46 / 28 WRESTLING TOURNEY TIME ELEVATED GOALS EARNING THEIR SPOTS Rock climbing a passion for Area schools hit the mats Cloudy, chance of flurries. Kimberly woman >>> SEE OUTDOORS 1 with state berths on the line. Business 4 PUMPHEADLINE PAIN>>>>>>Teaser,Area gasoline SECTION prices X highest in state, BUSINESS 1 >>> SEE SPORTS 1 THURSDAY 75 CENTS February 18, 2010 MagicValley.com U.S. Baptists released from jail The group said it was on a visit to Haiti in December. Eastside pastor, members on their way home; humanitarian mission to rescue Coulter earlier Wednesday orphaned victims of last month’s briefly received treatment at a hos- two missionaries from Boise still being held devastating earthquake. But aid pital, then was taken back to jail. By Nate Poppino and Andrew Weeks Thompson, of Amarillo, Texas, groups and Haitian officials deter- Saint-Vil said he had asked for Times-News writers said of his son Paul, a pastor at mined many of the 33 children they Coulter to be hospitalized because Eastside Baptist Church in Twin carried were not orphans, and had of her diabetes. By now, Clyde Thompson’s son Falls, grandson Silas and their in fact been handed over to the Returning home are three mem- and grandson should be back in the peers. group by distressed parents. The bers each of the Twin Falls church United States. The Baptists, arrested more than group had been charged with child and Central Valley Baptist Church In fact, only two of 10 U.S. two weeks ago while trying to cross kidnapping and criminal associa- in Meridian, as well as two resi- Baptists imprisoned in Haiti were the Haitian border into the tion. dents of Kansas and Texas. Paul AP photo not freed on Wednesday. Dominican Republic with a bus- Saint-Vil told the Associated Thompson, 43, was accompanied Steve McMullin, 56, of Twin Falls, one of For the families of Laura Silsby load of children, won provisional Press on Wednesday that he decid- by his son Silas, 19, and church and Charisa Coulter, the long release from Judge Bernard Saint- ed to release the group after par- member Steve R. McMullin, 55. 10 United States missionaries arrested ordeal isn’t over. But for Vil. All but Silsby and Coulter were ents testified they voluntarily The eight — looking bedraggled on charges of child kidnapping, leaves a Thompson and his wife, Shirley, allowed to board a plane handed over their children. He still and sweat-soaked — walked out of Haitian jail in Port-au-Prince, on Wed- Wednesday was a day of relief. Wednesday evening and return wants to question Silsby and the jail escorted by U.S. diplomats nesday. Eight of the 10 U.S. missionaries “We’re really glad to know that home without any bail or other Coulter, the co-founders of New HAITI arrested were released Wednesday. they’re released,” Clyde conditions. Life Children’s Refuge, about their See , Main 2 Seniors, senators blast plan to cut $30M DISCUSSION campsite discounts federal agency proposed Proposal would shrinking the fee discount to 10 percent. Concessionaires drop discount to would also have to offer a 10 percent discount to those 10 percent off groups at “standard amenity recreation fee” day-use sites By Nate Poppino they operate. Times-News writer Forest Service representa- tives argued in a public The U.S. Forest Service is notice that the change is considering allowing private necessary to keep conces- companies that manage sionaires from raising fees many of its campgrounds to for other campground users charge more to senior citi- and ensure access stays fair zens and people with dis- for all Americans. Agency abilities, cutting a long-run- staff said Tuesday it may be ning discount as the nation some time before a decision grows older. is made. For years, people holding The number of senior citi- lifetime Senior and Access zens in the U.S. is expected passes or the previous to rise to more than 20 per- Golden Age and Access cent of the nation’s overall passes were entitled to population over the next MEAGAN THOMPSON/Times-News 50 percent off the cost of decade, driven by the baby Jaden Birge, 8, right runs from Hunter Moller, 7, in a game they made up during a ‘free time’ activity Wednesday afternoon in the gymnasium staying at campgrounds boomer generation, and dis- managed by concession- at the Boys and Girls Club of Magic Valley in Twin Falls. City officials this week said discussions of building a $30 million city recreation cen- aires. But in December, the See DISCOUNTS, Main 2 ter to expand recreational opportunities for residents are in their infancy stage. Magicvalley.com T.F. Council weighs in more on rec-center idea READ more about the proposal on the Forest Service’s Web site, and read Snake River By Nate Poppino