News | Boise, Idaho News

Crime And Children

Children are representatives of the next generation. They represent the society. The character and personality of a person form in his childhood. Family, society, friends and social back ground influences his character formation. Children are considered to be innocent, playful and adorable. They represent the transparency of life. But all these concepts seem to change gradually. Studies reveal that there is an increase in the criminal tendency in children. What can be the possible reasons for this? Definitely it is related to the changes in the social atmosphere. Let’s start from family. Family should be like a fertilized soil.

It should be the right place for the growth of children. Usually children learn from parents. You can observe small babies and children trying to imitate their father and mother. So parents should make sure that they are a good model for their child. The increase in the number of broken family itself is not a good trend. It is found that criminal tendency is higher among the children of divorced parents. House hold violence is also a reason for the increasing criminal tendency in children. The general social atmosphere has also changed. Children who had experienced sexual harassment or other such tortures may develop depression and other psychological problems which can develop some criminal tendency in them later.

The media also plays a crucial role in this. Films project the heroism of the hero by portraying him as a good fighter. Children always have a tendency to imitate heroes. Video games also play a role in this. The heroes of the games often handle guns and other explosives. This develops an addiction towards arms and its power. Television channels also telecast such cartoons. Children may also happen to watch the programs having sexual overflow and internet are factors which can influence children. To avoid all these, first of all create a peaceful atmosphere in family. Avoid quarrels in front of your children. Keep an eye in the activities of your child and be a friend to him and also to his friends.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Child, Crime

Taking a Float Down the Boise River

: Image via Wikipedia

The Boise River is the perfect float trip for outdoor lovers. As you ride down its watery course, you can take in the beautiful sights and various wildlife that inhabit this area. Most vistors who intend to take a float trip down the river get their start at Barber Park. This site is found six miles outside of the downtown area. Here, you can rent inner tubes and rafts for your trip, or you can take your own. There are places where you can air up your inner tubes before the trip. Before you go, plan out where you want to leave from and where you plan to leave your vehicle.

On your trip, you eventually will need to take a break or get a bite to eat. There are four different locations where you can pull in and relax for a time. You will have a warning sign that a stop offlocation is coming up 100 feet before you get to it. The sites includes trash cans, restrooms and places to relax. The restrooms may be portable or permanent, depending on the location.

To get to the river, you can catch a ride at Barber Park and Ann Morrison Park. When you float, you are required by state law to have a life vest on in a raft and those in inner tubes should as well. Glass bottles and alcohol are not allowed on the river, but you can consume alcohol in the park areas. For a quite float, you will want to consider coming out in the morning hours or early in the afternoon. The Boise River offers floaters a relaxing, fun and enjoyable way to take some sun, fish or just to enjoy the water and scenery. This is a great outing for a couple or a group of friends who want to create lasting memories for a lifetime.

Filed Under: History, News Tagged With: Boise River, Personal flotation device, Raft

Mining in the Boise River Basin

The period from 1862 to 1864 saw a rush of prospectors and miners to the area of the Boise Basin, coming to search for gold. This was the largest in the history of the Pacific Northwest area. With the inrush of people searching for wealth, there was also additional problems of crime and conflict with local Native American populations. The United State Army was sent to the region, establishing Fort Boise on the fourth of July, 1863.

When the Army arrived, their first task after establishing the fort was the removal of the Shoshini people from the region. They were moved to Fort Hall in 1867, where a reservation area was established for them. The increasing population and the set up of the fort prompted quick settlement within the area, and Boise was born. In 1864, it was officially named the capitol of Idaho. The Oregon Trail, a major route west, was expanded with roads that led to the Owyhee mining area and into the Boise Basin. This helped to spurn the early growth of the city.

The city also had help growing due to its abundant and successful mining markets and the ready availability of rich farmland that was based in the western part of the area. Mining was the major industry in the region, and the agriculture that supported it helped to make Boise one of the largest cities on the Oregon trail route. Visitors can still visit the original United State Assay Office, which has been declared a National Historic Landmark.

Boise has an early history in the region, making its stamp on the drive west by settlers and gold seekers. Its early expansion and key role in mining, the gold rush and in settlement of the west should not soon be forgotten in the minds of future generations.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Boise Idaho, Idaho, National Historic Landmark

The Shoshoni People in the Boise Area

During the early part of Boise’s history, the Shoshoni people traveled over a wide expanse of the area when the fur trade was still active in the region. This tribe held a powerful position in the large groupings that the Northern Shoshoni had started to travel in. They were joined in this area by several other tribes, including the Crow and the Blackfoot. Besides dealing in fur trading, these people also rode horses and hunted local buffalo herds for their meat and for their skins. Later, the larger groups that had been traveling together broke into more smaller bands that roamed the region. The Paiute, which were a separate tribe, began to come together with the Shoshoni people as time went on. They were in all actuality tied to the Shoshoni people, and eventually blended with them.

