Month: August 2012

Idaho Falls wants you and your family to “go fish!” City officials dedicated Becker Pond in Ryder Park on Friday morning. The Department of Fish and Game have already stocked the pond with rainbow trout. They plan on bringing more fish every two weeks as families come to take advantage of the new attraction. “This

This week is Idaho Farmer’s Market Week. These local markets are becoming increasingly popular in communities across the country, and in the Upper Valley, too. When most people think of grocery shopping, supermarkets, crowded aisles and shopping carts come to mind. But there is another way of buying produce. “The public can come and buy

After allegations regarding inappropriate activity have circled the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for months, some residents were left wondering what actions were being taken. “People have their rights to opinions, to expressions, but I’ve never seen this in 30 years of practice in Jefferson County,” said Robin Dunn, county prosecutor. Allegations surfaced that Sheriff Blair

The fire that was threatening homes in Chubbuck on Friday no longer appeared to be a threat. Fire crews have told us the fire started when three transformers blew out in a brush field behind homes on Treehouse Drive, but Idaho Power has not confirmed that, though the utility did say almost 3,000 customers in

A Maine woman has been sentenced to one year of probation for stealing more than $7,000 while working for the National Park Service at Yellowstone National Park. Danel Nickerson of Kittery was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Portland. The 45-year-old Nickerson pleaded guilty in May to stealing $7,429 while she worked in the

More Wyoming people are working and are earning a little more than they did a year ago. A new Wyoming Department of Workforce Services report shows unemployment insurance covered payroll increased by $78.2 million (2.5 percent) in the fourth quarter of 2011. Meanwhile, employment rose by 5,367 jobs (2.0 percent). The state Research and Planning

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is advising Idahoans to avoid exposure to smoke being generated by wildfires across the state. According to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, air quality in the Pocatello area Friday was described as “moderate”, meaning unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. Health and Welfare

Intermountain Gas Company is looking to decrease its natural gas rates. Intermountain Gas Company has filed its annual Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. And, if the PUC approves, it would decrease overall natural gas prices for Intermountain customers by 2.4 percent beginning Oct. 1.The PGCA reflects the cost Intermountain

The Idaho Water Resource Board will receive comment on proposed changes to the Idaho Comprehensive State Water Plan via mail, e-mail and during public hearings scheduled throughout the State. Three public hearings are scheduled for the upcoming week: Salmon, Monday, Aug. 13, at 11 a.m., US Forest Service Bldg., 1206 S. Challis St., Salmon, ID

Police arrested 21-year-old Cody Forrest Brian on charges of burglary. According to police, officers responded to the reported break-in at an apartment at 1256 Kinghorn at 2:34 am Friday. Brian was located later in possession of several items reported stolen from inside the residence.

Rumors of alleged misuse of Jefferson County resources have been spreading over the past few weeks. Our investigation came after our newsroom received numerous calls and emails on the matter. After allegations surfaced that Sheriff Blair Olsen’s wife, Marie, had been using a county-issued cell phone, paid for by local taxpayers, some community members are

Flames engulfing an Idaho Falls home Thursday morning were accompanied by explosions. The fire engulfed a trailer, a car, and a house at 1151 Bingham Ave. at about 9:30 a.m. Firefighters were trying to keep the fire from a house next door, which sustained heavy damage to its siding, a boat and a vehicle. Lindsey

A water company serving about 150 households southeast of Idaho Falls wants to raise its rates by 32 percent. Country Club Hills Utilities is seeking the increase to offset yearly operating losses and to establish a capital replacement fund to pay for system deficiencies and water problems, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission announced in a

White House officials say President Barack Obama has reached out to the parents of an American prisoner of war to assure them that military leaders are doing everything in their power to free him from his captors in Afghanistan. Bob Bergdahl told The Associated Press on Thursday through a spokesman that the family is now

If you want an inside look at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, here’s your chance. Its TV show, Wyoming’s Call of the Wild, is now available online. The show features families on hunting and fishing adventures in the Cowboy State. It’s all an effort to get more people interested in the outdoors. The agency

Moving closer to the traditional fire season, Teton Interagency Fire managers will elevate the region’s fire danger to “very high” Thursday on both the Bridger-Teton National Forest and in Grand Teton National Park. Officials said recent hot temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions have increased the potential for intense fire activity. The “very high” rating

