Category Archives: Idaho

Idaho, U.S.

Some examples of how hot & dry it is in southeastern Idaho

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Some people might think local officials are being a little too cautious with their control over who has access to the Charlotte Fire burn area, at the south end of  Pocatello.  But, it really is so dry out their that I wouldn’t be surprised if the cause of the fire was spontaneous combustion of tinder dry field grasses (I’ve seen it happen in hay stacks).

I recently got my city of Chubbuck, Idaho, water bill for 08 May 2012 to 05 June 2012.  It shows you what you used the previous year.  For the same time in 2011 I used 4,000 gallons (15,141.6 liters). Yet, for 2012 I used 13,000 gallons (49,210.35 liters), a 9,000 gallon increase!  And I was really trying to conserve, but I have a large yard with a victory garden and the amount of water I used in May was just barely enough to keep most plants from dying.

I have a pear tree and several plum trees, and for the first time in more than a decade they have no fruit!  My Golden Delicious apple tree has not even half the amount of fruit it normally does.

Two of my three grape vines returned to dormancy two months ago, and have only now started to come back, after tons of water was flooded onto them.  One of my two blackberry vines died.  My normally over productive raspberry vines are now struggling, with only two raspberries visible.

My huge decades old pine tree stopped dropping pine cones a month ago.  This is normal when you get into dry summer months, but since my pine tree is located in the middle of my back lawn it usually drops cones throughout summer because it gets enough water when I water the lawn.  This year I’ve been flooding sections of the lawn, including around the pine tree, due to how dry the grass is getting, and yet no pine cones.

By the way, lawn grass is the most inefficient plant on the planet, and yet our incompetent municipality leaders create laws forcing us to maintain a grass lawn, for the sake of property values!  And then they jack up our water/sewer/trash rates!!!

For example: In 1998 I swear I was paying a basic water/sewer/trash rate of $38.00 USD per month (not counting the per thousand gallon water charge). In 2010 it was more than $77.00.  Now, in 2012 the basic water/sewer/trash rate is more than $92.00!!!

Between 1998 and 2002 water conservation actually helped keep my water bill down, but at this point none of my water saving efforts are paying off, because the city has jacked up the basic services rate so high!  And you can’t conserve too much because then the city hits you with violation of beautification codes!

The city of Chubbuck actually has employees driving around neighborhoods in “code enforcement” vehicles, giving out warnings.  If warnings are not heeded the city brings in landscapers and sends you the bill.

Another sign of how hot and dry it is: Laundry.  I hang my laundry to dry outside in summer, it so hot/dry that a full load is dry within 20 minutes or less.  That’s much less time than if I used the dryer in the house.

How about southeast Idaho reservoir levels?

Devil Creek reservoir, north of Malad City, Idaho, off Interstate Highway 15, 29 June 2012. Two months ago it was full.

Deep Creek reservoir, east of Malad City, on Idaho State Highway 36, 29 June 2012. Two months ago it was full.

Idaho, U.S.

Pocatello Charlotte Fire update: 80% contained. Vulture/desperate contractors already descending. 19 fireworks cases despite ban! Respect for dead pets found in fire.

“Today is the day we are really going to attack this fire.”-Lorin Nielsen, Bannock County Sheriff

01 July 2012, Sunday morning press conference reporting 80% containment of Charlotte Fire, in Pocatello, Idaho.

Today is a critical weather day, a red flag warning is in place until 21:00 hours.  About 40 fire fighting trucks and 150 personnel are hoping to fully contain the fire by Monday morning.

The city of Pocatello, and Bannock County, banned fireworks, yet there were 19 fireworks case calls over night.  Police stated no tolerance was applied to those caught.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Pocatello residents with gas BBQs with lids can continue to use them.

Hot spots and flares up still occurring within the center of the burn area. There were problems in the Mink Creek area, but law enforcement has resumed escorting residents into that area.

State and local officials expressed concern over the number of looky loos trying to get into the burn area.  Also, construction contractors, who’re either vultures or just desperate for work, have already been pestering those people who’ve suffered lost or damaged property.  County officials are warning people of fraudulent contractors.

Fire fighters are reporting finding dead pets in the burn area, they are leaving them in place and covering them with towels.

Bannock County Humane society is giving away food for dogs and cats to victims of the fire.

Charlotte Fire 50% contained. No return home

 

Business/Economics, Idaho, International, Technology, U.S.

Global Class War: Hungary taxes potato chips last year, now adds cell phone calls! Nebraska already suffering with highest cell phone tax rate in United States!

