Idaho News (Boise, Nampa, Meridian: credit rating, centers, transportation)

[clearwater66]

If anyone is interested in knowing where fires are burning, use this site to get name and location. Click on the fire name and a map will appear. Updates are posted frequently.

InciWeb the Incident Information System: Idaho Incidents

A vehicle fire started on Highway 12, near Orofino a day ago and is growing and moving uphill, away from the highway. The Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protection has taken over from the Orofino Fire Department and they have not released news. Some photos are showing traffic slowed or stopped for equipment. This is a heavily, summer trafficked highway that becomes the Lolo Pass to Missoula. If you plan to travel in highway 12, prepare for smoke and slowed traffic.

[Syringaloid]

Nice. Idaho continues to become more diverse.


Labor Department: Hispanic Population Continues to Grow, Represents 12 Percent of Idaho | Unda' the Rotunda | Boise Weekly

[VandalsLOL]

Yet, on the other hand...

Otter calls marriage ruling 'truly disappointing'

Our esteemed governor's comments:

"Today's decision is truly disappointing for states, including Idaho, where the people chose to define marriage for themselves as between one man and one woman," he said in a statement. "I have maintained from the very beginning that it should be the prerogative of the states – not the courts – to determine whether same-sex marriage is consistent with the values, character, and moral fabric of that particular state. That is why it was especially troubling that the Court treated the 10th Amendment as a footnote, instead of the guiding principle our founding fathers intended."

[clearwater66]

BOISE, ID - Beginning tomorrow, vehicle registration fees are going up $21 for Idaho residents. In addition, the state's tax on gasoline, diesel, ethanol blends, and biodiesel blends will increase seven cents per gallon - from .25 to .32-cents. Lawmakers expect it will raise about $95 million a year for the state's roads and bridges.

Other fuel tax increases:
- Propane to 23.2 cents per gallon.

- Compressed natural gas to 32 cents per gallon (gas gallon equivalent).

- Liquefied natural gas to 34.9 cents per gallon (diesel gallon equivalent).

More information on motor fuels taxes: Fuels / Motor Fuels Tax - Idaho State Tax Commission .

Also beginning tomorrow, a new Idaho law will exempt purchases of prescription eyeglasses and eyeglass component parts from the state sales tax. Purchases of prescription contact lenses are exempt from sales tax as of July 1, 2016.

For more information, see House Bill 75: Bill Status: H0075 .
Additional information on Idaho's new tax laws: Tax Update for June 2015 - Idaho State Tax Commission .


I think the heat is causing people on this forum to become a little testy....

[clearwater66]

For highway construction projects throughout the state

BOISE, ID - The Idaho Transportation Department is unveiling a new online interactive map that will help Idaho residents learn about a variety of highway projects that are planned in their communities. The map will allow users to focus on the areas that they are interested in and choose the specific project types they want to learn about.
From the ITD:
It can be viewed at: Idaho Transportation Department....

[Syringaloid]

Latah County Adds LGBT Protections to Personnel Policy | Unda' the Rotunda | Boise Weekly

Latah County Adds LGBT Protections to Personnel Policy

[Syringaloid]

Anna Webb, Helping Works: Boisean named World Refugee Day ‘Champion of Change’ | Helping Works | Idahostatesman.com

Boisean named World Refugee Day ‘Champion of Change’

Posted by Anna Webb on July 6, 2015


Mrwan Sweeden, an Iraqi doctor who fled Iraq and came to the U.S. as a refugee in 2008, received his award at the White House in June. Champions of Change are those who have worked to help refugees overcome considerable challenges as they resettle in new homes.

Sweeden, a participant in Global Talent Idaho, a program featured in the Idaho Statesman that helps refugees with professional skills find jobs, started a pilot program called “GTI Docs.” The program provides guidance for refugee and immigrant doctors who want to practice medicine in the U.S., explore alternative careers in their field, and more.

Sweeden is currently working as a medical interpreter in Boise, studying for his medical license, applying to graduate schools, and leading GTI Docs. He graduated from Baghdad Medical School in 2003 and practiced medicine at a hospital in Ramadi and as project manager for the Commission on Public Integrity in Iraq. After leaving Iraq, Sweeden worked as a doctor and health insurance consultant in Jordan before coming to the U.S. His first job, before connecting with Upwardly Global, a partner organization of Global Talent Idaho, was operating a hot dog cart. Upwardly Global helped him re-enter the medical field with a biotech company in San Jose. He then served as a combat medic. After finishing his service, Sweeden moved to Boise in 2013 to be closer to his family.

[Syringaloid]

I would add this story to my previous post this morning but for some reason the "edit" button at this forum is not allowed after a few minutes....very strange imo.


Quilting to Speak: Boise Refugees / Non-Refugees Stitch Quilt, Weave New Relationships | Citydesk | Boise Weekly

Quilting to Speak: Boise Refugees / Non-Refugees Stitch Quilt, Weave New Relationships

“We have an ethical responsibility to treat refugees like people instead of like refugees,” Clinton Leech, a Boise State student in Mukherjee’s class, said about the treatment of refugees. “The word [refugee] has some negative connotations… we need to think more about what we can do for them and less about what they can do for us.”

[clearwater66]

SPOKANE, WA - Potlatch Corporation says it will close its Idaho lands to public access effective Tuesday, July 14. The state's forests are at extremely high risk of fire due to unprecedented dry conditions for this time of year. The closure will remain in effect until further notice.
From Potlatch Corporation:
Authorized company employees and contractors will continue to be allowed access for harvesting and other management activities and will operate in accordance with restrictions imposed by the State of Idaho. Additional information and answers to questions related to the closure can be found on the company website at http://recreation.potlatchcorp.com .

[clearwater66]

Volunteers needed! Rail infrastructure inspections.

Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper - Sandpoint, Idaho
Lake Pend Oreille WATERKEEPER
volunteer opportunity offer experience in Citizen Science and grassroots advocacy.

2015 Rail Bridge Inspection Initiative
Examining the infrastructure that carries fossil fuels through our watershed

Waterkeepers throughout the United States and Canada are pushing for meaningful action on deteriorating rail bridges carrying dangerous coal and oil trains. This push includes an awesome initiative to evaluate the safety of rail bridges across North America. LPOW has adopted this initiative for our watershed, and we need your help to get it done!

The Waterkeeper Alliance Rail Bridges Inspection Initiative includes three steps:

1. Waterkeepers and volunteers inspect rail bridges and rail infrastructure in their watersheds, sharing the inspection information with the Waterkeeper Alliance.

2. Waterkeeper Alliance works with partners to compile this information into a hard-hitting report on the extent of deteriorating rail bridges and rail infrastructure, including the dangers posed by this neglect.

3. Waterkeeper Alliance and Waterkeeper Organizations, including LPOW, use this report to push for meaningful action to ensure the safety of rail bridges and infrastructure.

YOU can join this effort to protect communities and our waterways from the dangers posed by crude-by-rail transport. We'll teach you how to inspect rail bridges near your home or recreation areas, and supply a field manual you can use for reference.

For more details, please contact our program director: kelsey@lpow.org

Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper - Sandpoint, Idaho I 208.597.7188 I PO Box 732 Sandpoint ID 83864


109 North 1st Avenue
Suite B
Sandpoint ID 83864
USA

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