Work began today to remove J.R. Simplot’s mansion from a hill west of Bogus Basin Road in Boise, said Ken Dey, spokesman for the Simplot family. Most of the work should be done in about 10 days, Dey said in a news release. A giant American flag atop the hill, recently removed, will be replaced once the project is done, Dey said. The mansion has been vacant for more than 10 years. The family donated it to the state in 2004 with the purpose of it being a governor’s residence. But the state never used the property and, after paying to maintain the house and grounds for many years, returned ownership of both to the Simplot family in 2013. Eye on Boise story here. (Kyle Green/Idaho Statesman via AP)