Meridian Press 2014-01-03

REC TECH TAKES HOLD

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AN EDITION OF THE IDAHO PRESS-TRIBUNE // MYMERIDIANPRESS.COM // 01.03.14

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COVER: Local rec tech industry amps up Meridian companies have found their niche in the recreation technology industry — an industry that fits the Gem State well, local economic developmental officials say, pointing to Idaho’s mountains, rivers, wildlife and friendly gun culture.

The rec tech sector employs about 37,000 Idahoans, and officials hope to see that number continue to grow.

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SCHOOL NEWS Tech companies are clamoring to hire talented computer science graduates. Boise State plans to double its computer science department and help relieve the short supply of graduates.

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BUSINESS NEWS

ON THE TOWN

Forward Movement Training, a new safety training center in Meridian, is gearing up to start offering courses in February to both civilians and law enforcement officials in realistic training environments.

Ready to start the New Year off with some laughs? Check on the first-ever Idaho Laugh Festival next weekend, which will bring more than 70 comics to Boise for a side-splitting two-day event for all ages.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014 // MYMERIDIANPRESS.COM

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Today’s Forecast (NOAA)

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

EXTENDED OUTLOOK We’ll have some light snow showers Mostly cloudy Mostly cloudy Mostly cloudy or flurries on Tuesday. It looks chilly with a chance for more snow for the 32/23 30/21 32/23 remainder of the week.

Rain showers

40/32

Vin Crosby Storm Tracker 2

Watching Out for You FORECAST

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Here’s to a new year, new goals N

connect hbeech@mymeridianpress.com

ew Year’s resolutions — you either embrace them, snub them or avoid them, knowing you’re just going to forget about your resolution by February anyway.

Honestly, I usually fall in the last group. But this year I’ve identified one thing I really need to change — and it’s an easy fix. It just requires me to not be lazy or afraid of commitment.

This year, I resolve to respond to invitations on time.

I hate to admit how terrible I am at RSVPing to weddings, parties, events, anything. Here’s what usually happens: I see the invitation. I think, ‘Oh, I’ll commit to that when it gets closer so I know if I can go or not.’ I forget to respond until the day before the event.

What’s really embarrassing is when the host, trying to make arrangements for the party/wedding, messages me after the RSVP deadline has passed to see if I can make it.

A few months ago, the tables turned on me. I hosted a friend’s bachelorette party, sending out Facebook invitations that requested RSVPs. Looks like I’m not the only one who isn’t the greatest at responding to these! It was frustrating not being able to plan ahead for reservations and things.

This year, I hope to avoid putting other people in that position. I resolve to get over my fear of commitment and RSVP on time.

I also resolve to spend more time reading novels and less time burn-

Work: 208-465-8193 Mobile: 208-899-6432 Twitter: @HollyBeechMP Facebook: Holly Beech MP

ing through TV shows on Netflix.

I’m not the only one at the Idaho Press-Tribune/Meridian Press office vowing to make a change. Here’s a look at my co-workers’ New Year’s resolutions:

by Holly Beech Torrie Cope, business reporter (she hbeech@mymeridianpress.com writes Go Five): © 2014 MERIDIAN PRESS n I want to find more time to read and expand into different genres. n I want to go to the gym one more day each week. n I want to snack healthier, especially at work.

Kelcie Moseley, education reporter (she compiles the Road Report): n To save enough money to have a good time on my Alaskan cruise in May and not have to live off water and free crackers. n To practice more patience in all areas of my life.

Charlotte Wiemerslage, local editor (she keeps this ship afloat): My 2014 resolution is to cook more often. I love to cook — it’s creative, relaxing and great way to bond with loved ones — but, because of my evening work schedule, it’s not something I get to do on a regular basis. My resolution is to stop making excuses and make the time to share home-cooked meals with my friends and family.

Meridian dog rescue praises community support TRENDING 5

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ince opening Nov. 4, Meridian’s new dog rescue, run by Meridian Valley Humane Society volunteers, has adopted out more than 30 dogs, MVHS board member Nancy Harvey said.

It’s been excited to see the community’s support, she said. The rescue has received more than $6,200 in donations since opening. It’s too soon to average out monthly operating expenses, Harvey said, but the lease is about $800 a month.

The former Meridian animal shelter closed in October when the city began contracting with the Idaho Humane Society for animal control and sheltering services. The buildings that were used for the Meridian shelter will be removed to make way for the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant.

Harvey sent this update and photo in an email Sunday: “We have had so many heartwarming stories of children who, instead of receiving presents for their birthdays, have asked their friends to bring presents or mon-

Eagle Island State Park snow hill opens

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Submitted photo

etary donations for the dogs at our Rescue. These are both boys and girls who want to help find the dogs their new forever homes.

Recently, the students of Ms. (Linda) Diana’s class at Meridian High School (pictured) chose the Rescue to receive proceeds from their community outreach fundraising event. They made dog biscuits to sell. They did it all: they

made the biscuits, they designed the bags, they advertised, they marketed, they packaged, they delivered, they collected money and they presented a check of $250 to Debbie Decker, the vice president of the board at the Rescue. What a great group of kids! With people like this behind us, the Rescue will succeed!” n

ROADREPORT

Dec. 24-30

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Meridian Police Department Log

Police also took calls, investigated or assisted: 6 vehicle burglaries 5 domestic verbals 1 attempted unlawful entry 1 grand theft 1 welfare check 1 non-injury traffic accident 3 medical assists 1 juvenile beyond control 4 residential burglaries 2 runaways 1 disorderly conduct 1 reckless driving 1 vandalism 1 recovered stolen vehicle 1 disturbing the peace 1 returned runaway 1 possession of counterfeit bills 3 disturbances 1 battery 1 petit theft 1 trespassing 1 fraud © 2013 Vol. 1, No. 49, 14 pages

An edition of the Idaho Press-Tribune

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To subscribe call 465-8199 for daily specials • customerservice@mymeridianpress.com Fridays – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1618 N. Midland Blvd., Nampa P.O. Box 9399, Nampa, ID 83652-9399 Switchboard: 208-467-9251 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Weekdays. We have a locked drop box at the front door The Meridian Press is published weekly in Fridays by the Idaho Press-Tribune, LLC, at 1618 N. Midland Blvd., Nampa, Idaho 83652-1751. Periodical postage paid at Nampa, ID 83652. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Idaho Press-Tribune, P.O. Box 9399, Nampa, ID 83652-9399

Central Drive from Corporate Drive crossing Stratford Drive, lane restrictions with flagging through Monday for utility work. n Meridian Road south of Overland Road to I-84, lane restrictions at night only through Monday for utility work. n Overland Road just east and west of Meridian Road, lane restrictions at night only through Monday for utility work. n Ustick Road west of Meridian Road, intermittent lane restrictions with flagging through Monday for concrete work. n Ustick Road at Leslie Way to Yellow Peak Way, lane restrictions with flagging through July 30 for road widening and water and sewer work. n Locust Grove Road at Summerheights Drive to Ustick Road, lane restrictions with flagging Jan. 13 through July 30 for road widening, water and sewer work.

School district announces new mobile app A new Meridian Joint School District app will keep users up to date about school activities, daily operations and emergencies, such as snow closures.

To download the app for free, search for Meridian Joint School District in your phone’s app store.

The app was developed in partnership with Mobile4Schools.com (www. mobile4schools.com) at no cost to the school district. It will also feature local business sponsors, which will offer discounts and special promotions. Revenue generated through the sponsorship program will help pay for students to participate in various programs.

Business owners who are interested in learning more about being a sponsor should contact Mobile4Schools at (888) 389-8111.

Idaho population growth exceeds nation in 2013

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Idaho’s population exceeded 1.6 million in 2013, up 1 percent from 2012 to resume the state’s growth at rates greater than the nation, according to the Idaho Department of Labor.

The Census Bureau estimated Idaho’s population on July 1, 2013, at 1,612,136, an increase of more than 16,500 from mid-2012. The growth rate was the 13th strongest among the states and a third of a percentage point ahead of the national growth rate.

North Dakota led the nation in population gains, increasing 3.1 percent in the midst of its oil boom.

Saint Alphonsus opens new Nampa facilities

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Saint Alphonsus Nampa Health Plaza will celebrate the opening of the Birkeland Maternity Center and Heart Center in Nampa Saturday.

The new maternity center will provide Canyon County’s only neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and easy access from Interstate 84 at the Garrity Boulevard interchange. The Heart Center will expanded treatment options for cardiac patients.

An open house and ribbon cutting ceremony is at 4 p.m. Jan. 4 at 4402 E. Flamingo Ave., Nampa.

Free tobacco cessation class starts this month

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If quitting tobacco is among your 2014 New Year’s resolutions, Central District Health Department (CDHD) wants to help you be successful.

Starting Jan. 13, CDHD will sponsor a tobacco cessation class that will be held over the course of five evenings.

