Laura Sant, Franklin County Family and Consumer Science Extension Educator, along with members from her staff, will test your gauge and answer canning questions.

Lids can be brought to the Franklin County Extension Office, 561 W. Oneida, Preston, from 10 a.m. to noon, and from 1-4 p.m. on June 4, or they can be brought in prior to the testing day and picked up any time after June 6. The testing will be offered free of charge. However, maintenance items, such as gaskets or handles, will no longer be available.

The USDA and University of Idaho Extension recommend testing dial gauges annually.

This story is sponsored by Brady’s Plant Ranch and The Preston Citizen Copy Center.

Olivia Seamons, Kenidee Hyde and Ryden Crowther became multi-event placers for Preston on the final day of the 4A state track meet, which was held in Boise.

Seamons, the runner-up in Friday’s triple jump, placed fourth in the 200 with a PR clocking of 26.07, and also was eighth in the 100 (13.03). The junior stumbled out of the starting blocks, otherwise Preston head coach Brandon Lyon felt she would have placed in the top four.

“She was pretty disappointed after the 100, so it was really good to see her run the 200 that well,” Lyon said.

Hyde finished seventh in the 100 hurdles (16.15), while Crowther was seventh in the 1,600 (4:33.05).

The Lady Indians placed 10th with 22 points, while Preston was 16th on the boys side with 13.50 points. Both squads will return most of their key performers in 2014.

“I thought we came here and we had a good meet,” Lyon said. “There are some things that went really well and some things the kids were disappointed about … but all in all I thought the kids competed hard.”

Preston’s Vinny Silva improved by nearly half a foot in placing seventh in the long jump with a leap of 20-6.25, while Matthew Willard’s clearance of 5-8 in the high jump was good enough for the fifth spot on the podium.

West Side sophomore Carlton Baird celebrates after winning the 1,600-meter run during the 2A State Track Meet at Middleton High School Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Aaric Bryan/IPT

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By Jason Turner, Logan Herald-Journal

It’s safe to say May 18, 2013, is a day the West Side community will remember for years to come.

After all, it’s the day the Pirates made history at the 2A State Track & Field Championships.

For the first time in school history, West Side returned to Franklin County with a pair of state titles. The Pirates pulled away for a decisive victory on the boys side, while the girls rallied past several schools in dramatic fashion on the second and final day of the 2A meet Saturday in Middleton, Idaho.

“We got our track built about five years ago and track was kind of non-existent to the community about five years ago, and now with the success of the program and (thanks to) the new track, people are just really starting to support track,” WS head coach Tyson Moser said. “We had a lot of people that came up to state track (this weekend) who didn’t even have kids involved.

“So, it means a lot to the kids, coaches and the community, for sure. You could not ask for a better day to have both teams go up and win state titles at the same time.”

Led by Tate Fuller, who captured titles in the 400 and 800 meters and anchored his team to victory in the 4×400 and medley relays, the West Side boys scored 93.3 points — 36.33 more than a trio of schools that tied for second place.

As for the Lady Pirates, they were outside the top five for much of the day in a very deep field. However, they took the lead for good when Kelsie Clawson and Taya Nash finished 1-2 in the 300 hurdles — the third-to-last event. West Side edged runner-up Firth, 78-74, while five other schools scored more than 52 points.

It was the Lady Pirates’ first-ever state championship in the sport.

A day after breaking her own school record in the preliminary rounds of the 100 hurdles — she clocked in at 15.58 seconds — Clawson reigned supreme in the finals of the 100 and 300 hurdles. The senior clocked in at 16.59 in the high hurdles and defended her title in the 300 with a time of 47.97.

Clawson, who made it a point to praise her coaches, also teamed up with Nash, Casey Rich and Sydney Blair to cross the finish line first in the 4×200 in 1:48.88.

“This has been such an amazing experience, I’ll tell you that,” said Clawson, who became only the second West Side girl to win three state track titles in one season. “We just have such a great girls team. … It’s just been so fun having all of the teammates right behind me and everybody just working their hardest. To pull together and get this team title was just awesome.”

In the boys competition, the star of the meet was undoubtedly Fuller, who has had a memorable senior year. This winter, Fuller was named his district’s player of the year in basketball, and he shined even more during the track season.

Fuller beat all comers in the 400 (50.87) and 800 (2:02.07), and helped West Side put the exclamation point on its third boys state title in the last four years. In the meet’s final event, the 4×400, Fuller combined with Dillyn Morgan, Dylan Turnbow and Jon O’Brien to prevail in 3:29.39.

The Pirates claimed their medley relay crown on Friday.

“I’m very happy,” said Fuller, who became West Side’s first-ever four-time champion at a single state meet. “I mean, when you put in the work you might as well do the best that you can do, and then it will hopefully (pay off). And it was a good feeling.”

