Established 1865 MMarsingarsing tteachereacher hhonoredonored bbyy ppeers,eers, PPageage 3 CContaminationontamination ffound,ound, PagePage 2 CCouncilouncil racesraces sset,et, PPageage 3 Vandals try to dismantle historic Marsing incumbent decides mercury mill on BLM ground to seek re-election as write-in VOL. 26, NO. 42 75 CENTS HOMEDALE, OWYHEE COUNTY, IDAHO WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011 Sheriff won’t resign, won’t run again Daryl Crandall shot back at county com- a second term as Owyhee County sheriff sheriff’s offi ce to the sheriff, the person Commissioners lament missioners late last week, saying he has and plans to retire from law enforcement in elected to do the job,” Crandall wrote in an sheriff’s lack of conducted sheriff’s offi ce fi scal business January 2013. unsigned statement released to the media responsibly and that he has no plans to “I continue to welcome (the commis- Friday afternoon. communication, fi scal resign. sioners) or the public coming to me with “I look forward to finishing out this But on Monday morning he confi rmed for concerns as needed, and I appreciate the elected term as sheriff with an increase of management The Owyhee Avalanche that he won’t seek commissioners leaving the running of the –– See Sheriff, page 5 New district Marsing looks map splits to hire marshal Owyhee Co. for city policing NW corner joins Public hearing for Canyon; rest goes ordinance slated for Nov. 9 with Elmore, Twin Last week, the Marsing City Council took the fi rst step in moving toward the formation of its County offi cials’ worst fears were own police department with the presentation of an realized when a bipartisan commit- ordinance to create a town marshal. tee released its new Idaho legislative After much discussion between the council redistricting map. members and some input from residents about the Owyhee County, which had en- direction the city needed to go, Mayor Keith Green joyed a decade of wholeness, now unveiled ordinance No. 184, which would establish will be split into two separate state a town marshal. legislative districts as reapportion- Before the ordinance is enacted, the council will ment is fi nally carried out. hold a public hearing during its regular monthly The legislative district map re- meeting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 9 to hear input from leased Friday puts the northwest Marsing residents. part of Owyhee County, including The proposed ordinance states, “the Mayor and Homedale, Marsing, Murphy and Council have determined that good cause exists for Wilson precincts, into District 11 appointing an individual to be the City of Marsing with southern Canyon County. Town Marshal”. The rest of Owyhee, including After negotiations between the Owyhee County Pleasant Valley, Oreana, Grand View, Sheriff’s Offi ce and the city failed to come up with Bruneau and all other voting precincts, an agreeable solution for a contract for a deputy to will remain in District 23 with Elmore provide a dedicated offi cer for Marsing, Green felt it County and the western portion of was necessary for the city to proceed on its own. Twin Falls County. Currently, Owyhee “The fi nal contract (OCSO) sent was around and western Twin Falls comprise $62,000 for one offi cer dedicated to Marsing,” Green District 23. said. “This contract limited us to a 40-hour work The committee unanimously ap- week for the deputy.” proved a map that split the county in Ready for action The $61,598 proposal from June provided “when a way that caught some offi cials in Homedale Elementary kindergartener Titan Roland gets suited up in fi re gear feasible” the city would receive 171 hours of dedi- Murphy off-guard. by Homedale volunteer fi refi ghters Steve Nash, left, and Steve Atkins on Friday cated patrol each 28-day work period. “It’ll be hard to work with it during a fi eld trip to the John Matteson Memorial Fire Hall. Students explored Also included in the contract was the formation that way,” County Clerk Charlotte an ambulance and got tips from Homedale Police offi cers about Stranger Danger during the National Fire Week activities. –– See Redistricting, page 5 –– See Marsing, page 5 Subscribe today Obituary 6Sports 12-15 Get the news source of the Owyhees delivered Calendar 7Commentary 18-19 IInsidenside directly to you each Wednesday Peary Perry 7Looking Back 20 Only $31.80 in Owyhee County Vandals hit two Call 337-4681 School news 8-9 Legals 21-22 businesses Homecoming 11 Classifi eds 23 Page 2 Page 2 Wednesday, October 19, 2011 BLM fi nds mercury contamination at City council OKs vandalized mill outside of Homedale police car purchase Bureau of Land Management offi cials are offering a reward as part of their investigation into the Homedale offi cals put rehab vandalism of an inactive