Friday
• October 30, 2015
www.magicvalley.com •
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Dilettantes Get Ghoulish with Addams Family • B1
Refugee Brothers Undivided By Christian, Muslim Faiths TETONA DUNLAP tdunlap@magicvalley.com
TWIN FALLS • Halloween was a week away and the Juma brothers already had a Christmas tree in their living room. Its plastic branches hung bare and unlit in the corner as the brothers sat in red and beige lawn chairs Friday afternoon. The Christmas tree was one of the first things they received upon arriving in Twin Falls. The five Juma brothers:
Amisi, 18; Issa, 24; Maurice, 24; Fabien, 29; and Bilembwe, 35, are refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They came to Twin Falls a month and a half ago with only a few items of clothing. Everything else in their three-bedroom apartment was given to them by the College of Southern Idaho Refugee Center. There was a small futon draped with a white lace cover. A sewing machine sitting on top of a red and white plaid tablecloth and a
Brothers Issa and Amisi Juma, refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, wash dishes in their home last week in Twin Falls.
computer monitor on a desk, that is rarely used because they don’t have Internet. At night, Issa likes to plug in the Christmas tree to see the lights glow. It was the first time Issa, a Muslim, had ever seen a Christmas tree. Maurice is also Muslim. Amisi, Fabien and Bilembwe are Christian. Though they have been in Twin Falls for a short time, Issa said they have heard about the
STEPHEN REISS, TIMES-NEWS
Please see REFUGEES, A4
The Joy of Scaring Others Brings Haunters Back Every Halloween
CSI Responds to Former VP’s Lawsuit JULIE WOOTTON jwootton@magicvalley.com
enthusiastic haunters in the Magic Valley. What makes them so good at their job? They love scaring people all year round, but especially during the Halloween season.
TWIN FALLS • The College of Southern Idaho filed a response Wednesday to a lawsuit by a former vice president, saying it wants the case dismissed. Edit Szanto sued CSI in July in U.S. District Court, alleging “pervasive discrimination” due to her gender and national origin. The case should be dismissed with prejudice, meaning it can’t be filed again, CSI’s attorney Kirt- Szanto lan Naylor argues in a response to the complaint. Allegations in Szanto’s complaint “do not rise to the level of a deprivation of rights,” he wrote. In Szanto’s complaint filed in July, her attorneys allege she was fired when she made claims about discrimination. In the suit, Szanto described herself as a “foreign born woman” and high-level administrator at CSI. She and her family immigrated to the United States from Romania as political refugees in 1990. They were resettled through CSI’s Refugee Center. She worked at CSI for 17 years — most recently since 2007, as vice president of student services, planning and grant development. The complaint alleges Szanto wasn’t treated equal to her male colleagues and was denied promotions.
Please see HAUNTERS, A5
Please see SZANTO, A5
DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS
Lead makeup artist Jeremy Fechner applies a prosthetic to Darlene Snyder on Oct. 23 at the Haunted Swamp in Twin Falls. It’s Snyder’s second year working for the Haunted Swamp. TETONA DUNLAP tdunlap@magicvalley.com
T W I N FA L L S • Savanna O’Connor used to plead with passersby to help her. Now the 14-year-old just sits in the dark and screams.
It’s better that way. She scares a lot more people. Savanna is one of the many ghosts, ghouls and things of nightmares that roam the shadowy parts of The Haunted Swamp. The haunted house attraction is in its seventh year
of operation in Twin Falls. But instead of roaming hallways and rooms, visitors can walk through deserted fields, past bubbling streams and through gnarled and twisted woods. It’s a realm where visitors can find some of the most
Inmate Rumored to Haunt Old County Courthouse NATHAN BROWN nbrown@magicvalley.com
TWIN FALLS • For 78 years, prisoners were housed on the fourth floor of the Twin Falls County Courthouse. When the new jail opened in 1989, they all moved. Except one. Some county employees have reported feeling a ghostly presence or have seen a person walking through the former jail area, according to Mike Miller, who has spent the past 34 years working for the county and is in charge of all
Editor’s note
This is the fifth in a series of urban legends and haunted happenings that will run through Halloween. Read all the stories on Magicvalley.com.
maintenance for the building, which was constructed in 1911. Three prisoners hanged themselves in the building in the 1980s, so one of them is the most likely specter, Miller said. “I think it’s his ghost that
everyone says they feel or see,” Miller said. Miller said he never seen or felt anything himself, but some people said they saw a person walking through the jail area, and there were also some people who were scared to go into High
Please see COURTHOUSE, A5
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The jail, on the nearly windowless fourth floor of the Twin Falls County Courthouse, could house up to 30 inmates. The jail was used until 1989.
