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Students host vigil at Idaho State Capitol for Uvalde victims

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Students host vigil at Idaho State Capitol for Uvalde victims


Precisely one week after a faculty capturing in Uvalde, Texas left 21 individuals useless, over 100 Idaho college students, dad and mom, and advocates gathered on Tuesday night to host a vigil in honor of the victims.

The organizers gave heartfelt memorial speeches, sang songs, advised tales of the victims’ lives, and skim every of the victims’ names aloud. Silence adopted every title.

The occasion was hosted and arranged by teenage college students who’re a part of the March For Our Lives motion, which shaped after the 2018 capturing at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive College in Parkland, Florida.

Amaia Clayton, a 17-year-old senior at Renaissance Excessive College and a director for the motion’s Idaho chapter, spoke to Boise State Public Radio about her response to the help.

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“I’m grateful that our group has proven up,” Clayton mentioned. “We’re hopeful that this outpouring of group help symbolizes our group coming collectively and combating for this trigger.”

Clayton labored alongside 4 different administrators, who additionally appeared on the vigil. Amongst these was Kate Stevens, 18, who sobbed as she spoke into the microphone and gave her speech.

“We’re mourning that they won’t be able to develop up and graduate from highschool like I did final week,” Stevens mentioned. “That they are going to by no means be capable to expertise so many issues that we have been fortunate sufficient to.”

Stevens is the outgoing chapter lead of March For Our Lives Idaho and a latest graduate of Boise Excessive College. Clayton will take over her place subsequent 12 months, together with a co-director.

Myrie Murphy, 18, and Becky Matthews, 16, additionally helped plan the occasion. They handed out electrical candles for attendees to mild in the course of the vigil and gave out sidewalk chalk following the ceremony.

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Andrew Severance

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Boise State Public Radio Information

“GUN CONTROL NOW” written on the sidewalk outdoors the Idaho State Capitol.

Murphy is the chapter’s Creative Outreach Director. She prompt the thought of utilizing chalk to let mourners write messages of hope and calls for for motion in entrance of the Capitol.

“It’s what we do, it’s what we really feel captivated with,” Murphy mentioned.

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Matthews was glad to see the help from group members and fellow gun management advocacy teams, like Mothers Demand Motion. Though Matthews had by no means skilled or been affected by a mass capturing, she mentioned that’s no cause to not become involved.

Mothers Demand Motion labored carefully with the teenage administrators to unfold the phrase about this occasion. Wearing equivalent crimson shirts, they comforted supporters and survivors of earlier mass shootings whereas on the vigil.

A type of survivors was Tara Marie, who lived by means of the 2017 capturing in Las Vegas.. That capturing killed 58 individuals and injured over 600.

“I really feel like we’re speaking about constitutional rights, however what constitutional proper is extra essential than the proper to be alive?” Marie mentioned. “If we don’t have that, then not one of the different ones matter.”

After two mass shootings in ten days, Marie mentioned that lots of the feelings she skilled following the Las Vegas bloodbath resurfaced in a harmful method. Over 4 years later and after doing “all the things [she] can consider” to recuperate from the tragedy, the feelings turned too robust for her to deal with when information of Uvalde broke.

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Marie mentioned that she was involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric maintain over Memorial Day weekend, after making a risk to finish her personal life.

Tara Marie, a survivor of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, speaks with teenagers from March For Our Lives Idaho

Andrew Severance

/

Boise State Public Radio Information

Tara Marie, a survivor of the 2017 Las Vegas capturing, speaks with youngsters from March For Our Lives Idaho.

When requested about what ideas she had for fixing this disaster, Marie prompt elevating the age restrict to purchase a gun, implementing crimson flag legal guidelines and requiring background checks for high-powered weapons. She additionally acknowledged the significance of addressing psychological well being wants, talking from her personal expertise.

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“I simply obtained out of a psychological well being scenario, and it’s not good,” Marie mentioned. “It’s actually, actually, actually not good.”

Because of the consolation she skilled on the vigil, Marie plans to proceed advocating for gun management with Mothers Demand Motion and March For Our Lives. She hopes that they are going to use her story to construct on the motion that’s already been created.

Each teams have been working carefully with Idaho lawmakers to push for gun management payments, with various ranges of success. A lot of the laws proposed by March For Our Lives – even after non-public conferences with legislators – has not acquired a listening to, in accordance toStevens.

"IDAHO CARES" written in chalk on a sidewalk outside the Idaho State Capitol.

Andrew Severance

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Boise State Public Radio Information

“IDAHO CARES” written in chalk on a sidewalk outdoors the Idaho State Capitol.