The Shoshoni people often mixed themselves with the Paiutes that inhabited the northern part of the state. The Shoshoni introduced the horse to this tribe, who soon began to hunt the buffalo with them. Families of Shoshoni bands would often switch over to a Paiute group without any problems. This transitioning of the two tribes together became more common in the 1860s, when white settlers began to pour into the area. The gold rush and the increase in the numbers of white settlers finally displaced the Shoshoni tribe and they were forced to a reservation near Fort Hall. Despite their displacement to a reservation and loss of territory due to white settlement, the Shoshoni tribe has managed to retain its identity into the present time. Their important position in the area’s early history in regards to the fur trade in dealings with other tribes are a testament to the powerful culture that they had at the time. The sad loss of their native lands has not stopped them from preserving their culture and traditions in today’s society.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Blackfoot, Fort Hall, Fur trade

The Chinese and Idaho Mining History

With the rush for gold during the 1860s, numerous groups came west into northern Idaho in order to find wealth and adventure. Starting in 1864, groups of Chinese wanted to take part in the mining in the area began to come as well. There was resistance from many whites to letting Chinese come into the country, they continued to travel to the region seeking their own fortune. By 1870, the Chinese had become the largest percentage of the population of miners in the area.

Though they came with the same goals as white miners, the Chinese were set apart from the rest for various reasons. Two major reasons were the differences in native spoken languages and in cultural practices between the two. The Chinese faced a major language barrier with their English-speaking counterparts. White miners would limit Chinese access to the mining camps as long as they could earn better pay and work to get a higher profit. This caused the Chinese to have to rely more heavily on hand labor, which was done at level that their white counterparts could not easily afford to do. They worked for lower wages, hoping to put back enough to support family members still remaining in China and to have money when they retired.

This also caused the Chinese to be in places that many whites did not want to go, such as areas that were boulder ridden or that were a fair distance from a source of water. White miners relied on powered machinery to the greater part of the work in removing boulders, where as Chinese miners would stack them by hand in neat rows. There were often willing to work in mining areas that other whites had abandoned. Now, historians can easily distinguish the mining sites that were maintained by a Chinese miner versus that of a white miner.

Filed Under: History, News Tagged With: China, Chinese language, English language

Agriculture in the Boise Valley

: Image via Wikipedia

The Boise Valley saw a period of agricultural change during the period from the early part of the 1920′s into the 1940′s. During this time, the types of crops that were grown in this region slowly changed. The earlier crops that had been grown included such ones as grains, fruit, potatoes, clover hay and alfalfa. By 1920, the farming acreage in the area was a total of 100,000 that were being farmed, but the cost per acre had dropped to $46.20. Apple and potato crops kept their value well, whereas other crops had a lower return for farmers.

1921 saw the introduction of commercialized farming, which was done with lettuce. The dairy industry in this area was also expanding, as was the farmer use of winter range. One farmer during this period stopped growing alfalfa and switch to potatoes. He was able to earn $705 per acre on the new crop. In 1923, corn took the number three place of the largest crops are grown. One reason that the dairy industry at this time showed an expansion was that its products could be shipped to consumers at a much lower price than grain crops could be. This proved to be true as 1929 saw a 20% increase in the number of dairy cattle that were being raised in the area.

The Great Depression had an impact on the cost of acreage in 1931, and the cost went from $26.34 to a low of $15.34. 1932 saw the value drop even lower to $10.86. Other crops dropped in price as well, causing economic hardship in the area. Once World War II began, the demand for crops and the push for the country to enter the war effort gave the area a much needed turnaround. Throughout its history, the Boise area has been home to a rich agricultural history and tradition.

Filed Under: Climate, News Tagged With: Agriculture, Great Depression, World War II

Fishing on the Boise River

: Image by Paul-W via Flickr

The Boise River lies only an hour away from Boise, Idaho and offers fishermen of all ages a challenge and some of the best fishing around. The river has a wide variety of fishing opportunities on each of its three forks that break off to the south, north and down the middle. For fly fishing, there is no better spot, and you can cast wide and clear without being crowded out by other anglers. The most visited fork is the southern one, which is full of the bigger fish. On this bend, anglers are limited to using only smaller hooks and fake lures.

The early spring and summer are the best times to get your drift boat out on the water, as the level of the water is high enough to accommodate the boat. Throughout the year, the area is full of insects that the fish love to feed and grow on, which helps to increase your chances of netting a prize winning trout. If you love to cast your line into a quiet stream, you will want to head over to the North Fork. This area is home to a number of smaller tributaries that make for excellent fishing. The Middle Fork takes a combination of the previous two, and a good fly will help you hook the trout you want.

