Hello Tuesday. Gretchen Parsons here with what’s happening around the Treasure Valley.

Good morning. We have a guide to this weekend’s events at the McCall Winter Carnival. Plus, get a picture with the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

• Today: 34° 🌫☀️ Patchy fog then sunny.

First Up Today

McCall Winter Carnival guide for this weekend

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, the McCall Winter Carnival kicks off on Friday!

The annual winter event goes through Sunday, February 5, with the main events happening this weekend and next. There is a slew of activities lined up and we put together a list of some of the most popular happenings slated for this weekend.

The snow sculptures at local businesses can be viewed at any time throughout the McCall Winter Carnival. You can view the entire schedule of events here.

Friday, January 27

• There will be live music and a beer garden at the Ludwig Terrace (117 E Lake St, McCall) from 5-9 p.m.
• Vendors will set up shop at E. Lake and 2nd streets and will be there from 6-10 p.m.
• Fireworks over Payette Lake start at 7 p.m.

Saturday, January 28

• The traditional Winter Carnival Pancake Breakfast is happening from 8-11 a.m. at the McCall Senior Center.
• The Winter Carnival snow bike, snowmobile, and UTV races get underway at 10 a.m. in Cascade, Idaho (one mile up Warm Lake Rd. at Beaver Creek)
• The vendor court will be open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
• The IFSA Big Mountain Skiing and Snowboarding Competition is from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Tamarack Resort.
• The Mardi Gras Parade starts at noon at 3rd and Lake streets.
• The beer garden at Ludwig Terrace will be open from 1:30-9 P.M. with live music 4-10 p.m.
• Enjoy S’mores on the Snowfront at Tamarack Resort from 3-5 p.m.
• Yacht Club is hosting a DJ/Dance Party from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Sunday, January 29

• The IFSA Big Mountain Competition continues at Tamarack Resort from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• The vendor court will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• The Idaho Sled Dog Ceremonial Start kicks off at 10:30 a.m. at the Activity Barn in McCall and goes until 3 p.m.
• Enjoy S’mores on the Snowfront at Tamarack Resort from 3-5 p.m.
• End the night singing some tunes at Yacht Club’s Karaoke Night from 9 p.m.- 2 a.m.

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More police officers in Meridian schools

Six additional School Resource Officers were deployed in Meridian elementary schools this month.

Meridian Mayor Robert Simison proposed the positions after the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas where 19 children and two teachers were killed. Meridian City Council approved the funding for the new positions last August.

“I am grateful to city council who also saw the need and approved these officers, for the men and women of Meridian Police Department who put this request into reality, and the partnership with the West Ada School District,” Simison said in a news release.

The Meridian Police Department currently has 19 SROs in Meridian schools. Their duties consist of filing investigative reports, patrolling, providing security and sporting events, maintaining building security, and enforcing traffic laws.

🌭Oscar Mayer Wienermobile coming to Treasure Valley

If you’ve ever wanted to get a photo with the famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, it will be in the Treasure Valley this week!

And along with making stops for photo ops, Lite Online reports the Wienermobile will be making a special stop at Boise State in search of next year’s “Hotdoggers,” which are the people who drive the giant sausage. Apparently, the two current Hotdoggers are BSU graduates and are returning to their Alma Mater in hopes of recruiting more wieners. You can learn more about the job here.

Here’s the Wienermobile’s schedule of stops in the Treasure Valley:

Friday, January 27

• Albertsons in Boise at 1650 W State St. from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Albertsons in Boise at 1219 Broadway Ave from 2-5 p.m.

Saturday, January 28

• Albertsons in Eagle at 250 S Eagle Rd. from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Albertsons in Meridian at 3499 Fairview Ave. from 2-5 p.m.

Monday, January 30

• Albertsons in Boise at 10565 W Lake Hazel Rd. from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Albertsons in Meridian at 4657 S Eagle Rd. from 2-5 p.m.

(Photo: Victorgrigas/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Happening Today

• Nampa Open Houses: The City of Nampa is having open houses today and tomorrow for feedback on the master site plan for Lakeview Park and a second master site plan for Nampa’s municipal golf courses. Today’s open houses are from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Centennial Golf Course and from 5:30-7:30 at Ridgecrest Golf Club.
• Ada County Board Opening: Applications are being accepted for the Ada County Parks, Open Space & Trails Advisory Board. See what’s required of this voluntary position.
• Recognize Him?: See if you recognize this man suspected of theft. Nampa police want to get in touch with him.

BoiseDev Reports

No, Boise’s Barnes & Noble isn’t closing

A tweet that got a lot of attention over the weekend claimed Barnes and Noble was closing its Boise location. However, rest assured, that is not the case. Read more on what’s going on on BoiseDev.

City of Boise settles whistleblower case related to gun sales from BPD office

The City of Boise settled with a police officer in a whistleblower lawsuit for $375,000. Margaret Carmel has more on what the lawsuit stemmed from.

Bill introduced to withhold sales tax revenue from cities refusing to enforce all felonies, not just abortion

On Monday, Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, got the nod from the House State Affairs Committee to introduce a bill that would withhold sales tax revenue from any local government that stopped enforcing felony crimes of all types. Margaret Carmel breaks down the bill.

Off again: Alaska appears to cut another destination from Boise Airport

As Anna Daly reports, a flight from Boise to Everett, Washington by Alaska Airlines is no longer being offered.

Apartment project planned off Franklin Road in Meridian

More apartments are planned for Meridian. This complex is slated for just off Franklin Rd. Autum Robertson has more information on the project.

T-Swift & Christmas tunes power Boise’s top-rated radio station. How many people listen to radio?

107.9 Lite FM  was the most listened-to radio station during the fall ratings period, when the station switched up its usual music to Christmas classics. Don Day also answers a popular question: how many people listen to the radio?

Link-worthy

• Ammon Bundy: On what was to be the first day of his trial on a misdemeanor trespassing charge, Ammon Bundy plead guilty, part of a plea deal in connection with his arrest outside St. Luke’s Meridian in March 2022. Read more from KTVB.
• Gender Identity: Attorney General Raul Labrador believes the Caldwell School District’s gender identity proposal, which caused a stir at the last board meeting, violates Idaho law. CBS 2 has the story.
• New Bill: According to the Idaho Capital Sun, the Idaho Legislature’s House State Affairs Committee introduced a new bill Monday morning that would create a mandatory waiting period before legislators, other elected officials and executive branch employees can register as lobbyists after leaving office. 
• Pet Surrenders: Boise State Public Radio reports that inflation and housing issues are increasing the number of pets surrendered at shelters.

Things To Do

• Hockey: Watch the Idaho Steelheads take on Witchita Thunder Wednesday. Tickets start at $19.
• Opera Idaho: Opera Idaho is putting on a version of Macbeth at the Morrison Center on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Get tickets here.
• Remodel & Design Show: The Idaho Remodeling & Design Show is happening this Saturday and Sunday at the Boise Centre. A $7 ticket gets you access to 120+ exhibitors, educational seminars and 2 full days of inspiration for your home projects. 
• Pop-up Shop: Local vendors and craftsmen will be at a pop-up market at the Warehouse Food Hall in downtown Boise Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Pet of the Day

Meet Louie! Owner Patricia Watkins says Louie is a rescued blue nose pitbull mix and is the most cuddling dog she has ever had. The toy in the picture lasted 10 minutes!

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)!