Twin Falls council turns down jump-site lease for Big Ed Beckley

Big Ed Beckley, who paid nearly $1 million for a state land lease for the landing site for his re-try of daredevil Evel Knievel’s famous unsuccessful jump across the Snake River Canyon, was unexpectedly denied a lease for the jump site last night by the Twin Falls City Council, on a 5-2 vote; the Twin Falls Times-News has a full report here . “I don’t know what to say,” Beckley said after the vote. “I’m numb.” Council members had concerns about Beckley’s safety plan and impacts on nearby neighborhoods; they’ll decide next week whether to move on to a competing bidder for the jump or not authorize one at all. Another group already has obtained permits from the county for a jump from private land a week earlier; the 40 ^th anniversary of Knievel’s attempt is coming up in 2014.