The class meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13, 15, 17, 20 and 22 in Meridian and is open to teenagers and adults. For more information and to register, call CDHD at 375-5211.

Meridian Press/IPT Newsroom

Managing Editor: Vickie Holbrook • 465-8110 • vholbrook@idahopress.com Local Editor: Charlotte Wiemerslage • 465-8123 • news@mymeridianpress.com Meridian Reporter: Holly Beech • 465-8193 • hbeech@mymeridianpress.com News Hotline & corrections: 465-8124 • news@mymeridianpress.com Sports Editor: Tom Fox • 465-8109 • sports@idahopress.com Obituaries: 465-8128 (weekdays), 465-8124 (weekends) • milestones@idahopress.com

Advertising

Classifieds: 467-9253 • classified@idahopress.com Advertising Director: Ron Tincher • 465-8149 • rtincher@idahopress.com Advertising Manager: Erik Franks • 465-8148 • efranks@idahopress.com Sales & Marketing Executive: Krista King • 465-8204 • kking@mymeridianpress.com

Other Departments

Courtesy Gateway Parks

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Meridian Press staff

CRIME WATCH Police made the following arrests or issued charges: 6 petit thefts 6 warrants 1 burglary 1 domestic battery 3 possession of drug paraphernalia 3 possession of marijuana 1 juvenile warrant 3 driving without privileges 2 driving under the influence 2 juvenile possession of marijuana 1 juvenile driving without privileges 1 juvenile driving without insurance 1 driving without insurance 1 trespassing 1 juvenile possession of ecigarettes

Gateway Parks’ new snow hill at Eagle Island State Park opened to the public Tuesday. Come enjoy the hill from 4 to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Park entrance is $5, a ticket to use the hill is $10 and tube/ski/ snowboard rentals are $10. Eagle Island State Park is located at 4000 W. Hatchery Road, Eagle.

President & Publisher: Matt Davison • 465-8101 • mdavison@idahopress.com Finance Director: Rhonda McMurtrie • 465-8170 • rmcmurtrie@idahopress.com Circulation/Production Director: Roger Stowell • 475-2400 • rstowell@idahopress.com IT Director: Joe Hansen • 465-8171 • jhansen@idahopress.com

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MYMERIDIANPRESS.COM // FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014

LOCAL NEWS

Local rec tech industry amps up F Adam Eschbach/MP

Front page: Dmitry Danilovitch, owner of Danik Gymnastics, demonstrates how to use a Bounceboard on a trampoline Oct. 8 at the indoor facility in Meridian.

examples of Meridian rec tech companies Bounceboard Website: bounceboard.com When Sally Kane watched her 12-year-old son Chris grab his snowboard and head to the family’s trampoline to practice tricks, she quickly put a stop to that.

“I told him he was going to knock his teeth out or break the trampoline,” she said.

Not to be deterred, Chris cut a fabric scrap into the shape of a snowboard and added foot holders. That became the prototype for what would eventually be Bounceboard, a cushioned board that allows athletes to train on trampolines.

Sally and Chris developed the product and went through the long process, eight years to be exact, of getting a patent for their idea.

With the help of the Boise State TECenter beginning in 2010, Chris and his parents grew the business and sales continue to increase each year. Bounceboard is on track to double its 2012 sales this year, Sally said. The company plans to introduce new boards in November and skis in January.

AIRE Inc. Website: aire.com AIRE Inc. began 25 years ago in a garage with an inflatable whitewater kayak and has since grown to 34 full-time employees, three divisions and a global reach.

“It’s been a long, slow, steady process,” Chris Callanan, the company’s sales and marketing director, said.

AIRE Inc. makes inflatable rafts and kayaks and catarafts at a 50,000-square-foot facility in Meridian. It also makes industrial products, like spill containers for the government. The company purchased a fishing company 15 years ago and manufactures about 20 percent of that product in Meridian as well.

rom skiing down a mountain to rafting down a river, Idaho is full of varied terrain and residents who love to have fun in it.

The state is also full of companies that provide goods and services to accommodate that lifestyle.

They are part of the recreation technology (rec tech) industry, an industry local economic developers hope to see thrive, because, they say, it’s a natural fit for the state.

“We really believe Idaho is the ideal place for these companies, because they can test products right in their own backyards,” Megan Ronk, chief communications officer for the Idaho Department of Commerce, said.

Local companies like Aire Inc. in Meridian make and sell products to help outdoor enthusiasts enjoy Idaho’s outdoor opportunities to the fullest.

There are more than 100 rec tech companies spread across the state, according to the Idaho Department of Commerce.

A NATURAL FIT Idaho’s outdoor lifestyle is why many rec tech businesses are here — it’s a natural fit for them, Boise Valley Economic Partnership Executive Director Clark Krause said.

“All you have to do is go outside, and you’ll see people cycling, hiking and fishing,” he said.

BVEP is working to support and grow rec tech companies in the Treasure Valley, with hopes of attracting more businesses to the state.

Not only are recreational opportunities available in Idaho, Krause said, but they are also more affordable to use than in other Adam Eschbach/MP states, which gives Idaho an Dmitry Danilovitch, owner of Danik Gymnastics, demonstrates how to do a back flip on a trampoline using a Bounceboard Oct. 8 at advantage. the indoor facility in Meridian.

Bounceboards makes boards and skis designed specifically for training on trampolines.

“It makes sense where we’re going to be successful in attracting new businesses to the state is where we have natural strengths and a competitive advantage for compaIDAHO RECREATION TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY nies to be here,” Ronk said.

When AIRE Inc., an inflatable raft

by Torrie Cope $154 million in annual tax revenue for Idaho and kayak company, wants to test a news@mymeridianpress.com $2.2 billion in retail sales per year new product, it doesn’t have to go far, © 2013 MERIDIAN PRESS Chris Callanan, the company’s sales 37,000 Idahoans employed in the rec tech sector and marketing director, said. The Boise and Payette rivers provide great locations to see how the 12 percent projected industry growth compared to 2 percent nationally company’s work turns out, he said.

2.5 jobs created elsewhere in the economy for every 1 rec tech job The local workforce provides another advantage to the company.

SOURCE: Boise Valley Economic Partnership; Idaho Department of Commerce “There are people here that want to work hard and who also enjoy the outdoors,” he said.

“We have a strong base already in the state,” Ronk said. “It FIREARM FRIENDLY makes business sense for them to be here, both in terms of the Gov. Butch Otter declared May as 2nd Amendment Protection low-cost business environment and open spaces.”

Idaho also has laws in place that are attractive to firearms and Month in Idaho and took the opportunity to advertise the state’s gun-friendly laws and lifestyle to attract firearms and ammuni- ammunition manufacturers, Jon Anson, president of the Idaho tion manufacturers to the state, an industry that also falls under Firearms and Accessories Manufacturers Association (IFAMA). the rec tech category.

“The political climate here is very, very supportive of firearms Idaho is home to about 200 firearms and ammunition manu- manufacturing,” Anson said. “Idaho has one of the best gun manufacturer liability laws in the books.” facturers, according to the Idaho Department of Commerce.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014 // MYMERIDIANPRESS.COM

LOCAL NEWS DEATHS

IDOC job fair Tuesday for correctional officers

All obituaries for Meridian Press must be placed by your mortuary or at selfserve.idahopress.com. Deadline is 3 p.m. Wednesdays for Friday publication. If you have questions call 465-8128.

Juanita D Boutelle, 97, of Owen Putnam, 87, of Nampa,

Nampa, died Wed, Dec 25, 2013, at home. Services are under the direction and care of Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, 404 Tenth Ave. S., Nampa.

466-3545

died Dec. 30, 2013, at a local hospital.

The family has placed their trust in Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, Nampa for their final arrangements.

208-466-3545

Jeanne M. Deringer, 87, of Vancouver, Wash., died Saturday, December 28, 2013, in Vancouver of natural causes. Services are under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. 459-3629

Carol Jo Schwanz, 69, of Caldwell, died Saturday, December 28, 2013, at a local care center of natural causes. No services are planned. Cremation is in the care of Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. 459-3629

Mary Dostatni, 92, of Boise, William Smart, 52, of Caldwell, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2013 at a local care center. Services are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian. 888-5833.

died Sunday, December 29, 2013, at home of natural causes. Arrangements are in the care of Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. 459-3629

John M. Frederickson, 79, Richard Tallon, 69, of Kuna,

of Nampa, died Monday, Dec. 30, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2013. Services 2013, at a Meridian hospital. Arrange- are under the direction of Accent Fuments are under the direction of the neral Home, Meridian. 888-5833 Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. 442-8171 Herman “Herm” F. Steger, 87, of Meridian, died Saturday, Wanda R. Hensley, 69, of Dec. 28, 2013, at a local hospital. SerNampa, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013, vices are under the direction of Accent at a local hospital. Services are un- Funeral Home, Meridian. 888-5833. der the direction and care of Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, Nampa. 466- Neely Vaughan, 68, of New 3545.

