🌱 Dry Boise February + Fire Survey + Local Businesses Lost

Happy Wednesday, Boise! Here's everything you need to know to start today off on an informed note. Here's everything you need to know around Boise today.

Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Boise Daily. For irrigators and those loving Lucky Peak in the summer, some bad news: February hit the record books as really dry. A big supporter of many causes in Boise has passed, and the local fire department wants to know how they are doing. Early in the year, businesses continue to close in the capital city, and BSU students have fewer places mandated for masks.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy. High: 66 Low: 39.

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Here are the top stories in Boise today:

1. The following is not good news for a water outlook. KIVI-TV's Scott Dorval reports February in Boise will hit the record books as the second driest February since 1865. Our recent warm temperatures will also start to cause rapid snowmelt in the McCall area and drivers are being warned of ponding of water in and around McCall. (Idaho News 6 Boise Twin Falls)
2. BoiseDev editor Don Day announces some sad news as Jamie “Bink” Desaro, owner of the Golden Wheel drive-in, has died. Desaro, in addition to owning the iconic Boise landmark, was also a champion bass fisherman. Desaro’s Facebook profile has been switched over to “in memorial” mode, with dozens of friends, colleagues, and fans sharing their memories. (boisedev.com)
3. Your own Boise Fire Department wants to hear how they are doing. The City of Boise and the fire department recently released a survey asking residents their evaluation of the smoke eaters. You still have time to offer your views with the link to the survey included. (Boise Patch)
4. The third month of 2022 is just beginning, but already Boise has lost 10 businesses. LITE-FM's Michelle Heart looks at the places with doors no longer open. (107.9 LITE FM)
5. Wearing a mask while on the campus of Boise State University is now optional in most campus areas, as reported by KTVB-TV staff. Masks are still required in classrooms, but the university’s VP of University Affairs said if conditions continue to improve, the classroom and lab mask requirement may be lifted before the end of March. (KTVB.com)

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Today in Boise:

• "Your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn are essential to landing quality internships and jobs. They’re also important tools for tracking your accomplishments throughout college. Making time to perfect these is easier said than done. Drop into a COBE Career Lab on the campus of BSU. Ask questions, get feedback and workshop your career materials in real time with experienced career coaches." (3 p.m.)
• Forge International School will hold an open house and provide information on the lottery system for entrance into the school on Wednesday. (6 p.m.)
• "The Utah OSR Land Co-op, a nonprofit agricultural co-op, is offering families and individuals the chance to create the off-grid farms of their dreams. This is not a political or religious project, it's a co-op created by one of the country's top co-op attorneys for the benefit of its members. Our educational nonprofit, the Academy of Self-Reliance, sponsors a low-key, Live Q&A session on Zoom for those interested in learning more about this project." (8 p.m.)
• The Open Space and Clean Water Advisory Committee for the City of Boise will meet Wednesday. (4 p.m.)
• The Boise Public Work Commission will meet Wednesday evening. (4 p.m.)

Boise Fact of the Day:

Boise gets 13 inches of rain, on average, per year. The U.S. average is 38 inches of rain per year. Boise averages 18 inches of snow per year. The U.S. average is 28 inches of snow per year.

From my notebook:

• Boise Fire Department: "Today we celebrated Battalion Chief Jim Gross and his many contributions to our community and our department as he begins his retirement. BC Gross was the first paid firefighter for the Eagle Fire District in 1980." (Facebook)
• Idaho Humane Society: "We are so grateful for our volunteers who help keep our shelter running smoothly. Recently, we had a volunteer sign up for two housekeeping shifts back-to-back, which is a bit of an anomaly." (Facebook)
• Boise Parks and Recreation: "Enjoying quiet mornings as winter fades to spring: @laralaradisney" (Instagram)
• From Boise: "Marissa, our cofounder and the person who writes our weekly newsletter, was featured on @ktvb7 last week! Watch the full interview link in our story to learn more about From Boise. Read stories & subscribe at fromboise.com." (Instagram)
• Boise State Public Radio: "School district can already form curriculum review groups, but a bill passed by House lawmakers today would mandate every district to have a 12-member board. Half of the board would be made up by parents." (Facebook)

Loving the Boise Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be 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.