NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO'S PIECE ON RURAL FIREFIGHTING

National Public Radio did a piece on "Rural Firefighting Forces Harder to Maintain".  Dennis Weaver was interviewed as to the challenges that the Ola volunteer fire department faces.  Click HERE to read and listen to the segiment.

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS NEEDED

 GEM COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT #2 is looking for volunteer firefighters.  Join your local fire department and help protect your community.  If you are interested in being a volunteer firefighter, please call 584-3324.

Ola residents and the County Commissioners met Monday night at the Ola Hall. Topics discussed were the landscaping of the Industrial Park, the new county jail, the budget, the saw mill and new jobs, weed spraying etc. Ola residents also said good-bye to Michele. Although we are sad to see her leave her position as County Commissioner, we wish her the very best in her new adventure.

THIS SATURDAY NIGHT...

This Saturday night the Sage Creek Band will be playing at the Ola Inn starting at 6PM.  Get your friends together and enjoy a delicious dinner while listening to this popular band.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TONIGHT @ 7PM

RED FLAG WARNING ISSUED

Statement as of 7:50 AM PDT on August 26, 2012

... Red flag warning in effect from noon MDT /11 am PDT/ today to
midnight MDT /11 PM PDT/ tonight for lightning for northern Boise
blm... western Payette National Forest... eastern Payette National
Forest... northern Boise National Forest... southern Boise National
Forest... Treasure valley... western Twin Falls blm... Owyhee
Mountains... Burns blm and Vale blm... which are fire weather zones
400... 401... 402... 403... 404... 408... 418... 419... 636 and 637...

The National Weather Service in Boise has issued a red flag
warning for lightning... which is in effect from noon MDT /11 am
PDT/ today to midnight MDT /11 PM PDT/ tonight.

* Thunderstorms... scattered

* outflow winds... 40 to 50 mph.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now... or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds... low relative humidity... and warm temperatures will
create explosive fire growth potential.

If you missed the Ola Ladies Club meeting on August 18th, I have posted them for you.  Look at the pages listed above and click OLC Meeting 8/18/12 Minutes.

THIS YEAR'S OLA ROUGH STRIDERS

What a Great Team!

I realize that the workshop may be too far to attend but the websites listed may be of interest.

THANK YOU!!

Many thanks to everyone that submitted the beautiful scenery pictures for next year's Ola Community calendar.  It was a very hard decision however only twelve could be selected. Ola has some great photographers but of course we have plenty of beauty to work with.

GEM COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 will be at the Ola Hall on Monday, August 27th at 7:00PM.  Please join us for this Open Forum meeting, this is the last meeting Michele will be attending.

GOOD NEWS FOR PARENTS

SCHOOL STARTS THURSDAY, AUGUST 23rd

**Watch out for the kids waiting for the buses

 and be courteous to the bus drivers**

WATERCOLORS by PAT FENNELL

Initial Point Gallery
Meridian City Hall
33 E. Broadway, Meridian

August 31-September 29
Opening Reception
Tuesday, September 4
4:30-7:30PM
Gallery open 9-3

MICHELE RESIGNS EFFECTIVE 9/24/12

Messenger Index, serving Gem County Sherrer resigns from county office "I have served as a Gem County Commissioner for 10 years and enjoyed my service to our community and County. As you know, I chose not to run for re-election and recently started exploring other options. An opportunity has presented itself much sooner than I was expecting. As such, I have been offered employment elsewhere which requires my resignation from office effective Sept. 24, 2012, at 8 a.m. "Thank you for the opportunity to have served as a Gem County Commissioner. "I wish you only the best." Michele Sherrer, Gem County Commissioner

Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris Samson, Thad and the rest of Jean's family and friends.

Jean passed away yesterday morning.  She will be greatly missed!

LATE NIGHT FIRE ON THE BUTTE

Gem County Fire District #2 was one of several agencies that responded to a late night fire on the Butte, Spring Creek Road/Butte Road. Thanks! You could have been home, sleeping or watching a good movie but instead you were making sure that our friends and neighbors were safe!

HIGH VALLEY RESIDENTS OR WEEKENDERS..

Have you seen a big white dog?  Ollie has not been seen by Mike S. for approx. nine days.  It's not unusual for Mike and Ollie to miss each other for four or five days, but nine days is concerning.  If you happen to spot him, please call.  Don't try to approach him, he's very shy and probably frightened. Call Mike at 584-9302

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Fire Weather Warning Statement as of 3:39 PM MDT on August 18, 2012 ... Red flag warning remains in effect from 9 am to 9 PM MDT Sunday for lightning for northern Boise blm... western Payette National Forest... eastern Payette National Forest... northern Boise National Forest... southern Boise National Forest... Treasure valley... western Twin Falls blm and Owyhee Mountains... which are fire weather zones 400... 401... 402... 403... 404... 408... 418 and 419... This red flag warning replaces the previous Fire Weather Watch. * Thunderstorms... scattered thunderstorms with dangerous lightning. * Outflow winds... gusty thunderstorm winds up to 45 mph. Precautionary/preparedness actions... A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now... or will shortly.

