May 8, 2024—In honor of Idaho’s fallen law enforcement officers, Sheriff Kieran Donahue and the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office will host the 13th annual Canyon County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on Friday, May 16, at The Center at the Canyon County Fair. The event will begin at 2:00 p.m. with a police motorcade, followed by the posting of the colors by the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard. Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho Justin Whatcott, Idaho State Police Lieutenant Colonel Russ Wheatley, and other honored guests will then deliver remarks. The ceremony will conclude with the reading of the names of the 77 Idaho law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 2nd, 2025

Canyon County’s Free Dump Day: A Major Improvement

Canyon County, ID — The County’s annual Free Dump Day took place this past April, and thanks to community feedback from 2024, we made big improvements. Last year, some residents waited over an hour to enter and exit the landfill, so our Solid Waste team focused on streamlining the process.

Canyon County’s annual Free Dump Day, held every April, has become a much-anticipated event for residents looking to responsibly dispose of their household waste at no cost. After receiving feedback from the community following the 2024 event, the Canyon County Solid Waste Department made it a top priority this year to improve wait times and enhance the overall experience.

In 2024, residents experienced extended delays, with wait times at the landfill occasionally exceeding an hour. Recognizing the need for change, the Solid Waste team went back to the drawing board to develop an action plan that would ensure a smoother, faster, and more efficient operation in 2025.

Some key improvements this year are outlined below:

• Increased Staffing & Traffic Control: More personnel on site to help manage traffic and assist customers more efficiently throughout the day.
• Optimized Lane Usage: All weigh stations were open throughout the event, with two inbound and two outbound lanes in operation from the start. When traffic volumes increased, the team opened a third inbound lane while reducing the outbound lane to one, ensuring a smooth, continuous flow through the facility.
• Dual Dumping Zones: To reduce congestion at the disposal sites, the landfill was divided into two dumping zones—an upper section and a lower section—allowing for faster unloading while also preventing backups.

David Loper, the Director of Landfill Operations, stated, “Thanks to these proactive changes, the longest wait time recorded on Free Dump Day 2025 was only 20 to 25 minutes,”—a major improvement over last year.

Canyon County extends a heartfelt thank you to all residents who participated and helped make this year’s event a success. Feedback continues to be welcomed, as the County is always looking for ways to improve future events.

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For more information, please contact Andrew Feraci by email at Andrew.Feraci@canyoncounty.id.gov or by phone at (208)-614-5012.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 8, 2025

Canyon County Property Tax Relief Deadline

Canyon County, Idaho – April 8, 2025 – Tuesday, April 15, is the last day for certain Canyon County homeowners and veterans with disabilities to apply for relief from their 2025 property taxes. Applicants must submit their applications by that date.

Canyon County homeowners can apply online at tax.idaho.gov/proptaxrelief. They can also get paper applications on the Tax Commission’s website at https://idahotap.gentax.com/TAP?Link=PTR or in person from the Canyon County Assessor’s office (111 N 11th Ave #250, Caldwell, ID 83605).

Idaho’s Property Tax Reduction Program and Property Tax Benefit for Veterans with Disabilities program cuts property taxes by up to $1,500 on an eligible homeowner’s primary Idaho residence and up to an acre of land (there are no income limits for veterans with disabilities).

Idaho’s Property Tax Reduction Program

Applicants must meet all the qualifications to apply. The qualifications are as follows:

• You’re an Idaho resident.
• You own and occupy your home or mobile home, and the value doesn’t exceed a limit set by law that will be calculated in June 2025.
• Your total 2024 income, after deducting medical expenses, was $37,810 or less.
• You’re any of the following as of January 1, 2025:
  • 65 or older
  • Former POW or hostage
  • Motherless or fatherless child under 18
  • Blind
  • Widow(er)
  • Disabled

Applicants will receive their annual property assessment notice as determined by the County Assessor by the end of May. All otherwise eligible property owners are encouraged to apply now regardless of their property value.

Property tax reduction applications must be submitted by April 15 even if 2025 income tax returns haven’t been filed.

Homeowners who don’t qualify for the Property Tax Reduction program might qualify for the Property Tax Deferral program, which has an application deadline of September 2.

Property Tax Benefit for Veterans with Disabilities

Applicants might qualify for the veterans benefit if both of these apply:

• You’re recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a 100% service-connected disabled veteran, or you receive 100% compensation from the VA due to individual unemployability.
• You owned and lived in a home in Idaho that was your primary residence as of April 14, 2025.
  • The property must have a current homeowner’s exemption.
  • The home can be a mobile home.

