Idaho

Nearly 200 Idaho students compete in Idaho State Forestry Contest

Published

2 years ago

May 10, 2024

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.

“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!”

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.

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Idaho

Gas prices expected to exceed $3 as the Iran conflict prompts supply shortages

Published

47 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices expected to exceed as the Iran conflict prompts supply shortages

BOISE, Idaho — AAA is warning Idaho gas consumers that pump prices will likely rise as the conflict in Iran disrupts oil and gas supply chains worldwide.

The ongoing turmoil in the Middle East will likely push the price for a gallon of regular gasoline past the $3 mark over the coming days.

“On one hand, the crude oil market had time to account for some financial risk in the Middle East as forces mobilized, but a supply shortage somewhere affects the global picture,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “If tankers can’t move products through the region, there could be ripple effects.”

On Monday, March 2, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.97, reports AAA, which is 12 cents more expensive than it was a month ago but 20 cents less than this time last year.

State / Price: 1 gallon of regular gasoline

Washington / $4.37
Oregon / $3.92
Nevada / $3.70
Idaho / $2.97
Colorado / $2.89
Montana / $2.82
Utah / $2.74
Wyoming / $2.73

In terms of the most expensive fuel in the nation, Idaho currently ranks #14. However, buying a gallon of regular gas in neighboring states such as Oregon and Washington could cost a whole dollar more. In contrast, gas prices in Utah, Montana, and Wyoming are anywhere between 15 to 24 cents cheaper than fuel in the Gem State.

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Idaho

Idaho Lottery results: See winning numbers for Pick 3, Pick 4 on March 1, 2026

Published

13 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

The results are in for the Idaho Lottery’s draw games on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on March 1.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 7-2-3

Night: 2-7-6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 4-7-9-3

Night: 8-7-7-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Idaho Cash numbers from March 1 drawing

03-06-07-33-41

Check Idaho Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing

10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Idaho Lottery drawings held ?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
Pick 4: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
Lucky For Life: 8:35 p.m. MT Monday and Thursday.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
5 Star Draw: 8 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Idaho Cash: 8 p.m. MT daily.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Idaho

Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran

Published

2 days ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran

On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched major strikes in Tehran, with President Trump calling for an Iranian regime change.

RELATED | Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ in Iran, reportedly killing hundreds

President Trump authorized the U.S military operation without congressional approval, a decision that Democrats in Congress are arguing is unconstitutional.

RELATED | Trump’s Iran attack raises legal concerns among Democrats in Congress

Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea says Democrats are “demanding answers and accountability on behalf of the American people, who are being dragged toward another open-ended war they do not support.”

Necochea says her greatest concern lies with American troops, contractors and civilians who she says “did not choose this conflict.”

“Idaho has thousands of active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and military families who live with the consequences when leaders make reckless choices,” she says.

However, not all lawmakers share Necochea’s sentiments.

Idaho Republican representative Mike Simpson commends President Trump’s “decisive action” in Iran.

Idaho News 6

“Iran was given every opportunity to resolve this peacefully through negotiations but chose not to,” Simpson said in a post to Facebook. “I commend President Trump for taking decisive action against a regime responsible for decades of terror. May God protect our men and women in uniform on this vital mission.”

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