Established 1865
VOL. 32, NO. 16 75 CENTS HOMEDALE, OWYHEE COUNTY, IDAHO WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2017
And they’re off! Kindergarteners swarm their section of the Marsing High School football field Saturday morning after the Easter Bunny (Mila Astorquia) dropped her arm to signal the start of another round of the Lions Club Easter egg hunt. Hundreds of children turned out for the Marsing hunt. Lions Club member Jim Briggs said the crowd of adults snapped up the annual supply of breakfast burritos, and organizers reported a sellout. Hunts were held in several different locations throughout Owyhee country Saturday. For more photos from Easter, see Pages 8-9A Western Alliance Owyhee ties fray Homedale and Marsing may gest that Homedale pull out of the not be long for the Western Alli- alliance when Wilson also asked ance for Economic Development. the city to increase its fi nancial Last Wednesday, council mem- contribution by nearly $1,000 in bers in both cities rejected WAED light of the grant amount shrink- executive director Tina Wilson’s ing $2,000 to $28,000 for Fiscal request for letters supporting Year 2018. her newest Idaho Department of City Clerk and Treasurer Alice Commerce grant to help fi nance Pegram said the council could her salary. re-examine continuing member- Homedale council president Flanked by his wife Mary (left) and daughter Kate, Marsing rancher Ted Blackstock talks about range Steve Atkins went as far as to sug- –– See Alliance, page 13A management and the effects of the Soda Fire during Friday’s tour. Mary said the fi re cost the family ranch about $100,000 in losses and expenses to fi nd other pasture because of the two seasons of rest. Tour spotlights Owyhee range In-town irrigation water on to two buses for the daylong land for multiple use and recover- expected to fl ow next week UI president’s U of I College of Natural Resourc- ing from the 2015 Soda Fire. Homedale residents who use low requests for volume right now, tour stresses es (CNR) President’s Tour. “Range is defi nitely becoming the city’s municipal irrigation because of how wet it’s been,” It was the fi rst time in its three- a big issue, and the University of system will soon be able to start Smith said. “None of the out- collaboration year existence that the informa- Idaho is trying to deal with a lot watering their lawns. of-town users, the farmers, need tional event focused on range- of those issues with a new range- City public works supervisor water right now. So it’s tough for Folks from several backgrounds land. land center,” Idaho Rangeland Bret Smith hoped to have water in them to justify bringing it in.” gathered Friday to learn how the The university’s CNR advisory Resource Commission executive the town’s ditches on Monday. He said the water will be University of Idaho and the unity board has presented two previ- director Gretchen Hyde said. He said South Board of Control turned on no later than next of interdependence is crucial to ous tours highlighting forestry “Owyhee County is so unique, directors pushed the water turn- Wednesday. preserving Owyhee County’s in North Idaho near the Moscow and so many of the issues that on date because irrigators in The Marsing city system will be natural resources. campus. But this year’s focus plague western rangeland are kind other areas of the system don’t turned on no later than Monday, College students, ranchers, shifted to rangeland, and Owyhee of consolidated right there.” need service because of the according to city maintenance university leaders and officials was the prime destination given current weather pattern. supervisor Phillip Gibson. from all levels of government piled the challenges of managing public –– See Rangelands, page 10A “The South Board has really — SC
Subscribe today Market returns, Pg. 2A: Homedale Spring Fling set Saturday Get the news source of the Owyhees delivered Library grant, Part II, Pg. 12A: WAED won’t be involved directly to you each Wednesday Only $31.80 in Owyhee County More news, B section: Technology in schools, FFA happenings Call 337-4681 Golfers tee it up, Pg. 1B: Frosh leads Trojans to 3A SRV win Deaths, 6A • Commentary, 10-11B • Looking Back, 12B Page 2A Wednesday, April 19, 2017 Farmers market season kicks off with Spring Fling Homedale to come to the market,” said she is working with Albert- Denise Dixon Dixon said. “We can get all the sons, Blue Cross of Idaho and eyes community Homedale Farmers Market vendors, but if they don’t sell their U.S. Bank to develop materials. Spring Fling vendors wares, they won’t come back.” She hopes to double the number garden near pool Marilyn Evans — Tomato plants (Big Boy, Ace 55 Councilman Aaron Tines com- of boys and girls who can enroll Heirloom, Payette Tomato, Burbank Slicing, Russian Rose, and mends Dixon on the market’s in the program. As was the case The first Homedale Farmers Independence Day varieties), fl ower plants, iris tubers, potted fortitude despite the fact it took in the inaugural year, the 2017 Market of the year will be held perennials (blue fl ax, hollyhock, and coreopsis), rhubarb plants, a couple years for attendance to program will have only 25 open- on Saturday. raspberry plants start to pick up. ings, so Dixon anticipates another The Spring Fling will run from Kayla Widner — Plants: tomato, peppers, cabbage broccoli, “I think it’s a good thing for waiting list. