The McCall Star-News

02/15/2025

Have you listened to the latest podcast episode yet? Spend a quick and entertaining 30 minutes getting caught up on the top local stories!

This week, Nish covers the high-speed chase on ID-55, a snowmobile tragedy in Cascade, an update to the Valley County Comprehensive Plan, and all the exciting sports updates.

She also speaks with three MDSD high school students about the new cell phone policy and how it’s going (the report may surprise you!)

You can catch the latest episode at the link, or on any of your major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

The Star-News Spotlight is a weekly podcast produced by The Star-News in McCall, Idaho, and hosted by Nish Weiseth. It delivers the latest headlines, in-depth stories, and key updates from Valley and Adams counties and beyond. With insightful commentary and interviews, the podcast keeps listeners in...

02/11/2025

Congratulations to The Star-News, Winter Week 6, Athletes of the Week:
LEXI ARNOLD of the McCall-Donnelly girls basketball team and SAM SCOTT of the McCall-Donnelly boys basketball team. Both are hard working athletes who play on teams determined to compete well in the Snake River Valley conference.

The M-D girls basketball team will play for an SRV District championship on Thursday in Fruitland.

Thanks to all our sports fans for taking the time to visit the website and read more about these talented athletes!

02/07/2025

A Meridian man was arrested on Wednesday after leading deputies on high-speed pursuit through Cascade at speeds over 100 miles per hour and crashing his truck about 12 miles south of Cascade on Idaho 55.

Christian Ryan, 23, of Meridian, was arrested after deputies shot out the truck’s rear and passenger windows with rubber bullets fire from a “non-lethal launcher."

No one was injured in the incident and Ryan was the only occupant of the vehicle.

Follow the link for the full story (available with or without a subscription).

BY MAX SILVERSON The Star-News  A Meridian man was arrested on Wednesday after leading deputies on high-speed pursuit through Cascade at speeds over 100 miles… Login to continue reading Login Sign up for complimentary access Sign Up Now Close

02/07/2025

District tournaments start this week for girls basketball teams and the boys teams are midday through their seasons!

Check out this week's nominations for Athlete of Week, and vote once a day through for one male and one female at The Star-News website.

02/07/2025

It’s time for another podcast episode to accompany your print edition!

This week, Donnelly Public Library joined a lawsuit against the state of Idaho over the HB 710 book ban legislation. Nish and Max take a look at the lawsuit, the impact of the book ban legislation, and where things go from here.

As always, we’ve got the big headlines, McCall Weather’s weekly report, a sports recap, and community events to put on your calendar!

The Star-News Spotlight is a weekly podcast produced by The Star-News in McCall, Idaho, and hosted by Nish Weiseth. It delivers the latest headlines, in-depth stories, and key updates from Valley and Adams counties and beyond. With insightful commentary and interviews, the podcast keeps listeners in...

02/04/2025

Congratulations to our Winter Week 5, Athletes of the Week:
Emma Ormsby of the McCall-Donnelly girls basketball team and Finn Moon of the McCall-Donnelly boys wrestling team.

01/31/2025

It’s a new week, which means a new pod!

The latest episode of the Star-News Spotlight is live and ready for you to listen.

This week, we cover the sunken UTV on frozen Payette Lake, the New Meadows skate park, and a deeper look into everything that goes into the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge (it’s fascinating!)

And as always, a round up of sports, community events, and an exciting weather forecast from McCall Weather (spoiler - SNOW!)

Listen & subscribe wherever you get your podcasts:

The Star-News Spotlight is a weekly podcast produced by The Star-News in McCall, Idaho, and hosted by Nish Weiseth. It delivers the latest headlines, in-depth stories, and key updates from Valley and Adams counties and beyond. With insightful commentary and interviews, the podcast keeps listeners in...

01/30/2025

Local firefighters from McCall Fire & EMS and the White Bird Volunteer Fire Department recently retuned from a two-week assignment on the Palisades Fire near Los Angeles.

Kelly Martin and Paul Hefner of Lake Fork were on the fire heading up the White Bird crew. What they saw was remarkable, even for two people with long careers in firefighting.

“The destruction is unbelievable,” recalled Hefner.

Martin shared several photos that show the damage, firefighter response and moments of beauty in the aftermath.

“I pay attention to little things that have survived such a horrific event. I search for color in and amongst a really dark and bleak environment; flowers are starting to bloom again two weeks after the fire storm, there’s but an eye-wink of life beginning to emerge” Martin said.

An album of Martin’s photos is available here: https://www.mccallstarnews.com/white-bird-fire-dept-assists-lalocal-crews-come-home/

01/30/2025

Local student athletes practice and compete six days a week, while keeping up with school, family life and more.

Check out their accomplishments at The Star-News website, click on the Athlete of the Week button on the home page.

