🌱 Ugly Sweater Report + Nampa Warming Stations + Local Gifts

Good morning, everybody! I'm back with your fresh copy of the Boise Daily. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening around town, including updates on...

• A Boise social media influencer will enter a plea later this month to charges related to a death.
• The state's unemployment rate rose just a bit last month.
• The Boise Daily provides a listing of local vendors ready for your last week shopping needs.

But first, today's weather:

Cold with clouds and sun. High: 25 Low: 7.

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Here are the top stories today in Boise:

1. A Boise woman, known for her work on social media, is scheduled to enter a plea later this month on two felony counts following the crash that killed a Cascade woman in August. KTVB-TV's Jeremy Stiles reports Natalie Hodson, 37, is charged with vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident with injury. Hodson is scheduled to enter her plea on the charges Dec. 29 and faces a possible prison sentence of 20 years if found guilty of all charges. (KTVB.com)
2. If you are a little behind in holiday shopping and still needing to pick up some gifts, KIVI-TV's Karen Lehr has some ideas of purchases from local vendors. (Idaho News 6 Boise Twin Falls)
3. A Nampa student working on a social work degree has made a difference with the city now designating public buildings as warming spots during these cold days. Boise State Public Radio's Julie Luchetta speaks with Courtney Williams on her idea to provide a place to warm up. After working with and seeing the city provide cooling stations over the summer, Williams decided the same opportunity should be provided during the winter for heating stations. (Boise State Public Radio)
4. A holiday tradition in Boise and throughout the United States has become the ugly sweater. A staple at business parties and family gatherings, Patch looks at how gaudy sweaters has replaced mistletoe for a new generation. (Boise Patch)
5. A few more people will enter the Christmas season unemployed than those that did at Thanksgiving. CBS2 news staff report the unemployment rate in November rose to 3 percent, up from 2.9 percent the month previous. Professional and business services saw the greatest declines. (idahonews)

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Today in Boise:

• Join Santa Claus and the animals at Breakfast with Santa at Zoo Boise Saturday morning. (8:30 AM)
• Practice your skills with a class featuring Figure Draw/Paint - Long Pose at the Gem Center for the Arts. (10:00 AM)
• After having breakfast with Santa, stay with the animal culture and "Read to a Therapy Dog" at the Boise Public Library. (10:30 AM)
• Art makes a wonderful gift, and you can pick some up at Green at HeART / Thrifty Gift Market at JUMP. (3:00 PM)
• Saturday night marks IHS Night with the Idaho Steelheads, a benefit for the Idaho Humane Society Adoption Center. (7:10 PM)

From my notebook:

• Boise Police Department: "Back in July these nine individuals began their journey to become Boise Police officers. Today after months of training they took an oath to protect and serve every member of this community." (Boise Police Department via Facebook)
• Boise Parks and Recreation: "The annual Kids Holiday Shopping Spree invites 160 kids from our after-school programs to shop for gifts, clothes and other personal items. Each child receives a $40 gift card to spend on themselves and their families." (Boise Parks and Recreation via Instagram)
• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "Latest temperature and precipitation outlook from NOAA NWS Climate Prediction Center calls for a greater probability of warmer than normal temperatures and higher than normal precipitation for the end of December. #idwx #orwx" (US National Weather Service Boise Idaho via Facebook)
• Boise Little Theater: "Boise Little Theater is proud to announce the cast of our upcoming production of 'An Inspector Calls' by J.B. Priestly, directed by Bradley Campbell. This show highlights some of the depravities of human nature." (Boise Little Theater via Instagram)
• Boise Art Museum: "Visit BAM this weekend for your last chance to see the exhibition 'Untitled' (L.A.) by artist Felix Gonzalez-Torres, which closes after Sunday, Dec. 18." (Boise Art Museum via Instagram)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next 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