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March 13, 2009 -- Sayer shares Premier vision: ISU honors Blackfoot business leader

The Morning News / David Kennard

Doug Sayer, president of Premier Technology, speaks at the annual Business Leader of the Year award Thursday at Idaho Sate University.

Sayer shares Premier vision

By David Kennard
dkennard@cableone.net

POCATELLO -- Idaho State University students, faculty and invited guests Thursday got a flavor of Douglas A. Sayer's vision.

The president of Premier Technology was honored as the University's Idaho Business Leader of the Year, an award bestowed by the school since 1959.

Sayer is the owner of Premier Technology in Blackfoot.

In the last few years the company, which employs about 350 people, has seen continued growth in designing and manufacturing high quality equipment for industries from mining,
chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing to the departments of Energy and Defense, and become a recognized leader in the nuclear industry.

Speakers attending the festivities under the rotunda of the L. E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center said Sayer was the ideal recipient on the 50th anniversary of the award.

Sayers thanked those who spoke about his accomplishments, but said he looked at the award not as recognition for past work, but as an assignment to inspire future business leaders -- especially those attending the College of Business at ISU.

He said it would be the task of today's students, as well as business leaders to lift the nation out of its current economic woes.

Speaking about the economy, Sayers said, "I won't use the 'R' word. ... I'm calling this a depression."

He blamed the economic climate on the fact the "America has become a nation of consumers," and said waiting for the government to solve the problem was not a solution.

"The rest of the country is looking to us to solve the problem," he said indicating that Idaho was an example of hard word and integrity.

"This country was built on the backs of people who left their home country," Sayer said. "I know that DNA still exists in our country today."

Sayer was introduced by J. Brandon Bird, executive director of Bingham Economic Development Corporation in Blackfoot.

He said Sayer was in good company, acknowledging those who had been honored by the school in the past.

"Most (of the awards) are given when they (recipients) are gray and past their prime," Bird said. "Well you are gray, but you are not past your prime.

"As great as the accomplishments are today, they will be even greater in five or 10 years from now."

During his remarks, Sayer thanked those who came to support him, including family members and company customers. He also gave credit to the people in his company.

"It is not what I am or what I've done that makes this special," he said. "but those that have spent time supporting us."

March 9, 2009 -- Winter brings dangerous roads

The Morning News / David Kennard
Emergencey crews work on the scene of a rollover crash Sunday at the south Blackfoot Exit on Interstate 15. No one was hurt in the crash.


Winter brings dangerous roads

By DAVID KENNARD
dkennard@cableone.net
BLACKFOOT — Emergency crews responded to several crashes Sunday night following the light snow that fell in the area.
The precipitation dropped wet snow late in the day that combined with sub-freezing temperatures as the sun went down to make roads extremely slick.
Bingham County Sheriff’s deputies responded to two crashes within about an hour of each other at the south Blackfoot exit.
No injuries were reported, but one single-vehicle crash totaled a Toyota pickup truck that rolled off the road just north of the overpass.
Bingham County emergency dispatchers said local law enforcement officials were busy responding to multiple -- but minor -- crashes.
Blackfoot Fire Department officials said they were called to the scene of several crashes, but no one was seriously hurt on slick roads Saturday night.
The National Weather Service said local drivers could expect to see slick roads through the day today as a winter weather system moved through southeast Idaho.
Meteorologist Jeff Hedges with the National Weather Service in Pocatello said a winter storm warning was issued for the mountains south of Pocatello through Monday. The storm was expected to drop as much as 10 inches of snow in the high country.
Hedges said up to 2 inches of snow is expected to fall locally today and tonight before clear weather arrives sometime on Tuesday. He said the next chance for measurable accumulation would be Sunday.

