This week, City of Nampa residents and businesses should have received a mailer from our office to ensure our taxpayers knew about our participation in the Governor's Public Safety Grant Initiative. Participating municipalities received a reimbursement for public safety expenses related to COVID-19. With a focus on fiscal stewardship, participation in this single year program saved Nampa taxpayers $8.8 million. The average Nampa homeowner experienced a savings between $100 to $400 based upon the assessed value of their property. We encourage you to please check your mailbox and/or click the "view mailer" button below to view a digital version.

Our Saint Alphonsus Nampa hospital held our first vaccine clinic for front line healthcare workers on Thursday, December 17. Throughout the morning, the sense of excitement was palpable, almost celebratory. You could see hope and encouragement on our colleagues' and providers' faces. We will continue to administer the vaccine to frontline healthcare workers in stages as the shipments come in with a phased approach over time until all who choose to get the vaccine receive it. We are looking forward to brighter days and with the support from our community, we know we will get there. This means that we need to continue to take safety precautions, wearing face coverings, hand sanitizing, and physical distancing. Even after a vaccine is received, it is important to continue wearing a face covering and practicing these safety precautions until our medical experts tell us it is safe to stop. We will not be able to reduce community spread until the majority of our community has been vaccinated and protected against the virus, which may take us well into the Spring/Fall of 2021. You can find timely information on our website saintalphonsus.org/coronavirus/vaccine.

As we see the rise of positive COVID-19 cases in our community, St. Luke’s Nampa is seeing an increase in the number of people being admitted to the hospital that are positive for COVID-19.  Today, over 50% of those in the adult inpatient departments are COVID-19 positive (excluding the Women’s & nursery department).

The St. Luke’s nurses and providers are doing all they can to manage the increasing numbers of people becoming ill after being exposed to this disease. Many of these frontline heroes are working extra shifts and overtime. 

People are dying from this disease. You may hear folks say that COVID-19 is not so bad because the death rate is only 3%. The Southwest Health District website shows that Nampa already had 10,238 residents who have tested positive with COVID-19. Three percent of 10,238 is a lot of people. We should do all we can to prevent the spread. Over the coming holidays, we should limit gathering sizes, stay home when sick, wear a mask, and wash hands regularly. 

Even with the challenges we face, I remain optimistic. St. Luke’s Health System began administering the new Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to its frontline health care workers this morning.  I am hopeful that we will soon see the end of this pandemic. 

Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nursing Officer

St. Luke’s Health System

This week the Nampa Police Department had a little fun on social media sharing how a chicken landed on one of their cars. You can enjoy the interview from KTVB with Officer Watt here.

Each Thursday in December, we're taking a moment to share appreciation for frontline workers with #thankyouthursday on social media!

Please join us - or reach out privately - by thanking our frontline workers.

The Idaho Transportation Department has been hard at work in our community making many much-needed improvements to our roadways. They recently published a time-lapse video of the Northside Boulevard Interchange improvements made over the last year.

Ready to give back to your community? Click the link to learn about ways you can serve on boards and commissions within the City of Nampa.

There are multiple programs available to assist the community during this time. Click here or button to right for more information.

The Nampa Chamber of Commerce has graciously agreed to be a one-stop shop for all local businesses, and has a variety of other resources including free masks, hand sanitizer and COVID-19 related signs in English and Spanish.

Please show your support for our community by taking the One Idaho pledge at one.idaho.gov.

COVID-19 FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

Thanks to the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare and the Hispanic/Latino COVID-19 Task Force, a variety of bilingual signs are available for local businesses or organizations. If interested, email bowmana@cityofnampa.us or pick up today at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Nampa Chamber of Commerce or Southwest District Health.

Nampa is committed to being a safe and healthy community where people prosper.

Please do your part and remember to respect and

be kind to each other and our local businesses.

Southwest District Health Re-Opening Guidance

Idaho Rebound Cash Grants for Small Businesses - LINK

Download your Nampa Ready Business Posters here: 8.5x11  11x17