Shopko Hometown store coming To Orofino

Retailer welcomes Glenwood Pharmacy staff and customers

Today Shopko announced plans for the construction of a new Shopko Hometown store located on Michigan Avenue in Orofino. In preparation for the new store, which will contain a pharmacy, the company also announced the purchase of Glenwood Pharmacy, which will become a Shopko Pharmacy effective Aug. 31. 

Construction of the new store is expected to begin next spring. Until the new store opens, Shopko Hometown Pharmacy will be located in the current Glenwood Pharmacy location at 1105 Michigan Avenue in Orofino. The Shopko Hometown store is expected to open in fall of 2016 and the pharmacy staff and operations will move into the new store at that time. 

The Shopko Hometown retail format, developed to augment Shopko’s larger store model and focused on serving the needs of smaller rural communities, combines retail health services with a convenient new community-focused shopping experience that features essential name-brand items. Shopko Hometown carries food, health and beauty aids, products for the home, fashions and more for the whole family.

“We’re excited to bring Shopko Hometown to the Orofino community,” said Peter McMahon, Shopko CEO. “We understand that consumers in smaller towns are looking for the same variety of high quality goods and trend right merchandise that can be found in larger cities.

“Customers of our Hometown stores tell us they appreciate the vastly improved shopping experience and access to a broad, differentiated selection of merchandise, including products and brands previously not available in their community.

“With our best-in-class pharmacy services, focus on excellent customer service and strong commitment to support the local community, we are confident that Shopko Hometown will be well received by customers in the Orofino area.”

Customers of Glenwood Pharmacy are likely to see some familiar faces when filling prescriptions at the new Shopko Hometown Pharmacy as Pharmacist Patti (Peterson) Darling, RPh and members of her staff will be taking positions with Shopko Hometown Pharmacy. The staff at Shopko Hometown Pharmacy looks forward to continuing to meet the healthcare needs of Glenwood Pharmacy customers with prompt, friendly, professional service. 

“Shopko is a leader in healthcare and pharmacy services and we are happy to be joining Shopko in continuing to provide excellent service to our customers,” said Patti Darling, RPh. “We are also committed to looking for new ways to better serve our customers and are excited about some of the programs offered by Shopko which will make our customers’ pharmacy experience as convenient as possible.”

Shopko has a central file prescription system that allows customers to refill prescriptions at any Shopko Pharmacy location and has also introduced a free mobile pharmacy app which customers can use to manage and refill prescriptions anytime from their mobile phones.

Pharmacy customers with questions are encouraged to contact Glenwood Pharmacy at (208) 476-5727.

Follow Shopko at Facebook.com/Shopko.

In addition, Shopko is aware of the wildfires that have caused many evacuations and homes to be completely lost in the community. To show their support, the Shopko Foundation is donating $1,000 to the Orofino Rotary Club, which has set up a fund to help with relief efforts.

“Shopko and the Shopko Foundation value the communities we serve and are proud to assist organizations in need, especially at a time of crisis,” said Shopko in a press release. 

About Shopko

Shopko is owned by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., a leading private investment firm focused on leverage buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in market-leading companies.

Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Shopko Stores Operating Co., LLC is a $3 billion retailer that operates 343 stores in 24 states throughout the Central, Western and Pacific Northwest regions. Retail formats include 131 Shopko stores, providing quality name-brand merchandise, great values, pharmacy and optical services in small to mid-sized cities; five Shopko Express Rx stores, a convenient neighborhood drugstore concept; four Shopko Pharmacy locations; and 203 Shopko Hometown stores, a smaller concept store developed to meet the needs of smaller communities. For more information, visit www.shopko.com.

Wildfires disrupt power to Dworshak’s Dent Acres campground; campers, visitors urged to use Dworshak State Park

Because of multiple fires burning in the region near Orofino, Idaho, electrical service to Dent Acres Campground has been disrupted, also affecting sewer and water availability.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff at Dworshak Dam and Reservoir are closing the camp except for dry-camping in a large parking lot. Water and power services are also unavailable throughout the park, although the boat ramp and day-use area remain open.

Campers, visitors and residents displaced by Clearwater Basin fires are encouraged to go to Dworshak State Park, where full services are available at Freeman Creek Campground, according to Idaho State Parks and Recreation staff. For camping information at Freeman Creek Campground, contact IDPR at 208-476-3132.

“Sometimes internet mapping apps direct drivers to take a gravel road – Don’t go that way. Follow the signs and stay on the pavement,” said Mary Stanley, IDPR visitor assistant at Dworshak State Park.

Stanley recommends drivers arriving from Orofino follow the Cavendish Highway (Old Idaho 7) to Freeman Creek Road, which leads directly to the park and campground. For more information about Dworshak State Park, check out IDPR’s website https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/dworshak.

Clearwater Power crews are deployed to repair power outages, but some areas are still unreachable due to fire conditions. There is currently no estimated power-restoration time. Power outage maps are available at http://www.clearwaterpower.com.

Currently, area fires have not spread to Corps-managed lands at Dworshak. The dam, visitor center and recreation areas are operating as usual, with the exception of the Dent Acres power outage. For information and updates about fires near Dworshak, go online to Clearwater County’s website www.clearwatercounty.org.

