🌱 Free Boise Trees + Oneida Cash Winner + Homophobic Arrest Made

Hey, neighbors! It's Saturday in Boise and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in the community, including updates on:

• Two Boise charter schools stated things are getting better and want to continue to educate students.
• A recent study shows Boise is really not that bad of a place to drive.
• If you have been to a small town in Idaho recently, you may have some extra money to spend.

But first, today's weather:

Warm with plenty of sunshine. High: 77 Low: 45.

📢 I’m looking for business owners and marketers in Boise who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our Boise Daily readers to local businesses they need to know about. If that’s you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top stories in Boise today:

1. A Boise man sits in the Ada County Jail after an arrest on three counts of felony aggravated assault after police said he yelled homophobic slurs and tried to hit three people with his car on two separate occasions. KTVB-TV staff report Matthew Lehigh hit a person in the arm and used a homophobic slur on South Capitol Boulevard near Julia Davis Park on Oct. 8. The second incident took place Wednesday when Lehigh yelled a homophobic threat and slur at two women on Americana Boulevard between Kathryn Albertson and Ann Morrison parks. It is reported he then drove his car towards the women before hitting another car and driving away. (KTVB.com)
2. Boise is known as the "City of Trees" and now you can add to that with a free tree shipped directly to your home. CBS2 news staff report fall is the perfect time to plant a tree and Freshpet and the Arbor Day Foundation are giving Boise-area residents the opportunity to order a free tree. The available species are Japanese Tree Lilac, Littleleaf Linden, and Red Oak. (Idaho News)
3. You may need to remember this story the next time you are sitting on the Connector during rush hour. KLIX-AM's Jeff writes a recent study found Boise ranks 15 on the list of the best cities to drive through. In fact, one category finds the odds of having an accident in Boise are less than in any other city you will drive through in America. (News Radio 1310 KLIX)
4. Two Boise-based charter schools said they are now on the right track and making progress towards continuing to operate. IdahoEdNews reporter Devon Bodkin writes Peace Valley Charter and Village Leadership Academy on Thursday walked the Idaho Public Charter School Commission through their efforts and goals to better their academic and operational outcomes. The two schools have struggled with financial difficulties and low-test scores in recent years. (idahoednews)
5. Have you left Boise and possibly visited a family member in Malad? Maybe took a weekend and fished a little at Cherry Creek or Dairy Creek? LITE-FM's Kyle Matthews reports a $250,000 Powerball ticket was sold this week in Oneida County and still has not been claimed. For future knowledge, you can now purchase lottery tickets directly from your phone rather than drive to Oneida County through an app called Jackpocket. This app is free in your app store, and they are also giving away a free ticket for your first purchase. For more information, click here. (liteonline)

Today in Boise:

• Budding screenwriters have an opportunity to meet with others and compare notes at the Screenwriters Meetup held at JUMP, Boise. (10 a.m.)
• The Boise Watershed is inviting everyone to a free Fall Festival Saturday. (10 a.m.)
• Kids have the opportunity to bone up on their reading skills to an attentive audience on Saturday as the Boise Public Library sponsors Read to a Therapy Dog. (10:30 a.m.)
• The boys soccer team of Capital High School will be playing for a chance to advance to take part in the state championship tournament on Saturday. (3 p.m.)
• Grab your own costume and grab dinner while also participating in the Pirates Murder Mystery featuring The Curse of Toothless Willie. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Boise Fire Department: "What a great day! Six members from the Hellenic Fire Corps in Greece visited Boise Fire today. They are facing similar wildfire challenges as us with longer seasons, and more frequent and larger fires." (Boise Fire Department via Facebook)
• Studio Boise Photo Center: "New prop alert! Thanks to our girl @ksavphoto for sourcing these new super rad white chairs (we have 2!) we have BIG plans for bringing in MORE props and rotating them regularly so there is always variety and something NEW to shoot with." (Studio Boise Photo Center via Instagram)
• Boise Farmers Market: "New vendor alert! We are so excited to welcome @2pawzupbarkery to the market! Over the past 13 years they have been making fresh food and treats for their pets with organic, all natural products sourced locally." (Boise Farmers Market via Instagram)
• Radio Boise: "Here are the Top 10 Most-Played from the week past. Check 'em out!" (Radio Boise via Instagram)
• Boise Weekly: "Now’s your chance to bid on some local, original one-of-a-kind art... by artist Bob Neal. Go to boiseweekly.afrogs.org to peruse and pre-bid. Then the live auction event is next Tuesday!" (Boise Weekly via Instagram)
• Boise State Public Radio: "At its first in-person conference in three years at Sun Valley Resort last week, the Idaho Medical Association passed several resolutions supporting reproductive health care amid Idaho’s abortion bans." (Boise State Public Radio via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow for 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