ISU, Idaho Falls company team up to produce medical isotope for use in cancer diagnosis, treatment

Douglas Wells, director of the Idaho State University Idaho Accelerator Center, talks about the custom-built IAC accelerator that will be used to create medical isotopes. (ISU Photographic Services)

The Idaho Accelerator Center at Idaho State University is teaming up with International Isotopes, an Idaho Falls company, to produce Copper-67, a medical isotope that has not been consistently available in the United States.

Copper-67 can be used both for both diagnosis and treatment of people suffering from non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, as well as bladder, colo-rectal and ovarian cancers.

Under the arrangement, the Accelerator Center hopes to create enough pure Copper-67 by mid-summer to provide it to International Isotopes for initial testing. International Isotopes has facilities in Idaho Falls where it can package the materials for use at hospitals and clinics around the nation. In addition to its work at the accelerator center, ISU is providing expertise for chemical processing. International Isotopes has agreed to make an in-kind contribution of equipment for the isotope processing, technical support for packaging and shipping, and supporting safety staff.

Here is the link to the full story: http://www2.isu.edu/headlines/?p=3858

Two peeks inside soon-to-open businesses

The interior of the Celt Pub (once the Hub Bar), at Broadway and Park Avenue. The pub is scheduled to open the last weekend of July.

Thirty years of journalism will give you a brazen willingness to trespass in the service of others' curiosity. Here are pictures from inside the Marriott Residence Inn and the Celt Pub, both of which are scheduled to open in the next 30 days.

The front desk of the Marriott Residence Inn at lunchtime Thursday. The hotel is slated to open in mid-July.

Fuhriman honored by Idaho Association of Cities

Idaho Falls Mayor Jared Fuhriman

Idaho Falls Mayor Jared Fuhriman is this year's recipient of the Harold Hurst Award, given annually by the Idaho Association of Cities to a municipal public official who “demonstrates exemplary performance in city government.” It is named for Harold Hurst, the mayor of Heyburn for 24 years and a past association president. Fuhirman received the award recently at the association's annual conference and banquet in Boise.

Founded in 1947, IAC is a non-partisan, non-profit corporation organized, owned, and operated by Idaho city governments.

“It is a tremendous honor and is deeply humbling to be recognized at this level and I truly appreciate the association’s recognition and support," Fuhriman said. "But the city of Idaho Falls runs on the hard work and dedication of all of our city employees and this award is a direct reflection of the great work all of them do, every single day.”

Ronnow named 'Accomplished Under 40' by Idaho Business Review

Jesse Ronnow

Jesse Dixon Ronnow, vice president of treasury management in Zions First National Bank's Idaho Falls branch, was named to the Idaho Business Review's "Accomplished Under 40" list.

Ronnow, who was honored June 14 in Boise, joined Zions Bank in 2005 after earning a bachelor's of science degree in economics from the University of Utah. Since then, the bank's treasury management department in eastern Idaho has added four employees and expanded its annual gross income by nearly 350 percent.

Ronnow also is chairman of the East Idaho Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo board.

This is the 13th year the Idaho Business Review has recognized 40 accomplished men and women under the age of 40. “These talented young professionals represent a generation that is shaping our state, our image and our expectations,” said the Business Review's President and Publisher, Sean Evans.

Participants are nominated and chosen by a panel of their peers. This year, out of 143 nominations, 63 completed the application process. A six-member selection panel comprised of past Accomplished Under 40 recipients scored entries on a scale of 1 to 5 in four categories: professional accomplishments, leadership skills, community involvement and long-term goals.

Bonaventure names marketing director

Bonaventure Senior Living of Idaho Falls has hired Melissa Thayer as its marketing director. She comes to eastern Idaho from Utah, where she has more than 15 years' experience in the health care industry.

Thayer has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Utah State University in Logan, Utah, and an associate degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix.