Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Holiday Safety Tips for Avoiding Identity Theft

The Real Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Almost everyone knows the story of the odd looking Grinch who set out to stop Christmas in Who-ville by stealing everything right down to the presents, the ribbons, the tags, the tinsel, the trimmings and everything to do with Christmas. Today here in Who-ville, or I mean Jerome, there is a new Grinch that is out to steal your Christmas. Unlike the story, this Grinch is not green and doesn’t come to town on an oversized sled pulled by an undersized dog. This Grinch may look like you or me and may even steal your Christmas from thousands of mile away; for the Grinch of our story is the person that is out to steal your identity. Identity thieves can be particularly active during the holiday season. Here are a few tips to help prevent you from having your Christmas stolen by the Identity Theft Grinch.

* Make sure you know who you are dealing with and don’t give out your personal information to others unless you have a reason to trust them.

* Never give out personal information over the telephone such as your date of birth, social security number, mother’s maiden name or information that may be used to verify your identity. Your bank of financial institution will not call you and ask for this type of information.

* Don’t reply to e-mails requesting your personal information in order to receive a prize or gift.

* Be careful about posting too much personal information on social networking sites.

* Never send money to someone who promises a cash prize, inheritance, or other large sum of money in return.

* If offered a credit card, prize, or other valuable item and asks for your personal information, request that they send you a written application form.

* If you are leaving home for more than a few days, arrange for someone to pick up your mail.

* Check your bank statements, credit card statements, and financial information regularly and look for any unfamiliar activity.

* Always maintain control of your credit cards and financial transaction cards. Never loan them to anyone.

* Invest in a shredder and shred any mail or items that have personal information before you dispose of them.

* Remember, if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true!

For more information or to report identity theft, go to the Federal Trade Commission web site at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/.

Monday, November 22, 2010

No Alley Trash Pick Up Through Winter

Due to the snow, there will be no alley trash pick up from December 12-March 31. Please place garbage totes on the curb in front of the residence. For questions, call PSI at 733-4441.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Jerome Animal Shelter Fundraiser

JEROME ANIMAL SHELTER FUNDRAISER - get a digital portrait of any of your pets (dogs/cats/horses/cows/anything) and a portion of the proceeds go to support the Jerome Animal Shelter. This can all be done via email and internet so anyone in any country can have this done for themselves or as a gift. To preview, visit jfmgd.com or go to the link below:


Monday, November 8, 2010

Events at the Senior Center

  • Bridge-Mon & Wed 12:30
  • Pinochle-Tues, Thurs, Fridays 12:30 Wed nights 7pm
  • Energy Assistance-Every Tuesday from 9-3
  • Breakfast-Every Wednesday 8-10 AM Cost $1.00
  • November 7th and 21st-Dance and Potluck lunch with Music Melody Masters Cost $5.00
  • Every Tuesday-Bingo 6:45 Snack Bar opens at 5:00
  • Every Thursday evening 7pm-Women's pool league
  • November 11th-Free computer classes Please call for an appointment
  • November 23rd-Thanksgiving lunch
  • November 25th & 26th-Closed for Thanksgiving
  • November 5th-Fiddlers to perform during lunch
  • November 8th-Free massages courtesy of Jeneal Chapman, owner Lighthouse Massage
  • November 12th & November 16th-Gem State Fiddlers to perform
  • Every Wednesday-Country Boys Band to perform
  • November 15th and November 19th-Last Resort Band to perfrom
  • November 19th-Birthday dinner

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Stand by Your Pan

Stand By Your Pan

How often has the doorbell rung or a child interrupted you while you were cooking, causing you to forget about the chicken you left sizzling on the stove - until smoke filled the house?

If this sounds familiar, I hope you’ll read on, because you’re running the risk of having a dangerous fire. As chief of the Jerome City Fire Department, I often talk to people about the ways they can stay safe in their homes. Too often, we have that talk after they’ve suffered a damaging fire.

