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A bill that would require all short-term rentals in Idaho to be regulated the same as other homes is currently pending before the Idaho Legislature.The bill, known as House Bill 506, would outlaw many of the regulations in place for hundreds of short-term rentals currently operating in McCall.That includes annual fire safety inspections and requiring short-term rentals with five or more bedrooms to obtain a conditional use permit to be able to operate.The bill was introduced earlier this month in the Idaho House of Representatives by Rep.

The second phase of a rebuild of Davis Avenue in McCall will not begin until at least 2025, the McCall City Council decided last week.The council unanimously voted during its regular meeting last Thursday to reject a $5 million bid to rebuild the roadway this summer from Reedy Lane to Lick Creek Road.The project would rebuild the roadway with new pavement, bicycle lanes, and stormwater drainage swales while also replacing water lines beneath the roadway, according to plans.Work could also include building a separated pedestrian pathway between Fairway Drive and Lick Creek Road if funding allows.The city received one bid for the work from Blue Sky Construction of Meridian, whose bid was about 25% over a $4 million estimate provided by engineering consultants hired by the city.The city plans to re-bid the project in the fall in hopes of receiving a lower price to complete the work in 2025, McCall Public Works Director Nathan Stewart said.“Money saved on this project means money that can go into other roads and other street projects in the next couple years,” Stewart said.Overall, the Davis Avenue rebuild is expected to cost a total of about $6.6 million, including $2.6 million in work completed last year, the first year of a planned two-year rebuild.The first year of work saw the roadway rebuilt with new pavement and bicycle lanes from Thompson Avenue to Reedy Lane.The work also replaced water lines beneath the roadway and added stormwater drainage swales along each side of the road.A $1.9 million grant from the Idaho Transportation Department is expected to fund about half of the next phase of work, which is currently projected to cost $4 million.

Sherri Schruder was able to pick up her prescriptions in Cascade last week for the first time since the Watkins Pharmacy burned down over two years ago.Schruder, 67, lives in Cascade and has been driving to McCall to pick up prescriptions once a month, a trip that she is happy to avoid now that Medicap Pharmacy has opened a new location at 220 S.

MCPAWS Executive Director Amber Kostoff will step down from her position next month after more than a decade at the animal shelter.Kostoff was hired as the Executive Director of the Humane Society of Central Oregon, based in Bend, Oregon.The nonprofit operates an animal shelter at 831 S.

Nick and Lee Zello traveled to Italy more than a decade ago to track down their family history but came back with a passion project that is now coming to fruition.While visiting a remote Italian town in 2012, the couple were treated to a local botanical liqueur called Amaro Santa Croce.The husband-and-wife duo, who import the Amaro together, will host a tasting of the spirit on Saturday from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

A 31-year-old Valley County man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for two counts of sexual exploitation of a child for possessing child pornography.Nicholas Gatchell will be eligible for parole after a minimum of one year in confinement and will be required to register as a sex offender upon release, the Valley County Sheriff’s Office said.Gatchell’s arrest was the result of a joint investigation between the Idaho Attorney General’s Idaho Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force and the Valley County Sheriff’s Office.“It is important for folks to know that it is nearly impossible for possession of this material to go undetected by law enforcement,” said Valley County Sheriff, Kevin Copperi.“When local law enforcement receives tips or leads from ICAC regarding the possession or distribution of this material, we are committed to tracking down the perpetrators and holding them accountable for perpetuating this horrific crime against innocent children,” he said.Gatchell pled guilty on Dec.

Janell Strosnider has been named president of the Ponderosa Center, which is working to build a 29,800 square foot performing arts center to the east of Legacy Park in downtown McCall.Strosnider, 55, has served on the nonprofit’s board since 2019.“We are thrilled to elevate Janell to the role of President,” said Chet Wood, past President of the Ponderosa Center.