Hello Friday. Gretchen Parsons here with your news.

Good morning. There’s a new mural in Garden City that pays tribute to the community’s early Chinese immigrants, details below. Plus, police gave an update on the search for Michael Vaughan.

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• Today: 36° 🌨🌤 Snow is expected until about noon and then partly sunny.
• Weekend: Snow is expected Saturday with a high of 41° and a rain/ snow mix is expected for Sunday with a high of 41°.

First Up Today

Heaven’s Gate: Inside the Idaho lookout where you can see four different states

Anna Daly writes: It’s no secret that Idaho’s many tall mountain peaks offer stunning views. However, there is one peak in Idaho that offers a perspective unlike the rest – a view of four different states.

A 19-mile drive from Riggins on Highway 95 takes you to Heaven’s Gate Lookout in Hells Canyon. It’s the highest viewpoint on the Idaho side at an elevation of 8429 feet.

On a clear day, you can see mountain peaks in four different states, including Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Montana – according to North Central Idaho’s website. In addition, you’ll also see views of the Seven Devil’s Mountain Range and Hells Canyon.

“From the Seven Devils down to the Snake River, the canyon drops over 7,200 feet, making it the deepest canyon in North America,” Author Jared Kennedy notes on outdoor project.com. “From the lookout you can’t see the waters of the Snake River far below, but you can see much of the canyon.”

Because of the high elevation, the lookout is accessible by car from late June, when the snow melts, until October or November.

Photo: Gestalt Imagery/Shutterstock

New mural pays tribute to Chinese immigrants in Garden City

There’s a new mural in Garden City that pays homage to the early contributions of the town’s Chinese gardeners.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Chinese immigrants came to Idaho to mine for gold, but they preferred selling the food they raised to the community, such as hogs, strawberries, and onions. Many of their gardens were at the east end of town where the Surel Mitchell Live Work Create District is located now. While their gardens are now gone, the Chinese immigrant community made a significant contribution to the heritage and culture of Garden City, which is depicted in this new mural.

Titled “Chinese Gardens Boulevard,” the mural is located on the west side of Spaceport at 112 E 33rd Street. The featured typography educates people about the origin of the city’s principal thoroughfare, Chinden Boulevard. In the background, there’s a shadow of Albert Louie, a prominent Chinese immigrant, on a tractor that changes with the light patterns of the day. At the base of the mural are the different foods the gardeners raised.

Artist Danielle Hurd came up with the concept. The project was funded through the Alexa Rose Foundation and Arts Idaho.

(Photo Courtesy Garden City)

Michael Vaughan search update

Fruitland Police provided an update Thursday on the search for Michael Vaughan.

Officers were able to locate and contact the two men they were looking for – Brandon Shurtliff, 30, of Kuna, and Adrien Lucienne, 32, of Ohio. Police didn’t elaborate beyond that.

Law enforcement also searched the backyard of a house next to the Wondras. Ground penetrating radar and cadaver dogs were deployed but no evidence was found and there was no indication that Michael had ever been there.

In November, police issued a search warrant at Stacey and Sarah Wondra’s house, which is several minutes away from Michael’s home, after receiving a tip. They excavated the backyard and cadaver dogs alerted officers that remains had been there, leading police to believe Michael’s body was buried there and later moved. Sarah Wondra was arrested and charged with felony failure to report a death, related to Michael. During her arrest, she indicated Michael had been buried in her neighbor’s backyard, then later said Michael was buried in her backyard.

At the time of Michael’s disappearance, Shurtliff and Lucienne were living at the Wondras.

Stacey Wondra is currently in jail on separate charges.

Happening Today

• Weather Advisory: There is a Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 5 p.m. tonight for snow. Be careful when driving.
• Fuel-Up Friday: The average price for a gallon of gas in Ada County is $3.93, 14 cents less than last week! The national average is $3.30, 17 cents less than a week ago.
• ⛷Night Skiing: Night skiing at Bogus Basin starts tonight, earlier than expected.
• Gem State Falcons: The Gem State Falcons, Idaho’s first wheelchair basketball team, is trying to compete in several upcoming tournaments but is in need of funding. Donate to the cause here.

BoiseDev Reports

Boise sets special meeting on personnel action as new records show Jara was watching random police body cams

Office of Police Accountability Director Jesus Jara, who was put on leave last week, would randomly watch police body cam videos. He admitted this to City Council in March. Now, it appears he could be fired. Don Day has the story.

‘Counterproductive’: Ada County Commissioners decline to bring off-track betting back to Expo Idaho

Ada County Commissioners decided not to pursue the possibility of leasing the mothballed Turf Club at Les Bois Park to Las Vegas-based company Midnight Racing for off-track betting. Margaret Carmel has been following this story and has the update.

Boise City Council approves rezone, annexation for $15 billion Micron expansion

Boise City Council unanimously approved a request to rezone and annex 358 acres east of the Micron campus on Federal Way to make way for the company’s new fab. Margaret Carmel was at the meeting and has the details.

From beef — to a bird. Local ostrich farm sees growth of alternative red meat

An ostrich farm in Kuna expanded to include a processing plant for livestock. Idaho News 6 introduces readers to American Ostrich Farms in this story via BoiseDev.

Link-worthy

• Fugitive Arrested: According to KTVB, a Nampa man wanted in connection with a kidnapping and killing that occurred more than a year ago is now in an Arizona jail.
• Obituary: Former Idaho state Rep. Hy Kloc, D-Boise, has died of a heart attack at the age of 75. Read about his legacy from the Idaho Press.🔒
• Settlement: According to the AP, the University of Idaho will pay $90,000 to settle a lawsuit from members of a Christian law students’ organization who claimed their freedom of speech was violated when the school’s civil rights investigation office issued no-contact orders against them.
• Teacher Arrested: Detectives arrested a 51-year-old Kuna teacher Thursday for having illegal sexual contact with a child under the age of 16. Read more from CBS2.

Things To Do

• Free Carriage Ride: There are free horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown Boise today and tomorrow from 4-8 p.m. The line starts at the Corner of Bannock and 9th, dress warm!
• Light Show: From 4 p.m.- 1 a.m. nightly, there will be a holiday-themed light & sound one-hour show on the visual art display along 8th Street. 
• Gingerbread Houses: Come join the Children’s Museum of Idaho at the Center at the Park (Kleiner Park) for a Gingerbread House decorating workshop on Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tickets are $35.
• Santa at Warehouse: Santa will be at the Warehouse Food Hall Saturday for free pictures from 1-4 p.m.

(Adoptable) Pet of the Day

How adorable is Blue? Blue is just seven months old. Here’s what his bio from the Idaho Humane Society says:

“Hi! I am pretty new to life and very excited to meet you. Please know that I am quite popular here at the shelter and will have lots of people to meet. I absolutely love to play and have bounds of energy! I’m really looking forward to running around my new home, exploring and chasing toys.”

Learn more about Blue here.

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)!