Goathead Gatherers + Balloon Calendar + Pandemic Contests

Hey, Boise! Let's get you started this Monday with everything you need to know going on locally today.

Welcome to the start of a week. For one Boise woman, the new week brings worry and concern for her family and friends still in Afghanistan. Thousands gathered in Boise to pick up painful seed pods while the Spirit of Boise is just days away. The state and governor is facing a lawsuit and not playing a game due to COVID-19 will be a forfeit.

First, today's weather: Clear throughout the day. High: 94 Low: 57.

Here are the top stories in Boise today:

1. A Boise woman, herself a refugee from Afghanistan in 2003, is now worried about family and friends still in the country. MagicValley.com and Kelcie Moseley report the helplessness felt by Saida Razaee. (Twin Falls Times-News)
2. KTVB-TV staff and Tristan Lewis were present as thousands gathered to save local bicycle tires and bare feet as the Boise Goathead Festival kicked off in downtown Boise. (KTVB.com)
3. Mark your calendars for Wednesday as the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic blankets the skies of the capital city with color.CBS-2 staff have the schedule for the Boise event. (Idaho News)
4. Idaho Legal Aid has filed a lawsuit against Governor Brad Little and the Idaho Department of Labor asking Idahoans continue to receive additional unemployment benefits recently discontinued. BoiseDev's Margaret Carmel explains why 8,924 residents lost their federal benefits. (BoiseDev)
5. If a Mountain West team is forced to cancel due to COVID-19 reasons, the contest will be counted as a forfeit according to KIVI-TV's Meredith Spelbring. The conference recently set policy on pandemic games. (KIVITV)

Today in Boise

• Find those old clothes. Homecoming week hits Timberline High School this week. (8:00 a.m.)
• Have some coffee and doughnuts with Mr. B at Frank Church High School on Monday. (7:00 a.m.)
• The Shelter Better Task Force meets Monday. To preserve the integrity of the meetings and to ensure that members are able to have productive, open conversations and ultimately develop a Shelter Better Task Force: Final Recommendation Report, residents and media who are not members of the task force will be invited to observe the meetings virtually. (11:00 a.m.)
• The Household Hazardous Waste collection site for Monday is Meridian Republic Services. All Household Hazardous Waste mobile collection sites are open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. one day per month throughout the year. (Noon)
• The Special Harris Ranch Community Infrastructure District No. 1 will meet Monday. (1:00 p.m.)

Boise Patch Notebook

• #BoiseBucketList: " Show some to those who given so much for our freedom! 13 seats are reserved all day, for those who paid the unfortunate terrible sacrifice earlier in the week!" (Instagram)
• Boise State University: "The loss of United States military service members during the recent attacks in Kabul is heavy in our hearts." (Instagram)
• Idaho Humane Society: "Hamish is described by his previous owner as playful, cuddly, and independent. He previously lived with one other cat and 2 dogs and reportedly got along well with them." (Facebook)
• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "Enjoy the blue skies this morning, wildfire smoke will increase this afternoon across southwest Idaho and southeast Oregon! #idwx #orwx" (Facebook)
• Boise Weekly: "Find: @gurudonuts Huckleberry Lemondrop Donut. It's a vegan raised-ring donut with huckleberry glaze and fresh lemon drizzle. They're only $3 each but if huckleberry is your jam then you'd better go grab one." (Instagram)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with another update! If you're liking 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.