US Postal Service officials will be at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne August 23rd to formally dedicate the state’s First Class, “Flags of our Nation” stamp. Governor Matt Mead will be on hand for the event at 2 pm in the Barrett Building. The stamp, which depicts the state bison flag and the image

Some in Pocatello are calling for more legislation when it comes to lighting up, asking the city council to make local laws much more strict for secondhand smoke. Anthony Nelson is one of several people who’ve recently written in to the mayor and city council asking for more laws concerning second-hand smoke. Nelson is the

Rumors of alleged misuse of Jefferson County resources have been spreading over the past few weeks. Our investigation came after our newsroom received numerous calls and emails on the matter. After allegations surfaced that Sheriff Blair Olsen’s Wife, Marie, had been using a county-issued cell phone, paid for by local taxpayers, some community members are

It appears the United States is stepping up its efforts to bring Hailey native and POW Bowe Bergdahl back home. Reuters is reporting the U.S. is sweetening the pot for Bergdahl’s Taliban captors. In the proposed deal, the U.S. would release five senior Taliban members from Guantanamo Bay to Qatar in exchange for Bergdahl. The

Rocky Mountain Power and the Rexburg Tabernacle marked their 100th birthdays Wednesday evening in a joint centennial celebration. The event drew supporters from both the historic site and utility company, as well as a few words from Lt. Governor Brad Little. The tabernacle was built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in

Gas prices are climbing around the country and you may have noticed some stations in eastern Idaho jumped from Tuesday to Wednesday. From Idaho Falls to Rexburg, $3.44 seemed to be a popular price on Wednesday. But AAA Director of Public & Government Affairs Dave Carlson said prices in the Gem State have been relatively

Hopeful about their future place in an adoptive family, Austin and Angel envision a traditional home with a mother and father, a big brother for Austin and a big sister for Angel. “They would take us camping and do fun things together”, one dreams. They also express a desire to have access to the outdoors

On Wednesday in Idaho Falls, more than 200 senior citizens got an education in avoiding all sorts of scams. The event is called “Scam Jam.” Eldon Kirby was at the event. He said his brother was woken by his phone ringing one night. The caller said he was Kirby’s son, calling from Barcelona, Spain. “He

A 15-acre fire is burning in McCammon. Firefighters from the Bureau of Land Management and the McCammon, Inkom and Downey fire departments are battling the Marsh Creek Fire. Four engines are at the scene of South Marsh Creek and West Merrill Road. No structures are threatened, and the fire will likely be contained by 8

A Blackfoot woman died Saturday after a motorcycle crash in Roosevelt, Utah. Roosevelt Police Chief Rick Harrison said Wednesday that a Chevrolet Cruz driven by Alexander Roberts, 18, of Evanston, Wyo., was traveling eastbound on an inside lane of East 200 North behind three motorcycles traveling in the same direction. He said Roberts did not

A fire was burning in Fort Hall in the 1600 block of C Avenue off Sheepskin late Tuesday afternoon. Angelo Gonzalez, a Fort Hall spokesperson, said one mobile home has been destroyed, as well as two to three sheds, in the fire . The blaze was under control by about 5:30 p.m. Smoke could be

For the next 30 days, locals can give their opinions on just about every transportation project coming up in Bannock County for the next six years. From bridges, to intersections, to the planned south valley connector, every transportation project using federal dollars is on the Transportation Improvement Project list, open for public comment from Aug.

If you use Bellin Road to get to the interstate in Idaho Falls, you may have noticed the route was blocked off last Friday and Saturday. That’s because the property owner is trying to send a message. Larry Reinhart owns the 260 foot stretch of gravel that hundreds drive through as a short-cut to I-15.

A missing teen was found shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday night near Pine Creek Pass. Bonneville County dispatch said three people were riding ATVs in the area. At some point, one of the people from the party disappeared when taking a different fork, never meeting back up with the group. After becoming worriedthe two group

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Sports Line continued its “30 Days, 30 Questions” campaign Tuesday night with question No. 17. “Will Tanner Smith develop into a playoff-caliber quarterback for Bonneville?” Bees head coach Fred Armstrong tells Sports Line that there’s no doubt in his mind Smith will be a better quarterback than he was last season,

A little girl was taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center Tuesday afternoon after nearly drowning. Police said it happened at Apple Athletic Club in Idaho Falls. The girl was playing in the inside pool when her parents say they lost track of her for a second. A staff member pulled the girl from underwater

