Recently by Maggie O'Mara


BLOG: Will anyone claim "Crash"?

7:37 AM Wed, Oct 28, 2009 |
Maggie O'Mara


Connector Chaos!

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The dog that caused all that chaos on the Connector this week has been found! SIX cars got into accidents to avoid the golden lab running across the road. He was tracked down after the accident, and our reporter Kim Fields found him at the Idaho Humane Society. They've nick-named him CRASH for obvious reasons!

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Crash looks like he's someone's pet for sure! He doesn't have a scratch on him after the incident. Our good friend Dee Fugit from the Idaho Humane Society has her own theory as to why he was running loose on the Connector:

"Well, you know he's not neutered. So, you know he was out looking for love in all the wrong places, and the Connector is not the place to be looking for it," - Dee Fugit, Idaho Humane Society

Here's the kicker - Fugit says if Crash's owners come forward, they will be liable for the damage caused by the dog. (Uh oh! We're talking SIX car wrecks!) She hopes that won't deter them from claiming him. Crash will be put up for adoption if no one claims him within seven days.

You can watch Kim Fields' story on CRASH on our homepage right now at KTVB.com. Then tell us...

Should "Crash's" owner should pay up for the damage?



BLOG: Purple Sage Elementary gathers shoes for the poor

7:48 AM Tue, Oct 27, 2009 |
Maggie O'Mara

"Shoe Drive"


I noticed an e-mail recently in my inbox that stood out, and I thought you would enjoy reading it too! It's from Betty Solomon, she's the librarian at Purple Sage Elementary School in the Middleton School District.

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"Just thought I should brag a bit! Each year it seems that we have students come to me and ask if they can do a "drive" to help out the less fortunate. This year, Rosendahl's Shoe Center was running a drive to collect used shoes for the Boise Rescue Mission. The owners of Rosendahl's have two boys at our school. The boys asked their dad if they could have the school collect shoes, then they came to me.

We have collected shoes for the last week and a half, with the class bringing in the most shoes earning a pizza party. During that time we collected 801 pairs of shoes, and the winning class brought in 179 pairs of shoes!

Rosendahls has been collecting shoes at Gold's Gyms and at tailgate parties for BSU football games. Purple Sage brought in more than half of all the shoes collected for the Rescue Mission!

Just thought you should know what neat kids we have in the Middleton School District."

Betty Solomon
School Librarian
Purple Sage Elementary School

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Betty also tells me they had just one barrel in the hall at school, and it was filled eight or ten times! The shoes had to be picked up daily because there were so many of them... just think how many people will benefit from this shoe drive!

This morning, they are holding a special assembly at school to celebrate this incredible achievement.

Congratulations!



BLOG: Group of students make 150 hats for cancer patients

7:42 AM Mon, Oct 26, 2009 |
Maggie O'Mara


"7's HEROES"

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The students in Mrs. Bonnie Dufty's class at Riverside Elementary crocheted and loomed 150 colorful hats! (In the picture above - they are wearing some of them!)

They did this for a very special reason. One of their classmates, Paul Michael DeWitt lost his mom to breast cancer in May. Ann DeWitt (see family picture of Paul, his Mom, his Dad and his sister) fought a courageous two and a half year battle against cancer. She is very missed, and the students made and donated all these hats to local cancer patients in her honor.

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Mrs. Dufty plans a community service project every year for her students, but this project took on extra special meaning because they all knew Paul Michael's mom. They recently donated the hats to the Matt Hatter's Hat and Wig Donation Project. It serves patients at the Mountain State Tumor Institute, the American Cancer Society, and St. Alphonsus Cancer Care Center.

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The Mad Hatter's Project is accepting hat and wig donations until this Saturday, October 31st. If you'd like to donate - check out the website for more information: www.idahomadhatter.com



BLOG: Where to watch BSU vs Hawaii?

7:15 AM Fri, Oct 23, 2009 |
Maggie O'Mara


BSU vs Hawaii

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Great news Bronco fans! You can watch the Boise State vs Hawaii game right here on KTVB this weekend. Kick-off is at 9pm our time... so make sure you turn the TV to Channel 7 at 9pm to see all the action!

