Drew Dodson here with this week’s edition of the Valley Lookout newsletter. You may have noticed the newsletter was missing from your inbox last week. That’s because we decided to take the week off in preparation for the busy holiday weekend, along with some upcoming vacation time for staff members. I meant to flag this deviation in the newsletter two weeks ago, but somehow July 4 managed to sneak up on me this year. Time flies when you’re having fun!

Speaking of fun, I spent the holiday weekend backpacking the Seven Devils Mountains. For me, enjoying the freedom afforded to us by our public lands seemed like an appropriate way to celebrate Independence Day. Whatever your holiday celebration entailed, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed mine.

First up

Pine Creek Ranch annexation hearing on hold after noticing error

A public hearing at which the Payette Lakes Recreational Water and Sewer District will consider providing sewer service to a large subdivision proposed in southeastern McCall is delayed indefinitely.

The hearing, originally scheduled for Thursday at noon, was cancelled by the sewer district after the City of McCall notified district officials of a noticing error.

The city did not receive a formal 30-day written notice required by a 2017 agreement between the agencies. The error was brought to the sewer district’s attention by McCall Community and Economic Development Director Michelle Groenevelt the day after the public hearing was scheduled.

It is now unclear when the public hearing might happen but sewer district Business Manager Tammie Richardson told Valley Lookout it will “likely” be in September.

Pine Creek Ranch, a 158-acre subdivision of 600-plus homes proposed by Craig Groves of Donnelly, relies on 90 acres currently outside of the sewer district to be added to the district boundaries, making the development eligible for central sewer service.

In May, the sewer district board listed improvements and standards Groves must meet as part of the annexation process, as Valley Lookout reported.

Idaho 55 lane closures near Banks to start this week

Lane closures and reduced speed limits will be in place on Idaho 55 near Banks starting this week, according to the Idaho Transportation Department.

Crews will begin a sealcoat treatment on about 28 miles of roadway starting 12 miles north of Banks and continuing to Horseshoe Bend. ITD urges drivers to plan for delays of up to 30 minutes.

Flaggers and pilot cars will direct drivers through the work zones until work is completed in early August. Crews will work from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to noon on Friday. No work or lane closures are expected on weekends.

Sealcoating extends the life of pavement by adding a new layer of gravel to the roadway that prevents cracks and potholes from forming, according to ITD.

More information about the project and construction updates can be found here.

(Aerial view of Idaho 55 near Horseshoe Bend. Photo: Courtesy Idaho Transportation Department)

U.S. 95 fully open after July 4 mudslide

Heavy rains on July 4 triggered a mudslide that covered part of U.S. 95 north of Riggins and resulted in the Idaho Transportation Department temporarily closing the highway.

The roadway was completely closed until one lane was reopened Saturday. Alternating traffic is expected to continue as ITD crews clean up logs, mud, rocks, and other debris that spilled onto the highway.

“Even on holidays, our operators heed the call and are ready to tackle any emergency thrown at them,”  ITD Field Operations Manager Larry Tillinghast said. “Please give them a wave for they have more work to do before returning to their families.”

The mudslide occurred near Fiddle Creek, about five miles north of Riggins, and covered several hundred feet of roadway as mud and debris poured into the Salmon River.

(Aerial view of the U.S. 95 mudslide north of Riggins. Photo: Courtesy Idaho Transportation Department)

Civic Lookout

• McCall Area Planning and Zoning Commission: Special meeting tonight at 4:30 p.m. Agenda available here.
• McCall City Council: Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Agenda available here.
• North Lake Recreational Sewer and Water District: Friday at 10 a.m. Agenda to be posted here.
• Valley County Commissioners: Monday starting at 9 a.m. Agenda to be posted here.
• Cascade City Council: Monday at 6 p.m. Agenda to be posted here.
• New Meadows City Council: Monday at 6:30 p.m. Agenda to be posted here.
• Payette Lakes Recreational Water and Sewer District: Wednesday at 9 a.m. Agenda available here.

Valley Lookout Original Reporting

Australian mining company to drill for gold, antimony near Yellow Pine after ‘transformative’ acquisition

The promise of precious metals in eastern Valley County has drawn another mining company to the area—this time from the other side of the planet. Read the full story on Valley Lookout.

Downtown Cascade sidewalk extension among $100M Idaho 55 project list

Safety improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists in Cascade and McCall are among projects identified by the Idaho Transportation Department’s seven-year investment plan. Read the full story on Valley Lookout.

A movie theater, CrossFit gym, and storage units: McCall OKs revived Broken Ridge Commons plan

Plans to build a movie theater in McCall are back on after a previous approval expired amid economic upheaval during the coronavirus pandemic. Read the full story on Valley Lookout.

Mountain Happenings

McCall

• Farmer’s Market: Every Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Second Street.
• McCall Music Festival: Starts next Tuesday with a series of classical and pop concerts from July 15-19 at Mountain Life Church led by Boise Philharmonic Director Eric Garcia. More information available here.
• Computer Help Desk: Council Computers to offer computer help at the McCall Public Library on Tuesdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. all summer.
• Slip N’Slide Days: At Art Roberts Park from noon to 2 p.m. every Wednesday through Aug. 13.

Donnelly

• Farmer’s Market: Every Wednesday through September from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Donnelly City Park.
• Free Wednesday Night Concert Series: Dry Buck to perform at 6:30 p.m. in historic Roseberry. Bring your own seating!
• 3rd Annual Jump Park Competition: Open to spectators and all skill levels on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tamarack Resort. More information available here.

Cascade

• Swim to the Moon: Cascade Aquatic and Recreation Center to host annual moonlit pool party on Friday from 9 p.m. to midnight. More information available here.
• Proud Planet Project Cleanup: Meet on Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon at the West Mountain Snow Park.
• Artisans’ Tour in the Mountains: Self-guided tour of working studios and galleries from Cascade to New Meadows on July 19 and 20. More information available here.

New Meadows

• Movie on the Mound: “The Sandlot” to be shown on Friday night at the Meadows Valley Football Field. Gates open at 7 p.m. with games and food, with the movie to start at 8:30 p.m. All proceeds to fund a new community baseball park.
• Farmer’s Market: Each Saturday through Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Dorsey Warr Memorial Park.
• Wine Tasting: Live music, appetizers, and wine from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday at MeadowCreek Clubhouse. $40 entry.
• Ice Cream Festival: Next Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Meadows Valley Community Center.

Mountain Pet of the Week

Meet Jackson, also known as JJ McCall or Jackson Brown. Owner Molly Hardy of McCall needs only a few words to explain why Jackson is a special pup—”Look at those eyes!”

Click here to nominate your pet for Mountain Pet of the Week for a chance to be featured on a weekly newsletter!