Boise State Public Radio

Longtime Boise Bowling Hot Spot 20th Century Lanes To Close

After 57 years at the intersection of Collister and State Street in Boise, 20 th Century Lanes is closing down June 30. A community fixture since Eisenhower was in the White House, the same family has operated the alley for generations. Stepping into 20 th Century Lanes, the first sound to hit the ears is the unmistakable clunk of bowling balls hitting the polished wood of the lanes and the crash of pins. Mixed in with the clatter of strikes and spares, a steady hum of conversation and...

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame Musical Comes To Boise's Idaho Shakespeare Festival

Taylor Munson / Boise State Public Radio

Idahoans Protest Senate Health Care Bill Outside Senator Offices

Ada County Grand Jury Hands Down Indictment In Murder Case

By Samantha Wright • Jun 22, 2017

An Ada County Grand Jury has handed down an indictment in the case of a Boise State University student who was raped, kidnapped and murdered last year.

Sierra Bush disappeared last September. Her body was found a month later, south of Idaho City. Police narrowed down their search for a suspect to a man who had rented a home from Bush’s father before her death.

In November, Bruce Marchant was found in a Veterans Affairs hospital in Manhattan. He told reporters then that he wasn’t guilty of rape or murder.

Flood Damage Assessments To Start In Blaine County Soon

By Matt Guilhem • Jun 21, 2017

The Big Wood River again rose above flood stage this week. It’s the fifth time since early May. Damage assessments from the devastating flood season are finally set to get underway.

State and federal emergency management officials will meet with county and city leaders in the Wood River Valley the week of June 26 to examine the toll spring flooding took on infrastructure in the region.

Navy Seal Tells Of Wound During Bergdahl Search

By Associated Press • Jun 21, 2017

A former Navy Seal says his career was ended by a wound he suffered on a search mission to find Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl after the soldier walked off his post in Afghanistan.

Prosecutors called retired Senior Chief Petty Officer James Hatch to testify Wednesday at a pretrial hearing at Fort Bragg. He said he was shot in the leg and feared bleeding to death on a search mission.

Flying The Flood: An Aerial Tour Of Idaho Rivers At Their Peak

By Tom Michael • Jun 21, 2017

It’s Mid-May, I’m at the Boise airport, hopping in a Cessna with pilot Don Reiman and Kevin Lewis, the director of Idaho Rivers United. We’re going to “fly the flood,” to see what the swollen rivers and reservoirs look like from the air, especially along the Boise and Big Wood rivers.

There has been months of flooding on Idaho rivers, with a reservoir system that’s been straining at capacity, as the deep winter snowpack has slowly melted off. Now, in the second half of June, the floodwaters are receding.

Don sketches out the flight path.

Idaho Legislature's Public School Funding Formula Committee Resumes Its Long Slog

By Kevin Richert • Jun 21, 2017

Based on the experience in other states, it could take three to five years for Idaho to rewrite its school funding formula.

And based on Tuesday’s hearing, a panel of Idaho lawmakers doesn’t seem to be much interested in a rush job.

New Map App Routes Bikers Around Greenbelt Closures

By Samantha Wright • Jun 21, 2017

A new online map is giving Boise bicyclists a break during a time when many of their preferred pathways are closed.

Bikers have faced challenges since much of the Boise Greenbelt closed down due to the flooded Boise River. Though the water is receding, many parts of the 25-mile pathway were damaged by extensive flooding and remain closed.

Finding alternate routes around the handy bike path has been tough, but the Ada County Highway District has a new online map to help.

New Unofficial Record Set For BASE Jumps Off Twin Falls' Perrine Bridge

By Matt Guilhem • Jun 20, 2017

BASE jumper Miles Daisher reclaimed his record for the most human-powered jumps in 24 hours off the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls Tuesday morning.

Daisher hurled himself off the Perrine Bridge, hiked up the canyon wall and rode a bike to the jump spot in the middle of the bridge 63 times. Daisher was looking to complete 62 jumps to reclaim the unofficial record from his rival Danny Weiland.

In September, Weiland leapt off the bridge 61 times to beat Daisher’s old record of 57 BASE jumps.

Idaho 21-Year-Old Accused Of Fatal Punch, Manslaughter

By Associated Press • Jun 20, 2017

A Northern Idaho 21-year-old accused of punching a man faces a manslaughter charge after the victim later died at a hospital.

Tyler Finlay, 21, is accused of punching Jeffrey Marfice, 29, during an altercation that broke out Sunday, The Coeur d'Alene Press reported.

Pet Squirrel Who Foiled Idaho Home Burglary Returns To Wild

By Associated Press & Samantha Wright • Jun 20, 2017

A pet squirrel named Joey who gained fame as a crime fighter might be more of the lover type.

Joey, who police credited with scaring off a burglar trying to break into his home's gun safe, made his long goodbyes earlier this month, then scampered up a backyard apple tree at his Meridian, Idaho home and hasn't been seen since.

"If I had to guess, he found a girlfriend and they're off doing their squirrel thing," said Adam Pearl, who raised Joey in his home for about 10 months.

A University of Idaho scientist said that's probably right for Joey.

Former Trump Campaign Head Mulling Idaho Congressional Run

By Associated Press • Jun 19, 2017

The former director of President Donald Trump's election campaign in Idaho said Monday he is seriously considering running for the state's open U.S. House seat.

Layne Bangerter of Melba told The Associated Press that he's weighing several options — including a possible appointment to the U.S. Department of Agriculture — but running for Idaho's 1st Congressional District is a strong possibility.

"I'm still working out the logistics, but if it unfolds, it'll be a great time," Banger said.