Gooding Community News

This will be a fun event! There will be 50+ local vendors, food & drinks, and Christmas pictures. Admission is canned or boxed food items or a winter coat to be donated to Helping Hearts & Hands.

Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.

Winter has arrived. The first snow fell last night and left a light dusting to remind us of what’s ahead. Snow on the roads, ice, and shoveling the sidewalks. There is so much to look forward to.

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving. Remember not to eat too much or you will fall asleep during the football games. Enjoy the time spent with your family.

Gooding City Hall will close at noon on Wednesday, November 27th and will be closed on Thursday, November 28th for Thanksgiving. City Hall will also close at noon on December 24th and will be closed December 25th and 26th for Christmas.

There are quite of few craft shows coming up in the area. There will be one at the Charter School and Hummingbird House. Watch for the flyers around town and support your community.

The Parade of Lights will be held again this year down Main Street on Dec 7th. The tree lighting will be at 6:00 p.m. The Chamber of Commerce does an excellent job each year, so come out and support them. Hope to see Santa Clause, the Grinch, and Cindy Lou there.

Some may be wondering why the walkway over bridge on Idaho Street is closed. Due to the bridge not being stable we had to close it down. It was found that under the bridge there are a lot of rocks that have fallen so it is no longer safe. The new bridge will constructed to accommodate the pedestrian traffic.

Our Tree & Brush Yard will be closed as of November 23rd. If you have leaves or any other yard waste to clean, we suggest that you take it to the transfer station in Wendell. If you place your yard waste in your garbage can, please bag it so that it doesn’t get stuck.

Once again, have a fantastic Thanksgiving.

GOD Bless you and your family’s and have a safe holiday.

Less than 3", we sand, de-ice and clear sidewalks as needed.

More than 3", we plow, typically at nighttime for maximum efficiency. Sidewalks may be cleared in the business area during the daytime.

The timing of the start and duration of snow removal operations is dependent on the timing and severity of the storm.

1. Main roads that provide a minimum network connecting hospitals, police and fire stations.
2. Roads and traffic collector streets around schools and Main St. and school connection sidewalks.
3. All other significant traffic volume streets, known problem spots (intersections, hill, etc.).
4. All remaining streets, including residential streets.

If a snow event is large or if storms come back-to-back, it takes the entire crew to keep priority 1, 2 and 3 routes open. Priority 4 routes may remain unplowed for quite some time.

In a big snow year, it's common for snow from plowing operations to be pushed onto and stored in this easement. This may create a large berm along your property boundary and is a normal result with a large volume of snow.

Illegally parked vehicles are the biggest obstacle to effectively remove snow, and they will be ticketed or towed, without notice and at the owner's expense. Illegally parked vehicles can also be plowed in or damaged, a nuisance and a cost to the owner.

Clearing driveway openings is the responsibility of the property owner. During snowstorm plowing operations, plow blades cannot be lifted as they pass by a driveway, so snow will be plowed into driveways as we come down your street. You may wish to clear your driveway several times during the storm or wait until the storm and plowing activities have ended. It is unlawful to plow, blow, shovel or throw snow onto the street (or any public way), or to bury traffic regulatory signs, when clearing driveways. To avoid damage, graders and loaders will maintain a 4 to 5 foot clearance from obstacles which may be at the street end of your driveway (such as the rear end of a vehicle) or in the right of way. When this happens, less than optimum results are achieved. Park as far onto your property as possible and keep the right of way clear.

Keeping mailboxes clear of snow is the responsibility of the property owner. The City routinely uses the right of way for snow storage and snow removal operations. Any personal belongings left in the right of way, including mailboxes, can sustain damage. This damage is not the responsibility of the City. If your mailbox is inaccessible for mail delivery, mail can be picked up at the Post Office.

The City clears sidewalks in the downtown commercial district only. It is the homeowner or tenants responsibility to clear sidewalks in the residential area.

EQUIPMENT: Take an alternate route when you see snow removal equipment on the street ahead of you. Passing, tailgating or cutting off this equipment is hazardous.

CHILDREN: Snow forts and snow caves can seem like fun, but they are dangerous when built in the right of way or next to the road. When snow builds up we push the banks back. Visibility from inside a plow truck and around large banks of snow is limited.

GETTING AROUND: During a major storm, driving will be hazardous, and may become difficult or impossible on residential streets. Stay off the roadways if at all possible.

FIRE HYDRANTS: The City Public Works Department clears snow from fire hydrants as a maintenance item. With more than 250 hydrants in Gooding, this task takes some time to complete. Property owner help in keeping hydrants clear of snow is appreciated. It is unlawful to plow, shovel or place snow within 25’ of a hydrant on the street side of the hydrant.

We appreciate your support and assistance. We rely on citizens to do their part when it snows. We recognize it’s a big job, and thank you for your efforts. Let’s all have a safe and happy winter!

The City has a high call volume during snow events, especially if the event is large. Your call is important, and your patience is appreciated.

During a storm, you may need to leave a message with your question or concern. Messages are retrieved several times throughout the day. Calls are returned in the order they are received, and as soon as possible.