Fight over Deer Flat heats up as commissioners threaten to declare Lake Lowell a local historic property

Canyon County Commissioners Discuss Deer Flat Refuge Friday with stakeholders

Canyon County Commissioners are for a second time bringing the fight over Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge to the federal managers.  Friday, two of three commissioners announced a plan to declare Lake Lowell that is a center piece to Deer Flat a local historic property. But because Commissioner Steven Rule was excused from the meeting for a family medical reason – the two others Commissioners Ferdinand and Alder decided to announce the intent but hold off on signing the resolution.

President Obama Launches Strong Cities Program

President Barack Obama

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Obama Administration launched Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2), a new and customized pilot initiative to strengthen local capacity and spark economic growth in local communities, while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently. To accomplish this, federal agencies will provide experienced staff to work directly with six cities: Chester, PA; Cleveland, OH; Detroit, MI; Fresno, CA; Memphis, TN; and New Orleans, LA.  These teams will work with local governments, the private sector, and other institutions to leverage federal dollars and support the work being done at the local level to encourage economic growth community development.

Yellowstone River Spill (News Release Update)

At approximately 11:00 PM on Friday, July 1 a break occurred in a 12-inch pipeline owned by ExxonMobil that resulted in a spill of crude oil into the Yellowstone River approximately 20 miles upstream of Billings, Montana. According to the company’s estimates, 1,000 barrels of oil entered the river, which is in flood stage, before the pipeline was cut off.