Members of Mothers Demand Motion spoke with state senators and representatives final month in help of wise gun legal guidelines. A type of audio system was Invoice Brudenell, who attended Tuesday’s vigil along with his spouse, Ingrid.

The couple has been concerned in Mothers Demand Motion for about 4 years. In addition they volunteer with the Wassmuth Middle for Human Rights in Boise.

“We want some new legal guidelines that make sense,” Invoice Brudenell mentioned. “Possibly anyone ought to be 21 years outdated earlier than they purchase a military-type weapon.”

Ingrid Brudenell added that she would help a buyback program, much like what was not too long ago launched in Canada. Her husband additionally cited the success of Australia’s buyback program, applied after a mass capturing killed 35 individuals in 1996.

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Each agreed that now’s the time to behave, in hopes that Boise wouldn’t expertise the same capturing.

Chatting with the gang as candles lit up and flowers have been laid on the memorial, Kate Stevens mirrored on the work of March For Our Lives within the fast aftermath of Uvalde and different shootings throughout the nation.

“If we don’t begin mourning the lack of our fellow residents across the nation, we’ll hold letting this occur,” Stevens mentioned. “We aren’t okay with the causal method that this retains occurring, time and time once more.”

A woman lays flowers at a memorial for the Uvalde victims

Andrew Severance

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Boise State Public Radio Information

A lady lays flowers in entrance of the memorial for the Uvalde capturing victims.





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Idaho

'This is a game-changer.' New indoor soccer facility set to open in east Idaho – East Idaho News

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'This is a game-changer.' New indoor soccer facility set to open in east Idaho – East Idaho News


The following is a news release from Portneuf Valley Soccer Club.

POCATELLO — Portneuf Valley Soccer Club is proud to announce the finalization of a four-field indoor soccer facility in Pocatello.

At just over 120,000 square feet, this facility will be the largest of its kind in Idaho. Beyond housing four fields, the complex will serve as the new headquarters for PVSC, featuring administrative offices, a merchandise store, classrooms, and more.

“This facility is a game-changer for soccer in Eastern Idaho,” said Cristie Stone, President of PVSC. “It’s a testament to the vision and commitment of our club, our partners, and the community. We’re investing in our players and are determined to raise the bar of soccer in Idaho.”

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PVSC is making a significant investment to enhance the facility’s infrastructure which includes installation of high-quality turf on all four fields, procurement of equipment and technology, upgrades to restrooms, office spaces, and other amenities.

“This facility is phase 1 of a 3-phase strategic development program that will see PVSC become the Number 1 club in the state,” said Paul Baker, who led the development efforts. “We are focused on building a community where our athletes can thrive, families can connect, and the sport we love can continue to grow in eastern Idaho.”

PVSC’s growth ambitions don’t stop here. In addition to the facility, the club will be investing in the professional development of 5 full-time professional coaching staff who will focus on enhancing Youth Development and Competitive programs.

The facility is set to open its doors for a soft opening in January with an official opening ceremony scheduled for early February, offering a transformative space for the soccer community to participate in events, tournaments and leagues.

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As PVSC is a 501C3 Non Profit, the club is asking local businesses and families to support the clubs efforts through advertising and sponsorships. Information is available on their website: www.pvscunited.com.

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Project Pinecone aims to recover Idaho’s forests after Wapiti Fire • Utah News Dispatch

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Project Pinecone aims to recover Idaho’s forests after Wapiti Fire • Utah News Dispatch


One organization is aiming to help forest managers recover the trees lost in one of Idaho’s most devastating fires this summer.

On Nov. 3, the nonprofit Daughters of the American Revolution launched a fundraising campaign to raise money to help restore scorched south and central Idaho forests.

The Wapiti Fire, which began on July 24 by a lightning strike two miles southwest of Grandjean, spanned about 130,000 acres across the Boise National Forest, Sawtooth National Forest and the Salmon-Challis National Forest.

Coined Project Pinecone, the funds raised will be used to hire professional tree climbers for the Sawtooth National Forest who will pick pinecones off trees to harvest mature seeds that will be used to grow and eventually replant trees back into the Sawtooth National Forest.

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As of Monday, the Project Pinecone had raised a total of $11,500, including cash and check donations outside of the PayPal fundraiser, lead organizer Janice Beller said.

Beller is the Idaho state leader of the nonprofit. Like others in the organization, she is a descendant of someone who participated in the American Revolution. Conservation is important to the organization and important to her as a fifth generation Idahoan, she told the Idaho Capital Sun.

“Stanley is one of my favorite places in the world, and it has been in my family for years —  literally generations,” she said. “When Stanley burned this summer, it just broke my heart and really had a kind of a profound impact on many members within Daughters of the American Revolution.”

