Emmett Weekly — March 21, 2026
Merrill's Pit hearings, school levy, downtown revitalization, Huskies softball, and more from around Emmett.
Good morning, Emmett. Here's what happened around town this week.
City & County
Merrill's Pit Gravel Proposal Moves Toward Public Hearing
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.
Emmett Zoning Commission Sets April 6 Hearings
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)
Schools & Education
School Board Approves $2.3 Million Supplemental Levy for May Ballot
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. 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. (KIVI)
Spring Break This Week
Emmett schools are on spring break March 16-20. Classes resume Monday, March 23. (Emmett School District Calendar)
Sports
Huskies Softball Opens Season 0-3
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, and dropped a close 13-12 game to Cole Valley Christian on March 14. (MaxPreps)
No major updates were available this week for other spring sports (baseball, track, tennis, golf), which are in early-season action.
Development
Downtown Revitalization Gains Momentum With Community Outreach
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 initiative is funded entirely through grants, private donations, and voluntary support rather than tax dollars. Key focus areas include branding and marketing, plaza development, downtown beautification, river and trail access improvements, and a business gap analysis. The team launched visitemmett.com and hired a professional grant writer. (GCED Foundation, Visit Emmett)
Wildflowers Subdivision Proposed on S. Moffatt Ave.
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. Public hearing April 6 at 6 p.m.
City Seeks to Annex 35 Acres
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. (Idaho Press Legal Notice)
Community & Events
Nearby Drowning Prompts Water Safety Reminder
A 14-year-old Nampa boy, Jeffrey Shepp, drowned Wednesday afternoon in a pond at Freedom Park in Star. First responders are urging families to take water safety seriously as warmer weather approaches. Free life jackets are now available at the ponds. (Idaho News 6, KBOI)
Free AARP Tax Preparation Continues Through April
AARP Tax-Aide volunteers continue to offer free tax preparation at the Emmett Senior Center, 719 Johns Avenue. Sessions run through April 15.
Cherry Festival Dates Set: June 17-20
The 91st Annual Emmett Cherry Festival will be held June 17-20, 2026, in Emmett City Park. Free admission with daily entertainment, nightly concerts, parade, car show, cherry pit spit, quilt show, and more.
Quick Notes
- Granite Excavation community meeting on March 25 at 6 p.m. on the Merrill's Pit property.
- Written comments for the April 6 zoning hearings are due by noon March 30 at City Hall.
- Emmett schools return from spring break on Monday, March 23.
- The May 19 supplemental levy vote will determine whether the district adds K-5 behavioral support, more nurses, and maintenance funding.
- The USA World Championship Jet River Racing event is coming to Emmett May 8-10.
- Free life jackets are now available at Freedom Park ponds in Star following the March 18 drowning.
Have a safe weekend, Emmett.
Emmett Weekly · Local news for Emmett, Idaho