Month: May 2013

This month is National Electrical Safety Month, and although we may not realize it, common electrical appliances in your household can lead to serious injuries, and accidents can even be fatal. “There’s enough electricity in your house, in the circuits, to be fatal,” said Cameron Campbell, safety administrator for Rocky Mountain Power. Every year, more

A few upper valley communities are concerned for their safety. They said nearly one dozen unsolved burglaries in the Terreton and Mud Lake area are being ignored and law enforcement isn’t doing anything about it. The Mud Lake and Terreton area relies on the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for all of their law enforcement needs.

An empowering conversation will soon begin for the people of Madison County. “Sometimes small groups of people make policies that affect large groups of people, and that’s why citizens should take advantage,” said Steve Oakey, who described himself as an “interested citizen.” Oakey was one of the dozens of people representing all areas of the

The City of Blackfoot will have a new top cop. On Tuesday night, the City Council unanimously voted to promote Kurt Asmus as Blackfoot’s new police chief. Asmus has been a captain with the police department. Current Blackfoot Police Chief Dave Moore plans to retire at the end of the month.

The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce has named its new interim CEO. Kerry McCullough has served as the program and events coordinator for the chamber for the past three and a half years. She says she’ll make a few administrative changes, but going into the summer season, all of the big events, including Taste

Airports across the county that were scheduled to close their air control towers because of the sequestration will continue to operate, at least until the middle of June. Congress said it would prevent the closure of 149 small airport towers, including the ones in Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Hailey. The furloughs of air traffic controllers

State Superintendent Tom Luna addressed concerns about Common Core standards while he was in Idaho Falls on Tuesday. Luna said 45 states have adopted the standards, which focus on English and math, and ensure the same standards are held from state to state. He said education leaders nationwide got together to come up with a

It’s round two for Pocatello’s nondiscrimination ordinance. A new draft of the ordinance was made available Monday. Reporter Chris Cole gathered reactions the very next day by getting some feedback from the Pocatello community. Changes to the ordinance are few, but significant. The changes address two of the three major concerns faced by the first

The Idaho National Laboratory and the Big Apple are working together to find out if New York City can replace a third of its taxi vehicles with battery electric cars. The city has about 40,000 taxis and six of them are Nissan leaf battery electric vehicles. It’s all part of a pilot program started by

For decades, a lost limb meant a life confined to a wheelchair or crutches, but not anymore. Prosthetic devices are changing the lives of the nearly 1.7 million Americans living with the loss of a limb. From soldiers injured during active duty every day, to the 14 people who lost limbs in the Boston Marathon

Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating the possibility that someone intentionally burned a house down on Brome St. The fire started in a Bonneville County home around 10 p.m. Monday. The family living at 4300 E. Brome St. was able to get out of the house alive. One adult did suffer minor burns to the

It’s a timely question: How do you keep nuclear materials out of the wrong hands? On Monday, in our own backyard, nuclear experts from around the world learned how to identify misuse of nuclear materials. It’s part of a major education initiative by the sponsored by the National Nuclear Security Administration . Nations approved to

Three youths from Chubbuck were taken to the hospital Tuesday after the teen driver fell asleep at the wheel and caused a crash, Idaho State Police said. Around 8:20 a.m., a 15-year-old driver was driving a 1997 Toyota Camry southbound on Arbon Valley Highway near Interstate 86 in Power County when she fell asleep, drove

Some people in Sugar City may lose their way now that a famous landmark is gone. Brad Moon said a century-old bent tree at his mother’s home at 17 W. First South fell to the ground Sunday. The house is owned by 89-year-old Leah Moon. Moon said the tree was already huge when his family

High school graduation is coming up soon. Many of our seniors will be moving on, but to what? Are today’s grads even involved in farming during high school enough to take it to the next level? Because when our current farmers retire or slowly die off, the younger ones better be there to replace them

Lava locals were assessing the damages and picking up the pieces after Sunday night’s magnitude 4.2 earthquake that rattled southeast Idaho. Florence Berti lives directly on top of where the earthquake hit. “It actually felt like a bomb,” Berti said Monday. “It did. It felt like a bomb went off and I looked, and the

The first Monday in May is known as “Melanoma Monday.” It is a national day of awareness for skin cancer. Monday, High Valley Dermatology in Idaho Falls offered free skin cancer screenings. There are a lot of different types of skin cancer, but melanoma is the deadliest. Every hour one person dies from Melanoma in

GIRLS H.S. SOFTBALL3A District 5(Game 1) **Snake River 13 American Falls 1 F (Championship) **Bear Lake 9 Snake River 7 F 3A District 6Sugar-Salem 3**Teton 8 F **South Fremont 6 Shelley 3 F H.S. BASEBALL**Highland 9 Skyline 0 F 3A DIST. 6 BASEBALL TOURNAMENT**South Fremont 3 Teton 2 F **Shelley 12Sugar-Salem 6 F

Family and friends are remembering a Salt Lake City, Utah, soccer referee who died over the weekend. He was in coma after a player got angry over a yellow card violation that he called, and the teen punched him in the head. The 17-year old suspect could face aggravated assault charges. A Utah prosecutor says

