Recession Or Not Times-News Writer Farms and Conflict-Of- Interest Problems with Farmers Who Grow Crops Inspectors

89 / 61 Aggressive legislation in California may end up hurting the company’s Pet frustrations? plant in Jerome. Head to a trainer, not the shelter >>> Family Life 1 >>> Business 1 Thunderstorms. Business 6 HOUT SPEAKS >>> Putting the punch in the past, BSUs Hout moving forward, SPORTS 1 HILEX POLY SUNDAY $1.50 August 8, 2010 TIMES-NEWS Magicvalley.com Area growers STAYING THE required to do COURSE, more to earn organic label By Laura Lundquist abuse by large corporate recession or not Times-News writer farms and conflict-of- interest problems with Farmers who grow crops inspectors. using no chemicals used to Lamb said Idaho isnt the be most-concerned about only state having to make Workers leave St. bugs. changes this year. He said Lukes Magic Valley Now, they fear paper- the states were caught just Medical Centers work more. as off-guard as the produc- financial offices in Farmers who wish to ers. downtown Twin gain or retain an “organic” “Were calling it the age Falls on Wednesday certification from the U.S. of enforcement,” Lamb afternoon. Bringing Department of Agri- said. “The programs budg- cultures National Organic et has jumped from the office and its Program have to complete $1.6 million to almost 110 employees a 20-page organic system $7 million in just eight downtown is plan and undergo a lengthy years, so more people are among the recent inspection this year even if paying attention.” He economic develop- theyve qualified before. added that the program has ment efforts within “It’s catching all produc- to protect the “organic” the city that offi- ers off-guard,” said M&M label to have it mean any- Heath Farms owner Mike thing. cials say will con- Heath. “The inspection Lamb said producers had tinue as the area normally takes a few hours, to have a system plan when attempts to weath- but this year, it took 12.” they enrolled, but some er the economic Idaho organic program were filed before the pro- downturn. manager Brandon Lamb gram officially began in said USDA toughened pro- 2002, so they were lost or gram requirements last year didnt meet new rules. Photos by after receiving numerous Everyone must re-file so DREW GODLESKI/ reports of people illegally Times-News using the “organic” label, See ORGANIC, Main 3 T.F.economic developers keep same strategy,despite shaky economy Bill may give Idaho By Nick Coltrain schools $50 million Times-News writer By Ben Botkin President Obama, Sec- With the Great Recession taking its toll on Twin Times-News writer retary of Education Arne Falls and city managers planning for only marginal Duncan would have 45 growth in the next five years, economic development Idaho public schools days to distribute the officials in the area have one philosophy: Keep on may get $50 million in fed- money. keeping on with their current strategies, albeit at a eral funding from a bill Superintendent of Public more aggressive pace. aimed at helping school Instruction Tom Luna said That means continuing to pursue “good fits” for the districts avoid staff and the bill would cut $10 bil- Magic Valley, to cheerlead and to look at ways to help salary cuts for lion from other local businesses expand despite still-tight credit mar- teachers, as states government pro- kets — such as securing an almost half-million-dollar across the nation grams and shift the grant to build curbs, gutters and a parking lot for St. grapple with budg- money to public Lukes Magic Valley Medical Centers financial offices et shortfalls. education, a move in Old Towne — said Jan Rogers, executive director The U.S. Senate he compared with of the Southern Idaho Economic Development on Thursday how the Idaho Organization, and Melinda Anderson, economic approved the bill, Legislature dealt development director for the city. which has $10 bil- Luna with its budget It’s a long view, one that focuses past the “econom- lion for public shortfall on a state ic cataclysm” of December 2008 that still ripples schools nationwide. It’s level. through the United States, said Kathryn Tacke, now moving to the U.S. The state budget for the regional economist with the Idaho Department of House of Representatives, current fiscal year, which Labor. And with Twin Falls track record of pro-busi- where it could get a vote as began in July, had ness policies, she said, that’s a good thing, even if eco- soon as this week. $128.5 million less for pub- nomic indicators in the area are still flagging. It’s a bill with federal lic schools, a 7.5 percent “One of the things that can be really frustrating funding that would move reduction. with economic development is that you cant control swiftly to states if “Were monitoring it to Cashier Shannon Homer, left, works at St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical approved. If