Drew Dodson here with this week’s edition of the Valley Lookout newsletter. What a treat it was to wake up Sunday and see a snowcapped Jughandle Mountain from my back deck. We are spoiled here by the brilliance of the changing seasons, so be sure to enjoy it while it’s here.

On another bit of exciting fall news…Our new book Incredible Idaho Women: 43 Inspiring Stories for All Ages will be delivering in early November! The whole BoiseDev team worked on this project, and I took the lead on profiles for Valley County’s featured women, including Barbara Morgan and Nelle Tobias. The book also features original portraits from ten Idaho artists. Our pre-sale pricing is ending this week, and we’ll sign the first 1,000 copies. You can learn more and buy here. Having seen the proofs of the finished product, we can’t wait to share it with you.

First up

Brundage, Tamarack note first snowfall

There are only 44 days until the projected Nov. 28 opening day for Brundage Mountain Resort and Tamarack Resort. But who’s counting?

Last weekend Valley County recorded its first notable snowfall of the season amid a cold front that brought cooler temperatures and more rain to the valley floors.

Brundage recorded about 4 inches of snowfall at the resort’s base area, while Tamarack saw just over an inch at mid-mountain, according to pictures of each resort’s snowstakes posted on social media.

“It’s always exciting to see the mountain covered in snow again,” Brundage General Manager Ken Rider said. “These inches probably won’t stick around long, but it’s a great reminder that ski season is just around the corner. The energy starts to build the moment we see that first coat of white.”

Brundage will host a Pray for Snow Party on Friday, Nov. 8, with festivities to include live music, food, drinks, and prize giveaways.

Tamarack will be releasing more information on plans for winter events soon, Marketing Manager Graham Hetland said.

(Photo: Courtesy Brundage Mountain Resort)

Loon Lake Crash: The remarkable survival story of eight airmen in McCall’s backcountry

Anna Daly writes: The wreckage from a plane crash more than 80 years ago still remains in Idaho’s remote wilderness.

On Jan. 29, 1943, during World War II, eight airmen were on a training mission, flying a B-23 Dragon Bomber from California to Washington. 

The route took them over central Idaho’s backcountry wilderness, where they flew into bad weather conditions and low fuel. Forced to make an emergency landing, the pilot, 2nd Lt. Robert Orr, landed at Loon Lake in the Payette National Forest.

“After a skillful landing by 2nd Lieutenant (Lt.) Robert Orr and the eight airmen — Lts. Kelly, Orr, and Schermerhorn; Sergeants Hoover, Freeborg, Pruitt, Loewen; and Corporal Beaudry — built a lean-to and a fire in the waist-deep snow, rationed their emergency food, and worked to stay alive as snow continued to fall,” the Payette National Forest sign posted today at the crash site notes.

Four days after the crash, three of the men set out in knee-deep snow and freezing temperatures to find help. 

“After six days, they found a Forest Service map on the wall of a log cabin near Zena Creek, which helped the men identify their location and their route to McCall,” the Payette National Forest’s sign notes. “Frequent avalanches were observed as they followed telephone lines through knee-deep snow up a V-shaped valley and over Lick Creek Summit.”

After thirteen days, one of the men was injured and stayed behind at a CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) camp building. The two other men trekked on, finally reaching the Lake Fork Guard Station. Here, they were able to use the phone and call the City of McCall for help.

“These airmen had walked 35–40 miles through deep snow in 15 days.” 

Meanwhile, back at Loon Lake, the five men who stayed behind survived on woodpeckers, a squirrel, and a small amount of chocolate. 

“Sixteen days after the crash, backcountry pilot Penn Stohr spotted the airplane and 3 crew members while on a routine supply flight to Warren. The next day, Penn made two hazardous landings to fly out the 5 airmen.” 

When all of the men arrived in McCall, the city closed its schools and stores and held a celebration to greet the men. 

The only injury that came from the ordeal was a broken kneecap. 

Because of the extensive damage and the site’s remote location, the remains of the B-23 Dragon Bomber were left in place. 

Today, the wreckage of the WWII bomber still rests near Loon Lake, reachable only by hiking trail.

(Photo: Courtesy Tyrel Kleinsmith)

Valley P&Z seeking applicants

Want a hand in shaping development in Valley County? Apply for one of two open seats on the Valley County Planning and Zoning Commission.

