City Council to Meet on Tuesday Next Week
The City Council next week will be on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, rather than on Monday, which is the Martin Luther King Day holiday. Among the topics on the agenda are new building fees, parking, fines for idling engines (see separate story) and the travel budget for council members. City offices will be closed on Monday.
Seibel, Nieves Appointed to Urban Renewal Agency
Shelley Seibel, a financial adviser at Edward Jones, and Mark Nieves, a technology consultant, have been named to the Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency. They replace Mark Eshman and Trish Wilson, whose terms have ended. "We appreciate their service, as well as the willingness of the new members to offer their talents to the city," Mayor Nina Jonas said.
Idling Fine May Drop to $10
Police Chief Dave Kassner is recommending that the fine for idling a vehicle more than three minutes be changed to a flat fee of $10. The fine currently is based on a sliding scale starting with a warning. However, the city's software is unable to handle the sliding scale, he said. The City Council will consider this at its meeting Monday at 5:30 p.m.
Ski to Support Air Service
Buy a $40 lift ticket, for use on Jan. 25 only, and support air service. Tickets are available locally until Jan. 24 at Board Bin, Formula Sports, PK's Rentals, Ski Tek, Sturtevants and Sturtos Hailey. See Fly Sun Valley Alliance for details. Get hotel specials for your out-town-friends, too.
Sculptors May Apply for Outdoor Exhibit
The Ketchum Arts Commission is inviting sculptors to showcase their work for the eighth annual "Art on Fourth" outdoor sculpture exhibition. Selected artwork will be featured in the heart of downtown Ketchum along the Fourth Street Heritage Corridor.
Apply Now for Grants to Summer Events
Sponsors of events scheduled for June-October have until Feb. 27 to apply for grants from the Ketchum Events Commission. The city offers cash grants to events in their first three years of production.
Mountain Biking for High School Athletes
High school athletes in Idaho will soon be able to participate in cross-country cycling, thanks to the newly organized Idaho High School Cycling League, a 501(3)(c) company. Local programs are planned for next fall.
200 Ice Skaters a Day at Free Outdoor Rink
The free Christina Potters Outdoor Ice Rink at Atkinson Park attracted about 200 visitors a day over the holidays, with 60 to 100 people on the rink at any given time. Loaner skates and other equipment are available. John Kearney, city recreation supervisor, is among local residents who will participate in the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships in Minnesota this weekend.
Ketchum, Sun Valley Fire Rescue Injured Nordic Skier
Ketchum and Sun Valley fire departments worked together to rescue an injured cross-country skier in the Billy's Bridge area on Jan. 2. The cooperation of both departments and the use of the special, over-snow vehicle stored and maintained at Sun Valley, shortened the rescue time by about an hour, Fire Chief Mike Elle said.
Police Department to Get New Patrol Deputy
Garrett Matthew Ruckle will join the Ketchum Police Department as a patrol officer on Jan. 26. Ruckle is a 2013 graduate of Boise State University. He recently moved to the Wood River Valley from Eagle, where he worked with the Boys and Girls Club of America as a youth development assistant. Garrett grew up in Orange County, Calif., and has volunteered his time coaching both ice hockey and baseball. The Blaine County Sheriff's Office, which provides police services to Ketchum, announced Ruckle's appointment yesterday.
Fill a Bowl for the Hungry on Jan. 18
The 5th annual Empty Bowls lunch will be Sunday, Jan. 18 at the Presbyterian Church of the Bigwood. For $20 you get lunch and a handmade bowl made by volunteers at Boulder Mountain Clayworks. Proceeds benefit The Hunger Coalition.
Strategic Plan for BCSD
The Blaine County School District will have a series of community meetings starting Jan. 21 to brainstorm ideas for a new strategic plan.
Casino Royale Set for Jan. 24.
The 7th Annual Casino Royale, hosted by Company of Fools, offers an evening of casino games, cocktails and fundraising to benefit Company of Fools professional theatre company.
Sun Valley Nordic Festival Starts Jan. 30
Get ready for the Sun Valley Nordic Festival, including the Jan. 31 benefit for Galena Lodge. The Banff Film Festival also starts Jan. 30.
Blaine County Residents Save Through Refinancing
Blaine County ranked fourth in Idaho in the amount residents saved through refinancing properties. There were 654 loans refinanced in Blaine County, with an average annual savings of $8,359 per loan. First in Idaho was Ada County, where 10,163 loans were refinanced with an average annual savings of $3,177 per loan, according to Smart Asset.com