Plymouth, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, at a Payette care center. SerBlanche Kuhlman, 97, of vices are under the direction of Accent Kuna, died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013, at Funeral Home, Meridian. 888-5833 her daughter’s home in Kenai, Alaska.

Services are under the direction of Velma Villa, 66, of Nampa, died Accent Funeral Home, Meridian. 888- Tues, Dec 24, 2013, at home. Services 5833 are under the direction and care of Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, 404 Martha M. Meeks, 78, of Tenth Ave. S., Nampa. 466-3545 Nampa, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, at her home. The family has placed their trust in Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, Nampa, for their final arrangements. (208) 466-3545

The Idaho Department of Correction will hold a job fair to hire correctional officers in the Boise area.

The job fair will be held Tuesday, Jan. 14 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Idaho Department of Labor office in Meridian, 1091 E. Watertower St. Recruiters and correctional officers will be available to answer questions.

Applicants must be 21 years old or older to qualify. Correctional officers start at $13.14 an hour with a salary increase to $13.92 after successful completion of entrance probation.

Anyone interested can complete an application at the job fair and qualified applicants could be scheduled for a job interview as soon as the next day.

For more information contact Stephanie Stohel at 658-2020.

Fugitive used fake name to avoid arrest A Kuna man is charged with being a fugitive to Idaho after deputies found out he was using a fake name to avoid arrest on an Arkansas warrant, according to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office.

Michael A. Kinser, the man arrested on a felony burglary charge for breaking into a West Meridian barn Dec. 21, is ac-

THINGS TO DO Don’t see your event here? Add it and view more events at mymeridianpress.com/ calendar.

Today EAGLE — My Masterpiece Parties, 7 p.m., 603 E. State Street, Eagle. Paint a masterpiece at the My Masterpiece Parties — no prior experience needed and all supplies (paint, wrapped canvas, aprons and instructors) are provided to you. Bring your refreshments (wine and beer OK). Tickets are $35 and doors open at 6:30 p.m. This is an adults only event.

For more info, visit mymasterpieceparties.com MERIDIAN — Tales to Tails, 4 p.m., Meridian Library, 3531 E. Overland Road. Bring your children to help them gain self-confidence and help to enhance their reading abilities. Sessions are 10 minutes long and parents are encouraged not to correct their

tually Larry Andrew Goodine, 37.

Goodine admitted to using the identify of Kinser for several years. When he was arrested and booked into the jail Saturday, Goodine had an Arizona driver’s license with his picture on it, with Kinser’s name and other information.

Deputies learned Michael Kinser died in a motorcycle accident last year in California. Goodine admitted to using that identity to avoid being arrested on the Arkansas warrant. Deputies charged Goodine Dec. 26 with a felony count of being a fugitive to Idaho.

Man sentenced for mall parking lot attack A man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the Boise Towne Square parking lot in May has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, media partner KBOI-TV 2 reported Tuesday.

Court documents say Macho used force intended to do bodily harm “by grabbing and twisting (the victim’s) head and neck, covering her mouth, licking and/or kissing her face, and grabbing her breasts.”

Afterward, police say Macho appeared to intentionally swerve his truck and hit a woman who had come to help, sending her to the hospital.

Macho pleaded guilty in October to several charges. He will eligible for parole after 15 years.

children’s reading. After three sessions, kids can receive a prize.

Monday MERIDIAN — ‘Make It’ Program, 4:30 p.m., Meridian Library, 1326 W. Cherry Lane.

Come and use your imagination to create a masterpiece with available crafts.

MERIDIAN — Baby Bugs, 11:30 a.m., Meridian Library, 1326 W. Cherry Lane. Infants 6-18 months and their parents are welcome to come and sing, listen to stories and clap in a happy environment.

Tuesday MERIDIAN — PJ Storytime, 7 p.m., Meridian Library, 1326 W. Cherry Lane. Come listen to stories while wearing your pajamas and slippers. Welcome for all ages.

MERIDIAN — Bilingual Storytime, 10 a.m., Meridian Library, 1326 W. Cherry Lane.

Bring your kids for a bilingual storytime featuring stories and music.

GOING PLACES

D.L. Evans Bank announced its 2013 Employee Service Award recipients for the Treasure Valley area. Casi Barinaga and Tory Pearse of the downtown Boise branch and Rob Frye of the Nampa branch were recognized for five years of service. Toni Smith of the Meridian branch and David Marshall of the Emerald branch were recognized for 10 years of service to the bank. n Hawley Troxell announced partner Sheila Schwager was named a 2014 Women of the Year Sheila honoree by the Schwager Idaho Business Review. Schwager was one of 50 recipients selected from more than 150 nominees. Schwager is co-chair of the firm’s bankruptcy group with a focus on creditor rights and bankruptcy. n

MERIDIAN — LEGO Club, 4:30 p.m.

Meridian Library, 3531 E. Overland Road.

Come and play with Lego’s - open to all ages with adult supervision required for those five and younger.

Jan. 18 BOISE — Idaho Remodeling and Design Show, 10 a.m-5 p.m. at the Boise Centre, 850 W. Front St. Come explore what the newest things for decorating, renovations and landscaping. It is $3.

Feb. 15 BOISE — Sisters ync. Speakeasy Birthday Party, 7-10 p.m. at the Bedside Bardenay, 612 Grove Street, Boise. Come celebrate the Sisters ync. Sixth birthday party with a 1920s themed party complete with raffles, silent auction, casino games and appetizers. It is $25/person or $45/couple.

For more information, visit sistersync.com. It is 21 and up.

You’re Invited to On Stage Alaska!

Join AAA Travel and Holland America Line for a fun, informative presentation on Alaska and the Yukon.

Special Booking offers will be available to those who attend the show including shipboard credit and onboard value booklets. Special booking offers are valid for new bookings only.

Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 10:30 AM Heritage Bible Church, 7071 West Emerald Street, Boise, ID

RSVP: 342-9391 All events are open to the public and free to attend, but space is limited. Please RSVP.

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MYMERIDIANPRESS.COM // FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014

LOCAL NEWS Ryan Neptune

about the proposal 35: approximate number of acres the city wants to buy of the AdaEagle Sports Complex. It currently leases 85 acres from Ada County. $4,000: price per acre offered $6,000: recent appraised value per acre 99 years: length of lease agreement, which was created in August of 2004, putting the city of Eagle in charge of maintaining the complex.

The land the city wants to buy includes: n Area where Ryan Neptune is proposing to build a terrain park. n Area where the city has invested about $1.7 million in infrastructure improvements, including concession stands and bathrooms. n Parking lot n Bike pump track, but not the BMX track.

Eagle wants to buy part of sports complex, cancel lease

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eeking a solution to its land-use dispute with Ada County, Eagle City Council members said they want to buy part of the Ada-Eagle Sports Complex.

The city will offer $4,000 an acre for roughly 35 acres, which include the 5 acres where developer Ryan Neptune is proposing a snow park.

The snow park — which would bring revenue to Neptune’s company, Gateway Parks, and to the city of Eagle — has incited a debate between the city and the county.

Eagle said the lease agreement doesn’t ban for-profit activity at the complex. The county said the complex was never intended for commercial use.

“Other than the potential purchase, I don’t see any other way of working things out,” Eagle City Council member Mark Butler said at a Dec. 26 meeting. “... I think it’s worthless to renegotiate the lease.”

If the county accepts the offer, the city Submitted photos wants to terminate the lease, putting reThe Ada-Eagle Sports Complex, which is owned by Ada County and leased by the city of Eagle, has almost 300 sponsibility for maintenance and operations of the rest of the complex, including the BMX acres of trails and outdoor sports facilities near the corner of Horseshoe Bend and Floating Feather roads. track, in the county’s hands.

Eagle City Council President Mary Defayette said she doesn’t understand why the county would allow other for-profit activities on county-owned land — such as Boise Hawks games, Les Bois Park horse race gambling machines and Epley’s Boise River Rentals at Barber Park — but would protest the terrain park.

by Holly Beech “The county owns the fairhbeech@mymeridianpress.com grounds, where Les Bois Park is lo© 2014 MERIDIAN PRESS cated, and has decided to enter a lease agreement with Treasure Valley Racing for the installation DAVE CASE, Ada County Commission president of the historical racing machines, Ada County Commission Presithe way it was supposed to be interpreted in the first place,” Case dent Dave Case said last week.

Case said the difference between allowing a commercial ven- said.

Allowing a commercial venture on other county-owned propture at the fairgrounds versus at the sports complex is, one, Eagle needs the county’s permission before making changes to the com- erties but not the sports complex is ridiculous, Eagle Mayor Jim plex, and two, the complex was not designed for a commercial ven- Reynolds said.

“They (the commissioners) look at it one way for themselves ture. It’s like if you rented your house to someone, he said, and the renter turned it into a bed and breakfast without your permission. and one way for us,” he said.

