🌱 Chip Sealing Improves Roadways + $34.5 Million Bond For Schools

Hello again, everybody! It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 86 Low: 50.
• Sunday: Partly sunny and very warm. High: 90 Low: 53.

Here are the top three stories in Idaho Falls today:

1. The Idaho Falls Department of Public Works will be performing chip sealing on a number of city roads. This initiative will help to provide improvements to roadways around the city, protect them during future uses, and offer a more cost-effective option toward preserving certain roads. According to city officials, chip sealing can extend a road's life by up to six years, which equals about a fraction of the cost of an overlay. (Local News 8)
2. After failing by a very slim margin in May, a local school's bond will be put before voters again as students return to school later this summer. Bonneville Joint School District 93 is asking voters to approve a $34.5 million bond that will be used to construct a brand new elementary school just south of Telford Road in Idaho Falls. Local officials say the bond will open for voting in late August and be used to also repair various roofs on other schools throughout the county. (East Idaho News)
3. Due to Idaho's high turnover and competition within federal agencies, more than half of the seasonal firefighters for this year are new to the force. Since these individuals are newer, departments across the state are having difficulty filling a number of leadership positions such as incident commanders and qualified engine bosses. According to the Idaho Department of Lands Fire Management Chief Josh Harvey, there are around 170 seasonal firefighters, but a majority of them lack experience in a number of departments. (Idaho Capital Sun)

🏘️ Looking to differentiate yourself from other real estate agents in Idaho Falls? Partner with the Idaho Falls Patch and gain access to a targeted, engaged audience through our premium newsletter sponsorships. Click here to learn more.

Today in Idaho Falls:

Saturday, July 8

• Scoop Jam 2023 At Idaho Falls River Walk (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Mountain View Hospital is sending out notification letters to inform patients that their information may have been affected in a recent cyberattack. According to staff members, the hospital has been working with its partner clinics to handle the cyberattack that happened between April and May. (East Idaho News)
• Earlier this week, Eastern Idaho Public Health announced they will be hosting a town hall to raise public awareness regarding fentanyl's deadly rise across the state. The event will be co-hosted by Region 7 Behavioral Health Board and held at the Downtown Event Center in Idaho Falls. (Eastern Idaho Public Health via Facebook)
• After a black truck crashed and left one man hospitalized on the 4th of July, police are currently searching for the man responsible. The Idaho Falls Police Department is urging the public to help locate the driver of a two-door Chevy Silverado, which ran right into a motorcyclist earlier this week. (East Idaho News)

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll catch up with you soon with your next update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.