Drowning Death + Opt-Out Students + $4 Billion Local Company

Rise and shine, Boise! Here's everything you need to know to get this Thursday started off right.

Welcome to the Boise Daily for Thursday. We start with some terrible news of a child drowning in a local Boise motel. During this time of year, rising early is worth the lack of sleep as balloons fill the skies for the Boise Balloon Classic. A Boise company is coming close to appearing on the stock ticker, and a plane crash in a heavy forest area has claimed the lives of two persons. Lastly, a growing amount of students and parents are choosing to opt-out in the West Ada School District.

First, today's weather: Clear throughout the day. High: 84, low: 51.

Here are the top stories today in Boise:

1. Heart wrenching news from staff of KTVB-TV as a 5-year-old child drowned at the Super 8 motel on Elder Street this past weekend. (KTVB.com)
2. CBS-2 staff spoke with Laurie Spencer, co-founder of the Boise Balloon Classic and widow of co-founder Scott Spencer. After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the skies above Boise will once again be filled with balloons. It should be noted I grew up and assisted the Spencers years before this was a community event and at that time, just a group of balloonists coming together to fly. To see what this has become from very humble beginnings is amazing. (Idaho News)
3. A Boise high-tech company has filed to become a publicly traded stock and the value could push Clearwater Analytics to $4 billion valuation. BoiseDev editor Don Day looks at what is coming for the company started right here in Boise in 2004. (BoiseDev)
4. Two people are dead and a pilot seriously injured after a McCall plane crashed in the mountains of the Frank Church Wilderness Area as reported by Jacob Scholl and KIVI-TV. The names of those involved have not been released. (KIVI)
5. Parents of 13,000 students have turned in forms opting out of mask wearing in the West Ada School District. IdahoEdNews and Nic Streng report one-third of those in the classroom will not be masked up after the district offered an opt-out option. (IdahoEdNews)

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Today in Boise

• The Timberline High School band will be performing during halftime of Thursday's football game. (7 p.m.)
• Fall is a difficult time for birding by ear. Birds are less vocal and harder to find. If you are up for the challenge, please join us as we focus on the vocalizations of our winter residents. Register Here. Registration is required, opens two weeks before the event, and is limited to current members. Join or renew here. Time: 8-11 a.m. Meet at Foothills Heritage Park in the Avimor subdivision off Highway 55 at 8 a.m. (8 a.m.)
• The Canals Connect Community Coalition is a big-tent space for interested nonprofits, businesses, residents and others coalesce once-a-month to talk and strategize about how to help advance urban pathways in the Treasure Valley utilizing irrigation infrastructure. Contact Eric Willadsen to find out how to get involved; eric.willadsen@sierraclub.org. (Noon)
• Join the Downtown Boise Association and treat yourself to a fun night with your favorite downtown retailers, services, watering holes and restaurants on First Thursday. (2 p.m.)
• West Junior High School will host a cross country meet on Thursday. (3:30 p.m.)

Boise Fact of the Day

There are only roughly 3,000 balloons registered in the United States, with between 5,000 to 6,000 hot air balloon certificated pilots.

Boise Patch Notebook

• Boise Fire Department: "Senior Firefighters Lindley and Thibodeau as well as Captain Pettinger were awarded a Life Saving Award today. They responded to a call at a private residence of an elderly man choking." (Facebook)
• Studio Boise Photo Center: "This beautiful photo was taken with our Sony 35mm f/1.4. This lens is available to rent as well as others. So if you use a Sony camera, go to our website and check out all of the awesome lenses we have available for rent!" (Instagram)
• Boise Weekly: "More than just a book about an iconic architectural marvel, 'The Stahl House: Case Study House #22: The Making of a Modernist Icon,' delves into the many people that were part of the process." (Instagram)
• Boise State Public Radio: "In the last of our three-part series, we looked at some of the ways to help combat the opioid epidemic in the Mountain West. However, one of those solutions is currently illegal in several states." (Facebook)
• Boise Farmers Market: "Treat yourself to a farm bouquet from @henandhare this weekend! You can find these and other beautiful bouquets in the BFM drive-thru online store! Repost • @henandhare Fresh bouquets have become such an indulgence for me." (Instagram)
• Boise Parks and Recreation: "It's the final weekend at city pools! Natatorium pool will close at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3. Borah and Ivywild pools will close at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 5. Come by and enjoy some swimming before the season ends for 2021." (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you around. If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors along for the ride. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? You can contact me at boise@patch.com.