Work well underway on D Street Underpass

We don't know if you've wondered what's going on with the D Street Underpass, but to save you the trouble of getting out of your car we climbed up there and took a photo. Basically, a berm has been constructed and tracks are being laid for trains to use while the old, decrepit bridge is torn down and a new one built. It will be next year before this is finished, which shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone considering the bridge over the canal on John Adams Parkway has taken more than six months and still isn't done.

Smith Group submits plat; decision expected next week

The Porter Canal, covered so the land can be developed. The sign for Teton Toyota is in the background.

Here's a photo update from the ground on the south side of West Sunnyside Road, where the Smith Group plans to relocate. The canal has been capped with concrete, which will allow developers to pave the land in preparation for the Honda and Chevrolet dealerships.

On Wednesday morning, the Bonneville County Commission held a public hearing on platting the 19 acres. About six people testified, and a decision is expected next week, County Planner Steve Serr said.

Unlike Teton Toyota across the road, the ground is not in the city of Idaho Falls, nor is it contiguous to any ground within city limits, which would require it to be annexed and hooked up to city utilities. It will be hooked up to the regional wastewater system that terminates outside Shelley, and the water will come from Doug Andrus Trucking's development three miles to the south.

The ground is within the area of impact the city and county agreed on years ago, a document mandated by the state and intended to addres ground that might eventually be incorporated. That agreement did not come without a struggle -- I attended a lot of meetings and plenty of ink on the divergent views Idaho Falls and Bonneville County have with regard to the value of being incorporated into a municipality. Since this is a blog where I am at liberty to offer opinions now and then, I've noticed a fair amount of territorialism over the years.

INL co-hosting workshop for would-be contractors

The Idaho National Laboratory is co-hosting a free workshop for contractors who want to work with the lab. The training will explain how companies can position themselves to compete for federal contracts. More information is in this flier:

Play N Trade closing doors after six years

Screens at the Play N Trade store in Idaho Falls, which will be selling off its merchandise and closing.

I found this on Facebook at lunchtime -- a letter from Play N Trade owner Jeremy Hix to all his online customers and friends -- and thought it worth sharing:

Hey everyone this is Jeremy the store owner of Chubbuck and Idaho Falls. While I wish I could call every customer and let you know this personally there is no way I can. After over 6 great years of striving to give you the best game store experience around, we have decided to close our doors. It is not an easy or fun choice but as the market has changed dramatically from the glory days of gaming it has become necessary. We will be having clearance/liquidation sales starting today, through the end of month when we we close the doors. Please come in use your store credit up. More posts to come on the sales, but great deals are coming your way. Thanks everyone for your awesome support of Play N Trade, and your incredible loyalty to us. Myself and our current and former staff have life long friends from this adventure and are grateful for that. I have had some incredible employees over these 6 years and I know this is painful for them. As many have worked tirelessly to make Play N Trade a great place to be. I must say thanks to them as well.

Franz opens Idaho Falls outlet store

The Franz Bakery Outlet store on Anderson Street in Idaho Falls

Franz Family Bakery has taken over the old Hostess/Wonder Bread store at 365 Anderson Street.

Although the Portland-based bakery has been in business for 107 years, it has only recently been making inroads into eastern Idaho. You might be interested to know that the Franz bread and baked goods sold at the outlet store, as well as in local stores and supermarkets, was made in Idaho using Pendleton Mills Flour from Blackfoot.

The store has a gluten-free section and an organic section. "There's a lot more variety," said Marilyn Mills, the manager, who also worked at the Hostess/Wonder Bread store before it closed in November. "We'd like all our old customers to know that the peppered gravy and cheese sauce are back in town," she said.

The store hopes to be set up to accept EBT and food stamps by the beginning of July.

Last of all, here's something you probably didn't know: Though others are credited with creating a bread product to use for the first hamburgers known to the world, E.E. Franz is credited for inventing the hamburger bun in its current worldwide accepted form.

Fair director to speak Thursday at 'Lunch and Learn'

Brandon Bird

Brandon Bird, general manager of the Eastern Idaho State Fair, will be the guest Thursday at the Idaho Falls Advertising Federation's monthly "Lunch and Learn," at Dixie's Diner.

The Fair lasts only eight days, but a full year of planning and implementation goes into the marketing and advertising of an event this size. Bird will share some of the marketing strategies and processes that help the fair draw nearly a quarter-million people.

Sign-in for lunch begins at 11:30 a.m., and the presentation will run from noon to 1 p.m.

Cost is $12 for Ad Fed members and $15 for non-members. As always, Dixie's Diner will provide a menu with plenty of options.

RSVP to Lisa Fischbach at lisa@mightymcs.com if you plan to attend.

United Way names new marketing coordinator

Tyler Kraupp

The United Way of Idaho Falls and Bonneville County has named Tyler Kraupp to be its new marketing coordinator. Kraupp is the CEO of Kraupp Inc., a graphic design and advertising company in Idaho Falls. His goal for the United Way is to increase donations and community awareness, as well as event planning.

He is enrolled in the Technology Entrepreneurship Online Course from the University of Stanford. His website can be viewed here: http://www.krauppinc.com

He replaces Dwight Whitaker, who has been called to serve on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.