There are about a dozen active fires on the Payette National Forest from large ongoing blazes to isolated trees torched by lightning.Several smaller fires were started by lightning storms earlier this week, and last week.
McCall Community Center Here are next week’s menus for the McCall Community Center. All meals are served with a fruit or vegetable and drink. Menu… Login to continue reading Login…
The City of Cascade on Monday adopted a $4.3 million budget for 2025 that does not include payments for extra policing services for the first time in decades.“To say that the city will not have law enforcement is simply untrue, we will get the same level of service as those living outside of the city limits.
The 2021 Boundary Fire burned 87,000 acres in the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness, destroying several popular backcountry trails in its wake.Earlier this summer, the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation and the Idaho Trails Association worked to clear over 12 miles of impassable trail in the far eastern reaches of Valley County.A trail crew spent 15 days clearing Middle Fork Trail #4001, which begins at the Boundary Creek Boat Launch about 84 miles east of Cascade.The crew cleared about 12.2 miles of trail from the boat launch down river along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.The Middle Fork Trail follows the river for 82 miles, ending where the Middle Fork meets the Big Creek tributary, about 22 miles south of Cache Bar on the Main Salmon River.The non-motorized trail is primarily used by hikers and horseback riders, who use the trail to reach the wilderness, said Ryan Ghelfi, executive director for the foundation that completed the trail work.“This trail provides access to one of the wildest places in the lower 48,” he said.
Water scoopers have continued to support the Wolf Creek and Boulder Fires by picking up water from Lake Cascade near Sugarloaf Island. Boats are advised to steer clear of their path.
The Wolf Creek Fire grew to about 1,150 acres with the Boulder Fire reaching about 1,000 acres as of Wednesday.Both fires saw moderate growth over the week, but neither ballooned in size as hundreds of firefighters were stationed in Cascade to take on the fires.The Wolf Creek and Boulder fires are now being managed by the same team as the West Mountain Complex, which also includes the Wapiti and Bulltrout Fires to the south.As of Tuesday, there were 759 people assigned to the West Mountain Complex, with 20 fire engines six water trucks, five bulldozers, three skid-steers and a masticator on the Wolf Creek and Boulder Fires.
Thunderstorms earlier this week caused several new wildfires, with at least 22 new starts on the Boise and eight new starts on the Payette National Forest.Most fires started earlier this week had not grown larger than three acres in size.
The Valley Countywide EMS District will seek a permanent levy override in the November general election to fund three ambulances across the county.A levy amount was not finalized for the November ballot, but it would cost about $3.9 million to pay for an ambulance to be available 24 hours per day, seven days per week in Cascade, Donnelly and McCall, said EMS Commission Chair Travis Smith.It will be the third time the district has asked voters for funding to pay for ambulance services.Votes in the May primary and November 2023 election both narrowly failed to meet the two thirds majority for a permanent tax increase, each receiving about 64% voter approval.The two failed votes were top of mind for commissioners, who considered seeking a temporary, two-year tax increase, which only requires a 50% majority vote.Since the original EMS levy was set in 2009, Valley County’s population and number of visitors have grown significantly, increasing the demand for emergency services, officials said.The current budget of $1.3 million is no longer sufficient to maintain industry standards and appropriate staffing numbers.
When high school athletics rev back up with Monday practices it will come with a slight twist – at least in appearance. The Idaho High School Activities Association voted to modify competition classifications going forward, meaning McCall-Donnelly will technically bump up from 3A to 4A for the 2024-25 school year.
Two men have been charged with resisting arrest in connection to a fireworks complaint in McCall on July 30, according to Valley County Prosecuting Attorney Brian Naugle.William Simplot, 63, of Boise, and Joshua Simplot, 41, of Meridian, became combative with first responders were called to a lakefront home at 4098 Warren Wagon Rd.