Emmett Weekly — March 21, 2026

The proposed 393-acre Merrill’s Pit gravel extraction project near Star Lane continues to draw attention in Gem County. Granite Excavation, the company behind the proposal, has been in business for 25 years and employs 36 people in Gem County. Vice President Dusty Hibbard told KIVI that mining would cover approximately 45% of the property, with operations limited to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays only. The company has proposed 20-foot berms for sound and visual barriers, a reduced speed limit on Star Lane from 45 to 35 mph, and full road reconstruction at Granite’s expense.

Neighbors remain divided. The Southwest Gem Community Association has organized opposition, and a separate KIVI report highlighted concerns about the pit’s potential impact on sandhill crane migration through the area. Idaho Fish and Game stated it “neither supports nor opposes proposed development projects, including this one.”

Granite Excavation is hosting a voluntary community meeting on March 25 at 6 p.m. on the property for neighbors to ask questions. The formal public hearing before Gem County commissioners is scheduled for April 6 at 6 p.m. at the Gem County Annex.

The Emmett City Zoning Commission has published notice for three public hearings on April 6 at 6 p.m. at Emmett City Hall. The hearings cover a preliminary plat application for Wildflowers Subdivision (20 single-family lots on approximately 4.89 acres at 1011 S. Moffatt Ave.), a special use permit for Riverside Church of Emmett at 1023 E. Locust to allow a church in an R-1 residential zone, and a proposed annexation of 35.25 acres into the city with a requested Public zoning classification. Written comments are due by noon on March 30. (City of Emmett Legal Notice)

The Emmett School District Board of Trustees voted to place a $2.3 million supplemental levy on the May 19 ballot. The two-year levy ($4.6 million total) would fund behavioral support programs for grades K–5 ($300,000), custodial costs ($700,000), expanded nursing staff ($225,000), supplemental materials for a shift away from Chromebooks toward hands-on instruction ($75,000), and $1 million in building maintenance.

Superintendent Woods noted the district’s financial stability makes this the right time to ask. Thanks to state tax relief under House Bill 292, the actual cost to taxpayers would be approximately $10.48 per $100,000 of assessed property value — well below the ballot’s required display of $72.03 per $100,000. The district expects to receive about $1.9 million in HB-292 reimbursement funds that can only be spent on maintenance without an active levy. The ballot language was submitted to the county clerk before March 13, and results will be known by May 20. (KIVI)

Emmett schools are on spring break March 16–20. Classes resume Monday, March 23. (Emmett School District Calendar)

The Emmett Huskies varsity softball team opened the 2026 spring season with three consecutive losses before the spring break pause. Emmett fell to New Plymouth 9-7 on March 11, lost to Nampa Christian 6-2 on March 12 (with Oakley Scheibe contributing on both offense and defense), and dropped a close 13-12 game to Cole Valley Christian on March 14. The Huskies will look to get in the win column when play resumes after break. (MaxPreps)

No major updates were available this week for other spring sports (baseball, track, tennis, golf), which are in early-season action.

The Gem Community Economic Development Foundation presented its vision for downtown Emmett to the Emmett Kiwanis Club this week, sharing updates on revitalization efforts and future projects. The presentation is part of a broader community outreach push as the Downtown Economic Redevelopment Team (DERT) continues work on a multi-year plan to fill vacant storefronts, extend business hours, and improve sidewalks, lighting, and public spaces downtown.

The initiative — funded entirely through grants, private donations, and voluntary support rather than tax dollars — has been underway since early 2025. Key focus areas include branding and marketing, plaza development, downtown beautification, river and trail access improvements, and a business gap analysis aimed at attracting ventures that meet community needs. The team launched visitemmett.com and hired a professional grant writer as part of the effort.

Meanwhile, the Gem County Women’s Business Network, a program of the foundation, continues to meet the first Monday of each month at the Gem Lounge, connecting women across the county and sharing redevelopment progress. (GCED Foundation, Visit Emmett)

A preliminary plat application for Wildflowers Subdivision has been filed by SD Land Consulting. The proposal calls for 20 single-family lots and 4 common lots on approximately 4.89 acres at 1011 S. Moffatt Ave. The Emmett Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the application April 6 at 6 p.m.

The City of Emmett has applied to annex 35.25 acres of unincorporated land with a requested Public zoning classification. The Zoning Commission will hear the proposal at the April 6 meeting.

Separately, the city has already completed the annexation of approximately 6.36 acres at 861, 863, and 895 W. 12th Street under Ordinance O2026-02, zoned R-1 Single-Family Residential and Public. The ordinance took effect upon publication on March 18. (Idaho Press Legal Notice)

A 14-year-old Nampa boy, Jeffrey Shepp, drowned Wednesday afternoon in a pond at Freedom Park in Star. Star Police were dispatched around 3:30 p.m. on March 18, and Boise Fire dive teams recovered the teenager from the water. Lifesaving efforts were not successful. The Ada County Coroner’s Office ruled the drowning accidental, and no foul play is suspected.

The park temporarily closed but has since reopened with free life jackets now available at the ponds. First responders are urging families to take water safety seriously as warmer weather approaches — including supervising children near open water and using the buddy system. (Idaho News 6, KBOI)

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers continue to offer free tax preparation sessions in Emmett. Upcoming dates include March 20, March 27, and April 3, with additional sessions running through April 15. Sessions are held at the Emmett Senior Center, 719 Johns Avenue.

The Gem County Recreation District has several programs on the calendar this week and next, including Babysitting Training and Blind Date with a Book (March 19), Tween/Teen Paint Night (March 20), STEM Club (March 26), and a Grocery Outlet/Calvary Christian Academy fundraiser (March 28). A Chamber MidDay Mingle networking event is scheduled for March 31, and a ribbon cutting for Peoples Home & Appliance is set for April 1.

The 91st Annual Emmett Cherry Festival — Idaho’s longest-running hometown event — will be held June 17–20, 2026, in Emmett City Park. No admission or gate fees, with free daily entertainment, nightly concerts, a parade, children’s parade, car show, cherry pit spit, quilt show, and more.