAKING OUTTHE LIVING DEAD: shooting.’>>> BUSINESS 1 THURSDAY July 07, 2011TIMES-NEWS 75 CENTS What you should — and shouldn’t — do if you run Division contenders into a rattlesnake, OUTDOORS 1 Burley, Twin Falls square off. SPORTS 1 Beware of rattlers Class A clash Magicvalley.com Idaho Power sees solar energy in future By Kimberlee Kruesi according to the document. In tation of growing customers and, While the state does not regu- Times-News writer 2009, energy use contracted by 3.5 eventually, more energy use. A se- late how much of a utility’s energy WHAT’S NEXT percent, followed by another de- ries of renewable energy projects is must come from renewable Solar power, business growth cline of 1.2 percent in 2010. Idaho scheduled to begin within the next sources, the cost of solar panels Idaho Power has drawn up its 20- and the lingering effects of the re- Power believes the decline is relat- 10 years. Unlike in previous plans, has been trending down, Stokes year forecast of its operations, cession have all factored into Idaho ed to the stalled customer growth this one includes a solar demon- said. The lower costs sparked an which the utility does every two Power Co.’s latest growth plan, re- the company experienced during stration project. interest among company stake- years. leased this week. the peak of the recession. The re- “Solar energy is really unlike holders to begin testing solar en- Now, the Idaho Public Utilities The Integrated Resource Plan port estimates Idaho Power will wind or natural gas,” said Mark ergy use. Commission must give its final explains the utility’s business plan, regain the amount of customers it Stokes, the company’s manager of “We know the technology is out approval to the plan. Dates will be growth predictions and future had before the economy soured by power supply planning. “Unlike there, this will be a time for us to set down the road for a public projects it hopes to spearhead 2015. wind, our peak energy-use days learn how it can sync up with our comment period, including a pub- within the next 20 years. Renewable energy has been in are on our hottest days when the load and integrate the energy into lic meeting in Twin Falls. Among the highlights: The the utility’s plan for some time, wind isn’t blowing. Solar panels our system,”Stokes said. To read Idaho Power’s forecast company has seen a drop in energy and Idaho Power is again looking to could be critical for adding energy document, visit: www.idahopow- use for the first time since 2001, renewable energy with the expec- when the wind can’t.” See SOLAR, Main 2 er.com/2011IRP 2 BOND ISSUES FOR JEROME Paramedic services to remain in downtown Twin Falls County, St. Luke’s sign lease agreement for ambulance service By Nick Coltrain Times-News writer Even after completion of the new St. Luke’s Magic Valley Med- ical Center on Pole Line Road and months of nuts-and-bolts plan- ning to transition the old hospital back to Twin Falls County,the two entities aren’t done being inter- twined. The Twin Falls County com- missioners have OK’d a lease agreement with St. Luke’s Magic Valley to continue operating a paramedics’ base in downtown ASHLEY SMITH/Times-News Twin Falls, near City Park, so as Jerome Police Chief Dan Hall crouches as he walks through a storage room at his station on Wednesday. The Jerome City Council plans to ask the public this fall to not to hamper emergency re- approve a bond to buy a $355,000 building to house the station. sponse times, Commissioner Leon Mills said. Because of the base’s proximity and its location, “it just made sense to continue that relation- Police to ask voters for a new station in Nov. ship with the county,” hospital spokeswoman Laura Stewart said. “It really is just a central location By Ben Botkin the police station, plus play a major role in the The two votes to that part of Twin Falls, that Times-News writer countywide jail bond election. downtown Blue Lakes area.” City leaders say the police station bond is- Jerome city voters will now face two bond propos- The base is one of three in Twin JEROME — When it comes to public safety n’t intended to compete with the county’s jail als in the November election, one from the city Falls, Stewart said. Another one improvements, Jerome city residents will now proposal, saying it’s a matter of timing and and the other from the county. near Martin Street and Addison have two major decisions in the upcoming needing to move quickly to buy a building that • The station: Jerome city officials seek voter Avenue, by the old hospital