🌱 Local Brothers Safe After Texas Shooting + Gas Price Increases

Hello all. I'm back in your inbox this spring morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, today's weather:

Sunshine and patchy clouds. High: 70 Low: 43.

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Here are the top three stories in Boise today:

1. Two Boise brothers are safe after the mass shooting in Allen, Texas. The teenagers, Jerry and Max Gum, who moved to Texas in recent years, were working at Wetzel’s Pretzels when the shooting began. As leaders of the store, they helped to get customers and others around them to safety. Jerry said, “If the off-duty cop wasn’t there, I don’t think we would sitting here right now.” The shooter was taken down about 10 feet away from the front doors of their store. (KTVB.com)
2. Gasoline prices are on the rise in Boise. Some experts are saying to expect $4 per gallon of gasoline as early as this week. AAA Idaho Public Affairs Director Matthew Conde says for two weeks, the state average has followed a pattern — a four or five-cent jump early in the week and then a lull that lasts for several days. Fuel demand and crude oil prices are extremely fickle right now, so there could be a bit of a teeter-totter effect at the pump in the short term. But higher prices are on the horizon. (KIDO Talk Radio)
3. Wondering why you’re seeing more dandelions in Boise this spring? Boise Parks and Recreation implemented a three-year trial program to reduce the use of pesticides on city-owned property and to study alternative land management techniques. The program has now expanded to most city parks and is in the final year of the pilot phase. The department says that the program has been successful in reducing herbicide applications on broadleaf plants, increasing mowing height, and protecting native pollinator species. (Idaho News)

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Today in Boise:

• Family Storytime At Boise Public Library (10:30 AM)
• School Age Fun At Boise Public Library (4:00 PM)
• Live Music Wednesdays At Hilltop Station (4:00 PM)
• Boise Performing Arts Senior Concerto Concert At Boise High School (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Fire Ops 101, hosted by the Boise Fire Department IAFF 7th District, was a success! This program gives elected officials and community leaders an opportunity to experience the rigors of Fire Service. See the photos here. (Boise Fire Department via Facebook)
• Join Boise Bicycle Project (BBP) and the Land Trust of the Treasure Valley and help repair trails and improve local nature areas! On May 13 at 9:00 a.m., BBP will be riding from BBP to Hillside to Hollow Preserve to do some trail work. Expect 10 miles total. (Boise Bicycle Project via Facebook)
• Looking for a part-time summer job in the great outdoors? Boise Fire is hiring a Wildland Fuels Technician! The position is 19 hours per week and you must be 19 years or older, and have a clean driving record and background check. (Boise Fire Department via Facebook)
• Need some ideas for Mother’s Day in Downtown Boise? There is a lot happening! Click here to see the link to all the Mother’s Day events!(Downtown Boise via Instagram)

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Featured events:

• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Library! at Hillcrest (May 11)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (May 15)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Library! at Hillcrest (May 16)
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You're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.