POCATELLO, Idaho — The Idaho State football team opened fall practice Tuesday afternoon with its first session at Holt Arena. The Bengals enter their second full season under head coach Mike Kramer, going just 2-9 overall in 2011. Idaho State begins the year with no APR penalties, giving the Bengals a full allotment of scholarships

Class was in session as local teachers went back to school today, and it was all in the name of science. For the second year in a row, southeastern Idaho elementary school teachers are engaged in science and math training through Idaho State University. The teachers are in their second year of a three year

What will Idaho’s nuclear future look like? Definitely different. That’s the short answer from Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy Dr. Peter Lyons during a presentation to the Leadership in Nuclear Energy (LINE) commission in Boise on Tuesday. The presentation was live-streamed to the University of Idaho campus in Moscow, and the Eastern

Rangers rescued a hiker Tuesday after he fell 20 feet in Hanging Canyon. Paul Danes, 23, of Raleigh, N.C., was scrambling alone and off trail near the mouth of the canyon when he slipped, fell, and sustained facial and lower leg injuries. Other day hikers who were in the Hanging Canyon area heard cries for

Idaho wildlife officials relocated an adult bull moose after it charged an 88-year-old Arbon Valley woman while she was in her yard. Idaho Fish and Game regional wildlife specialist Toby Boudreau tells the Idaho State Journal that Nelda Williams wasn’t injured, but he felt it was necessary to relocate the moose after failed attempts to

Clark County has won a $10,500 grant to fund a feasibility study into the design and cost of an energy park. Clark County Economic Development Director Kerri Ellis said the focus of the work will be a multi-modal rail infrastructure project that would serve as a loading dock for both trucks and railroad cars for

Teton Pass traffic was slowed for several hours Monday night after a runaway truck loaded with talcum powder lost its brakes and slid off the east side of Wyoming Highway 22. Wyoming Highway Patrol Lieutenant Tom Kelley said the truck took out about 240 feet of guard rail before it went over the edge at

Six American Falls High School drama students escaped serious injury when their minivan collided with an oncoming vehicle near Afton at 12:45 p.m. Monday. The Wyoming Highway Patrol says the driver of the van, 19-year-old Alexi Sprague of American Falls, was flown to Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello in stable condition. The six passengers, all

An argument over perfume led to a knife threat and the arrest of an Idaho Falls woman in the 400 block of East 24th Street on Monday. Idaho Falls Police say Sarah Kathryn Westbrook and another 30-year-old woman got into a verbal argument over the theft of perfume. Police said Westbrook challenged the woman to

Do you have an idea for how your city should be developed, or what you think it should look or feel like in five years? Idaho Falls leaders want input from residents as they update the city’s comprehensive plan. The plan is like a blue-print for how and where the city would like to grow.

A fire at the intersection of U.S. Highway 91 and Tyhee Road started from anexcavator trying to load rocks into a truck, Monday afternoon. Employees at E&G Contractors tried to put it out, but the flames spread like gasoline into the grass, said E&G employee Ellen Jensen. The shop at E&G burned, but the office

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — It took 15 innings, but the Idaho Falls Chukars beat Ogden 6-5 Monday night at Melaleuca Field. Ogden’s Alan Garcia walked Adrian Martinez with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 15th to give Idaho Falls the win. It’s the first time the Chukars have won three

It’s an Idaho Falls tradition that’s built the city’s beloved Greenbelt from the ground up: the annual duck race! On Monday, high speed racing boats took a few practice laps ahead of The Great Snake River Greenbelt Duck Race. The 750 to 1,500 horse-power boats will compete in drag racing events on Saturday. There will

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Sports Line continued its “30 Days, 30 Questions” campaign with question No. 18 Monday night. “Will Zak Bennett make an immediate impact for Skyline?” Jeff Landers talked with Skyline head coach Scott Berger, and Berger replied, “Yes, he will!” When asked if Bennett will be the week-one starter, Berger told Sports

A first-of-its-kind discovery was made in eastern Idaho, and it’s available for the public to view. “A lot of people probably don’t know Idaho has dinosaurs. I see websites saying Idaho has no dinosaurs. It always riles me up a little. I wanna say. ‘Yes! We do have dinosaurs!’” said paleontologist L.J. Krumenacker. Krumenacker proved

