Weiser Signal American

01/14/2025

Bob Barber was one of many photographers at the Fiesta Bowl. If you were watching the game he was captured on camera when BSU made their second touchdown. The Boise State Broncos were not able to overcome a number of mistakes in their New Year's Eve Fiesta Bowl loss to the Penn State Nitty Lions, 31-14. With the loss, the BSU football team compiled an impressive 12 -2 season. Thanks Bob for the pictures.

12/25/2024

12/12/2024

Broken fire suppression line floods roads around WHS
A broken fire suppression line near the Weiser High School Auxiliary gym sent approximately 158,000 gallons of water rushing both ways on Indianhead Road late Wednesday afternoon.
According to a Weiser City spokesperson, at some point on Wednesday, a leak was reported at WHS. The city shut off water to the school and a private contractor hired by WSD had come in and started digging to find the leak. In that process, the equipment operator hit the six-inch fire main for the fire system that goes to the hydrants, breaking it loose.
The water ran for approximately 43 minutes, dropping the city’s reservoir about a foot. The water was reported to be flowing at such a high rate, it traveled up both hills from Indianhead Estates, all the way to Sunset and to West 7th. The water moved both directions on West 7th, flooding down to Pioneer, and into the Whiting subdivision.
Weiser School Superintendent Kenneth Dewlen was not available for comment on Thursday morning, due to an already scheduled day out of the office, but will be back in on Friday, Dec. 13, at which time the Signal American will contact him for more information.

12/07/2024

Friday morning power outage affects 5,625 Idaho Power and City of Weiser customers. According to an Idaho Power spokesman the power went out around 10:30 a.m. and was back on around noon. At the time the spokesperson did not yet know the cause. Washington County and Weiser Memorial Hospital were open with the use of back-up generators. Some businesses closed for the day. More information will be available as we receive it from Idaho Power.

12/07/2024

Sunshine predicted to brighten up the dreary days
By Pat Caldwell
The Signal American
WEISER – Area residents may get relief soon from a week-long inversion as a major storm system is projected to hit the local area by the weekend.
“Sunday looks promising. Some wind is coming in and some moisture. There is, Saturday night, a 30% chance of rain and snow in the Weiser area,” said Bill Wojcik, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boise.
Wojcik said the storm could also potentially help lift the air stagnation alert now in place over much of the Treasure Valley.
“Precipitation helps, it can clean up the air,” he said.
The arrival of an inversion isn’t a new phenomenon to the Treasure Valley. The weather pattern is often a familiar companion to the winter calendar.
The ingredients to create an inversion are simple. An inversion develops when a band of warm air sits above a layer of cold air near the ground. An inversion is the reverse of a typical weather pattern when the temperature drops at a higher altitude.
“Basically, what happens is the air gets trapped. Almost like you have a cap,” said Wojcik.
Wojcik said the high temperature Thursday at Bear Saddle near Midvale Hil was 44 degrees at more than 6,000 feet. The temperature in Weiser at 5 p.m. Thursday was 26 degrees.
A storm does not always mean the end to an inversion, said Wojcik.
“Sometimes, if a storm comes in and it isn’t quite strong enough, the inversion could actually stay,” he said.
He said the storm front moving this weekend will probably be strong enough to end the inversion.
“That’s not a 100% guarantee but it is likely it will scour it out,” he said.
Inversions, he said, typically occur in December in January in the Treasure Valley.
Shorter days during the winter and the angle of the sun also play a role in the formation of an inversion, he said.
“The nights are longer, and it stays colder,” he said.
Carl Smith, Weiser Police chief, said local residents should be careful when driving during an inversion.
“Have as many lights on in your vehicle as possible. Be aware that an inversion can cause freezing fog which can go down on the road and make conditions slick,” he said.

Smith said people should also slow down.
“If you are going to work in the morning please scrape your windshield. Don’t try to drive through a porthole,” he said.
Smith also warned residents about starting their vehicle in the morning to warm it up. He said residents should make sure they lock the car before going back into their house. Leaving the vehicle unlocked while it idles and warms, is a risk he said.
“We’ve had a few vehicles stolen that way,” he said.

12/06/2024

Sunshine could be on its way
By Pat Caldwell
The Signal American
WEISER – Area residents may get relief soon from a week-long inversion as a major storm system is projected to hit the local area by the weekend.
“Sunday looks promising. Some wind is coming in and some moisture. There is, Saturday night, a 30% chance of rain and snow in the Weiser area,” said Bill Wojcik, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boise.
Wojcik said the storm could also potentially help lift the air stagnation alert now in place over much of the Treasure Valley.
“Precipitation helps, it can clean up the air,” he said.
The arrival of an inversion isn’t a new phenomenon to the Treasure Valley. The weather pattern is often a familiar companion to the winter calendar.
The ingredients to create an inversion are simple. An inversion develops when a band of warm air sits above a layer of cold air near the ground. An inversion is the reverse of a typical weather pattern when the temperature drops at a higher altitude.
“Basically, what happens is the air gets trapped. Almost like you have a cap,” said Wojcik.
Wojcik said the high temperature Thursday at Bear Saddle near Midvale Hill was 44 degrees at more than 6,000 feet. The temperature in Weiser at 5 p.m. Thursday was 26 degrees.
A storm does not always mean the end to an inversion, said Wojcik.
“Sometimes, if a storm comes in and it isn’t quite strong enough, the inversion could actually stay,” he said.
He said the storm front moving this weekend will probably be strong enough to end the inversion.
“That’s not a 100% guarantee but it is likely it will scour it out,” he said.
Inversions, he said, typically occur in December in January in the Treasure Valley.
Shorter days during the winter and the angle of the sun also play a role in the formation of an inversion, he said.
“The nights are longer, and it stays colder,” he said.
Carl Smith, Weiser Police chief, said local residents should be careful when driving during an inversion.
“Have as many lights on in your vehicle as possible. Be aware that an inversion can cause freezing fog which can go down on the road and make conditions slick,” he said.
Smith said people should also slow down.
“If you are going to work in the morning please scrape your windshield. Don’t try to drive through a porthole,” he said.
Smith also warned residents about starting their vehicle in the morning to warm it up. He said residents should make sure they lock the car before going back into their house. Leaving the vehicle unlocked while it idles and warms, is a risk he said.
“We’ve had a few vehicles stolen that way,” he said.

