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McCall-Donnelly High School Valedictorian Lauren Mapp encouraged her fellow graduates to remember the hard work, perseverance and accomplishments that helped earn them diplomas at Saturday’s graduation ceremony.Mapp was among 89 graduates of the class of 2024 who celebrated at the Rich Sabala Athletic Complex in front of a packed crowd of family and friends.“I’m learning that life is all about finding ways to face the things that scare you,” Mapp said, joking about her duty to give a speech as the valedictorian, despite a dislike of public speaking.“Don’t let your fears get in the way of making the most out of your life,” she said.

Nobody was hurt last week when a single engine airplane with two passengers crash-landed at the McCall Municipal Airport, according to McCall Fire and EMS.The crash at about 2:45 p.m.

A project to replace the Rainbow Bridge about a mile north of Smiths Ferry on Idaho 55 began this week with 15-minute delays expected on weekdays through the end of the month.The Idaho Transpiration Department began the process of drilling 18 holes to test the soil and rock around the existing bridge.Crews began by removing trees and brush near the bridge so a helicopter can safely lower the drilling equipment into place.Drivers should expect 15-minute delays on weekdays throughout June.

Cascade Schools came in first place among Idaho schools for science proficiency as measured by the 2023 Idaho Standard Achievement Test.

Plans for more than 50 homes along First Street in McCall still need to be scaled back to meet city zoning laws, the McCall Area Planning and Zoning Commission said Tuesday.The Woodmore Crest Subdivision, proposed by Rick Williams of Star, would build 18 duplexes containing 36 units and 10 townhomes on six acres at 500 First St., or near Colorado Street.Meanwhile, the Blackwell Subdivision, also proposed by Williams, would build six single family homes on less than an acre at 520 First St.

Plans for five townhome buildings with ground level retail space fronting Payette Lake were tabled on Tuesday by the McCall Area Planning and Zoning Commission.The development, called “The Hardy,” would be built on five vacant lots totaling less than one acre at 1301 East Lake St., or across from Mile High Marina.Each of the five buildings would contain about 1,900 square feet of commercial space on the first floor, and a four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom townhome on the second and third floors.The townhomes would have driveways along Mill Street and balconies overlooking East Lake Street and Payette Lake.The five vacant lots are currently owned by Nampa resident John Brandt, who was represented by Richard Wilmot of Chrysalis Architecture at Tuesday’s meeting.The vacant lots are currently leased by Mile High Marina as extra parking.

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Eleven Cascade High School seniors received their diplomas on Saturday at a graduation ceremony at Kelly’s Whitewater Park.Graduates crossed the bridge to the island on the North Fork of the Payette River while bald eagles circled above the event.Christine Swanson, the school nurse and guidance counselor, introduced salutatorian Kallyn Rogers and the school’s first co-valedictorian speakers, with Tyler Thruston and Brenden Weirum achieving the same grade point average.Weirum also assisted in the presentation of colors, carrying the Idaho state flag in recognition of his commitment to serve in the U.S.

There will be one-lane traffic on Idaho 55 at Little Goose Creek between McCall and New Meadows this summer as crews work to replace a bridge under the roadway.The project will replace the bridge, widen the roadway shoulders and improve the approach to Last Chance Road, which is about four miles east of New Meadows and about six miles west of McCall.Work is expected to begin in June and finish in late 2024, The Idaho Transportation Department said.No exact start date was available.The highway will be reduced to one lane traffic with flaggers and a traffic signal in place.The work is needed because the current bridge was built in 1931, and has reached the end of its designed lifespan, officials said.Last Chance Road will be closed starting July 8, until the project is finished.For more information visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/55-little-goose-creek.