Vote for one female and one male athlete per day from now through Sunday. Winner is named Athlete of the Week for Week 5 of our winter sports contest.

01/29/2025

Congratulations to The Star-News, winter Week 4, Athletes of the Week:

Emma Ormsby of the McCall-Donnelly girls basketball team and Ethan Sprague of the McCall-Donnelly boys wrestling team.

Big thanks to all their supporters who voted at The Star-News website.

01/24/2025

Skaters were out on Payette Lake this week tempting the strength of a freshly frozen layer of ice.

A warmer December kept the lake from freezing until recently, when a cold snap and lack of snowfall created the conditions for the first ice skate friendly surface of the lake in years.

While the ice has tempted many , McCall Fire & EMS warned people to keep their wits about them when and watch for danger, holes and thin ice.

Among those enjoying the ice was Olympic figure skater Jeremy Abbott, who showed off a few tricks, including an impressive backflip (yes, he landed it!).

Photo by Max Silverson/The Star-News

Follow the link below for more photos.

https://www.mccallstarnews.com/when-payette-lake-freezes-over/

01/24/2025

Another week, another podcast episode!

This edition covers the new VCSO recruit, a real estate outlook, and an in-depth analysis of the McCall Area of Impact.

If you’ve been interested in how things get approved through the P&Z process in the impact zone, you don’t want to miss Nish & Max walk through the big questions. This will be a multi-part series over the next few weeks, and we’ll be extending invites to both City & County leaders to come give us their perspectives.

Here’s the link to listen & choose your podcast platform, like Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

The Star-News Spotlight is a weekly podcast produced by The Star-News in McCall, Idaho, and hosted by Nish Weiseth. It delivers the latest headlines, in-depth stories, and key updates from Valley and Adams counties and beyond. With insightful commentary and interviews, the podcast keeps listeners in...

01/23/2025

Local athletes are doing great things, averaging 20-30 points per basketball game, pinning opponents in a show of strength and flare on the wrestling mat or racing on skinny skis in a crowd of competitive athletes.

Check out their accomplishments at The Star-News website, click on Athlete of the Week button on the home page.

Vote for one female and one male athlete per day from now through Sunday. Winner is named Athlete of the Week for Week 4 of our winter sports contest.

01/23/2025

What will replace the Rainbow Bridge on Idaho 55? We don’t know yet, but engineers are working on designs for a replacement, and working on what to do with the current bridge.

Plans include a wider, longer bridge at least 200 feet north of the current bridge.

What do you want to see replace the historic structure?

Engineers tasked with replacing the Rainbow Bridge are keenly aware that their work will be used by thousands of drivers, many of whom have strong feelings about the historic structure they are working to replace.

01/16/2025

We are thrilled to announce the latest offering from The Star-News:

The Star-News Spotlight is a weekly podcast hosted by Nish Weiseth. We'll provide you with the top headlines, in-depth analysis, interviews, and more. We'll even have segments for students and kids throughout the month!

This isn't replacing the news; it's just another way to get it and hear more from our staff and community. The way we consume news is changing, and we hope this new avenue is helpful.

Our first episode is live and available on your preferred podcast apps like Apple Music, Spotify, and more. The link below will take you to various options for your listening preference. All episodes are free.

We welcome your feedback and ideas! This is a new adventure for The Star-News, and we look forward to hearing how we can improve each episode.

Subscribe to The Star-News Spotlight so you get the episodes automatically every Thursday.

The Star-News Spotlight is a weekly podcast produced by The Star-News in McCall, Idaho, and hosted by Nish Weiseth. It delivers the latest headlines, in-depth stories, and key updates from Valley and Adams counties and beyond. With insightful commentary and interviews, the podcast keeps listeners in...

01/10/2025

Four firefighters from McCall Fire & EMS left today on a two-week assignment to assist on the Palisades Fire near Los Angeles.

The fires have grown out of control due to strong winds and a critical shortage of firefighters.

As of today, the Palisades Fire had grown to about 20,000 acres and destroyed or damaged about 9,000 homes, with at least five deaths caused by the fire, and others burning near Los Angeles.

Four firefighters from McCall Fire & EMS departed the station on Thursday on a nearly 1,000-mile drive to the Palisades Fire near Los Angeles. The… Login to continue reading Login Sign up for complimentary access Sign Up Now Close

01/08/2025

Roll Tide: Former Vandal commits to Alabama

It is a long and winding road from McCall to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, some 2,160 miles if you drive.

But it is a journey former McCall-Donnelly quarterback Peter Knudson will make as early as next week after committing to play his final season of college football at one of the most storied places of all – the University of Alabama.

By Ben Fletcher, For The Star-News

Read full story at www.mccallstarnews.com

01/04/2025

The Payette National Forest released the final record of decision for Perpetua Resources' Stibnite Gold Project on Friday.

The final decision can be found here:

Forest Service