🌱 Adios Choco Taco + Student Housing Dilemma + Pickle Versus Tennis

Hello, friends! John Braese here with your Thursday edition of the Boise Daily, filled with all the local news you need to know right now. Here goes.

Welcome to the Thursday edition of the Boise Daily. Saying goodbye is always difficult, but for lovers of one ice cream treat, social media is present as we learn in our first story. New students at our local university may have a difficult time finding a room, and a Boise man sits in jail after a Boise police investigation. Some recent car crashes were for a good cause, and the city is hearing from pickleball and tennis players while also listening to neighbors.

First, today's weather:

Very hot with plenty of sun. High: 103 Low: 71.

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Here are the top stories today in Boise:

1. The Boise Daily remains committed to local news, but as our followers have discovered, a nationwide announcement sometimes hits the heart of Boise residents. Across social media recently, fans of a summer treat have made known their displeasure as an icon since 1983 comes to a close. NPR's Wynne Davis reports Klondike has announced the Choco Taco will soon be no more. The ice cream filled taco topped with chocolate and nuts is garnering attention of politicians as a senator from Connecticut is calling for legislation to "invoke the Defense Production Act" and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian is offering to purchase the rights to Choco Taco and begin production. You tell us, will Boise miss the Choco Taco? (npr.org)
2. Boise State University will soon see fall students rolling into town with laptops, BSU apparel and microwaves ready for the school year. However, a shortage of on-campus housing and few rentals off-campus may translate to fewer students enrolling. IdahoEdNews reporter Kevin Richert reports the local university recently partnered with a consulting group and identified a need for 738 beds. The school has no plans for a new dormitory until the fall of 2025 and for the first time ever last fall, a majority of Boise State’s first-year students came from out of state. This year, Boise State gave preference to in-state students for housing spots. (idahoednews)
3. A Boise man sits in the Ada County Jail after an arrest on July 19 for a felony charge of sexual abuse or exploitation of a vulnerable adult. KTVB-TV staff report Hector Omar Ocampo Vivas was arrested after an investigation of abuse at a facility located on North Milwaukee Street between Northview Street and Ustick Road. Police state the facility has cooperated fully with the investigation. (KTVB.com)
4. Local law enforcement was recently on the scene of multiple car crashes, but in these cases, the destruction was all for informing the public and planned. Boise Patch brings both the story and video of what can happen when drivers make poor decisions. This summer has already seen 47 people die on Idaho roads and we are only in the middle of the “100 deadliest days of summer.” If you have questions regarding child seats, the story also provides some guidance by age and size of your child. (Boise Patch)
5. At the 1900 Summer Olympics, croquet was contested. Swimmers and boxers in the 1920s were idolized as much as Hollywood stars. As our tastes in sports change, cities are forced to make changes also. BoiseDev senior reporter Margaret Carmel writes the City of Boise is balancing the new enthusiasm for pickleball versus tennis as demand for courts are on the rise. Pickleball players recently testified at a hearing, requesting more courts be made available and complaining of lengthy wait times to grab a court. On the other side, neighbors of parks complained of noise caused by the plastic balls hitting wooden rackets. The city currently has 127 tennis courts open to the public and 21 full-service pickleball courts and 20 “bring your own net” style pickleball courts. (boisedev.com)

Today in Boise:

• The Ethics Commission for the City of Boise meets Thursday. (3:30 p.m.)
• The City of Boise continues to hold open houses inviting input on the rewrite of Boise's Zoning Code. On Thursday, residents are invited to Quail Hollow Golf Course for a staff presentation, question and answer period and open house. (6 p.m.)
• The library branch located at Cole and Ustick will be the location for Boise Public Library Community Listening Session. (6 p.m.)
• The 3rd annual Summer Drive-In Movie Series 2022 occurs Thursday with all proceeds benefitting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho. (7 p.m.)
• The show, "50 Shades Of Gay," hits the stage Thursday starring Ike Avelli. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Nextdoor Neighbor, Veterans Park: "I have a cleaning person who cleans for me every other week, but I would like someone on the opposite week for a while to do heavy cleaning — showers, baseboards, chandeliers, cabinet fronts, etc." (Nextdoor)
• Public Information Office Boise Parks and Recreation, City of Boise: "Movies Under the Stars at Julia Davis Park - Jungle Cruise — Join Boise Parks and Recreation for a back-to-school family movie night on Friday, Aug. 12! This Movies Under the Stars feature is scheduled to start around 9:30 p.m." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, North End East: "Casanova, a great pizza Italian restaurant behind McDonalds on Fairview at 25 St. — a must try, they have takeout, love this place." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Southwest Ada County Alliance: "Would anyone be available to mow my front and backyard for $25 this coming Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday? My mower broke down and I won’t have a chance to look for a replacement before then." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Veterans Park: "I was wanting to offer up some babysitting and/or touring when school starts back up. A little bit of background on me. I am 23 years old and have lived in the Treasure Valley my whole life." (Nextdoor)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update!

— John Braese

About me: Welcome to the Boise edition of patch.com. I am the community editor in this exciting endeavor for the Boise area. I was born and grew up in Boise, attending Bishop Kelly High School before graduating from Borah High School more than a few years ago. I have seen Boise grow substantially in the last few years, but still maintain my hometown appeal. I want to hear about what is important to you and the stories you wish to see on patch.com. Feel free to reach out to me via email at john.braese@patch.com or drop me a phone call or text at 208 954-9585.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Boise Daily? Contact me at john.braese@patch.com