Vienna Boys Choir visits Blackfoot

Morning News Photo by David Kennard
Members of the Vienna Boys Choir amazed a nearly packed house Wednesday at the Blackfoot Performing Arts Center. The all-boy choir, conducted by Andy Icochea Icochea sang a wide variety of songs that spanned the choir’s 500-plus year history, including pieces from their most recent motion picture “Silk Road.” The choir traces its origins to 1498, the year Emperor Maximilian I of Habsburg called for select choristers to provide musical accompaniment for Vienna’s court. About 100 choristers, trebles and altos between the ages of 10 and 14 are split into four touring groups, which present about 300 concerts annually worldwide. Members are selected mostly from Austria.

Jan 30, 2009 -- Klondike Derby

Jan. 17, 2009 - Blackfoot grad honored by French

By David Kennard
The MORNING NEWS
dkennard@cableone.net
PARIS, France — As a kid growing up in Blackfoot, Paul Zilk had dreams like every other child.

He played in the high school band and was a varsity tennis player at Blackfoot High School. He even worked on the school newspaper for a time.

But on Sunday, the 1975 BHS student class president will stand on a podium before some of the world’s most notable entertainment industry leaders and be awarded one of the most prestigious honors bestowed by the French government.

The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Literature) is given to individuals who have demonstrated significant contributions to the world of arts and literature.

France, considered by many as the center of world culture, presents the award to only a limited number of individuals every year.

And when the French Minister of Culture Christine Albanel pins the medal on the Zilk’s lapel Sunday he will join an exclusive group of entertainment and cultural leaders that include Martin Scorcese, Clint Eastwood, Bob Dylan, George Clooney, Bruce Willis, Leonardo DiCaprio, and many others both in and out of the spotlight.

“This is one of the most important honors of my life,” Zilk said from his office in Paris.
Zilk, the CEO of Reed MIDEM, one of the world’s leading tradeshow and events companies, is based in Paris. The company is responsible for three major shows devoted to television and music businesses.

Similar to the annual film festival in Cannes, France, which honors filmmakers and actors, Reed MIDEM focuses on the business side of entertainment and culture at events in Cannes and other locations throughout the world.

Zilk, who has lived in Europe for the last 21 years, the last five in France, said the honor he will receive on Sunday is made more special because of his early years growing up in Blackfoot.

He said a few key events took him from his small eastern Idaho roots to a life in international business. And, he said, he doesn’t mind standing as an example to young people who have a desire to persue similar dreams.

“We’re a humble town,” Zilk said of Blackfoot. “And maybe there is a kid out there who wants to do something more.”

During his senior year at Blackfoot High School, Zilk met up with a college student who he learned was going to Princeton University. Through a conversation Zilk learned that “for someone with good grades, there is another world out there.”

He spoke to his school counselors and decided he wanted to attend an ivy league school, he said. He chose Harvard.

When he entered college he said he wanted to enter politics, having always considered U.S. Sen. Frank Church (D-Idaho) one of his idols.

He worked as a college intern for Gov. Cecil Andrus in Boise, but eventually changed tracks and entered Harvard Business School.

After graduating with an MBA degree, he worked in various marketing positions for several notable companies in the U.S.

From 1992 to 2000, Zilk headed the international business of the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he established and managed NBA offices throughout Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Australia, according to his public biography.

“When I talk to kids that’s what they like the most,” he said.

He has worked in his most recent position with Reed MINEM for the last seven-plus years in France, where he has raised his family.

“My wife is French, my kids are French, but I never forgot what happened to me,” Zilk said.

He said he has fond memories of growing up in Idaho, where he attended Jason Lee Memorial Methodist Church with his family. “We still consider that our church.”

He said the high honor by the French government is exciting for him, not so much because of the prestige, but more because he remembers how a chance encounter sparked an interest that lead him to a life he never dreamed of as kid growing up in Blackfoot.

Jan. 7, 2009 - Moose still loose

Story and Photos By David Kennard
the Morning News
dkennard@cableone.net

BLACKFOOT -- Police ended a six-hour standoff with a moose Tuesday along Airport Road in Blackfoot when the animal vanished into fields east of the Blackfoot Golf Course.

