BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — In celebration of May as Military Caregivers Month in Idaho, the Idaho State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (ISSDAR) chapters, together with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Cities & Counties initiative, announce today they have secured the 50th proclamation from an Idaho city or county, in support of military caregivers. This campaign, which began in February, educates Idahoans, county, and city governments about the challenges and struggles of Idaho’s military caregivers. Further supporting education and outreach, the Idaho DAR organization created a website, hiddenheroesidaho.org, as a resource for all Idahoans to learn more about military caregivers and how non-caregivers can provide critical support. The website also helps Idahoans identify themselves as caregivers, locate local and national resources available to assist them, and connect them with supportive government contacts and a national network of caregivers.

Governor Brad Little, who issued a proclamation declaring May 10, 2024, as Daughters of the American Revolution Day in Idaho, noted, “Idaho’s military caregivers provide critical services for our veterans, often without recognition or support. I am pleased to see that our county and city governments are joining forces with the State of Idaho, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and Idaho’s Daughters of the American Revolution to educate all Idahoans on what it means to be a military caregiver and the resources available to support their selfless work.”

Janice Beller, Idaho State DAR Regent, is proud to bring this message to Idaho’s communities, large and small. “We have been overwhelmed in the number of cities and counties who immediately committed this important initiative,” she said. “The first DAR members were also some of the first military caregivers in America, so our service now honors this cherished legacy.”

“Idaho is setting an example for the nation. They are stepping up to show what it means to support military and veteran caregivers. It is thanks to the work of our Dole Caregiver Fellows, like Linzi Andersen, and strong partnerships with local government that we are able to create such an impact for our community,” said Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.

About Daughters of the American Revolution

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890. In Idaho, DAR has almost 900 members in 15 chapters in every corner of the State. The current State Regent, Janice Beller, selected Hidden Heroes as an area of focus and service during her two-year term, 2023-2025.

About Elizabeth Dole Foundation

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation’s 5.5 million military caregivers — the spouses, parents, family members, and friends — who care for America’s wounded, ill or injured service members and veterans at home. Founded by Dole in 2012, the Foundation adopts a comprehensive approach in its support and advocacy, working with leaders in the public, private, nonprofit and faith communities to recognize military caregivers’ service and promote their well-being. e Foundation’s Hidden Heroes program brings vital attention to the untold stories of military caregivers and provides a network for military caregivers to connect with their peers and access resources. Visit www.ElizabethDoleFoundation.org for more information.

Copyright 2024 KMVT. All rights reserved.

CUSTER COUNTY — Incumbent Rep. Megan Blanksma is running against Faye Thompson for the District 8 Idaho Representative Seat B.

District 8 encompasses Elmore, Valley, Boise, and custer Counties.

Click here to view Blanksma’s campaign website.

Click here to view Thompson’s campaign website.

EastIdahoNews.com sent the same eight questions to each county candidate. Their responses, listed below, were required to be 250 words or less. EastIdahoNews.com is publishing the answers in their entirety and without grammatical or style editing. Blanksma did not respond to the questionnaire.

The primary election is May 21.

1) Tell us about yourself — include information about your family, career, education, volunteer work and any prior experience in public office.

Thompson: Chair of Valley County Republican Central Committee. Husband is aValley County Commissioner. Life member NRA. Secretary/Treasurer Heartland Friends of NRA. Member Idaho 2nd Amendment Alliance. Some might mistake my ambition as misguided due to my inexperience. However, my opponent had her first election once, and her first day in office was inexperienced.

2) Why are you seeking political office? Briefly explain your political platform.

Thompson: To bring balanced representation to the district at a whole. We do not have that now. I am looking for less spending and less reliance on federal money. To defund programs within Health and Welfare that taxpayers should not have to be paying for.

3) What are the greatest challenges facing people and communities in your district? What is your plan to meet those challenges?

Thompson: Roads and housing have been a strong topic for several years now. The high cost of living and inflation with high interest rates makes it impossible for the average working family to afford a home of their own. This can only be met with volume of units and less taxes, fees, and regulations. This has to begin at the top. New administration that believes in less government regulation and self sufficiency. Idaho first, America first.

4) How will you best represent the views of your constituents – even those with differing political views? How will you communicate directly with constituents?

Thompson: Getting to know the different cultures in the district makes a big difference in being able to communicate and support the different views. Communication is paramount with constituents. Even if you can’t help, they deserve an answer.

