Connect with us

Idaho

Nearly 200 Idaho students compete in Idaho State Forestry Contest

Published

on

Nearly 200 Idaho students compete in Idaho State Forestry Contest



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.

Advertisement

“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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

“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.”

Advertisement

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!”

    Timberlake High School freshman Lily Fry takes notes on a clipboard at the tree and plant identification station Thursday morning during the Idaho State Forestry Contest at Farragut State Park.
 
 
    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.
 
 


The Vandal Jacks, a competitive lumberjack team from the University of Idaho, showed students the skills of using saws and axes Thursday at the forestry contest. From left: Spencer Stenmark, Josey Bouhanna, Nick Barrett, Ella Carroll, Chris Rau, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and Sam Bernard.




Source link

Idaho

Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon

Published

on

Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon


There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.

Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.

Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.

Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.

Advertisement

Idaho Costcos

Where to find Costcos in Idaho.

Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola

Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!

Advertisement

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!

Look at those chicken tenders:

 

 

 

Advertisement

Costco Foodcourt’s New Item

It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!

Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola

Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts

Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?

Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM

 

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Idaho

This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist

Published

on

This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist


You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people.  The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams.  Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.”  One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school.  His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus.  Some of our early leaders were devout Christians.  Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service.  They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.

They Mock Good People of Other Faiths

I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention.  Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke.  She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!”  Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people?  Or would God prefer a gentler approach?  For instance, you could pray for conversions.

Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?

Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument.  “We’re all going to be judged,” she said.  What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?

The Pot Calling the Kettle Black

A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates.  A group of liberal women demonstrated outside.  I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational.  They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event.  If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered.  Let me add a caveat.  Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple.  I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people.  Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.

Advertisement

Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists.  Do we need to draw them some pictures?

Brad Little Through The Years

Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller





Source link

Continue Reading

Idaho

Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho

Published

on

Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho


KUNA — A sister-duo is filling baskets with blankets, snacks and handwritten notes to spread some extra love to moms spending Mother’s Day in the hospital with their newborns.

The effort is led by “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” a nonprofit co-founded by sisters Tiffany and Alyssa Higbee. The organization was born from Alyssa’s own experience spending months in the NICU with her firstborn.

Alyssa’s son was initially in the NICU for about two weeks, then was put back in for about 3.5 months. During that time, several holidays passed, making it especially hard as a first-time mom.

“There was people in companies who would bring us stuff and try and cheer up your day, and it really helped, and so when my son was about 6 months old, we decided that it would be best to try and help moms in the NICU somehow,” Alyssa Higbee said.

Advertisement

That inspiration led the sisters to create Mother’s Day gift baskets filled with items to bring comfort and encouragement to moms facing the same journey.

WATCH: Learn more about “Helping Hands for NICU Moms”

Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho

Advertisement

The sisters have a 12-year age gap. Tiffany was fresh out of high school when they started the nonprofit in 2023, which meant she had more time to dedicate to the project. Alyssa noted that because of the age gap, they didn’t get to spend a lot of time together growing up, so the project has brought them closer.

“Hopefully, this can bring some hope that you can get out of it … that NICU period, that scary initial phase, it does get easier,” Alyssa Higbee said.

ALSO READ | Fragile beginnings to bright futures: NICU ‘Wall of Hope’ inspires families with stories of strength

Alyssa’s son, who was born in the NICU at St. Luke’s in Twin Falls, is now 3-years-old and healthy. Tiffany said watching her nephew go through the NICU was hard, but seeing him now — jumping, tackling her, and doing everything a little boy does — makes the work even more meaningful.

“It’s cool to see the difference because I know that some kids don’t make it to where he is when they’re in the NICU, and it’s just cool to see that he did,” Tiffany Higbee said.

Advertisement

This year’s baskets are packed with items donated by nearly 25 local companies — up from just 5 donors in the first year. The baskets include soaps from Wild Highland Soaps, claw clips, bibs, hair bows, chapsticks, socks, lotions, hand sanitizers, coloring books, colored pencils, snacks, minky blankets, and stuffed puppies from Scheels.

Gift cards and coupons are also included from Dutch Bros, Flying M Coffee, a pizza company, Wendy’s (free meal coupons for breakfast and lunch), Albertsons, and a $10 coupon to a baby store.

Tiffany started collecting donations for this year’s baskets as early as November of last year, spending a few hours every week for the past 6 to 8 months to prepare — reaching out to companies, picking up donations, and organizing everything.

The assembly process includes last-minute tasks like ironing vinyl onto bags, opening boxes, and putting together gift card envelopes before the full baskets are assembled and delivered.

“We start putting the bags together, making sure we have everything in there, and then we deliver them on Mother’s Day,” Alyssa Higbee said.

Advertisement

The baskets are delivered before noon on Mother’s Day to avoid missing moms who may be discharged after doctors do their rounds. Currently, the organization delivers to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in downtown Boise.

Tiffany said delivering the baskets is one of the most rewarding parts of the work.

“I love seeing the moms sometimes we get to watch them come out with their baskets, and they’ll be going through it, and they look really excited and happy,” Tiffany Higbee said.

“Seeing how happy they are or knowing how I cheered them up a little bit for their Mother’s Day because it’s a big holiday, it’s their first with that baby at least,” Tiffany Higbee said.

The first year, the project was funded mostly out of their own pockets. Three years later, as an official nonprofit, they said they no longer have to rely heavily on their own funds thanks to their new partnerships.

Advertisement

The organization accepts both monetary donations via Venmo and their website, as well as in-kind donations of physical items like soaps, claw clips, and other basket items — year-round.

The organization’s future goal is to expand to all the different NICUs in the area, and potentially the PICUs (Pediatric Intensive Care Units) as well, since that was also part of Alyssa’s experience.

To learn how you can donate or get involved with “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” you can visit their website by clicking here.

Send tips to neighborhood reporter Brady Caskey

Have a story idea from South Boise, West Boise or Kuna? Share it with Brady below —

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending