News

NTSB: pilot error caused fatal airplane crashes

Pilot error led to two airplane crashes that killed four people in eastern Valley County in summer 2022, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.The federal agency recently released investigation reports on the crashes, which killed a Lewiston man and his 15-year-old son and two Bend, Oregon, brothers.Richard Humphrey, 48, and his son, Cooper, were killed on June 26, 2022, after crashing into a mountainside about five minutes after taking off from the Lower Loon Airstrip near Challis.The Piper Pacer PA-20 airplane Humphrey was flying crashed into “steep, rising mountainous terrain” about 1.5 miles away from the airstrip, the NTSB report said.The report found Humphrey’s decision to “turn towards climbing terrain with limited climbing performance” as the cause of the crash.Humphrey and his son were flying back to the Johnson Creek Airtstrip near Yellow Pine, where the pair had set up camp, when the crash occurred.The airplane was reported missing later that night and the wreckage was found still burning the next day.

Read MoreNTSB: pilot error caused fatal airplane crashes

Perpetua tabs new CEO

Perpetua Resources President and CEO Laurel Sayer has retired after seven years leading the Boise company’s effort to permit a gold and antimony mine near Yellow Pine.Sayer, 70, immediately stepped down from her role, as well as her position on the company’s corporate board, upon announcing her retirement last week.

Read MorePerpetua tabs new CEO

McCall: M-D survey miscasts city

A public survey recently released by the McCall-Donnelly School District misrepresents the City of McCall’s role in delaying a planned expansion of Payette Lakes Middle School, according to McCall Mayor Bob Giles.The survey, which was sent out last month by the school district, includes several statements that suggest the city is stopping the expansion project from moving forward.“It’s crucial for our community to have accurate information, especially concerning matters as significant as education, infrastructure, and our collaboration efforts with other public agencies,” Giles said.“We have a low tolerance for misinformation and not telling the truth,” he said.The council declined to issue a public correction to the survey, but hopes to schedule a joint meeting with the McCall-Donnelly School District Board of Trustees to discuss improving future communications between the agencies.The district’s recent survey polls voters on a proposal to spend $65 million on a new high school and repurpose Barbara R.

Read MoreMcCall: M-D survey miscasts city

Recycling down

The Valley County Recycling Depot has been closed since Monday, March 4 due to another mechanical failure in the county’s baler.The baler was purchased in July of last year for about $194,000 to replace an older model that was no longer serviceable.

Read MoreRecycling down

Hit and run sentencing

A Boise woman was sentenced last week to up to 15 years in prison for killing a Cascade teacher while under the influence of alcohol in a hit and run incident in August 2022.Natalie Hodson, 39, pleaded guilty on Jan.

Read MoreHit and run sentencing

Committee: HB 506 needs balance

A bill that would outlaw many of the City of McCall’s regulations on short-term rentals is not expected to advance for a vote during the current session of the Idaho Legislature.The Idaho House of Representatives Business Committee held a public hearing last week on the bill, known as House Bill 506, before concluding the bill is not ready to advance to the House floor.Committee members instead voted to send the bill back to lawmakers and emphasized the need for the bill to balance personal property rights, community interests and local control.“I would rather see the parties come back with something that strikes more of a balance,” said Rep.

Read MoreCommittee: HB 506 needs balance

More storage units proposed south of McCall on Idaho 55

A proposal to build 80 storage condos along Idaho 55 south of McCall was aired last week to the McCall Area Planning and Zoning Commission.The proposal by Landmark Pacific Development of Eagle would build 80 RV and boat storage condos on a five-acre parcel at 14141 Idaho 55, or just south of Elo Road.The complex would be for storage only and would not include any commercial or residential use, P&Z commissioners were told.The applicant is currently conducting a traffic study to meet requirements set by the Idaho Transportation Department.The storage complex would be served by a septic system that would also serve as a dump station for owners of each storage condo.Formal plans for the storage condos have not yet been submitted to the city.Last week’s P&Z hearing was a pre-application meeting required by city code to allow commissioners to review conceptual plans and make comments before formal proposals are submitted.The storage condos would be built in the McCall Impact Area, which is county land that surrounds McCall City Limits and is governed by similar zoning laws to those in place in the city.Valley County Commissioners have jurisdiction over land use applications in the impact area.

Read MoreMore storage units proposed south of McCall on Idaho 55

Mountain melodies

As the crowd began to trickle in, Mungo Ligoya jumped around on stage and belted out songs while his bandmate, a flamingo dancer, whirled her bright red scarf and stamped her feet.Ligoya leads the band “Mungo,” which was among eight bands to perform last weekend at the Snowfort Music Festival at Tamarack Resort.The two-night event is a lead up to Treefort Music Fest in downtown Boise, which this year is being held March 20-24.“I’ve never performed in this amount of cold,” said Ligoya, 25.

Read MoreMountain melodies

Payette Lakes Ski Club asks for donations

The Little Ski Hill is asking for donations to offset the slow start to this winter, which did not allow the ski area to open with regular hours until February, due to a lack of snow.The fundraiser, dubbed the El Nino Recovery Fund, seeks to raise $100,000 by March 31.It was organized by the nonprofit Payette Lakes Ski Club, which manages the Little Ski Hill and Bear Basin Nordic Center.Funds will go to covering operating expenses until the end of the season, said the club’s Executive Director Colby Nielsen.“The money will go to covering operating expenses for the remainder of the season and until we start selling passes again in October.

Read MorePayette Lakes Ski Club asks for donations