Hello Thursday. Gretchen Parsons here to fill you in.

Good morning. Today is the first day of fall and we have details on when Boise’s foliage will be at its peak autumn colors. Plus, Boise police say Capital High School’s football field is unplayable because of vandalism.

• Today: 77° 🌧 Mostly cloudy with a chance for showers and thunderstorms.

First Up Today

Capital High football games and practices postponed because of vandalism

Football games and practices at Capital High School are on hold because of reckless vandalism.

According to Boise police, last Friday around 11:15 p.m., two vehicles entered the school parking lot and proceeded to plow through the fields causing thousands of dollars in damages. Police say the football field is unplayable and all games and practices must be rescheduled as a result.

One of the suspected vehicles is a dark-colored Chevrolet Avalanche or Honda Ridgeline. The other is a light-colored, late 90s model sedan. You can see surveillance photos of the vehicles here.

Anyone who knows anything about the crime is asked to call Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790.  You can also make a tip to Crime Stoppers at 208- 343-COPS (2677).

The best time to see Boise’s fall foliage

Today marks the first official day of fall- and arguably the start of the most beautiful season in Boise!

Pretty soon, tree leaves will display vivid hues of orange, yellow and red. But when can we expect to see fall foliage at its finest? Smokymountains.com has a Fall Foliage Prediction Map that forecasts the annual progression of changing leaves in a given region.

Currently, the map shows leaves in the Treasure Valley are showing minimal to patchy changes. But by October 10, leaves will be at their peak autumn colors.

The site notes that while no tool can be 100% accurate, it uses NOAA precipitation forecasts, historical precipitation, average daylight exposure and temperature forecasts to determine its predictions.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, three factors influence fall leaf colors- leaf pigments, the length of night, and the weather.

“As days grow shorter, and nights grow longer and cooler, biochemical processes in the leaf begin to paint the landscape with Nature’s autumn palette,” USDA notes.

When leaves fall to the ground, mother nature has a way of recycling them. The leaves decompose and act as a source of nutrients and water for the trees and plants, helping promote plant health in the next spring season.

Crews control grass fire in Boise Foothills

Fire crews finished mopping up a grass fire yesterday evening in the Boise Foothills.

According to the Boise Fire Department, the Homestead Fire broke out Tuesday night above Warm Springs Rd. near Council Springs. Crews with the Bureau of Land Management and the Boise Fire Department responded.

While the flames were visible from the neighborhoods below, there were no structures damaged, no evacuations and no injuries. The fire was mapped at 17 acres.

Fire officials say the suspected cause is a holdover from a lightning strike.

Happening Today

• Boise Foothills: Ridge to Rivers is asking trail users in the Boise Foothills to complete a quick survey on overall trail use.
• Hayman House: Boise is opening its newest cultural site on Thursday- the Erma Hayman House. It’s located at 617 Ash Street, Boise, ID 83702. The city will have a dedication ceremony at noon on Thursday.
• ACHD Communication: Do you have any thoughts on ACHD’s communication efforts? If so, the district asks you to take this survey.

BoiseDev Reports

Deep Dive: Leaking sewage lagoon in McCall prompts questions on algae blooms. But water managers say it isn’t the cause

McCall’s wastewater lagoon has been leaking for more than 10 years. This has led residents to wonder if the leak is connected to toxic algae blooms in Cascade Reservoir. Autum Robertson looked into this issue in-depth and has answers.

Boise to add two accessible trails to Hulls Gulch, Camel’s Back Reserve

Two trail projects in Hulls Gulch and Camel’s Back Reserve aimed at making the area more accessible got the green light from Boise City Council. The projects would open up more of the trails to visitors who use wheelchairs or have other mobility limitations. Margaret Carmel has the details of this project.

Single-family homes, apartments, & townhomes planned near Fairview

A mix of single-family homes, townhomes and apartments are slated for the corner of Fairview Avenue and 3rd Street in Meridian. Amenities call for a park, clubhouse, pool and more. Autum Robertson lays out the project’s next steps.

Subdivision of rental homes approved in SW Boise on former school site

A Southwest Boise lot once planned for an elementary school is now set for dozens of rental homes. The site will also include a 13-acre park. As Margaret Carmel reports, the subdivision is owned by American Homes for Rent.

Boise advertising agency 116 & West acquires Klündt Hosmer

A Boise-based advertising agency just purchased a design marketing agency in Spokane. Anna Daly has the details of the acquisition.

Link-worthy

• River Rescue: A 30-year-old from Scotland saved a man from drowning on the Boise River last week. The Idaho Press has the story.🔒
• Record Bonuses: State superintendent Sherri Ybarra gave her employees more than $600,000 in bonuses this spring, an apparent record amount. Read more from Idaho Education News.
• BSU Volleyball: All through last season, Boise State volleyball’s outside hitter Kayly Pau made appearances in 20 the Broncos’ 35 matches — a decision she made despite being diagnosed with leukemia in June of 2021. Read more from Idaho News 6.
• Faces of Hope: According to CBS2, the Faces of Hope Victim Center continues to see unprecedented growth in the number of victims experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault.

Things To Do

• Happy Hour: Anthony’s in downtown Boise is kicking off the start to fall with a new happy hour menu from 4-6:30 p.m., featuring 1/2 Northwest Dungeness Crab for $15, $7 cocktails, and $5 well drinks.
• Frolic Fest: On Saturday, the Boise Basque Block presents the Fiber Frolic Festival- a fest that celebrates Idaho wool, sheep, the fiber arts, and Basque history. It’s happening at the Basque Block from 10-4 p.m.
• Fit One: St. Luke’s Fit One race is this Saturday in downtown Boise and there is still time to sign up. Runners can choose from a 5k, 10k, and half marathon.
• Zoo Yoga: Zoo Boise is hosting a yoga class at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $40.

Pet of the Day

Meet Rex! Owner Kristin Bartz says Rex was paralyzed back in 2019 but is living his best life, gets around in a cart outside, and imitates a land shark inside. He loves sunbathing, taking long walks in the park, and lots of treats.

Submit your pet’s photo here, and we may feature it Monday-Thursday! Plus, our friends at Zamzows will send along a prize to the winning pet (owners)!