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Bette Uda caulifl ower. Flowers: marigolds, calendula, lobelea, zenias. Homedale,” Tines said. “And Dixon’s handout also highlights City Park, or the old high school Jan Aman/Sage Creek Farms — Perennials, some drought- I think it’s great that you guys a summer feeding program headed gymnasium across East Idaho tolerant stayed with it.” up by Homedale School District Avenue from the park in the case Anna Minor — Vegetable plants, fl owers Dixon has developed a handout food services director Vicki Eby. of inclement weather. Homedale High School Art class and FFA — Ceramic of the market’s goals and accom- Free meals for children ages 1-18 Manager Denise Dixon said planters, tomato and vegetable plants, baskets, basket stuffers plishments. will be served from 5 p.m. to 6 master gardener Jan Aman will Christine Robinson — Plant seeds Since 2013, the market has p.m. each Thursday at the market lead a gardening class during the Christa Ryals — Vegetable plants, fl owers, herb plants provided nearly $2,800 to several from June 8 to Aug. 18. Spring Fling, and there will be a Note — Food stamp (EBT) funds can be used to purchase Homedale School District causes Dixon has applied for additional class for children as well. plants that grow food. including: funding from the U.S. Department A one-time fee of $10 will ap- • $300 to the music department of Agriculture. If received, the ply for anyone wanting to set up for the 2016 and 2017 talent show $100,000 grant would help the a booth at the Spring Fling. The to sell them as well. If you have Saturdays in December. Those trophies market from Fiscal Year 2018 event is not part of the vending your plants in pots you can also markets are held indoors at the • $500 last year to the middle through Fiscal Year 2020. She package for summer and holiday sell those.” old high school gym. school cheerleaders hopes to start a farmer mentor markets. Set up for Saturday’s event is People selling items at only the • $300 in 2016 to build railings program if the new USDA grant Vendors will also pay five from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., and tear summer farmers markets will pay on the exterior steps into the old comes through, and she is also percent of their gross sales at the down will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. $45 this year. Folks who set up high school gym where the fall applying for smaller grants. conclusion of the Spring Fling. The regular season of the mar- booths at both the summer and and holiday markets are held. Dixon also wants to fi nd enter- Dixon is reminding vendors kets will run from 3:30 p.m. to holiday markets will pay $65. • $150 to help the high school tainment talent for each farmers that the Spring Fling is not a typi- 7:30 p.m., each Thursday from To reserve vendor space at any color guard purchase flags in market this year. cal farmers market. June 1 to Sept. 20 in Bette Uda of the markets, contact Dixon at 2015. Dixon continues to formulate “You cannot sell anything but City Park. [email protected], by phone • $380 in 2015 to help the high her plans for a community gar- plants, plant starts and seeds,” The fall and holiday markets at (208) 840-0440, or visit www. school drama club purchase audio den in town. She first brought Dixon wrote in an email. “If you are set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each homedalefarmersmarket.com. equipment up the idea at a Chamber of have homemade fl ower pots or Saturday in November, and from During a March 23 meeting, • $350 to the elementary school Commerce meeting, and Mayor fl ower boxes you are welcome 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the fi rst three Dixon told the Homedale City in 2015 to purchase T-shirts given Gheen Christoffersen suggested Council that the market has re- to students as reading incentives. a plot of land near the municipal cently become a 501(c)3 non- • $800 over 2013 and 2014 to swimming pool. profi t, too. help the marching band buy uni- At the council meeting, Dixon Now, she said, in addition form pants. said she wants to coordinate with to going after more grants, the Dixon said the Cultivate! Chil- the city to develop the ground this focus is to get more Homedale dren’s program will return from year with an eye toward planting residents to come to the park and June 1 to Aug. 17, taking place next spring. take advantage of vendors sell- from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. each Thurs- “I don’t want to rush through ing fresh produce and crafts and day. The program is always look- it and have it not be successful,” other wares. ing for volunteers to help and she said. “We need more people from facilitators to teach, and Dixon — JPB and SC
