Stories from Sunday, June 7, 2009

The North Park boat launch on the north shore of C.J. Strike Reservoir, adjacent to the dam, will be closed intermittently beginning June 8, because of construction activity being undertaken by Idaho Power Company. The ramp is expected to reopen fully in four to six weeks. The ramp is commonly referred to as the "Air Force Ramp" due to its proximity to Mountain Home Air Force Base...

It is Idaho in the summer of 2008. My nephew who lives in Tipanuk Farms Subdivision, takes time with me to have pizza at one of his favorite places in Mountain Home. My nephew and I discuss the potential uses of my parcel of land which is across the street from his home. ...

Allow me to digress from my normal local story I write for Castle Rock, Colorado. In the midst of California burning every year and all of us across the Northwest getting smoke from the fires, let me tell you about another fire. This one took place over a quarter-century ago. To my knowledge this true story has never been told, until now. For clarity, I quote the Crew Chief, nicknamed "Tuck" as follows, describing this crew, most of whom were American Indian firefighters:...