The great horned owl’s journey to the zoo started in the Salmon area. He was taken in by a family as a fledgling and was being kept as a pet. From there, he was turned over to officials with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game who then took him to Zoo Idaho. Named Geno, after recently retired Zoo Idaho employee Gene McAffee, he will join the Raptor Education program with other birds of prey Athena the red-tailed hawk, Horus the turkey vulture, and Valkyrie the bald eagle.

“We’re excited to have Geno join the Zoo Idaho family,” said Rachael Shearouse, Education Curator. “We’d rather have him spend his life in the wild but because of his time around people, he doesn’t know how to be a great horned owl. Now, we can have Geno share the wonders of nature with the public.”

Currently, Zoo Idaho has another great horned owl, Hoodini, on exhibit to the public.

Zoo Idaho is an indigenous species zoo, housing numerous orphaned or injured animals from the region who would have likely not survived in the wild.

For more information on Zoo Idaho, visit zooidaho.org or like the zoo’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ZooIdaho.

Recently, the department received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline ® EMS Gold Plus Award for its quality of care for heart attack patients. To be eligible for the distinction, departments must meet specific criteria related to heart attack care.

“The Pocatello Fire Department is dedicated to providing the best care possible for heart attack patients,” said Chief David Gates. “We are pleased to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication and achievements.”

Previously, the department attained silver and gold status through the program.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) every year, the deadliest type of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.

The Mission: Lifeline initiative provides tools, training and other resources to support heart attack care following protocols from the most recent evidence-based treatment guidelines. Mission: Lifeline’s EMS recognition program recognizes emergency medical services for their efforts in improving systems of care to rapidly identify suspected heart attack patients, promptly notify the medical center and trigger an early response from the awaiting hospital personnel.

For more information on the Pocatello Fire Department, visit pocatello.us/fire.

At Thursday’s Pocatello City Council Meeting, the Council approved Mayor Brian Blad’s appointment of Benjamin West for the post. Benjamin comes to Pocatello from Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport in Dickinson, North Dakota where he was an Operations Specialist. Prior to his time in Dickinson, he was an Airport Planner for the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission.

“It has always been my passion to work in aviation and it is a great honor to be chosen as the next Airport Manager of Pocatello Regional Airport,” said Benjamin. “I love the Rocky Mountains and have always wanted to live near them. The small town atmosphere, the Rocky Mountains, and the wonderful support from the city for the airport were three of the reasons my family and I decided to make the move to Pocatello.”

Benjamin also served in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve from 1993 to 2007 and has a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics as well as Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His experience isn’t just limited to the skies. He’s kept his feet on the ground running his own copying and printing business in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and also working as a commercial real estate broker in the Mississippi.

“Through his knowledge of airport operations and real estate, Benjamin has the expertise we need to take Pocatello Regional Airport into the future,” said Mayor Brian Blad. “We are looking forward to having him join our team.”

Benjamin’s first day on the job will be July 30.

Benjamin and his wife, Stephanie, have 11 children and they enjoy hiking, kayaking, and snowboarding.

“Pocatello Regional Airport is a great asset for the area and provides a gateway from Pocatello to anywhere in the world,” West said. “I look forward to finding new opportunities to bring people and businesses to the airport.”

For more information on Pocatello Regional Airport, visit iflypocatello.com.

ALEKS, which stands for Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces, is a web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system. The idea for implementing the ALEKS system at ISU is to expedite the time it takes to get a degree because often times, math is a barrier that keeps students from achieving their goals as quickly as they might like. Bob Fisher, a professor of mathematics, said the ALEKS system targets student’s knowledge, looks to move students forward through the lessons and helps fix student literacy problems in math.

“Our goal is for students to step on to campus and not need any prerequisite math courses before they are able to jump right into their program,” said Fisher.

Fisher said ISU will be helping local high schools use the ALEKS system to prepare its students for college math courses. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics recently hosted a training for 30 high school teachers to teach them about a pilot program for students who are at risk for not going on to college and potentially having to take several remedial math courses.

“Introducing ALEKS into high schools is establishing the direct link from high school to post-secondary schooling,” said Mindy Singer, the head of math instruction in the Idaho Falls School District. “It provides a long-term goal with many short-term goals along the way.”

Fisher said math lecturer Randa Kress brought up the idea of using the ALEKS system after seeing a need to shorten the time frame for ISU students taking remedial courses.

“Randa has been brilliant and deserves a lot of credit,” Fisher said. “I am excited to integrate this program into our schools and help students move through our program.”

