Blackfoot

Tension over the closure of a volunteer‑run pantry and store at the Blackfoot Senior Center erupted into a packed, emotional meeting as seniors accused the center’s board of poor communication and ignoring members’ concerns.

Amid growing concerns over recent ICE operations in Southeast Idaho, Shoshone-Bannock tribal leadership is advising all members to carry valid tribal identification with them at all times.

The urgent statement from the Shoshone Bannock Tribe’s Business Council comes after confirmed ICE enforcement activities in Idaho Falls. However, leaders also said the sighting is expected due to an ICE field office in Idaho Falls, and said the move to carry identification cards is out of an abundance of caution.

The Shosone Bannock Jr./Sr. High School will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3, 2025, due to the building’s heating system not functioning properly.

The Idaho Transportation Department will shift northbound Interstate 15 traffic between the Northgate and Fort Hall interchanges (Exits 73 and 80) the night of Wednesday, Nov. 12. Northbound traffic will move into the newly constructed lanes in the median to allow crews to begin work on the east side of I-15.

As engineers continue to assess the damage and necessary repairs on Riverton Road Bridge, the Idaho Department of Transportation has taken further steps to restore the flow of traffic along Interstate 15 near Blackfoot.

After a tanker truck crash late Thursday night, October 30th, that critically damaged a support pillar, ITD partially reopened the interstate to single-lane traffic underneath the bridge. Now, as of Tuesday, ITD has shifted lanes to provide travelers with two northbound lanes and one southbound lane, separated by a temporary median, spanning I-15 between Exit 89 and Exit 93.

Road crews are continuing to assess the bridge’s damage.

Over the weekend, a small crew of Blackfoot firefighters, with the help of volunteers and off-duty personnel, tackled a dangerous structure fire in under 30 minutes despite minimal staffing.

The emergency began on Saturday afternoon, October 25. A Blackfoot Fire Department Ambulance was heading to Blackfoot from Rockford on Highway 39 to provide coverage, as multiple other ambulances were out on calls. While driving, the crew suddenly spotted a column of smoke and flames coming from a shop building near the highway. They immediately radioed the alarm to Station 1, quickly geared up, and began an initial walkaround of the burning structure.

The names of the men killed in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 15 near Fort Hall earlier this week have now been officially released.

Bannock County Coroner Torey Danner identified the victims as Manuel Rodriguez-Baltazar, 42, and Raul Navarrete, 44, both of Rupert.

The Fort Hall Police Department is actively asking the public for help in locating a missing vehicle and has announced that a reward is being offered for information leading to its discovery and recovery. The department has not specified the reason for the search or the nature of the crime associated with the vehicle.

The car in question is a Dark Gray 2014 Chevrolet Cruze bearing the Idaho license plate 4BI282U. Authorities have shared photos of the car on social media, but noted the vehicle may look different from the images as the chrome trim around the doors has been removed.

The Sage Hill Casino, located South of Blackfoot, I-15 Exit 89, will be temporarily closed from Sunday, September 21, through Wednesday, October 15, 2025, to complete renovations designed to enhance the guest experience. Sage Hill Casino is currently scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

“These upgrades are an investment in our guests,” said Colista Matsaw, CEO. “We appreciate the community’s patience during this short closure and look forward to welcoming everyone back to an improved Sage Hill experience.”

Effective from now until Oct. 15, 2025, Idaho Fish and Game has issued a salvage order for Jensen Grove Pond in Blackfoot. This means anglers can harvest any remaining fish from the pond before water levels drop too low.

The crowds cheered as the drivers crashed into each other. Some cars even starting to smoke and light up in flames, providing pure, simple fun for everyone.

Southeastern Idaho Public Health (SIPH) and Bannock County Mosquito Abatement have confirmed a West Nile Virus (WNV) positive mosquito pool in Public Health District 6, located in Bannock County. No cases of WNV in humans have been reported.

A multi-vehicle crash blocked southbound I-15 near Blackfoot Thursday afternoon.

