Hello Wednesday. Gretchen Parsons here with your morning headlines.

Good morning. A resident shelter cate from Boise with one eye will be featured in a national candy commercial, details below. Plus, a bill to cut your property taxes is on the governor’s desk.

• Today: 51° 🌧 Cloudy with a chance of showers.

First Up Today

Ski season coming to a close

Tamarack Resort announced that its ski season will come to an end on Sunday, April 2.

Tamarack got more than 330 inches of snow for the 2022/2023 season, the most snow at mid-mountain since 2007/2008. ❄️❄️❄️

The Idaho State Pond Skim Championship is scheduled for Saturday, April 1 at Tamarack. At this event, skiers and boarders don ridiculous costumes and attempt to skim across a freezing-cold pond without wiping out. There will be prizes for best performance, best costume, and best crash.

If you have a season pass at any other Idaho ski area, you can still enjoy one free lift ticket at Tamarck through April 2 via Idaho Free Day.

As we mentioned yesterday, Bogus Basin’s final day of operations is Sunday, April 16. Night skiing ends this Saturday. Bogus said it will soon release details about an end-of-the-season party.

Sun Valley is estimated to close on Sunday, April 9 but that could change.

(Photo courtesy Tamarack)

Boise shelter cat to be featured in Cadbury commercial

We love our shelter pets at Idaho First. And an Idaho shelter cat will be the star of a national commercial this spring.

Crash, the one-eyed resident cat at Simply Cats in Boise, is the winner of the 5th annual Cadbury Bunny Tryouts. He will be featured in the Cadbury Clucking Bunny Commerical that begins airing this Friday, March 25. You can see a preview of the commercial here. Along with the TV spot, Simply Cats will receive a $5,000 donation.

Crash is the first cat and first Idaho pet to ever star in the commercial.

“We are jumping with joy to hear Crash is the next Cadbury Bunny but not surprised as he is always the center of attention in any room,” said Maddie Corey, Crash’s owner. “He’s been through so much over the past few years and we appreciate the love his friends, family and cat enthusiasts across the country have shown.”

Crash was rescued after being severely injured in a car crash. He had to have multiple surgeries and lost an eye but is now living his best life as the resident cat at Simply Cats. Crash charms people as they walk into the shelter, performing tricks like a high five, something he can be seen doing in the commercial.

Putt, pub & pints: Sockeye Brewing set to open large new alehouse in Boise

Anna Daly writes: Sockeye Brewing is getting ready to open its new alehouse in Boise’s North End near the foothills.

On Friday, April 7th, there will be a grand opening for Sockeye Brewing’s new 12,000-square-foot alehouse located at the old garden center on 36th street. Starting on Tuesday, March 21, it will open with limited with a limited menu and varied hours.

“The time has finally come, and we’re beyond thrilled to announce a grand opening celebration and share what we believe to be a ca n’t-miss destination for craft beer lovers in the Treasure Valley,” Sockeye’s Director of Marketing Tyson Cardon said. 

Sockeye Alehouse will have a restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining areas, a golf-themed bar, and a year-round, 9-hole indoor putting course.

“Guests will have several options on how they experience Sockeye Alehouse,” Cardon said. “Whether they are looking to sit and dine with friends or family, grab a pint and cocktail in the bar, or sink a few putts on the course, there’s something for everybody.”

The alehouse menu will offer craft beer, a full bar and burgers, salads and more. The Turn, which is the putting course, will offer a separate menu featuring pizzas, sliders, pretzel bites, and other options.

Sockeye Brewing has been open for 26 years, first on Cole Rd. and later on Fairview Ave. Sockeye closed its Cole and Ustick location in 2019.

The former 36th St. Garden Center & Bistro closed with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Idaho. A few months later, owners announced it would not reopen.

Happening Today

• Treefort Street Closure: Throughout Treefort, which starts today and ends Sunday, Broad St. in downtown Boise will be closed from 8th St. and the alleyway from 2-10 p.m. each day.
• Meridian Scholarships: The City of Meridian is handing out four $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors living in Meridian. Application details here.
• Nampa Closure: The intersection of Franklin Boulevard and Birch Lane in Nampa is closed until May as crews work to complete a roundabout.
• Land Board: The Idaho Land Board approved a trade with a shell company linked to Meta (Facebook’s owner). You can read Margaret Carmel’s preview story on the trade from last fall, here.

BoiseDev Reports

‘Bread crumbs to bread strips’: Property tax bill heads to Little’s desk, but senators worry about long-term solutions

The legislature just passed a property tax bill that several lawmakers said was flawed but still voted yes. As Margaret Carmel reports, the bill will provide at least $200 million of property tax relief each year for the next three years.

Old inn in Hailey will be used for affordable housing in Blaine County

The City of Sun Valley bought a bead and breakfast and Hailey and plans to turn it into affordable housing. Autum Robertson has the details on the sale and the vision for the project.

Bill blocking data centers from being in an urban renewal district linked to Kuna project heads to the Senate

Despite objections from the City of Kuna, the Idaho House passed a bill blocking data centers from being in urban renewal districts. Margaret Carmel explains the bill.

Link-worthyLink-worthyLink-worthy

• Free Menstrual Products Bill: Lawmakers rejected a bill that would have funded free menstrual products in public school girls bathrooms. Read more from the Idaho Statesman.
• Lori Vallow Trial: East Idaho News reports that the death penalty is off the table in the trial for Lori Vallow Daybell.
• Child Care Funds: According to the Idaho Capital Sun, the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee approved $28 million in federal child care grants on Tuesday.
• Gang Member Sentenced: CBS2 reports that a documented Norteno gang member was just sentenced to 32 years in prison for first-degree murder.

Things To Do

• Spring Bridal Show: The Spring Bridal Open House is happening at Hidden Gem Events in Meridian on Saturday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Enjoy booking promotions, meet with vendors, enjoy cake samples and food samples. More details here.
• Hairspray: Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy Hairspray is back at the Morrison Center with several performances over the weekend. Get tickets here.
• Night Skiing: If you’ve enjoyed night skiing at Boguss Basin this season, Saturday is the last day to do it. Night operations end after this Saturday.
• Volcano Presentation: If you’re interested in learning about Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on the planet in Hawaii, don’t miss this presentation at the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology on Sunday with Dr. Terry Panhorst. Tickets are $5.

Pet of the Day

Look at this beautiful feline named Oreo! Owner Lea Scrima says Oreo loves to play fetch, give kisses and watch TV with his humans.

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)!