passed by the See ECONOMY, Main 5 Centers financial offices Thursday in downtown Twin Falls. House and signed by See BUDGET, Main 3 Creepy Crawly Day teaches that snakes arent creepy By Laura Lundquist lizards and two tarantulas and vice president of the Times-News writer scattered in terrariums Idaho Herpetological around the room. Society. Peterson has organ- William Mitchell, 3, looks Parents visiting the Mothers throughout the ized the event for a decade, Herrett Center for the Arts room snapped photos of and most of his seven volun- up in astonishment over and Science Saturday dis- young children gingerly teers have been with him the the slight prickliness of covered one thing that can cradling smaller snakes with whole time. Draco,’an Australian make bouncy children not uncertain looks on their His youngest volunteers bearded dragon, as only slow down but stand faces. Teens moved their have grown up with snakes. Connor Jackson, 2, looks stock-still: being draped by a arms in matching choreog- Karlee and Makayla Lambert on during the annual snake. raphy with 5-foot-long boa started holding snakes for Creepy Crawly Day Visitors attending the four constrictors, moving as slow Petersons demonstrations hours of “Creepy Crawly as the reptiles they support- when they were 7 and 4, Saturday at the Herrett Day” in the centers Rick ed. respectively. They made Center in Twin Falls. Allen Community Room on Most of the animals effective liaisons between the Southern of College belong to Rick Peterson, children and reptiles, wan- Idaho campus were allowed amateur herpetologist, dering the room Saturday to observe, pet and hold which is someone who stud- JUSTIN JACKSON/ many of the 30 snakes, five ies reptiles and amphibians, See CREEPY, Main 2 For the Times-News Bridge ..............Classifieds 7 Kids Only ........Family Life 6 Obituaries ..........Business 4 Crossword ......Classifieds 3 Jumble ............Classifieds 5 Sudoku ............Classifieds 6 EXPLORING A GRAY AREA OF IDAHO HISTORY Dear Abby........Classifieds 6 Movies ..................Opinion 7 Your Business ....Business 2 Japanese internees left rich record > Business 5 MORNINGMORNINGMain 2 Sunday, August 8, 2010 BRIEFINGBRIEF- TN Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho Pat’s Picks TODAY’S HAPPENINGS Three things to do today ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Pat Marcantonio “Broadway Rocks!” Pops Night, presented by Sun Valley Summer Symphony, doors FIND MORE ONLINE • For a great adventure there is something to see open 5:30 p.m. and show at 6:30 p.m., Sun Check out our online calendar where you head to Harriman State and do. Youll never forget Valley Pavilion, Sun Valley Resort, features Park, 18 miles north of your journey there. conductor Randall Craig Fleischer and can submit events and search by category Ashton on Highway 20. • Tunes from Broadway vocalists Virginia Woodruff, Julia Murney for specific events and dates. Meandering through it is favorites such as “Mamma and Doug LaBrecque, no cost, 622-5607 or www.magicvalley.com/app/calendar/events/ one of the best fly-fishing Mia” and “Phantom of the svsummersymphony.org. streams in the nation, the Opera” show up as the Sun Henrys Fork. I also forgot Valley Summer Symphony CHURCH EVENTS five miles south of Hansen, the store, built rewarded to first-and second-place winners, to mention the hiking and presents “Broadway “Western Days” as part of August Days in 1865, was the first trading post in Magic $17 doubles and $22 singles, 602-1493. biking possibilities. The Rocks!” Pops Night at Celebration, hosted by Grace Community Valley, no cost, 731-3895. cost is a mere $5 per vehi- 6:30 p.m. at the Sun Valley Church, 10 a.m., 100 N. Meridian, Rupert, To have an event listed, please submit the cle. Pavilion at Sun Valley wear western wear to church, barbecue name of the event, a brief description, • While in that direction, Resort. Doors open at SPORTS lunch provided by the Youth Ministry, fea- time, place, cost and contact number to you are just a ways away 5:30 p.m. Free admission. tures a petting zoo, no cost, 436-3790. Annual Magic Valley Open Tennis Mirela Sulejamnovic by e-mail at mire- from Yellowstone National Tournament, hosted by Magic Valley Tennis [email protected]; by phone, 735-3278; Park. Too beautiful for Have your own pick to Association, 5 p.m., College of Southern by fax, 734-5538; or by mail, Times-News, words, the attractions are share? Something unique to MUSEUMS Idaho tennis courts, Twin Falls, non-sanc- P.O.Box 548, Twin Falls, ID 83303-0548. many — from Old Faithful the area and that may sur- Rock Creek Station and Stricker homesite, tioned tournament, includes singles, dou- Deadline is noon, four days in advance of to Mammoth Hot Springs. prise people? E-mail me at guided tours, 1 to 4 p.m., 3715 E.

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