Month: July 2011

Eastern Idaho and western Wyoming are known for their majestic mountains, but below them is a disaster waiting to happen. To see what Teton County officials are doing to better prepare the valley for earthquakes, we joined up with geologists from the University of Idaho who are discovering where the danger looms. Beneath the beauty

Some quick thinking from a new Pocatello police officer kept a small brush fire from getting out of control. It was just after 2 a.m. on Tuesday when officer Jake Pokorny noticed Glenn Thor, 32, driving down the West Clark Extension. Pokorny thought the car looked suspicious, so he pulled over, turned off his headlights

Debt has always been viewed as a bad thing, but a recent study shows young adults might be looking at it a little differently. Lloyd Lee, a recent graduate from Brigham Young University-Idaho, said he couldn’t have made it through his college career without taking out student loans and racking up credit card debt. “I

Eight guns are missing and the person or people who stole them are still at large after an early Sunday morning burglary at The Gun Shop in Idaho Falls. Buying a firearm can be an extensive process, but what kind of security is there at stores before it’s sold? Federal regulations are pretty minimal, requiring

After more than two weeks of daily searches, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office has trimmed back on its search for the body of a missing Rexburg canoeist, John Bryner. Search and Rescue crews again brought a K-9 unit to scout along the Snake River over the weekend. The dogs indicated there is still a body

It’s been an emotional day for the Gunderson family after they learned two family members died in a plane crash Monday afternoon. ?Dad always took us to the movie,” said 9-year-old Amy Gunderson. “Definitely my dad’s smile,? said Norman’s Gunderson’s oldest daughter, Sadie, when asked what she would miss most. ?That’s what brightened my day

Pioneer Day weekend is almost here, and the city of St. Anthony is gearing up for it. The Idaho Art Lab on Bridge Street is showcasing work from local artists and historic photos, in what it calls “The Pioneer Art Show” all this week. The show opened on Thursday and will be open to the

Every year tourists flood to Jackson and this summer is no different, but even when tourism is strong the job market is not. It has been slow getting into the season. ?We had some nasty spring weather, we had a very long winter season,? said Mark Barron, the Mayor of Jackson. Now the Summer season

Junior high athletics are making a comeback in Idaho Falls School District No. 91. The sports were eliminated last year because of budget cuts. They’ll now be reinstated for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year, but with participation fees to cover program costs. According to the district’s website, the new fees are $120 for the first

A 16-year-old girl from Illinois is dead after a 75-foot tree fell on her Monday afternoon in the Turpine Meadows area east of Jackson. According to Captain Tripp Wilson with the Teton Sheriff’s Office, Elizabeth Burns of Lake Forest, Ill., was with a backpacking group called Wilderness Ventures. The group of 14 included 12 who

Deputies in Teton County have arrested a man who they say started a fire that destroyed a home in April. Deputies arrested Matthew James Sargent on Friday on charges of conspiracy to commit arson and conspiracy to commit insurance fraud. The arrest comes after an investigation into a fire that destroyed the home of Kirk

Idaho Falls police arrested two men Monday who they say used fake receipts to steal thousands of dollars in merchandise from Walmart stores in Idaho and Utah. Jerel Edward Lewis, 40, and Brandon Scott Gaskill, 39, both of Idaho Falls were arrested at their home in the 1300 block of Ashment Avenue and booked into

Mother Nature is making for a more dangerous whitewater rafting season. In fact, high water levels, and therefore bigger rapids, already claimed the life of one thrill-seeker this summer. The adrenaline pumping activity brings thousands to Jackson, Wyo. each and every season. It’s what turned a first-job-out-of-college into a life-long career for Charlie Sands. “I

Idaho State Men’s Basketball 2011 ? 2012 Schedule Sat. Nov. 5 Rocky Mountain College (Exhibition Game ) Pocatello, ID (Reed Gym) 7:05 pm Fri. Nov. 11 @ Univ. of Oklahoma Norman, OK TBA Mon. Nov. 14 @ Univ. of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND TBA Fri. Nov. 18 Colorado Christian University Pocatello , ID (Reed

Changes will be coming to the AmeriTel Inns, both in Idaho Falls and Ammon. The hotels will be changing names. AmeriTel Vice President of Operations Charles Everett said this has been in motion for the last year. Changes you can expect to see are new carpet, wallpaper, beds, exercise equipment, furniture and fixtures. These changes