In September 2011, Hungary joined several countries placing extra taxes on snacks like potato chips.  Full of crap western news media said it was an effort to fight obesity, but a recent Japanese report straight up said it was a way for the Hungarian government to raise more money to pay its out of control debts!

In May 2012, Hungary also passed an extra tax on cell phones calls!  It’s called the voice-traffic levy.  The Hungarian government hopes the new phone tax will create at least $133.6 million USD this year.

NHK (nippon housou kyoukai/Japan Broadcasting Corporation) reporting that Hungary was forced to create the extra tax under demands from the European Union.  But some people have switched to using smartphones which can make calls through the internet.  Hungarian officials did not tax internet based calls.

Here in the U.S. state of Idaho, groceries are already taxed.  It’s fun to watch people from out of state go into shock when they find out they have to pay tax on groceries.

Idahoans are not happy about the decades old grocery tax.  Political leaders have tried to throw us a bone by allowing a grocery credit on the end of year tax filings.  But woe to them that try to add extra taxes on snacky foods in the name of forcing us to be healthy, when in reality they just want to steal more of our increasingly limited money.

But wait, there’s more!  According to a 2011 Money article, Nebraska leads the U.S. with the highest cell phone tax rates!  Combined federal, state and local cell phone tax rates amounted to 23.69% in 2011!!!

Idaho’s state and local tax rate was 2.2% (not counting federal taxes).

“Cellphone users are overtaxed relative to consumers of other goods, and at risk of double taxation. Additionally, the wide number of taxing authorities and the wide variety in rates makes tracking problematic and burdensome.” -Joseph Henchman, Tax Foundation Director of State Projects

The reason this is class warfare is that these kinds of taxes do not affect the elitist wealthy, they target the overwhelming majority of citizens who are not rich!

Idaho, U.S.

Pocatello Charlotte Fire update: 50% contained. BBQ outlawed! No return home until Monday! Sunday critical weather day

“I’m still in shock from what happened. My home just seemed to vaporize.”-Suzanne Bielinski

Saturday morning, 30 June 2012, officials reported the Charlotte Fire 50% contained, with hopes for full containment by Sunday.  At least one building re-ignited overnight.

Officials think homes in the Johnny Creek area escaped damage.

Pocatello Police and Bannock County Sheriff’s deputies are escorting some residents back to their homes, however there’s been an increase of looky loos trying to sneak in by car, or even trying to hike in: “Please don’t make us start arresting people.”-Lorin Nielsen, Bannock County Sheriff

Not only are fireworks banned, in Pocatello, but so are outdoor BBQs.

People are reporting lost pets, but officials said it will be at least Monday before pet owners can check with Pocatello Animal Shelter.

 “I’m sorry that people lost their houses but we did the best we could. Every agency worked their guts out trying to save those houses, but we couldn’t save them all.”-Steve Hadley, Bannock County Commissioner

Friday, 29 June 2012, evacuees from the Charlotte Fire at the south end of Pocatello, Idaho, were told Monday would be the soonest they could enter the burn area.

Buildings the Charlotte Fire missed. Near Mink Creek, Johnny Creek and Gibson Jack areas Pocatello, Idaho, 29 June 2012.

Many people are wondering why such a delay in allowing residents back in, especially when it looks like the fire is out? Local officials insist there are still hot spots, and many downed power lines.  They are also concerned about weather conditions, as air temperatures are expected to be even hotter on Saturday and Sunday. Weather forecasts are calling for near record high temps.

Smoke still rising from Mink Creek, Johnny Creek and Gibson Jack areas, 29 June 2012.

The wind is also an unpredictable factor, as anyone who lives here can tell you.  Forecasts are calling for single digit wind speeds, but as temps rise so does the wind speed.  The winds are also finicky as to which way they like to blow, wait five minutes and wind’ll change direction.

Another reason is that more than a dozen investigators are trying to find out why the fire started.  They say they’ve determined the ignition point, but are still trying to figure out how it started.

At this point 66 homes were lost, along with 29 outbuildings (sheds, detached garages, barns, etc).  A rough estimate on the cost of damage to homes is $7.6 million USD.  There is still conflicting acreage reports.  Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center claims an estimated 1,038 acres burned, however, state and federal fire agencies say only 450 acres burned.

More than 1,000 people were evacuated from the Mink Creek, Johnny Creek and Gibson Jack areas.  Some roads around the burn area are open to residents only, who must prove they live there using identification such as Idaho drivers license.

Little Bird (Air Tractor 802F) water dropper ready for another run, Pocatello (Pokey) airport, 29 June 2012.