AT RIGHT, Blackfoot COP officer Delbert Brown watches traffic to make sure the female moose wasn’t a hazard. Blackfoot Police and Idaho Fish and Game officials talked about how best to tranquilize the moose so they could transport it back into the wild.

Jason Beck with Fish and Game in Pocatello said officials would continue to watch for the animal in the next few days to ensure it stays away from residents.

“We want to keep the wild things in the wild,” he said.

He said it is not uncommon for moose to venture into the area from their natural habitat along the Snake River or the hills east of Blackfoot, although he said it was difficult to say where this moose came from.

Police and Fish and Game urged residents to keep away from the moose.

Jan. 7, 2009 - ISP says stay off roads

By David Kennard
The Morning News
dkennard@cableone.net

BLACKFOOT — Freezing roads made eastern Idaho roads so dangerous Tuesday that Idaho State Patrol officials issued a traffic warning to local drivers

"ISP is requesting that travel on all interstates, U.S. highways and state highways be limited to essential and emergency traffic only," officials said in a statement issued Tuesday night. "Road conditions are extremely treacherous throughout eastern Idaho. There are multiple slide-offs throughout the regions."

Officials said Idaho Transportation Department officials were "out in full force attempting to keep roads open for emergency travel, and assessing closure needs."

Weather forecasters Tuesday said conditions should improve today with temperatures rising into the mid-30s, but drivers were urged to use caution as winter driving conditions were expected to return at night and into Thursday with the arrival of another storm system.

Jeff Hedges, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pocatello said the mixed rain and snow and freezing drizzle that turned local roads into ice was uncommon for the Snake River Plain.

"It's a mess," Hedges said. "Just a thin film is all it takes to make things very slick."

Accumulation in the valley will be very light, Hedges said. Up to an inch was expected Tuesday night, with much more expected at higher elevations.

Skiers headed to local resorts will find plenty of fresh snow — if they can get there. While roads will be very slick to all the eastern Idaho resorts, once there, skiers will find several inches of fresh snow in the coming days.

Kelly Canyon reported 4 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours and forecasters are calling for more leading up to the weekend.

Grand Targhee was reporting 6 inches in the last day after getting dumped on Saturday when the resort measured 13 inches of snowfall. Again forecasters are calling for more snow on Thursday and Friday, but drivers should use extreme caution driving on mountain roads.

Current road report information, including road closures, can be obtained online at 511.idaho.gov, or by calling 511.

10-24-08 -- Gas drops below $3 per gallon

By David Kennard
Morning News

It’s a sight drivers haven’t seen in almost a year: gasoline selling for less than $3 per gallon.

Stations in Blackfoot have been dropping during the past few weeks, but Wednesday was the first time they fell below the $3 mark. The lowest observed prices in Blackfoot were $2.97 at Flying J was selling, $2.95 at Maverick, $2.99 at Chevron and $3.09 at Tesoro. Flying J Relief Manager Bobbie Santmyer said the station received a lot of customers Wednesday, and the customers are happier too.

The price has dropped up to twice per day for the past week and a half to two weeks, said Santmyer, and customers are telling her they’re happy about the change.

Gas was $3.05 Tuesday but dropped to $2.99 before Santmyer arrived Wednesday, and it continued dropping to $2.97 by 5 p.m. She expects the trend to continue.

The corporate office determines gas prices, said Santmyer, and the manager working every morning goes around to other stations to compare rates, aiming for Flying J to be equal to or less than its competition.

Santmyer recommended as a money-saving strategy for customers to buy a little gas in the morning and return later in the day to fill up.

Maverick tied Flying J for the $2.97 price and reported similar increases to business.

