Snake River Landing is calling all middle-schoolers to submit essays for cash prizes and a chance to have their essay buried in a time capsule near the new Pier at Snake River Landing.

Enter-to-win by submitting an essay (400 words or less) that answers these questions:

What do you think makes Idaho Falls more special than other cities in Idaho? In 25 years, what do you think Idaho Falls will look like? What will it be like to live here?

All winners will receive a cash prize along with their essays being placed in a time capsule that will be buried at The Pier Grand Opening on July 26, 2008.

1st Place: $100

2nd Place: $50

3rd Place: $25

Rules: All entrants must be enrolled in 6th, 7th or 8th grade for the 2008-2009 school year. All entries must be double-spaced (typed or hand written) and include name, address, phone number, name of school, name of parent/guardian and email address.

Please send essays to mziel@ballventures.com or mail to PO Box 51298, Idaho Falls, ID 83405, Attn: Essay Contest

From AREVA Inc’s Press Release on May 6, 2008

AREVA Inc. announced today that it has selected the state of Idaho for its new U.S. uranium enrichment facility. The site is located in Bonneville County, 18 miles west of Idaho Falls, close to the Idaho National Laboratory site.

The selection was made after extensive technical, environmental and socio-economical analysis of several potential sites throughout the United States. “The United States needs more clean energy to support its economic growth. To enable us to meet those needs we hae to expand our domestic nuclear infrastructure, secure our supply of enrichment services and reduce our reliance on foreign imports. This new enrichment plant is a critical part of this process,” said Michael Murphy, President of AREVA Inc.

The new state-of-the-art facility represents a multi-billion dollar investment that would create hundreds of high-skilled jobs during the construction and operation phases.

To find out more, explore AREVA’s Uranium Enrichment website at: http://www.us.areva-nc.com

This press release came across the wire on April 2, 2008:

On April 4th and April 8th, the Idaho Falls Fire Department will be conducting live fire training consisting of fire crews setting multiple training fires with the conclusion of burning down two houses donated by Snake River Landing.

On April 4, 2008 crews will using the house located at 3185 S. Pioneer Road. On April 8, 2008 crews will be using the house located at 3085 S. Pioneer Road. These houses have been in use for training since the middle of February. The Fire Department and the Police Department have had training opportunities that would not have been available without the generous donation from Snake River Landing. The training opportunities include K-9 search dogs, Urban Search & Rescue teams and Fire Department Rapid Insertion Teams. This type of training will help in maintaining the safety of personnel and the safety of the community.

- Division Chief Dorin Howard

Idaho Falls City Council members are working fast and furious to figure out this year’s fiscal budget.

They met at Mayor Jared Fuhriman’s office in hopes of determining the city’s top priorities and where the money will come from to access city needs.

One of the problems that need to be attended to is where the city council will hold future meetings.

The city electric building needs more room and the city council can no longer meet there.

Council discussed putting anywhere from 20 to 60 thousand dollars into modifying the City Annex Building.

Second, the city accessed the fire departments needs of new flooring.

The council says they would like to devote anywhere from 30 to 60 thousand dollars to fix the problem, and possibly pull funds from 60 thousand saved for repairing the Dispatch Center.

The council also discussed the importance of the Ball Ventures Development and the park that developers wish to add into our community.

Ball Ventures is contributing 500 thousand dollars to this project.

The city council says they would like to do what it can with these funds, and not contribute anymore.

City council would also like to see funds go toward the remodeling of intersections like Hitt and First, as well as Shoup and A Street, but nothing is set in stone just yet.

Originally posted at: Local News 8