West Side’s boys also received a monster performance from Carlton Baird, who is unquestionably one of Idaho’s most improved distance runners. The sophomore followed up his silver-medal effort in Friday’s 3,200 with another huge personal-record time. Only this time, Baird finished second to no one, emerging victorious in the 1,600 in 4:36.78.

Baird only qualified for state in one individual event a year ago as he placed 11th in the 3,200.

“I don’t think I was expected to score many points,” Baird said. “… I think most of it is because of my coaches and just them pushing me to be better in all of my events.”

Another Pirate who shined was senior Paul Stegelmeier, whose fourth-place mark of 47-9.5 in the shot put was a school record. He missed the bronze medal by half an inch.

Additionally, West Side’s received valuable team points from medalists — the top six competitors in each individual are awarded medals — O’Brien in the 200 (fourth place, 23.25) and McCoy Roberts in the 300 hurdles (fifth, PR of 42.06). Roberts also finished eighth in the 110 hurdles (16.50).

As for the Lady Pirates, Blair once again secured them a wealth of points. The senior, who is the school record-holder in the 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200, placed second in the 800 (2:22.58) and fifth in the 400 (1:00.98).

Blair has been scoring points in individual events for the Pirates ever since she was a freshman.

“Yeah, we’ve always had to come home with the boys winning a state title, where usually we’ve finished, I don’t know, sixth or fifth, and then last year we got fourth and that was awesome because we finally got to bring home a trophy,” said Blair, who went on to praise her coaches. “And then this year, we were like, ‘Oh my goodness, we can actually take state,’ and we did, so it’s just an awesome feeling.”

Nash, who covered the 300 hurdles in 49.17, combined with Rich, Lauren Porter and Addie Cook to take third in the 4×100.

Assistant editor

DAYTON – West Side High School will graduate 45 seniors in one week during 7 p.m. commencement exercises on May 22 at the high school gymnasium in Dayton.

The theme for this year’s graduation is, “Make Our Mark.”

West Side High School has named a valedictorian and a salutatorian. They are Caitlyn Beckstead and Samantha Winward. The valedictorian has a 4.0 grade point average during four years of high school, said graduation officials.

The processional will be played by the West Side Concert Band, directed by Jaron Packer. The welcome will be given by Natasha Bartholomew, senior class president.

Salutatorian Winward will speak. She will be followed by valedictorian Beckstead. A musical number, “Come Thou Fount,” arranged by Packer, will be presented by the West Side Band and Choir. It will be directed by Packer.

The class history will be given by historian Kelsie Clawson. A special video presentation, arranged by Clawson, will be shown. The school song will be sung by the senior class, under the direction of Packer.

Dahle Awards for Educational Excellence will be presented by Larry Dahle.

Tyler Bowles, chair of the board, will present the class. Spencer Barzee, principal, and Barbara Taylor, superintendent, will present the diplomas.

A recessional will be played by the West Side concert band. Background music will be provided by Packer. Key Club members will be ushers.

High Honor students with a GPA of 3.75 or above, include: Caitlyn Beckstead, Paul Stegelmeier, Kelsie Clawson, Zachery Talbot, Samantha Winward, Sydney Blair and Natasha Bartholomew.

This story is sponsored by Spring Creek Medical Center.

Citizen editor

The 2013 Preston High School Graduation will be held May 23 at 8 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.

The program will begin with the processional, “Olympic Fanfare and Theme,” performed by the PHS band conducted by Wayne Manning. Then senior members of the a capella choir, band and orchestra will perform the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Rico Crossland will welcome everyone and Clancie Thompson will introduce the theme, “We may ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous.’ Actually who are you to be?”

Jeff Wight will introduce the Salutatorians, Ellise Smart, Kaytlynn Garbett and Serena Harris. The three will speak, followed by the introduction of Valedictorian Sheena Andersen by Whitney Groll.

After Andersen addresses the audience, the class gift will be presented by Taylor Smellie.

This year three individuals have been asked to speak. Launa Moser will be introduced by Ryden Crowther. Katie Call will introduce Eldon Lynn Womack and Sara Smith will introduce King Smith as the final speaker.

Jeff Lords will present the graduates and Fred Titensor, school board chair, will accept them.

The changing of the tassels will be lead by Anna-Marie White and Hanna Roberts, who will also be the line leaders.

Malory Nielson will lead the Alma Mater, with the class of 2013 singing the first verse and chorus. The audience will be invited to join in for the remaining verses.

This story is sponsored by Steph Gunn at Cornerstone.