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If You Do One Thing: Jerome Public Library’s Halloween party for preschoolers and elementary students, and a party for teens, will be held from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at 100 First Ave. E. Costumes welcome. Free.
the basement. “They thought they could feel or see a presence,” he said. He said the stories were prevalent for about 10 years, but then they largely died down. “I haven’t heard anybody talking about it for quite a while now,” Miller said. Several people who work for the county today whom the Times-News contacted said they were aware of rumors from years ago, but were hazy on the details.
A4 • Friday, October 30, 2015
OBITUARIES
Jesse Raymundo Lopez November 15, 1988-October 25, 2015 JEROME • Jesse passed away on the morning of Sunday October 25, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jesse graduated from Jerome High School in 2007. After high school he attended WyoTech in 2008 where he became a Diesel Mechanic. After WyoTech he started his career working for Halliburton in Vernal, Utah where through his work ethic, intelligence, and dedication he met many friends who remember him as a person who always had a smile on his face, a jokester, and someone who was always willing to help get the job done. He was never willing to give up and always completed what was set before him. Jesse loved the outdoors, whether it was camping or snowboarding with his cousins. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting with his co-workers. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, and great friend. He is the beloved son of Jesus and Nelva Lopez (who preceded him in death in 1997); stepson of Carolina Lopez; loving brother of Jerver Hidalgo, Deysi Saldivar, Sindy Heilman, Lee Lopez and Rogan Lopez; and cousin and nephew to a great family who loved him
very much. We would like to extend our gratitude to Joshua, Carrie and Geneva Prince who were very dear to Jesse and were there for him the very last days of his life. Funeral services for Jesse will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at Demaray’s Jerome Memorial Chapel. Friends may gather before service time on Saturday to pay their respects to Jesse and his family. Services conclude at the chapel. After the service the family would like all to gather at the Jerome Sr. Center at 520 N. Lincoln to share memories and fellowship.
SERVICES
Aldo Zunino
PAUL • Aldo Cesare Zunino of Paul, funeral Mass at 11 a.m. today, Oct. 30, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 802 F St. in Rupert (Rasmussen Funeral Home in Burley).
Conor Olsen
BOISE • Conor MacLeod Olsen of Boise and formerly of Twin Falls, celebration of life from 1:30-4 p.m. today, Oct. 30, in the reception center of Cloverdale Funeral Home, 1200 N. Cloverdale Road in Boise.
Anthony Draper
HAGERMAN • Anthony “Tony” Draper of Hagerman, graveside service at 3 p.m. today, Oct. 30, at the Bellevue Cemetery in Bellevue (Demaray Funeral Service, Wendell Chapel).
Grace Koehler
WENDELL • Grace B. Koehler of Wendell, memorial service at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Wendell High School’s Gay Petersen Auditorium.
Raymond Spreier
TWIN FALLS • Raymond C. Spreier of Twin Falls, funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2055 Filer Ave. E.; visitation from 10-11 a.m. Saturday at the church (Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls.
Patty Walker
BURLEY • Patty Rene Kelly Walker of Burley, funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, in the View LDS Church, 490 E. 550 S. of Burley; visitation from 6-8 p.m. today, Oct. 30, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St. in Burley, and 10-10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church
Blanche Larson
TWIN FALLS • Blanche (Hazel) Smith Larson of Twin Falls, funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the LDS First Ward building, 847 Eastland Drive N. in Twin Falls; visitation one hour before the service Saturday at the church (Rosenau Funeral Home in Twin Falls).
Vard McHan
GOODING • Vard Canara McHan of Gooding, funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Gooding LDS Church; visitation from 5-7 p.m. today, Oct. 30, at Demaray Funeral Service, Gooding Chapel, and beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.
Patrician Harrison
JEROME • Patrician Louise Harrison of Jerome, celebration of life memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road in Twin Falls, followed by a potluck reception at the funeral home’s reception center.
Joyce Cleary
POCATELLO • Joyce B. Cleary of Pocatello, funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road in Chubbuck; visitation from 6-8 p.m. today, Oct. 30, at the funeral home.
Molly McCormack
TEKOA, Wash. • Molly E. McCormack of Tekoa, Wash., and formerly of Gooding, memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Tekoa Community Church in Tekoa, Wash. (Kramer Funeral Home in Tekoa).
Lynn Blauer
BURLEY • Lynn Blauer of Burley, funeral at 11 a.m., Monday, Nov 2, at the Springdale LDS Church, 519 E. 200 S. in Burley; visitation from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St. in Burley, and 10-10:45 a.m. Monday at the church.
Lanny Willis
BURLEY • Lanny Rupert Willis of Burley, celebration of life, with refreshments, 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Albion Event Center, 895 S. Highway 77 in Albion (Rasmussen Funeral Home in Burley).