cam- November election. can be turned into a new police station. approval for a bond to purchase a building for pus, serves the western part of Already, Jerome County will seek a bond to The Jerome City Council approved on $355,000. The bond’s final cost isn’t known yet, Twin Falls. A base on Kimberly pay for a larger, improved jail. Now,the city of Tuesday a plan to pay a $20,000 refundable as remodeling costs aren’t yet calculated. Road by the cemeteries serves the Jerome will also ask voters to pay to buy a deposit to hold a building along the 800 • The jail: Jerome County will make a fourth east side of town. building that will become the new home of block of East Main Street, with the option to attempt at voter approval for a bond for a new, Mills said St. Luke’s will pay the Jerome Police Department. buy it for $355,000 if the bond issue passes expanded 120-bed jail, estimated to cost between $500 a month to use the property, At the intersection of both proposals are $8 million and $11 million. This jail proposal is with either party having the op- city voters, who will make the decision about See JEROME, Main 2 pared down from prior attempts. tion to cancel the agreement with two months’ notice — a clause to allow for painless separation if the county finds a potential buyer for the property on Shoshone Street Riding for the kids: Snake River Bros.host Rally in the Valley or if St. Luke’s finds a better loca- tion in the city. By Amy Huddleston around $100,000 to help chil- hopes $20,000 will be raised. I’m home” competition, which The move also fits with the Times-News writer dren and families in southern As one of the founding mem- requires riders to dive through an commissioners’ prior philosophy Idaho and northern Nevada in bers of the Snake River Bros. and open window and disrobe quick- for the hospital’s transition: No Once a year, Murtaugh Lake need of medical attention. The a motorcycle enthusiast, Bolton ly before putting all their clothes matter the urgency, don’t let the Park is overrun by bikers wearing admission cost this year is $20 said even those people not pre- back on and driving away. move interfere with patient care. leather chaps, sporting tattoos for adults and $15 for people 13- disposed to wearing leather The event offers family friend- “(The deal with the para- and revving their bikes, all in the 20 years old. chaps will have a good time. ly fun during the day, and at medics’ base) is just a nice exam- name of fundraising. Roger Bolton, Snake River On Saturday morning, bikers night the bands Swamp Cats, ple of the county and St. Luke’s The gates to the park will open Bros. treasurer, said most of the can sign up for a 100-mile dice Dogs on the Lam, Hoodwink and working together to provide that Friday morning at 8 for the sixth money goes to gas cards for fam- ride. The afternoons will offer As Is will be featured. Proceeds nice community service,”Stewart annual Rally in the Valley hosted ilies traveling out of the Magic biker rodeos and tattoo contests. and entry fees will go toward the said. by the Snake River Bros., a Twin Valley for medical needs. Last The biker rodeos allow partici- nonprofit’s fundraising effort. Falls-based nonprofit motorcy- year, around 700 people attend- pants to show off their skills in “It’s good to see all of the peo- Nick Coltrain may be reached cle organization. Over the past 10 ed the rally and the event raised events like the plank race, a ple that show up,” Bolton said. at [email protected] years, the bikers have raised $18,000. This year Bolton said he “weenie bite” and the “honey, “Everyone is welcome.” or 735-3220. Bridge ..............Classifieds 8 Crossword ......Classifieds 9 Obituaries ..........Outdoors 5 Few T-storms Comics ............Classifieds 6 Dear Abby........Classifieds 9 Opinion ......................Main 4 92 / 61 Commodities ......Business 2 Jumble ..........Classifieds 10 Sudoku ..........Classifieds 12 Business 4 Main 2 Thursday, July 7, 2011 MORNING MIX TN Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho IF YOU DO ONE THING TODAY Burley seeks advice from Ada Co. sheriff Catch “The Music Man,”courtesy of musical theater troupe JuMP Co., 7:30 p.m. at the College of Southern Idaho’s Fine By Laurie Welch ice contracts follow the dedi- The advantages include agencys contracts were Arts Auditorium. Tickets are $10 general admission at The Times-News writer cated policing model, the lower costs and better public much simpler when first Mail Room, Kurts Pharmacy, jumpcompany.org, from any current contract trend.