mercury of First Street dips on hold mill south of Homedale. The BLM said the vandalism The Homedale Police on the north side of both First of the device called a retort has Department will get another Streets in town. Councilman Eino threatened the integrity of the Dodge Charger patrol car after the Hendrickson said motorists can milling structures and deposited City Council approved a purchase damage their cars driving over leftover mercury on the ground. Wednesday. the concaved roadways. BLM is offering a reward of up According to the deal struck ASC Pavement had submitted to $1,000 for information leading between HPD Chief Jeff an estimate of $4,500 to repair to the arrest and conviction of Eidemiller and Oklahoma car the dip at North 1st Street East those who have vandalized the dealer Joe Watt Motors, the and $4,000 for the North 1st Street retort. If you have information department will receive a 2008 West divot. The estimates were related to the vandalism, please Charger with about 45,000 miles given to Mayor Harold Wilson. call Stan Buchanan, BLM law on it and a three-year, 36,000 “I pushed for these, and I’m a enforcement, at (208) 384-3333. Wontorcik said. “We are at warranty in exchange for HPD’s little concerned with the costs,” BLM is actively working to the very beginning stages of 2008 Ford Crown Victoria with Hendrickson said. “Have you identify and determine the extent characterizing the level and extent the same mileage and $8,117 talked to anybody else?” he asked of environmental impacts related of contamination at and around cash. Wilson. to the retort. Soil samples have the site.” The money will come out of The mayor said that he only been collected and submitted Soil samples from the site, the police department’s capital approached ASC because that for laboratory analysis to which was last active in about vehicle budget and more than was the contractor in town for determine the extent of mercury 1966 according to BLM, won’t $4,000 of that will go toward the asphalt portion of the Local concentrations in the soil directly be back from the lab until the end equipping the Charger. Improvement District. He added under the equipment. of the month. “By doing it the way we’re that maintaining drainage on both A perimeter fence is being built “It’s sad because that’s part of doing it now, we’re getting the streets is one of the reasons for the around the area. Flagging and history, and it’s too bad someone absolute bang for our buck with higher estimates. signs warning of structural hazards decided to go out and vandalize Top: Reminants of a what the warranty,” Eidemiller said. Councilman Tim Downing have been placed around the site it,” BLM Boise District public Bureau of Land Management The council tabled further worried that the project would and on the milling apparatus. information officer MJ Byrne officials call a “retort” was discussion on the policy of put another dent in the city’s “BLM is asking the public said. vandalized at an inactive mercury employees taking city vehicles Streets and Highways fund, and to stay away from the site due Byrne said that components of mill south of Homedale. home. At Wednesday’s meeting, Councilman Aaron Tines said to the potential health hazard the mill itself is unstable because Above: Another view of the area Eidemiller had his fi rst opportunity the work should wait until next from mercury found under the the culprits apparently used a where someone used a cutting to speak out on the issue and said budget year. equipment,” BLM hazardous cutting torch to remove support torch to remove portions of the he supported a policy as long as it “That’s a pretty big pile of materials specialist Carrie structure. inactive mill. BLM photos was uniform for all employees. money for tow dips,” Council “I’m in full agreement that we president Dave Downum said. need a policy, but we need to get “I’d rather see u put that money past the point of talking about into asphalt instead of two little a policy and get it in writing,” dips.” Eidemiller said. Also during Wednesday’s Helping Hand Grants…. “When there’s nothing in meeting, it was announced that writing, we sit out there in limbo Brett Smith has been hired to land.” replace departed public works US Ecology Idaho provides charitable funds for projects that benefit Council members also had employee Mike Shenk. Smith Owyhee County’s communities. preliminary discussions about starts with the city on Monday. possibly repair massive dips — JPB If your organization has identified a one-time need that will be beneficial to the citizens of Owyhee County, we would like to Vandals strike two hear about it!! Proposal Guidelines: Homedale businesses *No application needed, please send a letter with these requirements* Vandals targeted two weekend.