Fisher said the motivation for this program also comes from a pilot program at Utah Valley University over 100,000 high school students were able to participate in the ALEKS program for $17 per student. The program has grown in Utah and now every student in the state has access to the math placement program. The Idaho pilot that is being run through ISU’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics will cost $17 per student at participating schools.

Recently, the Marshall Public Library signed-up for AtoZ World Food. The database features thousands of recipes from 174 countries.

“If you’re just starting to expand your palate or are someone who can whip up a mean matemba, you can find your inspiration with AtoZ World Food,” said Amy Campbell, Public Services Supervisor with the Marshall Public Library. “AtoZ World Food also features hundreds of articles on food culture and six food glossaries.”

The database will be available starting July 1 and a valid Marshall Public Library card is required. To access the service, patrons must obtain a user ID and password from library staff. Staff can be contacted by calling 208-232-1263 ext. 106 or in person at the library.

For more information on the programs and services available at the Marshall Public Library, visit marshallpl.org.

Use your membership immediately and begin learning about Mars, the Moon, and asteroids, while driving a moon rover in the interactive “Astronomical Idaho, Be the Astronaut” exhibit. Learn about “The Incredible Horse.” See Idaho’s Hagerman horse fossils and go back 50 million years when horses roamed more tropical terrain. Enjoy the photography of Roger Boe and poetry of Will Peterson in the “The Flows,” a visual and artistic viewpoint of Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve.

The museum’s summer membership drive has set a goal to add 100 new members to its ever growing family. All annual memberships include free, unlimited admission, invitations to special events and educational offerings, subscription to IMNH’s monthly e-newsletter, 10 percent discount on all purchases at the IMNH store and one one-day guest pass. Additionally, members benefit from quality family time spent exploring its engaging and educational exhibits and collections.

To view all membership options and purchase your membership, visit the museum located on the campus of Idaho State University, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or online atimnh.isu.edu/joinandsupport.

The IMNH has served Idaho since 1934 and as Idaho’s official natural history museum. It offers unique, educational, and fun opportunities to visitors, classrooms, tourists and community members of all ages. Your membership support makes a difference to the over 13,000 diverse group of visitors, ranging from K-12 students to ISU students, to adults, seniors and veterans, who will visit the museum this year.

Interested people can subscribe to its monthly e-newsletter for program updates and follow it on Facebook for daily historical postings. Please contact Terri Bergmeier at 208-282-6168 with any membership questions or business partnership opportunities.

At the American Water Works Association’s Annual Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas, Pocatello’s H2O placed in the top five in the “Best of the Best” Tap Water Taste Test competition. The competition consisted of regional winners from water-tasting competitions across North America with a judging panel rating each water system on its flavor characteristics.

“After winning the regional competition, this award is icing on the cake,” said Justin Armstrong, City of Pocatello Water Department Superintendent. “The City of Pocatello’s Water Department has an enormous amount of pride in the clean, safe and great tasting water that’s delivered to the Gate City’s homes and businesses.”

Taking home first place was Alderwood Water and Wastewater District in Lynnwood, Washington followed by the City of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, and the City of Moline, Illinois. Rounding out the top five were Boston Sewer and Water and the City of Pocatello. Fourth and fifth places were not formally awarded but the water utilities were recognized for their accomplishments.

For more information on the contests, visit awwa.org/home/awwa-news-details/articleid/5037/alderwood-water-and-wastewater-district-wins-best-of-the-best-tap-water-taste-test.aspx.

For more information on the City of Pocatello Water Department, visit pocatello.us/water.

He’ll live in Khorog, a city nestled in the Pamir Mountains at the northwestern end of the Himalayan chain, that are among the highest mountains in the world. Khorog is located along the Afghanistan border about 200 miles west of China.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for me to take what I’ve learned in the ISU geosciences department where, for more than 30 years, we’ve trained students to be responsible guardians of the earth,” Rodgers said. “We’ve trained mining geologists, oil geologists and environmental scientists to maintain sustainable development of world’s natural resources. Really, it’s a compliment to ISU geosciences that the people in our program can go overseas and contribute some of that same knowledge and understanding to international universities and other organizations.”

Rodgers, who also received a Fulbright to Oman in 1994-95, said that the University of Central Asia in Khorog is a brand new campus, which only accepts about five percent of applicants from countries throughout central Asia. All instruction is in English.

“There should be some great opportunities to not only study the well exposed geology in the surrounding mountains, but also to learn about the culture of Tajikistan and the people who live in those mountains,” Rodgers said.

The students will be pursuing an earth and environmental science major. Rodgers will teach introductory geoscience courses but will have a light teaching load, because the university doesn’t have full enrollment and is still developing many of its courses and curriculum.

