📰 Mini-Cassia & Magic Valley News Update | Thursday, July 16 🌞

Here’s what’s making headlines across Southern Idaho today! 👇

🍔 In-N-Out Opening Date Kept Secret

Twin Falls leaders have narrowed the grand opening window for In-N-Out Burger to just five days! 🚗🍟 Officials say they’re keeping the exact opening date under wraps to discourage campers and help reduce major traffic congestion when the restaurant opens.

🔥 Red Flag Warning Today

A Red Flag Warning is in effect from Noon to 9 PM for parts of Southern Idaho, including western Twin Falls County. ⚠️🌩️
Expect scattered thunderstorms capable of producing:

⚡ Frequent lightning
💨 Wind gusts up to 60 mph
🔥 Increased wildfire danger

💰 Idaho Lottery Sets New Record

The Idaho Lottery presented a record-breaking $90 million dividend to the state yesterday! 🎉
📚 More than $56 million will go directly to Idaho public schools after the lottery’s biggest sales year ever.

🏫 Jerome School Start Times Delayed

The Jerome School Board has pushed its decision on staggered school start times back to September 22nd. 🚌
The proposal would begin in the 2027-28 school year, with:

👧 Elementary students starting earlier
🎓 Middle & high school students starting later

🚔 Jerome Fire Cases

A 34-year-old Jerome man has been sentenced to probation and drug court after admitting he started a meth-fueled house fire in March. 🏠🔥
Meanwhile, another Jerome man will be sentenced in August for a separate house fire from last September.

🚧 Road Work Coming to Twin Falls

The City of Twin Falls begins its annual street resurfacing project the week of July 27th. 🚜
Drivers should expect:

🚧 Temporary lane closures
🪨 Loose gravel
🚗 Minor delays for up to 60 days

🚛 Boom Truck Crash in Buhl

A boom truck rolled onto a stopped SUV Wednesday morning on U.S. 30 near Buhl. Thankfully, no one was injured, and the highway reopened before noon. 🙏

🚗 Five-Vehicle Crash Near Ashton

A five-vehicle crash on U.S. 20 sent one juvenile to the hospital with minor injuries. 🚑 The highway remained blocked for several hours while Idaho State Police investigated.

🐻 Grizzly Management Proposal

Governor Brad Little joined federal officials to announce a proposal giving states greater flexibility in managing recovered grizzly bear populations while maintaining federal protections. 🐻
A 30-day public comment period begins tomorrow.

🌊 Drowning on the Payette River

A 65-year-old man drowned Wednesday evening near Rudy Park on the Payette River. First responders performed CPR, but he could not revive him. Our thoughts are with his family. ❤️

🏆 Sports

🏀 CSI Women’s Basketball has introduced Brendan Wheeler as the new head coach.

⚾ The Burley Green Sox won the American Legion Area C District Championship but declined their trip to the state tournament due to travel costs and coaching availability.

🏖️ Twin Falls officials are reviewing safety measures at Dierkes Lake, including warning signs and life jacket stations, following a drowning earlier this year.

⚾ The Twin Falls AA Cowboys split a doubleheader with Owyhee. They’ll wrap up the regular season Thursday at home against Idaho Prime.

🛝 Harmon Park may receive a new $356,000 playground as city leaders consider replacing the aging equipment.

🥎 CSI softball standout Maile Ha’o is headed to BYU after an All-American freshman season.

🐎 The Bureau of Land Management gathered more than 100 wild horses from the Saylor Creek Herd Management Area near Glenns Ferry to reduce herd size.

🎓 The University of Idaho and Idaho State University men’s basketball teams earned national academic honors, while Idaho also placed 57 student-athletes on the Big Sky All-Academic Team.

🌤️ Weather

☀️ Today: Hot with a high near 96°
⛈️ 30% chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms.
💨 Some storms may produce strong winds.

🌡️ Friday: High near 95°
⛈️ 40% chance of afternoon thunderstorms.

🔥 The weekend stays hot with highs in the mid-90s, with only isolated afternoon storm chances before a slightly wetter pattern develops early next week.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and have a great Thursday, Magic Valley! 😎💧