🌱 Boise Cruise Debate + Balloon Pilot Talks + Vandals Number One

Hello all. It's me, John Braese, your host of the Daily. Here's all the local news you need to know right now...

Welcome to the Saturday edition of the Boise Daily. We open the newsletter with the continuing debate on the "cruise," including a statement from a local business owner. A balloon pilot discusses everything you don't see, and efforts are underway to bring back local Chinese history. The University of Idaho has recently made a list and a local man will not get behind the wheel for at least 13 years.

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First, today's weather:

Near-record temperatures. High: 99 Low: 64.

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Here are the top stories today in Boise:

1. Downtown business owners and "cruisers" were both in attendance along with BoiseDev reporter Margaret Carmel as the weekend tradition was debated. While business owners stated noise and vandalism continues to increase, the debate continues over control of the decade's long rite of passage for youth. A few takes on this article is taken away from the Boise Daily. One business owner described the cruise as "dangerous machines they are propelling through the night.” Another business owner stated, “the quality of the people participating in the cruise has diminished over the years." As a high school student in the very, very late 1970s in downtown Boise, I guess I appreciate the compliment. This same business owner, Todd Hurless, an owner of an auto shop, is quoted in the article stating, "I think the cops should be able to slam anyone to the ground that they want to, because they’re the cops.” The Boise Daily reached out to Hurless by phone to verify his statement. Hurless denies the quote. In the end, those attending to voice support for the cruise were told the meeting was for Downtown Boise Association members only and public testimony was not invited. (boisedev)
2. Each early morning this week, balloons make their way over your house. But what goes into the flight? CBS2 news staff speak with Cindy Heinrich, a pilot of one of the balloons discussing the time and effort put in and hours of training before liftoff. (idahonews)
3. Much of the history of Idaho and Boise can be traced back to mining. At one point in Boise history, a large section of the downtown area was known as "Chinatown." Boise State Public Radio's George Prentice speaks with Pei-Lin Yu, Fulbright Senior Research Fellow at Boise State’s Department of Anthropology on the effort to "unerase" Idaho's Chinese history. (Boise State Public Radio)
4. Some things stay the same. My alma mater, known years ago for copious amounts of alcohol use and the largest bar in the state at the time, again holds a certain recognition according to LITE-FM's Michelle Heart. According to one publication, the Vandals retain the honor of "#1 Party School in the State." (liteonline)
5. A local man may spend the rest of life in prison for continuing to get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol. KTVB-TV staff write 54-year-old Kent Sams of Nampa was sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after serving the 13-year fixed portion of his sentence. Sams, who has 12 lifetime DUIs to his credit, was on parole for previous convictions when he was recently arrested after his blood content registered 0.259. The reading is more than three times the legal limit in Idaho. (ktvb)

Today in Boise:

• Boise's Premier Outdoor Market, the Capital City Market, opens Saturday morning. (9:30 a.m.)
• The Boise Public Library offers a chance to children to fine tune their reading skills and make a dog happy with the Read to a Therapy Dog program Saturday morning. (10:30 a.m.)
• The Fire Rising/K-spar will have a free concert Saturday at the Boise Hive. (6:30 p.m.)
• Greta Van Fleet will perform at the Boise State University Recreation Center Saturday evening. (7 p.m.)
• The Boise Little Theater presents a performance of "Twelfth Night" Saturday. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "A large wildfire continues to burn near Mile Marker 368 which has closed I-84 between #OntarioOR and #Pendleton. This is adding to the smoke in the Treasure Valley this evening. @OregonDOT will have the latest updates." (US National Weather Service Boise Idaho via Facebook)
• Zoo Boise: "Zookeeper Emily practices target training with Grevy's zebras, Hope and Zeke. They certainly enjoyed their carrot treats! This type of training gets the animals used to responding to stimuli with certain behaviors." (Zoo Boise via Facebook)
• Boise Farmers Market: "We know you're going to start your Saturday with us at the Boise Farmers Market! Our vendors are ready with all your Labor Day barbecue needs! Get there early, popular items sell out quickly." (Boise Farmers Market via Instagram)
• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "A look at how this August ranked at 15 climate sites across our region. For many of them it was the hottest on record. Many thanks to the dedicated volunteers who record the weather everyday as part of the Cooperative Observer Program." (US National Weather Service Boise Idaho via Facebook)
• Boise State Public Radio: "Boise and Ada County officials estimate more than 150,000 floaters put in for the 6-mile ride down the river this summer — and there are still four days left in the 'official' floating season." (Boise State Public Radio via Facebook)
• Radio Boise: "In preparation for @hermitmusicfest this weekend, Travis Ward of @hillfolknoir and @nickdelffs_official will be appearing on V3 tomorrow morning! Tune in from 9 a.m.-noon MT." (Radio Boise via Instagram)
• Boise Little Theater: "Boise Little Theater is excited to announce its upcoming 75th Anniversary Gala on Oct. 8 at JUMP Boise. But we want to know... Which would you rather? Tell us in the comments! Tickets are on sale now." (Boise Little Theater via Instagram)

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