NW Smoke Settles In Boise

Epic Soda Fire Facts

The biggest wildfire in the continental USA is raging out of control in Owyhee County along a 40 mile wide line of flames visible at night from more than 50 miles away. Based on the size of the area burned–219,000 acres–the fire would be equivalent of a charred area from Detroit to Chicago a mile […]

Shift In Winds Could Mean Smoke In Boise

GUARDIAN reader John Kangas sent us these photos of the 30,000 acre Soda fire burning in Owyhee County Tuesday evening at sunset. Kangas said if there is any shift in the wind, it could mean massive smoke settling into the Boise Valley. He noted the winds are currently out of the south, but a shift […]

Three Alarm Fire Near Harris Ranch

One man was bitten by a dog when he and another neighbor forced entry into a burning modular home Wednesday to rescue two canines as a three alarm fire broke out at Harris Ranch east of Boise. Dense black smoke could be seen for miles, leading some to believe the fire was fueled by more […]

Downtown Coppers Cost 25% Of Calls

A recent story in the Daily paper about Boise PD creating (recreating) a downtown precinct strikes a revealing cord, not so much about crime, but about financing crime-fighting coppers. While ALL of the tax revenue on new buildings and appreciated value on existing structures in the downtown area goes to CCDC, folks on the bench […]

Saturday Bad Day For Idaho Motorcycles

While motorcycle enthusiasts were conducting a “safety awareness” ride from Lucky Peak Dam to the Capitol in Boise Saturday, riders in Southeast Idaho were riding in ambulances to the hospital following crashes. Here is a summary from Idaho State Police: KIMBERLY– Joseph Houston, 44, of Twin Falls, was on a 2000 Harley Davidson motorcycle being […]

St. Luke’s Threatens “Migration” To Meridian

In a post card sent to thousands of Boise residents over the weekend, the giant St. Luke’s medical facility in Boise threatened to “migrate” various services if the Boise City Council fails to follow its wishes and close a portion of East Jefferson St. The mailed SL_Flyer_L threatened to “migrate over time” the cancer center, […]

Who Needs A Stinking Badge?

The recent shooting of a man in Bonneville County by a bounty hunter/bondsman brought to mind the famous line, “Badges? We don’t need no stinkin’badges,” from the “Treasure of Sierra Madre” movie. A witness said the bondsman displayed a badge to keep himself from being shot by an armed citizen (her husband). In the movie, […]

Growthophobes Beware Of “Increased Density”

GUARDIAN GROWTHOPHOBE REPORT Boise’s city fathers and mothers are just a bit too enamored with the current planning mantra of “increased density,” and other “progressive” attitudes that are “outside the box.” In their rush to be “user-friendly” to developers, create demand for public transit, and jump aboard any band wagon with the promise of “jobs […]

The Sky Is NOT The Limit For New Housing

In its quest to “increase density,” Boise City’s fathers (and mothers) attempted to run rough shod over the city building code when it came to new apartments near BSU on Lusk Street, but the Idaho Supreme Court, once again, ruled against the city action in an opinion released Tuesday. If you haven’t seen all the […]

Listening For 10 Years, Chief Leaves Peaceful Legacy

Serving the citizens of Boise and changing the culture of the Boise Police has been a goal of retiring Chief Mike Masterson. When he took command of the local coppers, shootings by coppers and other critical incidents were out of control. Masterson’s management style has included big doses of LISTENING. He has been a frequent […]

Questions & Answers For Top Copper

This is the first for what we anticipate will be a series of responses. As Chief Mike Masterson prepares to sing his swan song after more than 10 years as Boise’s top copper, he has agreed to have a “good-bye session,” with GUARDIAN readers. He tells us there have been many good policies and insights […]

Proper Report By Second Grader Results In Massive Panic

When a second grade student at a Middleton elementary school noticed “a gun” in the backpack of a fellow 7 or 8-year-old second grader, he did the right thing and told his teacher. The teacher did the right thing and notified school officials. From that point it got weird according to a report in the […]

4 Alarm Fire Guts Broadway Strip Mall

One of the biggest structure fires in recent memory gutted a strip mall Thanksgiving eve on Broadway between Pennsylvania and Iowa streets. It was first reported about 10 p.m. It appeared the fire started either in or close to a nail salon. The entire mall will likely be closed for months, but at least half […]

The Voters (Some) Have Spoken

Apologies for the lack of content lately. Been on the road doing family business. We wanted to give readers a place to bemoan their loss or crow about their victory, so here is a post. Not many surprises out of the election, unless you were a hopeful Dem. We were surprised at the margins in […]

Fire Dept. Bond & Why 2/3 Majority Is Good

The DAILY PAPER had a page one story today about the effort to gain a 2/3 approval of voters for the City of Boise to go into debt for 10 years. The measure previously failed. The STATESMAN story is fair, well balanced and accurate. It also dwells on the efforts of GUARDIAN editor Dave Frazier […]

Eagle-Boise Fire Coverage Is Hot Topic

For the most part the fire departments in Ada County get along pretty well, especially when it comes to assisting each other responding to emergencies. That relationship is being strained as a result of the recent Boise City annexation of about 600 Eagle Fire District patrons into the city of Boise. The move will cost […]

Scary Dog Tales And Little Kids

One man is sitting in the Ada slammer in lieu of $500,000 bond after his “pit bull-type dog” mauled a child. Police say both the child and dog were left unattended in a van in March, but the arrest was made over the weekend. Here is the Boise PD account: Boise Police, working with Ada […]

Cycles And Cars: Watch Out For Each OTher!

BY STEVE HULME Two-wheel season is upon us again! As the days get longer and the temperatures warmer, bicycles and motorcycles come out of winter storage, and fair-weather riders take to the highways and byways. Cyclists (both bi- and motor-) are vulnerable creatures, compared to their brothers and sisters who choose car transportation. Those tons […]

Boise Copper Accused Of Smacking Mate

Ada Sheriff’s deputies arrested an off duty Boise copper early Friday and charged him with misdemeanor domestic violence. Court records indicate bond has been set at $5,000 for Gary Miller. He was also charged with simple battery for allegedly grabbing the arm of a crime scene investigator who was making a video recording of the […]