Joseph Seal
BURLEY • Joseph “Dick” Seal of Burley, memorial service at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Minidoka County Fairgrounds in Rupert in the grandstand, with a potluck dinner to follow (Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary in Rupert).
William Bill H. Radtke January 6, 1935-October 20, 2015 JEROME • William “Bill” H. Radtke went home to be with the Lord Jesus on October 20, 2015, at DeSano Place Village in Jerome, Idaho, with family by his side. He was 80 years old. Bill was born to Harold and Dorothy Radtke on January 6, 1935, in Marinette, Wisconsin. The Radtke family later resided in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. He was the youngest of three children, having two older sisters: Shila and Beverly. At age eight his family moved to Bremerton, Washington, where his dad worked in the naval yard. Bill graduated from Bremerton High School in 1953. He attended Washington State College (WSU) where he earned a degree in chemical engineering. At Washington State, he met his college sweetheart, Janice Kruegel. He and Jan were married in her hometown of Wenatchee, Washington on June 22, 1957, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2007. The young couple moved to Richland, Washington, where Bill worked for Westinghouse. During this time he served six months of active duty training for the National Guard at Ford Ord, California. Later, Bill accepted a position at Argonne National Laboratory in Idaho as a systems engineer. He and Jan moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, and raised their family of three children: Josie, Michelle, and Corey. He retired from Argonne in June of 1994. Bill and his family remained in Idaho Falls for many years, and he made life-long friendships. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior while in his thirties and shared the gospel of Christ with his family and all those that God brought across his path. He was an active member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church. Some of the gifts he shared in ministry were music, teaching Sunday school of all ages, and leading various outdoor activities. Bill was a talented musician on guitar, mandolin, banjo, etc. He had a particular love of Bluegrass and Bluegrass Gospel. He played with various bands including Mountain Echo, The Glory Land Band, From the Heart, and the Old Time Fiddlers. He was an outdoorsman from an early age and had an appreciation for the mountains,
especially the Tetons. Some of his favorite times were spent sharing the outdoors while mountain climbing, camping, hunting, fishing, and cross-country skiing with his family and friends. He served as a Nordic Ski patrolman and loved skiing the beautiful mountain trails of Harriman State Park. A special smile was reserved for children, and he really enjoyed being with all his grandchildren whether he was fishing with them or just plain being grandpa. Anyone who was blessed to know Bill knew he loved the Lord, was a man of his word, and would give of himself to help others. His brilliant blue eyes, easy smile, and sense of humor will not be forgotten. We love you and we will sure miss you, Dad. However, we rejoice that you are in God’s presence where there is fullness of joy! Bill was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and his wife, Jan. He is survived by his three children: Josie (Dan) Gott, M ichelle Muller, and Corey (Michelle) Radtke. His grandchildren: Keri, Justin, Franz, Johanna, Isaac, Henry, and Samuel. His great-grandchildren: Christian and Mallory. The family would like to thank the staff and administration of Brookdale/Wynwood of Twin Falls, DeSano Place Village in Jerome, and Horizon Home Health & Hospice for the love, support, and care they gave our dad and family during the past four years. We extend a special thank you also to Dr. Lohmann and his staff for the excellent care. The Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 31, 2015, at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 1730 S. St. Clair in Idaho Falls, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online at alz. org. Online condolences may be left at www.buckmillerhann.com
DEATH NOTICES Blaine Mahlon Boley Jr., 84, of Murtaugh, passed away October 29, 2015 at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Regional Medical Center in Twin Falls. Arrangements are under the direction of Parke’s
Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls. Maria Rast, passed away October 29, 2015 in Boise, Idaho. Arrangements are under the care of Davis-Rose Mortuary, American Falls.
SUBMITTING OBITUARIES For obituary rates and information, call 208-735-3324 Monday through Saturday. Deadline is 2 p.m. for next-day publication. The email address for obituaries is obits@magicvalley.com. Death notices are a free service and can be placed until 2 p.m. every day. To view or submit obituaries online, or to place a message in an individual online guestbook, go to www.magicvalley.com and click on “Obituaries.”
Dockmaster Accused of Embezzling OUER D’ALENE (AP) • C A dockmaster with the Coeur d’Alene Resort marina was accused of stealing $467,800 from his employer by pocketing cash refunds for boat rentals so he could pay his bills and buy items for his family. The 37-year-old employee was fired from his job Oct. 15 after an internal company
investigation, the Spokesman-Review reported. He was arrested Oct. 22 and charged with grand theft. Police say an audit of the resort for owner Hagadone Corp. found 1,259 fraudulent refunds since 2005. Resort security installed surveillance cameras and recorded Parks pocketing a $477 refund, police said. Parks told resort security that he had been issuing fraudulent cash refunds two to three times a week since 2009.