It’s my hope that people reading this article won’t have to learn the hard way. If I could give just one fire warning, I’d say “stand by your pan!”

Why? Because cooking is the leading cause of home fires, according to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Latest statistics from NFPA say that one out of every three home fires started in the kitchen and more than 100,000 fires a year were related to cooking.

And guess why most of these fires occur? If you said it’s leaving cooking unattended, you got it right.

“Use Candles With Care - When you go out, blow out!” The NFPA theme reminds us that leaving candles unattended is a bad idea, just like leaving cooking unattended. This is the time of year when we remind people of the simple things they can do to make their home safer from fire.

Cooking safety is no exception. Often when we’re called to a cooking-related fire, the residents tell us they only left the kitchen for a few minutes. Sadly, that’s all it takes to go from routine to disaster.

The bottom line is that there’s really no safe period of time for the cook to step away from a hot stove. A few key points to remember:

· Never leave cooking food on the stovetop unattended, and keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven.

· Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles (e.g. potholders, towels, rags, drapes and food packaging).

· Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a “kid-free zone” of three feet (1 meter) around the stove. Keep pets from underfoot so you do not trip while cooking.

· Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated.

· Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and lid handy. If a small fire starts in a pan on the stove, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don’t remove the lid until it is completely cool. Never pour water on a grease fire and never discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire, as it can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen, actually spreading the fire.

· If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing.

· If there is a microwave fire, keep the door closed and unplug the microwave. Call the fire department and make sure to have the oven serviced before you use it again. Food cooked in a microwave can be dangerously hot. Remove the lids or other coverings from microwaved food carefully to prevent steam burns.

A cooking fire can quickly turn deadly. I have seen too many homes destroyed and people killed or injured by fires that could have been easily avoided. Please heed these simple safety rules. We firefighters would like to be in your kitchen, but only when you invite us for dinner!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Mayor and City Council in Support of County Jail Bond

The following letter was submitted by the Jerome City Council in support of the County Jail Bond:

October 7, 2010

Jerome County Commissioners

300 North Lincoln, Room 300

Jerome, Idaho 83338

RE: Jerome County Jail Bond Initiative

Dear Commissioners:

On behalf of the City of Jerome, it is my honor to share with you my support and that of Bob Culver, Chris Barber and Dawn Soto of the City Council for your efforts to construct a new jail facility in Jerome County. A new Jerome County Jail will enable our community to provide safe and adequate resources to protect the physical safety and rights of law enforcement personnel and the public we serve.

The Jerome County Sherriff’s office serves an integral role in the City’s efforts to provide public safety and law enforcement services to our respective constituencies within the Jerome City limits. The County Sherriff’s office provides for the processing and housing of persons arrested by the Jerome Police Department in the County Jail. It has been the privilege of the Council and several of our city staff to tour and learn about the current needs, deficiencies and liabilities affecting the County Jail facility. The concern for unsafe conditions, inadequate accommodations to separate women and men, overcrowding, the costs of maintenance and housing prisoners at other facilities are all factors that justify the need and expense of replacing this facility. The City Council realizes that the current facility poses an unacceptable and immediate liability to our tax payers which could potentially cost them more than what the bond would be for building a new and adequate jail facility. It is our hope that the voters in Jerome County will take the time to become fully informed of the facts and issues for the proposed County jail bond and that they will be motivated to participate in the November 2nd election.


We are grateful to the Commissioners for the many hours of thoughtful research and planning that has been put into this effort to ensure that the residents of Jerome County may be protected and safe. Our two law enforcement agencies are frequently required to work together while responding to calls and investigating cases. This positive working relationship is deeply appreciated by the City Council and Police Department staff. We hope that this will continue to be the case as we are supportive of one another’s efforts to provide the best and most affordable law enforcement services to the Jerome community.

Best regards,

John Shine

Mayor