The risk of wildfires is extremely high throughout the Pacific Northwest because of exceptionally hot weather, dry landscape and drought conditions, and forecasts for more of the same. To reduce the risk of accidental wildfires, fire restrictions are in effect at all recreation and camping areas at Dworshak and throughout Clearwater County http://firerestrictions.us/id/clearwater-area.

For the latest information about Dworshak outdoor recreation opportunities and updates about facility services, go to www.facebook.com/dworshakdam.

State disaster declaration issued in wake of numerous wildfires

(BOISE) – A state disaster declaration was issued Aug. 13 for Idaho and Lewis Counties allowing local governments dealing with wildfire the ability to access state and federal resources to assist them as their communities face a threat to lives and property. The lightning-caused Lawyer Complex fire, which started late Monday afternoon, involves more than three-thousand acres in north central Idaho and has led to evacuations and road closures near Kamiah.

“We are seeing some pretty extreme fire behavior which is why I want to ensure that local officials have whatever they need as they work to put the fire out and then transition to putting their communities back together,” said Governor Otter.

Deteriorating weather conditions, with triple digit temperatures, high winds, and dry lightning conspired to produce well over one hundred fire starts around the state this week. The state’s largest fire, the Soda Fire, grew over night to 200,000 acres and continues to burn along the Idaho/Oregon border threatening homes and destroying sage grouse habitat.

A disaster declaration allows local jurisdictions the ability to access federal and state resources for fighting the fire as well as funds to mitigate its effects.

The declaration was signed today by Senator Brent Hill, in his capacity as acting Governor, while Governor Otter and Lt. Governor Brad Little are both out of the state. The declaration is effective immediately.

“The First Lady and I want to thank all of our first responders and encourage Idahoans to heed their advice, if asked to evacuate.”

Statewide up-to-date information, including fires, fire restrictions and prevention measures can be found at idahofireinfo.blogspot.com – a link to which is available on the IBHS website. www.bhs.idaho.gov

Idaho fall chinook fishing to open Sept. 1, Coho could be added

Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopted a fall chinook salmon fishing season to open Sept. 1 on parts of the Snake, Clearwater and Salmon rivers, and Idaho could see its second-ever sport fishing season for Coho salmon on Sept. 1 pending commission approval in August. 

Commissioners approved opening dates for fall chinook fishing boundaries and rules during their meeting in Pocatello on Thursday, July 30. 

The 2015 fall chinook forecast is 37,000 hatchery and naturally-produced fall chinook to the Snake River basin. Last year’s run was 59,000 fall chinook.

Fall chinook fishing on the Snake River will be open from the Washington-Idaho border upstream to Hells Canyon Dam. 

Fishing on the Snake River from the Cliff Mountain Rapids (about a mile downstream of Hells Canyon Dam) is scheduled to be open until Oct.1, but could be closed sooner depending on the actual number of fish that return and the amount of harvest. The stretch between Hells Canyon Dam and Cliff Mountain Rapids is scheduled to remain open until Nov. 17, or until further notice. 

Other areas opening for fall chinook fishing on Sept. 1 are: 

The Clearwater River, from its mouth upstream to Memorial Bridge. Open until Oct. 31, or further notice. 

Salmon River, from its mouth upstream about three-fourths of a mile to Eye of the Needle Rapids until Oct. 31 or further notice.

A valid fishing license and salmon permit are required to fish for fall chinook. Only adipose-clipped salmon may be kept. The daily bag limit is six adult fall Chinook salmon, the possession limit is 18 adult fall chinook. There is no season limit on adult fall chinook. 

Only adult fall chinook (24-inches and longer) must be recorded on the angler’s salmon permit. There are no daily, possession or season limits on fall chinook jacks (those less than 24 inches). 

Coho fishing

Although fewer Coho are expected to return than last year, Idaho Fish and Game and the Nez Perce Tribe are expecting enough to provide a tribal and non-tribal sport fishery proposed to start Sept. 1. 

Fish and Game commissioners are scheduled to vote on the proposal during their regular meeting Aug. 11. 

The proposal is to open a non-tribal Coho fishery on Sept. 1 in the main stem and Middle Fork Clearwater River from the mouth upstream to Clear Creek, near Kooskia and the North Fork Clearwater River below Dworshak Dam. 

If approved, the daily limit will be two fish per day and six in possession. 

Because Coho populations don’t have early maturing males, or “jacks,” to help biologists forecast returns, it’s difficult to know how many Coho will be available for anglers. Most Coho will arrive in Idaho in late September or early October. 

State and tribal managers will modify the fishery based on updates of the Coho run as fish come through the Columbia and Snake River dams.

Watch equestrians show their stuff in new Freestyle/Liberty spectacle Saturday

The Clearwater County Open Class Horse Show is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 9, but any equestrian, 4-H or not, will have a chance to shine the night before, during the new Freestyle/Liberty spectacle.
The Freestyle/Liberty portion of the show, held Saturday evening, Aug. 8, at 8 p.m. is a chance for all horses and riders to show off a little and look their best, complete with lights and music.

As a spectator, you'll be treated to some great entertainment. This event was opened up to drill teams, horse tricks and 4-H groups, who will showcase their horses' talents.

Head down to the log show arena at Orofino City Park Saturday night at 8 p.m. for a fantastic horse show spectacle!