🌱 Arrest In Vaughn Case + Wassmuth Center + Towne Square Shops

Welcome back, Boise! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Today's issue includes updates on:

• Law enforcement in Fruitland have yet to confirm a body has been found, but an arrest has been made in the case of missing Michael Vaughn.
• The identities and some background information of four student victims involved in Moscow homicides has been released.
• A new program is attempting to bring in under represented businesses into Boise's largest shopping area.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny, but chilly. High: 40 Low: 22.

Here are the top stories in Boise today:

1. An arrest has been made in connection with the disappearance of Michael Vaughn, the 6-year-old boy missing in Fruitland since July 2021. KTVB-TV's Alexandra Duggan reports Sarah Wondra, 35, has been arrested and charged with failure to report a death. Wondra is one of the occupants of the home that investigators have been searching since Friday night. Police started the search of the property after receiving a "credible lead" from another occupant inside the house according to Fruitland Police Chief J.D. Huff. (KTVB)
2. In an additional crime story from outside Boise, the Moscow-Pullman Daily News' staff report the identities of four University of Idaho students killed Sunday in a residence located just off campus. The victims are identifed as Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Wash.; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene; Xana Kernodle, 20, Avondale, Ariz.; and Kaylee GonCalves, 21, Rathdrum, Idaho. The university has released additional information concerning the victims, but details of the incident are still limited according to an update released Monday at 2:34 p.m. (dnews)
3. The Wassmuth Center in Boise has a new executive director. Boise State Public Radio's Samantha Wright speaks with Christina Bruce-Bennion regarding the future of the center. (Boise State Public Radio)
4. On your next trip to Boise Towne Square Mall, you could visit new businesses opened under a new program. BoiseDev's Christinna Bautista the mall owners have launched its Partner to Empower program. The program aims to get Black and minority-owned businesses into the Boise shopping center. (boisedev.com)
5. Boise Patch has a listing of the newest jobs in the local area. Included are a number of customer service positions, shuttle driver at the airport and grocery merchandiser. (Boise Patch)

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Today in Boise:

• The mediation session between the City of Boise and the firefighters union will be live streamed Tuesday morning. (9:00 AM)
• Young adults are encouraged to head to the Boise Public Library for Teen Hangout Tuesday afternoon. (3:30 PM)
• The Golden Eagle Audubon Society will host a presentation on Birds of India Tuesday. (5:30 PM)
• The Boise City Council convenes Tuesday evening. (6:00 PM)
• The Boise High Orchestra will present a Post Festival Concert Tuesday evening. (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Boise State University: "We were shocked to learn of the tragic deaths of four University of Idaho students this weekend in Moscow. We mourn for the lives lost, and grieve with their loved ones and the entire Vandal community." (Boise State University via Instagram)
• Boise Police Department: "This might be long shot, but do you have the clue we need to solve a crime? Our detectives are investigating a recent robbery where the suspect got away with cash. One of those bills was a $5 bill with the serial number ML10515390K." (Boise Police Department via Facebook)
• Zoo Boise: "We are thankful for you! Every time you visited Zoo Boise or purchased a membership, a portion of your fee went to conservation. Since 2007, you have helped raise more than $3 million dollars to protect animals in the wild." (Zoo Boise via Facebook)
• Idaho Botanical Garden: "Volunteers make Garden lights brighter! We're calling all volunteers to sign up and help us with Winter Garden aGlow this year. Never volunteered before? No worries, any level of experience is welcome." (Idaho Botanical Garden via Facebook)
• Boise Fire Department: "Please support the Boise Fire Stairclimb Team! This team funds their own way to Seattle each year and raises funds on their own time. All donations received go directly to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society." (Boise Fire Department via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next 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