MATTIE SAYS GOODBYE

Mattie, Carrie and Weston's moose has a new home.  Read about her farewell HERE

THE SMALL ARE MIGHTY!

After months of fund raising, the Ola Rough Striders will be at the Emmett Park tonight walking to "Wave Goodbye to Cancer" this year's theme for the American Cancer Society/ Relay For Life.  The Ola Rough Striders have proven that the small are "mighty".  Their fund raising efforts put them a strong second thanks to the hard work of  team members and the generosity of family, friends and a wonderful community.  Thank you!! 

OLA LADIES CLUB MEETING SATURDAY 10AM AT THE HALL

FIRE TRAINING TOMORROW NIGHT

FOLLOW THE SPRINGS FIRE ON TWITTER

Follow the Springs fire on the Boise NF Fires Twitter page https://twitter.com/BoiseNFFires.

P.A.L. (Pet Adoption League) NEEDS YOUR HELP

P.A.L., the no kill animal shelter in Emmett, needs volunteers for their dogs and cats.  All shifts are available to feed, water, clean pens and litter boxes, exercise and love the dogs and cats that reside at the shelter. These dogs and cats are looking for "forever" homes but in the meantime they deserve the best possible care, please help!  For more information call Chris at 584-9302 or Maggie at 365-1026.  **The shelter is also in need of white vinegar**

This site is another good reference as to the wildfire situation put out by the USDA Forest Service. (Arrow your fire of interest, double click and it will open a window of information)

RECENT INCIWEB REPORT ON SPRINGS FIRE

Incident Overview posted about 1 1/2 hours ago by inciweb

Residents to the north and east of the fire are asked to remain vigilant. The Rocky Mountain Type 1 Incident Management Team is coordinating with Boise County and Garden Valley Fire Department to establish comprehensive evacuation plans for the area north and east of the fire. These plans are being established in the event that the fire continues to push to the north and east.

Public and firefighter safety is our first priority. The public is asked to not travel on roads north and east of the fire area to where the firefighters are working. With today's predicted weather, if fire activity does increase, public and firefighter safety may be compromised.

There are currently NO evacuations in place. Plans are being prepared in the event that an evacuation is necessary
This posted on www.inciweb.org/incident/3093 There is more information regarding this fire and others if you visit this site.

FRIDAY LIGHTENING CAUSED FIRE

GCFD#2 spent Friday battling a lightening caused fire on the Butte west of Little's corrals, aka Big Cottonwood Creek area. Thanks to an observant Bob L. the strikes were seen and the fire was called in within minutes. Both Ola and Sweet responded along with a BLM dozer, a helicopter and a retardant plane. With this quick response the fire was contained to approx. 10 acres. The location of the fire was extremely difficult to access by trucks. Thanks guys!!

OLA ROUGH STRIDERS MEETING ON SATURDAY, 10AM AT THE OLA INN

FREE BACKPACKS

"So. Idaho McDonald's will be giving away a limited supply of backpacks to celebrate the back-to-school season   Sat. Aug. 11, 2012 at 8 am at participating McDonaald's retaurants in Treasure Valley, Mt. Home, Weiser, Idaho & Ontario Oregon excluding Airport location   One backpack per school age child grades K - 8. While supplies last."  

HIGHWAY 55 STILL CLOSED

ID 55: Road closed. Between Garden Valley Road and Smith's Ferry Drive - High Valley Road (13 to 16 miles north of the Horseshoe Bend area). The road is closed. Look out for a forest fire. Comment: Highway 55 from milepost 79 to 82, 13-16 miles north of Horseshoe Bend. For information on the Springs Fire click HERE

STATUS OF THE WILDFIRES IN IDAHO

If you are interested in the status of the wildfires in IDAHO, or any other state visit this website. Go to the top right hand corner, select the state you are interested in, then click go. There's no need to know the incident, once in your state, select the incident for updated status report.

Please send your scenery photos of Ola/High Valley to gloriasutton22@yahoo.comThe deadline is approaching, August 15th, for your photo to be considered for the new Ola Community calendar.

UPDATE ON HIGHWAY 52

*****Yesterday (Sunday) the road was open but with just one lane. Flagmen were positioned at both directions while crews worked. Haven't heard if the road is completely open today or not. Messenger Index, serving Gem County Temporary road closure: Hwy 52 below BLack Canyon Dam temporarily closed due to a rock/land slide. ITD is on the scene, the road is expected to reopen around 11:00 or 11:30 pm this evening.

If you've noticed that the older horse is gone from the pasture by the highway, don't worry she is alive and doing well.  Pokey has been moved to where it is more convenient to care for her. Turns out she doesn't care much for goats either, go figure.

Do you have a photo that you would like to submit for consideration to be included in the Ola Community Calendar?  The Ola Ladies Club is looking for scenery photos for the new calendar. The deadline to submit your photo is August 15th, e-mail the photo to gloriasutton22@yahoo.com

A BOOK TO PUT ON YOUR "MUST READ" LIST

 

 

The Gem County Historical Village Museum in Emmett has an ever-growing collection of local history books, including Carol Shultz's "Ridin' the Mountain" about life on Upper Squaw Creek (north of Ola) and riding for the Cattlemen's Assoc.