A woman is in the hospital after being attacked by two pit bulls Sunday morning at the corner of Teton Avenue and Grant Street in American Falls. Police said Nancy Davis, 61, of American Falls, saw her dog being attacked by pit bulls, and after she broke up the fight, became the victim. Dale Davis,

The sixth defendant in the Ammon Christmas Day stabbing death of 20-year-old Buck Garner will spend up to 10 years in prison. That’s the ruling by District Judge Dane Watkins Jr. on Monday. Pongyan pleaded guilty to principal to aggravated battery earlier in 2012. Bonneville County Deputy Prosecutor Daniel Clark described autopsy results indicating Garner

A former Pocatello man will go to prison after pleading guilty to not registering as a sex offender when he moved out of state. David Leon Munday was sentenced Monday to 51 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for failing to register as a sex offender in Kentucky and for failing

Two Utah men were killed in a car-motorcycle crash on U.S. Highway 89 about 18 miles south of Jackson at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The Wyoming Highway Patrol said Monday that 69-year-old Gloria Monk of Layton, Utah, was driving a Toyota Camry that drifted off the right side of the highway. They said she overcorrected,

A crane fell and crushed a 35-year-old man Monday morning. Blackfoot Police Capt. Kurt Asmus said the man was trying to take the crane apart in the Walmart parking lot to load it on a flatbed at about 9:15 a.m. There were no eyewitnesses, but workers said they heard a crash and found the man

Hundreds of Idaho National Laboratory scientists past and present breathed a big sigh of relief as NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity made it through an excruciating landing process, touching down on the Martian surface just after 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The lab developed the nuclear fuel source for Curiosity’s battery. At the Shilo Inn on Sunday night,

It’s been one month since the Charlotte Fire roared through Pocatello, destroying 66 homes, and now many victims of the fire are working on rebuilding. Steve Leaman lost his home, and everything he owns in the Charlotte Fire. For the first week after the blaze Leaman lived in a small tent camping out with his

The Teton Scenic Byway has won nearly $384 thousand from the Federal Highway Administration to develop a visitor rest area in Victor. It was one of five Idaho Scenic Byway projects including in the National Scenic Byway Program’s 2012 award selections. Victor Planning and Zoning Administrator Bill Knight says the facility will be built at

After months of flight through dark and empty space, NASA Mars rover Curiosity will hopefully land on the Martian surface around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday. Once on land, Curiosity will rely on a battery that runs on fuel developed by scientists right here in eastern Idaho. The development of the nuclear fuel for the battery

Months before “American Idol” hits the bright lights of Hollywood, crews, including senior executive producer Patrick Lynn, are getting ready to hear the thousands who have come out to audition. He said the work is never ending. “This to us, is 24-7. We live, breathe, ‘American Idol’. I mean, take a look at (the bus)

Rescue crews have pulled the body of a 59-year-old man from Gem Lake, Bonneville County Sheriff Paul Wilde said. A woman and Kelly Clay were riding jet skis around the lake when they both fell off, according to Bonneville County Lieutenant James Foster. Clay was piloting the jet ski, according to police. A nearby boat

Pocatello is getting on the road to remodeling the Center Street underpass. The City Council approved a measure on Thursday to bring in Boise engineering firm CH2M Hill, Inc. to assess the underpass and decide a best course of action for one of the most crucial connections between the east and west sides of the

After a personal tragedy, a single mother is working to help families facing juvenile diabetes. The Rollin’ For a Cause event in Blackfoot seeks to raise money to help out local families who have children struggling with Type 1 diabetes. Event co-founder Susan Jensen knows firsthand the difficulties and danger the disease can bring. “That’s

Saturday was the day that many had been waiting for — American Idol auditions. The American Idol small-town audition bus tour kicked off in Idaho Falls and hundreds showed up to perform for the judges. How it works is if singers got the green light today, they make it to the next round and will

Hundreds of people have lined up at the American Idol audition in Idaho Falls. Those auditioning are hoping to get a chance at win a ticket for show’s season 12. The auditions are part of the ‘American Idol Small Town Audition Bus Tour.’ The contestants audition in front of a the shows producers. None of

Gun shots were reportedly fired into the air at a Victor bar early Friday morning. Idaho State Police said a fight was reported at Timberline Bar and Grill at about 12:30 a.m. They said during the fight, Juan Amador, 32, from Felt, Idaho, shot a handgun into the air and then fled from the area.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Sports Line continued its “30 Days, 30 Questions” campaign Friday night with question No. 21. “How does Madison match up at the 5A level?” Bobcats head coach Mitch Buck tells Sports Line he thinks Madison will be just as good as Highland this season, but the Bobcats don’t play the Rams

