Idaho
Homeless Stand Down offers a hot meal, warmth and hope today – East Idaho News
The following includes a news release from the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission and the Region VI Housing Coalition.
IDAHO FALLS — As temperatures plunge and winter weather arrives in force, many individuals in Eastern Idaho continue to lack a warm home, shelter and stable food supplies.
Due to unforeseen job loss, illness, addiction, rising housing costs and the current economy, families and individuals are forced to live out of cars, RVs, in tents or on the streets.
The annual Homeless Stand Down serves those that are currently homeless or are at risk of being homeless. It runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at the Idaho Falls Activity Center on 1575 N. Skyline Drive (near the Idaho Falls Regional Airport).
A hot, pancake breakfast will be served by the Idaho Falls Civitan Club from 9 to 11 a.m.
The Stand Down distributes donated sleeping bags, quilts and warm weather clothing to homeless persons and families, veterans and those who spend a majority of their money on housing.
All medical screenings, veterans services, food and community resources at the Stand Down are free-of-charge.
Austin Kade will offer free hair cuts, Eastern Idaho Public Health is providing flu shots and vaccines and the People in Need Coalition (PINC) and Community Food Basket — Idaho Falls will have packaged food items available as well.
Several other agencies will be in attendance to provide help and support for all persons — regardless of their struggle and/or addiction.
While many of the organizations involved offer these services every day, the Stand Down is an opportunity for everyone to learn what resources are available here in our community.
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Idaho
Plow strike in North Idaho leaves car damaged, drivers were not injured
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Transportation Department reports that a plow strike occurred in North Idaho this morning, marking the region’s first winter season.
According to a release, the drivers were left unharmed. However, both vehicles sustained significant damage.
All the snow and mixed precipitation in recent weeks has Idaho Transportation Department crews working hard to make our roads safe. They would like to use this particular incident to remind Idaho drivers to take it slow in icy or slippery conditions.
Plow strike this morning in N. Idaho. An unfortunate reminder that winter roads require winter driving! ❄️🚗 Thankfully, both drivers were safe.
Our crews are working hard around the clock to keep the roads clear — take it easy out there, slow down, & help everyone stay safe. pic.twitter.com/049McAlm0f
— Idaho Transportation Department (@IdahoITD) December 28, 2024
Idaho
Mother Discovers Raccoon Attacking Her Infant Son in Carrier at Home During ‘Extremely Rare’ Encounter in Idaho
An Idaho mother rescued her infant son from a raccoon attack inside of their home before the baby’s father and a sheriff’s deputy killed the animal.
On Monday, Dec. 23, officers from the Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) and the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call involving a mother who heard “a loud noise in the home” and discovered a raccoon attacking her baby boy, Idaho Fish and Game shared in a release on Dec. 27.
The unnamed mom grabbed the animal to stop the attack, and her son was transported to the Cassia Regional Hospital in Burley for “undisclosed injuries” before being transferred to a hospital in Salt Lake City.
According to officials, a a sheriff’s deputy returned to the home with the baby’s father, located the animal and they killed it. IDFG noted that it is unclear how the raccoon gained access to the home. No other raccoons were found inside and the department is “confident’ that the animal killed was the same one that attacked the baby.
The animal’s carcass has since been tested for rabies by the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories with tests coming back negative.
“Once notified of the incident, staff from the Magic Valley Region activated their Wildlife Human Attack Response Team,” the IDFG wrote in the release. “This specially trained team of department staff has the responsibility to act to protect the safety of the public and incident responders; attempt to identify, locate, and control the animal(s) involved in a human-wildlife incident; and conduct, document and report investigative findings.”
Per the IDFG, reports of raccoon attacks on humans in the state are “extremely rare” and “only one case of raccoon rabies” has been documented in Idaho. They are “generally shy,” mostly avoid humans and can become aggressive if feeling “threatened.”
The IDFG encouraged Idahoans to “never purposely feed a raccoon.”
“As with all wildlife that can be found around homes in Idaho, the best course of action to avoid raccoon encounters is to take preventative actions before a problem starts,” the department wrote. “Raccoons can live in a variety of habitats, but an area with access to water and food will attract them.”
“A homeowner can limit food sources by securing residential garbage, removing any fallen fruit or rotten produce from your yard or garden, feeding pets indoors, keeping pet food securely stored, and removing or securing bird feeders,” IDFG added. “Blocking raccoon access to hiding places in sheds and outbuildings and sealing off potential entryways and exits in and around a home will also discourage raccoon use.”
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The raccoon attack comes several months after another raccoon apparently attacked people waiting in line for a ride at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania. On April 3, TMZ shared footage of guests waiting to board the SooperDooperLooper days earlier at the theme park as they attempted to avoid the animal.
The person recording the clip could be heard off-camera saying that the raccoon ran off with a girl’s shoe, with two guests reportedly bitten. In a statement to CBS 21, park officials said the animal encounter was not a common occurrence and that they had “extensive fencing to help prevent this type of incident from occurring.”
“Guest safety is and will always be our top priority at Hersheypark. As such, we have a full complement of public safety and health professionals on property who responded quickly to render necessary care to the two people impacted,” the officials added.
Biologist Tom Keller, who works for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, told the outlet that officials at the park handled the situation correctly and that the animal appeared to be “really frightened” and felt “trapped” around the “screaming humans.”
Idaho
Numerica to sponsor North Idaho activities through Jan. 4
Numerica is sponsoring Five Days of Family Fun for families to enjoy at no cost over winter break. The events tie into the credit union’s Numerica CARES for Kids program.
“The holiday season can be a magical time, but it also comes with financial challenges,” Carla Cicero, Numerica’s president and CEO, said in a Dec. 18 news release.
Free North Idaho events:
• Tuesday | Hayden Cinema, 9:30 a.m., Hayden. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” | 2 p.m. “Mufasa: The Lion King”
• Wednesday | Triple Play Family Fun Park. 10 a.m. Raptor Reef Indoor Waterpark
• Thursday | Coeur d’Alene on Ice, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Skate rentals included.
• Friday | Make It Messy! 1857 W. Hayden Ave., 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Open play.
• Jan. 4 | Spokane Chiefs Hockey, 6:05 p.m. Up to four tickets per family. Reservations required.
Visit Numerica’s Facebook page for details.
Headquartered in Spokane Valley, Numerica serves more than 170,000 members in the Inland Northwest.
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