It’s new years eve and there are several events planned. In Twin Falls, it’s the Ball Drop at the silos. Something that was started 24 years ago. Sometime in the 80’s Rupert set the stage for the Beet Drop. The Rupert Square will be the site to celebrate with a tribute to one of the crops grown in Southern Idaho: the sugar beet. The Idaho potato drop is set for tomorrow evening. It will happen on the Idaho State Capitol Plaza.
With all the celebrations, expect to see extra police on the streets tonight. Authorities are looking for drivers who are intoxicated. With busier roads police say they see an increase in traffic accidents. In Twin Falls, authorities expect to see upwards to 100-thousand people going in and out of the city.
Idaho gas prices are starting to drop. According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular in the Gem State is $3.08. Today’s price is still 11 cents cheaper than a year ago.
Idaho residents who purchased tickets for the Idaho Lottery’s 2024 $1,000,000 Raffle should check their numbers, as the winning numbers yesterday. Two people will become millionaires heading into the New Year. The two winning tickets for the $1M grand prize are: 063647 and 116293. All 450,000 tickets sold out. This year’s Raffle had 17,850 other cash prizes from $10,000 to $15.
When Idaho lawmakers consider a policy change affecting public schools a detailed spreadsheet is usually nearby. When it comes to private schools, however, not so much. The state doesn’t regulate private schooling, so it doesn’t collect much information. This information is in high demand as the Idaho Legislature is preparing to consider proposals that would send taxpayer funds to private school students to help them pay tuition and other expenses. Idaho has between 117 and 155 primary and secondary private schools, These schools enroll between 16,843 and 22,271 students.
The Idaho Department of Education says the Minidoka County School District was out of compliance with the Disabilities Education act. Two cases were filed by parents last year. According to the reports, the department concluded that Minidoka County School District had several violations of the IDEA relating to individualized education plans, or IEPs, which are federal documents that outline services for students with disabilities.
SPORTS
Bronco nation has gone south to Scottsdale Arizona. Yesterday they paraded down the streets in old town known as the entertainment district. Alumni and fans were cheering on the Bronco’s ahead of Tonight’s matchup between 3rd ranked Boise State and 6th ranked Penn State. They will meet on the gridiron in the first-ever College Football Playoffs quarterfinal game. Kickoff is set for 5:30 in Glendale.
The 15th-ranked College of Southern Idaho Men’s Basketball Team ended the 2024 year with a 116-73 win over non-conference foe Blue Mountain yesterday. The Golden Eagles shot 54 percent from the field, 45 percent from long range and 74 percent from the free-throw line. CSI, 12-3 overall, opens conference play Saturday when the Golden Eagles host North Idaho.
Looking ahead to local sports for Thursday, for boys’ basketball Kimberly will participate in the east Idaho holiday Shootout in Bonneville playing Layton Christian Academy. Teton and Wood River will also participate along with Burley playing Skyline.
For the girls, Jerome takes on Columbia in the TimberLion Tournament at Borah. Also, in that tournament, Burley plays Ridgevue along with Twin Falls and Borah, Minico will play Timberline of Boise.
A snowmobiler died earlier this month after being trapped by an avalanche. It happened in the mountain’s northwest of Boise. 41-year-old Jason Haines of Kuna was buried under the snow near the Wilson Creek Trail Head. To avoid any threats of avalanche danger, the Sawtooth Center advises everyone to stay away from slopes that are steeper than 30 degrees.
WEATHER
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 32. Calm wind becoming east northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. East wind around 6 mph.
New Year’s Day: Snow likely before 2pm, then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Wednesday Night: Snow likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. South southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Thursday: A slight chance of rain and snow before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. South southwest wind around 6 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44.
Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 40.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.
Sunday: A slight chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday Night: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
