Tribune-Phonograph

Abbotsford and Colby this week became the first two members of a new commission that hopes to take control of the railroad line between Medford and Spencer and provide rail service to new and existing businesses along the 27-mile route.

Local EMTs will now be able to offer more advanced care – such as starting IVs and administering certain medications – after the Central Fire and EMS district board voted last week to implement what’s called a flex staffing system. EMS chief Travis Nixdorf spoke to the board at its February 26 meeting about the opportunity for the district to deploy A-EMTs (Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians) on ambulance calls and bill at a higher rate for their services. In the past, the district would’ve needed to formally upgrade its service to the Advance level, which requires an A-EMT to be available for every first-out ambulance. Now, thanks to a change in state law, rural departments like Central Fire and EMS can use flex scheduling to provide whatever level of EMT service is available at the time.

The Thorp Courier

The City of Thorp invites local property owners to apply for funding assistance to replace their existing lead water service lines. The city has received funding for up to 35 replacements and has a program in place to assist in the overall costs for each property owner. If Thorp does not receive enough applications, this could result in a loss of funding for the new 2026 street project.

Stanley Republican

Meeting Monday, March 2, in city hall, the Stanley city council met in two closed sessions, one under 19.85(1)(c) and another under 19.85(1)(f) of the state statutes. Coming out of the first, it voted to raise wages for employee Dave Mendoza to $29 per hour effective March 9. Exiting the second session held under 19.85(1)(f), it voted to initiate a resignation agreement and termination for a second unnamed employee.

Stanley-Boyd Schools has a new resource, following approval at the February school board meeting of a contract with the Medford School District for a partnership called SOAR, or Students Open to Achieving Reality. The new partnership is for 18 to 21-year-old students with disabilities that have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and who need additional time to work on IEP goals and objectives.