The Board of County Commissioners is seeking candidates to serve a three-year term on the P&Z Commission starting in January. To qualify, candidates must have lived within Valley County for at least five years, preferably in the area of Donnelly to Lake Fork.

Letters of interest or resumes can be submitted to Planning and Zoning Administrator Cynda Herrick at the Valley County Courthouse or by emailing [email protected].

The county commissioners will interview all interested candidates and then make an appointment for the position. The seats are currently held by P&Z commissioners Ken Roberts and Heidi Schneider. Schneider has submitted a letter of interest for reappointment, Herrick said.

The P&Z is responsible for reviewing land use applications across Valley County, as well as within the cities of Cascade and Donnelly. The volunteer board will also administer land use applications in the McCall Impact Area and around Payette Lake starting next year.

Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month, with occasional special meetings as needed.

Civic Lookout

• Pine Creek Ranch Sewer District Annexation: Public hearing continues today at noon in the basement of Idaho First Bank in McCall. Agenda available here.
• Cascade School Board: Tonight at 6 p.m. Agenda available here.
• Valley County Planning and Zoning Commission: Thursday night at 6 p.m. Agenda available here.
• Donnelly City Council: Monday at 6 p.m. Agenda to be posted here.
• Valley County Commissioners: Next Wednesday starting at 9 a.m. Agenda to be posted here.

Valley Lookout Original Reporting

‘This could haunt us’: McCall underwhelmed by Valley Co.’s proposal for new water quality rules, growth maps

Valley County’s plan for increased water quality protections in the former McCall Impact Area is coming into focus, but McCall officials say more sweeping changes are needed. Read the full story on Valley Lookout.

McCall ‘open to trying’ four-day work week as employee benefit

McCall City Hall’s hours could soon change, along with the work schedules of more than 120 city employees who could work longer hours, but fewer days. Read the full story on Valley Lookout.

Valley Co. swallows $750K cost overrun for rural bridge linked to years-long boil order

Yellow Pine has been under a boil water order since 2020, but an end could be in sight following a $1.8 million bridge replacement project awarded by Valley County. Read the full story on Valley Lookout.

Mountain Happenings

McCall

• Learn to Curl: McCall Curling Club to host introductory curling class on Monday, Oct. 19, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Manchester Ice and Event Center.
• Ski and winter gear sale: MCPAWS Thrift Store to host annual sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
• Live music: Jordan Shaw to perform at Salmon River Brewery on Thursday at 6 p.m., with Lost Ox to play at Crusty’s Pizza in McCall on Sunday at 6 p.m.
• Tiki Tuesday: Salmon River Brewery to host Lilo and Stitch Trivia Night at 6 p.m. for season’s final Tiki Tuesday

Donnelly

• Flavors of Fall: Chef Steve Topple to host five-course wine dinner on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Stefano’s Tasting Yurt. Call 208-325-3463 for reservations.

Cascade

• Hog-Wild Awards: Dinner and celebration to be hosted by the Cascade Chamber of Commerce on Saturday night at 5 p.m. in American Legion Post 60. Tickets and voting available here.
• Taco Bar: All-you-can-eat tacos for $20 at Misión Mexicana every week during Monday Night Football.
• Intermediate Glass Fusion: Class to be hosted Monday in the Cascade Cultural Arts Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. More information available here.

New Meadows

• Youth wellness presentation: Planet Youth to host community meeting on implementing upstream preventing programs for local youth on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Meadows Valley Community Center.
• Bogeys and Boos: MeadowCreek Golf Resort to host two-person team shotgun start golf and poker tournament on Saturday at 2 p.m. to benefit Meadows Valley School District Parent Teacher Organization. More information available here.
• Fire and Ice Gala: Idaho Sled Dog Challenge fundraiser to be hosted at the MeadowCreek Golf Resort Clubhouse on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. More information available here.
• Candidate Forum: Candidates for New Meadows mayor and the Meadows Valley School Board to meet public and answer questions on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. in the New Meadows Train Depot.

Mountain Pet of the Week

Meet Bennett! Bennett’s owner, Ann Burgess of Donnelly, says Bennett is what kids these days call a “chill guy.” He loves to lounge around, whether it’s in a cozy bed or out in the forest. Mostly, he’s just happy being where the humans are. He has a knack for being derpy and bringing a smile to your face.

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