🌱 Lucky Ticket Somewhere + Pool Plans On Hold + A Day Homeless

Hi there, Boise! I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town, including updates on:

• A local group of students working together to include everyone has received a national award.
• A Boise man is heading to prison after shooting his ex-girlfriend.
• Read what it is like to spend a night in a Boise homeless shelter.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and very cold. High: 20 Low: 16.

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Here are the top stories today in Boise:

1. Someone in Ada County could really splurge this holiday and doesn't even know it. CBS2 news staff write the Idaho Lottery is looking for the winner of a $1,000,000 Mega Millions ticket that was sold in Ada County over a month ago. The ticket is valid until the close of business on May 12, 2023, so check those numbers and find that ticket. (Idaho News)
2. Have you ever wondered what a day at a Boise homeless shelter is like? How are the hours spent at the Interfaith Sanctuary? Where does everyone sleep? Boise State Public Radio's Julie Luchetta continues her series called "After Dark" and guides the reader through a typical day when you don't have a place to live. (Boise State Public Radio)
3. A Boise man who shot and injured his ex-girlfriend will spend a minimum of 10 years in prison. KTVB-TV staff report Daniel Bondar, 32, was sentenced after pleading guilty to three felonies related to the incident. (KTVB.com)
4. The City of Boise still does not what to do with two aged, neighborhood pools. BoiseDev senior reporter Margaret Carmel reports plans to either revamp or replace South and Lowell pools are on hold due to lack of funds and its unknown when the project could start back up again. The announced delay on the pools closed since 2020 could mean nothing is done until 2025 according to the article. (To be fully transparent, I spent many summer days and learned to swim at the South pool and running across the street for hamburgers — yes, it was sometime in the 1900s.) (boisedev.com)
5. An Ada County school has received the Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion Schools (UCS) award. IdahoEdNews reporter Darren Svan announces Mountain View was chosen due to the school's Club Unify program where students with and without disabilities trained and competed in athletic events like soccer, basketball or even pickleball. (idahoednews)

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Today in Boise:

• Wandering the walkways and looking at the animals is cheap as $3 Thursdays in December takes place at Zoo Boise. (10:00 AM)
• The Boise Public Library is opening their doors for Family Storytime Thursday. (10:30 AM)
• The Household Hazardous Waste Collection site for Thursday is Republic Services. (Noon)
• Time is quickly running out to witness the Holiday Light & Sound Show at Boise Centre. (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Downtown Boise: "Congrats to our Winter Window winners: 1st @cactusbarboise; 2nd @hamptonboise; 3rd @robertcomstockfashion; and DBA staff pick: @thechocolatbar Thank you to all who shopped downtown and voted." (Downtown Boise via Instagram)
• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "Welcome to the Winter Solstice. Today features the lowest sun angle and amount of daylight of the year. #idwx #orwx" (US National Weather Service Boise Idaho via Facebook)
• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "❄A cold front will bring another round of snow on Wednesday with colder temps on Thursday. Windy conditions expected with the front with dangerous wind chills over the mountains and Camas Prairie. Thursday will be 20-30 degrees below normal." (US National Weather Service Boise Idaho via Facebook)
• Boise Police Department: "#bpdidme Boise police are investigating a report of video voyeurism that happened near N. Milwaukee St. on July 26. Officers have been attempting to identify a suspect and believe these two people may have information that could help." (Boise Police Department via Facebook)
• Zoo Boise: "Morley Nelson Elementary Choir caroling live at Zoo Boise!" (Zoo Boise via Facebook)
• Aquarium Of Boise: "The Aquarium of Boise will be Closing early on Dec. 24 at 3 p.m. and closed for Christmas Day. We wish everyone a warm and Merry Christmas. We will resume our normal hours on Monday, Dec. 26." (Aquarium Of Boise via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— 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