When applying, veterans need to include a current letter from the VA confirming their 100% service-connected disability rating or their 100% compensation due to individual unemployability as of January 1, 2025.

Veterans with disabilities also might qualify for Idaho’s Property Tax Reduction program based on their income.

For more information about property tax relief:

• Contact the County Assessor’s office at (208) 454-7431.
• Call the Tax Commission at (208) 334-7736 in the Boise area or toll-free at (800) 972-7660, ext. 7736.
• Hearing impaired – Use the Idaho Relay Service (TTD) (800) 377-3529.
• Visit the “Homeowners” section of the Tax Commission’s Property Tax webpage at tax.idaho.gov/property.

March 31, 2025

Man Cleared in Nampa Shooting 

CANYON COUNTY, ID – After a thorough investigation, the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has determined that Ryan J. Fleming acted in self-defense under Idaho’s “Stand your Ground” law when he shot Kevin P. Villalobos on September 29, 2024. As a result, no criminal charges will be filed.

The evidence shows that in a tragic decision, Mr. Villalobos, intoxicated and uninvited, aggressively approached the entrance of Mr. Fleming’s home. He then began to physically attack Fleming, striking him in the head. In response, Mr. Fleming exercised his legal right to self-defense and used necessary force to protect himself and his home.

Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Boyd issued the following statement:

“This was an unfortunate and tragic event that resulted in the loss of a life, and I extend my sympathies to the family of Mr. Villalobos as they grieve. However, under Idaho law, individuals have an unequivocal right to defend themselves, their families, and their homes from violent attacks. Idaho’s self-defense and ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws are clear: when an individual is faced with an immediate and unlawful threat of serious bodily harm, they are legally justified in using force to protect themselves.”

“The evidence in this case—including witness statements, forensic analysis, physical evidence, DNA evidence, and video footage—demonstrates that Mr. Fleming acted lawfully. He was violently attacked at his own home and responded with justified force. Idaho law presumes that a homeowner acting in defense of their habitation does so with reasonable fear of imminent peril, and my office will not second-guess the fundamental right of self-defense.”

This decision follows a comprehensive, months-long investigation that included detailed analysis of reports, witness testimony, audio and video evidence, and forensic findings.

“I appreciate the Nampa Police Department’s careful investigation and our community’s patience as we conducted a thorough and objective review of this case,” Prosecutor Boyd stated. “My office remains unwavering in its commitment to upholding the law, protecting the rights of citizens, and ensuring that justice is served.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 21, 2024

DECKING AT CELEBRATION PARK WILL BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

 OCTOBER 28th 2024 – April 2025

Melba, ID – Starting October 28th ,2024 construction crews will be replacing and making improvements to the boardwalk area just north of Celebration Park’s main parking lot. Construction is expected to last until about April 2025. During this time, the atlatl range and nearby boardwalks will be closed to visitors. A temporary atlatl range will be available for school field trip programs that are scheduled through Canyon County Parks (more information for teachers below). Sections of the parking lot will be closed to allow construction crews to complete their work.

We ask the public for their patience and cooperation while construction is underway. Visitors should be prepared to move their vehicles if requested to do so by park staff. These improvements will provide updated infrastructure, new ADA accessibility, and promote user activities at Celebration Park. It has been over 30 years since this decking project has seen a major improvement like this and we are excited for this major improvement.

“For decades this boardwalk has functioned as the outdoor classroom space and ‘hallways’ for a variety of educational programs and activities, including the popular atlatl range. It has served masses of traditional students and every day visitors in its time, and it is overdue for an upgrade,” said Parks Director Nicki Schwend. “The new boardwalk is going to be an improved, ADA-accessible design that will help us better meet the needs of all students and visitors. We’re excited for this project and for all the continued improvements happening at Celebration Park.”

For teachers: we do not anticipate the need to cancel or reschedule field trip programs during this construction. However, Parks staff will contact teachers with affected bookings to communicate any modifications in programming, such as meeting locations, bus parking or use of a temporary atlatl range on site.

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For questions about this project or for construction updates, please contact Canyon County Parks at 208-454-6884, or call the Celebration Park visitor center at 208-455-6022.

• New Venue: The Center
• Address: 110 County Fair Ave, Caldwell, ID 83605
• Parking: Free parking is available in the parking lot across the street from the Center’s entrance off County Fair Ave.

The event remains scheduled for March 20, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the county’s plans and to provide valuable feedback.

Project Overview:
The Canyon County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has initiated a phased approach to constructing a new women’s facility on the 26-acre Pond Lane property in Caldwell. Originally purchased in 2007 as a potential site for a new jail due to its centralized location and capacity for future expansion, the project was stalled after four failed bond measures, leaving the property vacant.