Idaho Republicans want a say in the presidential nominations, so they’re changing when their primary election will be held throughout the state. The decision comes after delegates realized their votes didn’t count toward choosing the nations presidential candidates in 2008. Recently, the Republican Party changed its election process to closed primary voting in Idaho. The

If you’ve noticed a lot of unkempt lawns around Idaho Falls recently, you’re not just imagining things. The city of Idaho Falls Weed Control is swamped with complaints from angry neighbors and upset realtors who want the grass trimmed down in town. It comes from a combination of reasons. The rain we received early on

The debt ceiling discussions in Washington, D.C., are starting to hit closer and closer to home. Lawmakers are looking at slashing $30 billion in agriculture spending. Those federal dollars are only a small portion of their annual revenue. Local economists said how hard farmers are hit will depend on what they grow and where. Looking

We report on crimes in the area every night. Often those arrested end up convicted, sentenced to jail or prison time and when they get out, they’re put on parole. Others don’t serve time but are kept on probation This week, parole and probation officers across the country are receiving some much needed recognition for

A local gun shop is still closed after somebody stole eight firearms on Sunday. While the thief is still out there, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office deputies have found the vehicle they believe was involved in the Sunday morning heist. Deputies say someone tried to break into The Gun Shop on North Holmes Avenue through the

Bonneville County Sheriff’s office have arrested the man they were looking for on Friday night. Bonneville County deputies arrested Bradley Helgeson, 22, of Idaho Falls Monday afternoon. Sgt. Jeff Edwards said Helgeson was the man they were looking for when they sent out a warning call to local residents on Friday night. Edwards said a

A Youth Employment Program member is safe after getting lost while working on the Williams Creek Ridge in Lemhi County. After more than an hour had gone by since supervisors had seen 14-year-old Nathan Muscarella on Friday they called for help. Search crews, including a police dog, searched the area in a grid pattern trying

Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad made a recommendation to fill the vacant city council seat No. 1 on Monday. Blad said he is submitting Jim Johnston?s name to fill the seat vacated by Ron Frasure. If the council confirms Johnston he will be immediately sworn into office. ?His experience and knowledge as a local business owner

The Idaho Falls Police Department is searching for two men who may have stabbed another man on Saturday. Police were called to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center just before 8 p.m. to take an aggravated assault report. Police say the male victim told them he was with a friend at another woman?s apartment in the

A fire broke out Sunday morning at 3:30 a.m. at 1819 Hollipark Drive in Idaho Falls. Units with the Idaho Falls Fire Department were dispatched to a double-wide trailer home after the neighbor woke to the smell of smoke. The fire had already burned through the floor and was coming from the left side dining

Summer activities have a lot of people outside at parks and in public places, which also means public bathrooms. Public bathrooms are pretty busy in popular spots like baseball games and the Greenbelt in Idaho Falls. There is no state law regulating any level of cleanliness in public restrooms. So it’s left up to each

As university students finish up their last semester of college, they are sharing what they have learned over the four years. BYU-Idaho mechanical engineering students are hosting an open house next week for the public to see how their innovative machines work. Senior TJ Hunter and his teammates have designed this electric powered liquid fertilizer

An engaging boy who loves to talk and has a good sense of humor, Russell is a very talented artist! Russell, who identifies himself as a Christian, likes going to church and would appreciate having a family whose spiritual beliefs are similar to his. Among his favorite pastimes are skateboarding, playing basketball, riding his bike,

Two suspects being held on suspicion of armed robbery are now being charged for burglarizing a deli in Idaho Falls. Idaho Falls police said Michael A. Moreno, 20, of Pocatello and Taylor M. Nichols, 18, of Chubbuck were arrested for the May 28 burglary of Solly?s Deli in Idaho Falls. Police said Nichols and Moreno

The Romance Theatre in Rexburg was damaged in the 1976 Teton Dam Flood, but now thanks to the Hampton Inn Landmark Project, life will be back in the theater. It’s no small project. The Save The Romance committee is made up of volunteers, and their goal is to bring live theatre back to Rexburg. “I

An Idaho State University research team has completed a project that could drastically change how ranchers use their land. ISU’s geographic information systems focuses specifically on research that will have a real impact on local agriculture. “How can I use this to help me run my ranch better?? GIS Director Keith Weber said. The GIS