The two agencies plan to meet again sometime this month to “The reason the county and the city disagree is because we have taken this lease agreement with the city and interpreted it talk about the options.

“

The reason the county and the city disagree is because we have taken this lease agreement with the city and interpreted it the way it was supposed to be interpreted in the first place.”

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014 // MYMERIDIANPRESS.COM

SCHOOLS glimpses of the future

MetaGeek intern Zach Curry’s children, in kindergarten and second grade, already approach technology with ease.

“When we got smartphones for the first time and our kids picked them up, it was incredible to see them actually navigating around on the interface and doing things,” he said. “... So you can see that if you were to nurture that in them, you almost really can’t imagine what they could do with it perhaps when they were in high school.”

In Joint School District No. 2, pilot programs and STEM schools allow kids as young as kindergarten to become comfortable with tablets and computers — preparing them to one day be the type of college graduates that would catch MetaGeek’s attention.

learn more Last month, Boise State University announced it would double the capacity of its computer science program with the help of local tech companies and a $1 million Idaho Department of Labor Grant. Learn more at bit.ly/1fYNhUY.

Computer science students fill rising nationwide demand

P

romising computer science graduates are in high demand nationwide — and the Treasure Valley is no exception.

That’s why Boise tech company MetaGeek seeks to hire college interns as early as their sophomore year, founder Ryan Woodings said.

“We have to get our interns so young because otherwise someone else gets them,” he said.

Last month, Boise State University announced that, with the help of local high-tech companies like MetaGeek and a $1 million state grant, it would double its computer science department to 60 graduates.

This is big news for his company, Woodings said, noting that MetaGeek’s success and growth depends on having enough qualified graduates to hire.

“Boise State, a couple years ago, they were only graduating 25 computer science graduates a year, which isn’t very many for as much tech as there is around the Valley,” Woodings said The demand for computer science skills opens doors for local students like Rob Kleffner and Zach Curry, both interns at MetaGeek.

Kleffner, now a junior at University of Idaho, started his paid internship with MetaGeek when he was a junior at Meridian Techby Holly Beech nical Charter High School. He still hbeech@mymeridianpress.com works at MetaGeek during summer © 2014 MERIDIAN PRESS breaks.

“By the time he graduates college, he’s going to have so much experience about what the real world is like,” Woodings said.

A shifting perception High school students might steer away from computer science, seeing it as too difficult, techy or analytical, Woodings said. But that perception is changing. “(The computer science field) is expanding now with Google and Facebook getting really popular, and I think it sort of glamorizes the profession a little more than it used to be,” Woodings said. “So I think you get more of the younger kids looking at it who might not have looked at it before. … Video games, too, get people interested in how you actually do the development side of it.”

Computer science is actually a creative field that opens doors to a variety of well-paying jobs, Curry, a former land surveyor from Meridian who is studying computer science online through Baker College said.

“I could work indirectly with … innumerable different things, whether it be music or entertainment or making tools for professionals like we do here,” he said.

Greg Kreller/MP

Zach Curry of Meridian is as a quality assurance intern at MetaGeek in Boise while working toward his degree in computer science from Baker College.

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MYMERIDIANPRESS.COM // FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014

SPORTS

GIRLS BASKETBALL 5A SOUTHERN IDAHO CONFERENCE (4 teams to state)

Conf Overall

W L W L PPG PAPG Rocky Mountain 10 0 12 0 62.3 37.6 Centennial 8 2 10 2 49.3 39.8 Mountain View 8 2 9 2 58.6 41.2 Boise 6 4 8 4 53.5 44.4 Capital 4 5 6 5 47.8 41.8 Eagle 4 6 6 6 42.7 47.6 Borah 3 7 4 8 41.1 49.3 Vallivue 3 7 3 9 40.3 48.1 Timberline 2 8 3 9 35.8 46.8 Meridian 1 8 1 10 39.8 57.5

2A WESTERN IDAHO CONFERENCE (Four teams to state)

Conf Overall

W L W L PPG PAPG New Plymouth 4 0 10 2 51.0 35.2 Melba 3 1 6 5 47.0 43.0 Cole Valley 3 2 5 6 37.9 39.5 McCall-Donnelly 2 2 5 4 38.6 36.4 Marsing 2 2 5 6 33.8 34.3 Nampa Christian 1 4 3 8 36.5 42.1 North Star 0 4 1 9 17.3 45.8

BOYS BASKETBALL 5A SOUTHERN IDAHO CONFERENCE (4 teams to state)

Conf Overall

W L W L PPG PAPG Capital 4 0 6 0 66.8 47.7 Boise 4 0 6 0 68.2 51.5 Rocky Mountain 4 2 6 2 55.0 43.9 Borah 3 2 5 2 58.7 47.7 Timberline 3 2 4 3 54.1 49.3 Centennial 3 3 4 4 49.6 52.0 Eagle 2 3 4 3 54.1 51.7 Mtn. View 1 4 2 5 44.9 51.1 Meridian 1 4 1 6 41.3 49.0 Vallivue 0 5 2 5 59.4 66.3 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Through Dec. 23 Scoring Player Team G Pts PPG Simpson, S. BOI 5 128 25.6 Schroeder VAL 7 107 15.3 Navaaro, B. VAL 7 106 15.1 Ball MTV 6 90 15.0 White CAP 6 84 14.0 Mpoyo MER 6 80 13.3 Leavitt EAG 7 86 12.3 Sherle RMT 7 81 11.6 Vogt VAL 7 81 11.6 Berryhill TIM 7 80 11.4 Hansen CAP 6 64 10.7 Reed BOR 6 62 10.3 Rebounds Player Team G Reb Avg Simpson, S. BOI 5 58 11.6 Olson MTV 6 52 8.7 Mpoyo MER 6 48 8.0 Knight RMT 5 39 7.8 Gonser TIM 7 39 5.6 Nawahine RMT 7 39 5.6 Floyd EAG 7 38 5.4 Egner MTV 6 32 5.3 Mabe CEN 7 34 4.9 Schroeder VAL 7 33 4.7 Vogt VAL 7 33 4.7 Stout MER 6 28 4.7 Ball-handling Player Team G AST TO ATR Fisher TIM 7 3.9 0.7 5.4 Field TIM 6 0.8 0 5.0 Spjute BOR 5 0.6 0.2 3.0 Jones BOR 6 4.3 2.2 2.0 Hughes BOI 5 1.6 0.8 2.0 Toffelmier RMT 5 0.4 0 2.0 Desaulnies CEN 7 1.1 0.6 2.0 Navaaro, B. VAL 7 4.1 2.3 1.8 White CAP 6 3.5 2 1.8 Dennis CEN 7 2.9 1.7 1.7 Riley VAL 7 1.1 0.7 1.6 Paulin BOR 6 0.5 0.3 1.5 ATT=Assist:turnover ratio 2A WESTERN IDAHO CONFERENCE (Four teams to state)

Conf Overall

W L W L PPG PAPG North Star 1 0 5 2 40.4 35.7 McCall-Donnelly 1 0 3 3 43.3 45.7 Cole Valley 1 0 3 4 55.6 49.4 Melba 0 0 3 4 61.3 60.6 Nampa Christian 0 1 4 3 54.9 50.6 New Plymouth 0 1 3 3 50.3 46.5 Marsing 0 1 2 6 32.3 46.4

Races heat up as New Year begins Rocky Mountain girls running away; Patriots, Mavericks chasing

by Michael Lycklama

mlycklama@idahopress.com © 2013 MERIDIAN PRESS

With the Christmas break over, high school basketball schedules throughout the valley ramp back up to full speed. And districts loom just around the corner.

The girls basketball season has just more than a month left with the 5A District III tournament tipping off Feb. 6. And while the boys basketball season hasn’t hit the halfway mark, its tournament isn’t far behind, starting Feb. 18.

So now is a good time to take stock of what has already happened, what lies ahead and how the Meridian schools measure up.

Adam Eschbach/IPT

Eagle High’s Derrick Lodge, passes the ball during a Dec. 17 game against Centennial at Centennial High School.

EAGLE

CENTENNIAL

MERIDIAN

ROCKY MOUNTAIN

Girls basketball

Girls basketball

Girls basketball

Girls basketball

Girls basketball

The No.-4 ranked Patriots look like a lock to return to the state tournament after a rare absence last season. And a young group of freshmen and sophomores are leading the resurgence.

Centennial’s defense is holding opponents to 39.8 points per game, second best in the league. Freshman Ayana Amaechi leads the defensive effort with 2.9 steals per game. And freshman Tori Williams (16.3 points per game) and sophomore Dominique Williams (13.1 ppg) are lighting it up on the offensive end.

Upcoming games: vs.

Meridian, Jan. 4; at Capital, Jan. 8; at Vallivue, Jan. 10

Eagle snapped a fourgame losing streak in December and closed out 2013 winning three of its last five games. The early rough stretch was to be expected though with a club that features only one senior.

