05/20/09

The Twin Falls and Jerome offices of South Central District Health will offer free HIV testing toward the end of next month. 'National HIV Testing Day' will take place in June.

In honor of that day, district health will provide testing for residents from all eight counties of Magic Valley – on Friday, June 26th. Medical personnel will tell those who are tested, about how to protect themselves from contracting the disease.

Appointments begin at 8:30 am and will last for as long as people are signed up. To make an appointment – call 737–5966.

Meanwhile, three long term employees at the South Central Health District will be retiring in the next month.

Tom and Maggie Machala have lived in Twin Falls for almost 30 years - and have worked at the health district for a total of 38 years. The couple will be moving to Madras, Oregon near the city of Bend - where Tom Machala will serve as the Public Health Director of Jefferson County, Oregon.

Maggie says she'll look for work in that area - where they have extended family members. The two received plaques recognizing their work.

Dan Friz has worked at district health in Twin Falls for 21 years and will also be retiring soon but he wasn't at today's award ceremony.