The Eastern Idaho State Fair is proud to announce the winners of its highly anticipated 2025 Best Fair Food Contest, where local media members served as judges to crown the best new and returning fair food offerings.

A local woman is facing up to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of Forgery. Bingham County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Fred Wheeler announced today that April Eschief has been convicted following a one-day jury trial.

A recent string of dog attacks in Blackfoot has raised questions about animal neglect and full animal shelters. Blackfoot resident Hunter Hatch and his dog, Milo, were victims of one of the attacks.

“While we were walking (the dog), this guy was going into his house. And as he was opening the door, all four of his dogs just came running out,” Hatch said.

“Culex tarsalis mosquitoes are the primary vector species of West Nile virus in our area and are most common in July and August when the temperatures are warmest,” said Justin Huse, Bingham County’s mosquito abatement program manager. “The number of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes has been high as expected this year, so our detection of West Nile virus was also expected and we are taking immediate action to reduce the population of these mosquitoes.”  He added, “This early detection of WNV in mosquitoes is one of the primary reasons for our comprehensive mosquito surveillance and control program.” 

he Bureau of Land Management invites the public to a wild horse adoption event at the Eastern Idaho State Fair, 97 Park St., in Blackfoot on Aug. 30 at 11:30 a.m. Since June, youths representing 4-H clubs from Oneida to Teton counties have gentled and trained their yearling mustangs to lead, load in a horse trailer, pick up their feet, and a variety of other skills. They will demonstrate these skills at the State Fair during a trail challenge on Aug. 29 at 11 a.m., and a freestyle demonstration at 5 p.m.

An 81-year-old woman is dead and an 80-year-old man is injured following a two-vehicle crash on I-15 near Blackfoot early this morning.

According to Idaho State Police (ISP), the crash occurred just after 5 a.m. at mile marker 89. A 21-year-old man from Idaho Falls, driving a 2015 Buick Verano, was traveling southbound in the left lane when his vehicle struck the rear of a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country minivan.

It’s a celebration 60 years in the making. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes warmly welcome visitors from near and far to the Annual Indian Festival, taking place Thursday, August 7, through Sunday, August 10. This year’s theme is, “Celebrating and Continuing 60 Years of Strength and History.”

“For six decades, our Festival has been a cherished tradition, uniting generations through culture, community, and celebration,” said Fort Hall Business Council Chairwoman Donna Thompson. “We honor those who came before us and continue to carry forward the spirit and resilience of our people.”

On Tuesday, August 5th, the Blackfoot City Council will vote on a critical issue that could determine the future of Jensen Grove, the city’s most popular recreation spot. The core of the problem is keeping the pond full of water, and it is a lot more complicated than it sounds.

Crews are actively working to contain a wildfire on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. The Rio Vista Fire is actively burning around 25 acres of sagebrush terrain; however, no structures are threatened at this time, according to reservation officials.

Idaho Power has scheduled a planned power outage for Wednesday, July 9, from 5 PM to 9 PM, impacting areas of Blackfoot located east of Blackfoot High School.

This outage will also necessitate the City of Blackfoot to temporarily shut down one of its wells. To prevent any loss of water pressure within the system, city officials are urging residents to refrain from all irrigation use between 4 PM and 11 PM on Wednesday.

Abe L. Sireech, 37, of Fort Hall, was sentenced to 29 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a felon, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today.

According to court records, on August 6, 2022, Fort Hall Police responded to a residence based on a report of a suspicious vehicle parked in front of the owner’s house. Police arrived and found Sireech in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Sireech appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. While talking to Sireech, the officer saw a rifle next to Sireech’s right leg. The officer removed Sireech from the vehicle and found that the rifle was a loaded semi-automatic rifle with additional loaded magazines in the vehicle. Police determined that Sireech had an earlier conviction for felony aggravated assault and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel is urging the public to be vigilant against a widespread online scam falsely advertising that the casino now offers online gambling. These deceptive ads, circulating on social media platforms, are using the casino’s name and logos without authorization to scam people.