Category Archives: Idaho

Idaho, U.S.

Idaho could make online classes mandatory for High School

The Idaho State Board of Education unanimously decided to pursue the possibility of making online classes mandatory for graduation from High School.

The board is considering requiring two credits to be taking online.  If it becomes reality, it would make Idaho the first state to require two online credits.

The Idaho State Board of Education is planning a 21 day comment period before making a final decision.  State officials say despite the 21 day comment period, they will probably approve the plan anyway.

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

What Economic Recovery? Hoku, Idaho, finally to start polysilicon production, but ongoing delays will cost solar company money

“We are positioned to bring the first 2,500 metric tons of manufacturing capacity online in the coming weeks, and we continue commissioning key systems on site.”-Scott Paul, CEO of Hoku Corporation

After years of continued promises of local hiring and construction delays, due to financial problems, Hoku claims it will finally start polysilicon production within weeks.

However, Idaho Power insists that Hoku pay up front for its electricity, Hoku officials claim they’ve already paid $5.3 million to the utility.  This is just part of a long list of financial problems the wannabe polysilicon maker has had.

It’s ironic that a solar power “products and services” company must rely on an old fashioned electric utility to provide power to run their new 2,500 metric tons of polysilicon factory.

Hoku Corporation has already lost $10.2 million during the second quarter of 2011.  The solar power products company is based in Hawaii.  Their polysilicon Hoku Materials plant is located in Pocatello, Idaho.

Hoku has been getting financial help from a Chinese company; Tianwei New Energy Holdings.

Hoku salesmen oversold their company’s product, and now they’re scrambling to issue refunds, and offer discounts on existing contracts for waiting so long for their product.

All current orders for polysilcon are delayed, no thanks to the financial problems that have delayed construction of the Pocatello plant for the past couple of years.  Expect Hoku to continue reporting losses as a result.

2010: HOKU TURNING TO CHINA TO HELP FINISH POCATELLO PLANT

 

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Idaho New & Used car sales drop nearly 20%

A survey by Cross Sell, and the Idaho Statesman, revealed that new and used car sales, in southwest Idaho, plunged in July 2011.

Southwest Idaho is supposedly doing better economically than eastern Idaho, yet new and used car sales declined.  When compared year to year, sales dropped 14%.  When you compare July 2011, to June 2011, the drop is 19%.

 

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? East Idaho Salvation Army declares “food crisis”, 20% of Idaho kids going hungry as Idaho politicians slash and burn social services

“We’ve had an increase in requests for that type of service, and so our food supply is dwindling rapidly.”-Brenda Ames, Pocatello Salvation Army

A recent survey by Feeding America revealed that the economic situation in Idaho is much worse than elected leaders claim.  At least 20% of Idaho kids do not know where their next meal is coming from.

“Children are aware that the parents are struggling to feed them. They don’t know if there is enough in the house for breakfast, enough food for dinner.”-Joye Jones, Idaho Food Bank Pocatello Branch

The problem is made worse by the facts that because more people are making less money, donations to food banks are down, and, the state of Idaho has been cutting federally funded social programs.

The state with the least food insecurity is also the state with the best economy; North Dakota with less than 12% of kids going hungry.

 

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Idaho Wells Fargo customers hit by scam

East Idahoans are being hit with a phone scam.  Someone claiming to be with Wells Fargo is telling them their “card is locked” and they need to give their card info over the phone to unlock it.

Local Wells Fargo officials say it’s called a “fishing” scam, and that you should deal directly with your local bank if there’s a possible problem with your card.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? One Idaho city wants to give itself a raise, taxpayers say Bull Crap! City does it anyway, increases property taxes!

The city of Chubbuck gave city employees a raise in salary and benefits, at the expense of property owners.  Property taxes were increased 2%.

Residents had told city officials no way!  Not when so many taxpayers have seen their incomes go down, and many don’t have health insurance.

One resident even suggested an end of year performance bonus for city employees.  But that fell on the deaf ears of the city council, they ended up voting to increase property taxes.

There are several abandoned homes in the area I live in, the city has taken over lawn care because everything was dying.  There are even more homes with ‘for sale’ and ‘for rent’ signs.  How can the city justify increasing the property tax?!?

Business/Economics, Idaho, Opinion, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Dairy industry asking government for new industry “welfare” programs, as state governments slash and burns Food Stamps for families

The national average for a gallon of milk is about $4.00.  Many people in the dairy business say they’re losing money because people can’t afford to buy the product. They want the Federal government to create new industry welfare programs to bail them out.

In Idaho it’s estimated that Idaho dairymen lost $700 million in 2009.  Even Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has jumped on the band wagon calling for more corporate welfare for dairymen.  But, you know what, I buy milk at the Pocatello, Idaho, Fred Meyer, and sometimes at the Chubbuck, Idaho, WalMart, and I’ve always paid less than $3.00 per gallon (usually no more than $2.50).

I have relatives in California who complain about the nearly $4.00 per gallon milk price there, but I haven’t seen that price in Idaho.  So why are Idaho Dairymen complaining?

The real reason dairy products, as well as other food products, are seeing a drop in sales is because the average consumer doesn’t have the money!

Maybe the Federal government should increase Food Stamps pay outs by greatly increasing the maximum income cutoff.  After all, the original purpose of Food Stamps was to subsidize the agriculture industry, by providing lower income people with money to buy food.  That’s right Food Stamps was originally created to support Farmers!

Instead it looks like individuals will get nothing, while “industries” get increased direct welfare!

 

 

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Idaho slashes and burns social programs, yet can fork up $2.4 million for college bowl name?

The Idaho Potato Commission, a state taxpayer funded agency, has signed a $2.4 million deal, to rename the college football Humanitarian Bowl game.  It will now be known as the “Famous Idaho Potato” Bowl.

Commission officials say they need to spend that kind of money to promote Idaho grown potatoes: “The bottom line, is that we believe we have negotiated a very favorable contract when compared to other similar bowls with similar national media coverage.”-Frank Muir, IPC President

Idaho, U.S.

United Police States of America: Idaho man accuses Oregon cop with Road Rage, cop threatened him with a gun, cop gets reasigned to a more violent police position

Idaho State Police confirmed that an off duty Oregon cop threatened an Idaho man in a case of Road Rage.  The Portland, Oregon, police captain threatened the Idaho man with his gun.

Here’s the thing, ISP let the Oregon cop go!  The Portland police said they assigned the gun happy police captain to a new job; the drugs and vice division!