November 6, 2009
Highway safety
Workshop focuses on reducing traffic related deaths in Idaho
Ensuring safe travel on Idaho’s highways was the primary focus for highway safety professionals from throughout the state who met in Boise Wednesday. The Idaho Transportation Department sponsored the all-day workshop that included discussion and strategies for improving safety. “Safety for users is ITD’s highest priority,” said ITD Acting Director L. Scott Stokes.
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Highways
Governor leads ceremony to open third lane of I-84
Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter joined citizens, business leaders and government officials this afternoon to celebrate the opening of new lanes on Interstate 84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges. The project is improving safety, reducing congestion and creating career-path jobs to stimulate Idaho's economy.
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Research
Upgraded Web site offers wealth of research information
ITD’s Research Section recently launched an improved program Web site that serves as a storehouse of information and valuable Internet links to transportation-related research. Research Program Manager Ned Parrish and his staff of Inez Hopkins and Brenda Wynn began working with a Boise State University intern last spring to upgrade the Web site.
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Technology
ITD exploring use of social media to serve customers
Development of new Internet sites provide government agencies with a variety of communication options that didn’t exist a decade ago. Among them are Facebook. MySpace, Twitter, Linked-In, Youtube and Flickr. Like many transportation departments across the country, ITD is assessing how social media sites can help reach new, technology-sophisticated customers.
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'Black Friday' online shopping could tax network, security
Despite a lagging economy, many workers will shop online while at work this coming holiday season. The second annual "Shopping on the Job: Online Holiday Shopping and Workplace Internet Safety" survey found that fully half of those surveyed plan to use their company's computer to shop, putting a strain on employers' systems and potentially compromising an organizations sensitive information and security.
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Veterans Day
Take time to say thanks for preserving our freedom
By U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)
One of the most impressive things about the American people is the way they respect and honor the military members who work every day to protect and defend our country. We have many holidays and occasions to celebrate and honor our military members and each one is important because they allow us to publicly express our gratitude for our service members while they are deployed around the world.
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Preparedness
Plan ahead for evacuation of people with special needs
November is National Home Care and Hospice Month. Whether it is a client, friend, neighbor or loved one, if you are assisting someone with a disability to live at home, you are providing a great service. Day-to-day health and quality-of-life issues most often top the list of concerns for home care providers. Another consideration should be preparing these individuals for an emergency evacuation. The first step in this is to assess the risk.
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ITD Mailbox
• Thanks for outstanding conference
• Blood donations make difference in community
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Administration
ITD representatives schedule statewide meetings with legislators
ITD administrators will meet with legislators next month in each of the department’s six districts to discuss transportation issues and the 2010 legislative sessions. The Legislative outreach meetings begin Dec. 7 in Shoshone at the District 4 office from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Highways
Orchard Bridge comes tumbling down...
Construction crews demolished the old Orchard Street Bridge in Boise Friday (Oct. 23) night while most people slept. Their work makes room for a new bridge at that location. Two more long-standing bridges over I-84 are destined for the same fate – Meridian’s Ten Mile Overpass (circa 1964) in late November, and the Vista Interchange Bridge (1969) near the Boise airport in mid-December.
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Employees
Changes announced for employee evaluation forms
HRS recently announced the revision of the performance evaluation form and has just completed delivering a series of supervisory trainings and employee orientations throughout the districts and Headquarters. During those sessions, feedback was requested and compiled, and HRS has carefully considered all comments prior to releasing the form.
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New rules regarding the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
The Federal Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 has changed little since it was enacted more than 15 years ago. Recently, however, the act has been modified in an attempt to address “loose ends,” especially those related to military families, explains ITD benefits coordinator Carlin Hill. State policy requires that if employees experience a qualifying event, they must request FMLA – it is not a choice, Hill emphasizes.
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HRS to discuss Accommodation / Return to Work policy
ITD has enacted an Accommodation/Return to Work (A/RTW) policy that clarifies the roles of employees, supervisors and Human Resource Services when employees return to work after an illness or injury. The policy, A-18-08, applies regardless of whether the illness or injury is work related. It is supported by state and federal laws.
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News to Share
 Storjohann completing third year
as regional Order of Eastern Star coordinator
Andrea Paroni Storjohann, assistant district Engineer in District 1, is completing a three-year term as the Northwest Region Coordinator for the Visionquest Program of the General Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. The Visionquest Program is a leadership development program for Eastern Star members.
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 Son of ITD planner wins international Web site award
NewReleaseTuesday.com a Christian music, social and entertainment mega-site and part of the FrontGate Media group, has been recognized with the 2009 WebAward for Standard of Excellence in Web Development in the Faith-based category. The annual competition, now in its 13th year, welcomed more than 2,000 entries in about 96 categories and 45 countries.
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