WEISER SIGNALProudly serving the Weiser River Valley AMERICAN since 1882 This edition is for Shannon Williams and the people of Washington County WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019 PAPER NUMBER 12 WEEK 12 YEAR 137 $1.50 PER COPY USPS 673-600 WEISER CHEERLEADERS ARE STATE CHAMPIONS Vaccination rate higher than state average Immunization rate for Weiser School District at 91.1 percent by Steve Lyon The Weiser School District’s vaccination rate of 91.1 percent for the current school year is above the state average of 86.5 percent but slightly below the state target of 94 percent. The state’s target of 94 percent is the number that state health of- ficials say is necessary – a sort of critical mass of vaccinated students – to protect against the spread of highly contagious childhood diseases. Weiser School District officials said with a 91.1 percent vaccina- tion rate, it can be assumed that about 9 percent of Weiser school The Weiser High School cheer team performed an excellent show at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa, the site of the 3A state students are not fully immunized, cheerleading championships on Saturday. Weiser earned top scores in all-girl show routine and pom routine and a second-place which represents about 135 stu- finish in sideline routine. Weiser finished first overall in points and in addition to their athleticism, the Weiser squad also earned dents. top honors for academics. Read more on page 11. Photo by Nicole Miller Parents who opt out of re- quired immunizations must fill out a form that is kept on file with the school district. Some opt out County commissioners discuss issues, concerns for medical reasons, others for religious or personal beliefs, oth- ers because they do not believe in in lengthy meeting with Forest Service officials vaccinations, superintendent Wil by Steve Lyon There is a disconnect between policy Based on early laws and court precedents, Overgaard said. Washington County commissioners met changes to increase timber sales and how McIntosh has maintained that grazing allot- The highest opt-out rates in the with Payette National Forest officials, in- the Forest Service is managing the 125,000 ments are private property under the concept state are found in northern Idaho. cluding forest supervisor Keith Lannom, in acres of public lands in Washington County. of “split estate.” The government owns the In 2017-18, the vaccine exemp- a wide-ranging discussion on issues from Invoking the history of the federal agency mineral rights and the commercial timber tion rate in Bonner County was grazing allotments to logging. and the constitution, Chandler said the graz- rights and the rancher owns valuable land 23.8 percent. The lowest opt-out The 90-minute special meeting on Friday ing allotments ranchers have on public lands for grazing and stock water rights. rates by parents are found in east- gave commissioners the opportunity to ex- managed by the Forest Service come with Lannom said the commissioner’s charac- ern Idaho. press their views, and frustrations, on forest private property rights. terization of grazing allotments as private The issue of vaccination rates management and policies. Chandler also cited views expressed by property was a legal opinion that he was not first arose when cases of the mea- Commissioner Kirk Chandler said he’s Angus McIntosh, executive director of the willing to discuss without legal counsel. sles showed up in the neighboring heard of new directives coming down from Grazing Allotment Owners Association, Lannom said the agency has evolved state of Washington and sparked the Trump administration that affect public who has argued that ranchers are partial since its early days and it is not managed concern that Idaho schools with lands, but he doesn’t see it locally on the owners of their grazing allotments and not ground. mere lessees of public land. see PUBLIC LANDS, Page 8 see RATES, Page 8 County commission considers giving bridge back to Midvale Officials question maintaining bridge in the city limits by Steve Lyon structed in 1995, but the main- out to Bonner Road. Washington County commis- tenance agreement has never Wilkins said maintaining the sioners are considering ending been rescinded and still requires road surface on the bridge would an agreement with the city of the county to fix potholes in the not cost the city a lot. If there is Midvale that would turn over pavement or plow it in the win- a problem, the county would step maintenance of the main bridge ter. in and offer to help, anyway. over the Weiser River back to The agreement does contain “It’s not going to cost them the city. language that allows either the a pile of money to maintain,” The county has been respon- county or the city