12/02/2024

Just a friendly reminder to get your coloring pages turned into participating businesses! And please remember that in order to be in the group photo on Friday December 13th, you must be on time! Parents, being even 10 minutes late could result in not getting to be in the photo. This is one of our favorite holiday activities and we hate to see winners miss out on the photo shoot.
We appreciate all of your time in such a busy time of year.
Merry Christmas!

11/22/2024

Public Service Announcement from the Weiser Police Department. Please stay safe through the holiday season.
Happy Thanksgiving!

11/09/2024

Weiser is beating American Falls 30-0 at the half.

11/06/2024

The unofficial election results are in.
Washington County had an unofficial 89.31 percent voter turnout.
The unofficial results for Washington County are:
President: Republican Donald Trump, 4,429 votes. Democrat Kamala Harris, 1,010 votes.
Republican Russ Fulcher had the most votes for Washington County for the United States Representative District 1 race with 4,330 votes. Democrat Kaylee Peterson had 938 votes.
State Senator District 9: Republican Brandon Shippy, 4471 and Democrat Rachel Buck, 964.
State Representative District 9 Seat A: Republican John C. Shirts, 4,744 and Democrat Thomas P. Albritton, 706.
State Representative District 9 Seat B: Republican Judy Boyle, 4,152 and Democrat Jody Keeler, 1,160.
In the local races Jim Harberd garnered the most votes for County Commissioner District 1 with 4,576 votes. Democrat Carolyn Wesner had 789 votes.
For County Commissioner District 3 incumbent Republican Gordon Wilkerson had 4,367 votes and Democrat Linda Strain had 1,037.
Washington County Sheriff Matt Thomas, Republican, ran unopposed. The total votes cast for Thomas was 5,005.
The prosecuting attorney race was also unopposed with Republican True Pearce getting 4,767 votes.
In Washington County the Idaho Constitutional Amendment garnered 3,656 yes votes and 1,811 no votes.
For Proposition 1 Washington County voted 4,493 no votes compared to 984 yes votes.

11/05/2024

****Weiser's Barber snaps pics for BSU****

On any given weekend, Bob Barber is roaming the sidelines during football games at Albertson's Stadium in Boise.

Barber, a Weiser resident, is a Weiser Signal American photographer and has built a relationship with Boise State University staff and administrators that has led to a sideline pass. He churns out plenty of impressive shots.

The Signal American is excited to post some of his work to this page.

The following is a brief rundown of the Broncos' Nov. 1 game against San Diego State University:

BSU beat San Diego State 56-24. In an effort to limit Heisman hopeful, Ashton Jeanty's running yardage, the Aztecs loaded the defensive line with up to 8 players. He still ran for 149 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. Quarterback Maddux Madsen orchestrated the offense to a 35 -10 lead at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, BSU began substituting heavily.

11/05/2024

Commercial St. work will be done soon
by Philip A. Janquart
Some area residents have expressed concern about construction on East Commercial Street during the holiday season.
The City of Weiser, however, recently told the Signal American that work currently underway to fix a sewer main should be wrapped up within a month of the project’s start date. That is, provided no “surprises” were found once construction began.
The project commenced on Oct. 22 and, so far, there have been no reported surprises that would extend the completion date.
The planned reconstruction project for the heavily-used truck route won’t take place until spring 2025, which means the roadway will be open and clear during the holidays.

11/05/2024

Nancy Williams, wife of former Washington County Sheriff Marv Williams, has been saving her 'I have voted' stickers from the last 36 primary and general elections in which she has voted.
Please go out and vote. Every vote counts.

11/05/2024

Get out and vote today. Your vote matters. Polling places are open now until 8 p.m. If you live in the Eaton Hale, West Weiser and Mineral precincts vote at the Weiser School District Building (armory). Voters who live in the South Weiser and East Weiser precincts vote at the Vendome Events Center. Weiser, Middle Weiser and Pioneer precincts vote at the Weiser Christian Church. Those living in Precinct 10 vote at Riverside Baptist Church. Midvale residents vote at Midvale Veteran's Hall and Cambridge residents will cast their votes at the Washington County Exhibit Hall.

11/03/2024

Idaho State Police press release

Single Vehicle Fatality Crash West of Council
November 3, 2024
COUNCIL, Idaho – Idaho State Police is investigating a single-vehicle fatality crash on Council Cuprum Road at milepost 16 that occurred at approximately 5:40 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024, west of Council.

A 72-year-old male from Council was driving eastbound on Council Cuprum Road in a 2000 Ford pickup truck when he left the roadway, overcorrected, and the vehicle overturned.

The male succumbed to his injuries at the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt.

The eastbound lane of travel was blocked for approximately 6 hours while emergency responders worked to clear the scene.

The preliminary investigation indicates that alcohol may have been a factor in the collision. The incident remains under investigation.

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10/31/2024

Kids visited the Weiser Signal American office today in search of candy. They weren't disappointed, the little ghouls and gobblins making off with plenty of treats.

10/31/2024

Don't forget to visit all our sponsors and businesses throughout town for Safe Trick or Treating!