Most of Magic Valley GOP Delegation on Simpson’s Legislative Committee NATHAN BROWN nbrown@magicvalley.com
A
This is a post from Nathan lmost a quarter of the Idaho Leg- Brown’s blog “On the Agenda.” Read more islature, includat Magicvalley.com/ ing all but one of the Magic Valley’s Repub- blogs/agenda — it’s free if you’re a print lican delegation, is on the Legislative Steering Com- subscriber. Just look for the big, blue “Activate” mittee for U.S. Rep. Mike button on Magicvalley. Simpson’s re-election campaign, the campaign com to activate your announced Wednesday. digital subscription. Among the committee’s 24 members are Reps. against government intrusion.” Steve Hartgen and Lance “I am happy to endorse Clow and Sens. Lee Heider Mike Simpson in his and Jim Patrick, R-Twin re-election camFalls; Rep. Maxine paign,” said Bedke. Bell, R-Jerome; “We need Mike’s Rep. Clark Kauffcontinued proven man, R-Filer; leadership in ConRep. Fred Wood, gress. I am confiR-Burley; House dent that Idahoans Speaker Scott will join me in supBedke, R-Oakley; Simpson porting Mike once Sen. Kelly Anthon, again as he fights R-Rupert; Sen. Bert Brackett, R-Rogerson; Rep. for Idaho’s priorities in Washington, D.C.” Richard Wills, R-Glenns Last year Simpson, Ferry; and Rep. Steve who has been in Congress Miller, R-Fairfield. for a decade-and-a-half, “I am grateful to fought off a challenge announce the support of so many strong legislative from the right in Bryan Smith and cruised on leaders from across the to re-election against Second Congressional Democrat Richard StallDistrict,” Simpson said in ings. Simpson doesn’t a statement. “With their have any announced support, I am confident challengers yet, although that our campaign will former state Rep. Janice be able to communicate McGeachin told Newsramy strong conservative dio 1310 earlier this week record of reducing govthat she is considering a ernment spending, lowprimary challenge. ering taxes and fighting
STEPHEN REISS, TIMES-NEWS
From left, brothers Amisi, Issa and Maurice Juma, refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Oct. 23 at their home in Twin Falls.
Refugees Continued from A1
recent movement to shut down the refugee center, a program that has been in Twin Falls since the early 1980s. “It concerns us,” he said. It became controversial this year, after news came out that some Syrians could be among the refugees to be resettled here. “For us to live in peace,” Issa said, motioning around the room at his brothers. “To be a Muslim or to be a Christian. It’s no problem, everyone has their own belief.” The Juma brothers lived in in the city of Uvira before civil war forced them to relocate to a refugee camp in the Republic of Malawi. Their father was killed by Mai Mai rebels because they said he owed them money. The conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been called Africa’s ‘’world war.” Between 1998 and 2003, six million people died as a result of fighting or because of disease and malnutrition, the BBC reported. And despite 2013 peace agreements, eastern regions are still in conflict as rebel groups and the government fight for control. When asked how big the refugee camp they lived in was, Issa responded: “Not very big, 10,000 people.” “To me, that’s small,” he added. The brothers lived in the refugee camp for nine years in grass huts. They tried for two years to come to the U.S. They were happy when they found out they could come to the U.S. together. They now share a threebedroom apartment in Twin Falls. Amisi, the youngest brother, is the only one who has a room to himself. He asked for the privacy and the other brothers obliged. Fabien and
Bilembwe share a room and Issa and Maurice the other. Their mattresses sat on opposite sides of the room, a blue sheet served as a curtain covering the windows. On Friday, Amisi sat quietly in his chair as Issa, who knew more English, answered most of the questions posed to the group. But when Amisi rose to finish washing dishes in the kitchen sink, he hummed. Asked if finishing school was a goal, he answered, “I’d love to go to school.” Two days a week, Amisi, Fabien and Bilembwe walk to attend Eternal Life Christian Center. Issa and Maurice have visited the Twin Falls Islamic Center twice. Many people from countries like Eritrea and Ethiopia are from families that are both Christian and Muslim. It is rare, but not uncommon. “We are happy,” Issa said. “Each and everyone has the right to worship and believe what they want. Religion cannot divide us.” The brothers are taking English as a second language classes at the Refugee Center. They are also job hunting. Fabien said he was once studying to be an accountant. Now he is considering become a barber and starting his own business. He showed off a pair of hair clippers he recently received. After they get jobs, they want to get a car or bicycles. They usually stay home when not at their ESL classes, Issa said. “Sometimes we call the center to take us to the store to buy food,” he said. “If not, we walk.” They also have no washing machine. Instead, they clean their clothes by hand in the sink and hang them outside on donated weight lifting equipment. The bench barbell was draped with towels drying in the sun Friday afternoon.