44 / 25 AN UPWARD TRENDSEE BUSINESS 1 Idaho dairy exports jump more than 50 percent to $31 million in third quarter Partly cloudy. Business 4 GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL >>> Find out how your teams fared on a night of prep action, SPORTS 2 WEDNESDAY 75 CENTS November 18, 2009 MagicValley.com Otter seeks to block SOLEMN HOMECOMING peppergrass endangered listing By Nate Poppino Times-News writer SUN VALLEY — Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter is challenging a federal deci- sion to list a flower found in the desert of southwest Idaho under the Endangered Species Act, arguing that the govern- ment gave short shrift to conservation agreements worked out with local landowners. Slickspot peppergrass, found in a handful of Idaho counties, is set to officially become a “threatened” species early next month following a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision released in October. But Otter on Monday filed a complaint in federal court alleging Fish and See LISTING, Main 2 Photos by ASHLEY SMITH/Times-News Members of the Idaho Army National Guard Honor Guard take the casket of U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Mathew Heffelfinger into White Mortuary and Crematory in Twin Falls Tuesday. Heffelfinger was killed while flying a helicopter in Iraq on Nov. 8. Army Chief Warrant Officer Heffelfinger returned home By Ben Botkin Photo courtesy Boise State University Times-News writer Slickspot peppergrass Just past the fence surrounding Joslin Field, Magic Valley Regional Airport, an American flag fluttered in a gentle breeze Police still as veterans and others quietly stood at attention for Army Chief Warrant Officer Mathew C. Heffelfinger. investigating Heffelfinger’s body arrived at the airport at about 11 a.m. Tuesday. The 29-year-old sol- baby death dier from Kimberly died in an OH-5D “Kiowa” helicopter crash near Tikrit, Iraq, on Nov. 8 that also took the life of Chief Warrant at day care Officer Earl R. Scott, of Jacksonville, Fla. The By Andrea Jackson crash was not combat-related. Times-News writer A 42-degree wind blew across the field as sev- eral dozen people gathered past Joslin Field to Twin Falls police said wait for the procession. they are still investigating “You wish that they could all come back alive the July death of toddler and well,” said Bob Hillman of Twin Falls, a Brendan Becker, after Coast Guard veteran who represented American his parents received a Legion Post 7 of Twin Falls. ABOVE: Family and friends of U.S. $1.06 million civil judgment Cres Dealba and Bill Lineberry with the Army Chief Warrant Officer Mathew against the day care where Marine Corps League’s Magic Valley detach- Heffelfinger gather outside of White he stopped breathing. ment grasped an American flag and Marine Mortuary and Crematory as the No one has been charged Corps flag as they waited for the procession. casket is brought in. with a crime since 15- “I don’t know him,” Lineberry said. “I don’t LEFT: The procession for U.S. Army month-old Becker died on know his family. But he’s a brother.” Chief Warrant Officer Mathew July 5 at a Boise hospital. He Dealba echoed that theme. stopped breathing two days “We’re all a big family,”he said. Heffelfinger departs the Joslin earlier at Happy Feet Day An Idaho State Police patrol car slowly wound Field, Magic Valley Regional Care in Twin Falls, accord- its way past a line of people. Airport in Twin Falls on Tuesday. ing to Becker’s parents. Then the white hearse came through. Veterans The boy allegedly stopped saluted. Others placed their hands over their breathing while he was hearts. Magicvalley.com unsupervised in a car seat, The low rumble of motorcycles ridden by 20 WATCH a video of which was left in a play pen. the procession. “There’s no doubt this See SOLDIER, Main 2 baby was strangled by a car seat,” said the parents’ lawyer, Robyn Brody. And the day care neglect- ed Becker on only his second Gooding Elementary wins USDA award for health time there, according to Becker’s parents, who are By Damon Hunzeker Thursday morning to honor Williams said.“We want the requesting criminal charges Times-News writer Gooding Elementary School community to come out and be filed in their son’s death. as the first and only school On the Web help the kids celebrate. Twin Falls police did not Gooding Elementary stu- in the nation to earn View Gooding Elementary School’s YouTube video at They’ve put a lot of work offer a timeline Tuesday for dents are getting less fat the HealthierUS School http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ti2kFNunrk. into it. They’ve walked their investigation, though than their counterparts in Challenge Gold of thousands of miles (collec- it remains an open case. other districts. Distinction Award. tively) … They’ve pledged to Becker’s mom, Shyloh Idaho Superintendent of The effort toward creat- Health District report last 12.8 percent throughout the live healthier lifestyles, and Masuo, and his dad, Joshua Public