🌱 Skier Found + Mug Making Reopened + Meridian Crash Fatality

Hello all. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening these days in Boise. Today we have these stories and more...

• An attorney working for the City of Boise has some more duties added to her plate.
• The state's Department of Agriculture has a new leader.
• Boise residents will once again be able to fire and paint their own ceramics after an old business is reopening this weekend.

But first, today's weather:

Increasing amounts of sun. High: 48 Low: 39.

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Here are the top stories today in Boise:

1. The Boise mayor has named an interim director of the city's embattled Office of Police Accountability (OPA). Boise Patch reports Mayor Lauren McLean chose Nicole Schafer, the current Criminal Prosecution Senior Manager in the City Attorney’s office to temporarily lead the OPA. Schafer will serve in this role in addition to her current responsibilities until the city hires a new permanent director. (Boise Patch)
2. A new face is leading the Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture. KMTV's Zach Bruhl writes Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced Chanel Tewalt as the new director of the department after current director Celia Gould announced her retirement. Tewalt has served as deputy director since 2021 and has been in the department for 15 years. (KMVT)
3. Although the crash occurred Monday evening, news of a death of a 10-year-old boy in Meridian was not released until Thursday, Jan. 12. KLIX-AM's Benito Baeza reports the young boy had been on a scooter when he was struck by a Chevrolet pickup truck that had been turning at the intersection of Locust Grove Road and Chateau Drive. (News Radio 1310 KLIX)
4. A neighborhood meeting place for ceramics, formerly closed, is reopening this weekend with new owners. BoiseDev Managing Editor Gretchen Parsons announces Vista Village's Ceramica is welcoming back customers this Saturday with a grand reopening party. (boisedev.com)
5. It was a cold night for one skier at Bogus Basin. KTVB-TV staff report a skier lost both his skis in a small avalanche on the back side of Bogus Basin Monday night. Several Idaho search crews spent the evening looking for the skier before he was found in a backcountry canyon Tuesday morning. (KTVB)

Today in Boise:

• The Discovery Center of Idaho celebrates Homeschool Days the first Friday of every month through June 2023. (9:30 AM)
• The American Red Cross holds a blood drive Friday at the Boise Public Library. (10:00 AM)
• The Boise Public Library sponsors Baby Stories & Play Friday morning. (10:30 AM)
• The Household Hazardous Waste Collection site for Friday is Fire Station 3. (Noon)
• The Ethics Commission for the City of Boise convenes Friday for a regular meeting. (3:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Zoo Boise: "Bat-eared foxes like Fletcher can hear a single insect crawling or burrowing up to a foot underground thanks to their five-inch-long ears! They then crunch on these snacks with 46-50 teeth — more than any other canine." (Zoo Boise via Facebook)
• Boise Art Museum: "Artist Jacob Hashimoto (top left) and his assistants have been BUSY this week, and this is just the beginning! Come visit BAM over the next 9 days as @jacobhashimotostudio works to complete his installation 'The Fractured Giant.'" (Boise Art Museum via Instagram)
• Idaho Botanical Garden: "Did you know about the Winter Photo Walk Class on World Snow Day? When: Jan. 15 from 2-4 p.m. There are a few spots open! Join IBG's Anni Jack on a photo walk in the Idaho Botanical Garden and connect with others." (Idaho Botanical Garden via Facebook)
• Idaho Shakespeare Festival: "Enrolling now! Spring School of Theater. March 6 – May 4 (There will be NO classes the week of Boise schools spring break March 20-24.) NEW LOCATION: Classes will be held at the theater, SE Boise this is your spring!" (Idaho Shakespeare Festival via Facebook)
• Boise Philharmonic: "Boise Phil Book Club is off and running. Our first meeting is Jan. 18 at the Boise Phil office. Want to meet up remotely? We'll do that in March. Not a joiner? Your book club can have a membership number of 1." (Boise Philharmonic via Facebook)
• Boise State Public Radio: "A proposal to build Idaho’s largest wind farm is set to receive its most in-depth assessment to date this month, when the Bureau of Land Management releases the draft Environmental Impact Statement on the project." (Boise State Public Radio via Facebook)

That's it for today. See you all tomorrow for another 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 Daily? Contact me at john.braese@patch.com