COVID-19 SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
Latest Covid-19 numbers are better except for Idaho Falls
Steele Memorial Chief Executive Officer Jeanie Gentry reported to the Salmon City Council Wednesday evening, March 17, that 122 employees of the hospital have received the COVID-19 vaccination which amounts to 60 percent of the hospital staff. She said some of the staff members were refraining in the name of being guinea pigs but have now decided to go ahead.
She quoted from a report sent by Eastern Idaho Public Health Director Geri Rackow which shows the Health Department is now working on delivering vaccinations for the Priority 2.3 group. That grouping includes Ag and food workers, manufacturing workers, US Postal Service workers as well as all the previously eligible groups of 65 and older, healthcare workers, first responders, and teachers.
The most recent schedule for vaccinations is; March 15 for people aged 55-64 with at least one medical condition which puts them at an increased risk for the virus; March 22 for people aged 55-64 from the general population; March 29 for those aged 45-54 with at least one condition that puts them at risk and, April 5 for those aged 45-54 from the general population.
April 12 those aged 16-44 with at least one medical condition will be vaccinated and April 26 is for those aged 16-44 from the general population. For a full list of what is considered “at risk” visit the CDC web site.
Gentry said that the state’s Vaccine Transparency web site shows 1,786 local residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine. She said things remain quiet in Lemhi County COVID-19 wise, however, the virus is on the rise in Idaho Falls. She advised precautions if anyone is headed that way.
On an increasingly brighter note, Jared Bragg of the Salmon Hockey Association said thanks to the great local volunteer effort and a great program, after 30 years Salmon has now become a hockey destination spot. He said there were 172 skaters this year and Salmon hosted eight tournaments six of which were full. There was a total of 160 youth games at the rink this year compared to 150 last year.
Back in November of 2020 when numbers were high and Salmon was in the critical virus zone, he said the association put together a COVID-19 Plan. They took attendance for the purpose of tracking; they took temperatures of the players and Steele Memorial helped them develop a locker room plan which he said was followed reasonably well. The tournaments ran from mid-November until February.
This year the association’s intention was to obtain a new Zamboni machine for the rink but soon found out that it could not be purchased from Canada, as intended, due to US emissions requirements. They had raised money for a Zamboni but all they could find on the internet was a brand-new machine or one with way too many miles. An anonymous donor offered to make up the difference between what had been raised and the cost of a used one. To the delight of all concerned a machine was purchased from California that only had 25 hours on it and the purchase was the highlight of the season.
Bragg is also the High School Hockey Coach. The team made it to the State Championship where it lost to Boise by a score of 4 to 3. Losing by such a margin to a school the size of Boise was a personal highlight for him.
The association’s next goal is $500,000 worth of concrete insulation under the rink that could result in a 55 percent energy savings. Bragg estimates that goal will take from four to five years to achieve. He mentioned it to the City Council in keeping with the approval process agreement to use city land for the rink.
Putting the new $500,000 goal in perspective, Bragg said a 2019 economic impact study revealed the Hockey Rink brings in $1.7 million dollars a year to Lemhi County. In four years, that would be close to $7 million. He said $500,000 is a big amount to raise but there is also a big benefit.’), (4279, ‘BYRNE JUSTICE GRANT’, ‘2021-04-07’, 1, ‘City Council officially accepts Byrne Justice monies.’, ‘DRUGS COMING THIS WAY 4-7-21 LMS
The city of Salmon has officially accepted a Byrne Justice (no-matching funds required) Grant of $94,604.
Police Department Sergeant Terry Stratton explained the details of the grant to the April 7 City Council meeting. He said the money is a grant to pay equipment and overtime costs related to drug traffic which according to Stratton “…is coming this way.”
He said Salmon is being overrun by traffic from California, Oregon and Washington State where some drugs have been legalized. The money is meant to also be used by the Lemhi County Narcotics Enforcement Team, (LCNET) created for multi-jurisdictional drug enforcement.
Stratton said a recent stabbing in Salmon was drug related and three weeks ago, due to a traffic stop, a Canine Officer alerted to a large shipment of drugs in the vehicle.
The grant breaks down to $62,323 for personnel. $12,000 for training, $20,281 for surveillance equipment and basically upgrades to everything. A new police officer has been hired recently and there are currently Drug Interdiction Patrols using Canine Officers on Highway 28 and Highway 93 north and south.
City Councilor Jim Bockelman made a motion to accept the Byrne Justice Grant. The roll-call vote to approve was unanimous.
The evening’s Roundtable Discussion included Councilor Jim Baker praising the addition of an Agenda Summary which has been added to the council’s information packets. He said it was helpful information. Councilor Waidely agreed and said it was a marvelous refresher on previous meetings. He also said he appreciates the department-by-department updates and called that a tremendous idea. On another topic Waidely said for years there has been a bench at Veteran’s Park, getting older and older. He said it was dedicated to someone but no one remembers to whom, and the dedication plaque is unreadable. He said the deterioration had reached the point of being hazardous. According to Waidely personnel from Fernwaters Charter School, adjacent to Veteran’s Park, told him their students would be happy to replace the bench and donate the cost. Waidely said the replacement is in place, is beautiful and looks to him like it will last for at least 50 years. He sent many thanks.
Councilor Jim Bockelman reminded the council that the city taking over the Planning and Zoning duties for the city has meant a lot of extra work for the city staff. He said that should be taken into account during the 2022 budget discussion.
Councilor Neal James said since councilors have all been vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus there needs to be a discussion on whether or not masks need to be worn during council meetings. Councilor Robin Phillips recommended that everyone watch a podcast done by the state’s Lieutenant Governor Janice McGeachin. It is regarding the COVID-19 virus and effects of Vitamin D. Zinc and Magnesium as protection measures. Phillips said she will forward the internet address of the podcast to the council members.
The next meeting of the Salmon City Council is scheduled for April 21 at 6PM in Salmon City Hall. Audio will be available by telephone or by ‘GoToMeeting.’ Access numbers are available by calling City Hall.