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Oxbow Hatchery: Redesigned for the future

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Oxbow Hatchery: Redesigned for the future


Retaining walls and landscaping was completed at the hatchery. Bathrooms and a visitor kiosk with interpretive signs will be completed at a later date. The entire compound was built at the 100-year flood zone. 

Updated electrical infrastructure, a new computer, hatchery alarm system, fencing, entrance gates and other security measures are now fully installed.

What’s the current mission of Oxbow? 

Oxbow traps summer steelhead below Hells Canyon Dam in the Hells Canyon Trap. Six hundred fish (300 males and 300 females) are held for broodstock, while any extras beyond broodstock go to tribal subsistence, Boise River releases for Idaho Fish and Game, or other stream outplants such as Hells Canyon Reservoir for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Oxbow traps spring Chinook Salmon to aid with Rapid River Hatchery broodstock goals. Typically, about 300 spring Chinook are transported to Rapid River annually. Oxbow also helps Rapid River with spawn operations at Rapid River and initial incubation of about one million Chinook eggs in the Oxbow incubation room.

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Chinook beyond broodstock goes to tribal distributions, the Boise River, other tribal releases such as releases into the Owyhee River for the Sho Pae Tribe in Nevada, or other prescribed Idaho or Oregon releases directed by the various salmon managers of the Columbia River basin. 

What is the main objective of Oxbow? 

Oxbow works with two other Idaho Power hatcheries with the goal of providing a steelhead or Chinook fisheries on the Snake and Salmon Rivers. Typically, 500,000 8-inch steelhead smolts of Oxbow stock are released below Hells Canyon Dam from the Niagara Springs Hatchery in March and 350,000 5-inch spring Chinook smolts of Rapid River Hatchery and Oxbow stock origin are also released below Hells Canyon Dam in March.

Who paid for the hatchery re-build? 

Idaho Power realized the need for major upgrades at Oxbow to be able to complete the current mission and future goals related to relicensing. Idaho Power Company funded the hatchery re-build which makes it one of the showcase hatcheries in the Northwest. Schnabel Engineering was awarded the contract for the design and IMCO Engineering & Construction got the bid for building the hatchery. Construction lasted about two and half years.

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Is Oxbow Hatchery open to the public? 

The hatchery was closed to the public for safety during the re-build. It will be open to the public again at the start of January 2025 to walk-in visitors. School groups or larger tours need to be scheduled in advance. 

Come check out the new (and improved) Oxbow Hatchery! 



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Idaho

No Kings movement brings statewide protests to Idaho this weekend

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No Kings movement brings statewide protests to Idaho this weekend


IDAHO — ‘No Kings 3’ protests will take place throughout Idaho on March 28, including in Boise and Twin Falls.

According to the Idaho 50501 Facebook page, there will be speakers & musicians playing at protests across the Treasure Valley.

Protests will take place in Boise, Caldwell, Nampa, Mountain Home, Twin Falls, and other Idaho cities.

NoKings.org

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On March 28, Neighborhood Reporters Allie Triepke & Lorien Nettleton will bring coverage of the Boise & Twin Falls protests on Idaho News 6 at 10.





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Idaho Senate introduces new bill to give local municipalities authority to control rat populations

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Idaho Senate introduces new bill to give local municipalities authority to control rat populations


BOISE, Idaho — A new bill in the Idaho Senate aims to let local municipalities take action to control rat populations. This, after a previous bill to combat rat infestations across Idaho, died in the House.

Rats have been spreading throughout the Treasure Valley in recent years, but previous attempts at legislation to deal with the problem have failed.

WATCH: Senior Reporter Roland Beres provides an update on the new rat bill

New bill would allow local governments to combat rats

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Residents in Eagle and Boise have been tracking an alarming rise in rat populations recently.

Rep. John Gannon (D – District 17) introduced new legislation today that would essentially permit local governments to act in order to control rat populations if they want to, without creating a mandate.

Gannon said some cities complained that they did not have the authority to do the job themselves.

The bill was introduced with a dose of humor.

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“I’m going to support this. It’s very late in the session, but I think this might just squeak through,” said Sen. Ben Adams (R – District 12). “Well. Unless it encounters a trap along the way.”

ALSO READ | ‘I’ve never seen something that big’: Boise neighbors finding rats in their backyards

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Send tips to neighborhood reporter Riley Shoemaker

Have a story idea from Downtown Boise, the North End or Garden City ? Share it with Riley below —

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Penny Lee Brown Obituary March 25, 2026 – Eckersell Funeral Home

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Penny Lee Brown Obituary March 25, 2026 – Eckersell Funeral Home


Penny Lee Brown, age 72, of Idaho Falls, formerly of Ririe, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.

Penny was born October 18, 1953, in Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada, a daughter to William and Luella Cooper Artemenko. She attended schools in Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada. She earned her Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate from Eastern Idaho Technical College.

She married Donal A. Brown in Fort St. John, British Columbia. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She enjoyed attending her children’s sporting events, puzzles, collecting cat memorabilia, crafting, baking, and caring for others.

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She is survived by her husband Donal A. Brown, children: Jared Brown (Krystal) of Boise, Marcus Brown (Misty) of Weippe, Idaho, Scott Brown of Idaho Falls, Douglas Brown of Idaho Falls, Jamie Brown of Williston, North Dakota, Steven Brown (Claire) of Idaho Falls. A brother Kenneth Artemenko (Nancy) of White Horse, YK, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her Father William Artemenko and her mother Luela Cooper and a brother Levern Artemenko.

Funeral services will be held Monday March 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Perry Ward Chapel 285 2nd West, Ririe, Idaho. The family will visit with friends on Monday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery.



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