Assistant editor

All local reservoirs will be stocked with catchable trout by Memorial Day weekend if a sharp-billed sea bird cooperates with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

In the recent past, stocking has occurred soon after ice-off on reservoirs in Franklin County in late March or April. But the double-crested cormorant has made inroads into inland areas across the United States and uses Franklin County as a stopover area along its migration route.

The bird has impacted local fisheries by delaying stocking efforts. Anglers, who traditionally like to fish just after ice-off, have had to wait for planted fish, said IDFG officials.

“Even though we haven’t stocked any trout yet, fishing has actually been pretty good this spring with carry-over trout and things will just continue to improve,” said David Teuscher, regional fisheries manager based in Pocatello. “Early season anglers shouldn’t hesitate to go out now. Catch rates may be down just a little. But the fish that are caught should be in the 13 to 14-inch range.”

During the past several decades, double-crested cormorant populations in North America have increased annually by six-percent. Many of the fish eating cormorants currently using Franklin County reservoirs are stopping for short periods as they migrate from warmer coastal regions north to nesting grounds, according to Teuscher.

“Bird counts taken at Foster Reservoir, northeast of Preston, last Saturday revealed hundreds of birds. In fact they were spotted around every reservoir searching for food. They can eat fish up to 13 inches long, but usually go after those in the six to seven-inch range,” he said.

Teuscher said their favorite food is just-stocked hatchery trout. When these trout are placed in reservoirs they don’t have any skills at avoiding predators and are easy pickings for the birds. In fact, the cormorants will immediately switch from small bass and bluegill to the hatchery rainbows, he said.

“That’s why we have to delay stocking until the birds move on to their traditional nesting areas along the Snake River near Blackfoot, the Blackfoot Reservoir, Montana and points north,” he said.

“This spring’s unseasonably cool temperatures have been a factor delaying the migration. Every spring is different and we have to be flexible.”

The Blackfoot Reservoir is one of the nesting locations. In 2001, IDFG counted 214 cormorant nests on Gull Island on the reservoir.

“In 2009, we counted 634. Each nest represents two adult birds, so about four years ago 1,260 cormorants nested on Gull Island and the number is higher now.”

Idaho Fish and Game employees move towards a group of cormorants on Gull Island in the Blackfoot Reservoir. The sea birds are making inroads into Idaho and causing a delay in fish-stocking efforts.

In past years IDFG has received a number of reports of larger-than-normal flocks of foraging cormorants on Franklin County waters.

“Some of the local fisheries were hit especially hard by cormorant or pelican predation both in 2008 and 2009, Teuscher said.

Treasureton Reservoir is an example. Fisheries biologists monitoring the hatchery trout populations observed very poor survival of 2009 plants in the impoundment.

“Holding catchable rainbow trout for several weeks longer than usual helps reduce bird predation. We play the waiting game to give the newly stocked trout a better chance for survival. We wait until most of the cormorants have completed their spring migration and that usually happens by the end of May. It’s all a numbers game,” said Teucher.

Cormorants are medium-to-large sea birds with dark plumage. Their bills are long, thin and sharply hooked. They are costal birds that have colonized inland waters over the past few years. They are fish eaters, dining mostly on small fish.

They dive from the surface. Underwater, they propel themselves with webbed feet. After fishing they go ashore.

They have waterproof feathers. They dive alone and feed singly, but congregate in large groups, according to Wikipedia.

This story is sponsored by The Preston Citizen Bookstore.

Preston Police Chief

Bicycling is great way to enjoy our community. It is a great way for people of all ages to get the benefits of exercise. Traffic is managed to increase the safety of our streets for all users from the smallest bike rider to the largest truck. Traffic signs, lights lines, rules regulations, road maintenance, enforcement and public compliance makes it more safe for everyone to travel about our city and county.

There are many bicycle events planned that will pass through our area during the coming summer. The LOTOJA, the Logan-to-Lava, Little Red Riding Hood for charity, Friends of the Academy, scout groups, fitness groups and individual riders. There may be thousands of riders on our streets before the next snow changes our activities. The Preston Police Department would like to share some safety tips to help motorists and cyclists share our roads without harm or risk.

For the bicycle rider:

• Wear a helmet that fits

• Ride on the right side of the road

• Wear bright and reflective clothing so you can be seen

• Use hand signals for right and left turns and for stopping

• Obey traffic laws

• Check your breaks and tires before riding

• Choose a safe route.

• Yield to pedestrians.

• Slow down or safely stop before entering an intersection

• Ride as close to the right hand curb as possible or edge of the road as safety allows except when turning left or avoiding obstacles

• Use both lights and reflectors at night

For the motorists

• Bicycles are vehicles, they belong on the road

• Never look left when turning right, a cyclist or pedestrian may be approaching from a sidewalk or bike lane

• Bicyclists can legally ride on sidewalks, but there are no legal requirements to use them. Young children usually ride on sidewalks, be cautious pulling in or out of driveways.