A fire on a truck carrying two tanks of oil closed a part of Highway 30 on Thursday afternoon, Idaho State Police said. The Hansen Oil Company truck was driving east on Highway 30 and had just passed Lava Hot Springs when driver Ronnie Lindstrom said the truck was acting odd. The 64-year-old from Soda

It’s not easy getting approval to bring a $3 billion uranium facility to Idaho Falls. On Tuesday, Areva argued its case in a series of presentations to the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel. More than three years after Areva announced it wanted to build a uranium enrichment plant near Idaho Falls, the licensing process

Idaho has received $85 million more in tax revenue than expected this year. On Tuesday, we told you $60 million of it will go toward education, but who will benefit from the other $25 million? Every Idahoan who files taxes will reap the benefits. Gov. Butch Otter has authorized $15 million to be used as

Fourteen million bees got loose after a semi-truck rolled in Island Park on U.S. Highway 20 Sunday night. Now people are concerned about bees still in the area and bears coming for the honey. “Yeah, just a black cloud of bees. You didn’t dare open your window. You didn’t dare get out. You didn’t dare

Areva is one step closer to beginning its $3 billion project in eastern Idaho. Both those who support and oppose Areva’s proposed Eagle Rock Uranium Enrichment Plant gathered Monday night to discuss the impact the project would have on the community. This was the last public hearing before Areva can get the permit to begin

The drive through Island Park may be safer this summer with a little help from the Idaho Transportation Department along with Idaho Fish and Game. They’re using innovative technology to prevent traffic accidents that happen when wildlife wander across the road. The project had a quiet start in February, when Idaho Fish and Game placed

A fourteen-year-old girl died from injuries she suffered in a boating accident on Ririe Reservoir. Another 14-year-old girl was injured. Both the girls were riding on tubes from behind the boat when another boat accidently hit the girls. Tuesday evening before 6 o’clock Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the

Zane is a very fun and engaging boy who loves to laugh and enjoys being silly. Running, climbing, and exploring the world around him are favorite pastimes, and outdoor activities, such as camping and picnics, are great ways for him to express his high spirit and expend his energy. Zane, who is very active and

A 14 year-old died this morning from injuries suffered during a boating accident on Ririe Reservoir Tuesday evening. According to Sgt. Jeff Edwards two 14-year-old girls were being pulled on a tube by a Glastron Boat operated by Blaine Peterson. There were four people on board when the boat went around a curve in an

Blackfoot’s State Hospital South is celebrating 125 years as an institution, and looking back at improvements to campus, treatment, and the stigma surrounding mental illness. “Well, in 1886 those that came to our institution were actually called inmates, and expected to stay for probably the duration of their life,” said hospital administrator Tracey Sessions. Back

A skier is safe, but seriously injured after taking a tumbling 800-foot fall in Grand Teton National Park late Saturday morning. Ryan Redmond of Wisconsin was telemark skiing with three other skiers on the south side of the middle Teton, when he lost control and slid down a gully. Park rangers now believe snow conditions

Ashton Breakfast, July 4, 7-9 a.m., $5/person “We the People” Parade/Flyover, 10 a.m. Flag Ceremony, Entertainment, Booth, and Classic Car Show in City Park, 11a.m. Fireworks display in NFHS soccer field, 10 p.m. For any questions, please call Rachel Hatton @ 652-0144 Blackfoot Fireworks at dusk Monday, July 4 Idaho Falls Parade – ?100 Years

Memorial Drive, from Broadway to ?E? Street will be closed to all vehicle traffic beginning at 6 AM, Sunday, July 3rd. Memorial Drive will not be re-opened until Tuesday morning, July 5th. There will be no parking permitted on Riverside Drive from ?E? Street to U.S. 20 on the day of the 4th. Riverside Drive

If you haven’t already, put on some sunscreen and get the grill fired up, because it’s just about time to celebrate the Fourth of July. In Idaho Falls, dozens got a jump start by camping all weekend long to stake out their spot for the fireworks. Workers unloaded pyrotechnics along the greenbelt on Sunday morning

The Idaho Department of Correction said the community work center resident who walked away from his job at a Shelley business on Thursday afternoon is back in custody. Kyle Davis Dixey was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Chubbuck about 3:30 p.m. on Friday. They said he was taken into custody without incident. Dixey was reported