Rexburg city leaders are worried their city will soon become a battleground for parking. When spaces are scarce, parking your car can escalate into a full-on fight. Good thing Rexburg is a family community, so we doubt a parking dispute will turn as ugly as the scenes from A&E’s aptly-named “Parking Wars.” Still, BYU-Idaho students

When Ashlee Howell heard about a Pocatello family who took in four of their nieces and nephews after their mother had abandoned them, she reached out to the community for their help using Facebook. “The response has been huge. I mean, it’s been overwhelmingly huge,” said Howell, executive director of the Blackfoot Community Center. “The

The Foster Grandparents Program of Eastern Idaho is celebrating 40 years of service. Seventy-five seniors are helping kids in our local elementary schools, but the program is in serious need of more volunteers. Who could make a better “Great Neighbor” than someone who volunteers at a neighborhood school? We caught up with a couple of

Police said an Idaho Falls man shot another man in the leg early Sunday morning. Officers responded to the 1200 block of Boise Avenue in Idaho Falls around 2:50 a.m. for a report of a shooting. They found that 35-year-old Mickey D. McMurtrey had been shot in the left thigh. According to McMurtrey and witnesses,

Water is back on in Arco, and it’s drinkable. Residents were forced to scale back on water use Thursday when the motor on the city’s only working well broke down. Although the pump motor was fixed by Friday, the city had urged residents to boil their water before drinking it as it had not yet

The U.S. Geological Survey said two small earthquakes occurred Sunday night near Lava Hot Springs. The first was reported at 9:13 p.m. 4 miles southeast of the town with a magnitude 4.2. Another, at magnitude 3.6, was reported 7 minutes later. People calling into the newsroom said the quake shook about 20 seconds. We did

Police say a Utah soccer referee who was in a coma after being punched by a teenage player has died. They say 46-year-old Ricardo Portillo of Salt Lake City died late Saturday night. Unified police spokesman Justin Hoyal says Portillo passed away at the hospital, where he was being treated following an assault during a

The month of May means all local farmers markets are opening for the season. In Idaho Falls Saturday afternoon, dozens of shoppers had access to fresh foods, handmade crafts and even home gardening products. Farmers markets have been around as long as there have been farmers. Organizers say it’s good for the economy and good

Although Cinco de Mayo isn’t until Sunday, the Idaho Falls community decided to celebrate a little early this year. Hundreds gathered at Tautphaus Park Saturday to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with music, food, drinks and live performances. While it’s considered a minor holiday in Mexico, in the U.S., Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a

Dave and Joe McGrath, two army heroes from Idaho Falls, are looking to change the Boy Scouts of America ban on gay members and troop leaders. Friday morning, their 1,800 mile bike ride to Boy Scout headquarters in Irving, Texas begins. The McGraths will go through Salt Lake City, Colorado and eventually Texas. As the

There was a very low turnout Saturday at a free vaccination clinic, set up for people for might have been exposed to hepatitisA at Papa Murphy’s in Chubbuck. Chris Cole was there to learn about the dangers of avoiding the needle. Southeastern Idaho Public Health says an employee at the Papa Murphy’s in Chubbuck has

Pocatello’s fire departments are teaching people how to prepare for wildfire season. The departments held an open house Saturday at the Indian Hills Fire Station. They emphasized the five P’s: people, property, pets, papers and prescriptions. If you have to evacuate because of a wildfire, firefighters want you to have those five things ready, so

BASEBALL 5A DISTRICT 5-6 PLAYOFFS**Skyline 1Idaho Falls 0 F 3A DISTRICT 6 PLAYOFFS **Sugar-Salem 7South Fremont 5 F **Shelley 5Teton 3 F SOFTBALL**South Fremont 10Sugar-Salem 8 F Shelley 3**Teton 15 F 3A DISTRICT 5 TOURNAMENTBear Lake 1**Snake River 9 F Marsh Valley 4**American Falls 14 F

People in Pocatello took back the night on Friday. The event, coordinated by Idaho State University’s Anderson Gender Resource Center, was held to raise awareness of sexual assault. One woman was sending out a message, and she was not alone. Lindsay Van Luvanee, who has experienced several instances of sexual assault, said one of the

Arts programs in schools are often the first to get cut when districts review a budget, but a local dance group is hoping to bring attention to the arts. The Mayhem Dance Group will be putting on a production called “Saving the Arts in Local Schools” at the Colonial Theatre in Idaho Falls, Friday. Both

Your retirement fund got a little bigger as the S&P 500 closed at a record high. The index is one of the broadest measures of the U.S. stock market. It tracks your mutual funds and 401(k)s. The S&P settled a little above 1600 and the Dow Jones crossed 15,000 for the first time. Local economist

Hard work leads to success in many areas of life. Whether it’s school or dance or other activities, Madison High School senior Kayla Hirschi has found that to be true. She wins this week’s United Dairymen of Idaho Distinguished Student Award. Kayla has been dancing since she was a little girl. It gives her a

