🌱 Boise Xmas Card Winners + Masks Continue + Mail Carrier Gifts

Hey, Boise! Let's get you all caught up to start this Wednesday, Dec. 15 off on an informed note. Here are the most important things happening today in Boise.

The midweek edition of the Boise Daily is here. Start the day off right with holiday cards designed by students in the Boise School District. A Boise man will be sentenced early next year for a beating death in our local park, and Boise students will continue to wear masks in the schools. Check out what you can and cannot gift your mail carrier, and a Garden City fire resulted in the death of a family pet.

First, today's weather:

Some sun, then turning cloudy. High: 36 Low: 32.

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Here are the top stories in Boise today:

1. With Christmas just 10 days off, the Boise School District announced the holiday card contest award recipients. Boise Patch proudly shows off the art of our young local artists. (Boise Patch)
2. KTVB's Katy Terhune reports a Boise man will face possible life in prison in March after pleading guilty to a beating death in Ann Morrison Park in 2019. Andrew Ray Garcia, 29, admitted to voluntary manslaughter and a persistent violator enhancement in the death of 43-year-old Roque "Rocky" Arellano. (KTVB.com)
3. Boise students will continue to wear masks. The Boise School District trustees voted Tuesday to keep the mask mandate in place, according to IdahoEdNews reporter Kyle Pfannenstiel. The move came after the Caldwell and West Ada districts repealed theirs last month. (idahoednews)
4. You may have an exceptional mail carrier and with it being the holidays, you wish to show your thanks your mail ends up in the box instead of the bushes. LITE-FM's Michelle Heart did some checking and found you are able to play Santa to your mail carrier, but not with cash or gift cards. (liteonline.com)
5. A late-night fire in Garden City resulted in the death of a family dog and two people injured, according to CBS2 news staff. The mobile home was a total loss. (idahonews)

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Today in Boise:

• The Golden Eagle Audubon Society will hold its annual Garden Valley Christmas Bird Count on Wednesday. (8 a.m.)
• The Boise State University Recreation Center presents "Beating Burnout at Work: The Secret to Well-Being and Resilience." (10 a.m.)
• The Idaho Nonprofit Center will hold a class regarding "Advancing Race Equity Through Accountable Leadership." (11 a.m.)
• Capital High School will host a varsity wrestling tri-meet on Wednesday featuring the Eagles, Borah and Skyview. (5 p.m.)
• The Garden City Planning and Zoning Commission will convene Wednesday evening. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Boise State University: "With great powder comes great responsibility." (Instagram)
• Boise Parks and Recreation: "There’s snow place like home: @northendneighborhoodboise" (Instagram)
• Visit Boise: "We're one week out from the @famousidahopotatobowl! This year's matchup is between the Wyoming Cowboys and Kent State Golden Flashes. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. at Albertsons Stadium. Tickets are still available! #famousidahopotatobowl" (Instagram)
• Boise Contemporary Theater: "The Children's Reading Series is back! After a year away, and the postponement of our October CRS (#thanksagaincovid), we are thrilled to announce a semi-staged reading of 'Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol,' By Tom Mula." (Instagram)
• Boise State Public Radio: "Before the snow system dumped on Idaho’s mountains this weekend, most of the snowpack in southern Idaho dated back to late October." (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning 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.