All that youth now has 12 varsity games under its belt, and 12 games worth of experience as it makes its way through the league a second time.

Look for freshman point guard Cassidy Tiegs to shine in the second half.

Upcoming games: at Borah, Jan. 4; vs. Boise, Jan. 8; at Capital, Jan. 10

The 2013 portion of Meridian’s schedule didn’t treat it kindly. The Warriors lost their first seven games of the season and found only one victory — 49-47 at home against Timberline on Dec. 13.

The Warriors’ defense is surrendering a league-high 57.5 points per game, and six opponents have broken the 60-point barrier against Meridian.

The Warriors will need to shore up their defense in order to find more success in 2014.

The No. 1-ranked Grizzlies are the only undefeated 5A team left in Idaho, and they are steamrolling their opponents, winning each game by an average of 24.7 points per game.

Timberline, Boise and Middleton are the only teams that managed to stay within single digits of Rocky Mountain thus far.

And Rocky Mountain already owns a 19-point victory at Mountain View and a 14-point win at home vs.

Centennial, two of its top competitors in the league.

Upcoming games: vs.

Mountain View, Jan. 4; vs.

Vallivue, Jan. 8; at Meridian Jan. 10.

Boys basketball

Eagle finished the year with a home win against Borah, the two-time defending state champion.

The Lions were without Utah signee Isaiah Wright.

But Borah remains formidable, and the win gives the Eagles momentum heading into 2014.

Eagle has continued its 3-point barrage and leads the league with 50 made 3-pointers at the break. But its percentage, 30.1, ranks fifth in the league. If more 3s start falling in the second half, look out.

Upcoming games: vs.

Vallivue, Jan. 3; vs. Timberline at CenturyLink, Jan. 4

Mountain View coach Connie Skogrand cautioned her team might start slow with only four returning letterman. But the Mavericks didn’t show it on the court, racing to a 9-2 start.

Sophomore point guard Destiny Slocum continues to have her way with opposing defenses. The reigning conference player of the year finished 2013 averaging 22.2 points, 4.2 assists and 2.5 steals per game.

Mountain View lost its two biggest games with Rocky Mountain (69-50) and Centennial (43-40), and have to travel to those two teams the next time around Upcoming games: at Rocky Mountain, Jan. 4; at Meridian, Jan. 8; vs. Timberline, Jan. 10

The season got off to a rocky start for Centennial with a three-game losing streak. But the Patriots then won their next four games before ending the calendar year with a 50-33 loss at Rocky Mountain on Dec. 27.

Centennial leads the league in rebounding margin at +8.3 per game. The next closest is Rocky Mountain at +3.6. If the Patriots continue to crash the boards and find more consistency, 2014 looks bright.

Upcoming games: vs.

Borah, Jan. 3; at Mountain View, Jan. 9

Boys basketball

Upcoming

Boys basketball The Warriors’ boys basketball is also struggling. It heads into 2014 1-6 overall and 1-4 in league play. But four of those losses came by fewer than 10 points, so Meridian is remaining in nearly every game.

The defense remains solid. But Meridian struggled shooting in 2013, finishing the year a league-low 30.5 percent from the field.

The break should allow the Warriors to hone in offensively and try to start fresh in 2014.

Upcoming games: vs.

Mountain View, Jan. 3; at Capital, Jan. 9.

. or want to advertise.. give us a call!

g Krista Kin rketing Executive Sales and Ma 208.465.8133 npress.com kking@mymeridia

ch Holly Bee ss reporter

Meridian Pre 208.465.8193 npress.com hbeech@mymeridia

PUBLICATION OF THE IDA

HO PRESS-TRIBUNE 1025981

games:

at Centennial, Jan. 4; vs.

Mountain View, Jan. 8; vs.

Rocky Mountain, Jan. 10

! t i t u o b a s u l tdoeyolu have news, story ideas

C M Y K

MOUNTAIN VIEW

1025084

Boys basketball The Mavericks finished 2013 with a once-in-a-lifetime experience, playing at EnergySolutions Arena — the home of the Utah Jazz.

Mountain View faced Bishop Kelly on Dec. 27 in Salt Lake City, and Bishop Kelly hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to win 52-50. The loss capped a 2-5 start to the season.

Upcoming games: at Meridian, Jan. 3; vs. Centennial, Jan. 9

Boys basketball Rocky Mountain stumbled in the middle of December, falling at Timberline and at home to Capital for its first two losses of the season. The Grizzlies struggled on defense in both losses, allowing Timberline to shoot 57 percent from the floor and Capital 59 percent.

But the Grizzlies shored up their defense and closed out 2013 on a positive note by forcing 18 turnovers in a 50-33 victory against Centennial on Dec. 27.

Upcoming games: at Boise, Jan. 3; vs. Vallivue, Jan. 9

M8

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014 // MYMERIDIANPRESS.COM

Surgical results without the surgery “Why should I see a medical weight loss specialist?”

A

medical weight loss specialist has undergone additional education, training, and testing to become board certified in weight loss medicine. Also to become board certified, the national board of Obesity Medicine sends a previously board certified physician to observe the doctors’ practice. This physician then reports back to a board of other physicians before certifying Dr.’s Rader, Freshwater and Hafer. dr. rader, dr. Freshwater and dr. hafer are the only md’s in the

treasure Valley to pass all three of the processes to become board certified in weight loss medicine.

Meet W. allen rader, Md committee and elected as an officer.

He was awarded the National Medical Weight Loss Physician of the Year in 2007 and in 2011 was awarded “Fellow” status for his excellence in obesity medicine. In 2012, he was invited to present his program methods and results at the European Obesity Congress in Lyon, France.

Not only is Dr. Rader a treatment specialist, he is an instructor-teaching other physicians his weight loss medicine methods. He has presented and lectured at national conferences from 2003 through 2013.

Because they are specialists in obesity medicine, the weight loss program focuses not just on weight loss but also on weight maintenance.

important facts about our program: • Recognized the “gold standard” of weight loss by 2012 president of ASBP • Only weight loss center in America with 3 physicians certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine • Recipient of the 2007 Best Weight Loss Doctor in America awarded

by ASBP • 97% first-month success rate • 5-year success rate 10 times national average • Over 14,000 clients successfully treated • Results posted online and updated regularly • Program has already spread to 21 states

meet our physicians Michelle M. Freshwater, MD, ASBP, ABOM Dr. Freshwater completed her residency training in family medicine at the Via Christi Family Practice Residency program in Wichita, KS. She is board-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She earned her MD from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Lawrence and her undergraduate BA in human biology from the University of Kansas.

Dr. Freshwater is member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians. She enjoys motherhood, skiing, snowboarding, hiking and camping in the outdoors, as well as knitting and filmmaking with her husband.

Mary Hafer, MD, ASBP, FACOG, ABOM Dr. Hafer is a board-certified OB/GYN and a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She is also board-certified in obesity medicine by the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She earned her undergraduate BS in biology from the University of Washington, graduating magna cum laude, and her MD from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. Dr. Hafer completed her residency in OB/GYN at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo.

Dr. Hafer is a member of the Idaho Medical Association and the Ada County Medical Society. In her spare time, Dr. Hafer enjoys gardening, cooking and nutrition to fuel her downhill skiing, snow shoeing, running, horseback riding and reading historical fiction.

Brad Gilman, MD, ASBP After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brigham Young University, Dr. Gilman went on to receive his MD from St. Louis University. He completed his internship in emergency medicine and his residency in family medicine at University of California at Irvine. Dr. Gilman is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians and is pursuing board certification by the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

In his free time, Dr. Gilman is a member of the YMCA triathlon team and participates in related activities and sporting events.

He spends considerable time mountain biking with his wife and three children in Idaho, Utah and Colorado, and he likes to visit Vancouver and Whistler in Canada.

Deb A. Mabbutt, MS, PA-C, ASBP Deb received her master’s degree as a physician assistant from the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City.

She did her residency training in family practice medicine in the Treasure Valley of Boise. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise physiology from Boise State University.

Deb is a member of the Idaho Association of Physician Assistants, the Idaho Medical Association and the American Society of Bariatric Physicians. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, cycling, white-water boating and gardening.

W. Allen Rader, MD, FASBP, ABOM “I know how losing weight changed my life. I want to help you do the same. In my 14 years in Boise, my team and I have helped over 15,000 patients, including hundreds of doctors and nurses, lose over 520,000 pounds. Many of these patients remain active in our weight maintenance program.”