So far the cost to fight the Charlotte Fire has exceeded $1 million USD.  Despite some evacuees being a little upset about not being allowed back home ’till Monday, they applauded efforts to fight the fire.

Ex USN PV2 Neptune, now a water bomber operated by Neptune Aviation Service of Montana.

Charlotte Fire, 66 homes now destroyed

Idaho, U.S.

Pocatello Charlotte Fire still burning! 66 homes now destroyed! Residents not allowed to return until Sunday, maybe. New 10 Mile Fire east of McCammon

“It’s a long ways from being out, even though we don’t see big 40 foot flames.”-Brian Blad, Mayor of Pocatello

Click on the pics to make them bigger.

Smokey night Charlotte Fire 

Idaho, U.S.

Smokey night for Pocatello & Chubbuck. Charlotte Fire still burning.

29 June 2012, at 00:00 hours dozens of fires still burning on the hills where homes were ravaged, at the south end of Pocatello, Idaho.  Associated Press reporting more than 1,000 people evacuated.

The winds have calmed down, but have also shifted northwest, smoke filtering slowly a few miles northwest into the city of Chubbuck overnight.

South end of Pocatello, dozens of fires still burning at 00:00 hours 29 June 2012. Bright light at top of pic is the full Moon.

Weather forecasts predict calm winds for the rest of Friday, good news for firefighters.  Air temperatures expected to get into the 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius).

Camera not good enough to take pics at night, and I couldn’t get close enough ’cause of the police road blocks.  By 23:30 hours, 28 June 2012, U.S. Bureau of Land Management said about 1,038 acres burned with no containment (reports of burned acreage conflict, National Interagency Fire Center, based 236 miles away in Boise, says 450 acres. another report out of Boise said 20% containment).   As many as 700 homes threatened, at least 20 known destroyed.

The fire is dubbed Charlotte Fire (starting near Charlotte Road in the Mink Creek area), and local fire officials say the big concern now are downed power lines.

Portneuf Medical Center enacted their emergency plan, and reported two trauma cases, but unknown if connected to the fire.

Evacuees were told to go to Century High School or Idaho State University.  Pets were being taken to Pocatello Animal Shelter.  Livestock taken to Bannock County Fairgrounds.

Local businesses have been offering help to evacuees and firefighters. Officials suspect the fire was human caused.

Pocatello burning! Evacuations!

Idaho, U.S.

Pocatello burning! Evacuations! Southeast Idaho burning! Bannock County bans fireworks, declares state of emergency!

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Click on pics to make them bigger. Pics by me.

 

Fukushima, Idaho

East Idaho Gamma Ray detector update: Conflicting readings on 16 June 2012, as high as 26 μR/h! More proof of Fukushima?

On 25 May 2012, I posted how the public display on the Big Lost River IEMP station, in eastern Idaho, was not working.  Now it is, and it’s showing 10 more micro Roentgens per hour than what is being posted on the www.idahoop.org website.

Big Lost River IEMP Gamma display, 16 June 2012

On 16 June 2012, the display was showing between 24 and 27 μR/h!  I watched for ten minutes and it never went lower than 24 μR/h.  I checked the website and discovered that it was reporting gamma levels of 15.2 μR/h.

Why the big difference?

For perspective, 9.8 μR/h is considered “less than typical”.  The ghost city of Pripyat, which was contaminated by Chernobyl in the 1980s, is still showing gamma levels as high as 66 μR/h!

The Big Lost River IEMP is located in an area of eastern Idaho that has been used for nuclear experiments ever since World War 2.  Are these high(?) gamma levels the result of decades of experiments (still ongoing right now), or is it because of the ongoing disaster at Fukushima Daiichi in Japan?

Idaho, International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 10 June – 14 June. U.S./NATO deaths pass 2000 since the U.S. led occupation began. Doctor behind school girl poisonings! More proof it’s about the oil! More proof the drug war is a failure! Accused war criminal considered for Attorney General!

14 June 2012

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said one U.S. led occupation personnel was killed by Mujahideen on 13 June, in southern Afghanistan.

The U.S. Pentagon confirmed that it was a U.S. Marine, from Minnesota, that was killed on 13 June.

The British Ministry of Defence also confirms one of their soldiers was killed by a grenade, also on 13 June.

This brings the 2012 death toll of U.S. led occupying forces to more than 200. Since the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan at least 2,000 U.S. forces have been killed.  418 British soldiers have been killed.

In Kunar Province, a suicide bomber attacked a U.S. occupation air base.  At least five people were killed.

