07/17/08

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) _ The city of Idaho Falls may soon be
reaching out to residents via text messages.

Officials say the city signed a licensing agreement this month
with Txtwire Communications to provide text messaging services as a
way to improve communication with the public.

The city's initial plan calls for testing the messaging system
through the Parks and Recreation Department, for example sending
messages about cancellations in city league softball leagues.

It's up to residents to sign up for the service.

City Council President Ida Hardcastle says she was skeptical at
first, but changed her mind after learning how effective it's been
for the city's school district.

School officials signed on last year and use text messaging to
alert parents about school closures and other emergencies.
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Information from: Post Register, http://www.postregister.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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