Boise in snow - beautiful...
It sure looks great out there. I'm off for the next week, but will be back and blogging on Jan. 4. See you all back here in the new year!
Eye On Boise archive for Jan. 1, 2015
THURSDAY, DEC. 24, 2015
About those state liquor store holiday hours...
Puzzled by the recent announcement that state liquor stores in Idaho will close early on Christmas Eve and all be closed on Christmas Day, but they’ll all be open regular hours on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day? There’s a reason – it’s the law...
Twin Falls refugee center draws both community support, opposition
Refugees from around the world have been resettled in Twin Falls for more than three decades, but now the long-established program at the College of Southern Idaho is the target of opposition amid the national debate over the vetting of refugees fleeing war-torn Syria –…
Idaho looks at banning powdered alcohol
Now that an Arizona company has developed and is preparing to market a form of powdered alcohol, including a “Powderita” that touts, “Just add water for an instant cocktail,” Idaho’s state Liquor Division is proposing legislation to ban the product in the Gem State. Twenty-five…
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23, 2015
President declares Nov. 17 windstorm a 'major disaster' for North Idaho, clearing way for aid
President Barack Obama today approved the state’s request for a “major disaster” declaration for areas of North Idaho impacted by a disastrous Nov. 17 windstorm, which included winds gusting to more than 100 mph and caused extensive damage in Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, and Kootenai counties.…
Boise State rolls in Poinsettia Bowl, wins 55-7
The Boise State University Broncos crushed the Northern Illinois Huskies 55-7 in the Poinsettia Bowl today in San Diego, setting records along the way. Idaho Statesman Broncos beat writer Chadd Cripe has a full wrapup here. Freshman quarterback Brett Rypien was the game’s offensive MVP,…
Idaho suicide hotline receives $300,000 grant
The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline has received a $300,000 grant, the largest private donation in its history. The grant is from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation...
State to delay Medicaid reimbursement cuts on in-home care
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is delaying its decision to cut Medicaid reimbursement rates for in-home care for the developmentally disabled after receiving harsh backlash from disability providers who say the move will negatively impact care. The agency announced Monday that it will…
TUESDAY, DEC. 22, 2015
Idaho SupCourt upholds use of burglary law against Wal-Mart shoplifter
The Idaho Supreme Court has upheld the state’s burglary law, over a challenge from a Coeur d’Alene man that it’s unconstitutional because it was used to charge him with felony burglary instead of misdemeanor shoplifting for taking items from a Wal-Mart store. Idaho’s burglary law…
Power restored in McCall area, but more outages possible
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: RIGGINS, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Power officials say residents in Valley County in north-central Idaho should be prepared for additional power outages as winter storms continue to move through the area. The utility company on Tuesday says…
NYT blog takes aim at Labrador claims
The New York Times’ “First Draft” blog, which touts “Political News, Now,” took aim at a recent fundraising letter from Idaho 1st District Congressman Raul Labrador yesterday. In an item headed “A guide to fundraising, tea party-style,” the Times wrote, “It seems Representative Raúl R.…
Bowe Bergdahl arraigned at N.C. Army base
U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who disappeared in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held by the Taliban for five years, was arraigned today before a military judge on charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. The AP reports that the Hailey, Idaho man deferred…
Otter to host WGA endangered species workshop in Boise in January
Idaho Gov. Otter will host a Western Governors Association workshop on species conservation and the Endangered Species Act on Jan. 19 in Boise, the second in a series of regional workshops the group is holding on the topic. Current WGA Chairman Matt Mead, governor of…
Sharp cuts in state payments for in-home care for disabled spark outcry
A recent decision by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to cut Medicaid reimbursement rates for in-home care for the developmentally disabled has received pushback from disabilities activists who say the...
MONDAY, DEC. 21, 2015
Heavy snow leaves 16,000 without power in central Idaho
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Power officials say nearly 16,000 customers are without power in central Idaho due to multiple downed power lines. The utility company says severe weather conditions caused the power outages in Valley County...
Central District Health board endorses 'College, Not Cancer Act'
The board of the Central District Health Department, the public health district that serves the Boise area, has voted to endorse the “College, Not Cancer Act,” the ballot initiative that’s currently circulating to raise Idaho’s cigarette tax and lower state college and university tuition. Steven...
Otter appoints VanderVelde to 3rd District judgeship in Nampa
Nampa attorney Davis VanderVelde was appointed a 3rd District judge today by Gov. Butch Otter; he fills the vacancy that was created when Judge Molly Huskey was appointed to the Idaho Court of Appeals. VanderVelde is a University of Nevada-Las Vegas graduate who holds a…
Broadband panel wants state Commerce Dept. to take lead on statewide access beyond schools
Beyond schools, lawmakers on the Legislature’s broadband access study committee are calling for the state Department of Commerce to take the lead on accelerating broadband access in Idaho. House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, said, “Commerce seems to me to be the right place. It’s…
Lawmakers to draft broadband bill; change 'commission' to 'committee'
The Legislature’s broadband access committee is back in session this afternoon, and has taken another unanimous vote, this time to change the word “commission” to “committee.” Members balked at a proposal to call the new group that would oversee school broadband aid an “advisory committee,”…
Broadband panel backs seven-member commission
Lawmakers have continued discussing who should be on the new commission they’re recommending to oversee state school broadband aid, with proposals for seven members, nine members, and various other approaches. There’s also been discussion of calling the group a “committee” or “advisory committee” or something…
Panel: New broadband commission should be located at state Dept. of Ed
Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, moved to locate the new commission to oversee school broadband aid at the state Department of Education, and Rep. Greg Chaney, R-Caldwell, seconded the motion; it passed unanimously. Rusche noted that that’s where the matter is handled now. “The issue isn’t…
Lawmakers favor creating new commission to oversee school broadband aid
The Legislature’s broadband committee went back and forth this morning on how the state’s school broadband program should be governed in the future, with members eventually saying they liked the idea of a commission, as outlined in last year’s HB 315, to oversee it. There’s...
Up in the mountains: Let it snow...
Just had to share this picture I took yesterday morning at the top of Bogus Basin, Boise’s non-profit ski area, which now has more snow than it’s had in several years. Bogus reports that its base is up to 48 inches and it’s received 4…
Legislature's broadband panel convenes at the Capitol
The Legislature’s Broadband Access Study Committee has convened at the Capitol this morning, and started with a review of the array of motions that passed at the group’s last meeting, led by a unanimous vote to “move away from anything that mirrored the previous statewide...
Bonneville GOP official who helped form anti-Otter PAC in the last primary wants to 'denounce' new Otterpac
Bonneville County’s Republican Central Committee has voted to “denounce” Idaho Gov. Butch Otter for forming a PAC to raise funds and donate to Idaho campaigns, the Idaho Falls Post Register reports. The effort is being led by county GOP Chairman Doyle Beck, who just last...
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