Erin Banks Rusby

Boise

Reporter at BoiseDev

Reporter covering Canyon County and beyond at @BoiseDev. Formerly @TheIdahoPress. @ucbsoj alum | [email protected]

Articles

Caldwell considers West Valley Humane Society funding amid budget talks

1 week ago | boisedev.com | Erin Banks Rusby

Animal advocates attended a special Caldwell town hall on Tuesday night to share their thoughts about the future of animal control services in the area. The City of Caldwell announced its plans to hold the town hall for input on its budget funding for the Caldwell-based West Valley Humane Society, with which it contracts for some animal sheltering services. The city said that during budget talks, the animal shelter proposed an increase in City of Caldwell funding from $68,000 to $540,000 per year.
Nampa mayor will not seek a third term, endorses former city leader

1 week ago | boisedev.com | Erin Banks Rusby

Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling announced on Monday morning that she would not seek reelection for a third term. “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished as a community. It has been an honor to serve the people of Nampa,” Kling said in a news release. The release did not indicate a reason for Kling’s decision. A spokesperson for the city did not immediately return a request for comment Tuesday morning.
Popular 'Hawaiian comfort food' chain set for first Idaho location

2 weeks ago | boisedev.com | Erin Banks Rusby

A popular Hawaiian barbecue restaurant is gearing up to open a new Nampa location. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is in the process of obtaining its certificate of occupancy at 140 Caldwell Blvd. in Nampa, city records show. Franchise Owner Chez Fiaavae told BoiseDev that he grew up in Hawaii and has lived in Idaho for fourteen years. He said that while the Treasure Valley has some good Hawaiian food options, he considers L&L’s “the best.”Fiaavae is aiming for an opening date during the final week of July.
'Tremendous tailwind': New manufacturing facility opens in Nampa

2 weeks ago | boisedev.com | Erin Banks Rusby

A new large manufacturing facility is up and running in Nampa. JTS, a division of Mission Critical Group, built the new 172,0000 sq. ft. building at 17645 N. Gable Ave. in Nampa. JTS President Greg Blake told BoiseDev that the main purpose of the facility is to build generator enclosures for diesel generators that provide back-up power for facilities such as data centers, hospitals, and other commercial facilities when local electric utilities lose power.
New restaurant offering Central American cuisine opens in Boise

2 weeks ago | boisedev.com | Erin Banks Rusby

A new restaurant is offering Central American fare in north Boise. La Catracha opened its doors at 7330 W. State. St. in May in a suite that previously housed an Alpine Pizza location. Sofia Lopez told BoiseDev that her mother, who owns the restaurant, first started offering her foods at La Ranchera Market on Milwaukee St. After four years, she wanted something bigger, Lopez said, and La Catracha on State St. was born.
Boise urban renewal board rejects Ada Co. EMS withdrawal requests

2 weeks ago | boisedev.com | Erin Banks Rusby

When a city creates a new urban renewal area, the property tax collections inside its boundaries freeze at the time of creation. Any increase in property values and the extra tax it generates goes to the urban renewal agency instead of taxing agencies like schools, ACHD and police. For instance: Say a property is worth $100,000 and pays $1,000 per year in property tax at the time of the urban renewal area. Over time, it increases in value to $150,000 and the owner pays $1,500 in property taxes.
VRT to offer shuttle service to BSU home games

3 weeks ago | boisedev.com | Erin Banks Rusby

This year, Boise State football game attendees will have expanded options to get to home games without driving to the stadium. Valley Regional Transit will offer bus shuttles from downtown Boise to the games at Albertsons Stadium as part of a partnership with the Downtown Boise Association, which has offered a shuttle program to get people from downtown to the games for decades.
Caldwell mayor under investigation for misuse of public resources

3 weeks ago | boisedev.com | Erin Banks Rusby

While a recall effort may be over, an investigation remains ongoing. Organizers of an effort to recall Caldwell Mayor Jarom Wagoner and four council members — Geoff Williams, Brad Doty, Chris Allgood, and Mike Dittenber — said that they decided not to submit the signatures they had collected toward the effort due to realizing that they could not reach the number required by the June 2 deadline.
Fred Meyer announces it plans to build 8th local store

3 weeks ago | boisedev.com | Erin Banks Rusby

A new grocery store is slated for Caldwell. Fred Meyer announced that it plans to open a new 155,000 sq. ft. store at the intersection of Middleton Rd. and Highway 20/26 — which becomes Chinden going east — sometime in late 2026 or 2027. If built, this will be Fred Meyer’s 8th Treasure Valley location and first in Caldwell. The company said it is in the process of acquiring property from CBH Homes.
Complaints, payouts, investigations, lawsuits, recalls & a Costco card: Caldwell grapples with legal, political disputes

1 month ago | boisedev.com | Erin Banks Rusby

A Caldwell Police officer who filed a lawsuit against the city is no longer with the department. Allison Butler initially sued the City of Caldwell and Caldwell Chief of Police Rex Ingram in February, alleging that Butler experienced harassment and retaliation from the department, as BoiseDev previously reported. An amended complaint filed on April 23 now names Caldwell Mayor Jarom Wagoner as a defendant in addition to Ingram and the city; the original complaint named just Ingram and the city.