Over Half A Million + Unionized Students + One Man's Christmas Tree

Morning, everybody! It's me, John Braese, your host of the Boise Daily — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days. In today's issue, you'll find these stories and more...

• Your subdivision can contract with a snow removal contactor to remove that snow off the streets.
• A tree planted for the birth of a daughter has now become a holiday tree needing a rented lift.
• Boise remains the most populated city within Ada County.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy, a snow shower. High: 33 Low: 14.

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Here are the top stories today in Boise:

1. Living in Ada County translates to 532,710 neighbors, according to the county's recent release of U.S. Census Bureau. Not surprising, Boise remains the largest community with 243,570 people within the city limits. 66,240 people live within the county, but outside any of the city borders. (Boise Patch)
2. Student workers at Boise State University can now unionize according to the Boise State University's The Arbiter. In a story penned by Elise Ledesma, the Boise State chapter of the American Federation of Teachers ruled that students employed by the university can now join the teachers’ union. (Boise State University The Arbiter Online)
3. The following story fits in well with our recent storm on Monday that closed schools across Boise and caused general havoc. CBS2 news staff report the Ada County Highway District is once again allowing independent contractors to plow snow in residential streets within ACHD’s right-of-way. Free snow removal permits allow homeowners associations, neighborhood associations and citizens to hire private contractors to plow roads in their neighborhoods or subdivisions. (Idaho News)
4. For the past 20 years, Boise resident Pat Records has decorated the tree outside his east Boise home. KTVB-TV's Maggie O'Mara looks into the story behind the 45-foot-tall blue spruce and the need for a rented lift now just to decorate the top. (KTVB.com)
5. Imagine owning a 3,500-square-foot piece of land in downtown Boise that is surrounded completely by land owned by Simplot. BoiseDev editor Don Day reports the Capital City Development Corp. board, current owners of the small strip of property, voted Monday to transfer the piece of land on 10th Street to the city. According to the city, the land will be held for use in a "strategic trade" in the future. (boisedev.com)

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Today in Boise:

• The Household Hazardous Waste Collection site for Tuesday is the Cole and Ustick Library. (Noon)
• Take the little ones down to the Boise Public Library for "Baby Stories & Play." (2:00 PM)
• The Tidwell Social Work Multicultural Community Dinner will be held at the Global Lounge. (6:00 PM)
• The Boise High School choir will hold a holiday concert Tuesday evening. (7:00 PM)
• Practice your drawing skills with a full range of models of all sorts at the Gem Center for the Arts Tuesday evening. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Boise's Best Bites!: "When Sarah and DK of @eatatpetite4 announce in early fall that they are taking orders for Christmas cookies you just panic and order as fast as you can before they sell out." (Boise's Best Bites! via Instagram)
• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "One of our storm spotters located about 5 miles north of Fields, Oregon, reported 40 mph wind gusts Monday morning which was creating some impressive snow drifts out of the new snow." (US National Weather Service Boise Idaho via Facebook)
• Boise Philharmonic: "The Boise Phil is grateful to the @Idaho Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts for supporting its education program during the 2022-2023 season." (Boise Philharmonic via Facebook)
• Idaho Botanical Garden: "Looking to purchase a Garden Membership for a gift this year? Purchase gift memberships by Thursday, Dec. 15 to ensure they arrive by Dec. 25!" (Idaho Botanical Garden via Facebook)
• Boise State Public Radio: "The conservation easement is in perpetuity, meaning even if the home and property change hands, the conservation protections remain intact." (Boise State Public Radio via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you around.

— 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