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Also, our very own Mark Johnson has the grueling task of going to Hawaii and calling the game with his partner Tom Scott. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it! (What a gig, huh? A little football, a little sun, a little golf...)

Mark stopped by the station this morning to say goodbye to the morning team (and maybe rub it in a little?) - his plane took off shortly after. So, he is Hawaii bound!

ALOHA MARK!

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One more thing... Mark will also be LIVE from Hawaii on our 5 o'clock news tomorrow with your pre-game coverage... so if you want a little preview of what's to come - watch us at 5pm too.


"News to Me" by Nick McMullin


THIS WEEK:

The Evolution of the Weatherman - OR The CYCLE of the Weatherman....

Is this what Larry goes through every day???

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(Click to enlarge)



BLOG: Should the man-made hot springs stay or go?

9:02 AM Thu, Oct 22, 2009 |
Maggie O'Mara
Goodbye Hot Springs?

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The U.S. Forest Service says the man-made hot spring pools in Rocky Canyon (between Crouch and Silver Creek) have to be destroyed!

That has many people asking WHY?

You may not know this, but about a dozen tubs were built illegally off of Rocky Canyon about a year ago. A man built them without a permit, and the Forest Service says that's a violation. The man responsible did pay a fine and do community service as a punishment.

On top of the man-made pools being a violation, a spokesman for the Shoshone-Paiute Indian Tribe says the hot springs are sacred, and are being misused by people drinking alcohol, doing drugs and having sex.

But, some of the hot spring supporters/enthusiasts are working to keep the pools intact. They say it's ridiculous to destroy them, and that the public should have a say on what happens to them. The group is looking into getting legal help to stop it.


Watch the full story on our home page at KTVB.com - and chime in!

What do you think?

Should the homemade pools stay or go?



BLOG: H1N1 vaccine shortage

7:50 AM Tue, Oct 20, 2009 |
Maggie O'Mara
Not Enough Vaccine?

The kids in the Boise and Meridian school districts were scheduled to be vaccinated against H1N1 this week, but on day 2 (Tuesday) of giving the vaccine to students, the Central District Health Department ran out! The department was expecting a new shipment to arrive on Monday. That didn't happen, so now the kids have to wait.

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Free Vaccination Clinics

Despite the shortage, you do have the chance to get vaccinated for FREE this weekend if you're in the priority group. The priority group has changed a bit, because there is less of the vaccine available. Here is the new information you need to know to see if you qualify:

Priority Groups include:

•Pregnant women
•People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
•Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
•Children 6 months to 4 years old & children 5 to 18 years old with chronic illness

This Saturday - Southwest District Health will have a clinic in Nampa at the old Sportsman's Warehouse building from 11am to 5pm.

Nampa Swine Flu Vaccine Clinic:
Saturday, Oct 24th
Sportsman's Warehouse
11pm to 5pm

In Boise, the Central District Health Department (CDHD) will still have two clinics this Saturday, October 24th.

CDHD Swine Flu Vaccination Clinics:
Saturday, October 24th
10am - 6pm
(Or until they run out of vaccine!)
Locations:
•The former K-Mart store - 1001 Park Center Blvd., Boise
•The former Comp USA store - 1195 N Milwaukee St., Boise


For more information about the vaccination process:

www.cdhd.idaho.gov

CDHD Flu Hotline: 321-2222

PS: Remember - these clinics are for priority groups ONLY! The health department says once the priority groups are covered, the vaccine will be available for everyone who wants it. Right now, you will be turned away if you do not meet the guidelines for PRIORITY.



"News to Me" by Nick McMullin

8:28 AM Mon, Oct 19, 2009 |
Maggie O'Mara

"NEWS TO ME" by Nick McMullin

This Week:

Von Sneed meets his match... I finally escape his clutches!

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(Click to enlarge)



BLOG: Kidding Around LIVE - TONIGHT!

