SATURDAY June 18, 2011 TIMES-NEWS 75 CENTS Magic Valley’s harmonica-playing pioneer to A ministry appear on ‘Tonight Show’ Monday >> Main 3 of caring St. Luke’s chaplain National debut talks about his job. >> Religion 1 Magicvalley.com Idaho agencies pay bonuses to over 100 staffers By Todd Dvorak vices Office, the Appellate Public In the wake of these cuts, state search for lawmakers, said he dis- porters in the state legal system.On Associated Press writer Defender’s office, the Industrial employees have faced furloughs cussed with Republican House and the low end, graduate assistants Commission, Board of Pharmacy and layoffs. Also, there also have Senate leaders months ago his in- were given an extra $110, while the BOISE — The directors of a half and the Idaho Commission for Li- been hiring and salary freezes tention to reward a staff that is now majority of the bonuses to court dozen state agencies have decided braries. among the efforts to balance a gen- smaller but no less productive than reporters exceeded $900. to distribute about $167,000 out of The six agencies will issue eral fund budget that has been cut it was before the economic slide. Overall, agencies handed out their fiscal year 2011 budgets in the bonuses to a total of 102 employees almost 20 percent over the last “We’ve gone three years without bonuses in the last half of fiscal form of one-time bonuses among on the final paycheck of the fiscal three years. a statewide salary increase and I 2011 to 185 employees totaling more than 100 staffers. year June 24. In the Legislative Services Of- just felt it was time to reward all my $227,000,according to records. The perks range from $500 to The bonuses approved in the last fice, 59 employees will get a pay employees with a one-time salary Agencies paid out more than $5,000, according to state records six months are the biggest since bump next week, anywhere from increase,’’ Youtz said. “I wish it $1.5 million in bonuses in 2008. obtained Friday in a public records 2008, when the Idaho economy $1,380 to $1,984 for top adminis- were more. We’re all being asked to However over the next two years request by The Associated Press. began showing signs of decline. trators. Director Jeff Youtz said the do more with less. It’s a philosoph- combined bonus payment dropped Four top officials at the Depart- Since then, steep declines in tax flexibility to hand out bonuses was ical decision every agency director to about $205,000. ment of Finance will receive the revenue and other resources have created by eliminating positions has to make.’’ Separate documents also show highest of the payouts as retention prompted lawmakers and Gov. and other savings in his personnel Earlier this year, a series of much 385 state employees have been bonuses,the records show. C.L. “Butch’’ Otter to make deep budget. smaller bonuses was approved for awarded permanent salary hikes in Other agencies approving cuts in state spending and pro- Youtz, whose staff writes bills graduate assistants at the Univer- the last six months, the majority bonuses are: the Legislative Ser- grams to balance the state budget. and provides guidance and re- sity of Idaho and 40 court re- identified as merit pay increases. State to A DEATH RELIVED delay some New DUI charge rekindles family’s Medicaid pain from 2005 payments fatal crash By Kimberlee Kruesi Times-News writer By Laurie Welch Times-News writer The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has announced it will RUPERT — A small pile of hand- suspend Medicaid payments to painted rocks rest at the base of hospitals next week, starting on Aimee Marie Souza’s headstone Monday. near Rupert. Brought by her aunt The suspension will save the de- and young cousins over the past six partment $13 million, said agency years, they offer reminders of the spokesman Tom Shanahan. How- moments Souza ever, IDHW may also suspend the didn’t get to live. payments for the following week. They speak of a “Whether or not we suspend the graduation at Mini- payments for another week will co High School, of depend on how many claims we the first year of col- Photos by LAURIE WELCH/Times-News receive,”he said. lege and perhaps From left, Stacie Alton, Chloe Klosterman and Kembrie Souza light candles during a May 27 vigil in memory of Aimee Souza at IDHW will only withhold the the start of Souza’s the MAR cemetery near Rupert. Souza died at age 14, after suffering injuries when she was thrown from a crashing truck driven payments from the 51 hospitals ac- Brackenbury own family. But by Robert