Congratulations to Kuna's HOSA team

The Kuna High School’s Health Occupation Students of America team is only in its second year but has already racked up high placements in the state competition.
And this year, two students from Kuna finished in second place and will head to nationals this summer.
Joey Mills and Jake Young took second place in EMT competition and will head to the national competition in Anaheim in June.
In all, Kuna finished in second, sixth and eighth in the EMT competition, and eighth in medical photography.
In addition to Young and Mills, Zane Leigh and Randy Grooms took sixth and Jacob Rook and Jacob O’Brien took eighth in EMT competition, and Dani Peterson took eighth in medical photography.
The Kuna HOSA team is led by EMT teacher Jodi Zufelt along with adviser Wendi Tillman.
Kuna’s success is a testament to the growing student interest in Kuna’s EMT program, now in its third year at Kuna. When Kuna started the EMT program in 2008-09, there were eight students. In 2009-10, there were 17 students. This year, there were 22 students, and 28 students have expressed interest in taking classes next year, said Zufelt, who is also a volunteer paramedic with the Kuna Rural Fire District.
In addition to an EMT class, the EMT program at Kuna includes a health occupations class, medical terminology and fundamentals of health, which had three classes totaling 67 students this year.
Zufelt’s schedule was so packed this year, she didn’t have time for a prep period. “I just have to do it,” she said. “It’s pretty popular.”

Bar J Wranglers scheduled to return to Kuna in October

The Bar J Wranglers, who sold out a performance at the Kuna Performing Arts Center in October, will be returning to Kuna this October.
Because Bar J proved so popular in Kuna last year, organizers are considering a second show, KPAC Events Council member Marci Durrant told Kuna school board members this month.
Bar J Wranglers, based in Jackson Hole, Wyo., perform for 700 people nightly at the acclaimed Bar J Chuckwagon in Jackson Hole. During their off-season, the Wranglers perform all over the world with a unique combination of western music and comedy.
Bar J performed to rave reviews last year, one of the first big shows put on at the new auditorium at Kuna High School.
Tentatively, Bar J Wranglers is scheduled to perform in Kuna Oct. 19 and possibly 20.
In addition, Durrant announced that the KPAC Events Council will be bringing back the Summer Showcase sometime in August.
Then in September, Ada County Commissioner Vern Bisterfeldt is scheduled to give a lecture and discussion.
In December, the Meridian Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to perform a Christmas program in Kuna.

Rep. Labrador helps Kuna man get his grandfather's WWII medals

The family of World War II veteran Pfc. Charles Lenz was presented with a series of medals earned by Lenz for his military service.
U.S. Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, presented Lenz’s family with the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal & Bronze Star Attachment, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, Expert Badge, Carbine Bar, and Rifle Bar.
The presentation of Military Decorations was held May 18 at Meridian City Hall.
Charles Lenz’s grandson, Matt Lenz, of Kuna, who is Quartermaster for Kuna VFW Post 7019, had been researching his grandfather’s military history and was running into a lot of brick walls.
Matt Lenz called Labrador’s office to see if they could help him obtain his grandfather’s medals and documents from the National Archives.
Matt Lenz believes that his grandfather went to his grave never knowing he had been awarded the Bronze Star, because none of his sons or daughters knew about it and Charles Lenz had only one medal, the Purple Heart, in his possession at the time he died.

The Zone after-school program in Kuna wraps up a successful year

The Zone after-school program in Kuna is wrapping up a successful and busy year.
Since the beginning of the school year, The Zone had 1,500 individual visits, with 194 students having checked in at least once, according to Zone director John Hisel III.
During the winter, as many as 100 to 125 students will visit The Zone, with about 75 kids coming in the nicer weather.
Even though the weather was nice last Friday, dozens of students poured into The Zone, which held a “Safety Day” for the students, complete with a visit from the local police department, a barbecue courtesy of Paul’s Market and a bounce house that took up what usually serves as The Zone’s homework room.
“I like how we have all the fun games that I can’t get at my house,” said Curtis Abel, a Zone regular. “Like, pool tables, the gumball machine, air hockey.”
The Zone, housed in the Kuna Life Church building across the street from Kuna High School and right next to Reed Elementary, is benefiting this year from a pair of grants, one a $34,500 grant from the Idaho Department of Juvenile Justice and another $10,000 grant from the Fred Meyer grocery store chain. Because of a lack of funds, The Zone was forced to shut down during the 2009-10 school year, but reopened in September 2010.
The Zone, open from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the school year, gives kids a fun and safe place to hang out after school.

