🌱 School Meals Application + Table Rock History + Human Caused Fire

Hi there, Boise! I'm here in your inbox today to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

Welcome to the Tuesday edition of the Boise Daily. After Congress failed to pass free school meals again this year, Boise schools are accepting applications from those needing a helping hand. If you have wondered about Table Rock's history, read ahead and a high speed chase on the interstate ended with a crash on 184. A Boise grass fire has been determined to be human caused and there is both good and bad news on the status of Idaho children.

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Now, today's weather:

Very hot. High: 99 Low: 71.

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Here are the top stories in Boise today:

1. Although your student may have received free meals at school last year, the start of school this year marks an end of automatic free meals. Boise Patch and the Boise School District are urging parents and guardians to read and determine if your student qualifies for free or reduced prices on meals. The article outlines the guidelines by school and includes a link to the application. Eligibility for free and reduced price meals is determined based on your household income and the number of household members. (Boise Patch)
2. A familiar site in Boise is looking up at the cross and the big "B" overlooking our city at Table Rock. BoiseDev carries an excerpt from the forthcoming book Boise: City of Trees, looking back at the history of our famous flat spot. Once sacred ground for Northern Shoshone Indians, the are is now a popular recreation site for mountain bikers and hikers. The cross does sit on private land, sold by the State of Idaho to a chamber group for $100. Long time residents of Boise will recall when well-known Illinois atheist Rob Sherman demanded the cross be taken down in the 1990s and the subsequent backlash. (boisedev.com)
3. An 18-year-old local driver ended a chase with police by crashing into a tree near the intersection of N. Curtis Rd. and I-184 Saturday night.CBS2 news staff report law enforcement observed the driver exceeding 100 mph earlier, but lost the car during a pursuit. The Ada County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident with charges pending for the driver. (idahonews)
4. A grass fire on Sunday near Pierce Park Lane and Hill Road has been determined to be human caused. KTVB-TV staff report the fire was reported just after 7:15 p.m. Sunday and scorched 11 acres before containment. Traffic was shut down on Pierce Park to Cartwright Road from Sunday night to Monday morning. (KTVB)
5. A recent study shows a mix of good and bad news for Idaho kids. The Idaho Capital Sun's Kelcie Mosely-Morris looks at data from the 2022 Kids Count published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation to measure the health and well-being of children and families across all 50 states. Idaho ranks among the best in the country for economic well-being, family and community factors, but also shows nearly 10% of Idaho high school students and 13% of Latino high school students attempted suicide in 2019. Idaho also ranked lowest in terms of education markers at 36th. (idahocapitalsun)

Today in Boise:

• The Household Hazardous Waste Collection site for Tuesday is the Cole and Ustick Library located at 7557 W. Ustick Rd. (Noon)
• Boise kids are invited to sharpen their reading skills and enjoy some companionship by reading to a certified therapy dog on Tuesday at the Library! at Bown Crossing. (4 p.m.)
• The JUMP Jam and Jive Summer Concert Series provides free outdoor summer music on Tuesday. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Boise Contemporary Theater: "Auditions Tuesday, 8/9! At BCT, we believe you've got a story to tell and we want to help you tell it. Join small crews of like-minded 12-18 years olds in BCT Theater Lab, as we team up to create brand new work the world has never seen." (Boise Contemporary Theater via Instagram)
• Radio Boise: "Our very own amazing Music Director, Nichole Marie was recently featured by the North American College and Community Charts as Music Director of the Month! Congratulations Nichole and thank you for all that you do for the station." (Radio Boise via Instagram)
• Boise Parks and Recreation: "Join us this Friday for a back to school movie night under the stars! Bring a blanket and some snacks and enjoy Disney's Jungle Cruise at the bandshell in Julia Davis Park. The film is expected to start around 9:30 p.m." (Boise Parks and Recreation via Facebook)

• Nextdoor Neighbor, Veterans Park: "Anyone else been seeing a ton of hummingbirds the last couple weeks? - I’m seeing a hundred a day and I love it!!" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Fairview to Ustick: "Another point of view on this cashierless Walmart issue... - McDonald's has closed the lobby in some location! Why? Lack of willing bodies to work. Burger King has a short staff all the time. Maverick has staff working doubles all the time." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, South Boise Village: "Hello! - My closet is broken so I’m wondering if there is a handyman who can come and fix it! Thank you in advance!" (Nextdoor)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday off right! 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