According to the user-supported GasBuddy.com, Boise prices within the previous 48 hours ranged from $3.13 to $3.29. Salt Lake City prices ranged from $2.94 to $3.05, placing Blackfoot between the larger

09-23-08 -- Nampa man shot after standoff with police early Tuesday morning

By DAVID KENNARD - dkennard@idahostatesman.com

A Nampa man was shot by police early Tuesday morning after a short standoff at a home in the 100 block of 16th Avenue South.

Nampa police said Lance D. Warr, 24, was taken to a Boise hospital after police shot him about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Police went to the address about 11:30 p.m. Monday during an investigation of an armed robbery at a Nampa payday loan store on Monday afternoon.

When police arrived at the home they determined the suspect was inside and called Nampa’s Tactical Response Team and Crisis Negotiation Team to help.

Several people were taken out of the building, and negotiators attempted to make contact with Warr for about an hour.

After attempts to get the man to exit the home on his own, the tactical team went in using tear gas in the room where the man was thought to be hiding.

Police said the man then came out of a closet and pointed a handgun at officers. Officers fired at the suspect, hitting him several times.

“The suspect was able to then follow further commands by the officers,” Nampa Police Department deputy chief LeRoy Forsman said in a prepared statement. “He was taken into custody without further incident.”

Police said they would not release the names of the officers involved, but said no officers were hurt in the shooting.

The incident began when Nampa police responded to the EZ Money store in the 1000 block of 12th Avenue South about 4:30 p.m. Monday to investigate a report of an armed robbery.

Police said Warr was later identified as the suspect in the robbery.

They said the man was armed with a handgun, and took an undisclosed amount of cash before he fled the area in a large, black SUV.

No one was hurt in the robbery.

“As is standard procedure in a case of this nature, the Critical Incident Task Force was called in to investigate this incident,” Forsman said. “The Idaho State Police will be the lead agency in the case.”

David Kennard: 377-6436

09-21-09 -- Golden Age Games bring vets together

Provided by Boise Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Bob Schaney bowls in competition in the Golden Age Games that took place in August in Indianapolis.

By DAVID KENNARD — dkennard@idahostatesman.com

A team of military veterans from Boise brought home a collection of medals recently after competing in the 22nd annual Golden Age Games in Indianapolis.

And while the event focused on competition, everyone who went said the camaraderie with teammates and those from other states is what they will remember most.

Bob Schaney just missed taking home the bronze medal in horseshoes after overthrowing the stake. What appeared to be an error allowed his competitor — who is visually impaired — to take home the medal in a very close competition.

"He was so happy. He never medaled before," Schaney said. "His coach came up to me after the match and said, 'you did that on purpose, didn't you.' But I’ll tell you seeing the smile on his face, that was better than winning."

Schaney has been to the Golden Age Games almost every year since it began.

Next year the games take place in Birmingham, Ala., where several thousand competitors, coaches and family members will come together to celebrate the spirit of competition among military veterans.

Unlike the Olympic games, the Golden Age Games feature less athletic competition, although the skill levels remain high.

Bennie Yows of Boise has been shooting pool ever since he was a young boy growing up in Harlem.

His skills at Nine Ball earned him a silver medal.

"When we're playing we play to win," Yows said. "But win or lose we all get together afterward. It’s a friendly atmosphere."

Schaney and Yows were among the 13 members of the "Spudinators" that brought home 26 medals.

Coach Valerie Duffy also earned the "Coach of the Year" award at the games.

Duffy was nominated for the honor by Dewayne Vaughan, director of the games.

"She is very caring and supportive of her veterans, always keeping up with all of them to make sure they have what they need," Vaughan said. "Her veterans know they can always count on her to go above and beyond for them."

Duffy and her Spudinators have become notorious at the games, each year handing out thousands of tiny potato-shaped pins similar to Olympic games trading pins.

And when they walked through the airport in their bright orange shirts and their heavy medals jingling around their necks, they introduced others to their winning spirit.

The Spudinators conduct fundraising events through the year to help fund the nearly $1,000 expense for each veteran to compete.