Ray Brackenbury. cepting Medicaid patients in the they are moments state. Hospitals do not normally lost when, after 14 years of life, solely rely on Medicaid payments Souza sat in a passenger seat of a DUI arrests like a pharmacy might, Shanahan drunken driver’s pickup, never to Driving under the influence arrests in Idaho increased Stacie Alton, explained. rise again. each year from 2005 to 2009, according to Idaho left, Kembrie The hospitals will still receive Souza died May 27, 2005, in an State Police statistics. Souza, their payments at a later date, after Idaho Falls hospital. Days earlier, Year DUI arrests Rate per center, and the suspension ends. she was one of three passengers 1,000 population Chloe St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical 1999 10,836 8.7 when 20-year-old Robert Ray Klosterman Center in Twin Falls doesn’t expect 2000 10,168 8.0 Brackenbury slid behind the wheel huddle under to be affected by the department’s of his truck, headed for hot springs 2001 9,897 7.6 decision, said Ken Dey, St. Luke’s near Oakley. 2002 10,025 7.5 umbrellas Health System media manager. Police said Brackenbury was 2003 10,231 7.5 during a visit “We’re hopeful this won’t be- driving 85 mph — after passing his 2004 10,135 7.3 to Aimee come a pattern we’ll have to pre- cousin’s vehicle near one of Idaho 2005 9,074 6.4 Souza’s pare for in future years,”Dey said. Highway 27’s few curves between 2006 11,381 7.8 grave near “But we’re also lucky to be a bigger Burley and Oakley — when he lost 2007 11,659 8.0 Rupert on business that doesn’t rely on the control. The pickup pitched off the 2008 12,146 8.0 May 27. payments.” See PAIN, Main 2 2009 12,327 8.0 See MEDICAID, Main 2 As national finals close, some CSI athletes look to pro rodeos College of Southern Idaho By Amy Huddleston agreed before Birnie summed it up freshman Samantha Logan Times-News writer INSIDE easily. takes her horse, Bell, for a Find out how the CSI cowboys and “It’s just the luck of the draw CASPER, Wyo. — Samantha cowgirls did in Friday’s performance. this rodeo,”he said. “Once you get ride Friday before the final Logan and Traci Bailey trudged here, you start from zero.” qualifying performance of through the doors to the hotel’s See Sports 1 The top-ranked College of the College National Finals breakfast room and loaded their Southern Idaho rodeo teams have Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. plates before taking a seat near the They felt guilty their horses taken a hard fall at the national fi- Heading into Friday’s per- lobby. The College National Finals weren’t fed earlier, they said; but it nals. Before Friday night’s final formance, Logan sat in Rodeo initials were scrawled was still morning, and maybe it qualifying performance, the eighth place in the barrel across the fronts of the blue hood- didn’t matter that much. Golden Eagles were 26th in the ed sweatshirts that hid their hair Bailey pushed potatoes around men’s team standings and 30th race and hoped to qualify and drew attention to their sleepy her plate and Logan pulled apart a among the women. among the 12 cowgirls eyes. piece of bread as they started talk- Are they disappointed? You bet. who’ll race in today’s finals. The College of Southern Idaho ing with coach Steve Birnie about But it’s not over yet,and a meas- cowgirls hit the sack late Thursday the week and their chances for a ure of hopeful optimism remained and rolled out of bed around 8 a.m. championship ride today. AMY HUDDLESTON/Times-News Friday to care for their horses. It’s been a rough week, the three See RODEO, Main 2 Bridge ..............Classifieds 9 Crossword ......Classifieds 3 Obituaries..................Main 9 Isolated storms Comics ..........Classifieds 10 Dear Abby ........Classifieds 7 Opinion ................Main 10-11 73 / 45 Commodities........Religion 4 Jumble ..........Classifieds 12 Sudoku ............Classifieds 7 Main 12 You Are Invited to The Look Inside June 17th19th & June 24th26th to See a Sneak Peek Friday & Saturday 17pm of Some Of Sunday 15 pm the Homes! Main 2 Saturday, June 18, 2011 MORNING MIX TN Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho IF YOU DO ONE THING TODAY Buhl man faces charges relating to Auger Falls Fire Take in the bed races in downtown Twin Falls. Bed check at By Bradley Guire fine for each conviction. subdivision and others were Creek Canyon. The affidavit 10:30 a.m., races start at noon at Gooding Street and Main Times-News writer Twin Falls County Prose- evacuated as multiple crews notes that Jerome County Avenue.