A 1981 honors graduate from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Dr. Rader began his practice of bariatric medicine in Idaho in December 1999. He was Idaho’s first MD certified by the American Board of Bariatric Medicine and only the 245th nationwide. He has served on the National Board of Trustees for the American Society of Bariatric Physicians and in 2008 was appointed to the executive

Dr. Rader subscribes to the guidelines of the American Society of Bariatric Medicine in caring for patients. He has presented on obesity treatment in 27 states. His experience includes two years as a practitioner in rural Kentucky, one of seven MDs providing care in a 150bed hospital. His practice included obstetrics, pediatrics, assisting in surgery, general inpatient, outpatient and emergency medicine. For the next 14 years, he cared for patients as an emergency department physician, serving as chairman of the department for seven years. He also served as a state representative to ACEP. He began his obesity medicine practice in February 1997. His goal today is to provide compassionate, understanding care combined with modern weight loss medicine. Dr. Rader specializes in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related medical and psychological conditions.

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GET PUZZLED

Solution on page 12

BrainSnack

© 2014 PeterFrank t.v. Dist. by Creators Syndicate Inc.

01/03/14

Train Your Brain level

AFFAIR The winner has run the distance in 15 seconds, the second in 21 seconds, etc. How many seconds will it take the sixth athlete to cross the line?

Solution page 12 Solutionon 01/02/14 37 ice cubes.

Today’s Tip

15+?= 21

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LOCAL NEWS

Online calculator shows cost of living around the country T

he Economic Policy Institute, a nonprofit that seeks to include the needs of low- and middle-income workers in economic policy discussions, has created an online Family Budget Calculator. The calculator estimates how much money families of various sizes would need to attain a secure yet modest living standard in various parts of the country.

EPI’s calculator estimates that to live securely, a family typically needs twice the income than what is outline by the federal poverty guideline, which is used by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies to determine if a person is eligible for certain assistance programs.

Here’s a look at the cost of living for various families, based on EPI’s Family Budget Calculator. To find data on cities of your choice, check out epi.org/resources/budget.

Metro area: Boise Population: 637,896 Family size: two parents, two children Cost of living n Housing: $724 n Food: $754 n Child care: $846 n Transportation: $607 n Health care: $1,295 n Other necessities: $378 n Taxes: $116 Monthly total: $4,719 Annual total: $56,633

Metro area: Pocatello Population: 91,578 Family size: two parents, two children Cost of living n Housing: $626 n Food: $754 n Child care: $846 n Transportation: $603 n Health care: $1,277 n Other necessities: $353 n Taxes: $32 Monthly total: $4,490 Annual total: $53,886

Metro area: Coeur d’Alene Population: 142,357 Family size: two parents, two children Cost of living n Housing: $724 n Food: $754 n Child care: $846 n Transportation: $603 n Health care: $1,277 n Other necessities: $378 n Taxes: $113 Monthly total: $4,695 Annual total: $56,336

Metro area: Bellingham, Wash.

Population: 205,262 Family size: two parents, two children Cost of living n Housing: $902

Food: $754 Child care: $1,119 n Transportation: $603 n Health care: $1,288 n Other necessities: $424 n Taxes: $288 Monthly total: $5,377 Annual total: $64,525 n n

Metro area: Prescott, Ariz.

Population: 212,637 Family size: two parents, two children Cost of living n Housing: $819 n Food: $754 n Child care: $1,149 n Transportation: $603 n Health care: $1,251 n Other necessities: $403 n Taxes: $346 Monthly total: $5,324 Annual total: $63,883

Metro area: Duluth, Minn.

Population: 279,452 Family size: two parents, two children Cost of living n Housing: $725 n Food: $754 n Child care: $1,432 n Transportation: $603 n Health care: $1,433 n Other necessities: $379 n Taxes: $443 Monthly total: $5,768 Annual total: $69,210

Metro area: Fresno, Calif.

Population: 947,895 Family size: two parents, two children Cost of living n Housing: $878 n Food: $754 n Child care: $953 n Transportation: $607 n Health care: $1,416 n Other necessities: $418 n Taxes: $194

Monthly total: $5,219 Annual total: $62,632

Compiled by Holly Beech

hbeech@mymeridianpress.com © 2014 MERIDIAN PRESS

Family size: two parents, two children Cost of living n Housing: $1,474 n Food: $754 n Child care: $2,006 n Transportation: $577 n Health care: $1,629 n Other necessities: $570 n Taxes: $879 Monthly total: $7,890 Annual total: $94,676

Metro area: Salt Lake City Population: 1.2 million Family size: two parents, two children Cost of living n Housing: $839 n Food: $754 n Child care: $786 n Transportation: $607 n Health care: $1,328 n Other necessities: $408 n Taxes: $261 Monthly total: $4,982 Annual total: $59,785

*Population source: U.S. Census Bureau Intercensal Population Estimates, 2012, found at diversitydata. sph.harvard.edu.

Metro area: Austin, Texas

ABOUT THE ECONOMIC POLICY INSTITUTE’S FAMILY BUDGET CALCULATOR

Population: 1.8 million Family size: two parents, two children Cost of living n Housing: $1,050 n Food: $754 n Child care: $961 n Transportation: $607 n Health care: $1,448 n Other necessities: $462 n Taxes: $300 Monthly total: $5,581 Annual total: $66,970

Measures the income a family needs in order to attain a secure yet modest living standard. n Estimates community-specific costs of necessities like food and housing. n Budgets are based on 2013 stats in 615 U.S. communities. n Six budgets are available based on six different family sizes. n In all cases, EPI’s family budgets show that families need more than twice the amount of the federal poverty line to get by. n

Metro area: San Francisco

SOURCE: epi.org/resources/budget

Population: 4.5 million Family size: two parents, two children Cost of living n Housing: $1,795 n Food: $754 n Child care: $953 n Transportation: $607 n Health care: $1,574 n Other necessities: $652 n Taxes: $551 Monthly total: $6,887 Annual total: $83,639

2013 FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES Federal poverty guideline in the continental U.S., based on household size: 1: $11,490 2: $15,510 3: $19,530 4: $23,550 5: $27,570 6: $31,590

Metro area: New York City

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Population: 19.1 million

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LOCAL NEWS about Forward Movement Training 17,000-square-foot safety training center for law enforcement and civilians. n Includes house and bank replicas, training mat, simulator and variety of courses. n The $60,000 simulator, with an 8-by-12-foot screen, will provide hundreds of training scenarios and one-on-one training. Cost to use simulator: $65 for 30 minutes, $100 for an hour. n Feb. 16: first law enforcement class n Feb. 19: first concealed weapons class n Staff includes an advanced mixed martial arts instructor, a concealed weapons instructor, along with several local and outof-state contract instructors. n

connect Forward Movement Training Center n 125 W. Taylor St., Meridian n 412-7966 n forwardmovementtraining.com n

Forward Movement Training gains momentum, opens in February

I

n six weeks, 30 law enforcement officials will be taking a training course in Meridian about undercover rescues and confidential informants.

That class currently isn’t available locally, but thanks to Meridian’s new Forward Movement Training Center (FMT), it will be among a smattering of safety courses available to law enforcement officials and civilians who want to be prepared for emergencies.

The 17,000-square-foot center — which will have life-like house and bank replicas, a mat room for selfdefense training, a simulator and classrooms — is the brainchild of a local law enforcement official who saw a need for more realistic training scenarios in Idaho.

Currently, scenario training takes place primarily in empty buildings, schools, homes and warehouses, FMT founder Matt Schneider of Meridian said.

Schneider has worked in law enforcement since 2001 and is currently employed with the Ada County Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s good for practicing footwork, and it’s good for a limited scope of the overall training, but when you Holly Beech/MP go into an empty room that’s void of anything to re- Matt Schneider with the Ada County Sheriff’s Office is opening a new Meridian safety training center ally process, ... it doesn’t mimic reality,” he said. in February. Forward Movement Training Center will feature bank and house buildings for life-like Other training takes place at advanced out-of- training, plus a simulator that offers hundreds of scenarios. The center will offer courses for both law state courses. Schnei- enforcement officials and civilians. der hopes FMT offers

by Holly Beech hbeech@mymeridianpress.com more realistic and comprehensive train“It’s funny, unless you really understand what I’m doing versus © 2014 MERIDIAN PRESS ing and puts Meridian on the map as what they’re (the city of Meridian) doing, on its face it really does a training destination. He’s already seem like there’s a lot of overlap,” he said. “... But there’s some sigtrained a woman from San Francisco and has received another call nificant differences, and the first is that what Meridian’s doing is of interest from a man in Virginia. for law enforcement only.”

“It’s exciting, the level of interest in having this here has just FMT, on the other hand, will be able to train civilians from all been overwhelming,” he said. walks of life — whether that be someone interested in learning how to handle a gun, react wisely in an emergency or gain selfPublic safety industry expands defense skills.

Meridian is shaping up to be a great fit for FMT, Schneider said.

Schneider hopes FMT bridges the gap between civilian safe“I’ve been amazed at actually the number of local either tacti- ty training and law enforcement training. For example, banks cal or gun manufacture companies that are in the area, the numwill be able to bring employees in for life-like training on how ber of local retired, like military special operations guys,” he said. to handle a hold-up or hostage situation — both physically and “It’s just been, it’s been eye-opening on how many companies psychologically. SWAT teams will be able to train right alongthat are here locally.”