people who participated in others on the council found city pool in as soon as five Dispatches, an environmental blog. Times-News writer the 2004 attempt, such as the idea a “worthy discus- years. Salvation Army Maj. Ed sion,” but one that first Councilman Trip Craig, Twin Falls city officials Patterson. But members of requires a close exploration the council liaison for both made clear this week that talk the Twin Falls City Council of the costs involved. the pool board and the parks Police seek leads in about building a community on Tuesday evening took Aside from construction, commission, questioned if recreation center is just that time to say they aren’t eager Councilman Lance Clow the pool and parks commit- — talk. to rush into the idea, though wondered what the ongoing tees should combine their But there certainly is a lot it is worth discussing. operations and maintenance efforts or if talk of forming a shooting of Gooding of discussion going on. Council members who costs would be. recreation district should Six years after a failed bid spoke seemed concerned Also on Tuesday, Mayor enter into the discussion.The by the city and several other that city residents think the Don Hall referred to “several board has also mentioned the officer’s home organizations to secure a center is already a done deal. partners” interested in talk- thought of building a grant for a $40 million recre- In fact, after news of Parks ing to the city about a center. retractable ceiling for the By Andrea Jackson “At this time we have ation center, the city’s Parks and Recreation’s plan broke On Wednesday, he clarified pool, he said, but that could Times-News writer and Recreation Commission last week, city spokeswoman there have been no recent cost a couple million dollars. no definite suspects announced it intends to Julie Pence called the Times- formal talks,but he’s certain- These discussions come as Without any arrests yet in explore what it would take to News to say a center wasn’t ly heard interest from the city staff are putting together the drive-by shooting of a and no eye witnesses construct and operate a sim- going to happen. City community. a five-year plan looking at Gooding police officer’s res- and we would like the ilar large-scale facility. The Manager Tom Courtney The council also wondered projects, operating costs and idence in December, Idaho project is one of many listed clarified Tuesday evening how the issue relates to other other details. Hall suggested State Police Det. Gary public’s help.” on a new long-term Parks staff are not opposed to the long-term planning discus- some of the funding and Kaufman requested leads — Idaho State Police and Recreation plan drawn idea but wanted to make sure sions going on, including talk project discussions should from the public on Det. Gary Kaufman up by the commission, and is people know it’s in its infan- on the city Pool Advisory happen during strategic Wednesday. also a goal in the city’s com- cy. Board about how, when and planning later this fall after The incident left an concerns — the officer prehensive plan. At Tuesday’s meeting, if a replacement bubble the long-range plan is com- unidentified officer’s home remains working with the The idea has intrigued Councilman Lee Heider and should be purchased for the plete. along Fifth Avenue in department and there has Gooding riddled with bullets not since been another simi- on Dec. 20, though no one lar shooting, confirmed was hurt. To prevent any Gooding Police Chief Jeff Proposal would crack down on exposing children to drugs conflict issues, Gooding Perry on Wednesday. police requested that state “At this time we have no By Ben Botkin children to methampheta- three years in prison and a Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls, police handle the investiga- definite suspects and no eye Times-News writer mines, cocaine or heroin. fine as high as $5,000. A and Rep. Rich Wills, R- tion. witnesses and we would like Local law enforcement offi- second offense would bring Glenns Ferry. Block said the “Usually when an officer the public’s help,” said BOISE — Area lawmakers cials and prosecutors say it’s up to a decade in prison and proposal would help deal is a crime victim of some- Kaufman. plan to propose legislation a tool that’s needed to help a fine of up to $25,000. with the state’s problem of thing this serious, an outside Though she didn’t see the that cracks down on adults child protection and add Rep. Sharon Block, R- adult drug abuse that hurts agency is requested to inves- shooting, one Fifth Avenue who expose children to hard teeth to the existing state Twin Falls, has been work- children and sets them up tigate,”said Kaufman.