Instruction Tom ing a healthy student body year, which found that the state. they have the evidence to Becker, both of Kimberly, Luna will join U.S. in Gooding has been a pri- state’s third-graders were “We’ll be celebrating the show they’ve done it.” filed the lawsuit against Department of Agriculture ority for several years but fattest in the south-central program, but Thursday is all The recognition — partly Happy Feet and owners Deputy Undersecretary was partially accelerated by district — 16.2 percent were about the kids,” Janey Thornton on a South Central Public obese, compared to Superintendent Heather See HEALTH, Main 2 See DEATH, Main 2 Bridge ..............Classifieds 7 Crossword ......Classifieds 5 Obituaries ............Food 9-10 Comics................Business 3 Dear Abby........Classifieds 5 Opinion ......................Main 8 GETTING TO THE BEEF OF THE MATTER Commodities ......Business 2 Jumble ............Classifieds 8 Sudoku ............Classifieds 3 Woman writes cattle ranch blog > Food 1 MORNINGMORNINGMain 2 Wednesday, November 18, 2009 BRIEFINGBRIEF- TN Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho Pat’s Picks TODAY’S HAPPENINGS Three things to do today ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Tiger Health and Wellness Clinic, service and Herrett Forum teaching clinic organized and managed by Pat Marcantonio West End Community Singers Christmas Jerome Middle School and High School stu- Cantata rehearsal, nondenominational choral dents, supervised by area health profes- • Hilarity and basketball Williams’ “A Streetcar group directed by Gary Heidel, for all interest- sionals; blood pressure checks, pulse, hit the court with the Named Desire.”Auditions ed singers, no auditions, music furnished by height/weight and urinalysis for glucose Harlem Ambassadors will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. donations, 7 to 9 p.m., Buhl United Methodist levels available to community adults and Basketball Show at 7 p.m. at the College of Southern Church, 908 Maple St., 308-4939. children (accompanied by adult), 1:30 to at the Canyon Ridge High Idaho Fine Arts Recital Hall Random Acts of Theatre Players open audi- 3:30 p.m., Summit Elementary School, 200 School Gym in Twin Falls. 119 in Twin Falls. tions for Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar 10th Ave. W., Jerome, no cost, 324-3396 ext. This is fundraiser for Information: Tamara Named Desire,” produced and directed by 2805. Habitat for Humanity of Harmon, 420-3979 or ran- Jerome High School theater director Shane TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) ID No. 3 the Magic Valley. Tickets [email protected] Brown, 7 to 8:30 p.m., College of Southern Chapter of Twin Falls, weigh ins, 4:30 to start at $12 for adults at the om. Idaho Fine Arts Recital Hall 119, Twin Falls, 5:20 p.m. and meeting, 5:30 to 6 p.m., The door. Advance tickets are • Taste international. CSI script provided for readings; bring $1 (those Church of Christ, 2002 Filer Ave. E., (corner $8 at Canyon Ridge, Diversity Council students without $1 also welcome), 420-3979 or rando- of Sunrise Street and Filer Avenue), 736- Everybody’s Business and will hold the International [email protected]. 9282. the Habitat for Humanity Dinner fundraiser from TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) ID No. 388 ReStore in Twin Falls. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in CSI’s BENEFITS AND FUNDRAISERS Chapter of Malta, a weight-loss support • Have you ever seen Taylor Building Cafeteria group, 5:30 p.m., Raft River Electric Board College of Southern Idaho Diversity Council’s yourself as Brando’s Stanley and Fine Arts Center lobby. room, 155 N. Main St., 208-645-2438. International Dinner fundraiser, features inter- Kowalsy? Then think about There will be food and Cancer Support Group, 7 to 8:30 p.m., MSTI national foods and entertainers, including EDUCATION/LECTURE auditioning for the Random entertainment. CSI stu- Twin Falls Cancer Center Lobby, St. Luke’s Uzbek, Turkish,African, Mexican and others, Herrett Forum, Niels S. Nokkentved to Acts of Theatre Players dents are free, other tickets Magic Valley Medical Center, 650 Addison 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. with dinner from 5:30 to 7 discuss development of Canal Company presentation of Tennessee are $5 to $15. Ave. W., Twin Falls, 737-2800. p.m. and festival from 7 to 8:30 p.m., CSI’s and key issues in development of today’s Taylor Building cafeteria and Fine Arts lobby, water law, 7:30 p.m., Rick Allen Community Twin Falls, $5 for CSI students (first 200 CSI Room of the Herrett Center for the Arts and HOBBIES AND CRAFTS students with current ID admitted free), $15 Science, College of Southern Idaho campus, Square dance lessons, 7 p.m., American Listing for adults and $5 for ages 18 and younger (no Twin Falls, no cost, open to public, 732- Legion Hall, North Lincoln Street, Jerome, Continued from Main 1 the issue at the Idaho Cattle cost for children under age 5), 732-6262.