Papa Murphy’s has issued a statement in the situation at its Chubbuck shop, in which customers may have been exposed to Hepatitis A. Southeastern Idaho Public Health an employee there was confirmed on Thursday as having the disease. The exposure may have been from April 19 to 21. “There have been no reported cases of

Two Idaho Falls boys were arrested Friday after police said they tried to flee from officers in a stolen car. An officer was patrolling in the area of 17th Street and South Boulevard around 1:30 a.m. when he tried to make a traffic stop on a 2006 Toyota Camry. The vehicle failed to stop and

Seventeen days after the April 15 terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon, runner Kathy Hart finished what she started. With all of Taylor’s Crossing Public Charter School watching, she ran the final third of a mile to complete the 26.2-mile race. “To go that far, and to go that distance, and then to be short

Nonprofit organizations across Idaho are raising money today for the first annual “Idaho Gives Campaign.” This is an opportunity to help raise money for these organizations. The goal is $500,000 statewide in 24 hours. It’s a great chance to talk see what people are doing, see what kind of activities they’re fundraising for. And also

Three people were arrested Thursday morning after police found methamphetamine in a routine traffic stop at First and Holmes in Idaho Falls Idaho Falls police said the driver, 36-year-old Scarlett Briggs, of Idaho Falls, was charged with possession of .58 grams of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia. Rear-seat passenger 53-year-old Carl Piirto, of Idaho Falls

The school year isn’t quite over, but many students are looking ahead to college, and some are wondering how to pay for it. There are a number of scholarships up for grabs, but those looking to attend college just need to take the important first step of applying for them. It took two months for

Police said a Pocatello girl has been found safe after being reported missing in late afternoon Thursday. Kobe Hebert was last seen around 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon, on her way to Alameda Park, Police didn’t report where or how she was found.

Police in Pocatello are asking for help in locating a missing girl. Kobe Hebert has not been seen since 3 p.m. Thursday. Police said she was on her way to Alameda Park. Police said she has dark red hair that has been straightened. They said she might be wearing flip flops and shorts. If you

Latinos in the U.S. have reached 52 million with an increase in nearly every state, especially Idaho. Census data shows the Hispanic population here has grown more than 70 percent in the last decade. The Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs said every Idaho county had an increase in its Hispanic population, making it the largest

Three Idaho mayors are among 70 community leaders across the country fighting to keep their airport control towers operating. The Alliance for Aviation Across America released a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration Thursday. Those signing the letter were Idaho Falls Mayor Jared Fuhriman, Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad, and Mayor Fritz X. Haemmerle of Hailey.

Over the past few months, Rexburg’s city councilors have been debating a possible salary bump for themselves. On Wednesday night it came to a vote of the council. The bill to increase City Council salaries passed in a 5 to 1 vote. The salary bump is the first for council members since 2008 and it

The housing market across the nation is starting to turn around, but is eastern Idaho’s housing market following suit? Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, according to Jeff Metcalf, now is the time to consider jumping in with two feet to get the best deal, especially in Bonneville County. “2012 showed some signs of

On Thursday, March 2, Butte School District #111 canceled schools because of water problems.

Portneuf Medical Center has invested $1.2 million into some new devices for patients. The most important way these will help patients is by reducing medical errors. “It’s safer for the patients,” said registered nurse Danielle Harris. “That’s what we want.” Portneuf Medical Center’s investment is for the sole purpose of increasing patient safety. “In health

You have a chance to join a statewide ‘giving blitz’ to Idaho non-profit agencies. It’s called’ Idaho Gives’ and this week we’re featuring some organizations that will benefit. Idaho Childrens Dance Theater has been providing dance lessons for local youth for years. They’re partnering with Idaho Gives to do matching grants. Besides teaching talented children

A man died in a two-vehicle crash north of Aberdeen on Wednesday afternoon. Daniel Bolgen, 59, of Aberdeen, was northbound on State Highway 39 in a 2002 Kenworth semi, pulling a single trailer. Joseph Grover, 63 of Blackfoot, was also northbound on the highway in a 1988 Jeep Cherokee. Bolgen was turning westbound onto 1500

Three people were sentenced this week in a drug investigation known as Operation Walkabout. An Idaho Falls man will spend the next 19 years and seven months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine. Ricardo Garcia Lopez, 36, appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge

A two-car crash blocked a Bingham County intersection for about an hour Wednesday morning. The accident occurred at the intersection of 200 North Road and 200 East Road in Bingham County. Tracy Kirby, 52 of Firth, was driving a 2004 Toyota Camry southbound on 200 East Road when she failed to stop at the stop

One of the region’s largest maternity centers is reborn this week. It may not look it from the outside, but Madison Memorial Hospital will open its new $1.9 million Family Maternity Center on Friday. The entrance might not be finished for another month-and-a-half, but the man who designed it says it’s the first of several

A man was arrested in connection to the bomb threat that caused an evacuation of the Chubbuck Walmart on Sunday. Brian J. Lavatta, 23, of Pocatello, was arrested Wednesday morning on a felony charge of false report of explosives in a public place. Police are not commenting on what they believe Lavatta’s motive was. Chubbuck