United Way names new marketing coordinator

Tyler Kraupp

The United Way of Idaho Falls and Bonneville County has named Tyler Kraupp to be its new marketing coordinator. Kraupp is the CEO of Kraupp Inc., a graphic design and advertising company in Idaho Falls. His goal for the United Way is to increase donations and community awareness, as well as event planning.

He is enrolled in the Technology Entrepreneurship Online Course from the University of Stanford. His website can be viewed here: http://www.krauppinc.com

He replaces Dwight Whitaker, who has been called to serve on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

John Adam Parkway project has July 23 completion date

If you've been driving on John Adams Parkway the past six months the new bridge over the Idaho Canal has become a daily reality to you (although not nearly the reality I imagine it was to the people working on it when the temperatures were below zero.) Here's the latest: The project, which started Oct. 23, 2012, has a scheduled completion date of July 23. As of Friday, the city had been charged 78 working days. The construction bid cost was $827,000 for removal and replacement.

Federal funding for Idaho Falls airport tower now good through September

The terminal and tower at Idaho Falls Regional Airport

The Transportation Department announced today that the Idaho Falls and Pocatello airport control towers will continue to receive federal funding at least through Sept. 30.

The eastern Idaho towers were among 149 that had been marked for closure after across-the-board spending cuts went into effect in March. Last month, the White House announced the towers would remain open through June 15. A brief statement issued by the Federal Aviation Administration this morning said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has determined there is enough extra money, under a bill passed by Congress last month, to keep the towers open through the end of the budget year.

At lower-traffic airports, the control towers are operated by contractors for the FAA. Five people work in the tower at Idaho Falls Regional Airport.

In early April, Airport Director Craig Davis said he would be shifting money in the airport's budget from maintenance and other areas to keep the tower operating through Oct. 1. After that, it would be up to the City Council to decide whether to keep the tower in operation.

The annual cost of operating the tower is close to $425,000, he said.

Work begins on First Street Stinker station

The car wash is gone, the land is cleared and the footings are scheduled to be poured Friday for the new Stinker convenience store at First Street and Holmes Avenue. Once the store is built, the old store will be torn down to make way for parking. The pumps will remain where they have been all along.

Idaho Community Foundation names Catherine Smith to head development effort in I.F. office

Catherine Smith

The Idaho Community Foundation has hired Catherine Smith to be its first fund development/donor relations officer in the Idaho Falls office. Smith served as marketing director for the Idaho Falls Arts Council for seven years and also worked with the Idaho Commission on the Arts as a regional public art advisor. In addition to marketing and public relations, she has a strong background in graphic design.

Her hobbies include watercolor painting and graphite drawing as well as outdoor activities with her family, especially in Swan Valley. Smith married her high school sweetheart after they finished college and they have two young boys.

“Being an Idaho girl, I can’t wait to visit the incredible communities in east and southeast Idaho that are rich in history and tradition,” she said. “I am excited to explore the organizations and people that are doing notable work in our region. Idaho is a treasure and I am honored to be able to continue the work of ICF in the region and across the state I truly love.”