Singers in eastern Idaho will get to showcase their talent as “American Idol” auditions come to Idaho Falls. Locals expect a lot of people to audition Saturday at Snake River Landing, but one “Idol” hopeful has quite the story. She’s auditioned for the hit show once before and made to Hollywood. This time, the 20-year-old

A flat tire led to a boat and a median being engulfed in flames, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office said. At about 3:30 pm Thursday, a fire destroyed a boat and trailer being towed by a vehicle on US Highway 20. Authorities said a tire on the boat trailer went flat and caught fire, igniting

An Idaho Public Utilities Commission decision approving a Rocky Mountain Power request should lower the company’s Idaho customers rates by 1.3 percent beginning August 1. The Energy Efficiency Rider, which funds energy efficiency programs, decreased to 2.1 percent of customers’ billed amounts, down from the previous 3.4 percent. Some Idaho conservation groups opposed the proposal,

Seven people from Idaho Falls were hurt when their van rolled over near Mona on Interstate 15, leaving one girl in critical condition. Although the cause of the crash is under investigation, the Utah Highway Patrol said the driver of the 2002 Chrysler Town & Country van was traveling northbound at milepost 228 when it

A Blackfoot man will likely face a manslaughter charge following the death of another Blackfoot man in a crash Thursday night. Blackfoot Police said Brent J. Hansen, 36, died when his motorcycle collided with a vehicle driven by Kenny C. Struhs. A 6-year-old girl riding with Hansen was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center

A fire caused about $250,000 in damage to a home at 3669 S. Holmes at 9:45 pm Thursday. Idaho Falls Fire Department Division Chief Dorin Howard said all occupants of the home escaped unharmed. The fire was contained to a large attic space with difficult access. Because of the type of construction, he said, the

A debate broke out at Thursday’s city council meeting in Pocatello. Several people showed up to say they wanted the city to take a look at de-funding, or severely reducing the funding, for Pocatello Regional Transit, the city’s bus system. But those voices did not go unopposed. Defenders of the transit system said they received

One woman is dead and a man is in the hospital after their boat capsized on the Snake River. Lisa Ann Keating, 44, of Idaho Falls, died in the accident. The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office said it happened 6 to 7 miles north of the Byington boat ramp on the South Fork near Table Rock

The location and time for the “American Idol” auditions in Idaho Falls were released Thursday evening. The auditions will start at 9 a.m. Saturday at Snake River Landing, according to the show’s official webpage. There will be no preregistration. A representative for “American Idol” said the official announcementfor the auditions had been delayed because production

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Sports Line continued its “30 Days, 30 Questions” campaign Thursday night with question No. 22. “Can Hillcrest compete at the 5A level?” The Knights make the jump from 4A this year, and they bring with them a new coach in Dwight Richins. Richins brings with him a track record of success

By the age of 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery, according to The National Eye Institute. Statistics like that are fueling an awareness campaign in eastern Idaho. Eye doctors said having a cataract is like looking through a dirty window. Essentially the lens of the

An Idaho Falls man will go to prison after he was caught peeping in a women’s bathroom. George Robert Jones, 57, was sentenced on Thursday on a felony charge of sexual abuse of a minor. He appeared before 7th District Judge Jon Shindurling, who sentenced Jones to a minimum of 10 years in prison. Jones

A compost turner caught fire in northern Bonneville County Wednesday night. It happened around 8:20 p.m. west of Lewisville Highway at 113th. Flames quickly consumed the farm machinery sending thick black smoke into the air. Fire chief Bill Hicks said firefighters could see the smoke from their firehouse when the got the call. A manager

U.S. Magistrate Judge Larry M. Boyle has sentenced a Fish Haven, Idaho man to time served for assaulting a U.S. Forest Service employee on August 5, 2010. 56 year old Michael Voris has already spent six months in jail. He pleaded guilty to the federal misdemeanor charge June 26, 2012. The maximum term is one

The recently discovered pot-growing operation is much larger and sophisticated than originally suspected, and may be connected to a Mexican cartel. At a Wednesday news conference, Caribou County Sheriff Ric Anderson said there must be 40,000 marijuana plants at the site, which is 700 feet outside the Bannock County line in a hilly area near

From doctors to bloggers, many called Wednesday a “great” day for women, as millions gained access to more free preventative health care services. The new provision under President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act went into effect on August 1. Doctor Jeffrey Baker said it’s a great opportunity for women to see their doctors more often.