3:47 AM Fri, Oct 16, 2009 |
Maggie O'Mara


Kidding Around Live!


Remember kid comedian Trevor Hattabaugh? The 13 year old started telling jokes at his parent's parties when he was just 6 years old!

He was all over the news back in 2007 after he was banned from the Funny Bone Comedy Club by Idaho State Police Alcohol Beverage Control for being too young. That made him even more popular! He's performed at comedy clubs in all over the west. Hattabaugh recently auditioned for NBC's hit show "America's Got Talent" too.

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Tonight, you get your chance to see him again LIVE! He'll be starring in Kidding Around Live at the Linen Building tonight.

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It's an all ages benefit show that features music by Eleven (above) and Boise Rock School. It's a night out for the whole family! Everyone is invited to come out and join the fun... there will be a silent auction and a raffle too.

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Kidding Around LIVE!
Linen District - 1402 Grove Street
Tonight, October 16th
5:30pm

*Tickets: $8 for adults (21 and older), $5 for kids (12 to 20), $3 for small kids (11 and under)

MORE INFO ON THE PERFORMERS:

*ELEVEN: MC David Maxwell and DJ Noah Hyde - have positive lyrics and a positive message for kids. A school teacher by day, Maxwell knows how to work a crowd! You have to see him!

*Boise Rock School is an independent music school that teaches kids how to rock. Students form bands with their friends, get instruction from professional musicians and gain experience on stage in front of real, live audiences.

*Proceeds will go to the Boise Nationals Soccer Club and Boise Rock School.


"NEWS TO ME" by Nick McMullin

This Week:

Von Sneed meets his match... I finally escape his clutches!

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(Click to enlarge)



BLOG: Your opinions on the Swine Flu vaccine at local schools

7:22 AM Wed, Oct 14, 2009 |
Maggie O'Mara


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Will you allow your child to get the Swine Flu vaccine?

It's being called the biggest vaccination effort in state history. The state of Idaho has a plan to administer the Swine Flu vaccine to kids at our schools. That is, IF parents consent to it.

This week, parental consent forms will be going home to parents in the Meridian and Boise school districts. On Monday (with parental consent) school nurses will start giving the first doses for FREE - using the nasal spray form of the vaccine.

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This is what we know about other areas of the state - Adams, Owyhee, Payette and parts of Canyon County will have clinics to administer shots to children. Gem County and the Middleton School District plan to offer the vaccine at schools.

The statistics on Swine Flu are startling. Nationwide, 76 kids have died since April from the virus. Last week alone, there were 19 deaths linked to the H1N1 virus. Kids are at higher risk.

*If you have questions, contact your child's school.


Will your child get the Swine Flu vaccine?

Why or why not?

PS: I asked this question yesterday on my Facebook page, and here are some of the comments I received:

Keri Anderson
I think it's fine, so long as the parents have been educated as to what H1N1 is exactly. In all fairness, the "swine flu" is the same basic thing as the everyday, run of the mill, seasonal flu and can be prevented the exact same ways. The most horrific cases of H1N1 have been as a result as having something else along with it. There are more ... Read Moredeaths annually with the "seasonal flu" than with this strain of virus. I'm not saying it's nothing to worry about. I AM saying that folks need to take the same preventative measures as they would any other time during the season. Be smart: Keep hydrated, stay fit and wash your hands, etc. regularly.
http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm

Boise Picayune
Emphatically Yes!

Jeni Gillmor
Absolutely...everytime I hear a story about the school district telling kids/parents for the students to stay hom... I have to laugh, they say it however they make such an ISSUE about absents, you know Merdian School districts only allow 3 absents per semeter.. ?? My daughter had swine three weeks ago, and missed a whole week of school....She's in ... Read Moremiddle school and since the Dr' wrote a note to school stating she was not allowed to go back to school till the following week...but had she been in high school..... I can only imagine the grief.... It's hard for me to get my hs students who are also involved in football to a dr since he doesnt get home till 6:30 each day... so it's either miss school or have them admin the nasal spray... Yes I'm in full support!!

