Jay Westcott, Idaho Mountain Express Journalist Profile

Articles

Sun Valley, Ketchum lobby for extended highway construction hours

2 weeks ago | mtexpress.com | Kari Dequine Harden |Jay Westcott

In response to severe traffic backups caused by the Idaho Transportation Department’s reconstruction of state Highway 75 between roughly Elkhorn Road and River Street, the Sun Valley and Ketchum city councils last week agreed to issue letters of support for longer work hours in order to speed completion of the project. Construction hours are currently scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
Highway 75 widening project delayed

2 months ago | mtexpress.com | Jay Westcott

The Idaho Transportation Department is delaying its planned highway widening project on state Highway 75 between Elkhorn Road and Serenade Lane for a week due to ongoing Idaho Power Co. undergrounding projects along the highway, ITD spokeswoman Courtney Wagner stated in a Tuesday email to the Express. The project involves the undergrounding of powerlines along the stretch of highway that is set to be widened, the Express previously reported.
Ketchum, south-valley fire districts seek new chief

2 months ago | mtexpress.com | Jay Westcott

The boards of the Ketchum Fire District and BC South Fire Protection District on Wednesday will hold a special joint meeting to consider approving a memorandum of understanding that could allow the two agencies to hire a joint fire chief before their planned merger.
Idahoans will soon need Star Cards for flights

2 months ago | mtexpress.com | Jay Westcott

Starting May 7, travelers in Idaho and across the U.S. will no longer be able to use regular driver's licenses, permits and other ID cards issued by U.S. states to board domestic flights. Travelers will instead need a REAL ID, also known as a Star Card due to the presence of a star in the upper-right corner. The REAL ID program, which raises standards for the issuing of IDs, was developed in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission.
Air Service Board releases tourism marketing funding

2 months ago | mtexpress.com | Jay Westcott

Sun Valley Air Service Board members agreed unanimously during a meeting last week to send $400,000 in area local-option-tax revenue to the tourism promotion agency Visit Sun Valley. Visit Sun Valley Executive Director Ray Gadd said during the April 2 meeting that funding, the last 25% of the $1.6 million that the board budgeted for the agency in fiscal 2025, will be spent to encourage travelers to visit in the summer and fall.
'Don't be too hard on yourself'

2 months ago | mtexpress.com | Jay Westcott

The myth of the perfect parent is just that, according to Michelle Greenbaum, co-founder of the Success Learning Center in Ketchum. “Give yourself credit for all you do and don’t be too hard on yourself,” she said in an email to the Express discussing good parenting. For any parents who want more guidance, though, she offered some tips to consider.
Ketchum P&Z praises early ARCH housing designs

2 months ago | mtexpress.com | Jay Westcott

Ketchum Planning and Zoning commissioners on Monday conducted a review of preliminary designs for an 11-unit workforce housing development proposed on two adjoining Leadville Avenue lots. The nonprofit ARCH Community Housing Trust owns the properties, at 180 and 140 N. Leadville Avenue, which it received as a donation.
Ketchum to close Main Street, Warm Springs Bridge for day projects

Mar 28, 2025 | mtexpress.com | Jay Westcott

Ketchum’s Main Street will be closed from Second to Fourth streets on Tuesday for the replacement of the mast arms that hold the traffic signals at the intersection of Main Street and Sun Valley Road. Ketchum spokesman Daniel Hansen said that the Idaho Transportation Department is paying for the mast arms, which were supposed to be installed during last summer’s reconstruction. He said the arm manufacturer couldn’t deliver the equipment on time.
KURA ends 1st and Washington contract

Mar 26, 2025 | mtexpress.com | Jay Westcott

A final decision killing a proposed community housing project on the First Street and Washington Avenue parking lot in Ketchum was made last week when the Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency’s board of commissioners terminated its development and disposition agreement with the nonprofit Wood River Community Housing Trust. The project had faced several challenges as it moved through the approval process.
Main Street construction to resume in early April

Mar 21, 2025 | mtexpress.com | Jay Westcott

A project to finish repaving Main Street and rebuilding sidewalks in Ketchum is set to get underway about April 7, depending on the weather, city of Ketchum Senior Project Manager Ben Whipple told City Council members Monday. The upcoming construction segment, stretching roughly from Fourth Street to Sixth Street, was postponed from summer 2024 to 2025 because of unexpected delays caused by the condition of the subsurface below the blacktop, the Express previously reported.