🌱 Porch Bandit Arrest + $500,000 Contract + What Is Too Muddy?

Hello again, everybody! It's me, John Braese, your host of the Boise Patch newsletter. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening in town today, including:

• The City of Boise is considering regulating late fees paid on rentals.
• It may be only December, but the Idaho State Museum is already planning for camps for spring break.
• An eastern law firm will be receiving a check for half-million dollars to investigate a retired Boise Police officer.

But first, today's weather:

Intervals of clouds and sun. High: 38 Low: 30.

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Here are the top stories today in Boise:

1. Many of us are anxiously awaiting the delivery person to show up with ordered Christmas gifts. The Ada County Sheriff's Office has announced a 22-year-old man is in custody after stealing packages from the front of homes in the Cloverdale/Lake Hazel roads area last week. Tips from neighbors and security footage led to the arrest of Adbikadir I Osman on a felony grand theft charge in connection with the thefts. (Boise Patch)
2. A D.C. law firm has been hired by the City of Boise to investigate whether retired Boise Police Capt. Matt Bryngelson's views affected the Boise Police Department or the city. CBS2 news staff report the city authorized a payment of $500,000 to Steptoe and Johnson, a firm with a background in investigating civil rights issues. Bryngelson was discovered participating in a white nationalist conference as a guest speaker and was a frequent poster on white nationalist and white supremacist online pages. (Idaho News)
3. So, exactly when are our Boise foothill trails too muddy for use? Should you take the dog for a walk in the foothills after a fresh snow? FromBoise's Marissa grabs these answers and more in an interview with Scott Eisele, the Ridge to Rivers Lead Trail Ranger and an avid trail user. Included in the article is suggestions for all-weather trails around Boise. (fromboise)
4. Christmas break is not even here, but the Idaho State Museum is already thinking of spring break. Boise State Public Radio's staff present a calendar of upcoming spring break camps for spring. Included in the article is the cost of each camp and how to register. (Boise State Public Radio)
5. The City of Boise is considering limiting the amount landlords can charge on late rental fees. KTVB-TV's Andrew Baertlein reports the state has no laws regulating the maximum penalty a landlord can charge a tenant who is late paying. Our neighboring states — including Washington, Oregon, Utah, and Nevada — all have some form of regulation. (KTVB)

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Today in Boise:

• The Household Hazardous Waste Collection site for Thursday is Fire Station 3. (Noon)
• The Boise Zoning Code Rewrite Citywide Advisory Committee convenes Thursday. (3:00 PM)
• When the school bell rings, students are encouraged to head down to the Boise Public Library for the School Age Fun program. (4:30 PM)
• The Treasure Valley Match and Science Center is holding a Movie and Game Night Thursday. (6:00 PM)
• The Les Bois Orchestra will hold a holiday concert Thursday evening. (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Boise Police Department: "Today Boise Police proudly joined members of law enforcement in Bellevue, Washington, to honor the life and sacrifice of Motorcycle Officer Jordan Jackson. Our hearts are with the Bellevue community, Officer Jackson’s friends and loved ones." (Boise Police Department via Facebook)
• #BoiseBucketList: "This holiday season, how about a free horse carriage ride? Maybe with a side of hot cocoa too. @watrustbank is offering free horse-drawn carriage rides to the Boise community throughout this holiday." (#BoiseBucketList via Instagram)
• Idaho Humane Society: "We had a great November here at the Idaho Humane Society with 567 adoptions! Our Pet Food Pantry did a tremendous job supporting people and their pets in need, with a total of 7,300 pounds distributed." (Idaho Humane Society via Facebook)
• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "Have travel plans this weekend? Be prepared as snow returns later in the week and continues into the weekend. Timing and amounts are still uncertain, but it appears that some accumulations are likely starting late Thursday. #idwx #orwx" (US National Weather Service Boise Idaho via Facebook)
• Boise Parks and Recreation: "Punch your ticket to the North Pole at the Boise Depot Holiday Open House this Sunday, Dec. 11. The Depot will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with holiday festivities throughout the day. Join us for a reading of Polar Express." (Boise Parks and Recreation via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at john.braese@patch.com