• Children on bikes often change direction unexpectedly, pass with extra caution and distance.

• Expect bicyclists, their position on the road, smaller size and slower speed requires drivers to consciously look for them.

• In narrow lanes it is not safe to share the lane with a bicyclist. Bicyclists are often trained to ride three feet from the edge of the road to allow them space when passing and even more at high speeds. Be patient, some roads require the bicyclist to occupy the lane riding in the center of the lane. Don’t tailgate a bicyclist. Change lanes to pass a bicyclist on narrow roads.

• Bicyclists are not required to come to a complete stop at stop signs but must yield to traffic in the intersection.

Please do your part to keep all modes of travel safe efficient and pleasant by following these guidelines on our roadways.

This story is sponsored by The Preston Citizen Dairy Edition.

By RODNEY D. BOAM

Citizen editor

Eight year-old Xander Kirkbride of Fairview spends a lot of free time on the motocross track in Fairview with his younger sister, Tenley, trying to improve their times and improving his skills.

The aspiring motocross rider has a dream of being in the big leagues. Xander got a feel for the glitz and glamour of stardom when he was invited to ride in the America Motorcycle Association’s Supercross Grand Finale on April 29 in Las Vegas.

Xander got his motocross television debut as he took three laps jumping hills and making turns during the main event. He was selected along with 14 other young riders from across the country to show his stuff.

Xander’s father, Josh Kirkbride, was a motocross rider in his day. He was surprised at the selection of his young son for the prestigious honor.

“We had to submit a resume. He had to have good grades,” Josh said. “He had to have something from his teacher saying he was a good student. He’s not the fastest kid out there. But he has won a fair number of trophies.”

There he was, a kid from Franklin County, going three laps during the main event on the same track that some of the biggest names in the professional ranks were on.

“It was awesome,” Josh said. “He got to meet some of his heroes and spend some time in their pits. He got a ton of free stuff for going.”

The third grader in Miss Allred’s class at Oakwood got to ride a new factory KTM motorcycle with a factory technician to make sure the machine was working at its peak.

The Kirkbrides are one of about 10 families in the area that spend their time, as families, going from track to track.

Xander said it was a lot of fun and he had a great time meeting some of his favorite racers.

Nicole, his mother, said it was incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience for her son.

“It was an incredible experience. There were over 300 kids who applied for it from all over the United States,” Nicole said. “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

She said she really gets stressed about him out on the track all the time.

“The older they get they have a lot more speed. But we have the proper safety materials and we try and be prepared,” she said.

Xander Kirkbride poses for a photograph on a new KTM motorcycle he rode in a national motocross event recently.

The Kirkbrides live about four miles from the track.

“There are a lot of kids who go down to the track and ride. But not many of them ride in the series,” Nicole said.

Xander has been racing since he was five years old and his sister is going on her second year as a motocross racer.

“We travel around with our kids. We all pile in and go,” Josh said. “We do motocross all summer and arena cross all winter.”

This story is sponsored by FCMC Growing Expectations and Heritage Safe Co.

Preston School District

Seven long time Preston School District employees have announced their retirement at the end of this school year.

• Wynn Costley has been employed with our district for 28 years. He also taught four years in Utah prior to coming to Idaho. He has been an administrator the whole time he has been with us. He recently served as principal at Pioneer Elementary and Franklin County High School, and as our Special Ed Director. He has also been the transportation supervisor and the Federal Programs Director. When asked to comment on Wynn Costley’s retirement, superintendent Wilson remarked that he was reminded of a poem that says, “…People come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. We are led to those who help us most grow. Because we knew him, we have been changed for good.”

“For 28 years Wynn Costley has been a fixture in the Preston School District. The students and parents he has championed during that time have been changed for good because of Mr. Costley’s influence and leadership. The 100 Point Walks, graduation ceremonies at Franklin County High School, a hearty laugh, and a good heart that put students first are just a few of the memories we will have of Wynn Costley.”

Wynn Costley

“We are grateful for all the good that Mr. Costley has done for the district. We wish him the best as he and Cecelie move on to their next adventure, teaching English in China. I am sure it won’t be long before his Chinese students are following an umbrella toting, “Cat in the Hat” hat wearing gentleman, down a hallway filled with smiles and cheers.

This story is sponsored by Edwards Floral.

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Serving for service

City public works crew member Jan Seamons serves Dutch oven potatoes to sister missionaries Katie Wagner, Los Angles, and Jumelle Tsfany, Madagascar. Area missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were out in force in Preston on Friday before noon. It was a mission-wide day of service. The missionaries weeded flower beds all over the city.

This story is sponsored by The Preston Citizen Bookstore.