In Jowzjan Province, an explosion wounded at least 11 people. It happened near the home of a local electoral boss.

The Ministry of Defense for Afghanistan reports that 11 of their troops were wounded in attacks by Mujahideen. The attacks took place in Kunar, Ghazni and Kandahar provinces.

ISAF claims they killed a “leader”, and a Mujahideen in Kandahar Province.  Another “leader” was captured in Helmand Province.

13 June 2012

In Baghlan Province, at least two people were killed, five wounded, in tribal disputes.

In Paktiya Province, a huge explosion left one person killed, at least 20 people wounded. It happened near the Kabul Bank.

12 June 2012

U.S. Marine General John Allen order an end to air strikes on houses!  This comes after wide spread protests over the continued killing of civilians by U.S. troops.

Iran announced the capture of 137 kilograms (302 pounds) of drugs in the past 80 days, a 176% increase in illegal drugs coming from Afghanistan, compared with the same time last year!   Many of the drug traffickers arrested are citizens of Azerbaijan Republic.

In Wardak Province, five civilians were killed when they drove over a mine.

ISAF announced that three U.S. led occupation personnel were killed by an explosion in southern Afghanistan.

Controversial Afghan General, Abdul Rashid Dostum (who receives support from the U.S.), is being investigated for interfering in the development of the oil fields in northern Afghanistan.  The main oil fields of Afghanistan are located in Faryab and Sar-e-Pul provinces. Preliminary reports estimate the area has almost 87 million barrels of petroleum.

Dostum is also being considered for Attorney General of Afghanistan, despite being involved with the murder of hundreds of “Taliban” prisoners in 2001 (known as the Dasht-i-Leili massacre).

In Kunar Province, two tribal elders were assassinated. Mujahideen say the elders were spying for the Afghan police.

The Interior Ministry of Afghanistan claims 30 Mujahideen were killed in battles in Baghlan, Kandahar, Zabul, Logar and Ghazni provinces.

In Balkh Province, two people were killed, and five wounded, by a suicide bomber riding a motorcycle.

U.S. Army Lieutenant General James L. Terry, assumed command of ISAF.

11 June 2012

In Logar Province, the residents closed down all schools in protest of the continued killings of civilians by U.S. troops.  The latest incident involved a U.S. air strike on a house that was full of wedding guests, 18 were killed.

In Baghlan Province, 3500 hectares (8,648.6 acres) of opium fields were destroyed.  It took ten days.

The Ministry of Defense for Afghanistan reports that three of their troops were killed, 12 wounded, in battles with Mujahideen.  The attacks took place in Helmand, Kunar and Maidan Wardak provinces.

In Kunar Province, the local government intelligence boss was assassinated. They don’t know who did it.

In Sar-e-Pul Province, at least four people were killed when they drove over a mine.

In Kunduz Province, three people were killed after a house blew up.

10 June 2012

A Pakistani female doctor was arrested in connection with the recent poisonings at girls’ schools.  11 other suspects have been arrested as well.

In Kandahar Province, an Idaho National Guardsman was severely wounded when he stepped on a mine. He’s expected to be sent to Germany for treatment.  According to relatives living in Pocatello, Idaho, he lost his legs, suffered a fractured pelvis, a broken arm, internal injuries and lost a couple of fingers.  His brother recently returned from occupation duty in Iraq and Kuwait.

The Interior Ministry of Afghanistan claims 33 Mujahideen were killed by Afghan police, in battles Kabul, Laghman, Parwan, Helmand, Uruzgan and Farah provinces.

 

 

 

Business/Economics, Idaho, International, Technology, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Solar company Hoku Corporation stock value less than 20 cents! Do Not Trade warning issued!

On 8 June 2012, the value of Hoku Corporation stock settled at 15 cents per share, after hitting 20 cents that morning.  Some stock trading media outlets issued a Do Not Trade warning for Hoku (NASDAQ: HOKU).

Hoku Corp owns failed Hoku Materials in Pocatello, Idaho.  Hoku Corp is a subsidiary of Tianwei New Energy Holdings, which is an affiliate of China South Industries Group Corporation (CSGC).

Ever since the end of May, Hoku stock has been struggling to get above 20 cents. Wikinvest says Hoku’s 52 week average is only 7 cents per share!  At last check, 13 June 2012, Hoku Corp was trading between 16 and 17 cents per share.

IDAHO’S HOKU MATERIALS ABOUT TO BE FINISHED OFF BY LAWSUITS, LAYS OFF 100 MORE EMPLOYEES IN BANNOCK COUNTY!