The County now aims to work with builders to develop a phased plan, with the first phase expected to accommodate up to 192 female beds. During the open house, staff will discuss the limitations of the old facility, discuss potential plans for the new development, and actively seek public input on the overall concept.

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For more information on the project and the history of the Canyon County Jail please contact Aaron Williams by email at aaron.williams@canyoncounty.id.gov or by phone at (208)-614-5011.

February 25th, 2025

Canyon County, ID – Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game are looking for a volunteer camp host to oversee basic maintenance, camping, and recreation activities at Martin Landing, which is located near Parma at the confluence of the Boise and Snake Rivers.

The volunteer camp host will receive a $200/month stipend and a complimentary RV site at Martin Landing that includes sewer, water, and electricity. The camp host must be on duty Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and all national holidays, during the camping season from April 1, 2025, through October 31, 2025. The primary purpose of a volunteer camp host is to assist and provide basic security for campers at Martin Landing. The duties of a camp host include the following:

• Monitoring the public use of the area
• General trash pickup
• General cleaning and stocking of restrooms
• Track and record campground usage
• Inspect and clean campsites
• Watering main campground grass area

Camp hosts work closely with Canyon County Park, Cultural & Natural Resources (CCPCNR), and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) to provide recreational opportunities in campgrounds. CCPCNR manages camping at Martin Landing. Although the camp host represents both agencies, his or her default supervision will be by CCPCNR.

For more information on the volunteer camp host position and or to apply, please get in touch with alex.eells@canyoncounty.id.gov. Please note: an interview and a criminal background check will be required for qualified applicants.

2024_Camp Host Posting 

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For questions or more information, please contact Outdoor Recreation Coordinator Alex Eells at (208) 454-6884 or alex.eells@canyoncounty.id.gov or  Aaron Williams at (208) 614-5011 or Aaron.williams@canyoncounty.id.gov

The applicants include:

• Tyler W. Beck, Administrative Law Judge, Boise, Idaho
• Samuel N. Dickinson, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Canyon County, Idaho
• Brett M. Schiller, Attorney at Law, Fruitland, Idaho
• John T. Spalding, Deputy Attorney General, State of Idaho Attorney General’s Office

The District Magistrates Commission selects and appoints magistrate judges in Idaho’s Third Judicial District. Its members include representatives from local government, attorneys, judges and the public. The Commission was created by Idaho’s Legislature and is set forth in Idaho Code section 1-2203.

Interviews will be held on March 11, 2025, at the Canyon County Courthouse, 1115 Albany St., Courtroom #140, Caldwell, Idaho starting at 9:30 a.m. These interviews are open to the public.

Historically, female inmates were housed in the Dale Haile Detention Center. Due to overcrowding, in 2019, the County contracted with All Detainment Solutions (ADS) to lease temporary jail units for female inmates. This temporary facility—Pod 6—was located at the southwest corner of 12th Ave and Chicago St. However, shortly after Pod 6 was opened to house female inmates, numerous liability concerns were identified related to consistent and serious maintenance matters involving things such as shower pans, mold, water, HVAC, and sewage. The facility also presented safety concerns, including issues related to contraband, its design layout, and the overall safety and security of both inmates and deputies.

These liability and safety concerns, coupled with increasing costs to county taxpayers, led the BOCC, with support from the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), to terminate the County’s contract with ADS in early February. The County is now considering a long-term solution to accommodate future growth as the Treasure Valley expands. Both the BOCC and CCSO agree that a more permanent facility is necessary—one that not only meets the community’s needs but also enhances the safety and efficiency of CCSO’s jail operations.

The BOCC has started the process of constructing a phased approach to a new women’s facility on the Pond Lane property in Caldwell. This 26-acre property was initially purchased in 2007 as a potential site for a new jail, offering a centralized location with ample room for future expansion and the development of additional services. However, after four failed bond measures, the project was unable to move forward, leaving the property vacant.

The County is now looking to work with builders to develop a phased plan, with the first phase accommodating up to 192 female beds.

To learn more about this project and the history of the Canyon County Jail, residents are invited to attend a public open house on March 20th from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Canyon County Public Administration Room (111 N 11th Ave, Caldwell, ID 83605). During the open house, staff will discuss the limitations of the current facility, present potential plans for the new facility, and gather public input on the overall concept. The BOCC is also scheduled to meet with the Sheriff’s Office at the Canyon County Court House on Feb. 24th, 2025 at 9:30 am, to discuss Pod 6.