Golden Age Games competitions are open to all U.S. military veterans age 55 or older who receive care at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility.

Support from local veterans groups as well as staff from the Boise VA Medical Center make the event possible, but funds are all raised locally.

Events include swimming, bicycling, bowling, croquet, air rifle, golf, shuffleboard, horseshoes, discus and shot put.

"Staying active and healthy through sports and fitness is important to all our nation’s veterans," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "We are proud to offer the Golden Age Games as a premier sporting event for our senior veterans."

David Kennard: 377-6436

09-19-08 -- Kuna man, 20, arrested after break-in at Kuna Middle School

DAVID KENNARD - dkennard@idahostatesman.com

A Kuna man was arrested Friday in connection to several burglaries, including one at Kuna Middle School and another at Kuna High School last week.

Police arrested Derek Thomas, 20, after responding early Friday morning to an alarm at the middle school.

He was found wearing a mask and gloves and taken into custody.

Police said they believe Thomas also is one of two suspects connected to several other robberies at local churches and other public buildings.

Last week police released a surveillance video showing two men inside Kuna High School. Aldrich said Thomas is one of the men in the picture and expect to make other arrests in the case soon.

"These look like primetime burglaries," said Lt. Kody Aldrich, chief of police in Kuna. "They went after vacant buildings where nobody was around."

Aldrich said a search of Thomas's home yielded "a number of stolen items."

"We've been calling people all morning to come in," Aldrich said. He said people who believe they were victims of the burglaries should contact police at 922-5743 to recover their property.

David Kennard: 377-6436

09-18-08 -- More than 7,000 marijuana plants uncovered in Owyhee County

Photo provided by Idaho State Police

A helocopter carries a load of marrijuana plants out of a remote area of Owyhee County Wednesday.

DAVID KENNARD - dkennard@idahostatesman.com

A three-month investigation by Idaho State Police, Owyhee County Sheriff's Office and other state and federal authorities yielded more than 7,000 mature marijuana plants Wednesday growing in a remote part of Owyhee County.

The large grow is the third major marijuana growing operation found on public land in recent months.

Wednesday's action began Monday night when Idaho State Police pulled over Jose Santoyo-Villa Monday near Marsing. He was found carrying 25 pounds of marijuana bud in his truck.

Police began investigating Santoyo-Villa three months ago. Their surveillance of his activities led to Monday's arrest.

"When we found the buds on him we knew that they were beginning to harvest," said Lt. Jack Catlin with the ISP.

Catlin said their investigation lead to a stash house in Nampa containing even more processed marijuana.

"We collected about 125 pounds of pot there," Catlin said.

Catlin said Santoyo-Villa would be charged in connection to the growing operation on state charges, but likely will face federal charges as well.

The grow was on National Forest land in a remote area off Idaho 78 near Silver City.

The only access to the area is by foot on a long trail or by helicopter.

Catlin described the growing operation as very organized, using irrigation pipes that fed off a natural spring.

"In the grow it was planted like crops, in rows," Catlin said.

He said the operation would have to have to use several people to cultivate that much marijuana. He estimated that it had been producing the drug for about three years.

Catlin said other arrests are pending.

Authorities have broken up at least three other similar operations recently.

Two in the Boise National Forest and another in Elmore County have yielded tens of thousands of pounds of marijuana plants this summer, Catlin said.

"And I'm sure now with hunting season and hunters going into the area, we'll find one or two more," Catlin said.

He said marijuana growers look for very remote areas such as the Owyhee County location.

"They'll get onto national forest land up behind some private land where nobody will be -- way back in the middle of nowhere," Catlin said.

He said two or three workers will usually tend the field for weeks or even months, while someone else brings in supplies to a drop point.

"When harvest time comes," Catlin said. "They carry it out on their backs."

Officials estimate the street value of the drugs harvested Wednesday at about $10 million.

David Kennard: 377-6436