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Bannock County
July 2022
Summer road maintenance begins
A Minute With Your Elected Official
Prosecutor Steven Herzog
Jury trials are happening again in Idaho after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. That’s the good news. The bad news is that a huge backlog of cases needs to be resolved. In a typical year, the Bannock County Prosecutor’s office might have a half-dozen jury trials. Now, we are averaging about three trials a month, or thirty-six per year...
Hazardous Waste and Free Days at Landfill
Household Hazardous Waste Day

Saturday, August 6
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
@ Fort Hall Mine Landfill
1500 N. Fort Hall Mine Road, Pocatello

The Bannock County Landfill collects Household Hazardous Waste from April through October on the first Saturday of each month. County residents can bring their waste to the landfill’s household hazardous waste building for drop-off (or they will be directed by employees who remove the waste from the vehicles).

Contact the Bannock County Landfill office for questions about Household Hazardous Waste Days.

Phone: 208-236-0607 Email: landfill@bannockcounty.us
Burn Ban begins July 1
Burn ban begins July 1 for Bannock County wildland-urban interface areas
Starting July 1, 2022, a ban on certain types of fires will be in place for most parts of Bannock County, including, Inkom, Downey, Arimo, McCammon, Lava, Pocatello Valley, Chubbuck, Pocatello, and North Bannock Fire District.

Fire officials from the municipalities and fire districts throughout Bannock County are working together to create a unified burn ban with the intent of reducing the risk of wildfires.

No open burning, recreational fires, or fireworks are allowed within the Wildland-Urban Interface Areas of Bannock County because of current fire danger and fuel moisture levels. The use of commercial gas fire pits and appliances designed for food prep, such as gas grills and/or charcoal briquettes, are exempted from the ban when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Only non-aerial fireworks are allowed in non-wildland urban interface areas. Per Idaho State Code no aerial fireworks are allowed anywhere except for approved professional firework displays.

“I strongly encourage all citizens to heed the ban and potentially save the lives and homes of fellow residents,” said Pocatello Fire Marshall Nick Christensen.

The ban will remain in place until October 1, 2022, or until conditions allow it to be lifted.
Residents with questions about the burn ban or fireworks are encouraged to contact their local fire department/district.
Bannock County Emergency Notifications
Have you signed up? The Pocatello Fire Department and Pocatello Police Department utilize the Bannock County Emergency Notification System to send out emergency notifications that could directly impact you and your family during an emergency.  This free service, powered by AlertSense, allows fire, police, and other emergency response agencies to issue emergency alerts to warn citizens of events such as a wildfire, severe weather, flooding, hazardous materials, need for immediate evacuation, civil danger, local area emergencies, and missing persons.

You can indicate the types of alerts and notifications you would like to receive and your preferred contact methods. Enter your PHYSICAL address and zip code to receive advanced warning of severe weather or emergencies that directly impact the area in which you live or work. 

There are several ways to sign up.  You can text “JOIN” to 38276, download the AlertSense My Alerts app through the Apple or Google Play Store, or click the link below.  Once you have input your information, the system will generate a confirmation email; you must confirm the email to sign up fully.  Please share this information with your friends and family so they too can stay in the know when an emergency happens. 
Budgeting process for FY23 continues
Bannock County Gems
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH
FLAGS WEST TRUCK STOP
For more than 50 years, truckers and travelers have found a haven in South Bannock County, where the Flags West Truck Stop resides. Located off US 40 in Downey, this truck stop also features a motel, restaurant, and RV park. Operated locally, this quaint stop has friendly employees and great food that will recharge any visitor on their way through Southeast Idaho.
DEPARTMENT OF THE MONTH
EVENT CENTER
The Event Center, located at 10588 Fairgrounds Drive in Pocatello, comprises of the Portneuf Wellness Complex, Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre, indoor arena, grandstands, soccer fields, and RV park. Often referred to as the Bannock County Fairgrounds, this complex can host a wide variety of events, including the Summer Concert Series.
Busy at Bannock County
We're always busy at Bannock County Government! Follow us on social media to see what we're up to.

The Gateway Interagency Fire Front (GIFF) hosted the annual preseason Wildland Fire Training for all fire departments, the Bannock County Sheriff's Office, and the Bannock County Office of Emergency Management.

The Bannock County Commissioners signed the World Elder Abuse Awareness in Bannock County, Idaho, Proclamation, marking a day to raise awareness about elder abuse and protect community elders.

Bannock County Magistrate Judge Bryan K. Murray retired after 29 years of service. His work as a judge transformed the juvenile justice system in Idaho.

Bannock County department heads presented their budget requests for the Fiscal Year 2023. Now the Clerk and Commissioners are working to create a budget proposal that will be available for the public to view and provide comment on.

The Bannock County Detention Center's Medical and Dental Bay remodel is coming along. The renovation is expected to be finished by the end of the summer.

With gas prices soaring, Bannock County Sheriff's deputies are saving fuel by hopping on the bikes. Beyond saving money, our bike fleet is also environmentally friendly. Bonus!
Notable News in Bannock County

The Portneuf Valley Paintfest returns this year with seven homes chosen to receive a fresh paint job.

Congressman Mike Simpson announced he secured more than $9.7 million in funding for five projects in Idaho, including a new fire station in McCammon.

Portneuf Medical Center donated again to Idaho State University's Family Medicine Residency program. The program trains 22 family medicine residents in Pocatello.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission awarded Idaho State University more than $1 million for nuclear science and engineering scholarships and more.

The second annual SIXES Mural Fest was held in June. Seven murals were added to local businesses throughout Pocatello.

Wellness tourism and mineral springs took a bath during the COVID-19 pandemic, but both sectors are predicted to rebound over the next five years. Lava Hot Springs in Idaho is already seeing “a robust turnaround."
PIONEER DAY
Pioneer Day commemorates the arrival of the first group of Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley, on July 24, 1847.

This year, the Marsh Valley Pioneer Days Rodeo will be held July 8-9 in McCammon.
-Emma Iannacone,
Public Information Officer