Mark Dale
very mixed feelings about it and havn't made up my mind yet.

Jill Kuraitis
Keri, having just emerged from 9 days of swine flu I have to disagree. I have no underlying conditions or illnesses, and I've never been so sick. Sapped my strength. Kids are dying from this thing - panic is not a good response but neither is pooh-poohing it.

Keri Anderson
Uhm... Ma'am... did you actually read my post? I do believe that I said take whatever means necessary to stay healthy and to be educated. I also posted the link to the CDC. That's not blowing off the issue.

Karen Moessinger-Dawson
Jill you must have felt like death..9 days is long. instant weight loss, ha ha.......seriously, i can't decide anymore. 2 weeks ago, i said no way but upon reading the paper about all the school absents and closures, i might have to reconsider... i wash my hands all the time. knock on wood...it's a difficult choice .

Melissa Palumbo
I understand the H1N1 virus is AIRBORNE, so while frequent handwasing is always a good idea, it's not going to prevent you from getting this flu. Everytime a contagious person sneezes, coughs, talks or breathes, they are putting that virus into the air you are breathing. I'm for getting the vaccine, not just to protect ourselves but to protect everyone we come into contact with.

Jennifer Hartley Rumsey
My family has been sick for 14 days straight there are 5 of us. It is a short time to me considering not knowing what the vaccinations will do to your body in the long run with autoimmune issues and other things that haven't been studied. Our bodies were built to withstand and fight on their own. We are a quick fix society and unfortunately the ... Read Morequick fix now may hurt is in the long run. Proper nutrition and immune boosting should help however studies that are done on this particular avenue tend not to get published in the scare tactics of some media outlets. Don't trust what is put in front of you please do your own research on the possible effects of this instant fix..

Myndee Cleveland Bigelow
My family and I will NOT be getting the H1N1 vaccine.. We did get our regular flu shot like we do every year.. It concerns me that they have hurried this H1N1 vaccine into production so fast im afraid of what is really in it and if it will actually even be affective or make things worse. There was very little research done on this vaccine before they released it. That makes me so very nervous. I feel that the regular flu shot is just fine for us.

Sam Sandmire
Already got it.

Judy Benson Davis
NO WAY!

Renette Koenig-Davidson
Yes ~ children need to be vaccinated so that they do not spread it to the older members of the family

Toni Holady Munizich
NO WAY, NO HOW....nope.

What do you think?


BLOG: Should Obama do away with "don't ask, don't tell" policy?

7:15 AM Tue, Oct 13, 2009 |
Maggie O'Mara

"Don't ask, don't tell?"

This weekend, President Barack Obama said he will do away with the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military. He says he's working with the Pentagon and congressional leaders to end the policy that bans gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military - but he didn't give a timetable on how soon that will happen.

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"We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who have stepped forward to serve the country. We should be celebrating their willingness to step forward and show such courage, especially when we are fighting two wars. My expectation is that when you look back on these years, you will look back and see a time when we put a stop against discrimination - whether in the office or on the battlefield."

One of many Idahoans watching this issue very closely is Air Force Lt. Colonel Victor Fehrenbach. He's based here in Mountain Home, Idaho - and is a decorated veteran of 18 years. His career depends on Obama repealing "don't ask, don't tell."

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"I could go in to work tomorrow and find out that I've been officially fired, and I won't be able to put the uniform on again."

A civilian outed Fehrenbach to his supervisors this spring, and by now he says he already would have been discharged for being gay. But his case has been stalled - possibly because Defense Decretary Robert Gates is interested in reviewing cases like his. Gates questioned the motivations behind Fehrenbach's outing - and asked if the military should take that into account before taking action.

Fehrenbach has made national headlines over this, making appearances on MSNBC etc. He says President Obama spoke to him personally, and told him he would put an end to "don't ask, don't tell". When this issue finally is discussed in Congress, Fehrenbach says he hopes he'll be asked to testify on behalf of military men and women who are directly impacted by the policy.

So, what do you think?

Should President Obama repeal "don't ask, don't tell?"

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