📰 Thursday News: What’s Happening Across the Magic Valley
🌅 Here’s a look at some of the biggest stories, local sports, community news and weather heading into Thursday.
🚧 Burley High School Access Changes
If you’re headed to Burley High School, be aware of some temporary access changes. 🚗
Paving work will close the campus to incoming cars tomorrow from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Crews will be working around Parke Avenue, so drivers should watch for construction equipment and allow some extra time.
On Monday, drivers should approach the school from the north on Parke Avenue, using Main Street or Sixteenth Street. 🚧
💧 PFAS Found in Airport Well
Officials are dealing with a drinking-water concern at Magic Valley Regional Airport. Testing found PFAS chemicals above federal drinking-water limits in one of the airport’s wells.
The airport’s water system is separate from the City of Twin Falls’ water system. Officials plan to install filters while working toward a longer-term solution. 💧
🚨 Fatal Crash in Caldwell
A 39-year-old Texas man died early Wednesday after his Jeep missed a curve on Muller Drive in Caldwell, overturned and caught fire.
Idaho State Police say the crash happened around 2:20 a.m. The road was closed for approximately five hours as crews worked at the scene. 🚔
🗳️ Senate Candidates Meet in Caldwell
Three candidates for the U.S. Senate — Todd Achilles, Natalie Fleming and Matt Loesby — participated in a forum in Caldwell Wednesday night.
Senator Jim Risch declined to participate, with his campaign questioning the forum’s impartiality. Organizers disputed that concern.
Meanwhile, Idaho schools superintendent Debbie Critchfield has withdrawn from an October 12 debate, saying she wants all three candidates to participate. Challenger Becky Sundin Mitchell says she remains willing to debate. 🗳️
🚒 Rock Creek Fire Levy Goes Before Voters
Rock Creek voters will decide next month whether to renew a two-year fire district levy. 🚒
The proposed renewal would raise approximately $1.3 million annually for staffing and equipment.
The estimated yearly cost is $78.32 per $100,000 of taxable value, which is about $4 less than the current levy.
Election Day is November 3rd. 🗳️
🏛️ Twin Falls City Council Applications Open
Want to get involved in local government?
The City of Twin Falls is accepting applications for a City Council position through 4 p.m. October 16th.
Applicants must be qualified city voters. Selected candidates will speak November 2nd, with appointment votes expected November 9th.
🤖 AI Comes to Idaho Police Paperwork
Nampa police are using artificial intelligence to help with report writing. 🤖👮
Officers dictate their accounts of incidents, and the system creates a draft. Officers then review the report for accuracy.
But there are legal concerns. Boise attorney Kurt Holzer cautions that changes to an officer’s account could create problems in court.
❄️ Idaho Students: Name a Snowplow!
Here’s a fun one for Idaho students! 😎❄️
The Idaho Transportation Department’s annual Name a Snowplow contest opens today for students in grades 6 through 12, including homeschool students.
The contest runs through October, and 12 winning names will be selected to appear on snowplows around the state.
And there’s a pretty cool prize: winning classrooms will get a visit from their snowplow and its driver! 🚜❄️
⚽ Magic Valley Sports
There’s plenty happening on the local sports scene!
Wendell’s Stephanie Muralles had an incredible night on the soccer field, scoring nine goals as the Trojan girls shut out Gooding 12-0. ⚽🔥
Wood River defeated Filer 5-2, while Declo beat Buhl 7-1.
In boys soccer, Rueben Cervantes Estrella scored a hat trick as Buhl defeated Declo 5-1. Bliss beat Kimberly 3-1, Twin Falls defeated Minico 4-1, and Wendell and Gooding played to a 2-2 tie.
🏐 Volleyball Tonight
There are several area volleyball matchups tonight.
Declo visits Buhl, Canyon Ridge travels to Minico, Jerome heads to Wood River, Twin Falls visits Burley, Kimberly travels to Hagerman, Dietrich visits Raft River, and Gooding plays at Wendell.
Good luck to all of our local athletes! 🏐👏
🏈 Friday Night Football
The Week 6 football schedule is packed.
Tomorrow night, Jerome visits Burley, Minico heads to Canyon Ridge, and Twin Falls hosts Mountain Home.
Gooding travels to Buhl, Wood River welcomes Caldwell, unbeaten Raft River hosts Shoshone, Hagerman faces Murtaugh, Carey hosts Hansen, Castleford visits Lighthouse Christian, and Richfield travels to Dietrich.
All of those games kick off at 7 p.m. 🏈🔥
🏀 Boise State Basketball
Boise State’s first Pac-12 basketball schedule is set. 🏀
The Broncos open conference play January 6th at Utah State, followed by home games against Oregon State and Washington State.
The Broncos will also face Gonzaga twice — January 16th in Spokane and February 10th in Boise.
Conference play wraps up March 6th at San Diego State, while the regular season begins November 4th.
🌤️ Your Magic Valley Weather
It’s looking like a beautiful stretch of weather! ☀️
Thursday will be sunny with a high around 79 degrees, with light winds. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 47 and some patchy smoke possible before 11 p.m.
Friday warms up to around 84 degrees, followed by a mostly sunny weekend.
🌡️ Saturday: 82°
🌡️ Sunday: 87°
🌡️ Monday: 83°
So if you’ve been waiting for a good weekend to get outside, Mother Nature appears to be cooperating! 😎☀️
Stay safe, stay informed, and have a great Thursday, Magic Valley! ❤️🇺🇸
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