“Much of my job will be to help implement a new environmental science department,” Rodgers said. “So I will help to hire new faculty, gather laboratory minerals and develop new field trips to show students their local geology. Maybe most importantly, I will help create a learning culture that attracts students to the university and graduates high-quality students in earth and environmental science.”

Rodgers will also complete research at the university’s Mountain Science Research Institute. Its research goals are nearly identical to what ISU did the last five years when it participated in the National Science Foundation’s Managing Idaho’s Landscapes for Ecosystem Services (MILES) grant. Rodgers helped direct those efforts at ISU.

“They are looking to improve life in a mountainous environment, improve the use and sustainability of resources like water, to keep the environment clean and to find resources in a place where climate is changing and population is increasing,” Rodgers said. “Think of it as the balanced use of ecosystem services, the same goals as our MILES grant.”

Rodgers is one of over 800 U.S. citizens who will teach, conduct research, and/or provide expertise abroad for the 2018-2019 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement as well as record of service and demonstrated leadership in their respective fields.

Fulbrighters address critical global issues in all disciplines, while building relationships, knowledge, and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the United States. Fulbright alumni have achieved distinction in many fields, including 57 who have been awarded the Nobel Prize, 82 who have received Pulitzer Prizes, and 37 who have served as a head of state or government.

For further information about the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State, please visit ECA-Press.

A spiral of fossil shark teeth, Helicoprion, was exposed during mining operations at the Monsanto mine in Soda Springs. Measuring over 8 feet in diameter, the fossil adds a new story to museum’s growing collection of Idaho’s natural history.

Monsanto Mine Operations Coordinator, Cody Allen said, “As proud members of the Southeast Idaho community, we are excited to help preserve this rare and valuable piece of local history. Alongside experts at the Idaho Natural History Museum and Idaho State University, we will do our part to ensure these fossils are protected and preserved. We hope this discovery will lead to important learning opportunities for the community and even inspire the next generation of scientists from Idaho.”

The Idaho Museum of Natural History is home to the largest collection of Helicoprion sharks in the world. Museum Director, Leif Tapanila says “Our studies on Helicoprion show it was the largest predator on earth at the time, nearly 270 million years ago. Idaho is the best place on the planet to find these amazing fossils. We’re very grateful to our partners in the region for sharing their discoveries so we can make them available to the public for many years to come.”

The public will get a chance to see this shark fossil in the fall when the museum’s Buzzsaw Sharks of Idaho exhibit opens in October. This exhibit has traveled for the past five years sharing Idaho’s history with over half a million people across the United States.

The Idaho Museum of Natural History has been serving Idaho since 1934. To learn more about the museum please visit imnh.isu.edu

In a letter to faculty and staff Monday, Satterlee said he was ready to work with faculty, staff, students, community members and business leaders to build a bright future for Idaho State.

"Together, we can topple our biggest challenges and take on our most ambitious dreams. Together, we can grow our academic profile, enhance the student experience, bolster research, and so much more," he wrote. "Together, we can build the future of Idaho State."

Satterlee was named the University’s new president by the Idaho State Board of Education on April 5.

State Board of Education Member Richard Westerberg said the Board was looking forward to working with Satterlee to bring Idaho State University to the next level. He described Satterlee as a man who was born, raised and educated in Idaho, and a man with great vision.

“He’s an innovator, and he’s a great communicator,” Westerberg said. “He listens to understand, and to learn, which leads to his ability to be open and transparent.”

Satterlee served as Chief Operating Officer at Boise State University since 2015, and a vice president since 2010. He has served in a variety of positions at Boise State since 2001. Prior to that, Satterlee was a deputy attorney general in the Idaho Attorney General’s Office for six years. While there, he was lead counsel to the State Board of Education, State Board of Pharmacy, State Board of Nursing, and the State Liquor Dispensary. Because of his unique relationships and historical knowledge, Satterlee also served as special counsel to the president at Boise State on issues related to the State Board of Education, legislative and policy issues, athletic department issues, and institutional compliance.

He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Boise State University (magna cum laude) and was named a Top Ten Scholar of the University. He received his law degree from the University of Idaho (magna cum laude).

In his first 90 days, Satterlee plans to visit with faculty, staff, students and community members to learn more about the strengths, needs and goals of the University.

“I pledge to all of Idaho State University that I will devote myself to the success of this institution,” he said. “I want to be your partner. I want this University to be Pocatello’s partner.”

Satterlee said he was going to continue the University’s focus on expanding and growing health care programs, and to help ISU see its great potential. He said he will work to improve student recruitment and retention, and work hand-in-hand with the community. He also said he plans to work with faculty to bring their research and innovations to the forefront.

“We’re going to do great things,” he said. “This University has known great times, but its greatest times are yet to come.”