Melba levy vote close but not subject to automatic recall

As part of the new election consolidation legislation passed by the state Legislature this year, House Bill 275 expanded the rules for a recount to include all “supporters or opponents to all other ballot measures.”
Anyone “desiring a recount may apply to the county clerk within twenty (20) days of the canvass of said election by the board of county commissioners,” according to the new Idaho Code, Title 34-2301. The new legislation also contains an “emergency” clause, meaning it became effective immediately.
The Canyon County Board of Commissioners was scheduled to canvass the election results on Wednesday morning, May 25. That means that anyone who wishes to request a recount of the results must do so within 20 days of May 25.
It will cost the applicant $100 per precinct for which the recount request is made.
Although the unofficial results show only two votes separating the yes and no votes, the Melba supplemental levy election does not qualify for an automatic recount.
An automatic recount can be requested only “if … the difference between the yes and no votes on a measure, is less than or equal to one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of the total votes cast for that office,” according to the new state law.
In this case, two votes out of 596 votes equals one-third of one percent (0.336 percent).

Red Eye Saloon in Kuna should be back open in June

The Red Eye Saloon should be back open in the next couple of weeks, said owner Swede Godfrey. The popular Main Street bar is temporarily closed for renovations and repairs. Godfrey took back ownership of the bar at the beginning of May from Hoss and Khaseta Grigg, who bought it from Godfrey in 2006, when Godfrey and business partner Greg Nelson built and opened up The Creekside. Nelson becomes the sole owner of Creekside, and Godfrey goes back to being the sole owner of the Red Eye. Khaseta Grigg will continue to work at the Red Eye as the manager, Godfrey said.
“We’ll run it about the same as before,” said Godfrey, who bought the Red Eye 40 years ago, in 1971. “We want to keep the same customers coming in as before.”

City of Kuna gears up for budget season

A firm has approached the city with an interest in bidding for the city’s prosecutorial services, according to Kuna Mayor Scott Dowdy.
Currently, the city contracts with the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to prosecute cases that occur within Kuna city limits. The contract amount for 2010-11 was $49,209.
Kuna City Council members are tentatively scheduled to hear from the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office about next year’s contract on Tuesday, June 21, during the regular City Council meeting.
The city is getting ready to prepare next year’s budget, which must be certified by Sept. 8. The city’s fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
City Treasurer John Marsh has tentatively scheduled to following budget hearings:
• Monday, June 20, 5:30 p.m.: general fund revenue forecasts, solid waste fund revenue.
• Tuesday, June 21, 7 p.m.: Ada County Sheriff’s contract, Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s contract.
• Monday, June 27, 5:30 p.m.: general fund labor and benefits; general fund operating expenses; solid waste fund expenses; latecomers fund; well mitigation fund.
• Monday, July 11, 5:30 p.m.: water fund, sewer fund, LID fund, irrigation fund, grant fund, City Council approval of tentative budget.
• Tuesday, Aug. 2, 7 p.m.: Budget public hearing, with final approval.

Check out Kuna High School's annual awards assembly tomorrow

Kuna High School will be holding its annual Oskars Academic Awards Assembly tomorrow, Wednesday, May 18, at 10:25 a.m., in the Kuna High School gym. Following an Academy Awards format, this assembly will honor outstanding students, with nominees and “Oskar” winners in each subject area. Also honored will be academic talents, a presentation of scholarship winners, students with perfect attendance, scholar-athletes, and students who have received academic awards throughout they year. The assembly will end with the awarding of the Teacher and Staff of the Year awards and the prestigious Mr. and Miss KHS award. The community is welcome to attend.

'One Night on Broadway' this week at Kuna High

The Kuna High School Choirs will present, “One Night on Broadway,” a musical review on Monday and Tuesday, May 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. in the Kuna Performing Arts Center at the high school, 637 E. Deer Flat Road. Tickets are $4.75 each including the online processing fee. They are available at www.kunaschools.org.

Craig’s List: The haven for dirtbags and criminals

Received from the Meridian Police Department today:
Meridian Police Make Burglary Arrest; Ask for Public’s Help
The Meridian Police Impact Team arrested Venyamin “Ben” ELIKH (18) of Meridian along with three (3) juveniles between the ages of 16 and 18 for several residential burglaries.
The Impact Team is in its beginning phases and was made possible with a COPS Hiring Grant awarded to the Meridian Police Department. The Team is being developed to focus on specific criminal problems facing the Meridian community.
The Meridian Police Department believes this team of burglars targeted residences throughout the Treasure Valley.
The burglars would canvas neighborhoods handing out flyers for a lost dog and would knock on doors of residences. If someone answered the door they would tell them the story of the lost dog and hand them the flyer. If no one answered the door they would then check for an easy way into the house, such as an unlocked door, but at times they would force entry.
ELIKH and the others stole electronics such as computers and I-pods, cash, credit cards and really focused on gaming systems. They would then sell or trade the items through Craig’s List.
The group is believed to have been driving three (3) different vehicles. They were a grey 2003 Chevrolet Astro Van; a green 1995 Chevrolet Suburban; and a white 2000 Toyota Eco.
If you purchased anything from ELIKH or if you have one of the flyers distributed by the group or any other information in these burglaries, please contact Sgt. Stokes or Detectives Stoffle or Babcock at 888-6678.