The Teton County Joint Housing Authority (TCHJA) has recently acquired a 1.136-acre parcel of land in Downtown Driggs for a future affordable housing project. This transaction is part of the
Sandy Mason: A stalwart conservationist leaves his mark on the Teton Valley
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Sandy Mason, a founding member of the nonprofit Valley Advocates of Responsible Development, was unapologetically committed to preserving the Teton Valley. He raised millions to preserve wildlands and waterways in the valley while logging countless hours on the frontlines of conservation. | Jeannette Boner, EastIdahoNews.com
DRIGGS — When Mary Mason needed a quart of milk, she never sent her husband, Sandy, to pop into the store for a quick purchase.
“He could be there for hours,” said Mary with a small knowing laugh. “The man knew everyone, and he liked everyone he knew.”
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Joselin Matkins | Courtesy Linda Swope, Swope’s Mountain Photography
DRIGGS — Joselin Matkins, the executive director for the Teton Regional Land Trust in Driggs and a regional conservational leader died Friday, Teton County Sheriff deputies confirmed Saturday.
Matkins was found in the North Leigh Creek area north of Hatch’s Corner in Tetonia by Teton County Search and Rescue after she was reported missing late the same morning. She was missing for seven hours before she was found with the assistance of a Air Idaho Rescue helicopter flight team at 6:55 p.m.
Teton County Coroner Tim Melcher confirmed the cause of death was suicide.
After three years of leading Mountain Bike the Tetons, executive director Tony Ferlisi is leaving his position to join the nonprofit consulting firm LegacyWorks.
Ferlisi had worked in the Teton region before, as a ranger in the Gros Ventre Wilderness of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, but the position at MBT was what brought him to Teton Valley in January of 2018.
âI came here for the job and because I love riding bikes here,â Ferlisi said. âItâs been really fun to be a part of the mountain bike community here in an official role.â
His responsibilities as the executive director of the nonprofit included writing grants for new projects, overseeing trail coordinator Chris Brule and his crew, and fundraising. He also directed a race series, helped found a new youth mountain bike program, and acted as a representative during policy and forest planning discussions with public agencies.
After four public hearings over six months, a small employee housing complex will be allowed on the north end of Late Bloomer Ranch, a farm and agricultural incubator east of Driggs.
In 2019 owner Corinne McAndrews started the farm on a 66-acre property near the state line with a plan to raise livestock and grow flowers, and provide land for other small farmers to experiment and build their own operations. She was also aware of the local housing crisis and wanted to offer rentals on-site for employees and farmers participating in the incubator. Because she planned to install a row of seven temporary homes or RV trailers on 1.15 acres of the property, she needed a conditional use permit for a campground, according to county code.