🌱 Grass Fire Off Meridian Road In Ada Co. + Protests At City Hall

Hello, everybody! I'm here with your fresh copy of the Boise Patch newsletter, filled with all the things you need to know about what's going on locally.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 97 Low: 66.

Here are the top three stories today in Boise:

1. A grass fire broke out off Meridian Road near Interstate 84 in Ada County, prompting firefighters from Meridian, Boise, Eagle, and Kuna to work together to contain it. The initial call was received at 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday, and by 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, firefighters had created a dozer line to control the fire, which posed no threat to homes or structures. The fire burned over three acres of land, and as of Thursday morning, crews were still on the scene extinguishing small fires within the area. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. (KTVB 7)
2. Around 100 protesters, mostly young people, gathered outside Boise City Hall to protest the recent shooting by a Boise Police Department officer that resulted in the death of 22-year-old Payton Wasson. The grassroots protest was organized through social media by groups such as The Accountability Network, Boise Mutual Aid, and Boise Black Lives Matter. Protesters called for accountability, the firing of the officer involved, the establishment of a civilian police oversight board, and alternatives to militarized policing. (Idaho Press)
3. Idaho is currently the only state in the United States without a maternal review committee after a sunset clause ended the Maternal Mortality Review Committee's (MMRC) operations. The MMRC was established in 2019 to investigate pregnancy-related deaths and complications and improve healthcare systems. The absence of the committee means that comprehensive case reviews and recommendations to address contributing factors will no longer be conducted, potentially hindering efforts to improve maternal health outcomes in the state. (KTVB 7)

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Today in Boise:

Friday, July 7

• Kids Art Camp Ages 8-12 At Catalyst Arts Collaborative (9:00 AM)
• Idaho First Friday Social Hour At Rooftop Of 1100 W Idaho Street (4:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Gem State Gaming Convention is set to take place at the Boise Center today, Jul. 7, through Jul. 9, offering a wide range of tabletop gaming experiences. The convention will feature interactive activities, guest speakers, creative workshops, and a Board Game Library where attendees can borrow games throughout the weekend. Badges are available for both the entire weekend and single-day attendance. You can learn more here. (Idaho 2 News)
• The Bohemian Lavender Festival will take place on Jul. 8 from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. at Bohemian Bloom and Herb Farm down the road in Eagle. You can learn more here. (The Scout Guide Boise)
• Zoo Boise has new residents! Two endangered Styan's red pandas have been brought to the zoo in an effort to help with the conservation of these rare creatures. You can learn more about the red pandas at the link. (Zoo Boise via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. I'll see you around!

— Callie Cook

About me: Callie Cook is a Texas-based freelance writer and content creator with a degree in Sustainable Design, Landscape Design and Agribusiness from West Virginia University.