In honor of Mike Matteson, we at Matteson’s would like your help in raising awareness of the Homedale importance of organ donation. Public Library April 21 at 10:30 AM On FRIDAY, APRIL 21 ~ Story Telling ~ $100 per gallon of gas sold will be donated to the Notus DONATE LIFE program STOP BY, Sign up for prizes Public Library show your support April 21 at 1:30 PM for this great cause! ~ Story Telling ~ (208) 373-7311
3 S. Main idahoptv.org Homedale (208) 337-4664 Wednesday, April 19, 2017 Page 3A Marsing council trots out new rules for RVs in town After a number of complaints proved last week. She said she’ll by fi nes of $50, $100 and $200. so we took the box in the ground The council also set 7 p.m. on from residents, Marsing offi cials have the new ordinance ready for The fourth violation would be a and put it in the panel box. We Aug. 9 as the time for the Fiscal have approved a draft ordinance the council’s adoption at its May misdemeanor. used a little better water-tight Year 2018 budget public hearing. regulating campers, motor homes 10 meeting. City maintenance supervisor connector.” A $500 contribution to the Le- and trailers. “Obviously what we’re doing Phillip Gibson also gave a report Gibson added that improve- Roy Breshears Fishing Day also Limiting use of recreational here is prohibiting full-time oc- to the council. ments are complete to lights on was approved. The annual event is vehicles within city limits was cupation, because that is not legal He said his crews have been the crosswalk at the intersection set for June 3 at Island Park discussed during last Wednesday’s through the International Building busy making repairs to the city of Main Street (Idaho highway 55) Ferdinand is hoping the Snake city council meeting. Code or anything else,” Bonney irrigation system, applying ground and 8th Avenue West (Idaho 78). River’s water level drops before Proposed new rules would al- said. “We don’t want people living sterilant, sweeping streets and Light automation is tied to the annual event. low the rigs to be parked and used in them full time.” spraying insecticide in the town’s the safety of children walking to “In the last 10 years we’ve had for 24 hours on public rights-of- The draft ordinance stipulates two parks. school. to move it once because of the way. The city currently doesn’t that RVs would only be allowed “And we repaired an electrical “They are programmed to come river,” Ferdinand said. have any regulations regarding to be parked on private property main at Island Park,” Gibson said. on at 6 a.m. and shut off at 8 a.m., The last time the Breshears RVs on pubic rights-of-way. in rear or side yards, or a side yard “The water table got so high that and come on again at 3 p.m. and Fishing Day had to be rescheduled Under the new ordinance, directly adjacent and parallel to where the old electrical line came shut off at 5 p.m.,” Gibson said. was in 2011 when it was moved campers, motor homes and trail- driveways. The rigs would not be in, the junction box didn’t ground. “They work with a button in be- from May to its current month of ers could be parked and used for allowed in front yards. Water and electricity don’t mix, tween those times.” June. — SC three consecutive nights on private Residents living in an RV on property. Marsing currently allows their property while making home RVs to be used on private property repairs or renovations could apply for one night. for a waiver. City attorney Stephanie J. Bon- The fi rst three violations of the DOG GROOMING ney wrote the draft ordinance ap- new rule would be punishable STARTING AT JUST $27.50 Marsing DMV to close early April 28 for retiree NEW! FREE PICKUP AND DELIVERY The Marsing Division of Motor attend an open house from 4 p.m. to Vehicles offi ce will close at 2 p.m. 6 p.m. at the Phipps-Watson Marsing OF YOUR PET FOR GROOMING! on Friday, April 28 to celebrate a American Legion Community worker’s retirement. Center, 126 W. 2nd St. N., in Marsing Rub-A-Dub Dog More Than a Groomer! Edith Sterkenburg is retiring on Friday, April 28. Toenail AND Anal Gland from the DMV offi ce after more The DMV closure will allow Where Happiness is a Clean Dog Treatment - Just $7.50! No Appointment Needed! than 20 years with the Owyhee Sterkenburg’s co-workers to attend 208-337-8117 102 E. Utah, Join Our Homedale Ask if we have County Assessor’s Offi ce. the open house. The offi ce at 19 Facebook Group: 208-249-0799 Rub A Dub Dog Homedale WE BARTER! DROP-INS WELCOME! Puppies Available Anyone who wants to give Reich St., will re-open for regular Credit Cards Accepted Sterkenburg best wishes is invited to hours on Monday, May 1. 3LFNXSDYDLODEOHZLWKLQPLOHUDGLXV$OOSHWVDUHVDIHO\VHFXUHGGXULQJWUDQVSRUWDWLRQ MARSING FEED & SUPPLY GREENHOUSE NOW OPEN! 1 cu. ft. 34/0 ). !.$ 34/#+ 50 MIRACLE GRO /. "%$$).' 0,!.43 !.$ POTTING MIX $5.99 minus '!2$%. 6%'%4!",%3 $2.00 rebate = $3.99
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