The Idaho Falls City Council is talking about increasing property taxes for next year’s budget. It will certainly be a shock to many people in Idaho Falls if this property tax does pass in the budget. People in Idaho Falls have not seen an increase in more than three years. Not everyone on the City

Pocatello Police arrested a US Army deserter after a short show down early Thursday morning. Police Lieutenant Paul Manning says 20-year-old Brian Lee Lyons was located at 745 W. Bridger at 3:53 a.m. While officers were outside the home officers said Lyons armed himself with a rifle and exited the house. After a challenge from

Pole dancing has arrived in Pocatello, and we’re not talking about a strip club. The area’s first pole fitness club, Notorious Janes’ Pole Fitness, has come to the Gate City. The sport may be controversial, but it is accredited. The International Pole Dance Fitness Association creates requirements for the sport, and even met this year

Idaho’s beautiful rivers and diverse terrain attract fishermen from around the world. With scorching temperatures this summer and little rain, Local News 8 wanted to know if these expert anglers are still coming to the Gem State. Yellowstone National Park has closed several of its trout streams this week, where fish are literally in hot

OGDEN, Utah — The Idaho Falls Chukars couldn’t hold onto a 3-1 lead as they fell to the Ogden Raptors 5-4 Wednesday night. Fernando Cruz (1-2) earned the loss after giving up four runs on four hits in just two innings of work. Sam Selman started the game, going four innings while striking out seven

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Sports Line continued its “30 Days, 30 Questions” segment Wednesday night with the answer to question No. 23. “Can Blackfoot repeat as 4A state champions?” Blackfoot lost starting quarterback Trae Pilster to graduation, and the Broncos return just one starting defensive lineman and one linebacker from last year’s squad. According to

New statistics from an Idaho non-profit show a troubling trend for Idaho kids. The number of Gem State kids living in households where income is unstable or unreliable is on the rise. “We worry about falling into that category,” said Idaho Falls mom Reanna Schmall on Wednesday. She folded laundry Wednesday evening while her son

It’s chicken sandwiches with a side of politics when Chick-Fil-A President Dan Cathy recently made public comments in support of the “biblical definition of the family unit.” While his views do not necessarily reflect those of individual Chick-Fil-A franchise owners, Cathy’s statements caused an outcry among some same-sex marriage supporters and politicians. Politicians in Chicago

About 4,000 teens from 14 to 18 are expected on the Brigham Young University-Idaho campus for a two-day Youth Conference on Aug. 17 and 18. The conference is being sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and 20 of its eastern Idaho LDS stakes. A spokesperson says highlights will include a talk

More than half of U.S. counties, including some in Wyoming, now are classified by the federal government as natural disaster areas mostly because of the drought. The U.S. Agriculture Department on Wednesday added 218 counties in a dozen states as disaster areas. That brings this year’s total to 1,584 in 32 states, more than 90

Former Ponzi scheme operator Daren Palmer is making headlines again, as a Bonneville County Republican leader made a federal court appearance Tuesday. Doyle Beck is accused of accepting money from the infamous Trigon Group, headed by Palmer, who was found guilty of defrauding investors of $100 million. The same judge who presided over Palmer’s case

A Jackson man reported missing Tuesday has been located. Jackson Police say 33 year old Andrew Kalenak was located safe in the Jackson Hole area Wednesday.

Rexburg police have arrested a woman they say took three children illegally. Heather Anne John, 29, of Orem, Utah, was arrested at 4 p.m. Monday at the Rexburg Health and Welfare Office on a three-count felony complaint, including custodial interference and kidnapping. Police have been looking for John since July 13, when the three children

Local 4-H fairs are underway across the state with the usual livestock competitions and arts projects, but also, some birthday cake. The youth development organization is celebrating 100 years in Idaho. 4-H started as a club in Lemhi County in 1912. Today it has more than 34,000 members. Some of them were competing in Bingham

Closing the achievement gap and raising graduation rates, all while preparing for an entirely new accountability system; Tuesday, the Pocatello-Chubbuck School District released its Adequate Yearly Progress and ISAT testing reports. The ISAT tests in reading, math and language, and there were dips and increases in all areas across all grades, but each grade stayed