Meridian hopes to grow its public safety industry, which in- side them.

“The closest place to us that’s like this is in Ogden, Utah,” cludes training and manufacturing equipment, Meridian Economic Development Administrator Brenda Sherwood told Me- he said. “So this isn’t a brand new idea that I thought up, it just ridian Press in July. The city is working on its own public safety doesn’t exist here.”

FMT will offer its first concealed weapons class for civilians training center with a scenario village and shooting range.

Though the two centers have similarities, they won’t step on in mid-February. More classes and chances for individuals to use each others’ toes, Schneider said. the simulator will follow.

AP file photo

Protesters rally for better wages Dec. 5 at a Wendy’s in Detroit. Fast food chains are the epicenter of the battle over the minimum wage, with employees staging protests for an increase.

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s neighboring states lift minimum wages, a group aiming to hike the lowest legal pay in Idaho to $9.80 an hour by 2017 said Tuesday it has collected one-ninth of the signatures necessary to

by John Miller The Associated Press get the measure on the November ballot.

However, Raise Idaho’s Anne Nesse said she has enlisted unions and advocacy organizations to accelerate the effort before the April 30 deadline for filing signatures.

A total of 53,751 signatures of registered voters are needed to qualify the measure for a vote. Nesse said 6,000 have been collected so far.

The move is opposed by retail groups that want to keep Idaho’s minimum wage at $7.25, the federal amount.

Nesse of Coeur d’Alene, an unsuccessful state House candidate last year, said the move has been spurred by outrage over Idaho’s status as the state with the most minimum-wage jobs per capita in America.

An increased minimum wage is “not going to cure all poverty, but it certainly makes it possible to live, buy nutritious foods, shelter and transportation to work C M Y K

MINIMUM WAGE IN IDAHO $7.25/hour: minimum wage 7.7 percent of Idaho employees made minimum wage in 2012, a rising trend.

31,000 of Idaho’s 404,000 hourly workers were paid the minimum rate.

4.7 percent of hourly workers nationwide made the minimum rate in 2012, down from 5.2 percent in 2011.

Neighboring states’ minimum wages are increasing this year to: n $9.32/hour in Washington — nation’s highest minimum wage n $9.10/hour in Oregon n $7.90/hour in Montana — all those things you need to live to be a respectable person,” Nesse said.

If the proposal succeeds, the minimum would increase over the next four years then be indexed to inflation. Wages for tipped restaurant employees would jump to $5.90 an hour, from $3.25.

Idaho’s minimum wage was last boosted in 2009 along with the federal minimum. Democrats in the state Legislature have failed repeatedly to hike it further.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014 // MYMERIDIANPRESS.COM

ON THE TOWN ON

THE SIDE if you go WHAT: Idaho Laugh Festival (ILF) WHEN: Jan. 10-11 WHO: 70 comics from across the country and Canada WHERE: Boise venues: Egyptian Theatre, Liquid Laughs, ComedySportz, The Reef, China Blue WEB: idaholaughfest.com

n Egyptian Theatre will host headliner Dennis Regan (Late Show with David Letterman, Tonight Show, Showtime, Comedy Central), featuring Eddie Brill (Late Show with David Letterman, Paper Moon Comedy Club, Comedy Central) and Boise’s own Heath Harmison, who has opened for Dennis Miller, Louie Anderson and Eddie Griffin. n Liquid Laughs: Stand-up comedy, workshops and an after-party n ComedySportz: Northwest Invitational, bringing improv troupes from Sacramento, Portland, Seattle and more for head-to-head sports-structured hilarity. n The Reef: stand-comedy and improv comedy showcases n China Blue: stand-up comedy

tickets

$5: after party (11:30 p.m., Jan. 11) $10: regular showcases $20: special engagement at the Egyptian $90: VIP pass, including unlimited shows, one workshop, pass to the after party and an ILF T-shirt

Submitted photo

Boise comedian Megan Bryant is bringing Idaho Laugh Fest, featuring more than 70 comics, to several Boise venues Jan. 10 and 11. She’s seen here (far left) with her improv troupe, Chicks n’ Giggles, who will be performing in the improv showcase at the Reef Friday alongside three other local improve groups.

Boise debuts Idaho Laugh Festival with 70 comics

M

ore than 70 comics will by Holly Beech waiting for stuff, so I just started putgather in Boise next week hbeech@mymeridianpress.com ting it together,” she said. for the first ever Idaho © 2013 MERIDIAN PRESS Bryant patterned ILF after other Laugh Festival (ILF) — a festivals she’s been to around the two-day event filled with country, but said she was encouraged stand-up, musical and improv comedy, as well as by the success of Boise’s Treefort Music Fest, which workshops and fun shows for all ages. brings in musicians from around the country for a Most of the comics are from out of state, but ILF Di- multi-day event each year. rector and founder Megan Bryant said she hopes the “The fact that Treefort really has done so well and festival puts Boise on the map as a place for great en- is thriving, I think that was motivating for me to know tertainment. that our community really loves festivals,” Bryant said.

“One of my biggest hopes is not only to bring in “We love to celebrate both local and out-of-state talsome cool talent and get people rubbing shoulders, but ent.” to really help the Boise comic scene grow (its reputaSimilar to Treefort, ILF will spread out several diftion nationwide),” she said. ferent shows at multiple Boise venues, including The Bryant also hopes the festival gives Treasure Val- Egyptian Theatre and The Reef. Don’t miss out Jan. 10 ley residents a taste of how vast and diverse the local and 11. comedy scene is — something many people might not WORKSHOPS know very much about, she said.

“I’m hoping that this will help eduWorkshops including musical comedy, storytelling, cate the community a little bit more improv basics, and business of standup will also be that there’s a huge variety of comavailable to seasoned and future comedians. Eddie edy that’s available, from familyBrill, the warm-up comic and former talfriendly all the way to the ratedent coordinator at Late Night with David R stuff,” Bryant said.

Letterman will conduct a comedy semiAs a comedian and Boise nar. native, Bryant saw a need for Along with the entertainers will be a local comedy festival. Her representatives from the entertainment background in event planning business local and national, including came in handy, she said. the David Letterman Show, Funny or “Sometimes I get tired of Die, Greg Green Films, CatMac Produc-

Discover the 25th anniversary of the Discovery Center of Idaho BOISE — Enjoy the Discovery Center of Idaho’s 25th birthday celebration today. There will be fun for all ages with liquid nitrogen ice cream on the hour from noon-7 p.m., cupcakes from 4-6 p.m., balloons and a new exhibit.

The Discovery Center of Idaho’s 25th birthday will go from noon until 7 p.m. at the Discovery Center of Idaho, 131 W Myrtle St., Boise. Admission is $3, the same admission fee when the center opened in 1988.

MERIDIAN — Come to the library to listen to stories while in your pajamas Tuesday. It is open for all ages. The Meridian Camille Schultz of Boise left, tries the bicycle wheel gyro as she visits the Classic Exhibi- Library will be hosting the story time at 7 p.m. The library is located at 1326 W. Cherry Lane, Meridian. tion at the Discovery Center of Idaho in Boise with her grandfather Mike Kolosseus.

Greg Kreller/IPT

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SPORTS • TRAFFIC EVENTS • NEWS

Let us know with the You Report feature on our App. Download for FREE at mymeridianpress.com

GOFIVE If you’re looking for some new clothes but are still recovering from your holiday shopping, hear are five local stores that are easy on the budget.

3. Renewed Expressions 2100 E. Fairview 8 t.v. Dist. by Creators Syndicate Inc. 01/04/14 BrainSnack Ave., © 2014Suite PeterFrank renewedexpressions.com Train You can make some moneyYour for clothes youBrain no longer level name-brand fashion at this want while shopping women’s consignment store.

1. Babe on a Budget 1235 E. Fairview Ave. facebook.com/babeonabudget The name says it all. This women’s clothing store offers new and gently used clothing at budget prices.

4. Again Consignment Boutique 222 E. State St., Eagle againclothing.com Find upscale women’s clothing and unique jewelry.

There’s also a teen store, Again2, which is located a block down the road at 118 E. State St.

2. Epic Clothing Exchange 2483 Fairview Ave. epicexchangeclothing.com Trade in your gently used clothing for cash or credit to use in the store to save even more off the already-low prices.

5. Urban Exchange Consignment Boutique 1533 S. Five Mile Road, Boise urbanexchangeonline.com Another place to trade in your gently used clothing for a new, brand-name wardrobe.

GETPUZZLED SOLUTIONS The more Belgian beers you order, the cheaper they become.