5) What parts of the state budget could use more funding? Where are places in the budget that cuts could be made?

Thompson: H&W is the largest draw on our taxes. cutting programs that are unnecessary for the taxpayer to be responsible for and restricting who gets what and how much. Schools receive the next largest piece of the pie. We keep throwing money at schools and teacher’s unions without accountability. And as such, literacy etc has not improved.

6) Are you currently working on any legislation or have ideas for bills that you feel are vital to the future of Idaho? Please provide details.

Thompson: Nothing specific at this time but as I have stated above, Work must be done to tighten the belt of the state budgets and so bills will come.

7) Have you seen any mistakes made by the Idaho Legislature in recent years? How would you work to correct these errors?

Thompson: The Launch program has become nothing more than a drain on taxpayers that is most like Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness. The Needle Exchange project turned out to be an illegal paraphernalia and drug distribution project that has fortunately been repealed in this year’s session. This project was a bad bill from the beginning and should never have come to fruition

8) What is the most important issue facing Idahoans? What is a legislator’s role in meeting or addressing that issue?

Thompson: It is the Legislature’s job to make law, protect the health and safety of its citizens. We have become a border state. Buses are bringing illegals into our state and leaving empty. We must make Idaho uncomfortable for them to make it a destination. There are many that are here legally, but most are not. The crisis at the borders must be dealt with asap.

ATHOL — Wearing her Careywood Eager Beavers 4-H Club T-shirt and with a blue clipboard in hand, Timberlake High School freshman Lily Fry carefully observed the branch of a deciduous tree, taking note of its different characteristics.

“I think it’s going pretty good,” she said Thursday morning as she participated in the 41st annual Idaho State Forestry Contest at Farragut State Park.

“I’ve been participating since I was a rookie,” she said. “I just like seeing how many of the young people are interested in the forest and all that.”

Lily was among nearly 200 fifth-through-12th grade students from across the Gem State to compete in the contest, which tested the future foresters and someday silviculturists on their basic forestry and natural resources management knowhow.

Top individuals and teams had the chance to win up to $1,000 in individual scholarships, or $500 per team member, offered by the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources. The students must be enrolled full time in the College of Natural Resources for the upcoming fall 2024 semester to receive the scholarships.

The statewide competition is sponsored by the Idaho Department of Lands, the Bonner Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Activities during the competition engage students at stations such as log scaling, map reading, tree health, soil and water quality, timber cruising, and tree and plant identification.

It was the first time for North Idaho STEM Charter Academy freshman Caleb Geckle to compete in the contest. He said he enjoys being out in the woods and may someday go into forestry.

“I’m thinking about it,” he said, adding that he likes the identification part of the process.

Kaylee Owens, a senior at Highland High School in Craigmont, said the contest was a great learning experience for her.

“I’ve never done anything in forestry before, so it’s all kind of new, but it’s good at the same time and the people are really good at helping out and directing you,” she said.

Ava Goetz, a junior at Orofino High School, looked through a clinometer to measure the tall pines off of a main trail at the timber cruising area.

“This is really fun, and I do want to be a forester someday, so this is a really good opportunity to learn more,” she said.

Sandpoint High School junior Zane Walson wore cool shades to block the bright sun as he scaled a log to determine its volume.

“I’m doing my best,” he said.

Idaho Department of Lands private forestry supervisor Ken Homik served as one of the many coordinators of the forestry contest.

“It’s rewarding and gives me hope,” Homik said. “There’s a real need out there. We need smart kids that have interest in being outdoors. It makes me feel happy.”

Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield made an appearance at the Idaho Forestry Contest to support the kids and highlight the importance of cultivating the next generation of Idaho’s forest caretakers.

“The Idaho State Forestry Contest is an absolutely incredible event for any kid, let alone kids who live around Idaho’s beautiful forests,” she told The Press in an email. “What an opportunity to get interested in every aspect of forestry. The event captures everything I love about experiential learning. It’s math, it’s science, it’s communication, it’s hands-on and it’s important education. In fact, it makes me want to get into the woods!”

    Ava Goetz, a junior from Orofino High School, peers up at the pines using a clinometer Thursday morning during the Idaho State Forestry Contest.
  

    Sandpoint High junior Zane Walson measures a log at the scaling station Thursday morning during the Idaho State Forestry Contest.
  

    Brougham Collins, a sixth grader from Forrest Bird Charter School, participates in the Idaho State Forestry Contest’s rookie silviculture station Thursday morning.