BY KAREN BOSSICK
Boozie, a local canned cocktail company, and Hayden Beverage are donating $2 for each can of Boozie purchased at participating retailers like Atkinsons’ Market to Boozie Cocktails for COVID-19 Idaho Relief Fund.
The program, which begins June 1, will donate up to $60,000.
Atkinsons’ Market is also contributing a dollar for each can sold at one of its three stores.
Funds will support local registered nurses who are facing the frontlines of the pandemic and graduating from Boise State University’s RN to BS program with student loan debt.
Funds, including those donated by Atkinsons, will also go to the Blaine County Charitable Fund, which provides grant money to Blaine County residents who are experiencing financial hardship due to the crisis.
Boozie’s co-founders and BSU alumni Luke and Kasey Dixon have a personal connection to nurses since Luke’s sister is a nurse who is working in the fight against COVID-19. The Dixons also live in Blaine County where they have witnessed the impact of the pandemic in their community.
Boozie, the original farm-to-can premium cocktail offers flavors with potato vodka or blanco tequila from Mexico. Produced in Rigby, Idaho, Boozie is distributed in Idaho by Hayden Beverage.
RICO’S CONTINUES FEEDING HUNGER COALITION CLIENTS
Rico’s Authentic Italian Restaurant has continued its drive to help feed those in need during the pandemic. The Ketchum restaurant provided 32 pizzas and lasagna dinners to Hunger Coalition clients this past week.
In addition to supporting Rico’s Provide a Pie program by buying large pizzas, members of the community have donated money to cover Rico’s costs involved in the donations.
Since March 16, the Hunger Coalition has fed 46 percent more people than it did during all of 2019, said Jeanne Liston, executive director of The Hunger Coalition.
Rico’s is donating an individual pizza and lasagna dinner for every large pizza ordered by members of the community. For more information, call 208-726-7426 after 5 p.m.
MORE RATTLING
If you were as alert as Kate Riley at 2:04 a.m. Wednesday morning, you might have noticed an earthquake rolling through your bedroom.
Curious Kate, a Hailey resident, said she heard one of the metal statues in her bedroom rattling. She flipped on the light and, sure enough, it was moving around.
The 3.3 earthquake struck about 75 miles northeast of Boise at 3:04 a.m.
Another 4.3 magnitude earthquake originating in the same area northwest of Stanley as March 31's 6.5 magnitude quake struck at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS
Idaho reported 31 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing its total to 2,324. That’s two straight days of 30 or more cases as Gov. Brad Little prepares to announce today whether the state will move to Stage Two of its reopening plan.
Blaine County has 507 cases—one more than the day before.
COVID-ONLY CARE FACILITY
A new long-term care facility in Twin Falls is now offering a place where Idahoans with COVID-19 can recuperate before returning to their home.
Twin Falls Manor, which opened a couple weeks ago, can care for up to 80 patients at a time.
For now, it will care exclusively for coronavirus patients, offering them the extra level of care they need.
YELLOWSTONE TO REOPEN
Yellowstone National Park, which has been closed since March 24, will begin to reopen Monday, May 18.
It will initially open the south and east entrances, allowing visitors to access Lake, Canyon, Norris, Old Faithful, West Thumb and Grant Village.
Officials are working with Idaho and Montana officials to reopen the remaining entrances as they lift their out-of-state restrictions.
Masks will be encouraged in high-density areas and facilities will be cleaned on an increased basis.
One woman couldn’t wait. She entered the park this week while it was closed and fell into a thermal feature near Old Faithful, suffering burns.