ICYMI 2024
In Case You Missed It: Some of our best stories of the year

The BoiseDev team is off for the holiday break. (We’ll keep an eye out for any major breaking stories.) While our team enjoys some downtime, we bring you a few stories you might have missed this year. A note that some stories may have new updates since the original date of publication. Have something we should know? Email us.

Idaho’s most expensive currently active residential real estate listing is located in Parma.

The $22.5-million listing on Highway 95 in Parma spans more than 450 acres and includes a massive home, or, as it’s described, “owner’s lodge,” that totals roughly 9,000 square feet.

“Parma Lodge and Stables is among the Northwest’s premier equestrian, sporting, and lifestyle properties,” the real estate listing boasts. “The ranch is conveniently located 45 minutes west of Idaho’s capital city of Boise and 20 minutes from Treasure Valley Executive Airport in Caldwell.”

The property, more commonly known as Tree Top Ranches, is owned by Larry and Marianne Williams.

The couple is known locally for founding the Idaho Timber Corporation, which owns timberlands across the US. They also are behind significant charitable giving, including donating Marianne Williams Park in Boise, giving funds to Boise State Athletics, and more. Larry Williams was also involved in the Big City Coffee case against Boise State and has pledged to stop giving funds to the school over his view of the political leaning of the school’s curriculum. The couple has given significant funds to conservative lawmakers, ponied up dollars for a failed 2018 effort to legalize a form of gambling known as historical horse racing, and recently poured funds into a political action committee aiming to steer legislation related to fentanyl.

Bit of Kentucky in Idaho

Idaho Statesman columnist Brian Murphy reported in 2012 that The Williams sold their share in Idaho Timber in 2005, and used a portion of the proceeds for the ranch operation. They bought it from NFL Hall of Fame player Jerry Kramer in 2000.

“We determined we wanted to start a horse farm around ’99-2000,” Williams told the Statesman in 2012. “We looked at thoroughbreds, and we looked at quarter horses. We came back (to Kentucky) and just fell in love with the place. We couldn’t do it here so we decided we would try to do it in Idaho on a much smaller scale.”

The property, which includes an 18-stall horse barn, was used to raise horses for competitive racing – including the Kentucky Derby, the Statesman reported. The sales flier mentions four separate times that the property is “home to one of the most successful thoroughbred breeding operations” in the western part of the United States.

The ranch is bordered on one side by the Boise River, which the sales website says is lined with cottonwood trees and “abundant wildlife.” Much of the land is used for horse pasture with sprinkler irrigation as well as cropland with flood irrigation used for growing corn.

The home includes eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms and was built in 2001. There’s a separate four-bedroom manager’s residence, a training/breaking pin, several equipment storage buildings and a large shop building. It sits on a set of lakes on the property.

Larry Williams told the Statesman in 2012 that the whole property was modeled on Kentucky horse farms, and had his team visit Kentucky to draw inspiration.

“It wasn’t a grandiose plan. That wasn’t the way it started. We kept building a building and then another building. It got out of control,” Williams said. “It’s a baby. The ones in Kentucky are much bigger.”

The property is offered for sale by Trent Jones of Hall and Hall.

BOISE, Idaho — I’m your Boise State neighborhood reporter Jessica Davis at Albertsons Stadium at the Idaho Potato Bowl. People are here for the game, but a lot of people are also here for the potatoes — fans can take pictures with the world-famous potato and play potato games.

• The Idaho Potato Bowl is a staple event in Boise, featuring post-season college football.
• Simplot provided about 1,800 servings of tater tots, cooked on-site for the fans.
• Despite the rainy weather, attendees enjoyed spending time with family ahead of the holidays.

(The following is a transcription of the full broadcast story.)

We spoke with fans about their favorite potatoes, and how they like popular veggies cooked — so, of course, we asked fans what brought them to the bowl game.

“The Potato Bowl, as well as some French fries, we came out here to have some food, but of course, the game also and to celebrate,” says Fanny Reyes, a Boise fan supporting the Potato Bowl.

A bowl game dedicated to the starchy vegetable — the Potato Bowl is a Boise staple for post-season college football.

Joey Mellow, says he came to support his family members who work at BSU we asked him if he came for the game or potatoes he says “Both!”

Before I arrived I expected a variety of potatoes, but the only delicious potato-themed snack was tater tots provided by Simplot.

Eric Simplot, is a Regional Raw Manager at Simplot, he says “we bring out mobile fryer out today we’re doing some tater gyms, tater tots for some fans to warm up this morning and show off what we do and what we’re proud of here in Idaho potatoes and the products that we make with them.”

Simplot cooked up and served about 1,800 servings of tater tots heating them up with 360-degree oil.

And in about two minutes, you get crispy yet fluffy tater tots.

Fanny Reyes describes the tots, she says “They’re good, nice, and warm keeping us warm on this nice chilly day.”

With a rainy start, many fans are just glad to be spending the day with family ahead of the holidays.

James Ossman says, “I’m just happy to spend the day with my kids watching football and eating some fresh tater tots.”

Fanny Reyes adds, “Spending some time with family right before Christmas so you know I had to be out here celebrating Fresno State and northern Illinois so we’ll see may the best team win I guess.”

Coming up on New Years Eve, Idaho News 6 will bring you team coverage of the Fiesta Bowl from Phoenix.

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Potato Bowl, which was held at Albertsons Stadium on Monday, took a moment to celebrate two local heroes — Nampa Officer Cody Huss and his K9 Riddick. They were both honored with the SERVPRO First Responder Award.

Officer Huss was presented the award in honor of his and his late dog’s work for the community — Huss’ dog K9 Riddick died in a police pursuit in Septmeber.

Nampa Police K-9 ‘Riddick’ killed in rollover crash, two suspects in custody.

“Officer Cody Huss and his K-9 partner, Riddick, demonstrated extraordinary dedication to their community, working tirelessly to ensure safety and security,” the announcer said at the Idaho Potato Bowl. “K-9 Riddick, a steadfast and loyal partner, made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty…”