of Midvale to Wilkins said. sible for the bridge under a joint- terminate it at the request of ei- In the event of something ma- powers agreement that officials ther party. jor happening to the bridge the said dates to the 1960s and is no Arlen Wilkins, the county’s city of Midvale could get a grant longer applicable. road department supervisor, to fix it just as easily as the coun- Back then, the county took questioned why the county is ty to fix it. The county would over maintenance of the old still maintaining 300 feet of have to contract out any bridge bridge because the city couldn’t pavement that is entirely withn work just like the city would as afford a new one and also be- the city limits of Midvale. The well. cause county residents used it. city of Midvale takes care of the A newer bridge was con- road on both sides of the bridge see BRIDGE, Page 8 2 WEISER SIGNAL AMERICAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2019 Coming Up Bingo at the Senior Center The Weiser Senior and Community Center is hosting bingo every Monday night. Doors open at 6 p.m., with games starting at 7 p.m. The Weiser Senior Obituariesmic should anyone would was “Gabby” for those and Community Center is located at 115 E. Main St. For more information, like to share their memo- who knew her. Charlotte’s call (208) 414-0750. ries of Charlotte. love was her family and Fit and Fall Proof Classes Charlotte was born Oct. friends. She will be missed Fit and Fall Proof classes are held at the Vendome Events Center in Weiser 30, 1940. She was born, by all who knew and loved on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The classes are free raised and graduated high her. and are a functional fitness class for older adults. school in Weiser, Idaho. Charlotte enjoyed gar- Weiser Lions Club meetings Sept. 7, 1963 Charlotte dening, camping, fishing, The Weiser Lions meet monthly on the first Wednesday at noon and the married Robert Green antiques, crocheting and third Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Idaho Pizza. If you share our passion for help- and they celebrated their Nascar. She also enjoyed ing others in our community, please join us. Everyone is welcome. 50th anniversary together visiting Jackpot Nevada. on Sept. 7, 2013. Robert Charlotte is survived Weiser Elks Lodge bingo passed away August 2014. by daughter, Diana Green, Have a fun evening at the Weiser Elks Lodge playing bingo on Thursday Charlotte, Robert and evenings starting at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and play. son, Allen Green of Weis- family farmed in Weiser er, sister Viola Lovegreen Senior Center Breakfast and the Vale area. Charlotte Bichler (Anton) of Merid- The Weiser Senior and Community Center will serve breakfasts on the serviced the community ian, brother, Charles Love- first Saturday of every month from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Gem State Fiddlers Charlotte Mae with her business “CHAR- green of Emmett, She is will entertain. Cost for the all you can eat breakfast is $6. (Lovegreen) Green LOTTE’S CLEANERS” also survived by grandchil- Wellness program starting at Christian Church Charlotte M. Green, 78, for 14 years of which she dren, and great grandchil- First Place for Health is a biblically based, medically trustworthy wellness years of age, of Weiser, started the Coats for Kids dren, nieces and nephews program that will be starting in Weiser in April. Please attend an informa- Idaho passed away on program. She was in- and cousins. tional meeting on Wednesday, March 20, at noon at Weiser Christian Church March 12, 2019 peacefully. volved with 4-H and PTA. Charlotte was preceded to learn more about this exciting program. It’s the spiritual solution to our A Celebration of Life for She also was active with in death by her husband, physical problem. For more information, call Pastor Lyndon at 208-550-2547. Charlotte will be held on St. Agnes Catholic church Robert Green, parents Eva Youth Symphony to present Classical Concert Saturday, March 23, 2019, and the LDS church. Her and Charlie Lovegreen, The Weiser Youth Symphony will present its Classical Concert on Friday, 10:30 a.m. at the Church faith in God was inspiring. and son, Bryan Green. March 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the Snake River Heritage Center. The concert will of Jesus Christ of Latter- She was a member of In lieu of flowers donations feature special violin soloist, Noah Uebelhoer, playing the Bruch Violin day Saints, Weiser. This the Elk’s Lodge, Chamber may be sent to Lienkaem- Concerto. Admission is sold at the door for $5 individual and $20 family. day will be a celebration of Commerce and was the per-Thomasons Funeral Come for a special evening and to hear this amazing young artist.