About Folks We Know

This pile of debris was once a dilapidated house that Challis city officials spent months, if not years, deliberating about. The city assumed ownership of the property and demolished the house after dubbing it a public nuisance and fire hazard. Commonly referred to as the Salazar property, the debris from demolition was supposed to go to the Challis transfer station. According to Mayor Mike Barrett, only two loads made it to the pit. Wendall Gohn of Blue Mountain Refuse said the city has to supply proof there is no asbestos in the debris. That launched a round of correspondence with personnel at the Environmental Protection Agency and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. The city is now waiting for instructions from the DEQ. Until it can be proven there are no hazardous materials, the piles will stay on city property. Meanwhile, the city is having a conversation with the Custer County Treasurer about back taxes owed on the Salazar property.