‘We have a lot of need for seed’: Sawtooth forester says 

Beller said a member of her leadership team reached out to a Stanley forest ranger to ask how they could help restore the forest. That’s when she learned about the shortage in seeds at Lucky Peak Nursery, located off Highway 21 outside of Boise.

Nelson Mills, the timber and silviculture program manager for the Sawtooth National Forest, said his biggest challenge is that forest staff hasn’t collected enough its seeds to replenish its seed bank at Lucky Peak Nursery.

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Pinecones are collected by professional tree climbers who use harnesses and spurred boots to climb trees between 75 and 120 feet tall. The pinecones are then transferred to Lucky Peak Nursery for seed processing. (Courtesy of Bill Josey)

Forest service staff right now have enough seeds to cover 50 to 80 acres of trees suitable for the Stanley area at its nursery, Mills said. However, that is not nearly enough to recover the forest from the Wapiti Fire.

Mills said that wildfires are a natural part of the ecosystem, but catastrophic wildfires like the Wapiti Fire will require artificial tree restoration. Of the 130,000 acres that were burned in the Wapiti Fire, 485 acres have been identified as requiring immediate reforestation need because the seed bed was completely burnt, Mills said. When a more formal assessment is done this winter, forest staff will likely find more acres in need of seedling planting, he said.

In addition to the seed shortage, harvesting pinecones is a complicated, risky and expensive process, Mills said.

The main way to collect pinecone seeds is by hiring professional tree climbers for $2,500 a day. Equipped with harnesses and spurred boots, they climb trees between 75 and 120 feet tall to collect pinecones at the perfect ripeness.

Timing is crucial, as ripeness varies by species and elevation, typically occurring between mid-August to mid-September, Mills said. An unripe pinecone won’t have a viable embryo, an overripe pinecone opens and releases its seeds, and pinecones that have fallen on the ground have been exposed to mold — making the seeds unsuitable for use, he said.

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The pinecones are then transferred to Lucky Peak Nursery where they are tested, processed, cleaned and sown to make baby lodgepole pines, ponderosa pines and Douglas firs.

Mills said Project Pinecone creates flexibility for foresters because it is not congressionally appropriated. If it’s not a good pinecone producing year, he said foresters can wait until the next year, or look at other species in a different area.

“Everybody is stepping up through all phases of this reforestation issue to make a solution and grow forests back specifically in the Stanley basin that was affected by the Wapiti Fire,” Mills said. “It is an amazing collaborative effort, and I am just so thankful that people want to get together and grow a forest ecosystem.”

Fundraiser to last until spring 2025

Beller said the fundraiser will last until May, when she plans to hold a ceremony to present the funds to the Stanley community and forest officials. She said she is encouraging individuals to donate, as it is tax deductible, and people who donate more than $10 will receive a wooden magnet with the project’s logo.

The total goal of the project is to raise $15,000, which would pay for six days of pinecone picking.

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The fundraiser is partnering with Boise Cascade, which committed to a day’s worth of pinecone picking to the project.

“Boise Cascade’s roots run deep in the state of Idaho, and we are honored to contribute to this incredible project to help restore some of Idaho’s most cherished forest lands that were burned during the brutal fire season of summer 2024,” Boise Cascade Vice President of Human Resources and contributions committee chair Angella Broesch, told the Sun. “As one of the largest producers of wood products in North America and a leading wholesale distributor of building products in the U.S., our company is committed to contributing to responsible forestry practices and protecting our environment.”

Having surpassed the halfway point of its goal, Beller said the successful donations show how much people from Idaho and outside of Idaho care about the Stanley area.

“We’ve heard so many people say that it’s truly the heart of Idaho, and it means a great deal to them and their families,” Beller said. “So to see everybody come together and contribute even just a little to bring it back is very humbling.”

Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: [email protected].

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A very wet holiday week lies ahead

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A very wet holiday week lies ahead


After a short dry spell this past week, Idaho is gearing up for a wet holiday week ahead with plenty of precipitation to come.

It started off today with light snow falling in the mountains but not much making it to the valley floor in terms of rain. Tomorrow the Magic Valley will see some rain sweep through the region as a stray pattern will bring in early rain separate from the main systems later this week.

Monday night into Tuesday morning is wave #1, which will deliver precipitation to almost all of Idaho. Tuesday will see another wave pass through before things clear out just in time for Christmas Day.

Wednesday’s clear weather only lasts for a moment as more rain arrives on Thursday & Friday, with more to come next Saturday.

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Happy Holidays everyone! Enjoy the season and stay dry this week!





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