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Show What: “Rapture, Blister and Burn” When: 7 p.m. Monday Where: Boise Contemporary Theater, 854 Fulton St., Boise Tickets: $12, $10/students, available at 3319224 or bctheater.org

It’s a pajama kind of day

SPORTS • TRAFFIC EVENTS • NEWS

What: The Reverend Horton Heat with special guests Jello Biafra and Old Man Markley When: 8 p.m. Sunday Where: Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise Tickets: $13-$35, available at (866) 4687624, ticketweb.com, knittingfactory.com or the Record Exchange in Boise What: Hyper Crush When: 7:30 p.m.

Thursday Where: Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise Tickets: $16, available at (866) 468-7624, ticketweb.com, knittingfactory.com or the Record Exchange in Boise

FAMILYHUB

what’s up?

What: The Diamonds with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra When: 2 p.m. Saturday Where: Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise Tickets: $19.50-$39.50, available at 426-1110 or boisestatetickets.com

Bananagrams:

What is the price of the last beer?

BrainSnack:

Solution 01/03/14 39 seconds. This is the formula: 15+(1+5)= 21+(2+1)= 24+(2+4)= 30+(3+0)= 33+(3+3)= 39.

Today’s Tip

sum of the digits

about the shows

Music What: Satisfaction — Rolling Stones Tribute Band When: 8 p.m. today Where: Revolution Center, 4983 Glenwood Unit No. 4, Garden City Tickets: $20-$35, available at (877) 435-9849 or ticketfly.com

C M Y K

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014 // MYMERIDIANPRESS.COM

13

PLUGGED IN How police department is preparing for more inevitable growth Another year behind us and now we can look forward to 2014.

So what can we expect this New Year to bring? Growth! Yes, all indicators point toward another building boom in 2014.

While the growth is great for our community, it can create more challenges for your first responders.

No matter how much we grow, and regardless of how many new patrol areas we add, you can expect the same great service from your Meridian Police Department. Even when we have been stretched thin, our men and women have always worked very hard to provide a service to our citizens comparable to no other.

Already we are busy preparing for the growth 2014 will bring and analyzing different ways we may become more efficient without compromising the service you have come to expect. Training helps prepare our officers to handle the challenges of our job.

Growth is no exception.

Training will also help us prepare to serve additional community members. That is why we are excited to start construction on our new public training center this year. The center isn’t just designed for police officers but all the first responders in our community including firefighters, paramedics, public works employees and anyone else who

would respond to an emergency.

This facility will help us all prepare for the challenges we may face in the future.

You can help all our officers as our city continues to expand, especially on the roadways. With more people moving into Meridian, traffic isn’t going to get better any time soon. So we all need to take a breath and make sure we are conscientious of those using our roadways.

Slow down, pay attention to those red lights and remember honking, yelling and those various hand gestures so many people like to use haven’t solved any of our traffic issues to date.

So take a deep breath and control

in your words

your emotions. Don’t let another driver have so much power over you that they can ruin your day for not signaling. We are known as a very friendly community, so let’s make sure we keep it that way even when we are driving.

For the past 20 years, Meridian has experienced rapid growth, and throughout that entire time our community has done an amazing job of working with us to make Meridian one of the safest places to live.

We realize there may be challenging times and bumps in the road due to the

nature of our work.

With that being said, let me assure you the Meridian Police Department will work with you to try and make sure all your questions about what we do, how and why we do it will be answered in a clear, transparent manner.

Give us a call any time at 8886678 or shoot us an email at mpd@meridiancity.org. n Tracy L. Basterrechea is deputy chief of the Meridian Police Department and can be reached at tbasterrechea@ meridiancity.org.

Chamber of Commerce excited about what’s ahead in 2014

UP & DOWN for the great job at keeping the perimeter walkways around Settlers Park cleared. Great for seniors who walk these daily to “stay young.”

Why is the speed limit only 35 mph on Cherry Lane from Ten Mile all the way to Nampa? Would love to see an increase! to the drivers going 70 mph on the freeway in a heavy snowstorm. When you inevitably wreck, you may be safe in your massive pickup truck, but you’ll end up getting someone else killed. Slow down!

Send your Thumbs Up and Down submissions to news@mymeridianpress.com. n

What a year 2013 has been for the Meridian Chamber. I thought I would highlight some of the great events that happened, but when I started going back over 2013, there are too many to pick from.

So I thought maybe it would be better to look ahead at some of the programs and events that are in store for 2014.

Starting this month we have some amazing speakers for our lunches on the first and third Tuesday all year. We are kicking off 2014 with The Village at Meridian sponsoring our lunch and the new director of the Department of Labor, Ken Edmonds, as our guest speaker. Be sure to check our events calendar at www.meridianchamber.org for details.

First Friday will be held Jan. 10 at Sheridan Academy. Don’t miss out on this fun way to see one of our local businesses that moved to Meridian in 2013. We meet every “first Friday” of the month to learn about a different Chamber member and network.

The third Wednesday of every month brings us an opportunity to learn from some of our local businesses as they share their areas of expertise. Bring your lunch and join us Jan. 15 at noon for Clifton Larson Allen to present “Protecting Your Business — Ten Action Steps for Your Business Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Success.”

Everyone always looks forward to our monthly Business After Hours. AAA of Idaho is kicking off 2014 with the party at its office on Jan. 16. Come and learn more about AAA and enjoy some great networking.

Other events you won’t want to miss are: March 25 and Sept.

23 are our Economic Excellence Breakfasts, May 16th is the annual golf tournament at SpurWing, June 19 is the pancake feed (during Meridian Dairy Days), and Nov. 6 will be the annual banquet.

The Meridian Chamber is undergoing a great office remodel. If you stop by and things are a little dusty or smell like paint, we should be done soon. We had a large conference room we seldom used, and we are turning it into two offices. We’re also adding some color to the walls and rearranging things a bit. We promise to have an open house when we’re done and invite you by to see the changes.

Breanne Peterson, who has been with us since the middle of 2013 as our administrative assistant, will be changing to a new role at the Chamber. She is will be our membership development manager. If you are not a Chamber member and would like more information, email Breanne at Breanne@ meridianchamber.org.

Anne Little Roberts is the executive director of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce and can be reached at anne@meridianchamber.org.

n

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M14

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014 // MYMERIDIANPRESS.COM

PUBLISHER'S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.”

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800669-9777. Hearing impaired call 1-800-927-9275

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NOTE: The following advertisers have certified that these properties meet the standards set by the Fair Housing Act of 1968; amended on 1989, and therefore qualify as “Housing for the Elderly,” and may be advertised as such.

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Advertising Assistant The Idaho Press-Tribune is seeking qualified candidates for an advertising assistant. This is a full-time day shift position.

New jobs posted Post yourdaily job

online

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The Idaho Press-Tribune is a privately owned employee driven company that has been doing business in the Treasure Valley since 1883. We are well respected and well known. We are a leader in providing local information and advertising to residents across 7 counties.

The Advertising Assistant position is responsible for managing and coordinating a multitude of identified areas throughout the advertising department on a daily basis. This key position in the advertising department is responsible for researching, coordinating, implementing and ultimately managing process and procedure for advertising production. This position commands the ability to work through others both within and outside of the advertising department to achieve execution.

Responsibilities also include administrative support for the advertising account executives and other administrative support tasks that require strong computer skills. The advertising department culture is very fast paced and extremely deadline driven. Strong attention to detail and accuracy is a must.

We provide an outstanding work environment, training, support, and resources. We also offer a full suite of benefits include health, dental, life, 401k, paid vacation and sick time. You must have a valid Idaho driver's license along with a good driving record.

New jobs posted daily

Please email a cover letter explaining why you are the perfect fit for this opportunity, specifically directly related examples of past success in a similar role. Email the cover letter and resume to rtincher@idahopress.com

Seeking Dynamic and Innovative

Managing Editor

The Idaho Press-Tribune, a 26,000 daily newspaper located in Nampa, ID, is seeking a superstar Managing Editor. We are a dynamic and innovative media company located just west of Boise with sister weekly publications in Meridian, ID and Emmett, ID. The paper seeks a deadline-oriented all-purpose editor with competency and experience in all areas including staff supervision, reporting, editing, page design, social media, photography and online news presentation.

QUALIFICATIONS: • Candidates must have a proven track record of successfully managing day to day operations of an active newsroom.

• This position requires brilliant news judgment, strong leadership and coaching skills, solid community relations and a passion for both digital and print journalism.

• You must demonstrate extremely innovative thinking all while maintaining a good sense of humor and positive attitude.

• The ideal candidate will have at least five year's experience in journalism with a minimum of two years of experience as an assigning and supervising editor.

• Daily newspaper newsroom experience is a must.

• Strong ability to meet deadlines consistently and perform under pressure.

• Journalism degree from a reputable college or university.

The paper offers an outstanding benefits package that includes vacation, quality health insurance and a 401K plan.

To apply: Send resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, three writing samples, two page design samples and a short paragraph explaining your thoughts on the future of the newspaper industry to Matt Davison at jobs@idahopress.com.

The Idaho Press-Tribune is an equal opportunity employer.

A Pioneer News Group property (pioneernewsgroup.com).

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