If you are not from the area, then your best bet is to hire a guide to take you out for the day. These individuals are experts at knowing the right spots to go at the right times of day in order to catch a nice trout. The cost that you pay will be well worth the investment when you hook the trout of your dreams on your line. That is what makes the Boise River the perfect place to fish.

Filed Under: Climate, Entertainment, News Tagged With: Boise River, Fish, Fly fishing, Trout

The Boise Flood of 1943

: Image via Wikipedia

In 1943, the Boise River Valley was the scene of a terrible flood that occurred when Arrowrock Reservoir spilled over its walls and sent water plummeting into the valley and floodplain below. With the construction of the reservoir, residents became comfortable with the thought that flooding was no longer an eminent threat and began to construct their homes directly in the area of the floodplain. It was a convenient place to live, with close access to food and water, along with road access as well.

Though the water spilled over the top of the reservoir, the structure was able to hold its own against the greater majority of the water. Levees that had been constructed around the area were heavily damaged. The area was determined to keep the river under the watchful eye of the inhabitants and to prevent further flooding from occuring again. In 1955, the Lucky Peak Dam and Reservoir was built to attempt to bring the river under complete control. The United States Army Corps of Engineers did a study on the area and the four tributaries that flowed off of the Boise River. They found that certain elements actually helped to make the situation worse for residents in the area.

The last few years before the flood had been drier ones, and people had become accustomed to living and farming next to the river. They became desensitized to the danger that was present and instead focused on controlling the river for their needs. When the flood occurred, several businesses, industrial structures and homes were given heavy damage from the oncoming floodwaters. Snow melting from an early spring caused the water level to rise. Residents were now reminded of the fact that they needed to not only use the river wisely but to respect its power as well.

Filed Under: History, News Tagged With: Flood, Floodplain, Reservoir

Early Aviation in Boise

Boise, Idaho saw some of the action in the early years of aviation history. One major individual who decided to come to Boise was Charles Lindberg, who landed there in 1927. He assessed some of the problems that he experienced while there, and made the recommendation to remove trees that were near the site and runway area. An incident where a plane could not get off the runway fast enough and struck some of the trees prompted their removal. It also urged the airport owners that the runway needed to be lengthened.

An accident that occurred when a plane flew off the runway and struck several trees finally prompted their quick removal. Two companies announced their plans to use the airport, starting in 1929, as part of their air mail route. These two companies were Varney Air Mail and Mamer Flying Service. With this new influx of business, the need for improvements to the airport soon became an important priority to the city. There was also the possibility brewing of passenger flights nationwide.

Another important event occurred on April 19th, 1911, when the first plane took flight over Boise. It was flown by Walter Brookins, who was in charge of the Wright Brothers’ Flying School. The area was soon home to a variety of flying exhibitions, which quickly became popular with local residents. Planes flown during these events did daring loops and tricks that dazzled watchers on the ground. They also did mock air battles or walked along the plane’s wings. Another popular attraction to visit Boise was the Victory Flying Circus in 1919. This group helped to sell war bonds to the public, and was composed of prior fighter pilots. 50,000 people came to watch them perform.

Throughout its history, Boise was home to an amazing number of aviation events that give it an honored place in history.

Filed Under: History, News Tagged With: Boise Idaho, Charles Lindbergh, Wright brothers

A Day at the Boise Art Museum

The Boise Art Museum offers visitors a rich experience with the arts, with a broad collection of works and various activities that the whole family can get involved in. The museum is currently exhibiting “Critical Messages: Contemporary Northwest Artists on the Environment.” These various works show the artists’ reaction to various concerns over environmental isues around the world. Some topics include land management, transporation and wilderness preservation. Another collection, “Light Paintings,” offers viewer a startling and different experience with light. He utilizes all the forms of art, including form and shape to transform light into a breathtaking form of art expression.

The museum also keeps a permanent collection, with 2,300 different American works that were created by artists from Pacific Northwest, a variety of ceramics and American Realism. There are also several European works and all over the world. You can also enjoy several special events that the museum puts on throughout the year, such Art in the Park. The museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Saturday, 10 to 9 on the first Thursday of the month, 12 to 5 on Sunday and is closed on Mondays. The first Thursday of the month is donation day.

There is a fee to enter the museum, with children aged 6 and younger can enter for free. Those who are members of the museum can also enter the museum at no charge. Groups and students can also take part in the wide variety of educational programs that the museum puts on. When you plan to visit the Boise area, be sure to contact the museum or check their website to see the schedule for upcoming events. There is something for everyone to enjoy at the Boise Art Museum, which is a gem of cultural expression for the area.

Filed Under: History, News Tagged With: Museum, Pacific Northwest, United States