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First responders and law enforcement step up to the plate for Make-A-Wish Idaho

Local first responders and law enforcement are hitting one out of the park for charity. On Friday, July 25, deputies from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #8, and the Idaho Falls Fire Department will face off in the 14th Annual Guns vs. Hoses Charity Softball Game.

The event aims to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Idaho, helping to grant wishes for children in Eastern Idaho. Last year alone, the game brought in over $12,000, contributing $100,000 raised over the past 13 years for the charity.

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Burley man charged with four counts of first-degree murder in Idaho homicides

A 56-year-old Burley man, Ben Naylor, has been taken into custody in connection with the murders of four people in Cassia and Minidoka Counties, according to a press release from Cassia and Minidoka Counties. Naylor was arrested last night, July 8, as part of a joint investigation between the Cassia and Minidoka County Sheriff’s Offices, along with the Heyburn and Rupert Police Departments.

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Hiker resembling fugitive Travis Decker found in Sawtooth National Forest, Search in the area called off

The U.S. Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force is urgently seeking the public’s help in locating Travis Decker, a murder suspect who authorities now believe may be hiding in the Sawtooth National Forest.

Decker is wanted in Washington State on three counts of murder and three counts of kidnapping related to the deaths of his three children in May of this year.

On July 5, 2025, the U.S. Marshals Service received a tip from a family recreating in the Bear Creek area of the Sawtooth National Forest. The individual sighted matched Decker’s description.

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Idaho Falls Community honors Bruce Turner, Support pours in for Barbara Turner

The Idaho Falls community is mourning the loss of Bruce Turner, a prominent 72-year-old resident who passed away unexpectedly as a result of a car accident on June 29. Turner was well-known for his dedicated service to the community, including his time as former president of the Rotary Club of Idaho Falls and as a Precinct Committee Officer for the Bonneville County Republican Party.

Since his passing, several local organizations have stepped forward to honor his memory and support his family.

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St. George man accused of firing over 150 rounds at officers in violent standoff

A 41-year-old St. George man, Benjamin Hansen, is facing four counts of second-degree felony attempted aggravated murder after allegedly firing more than 150 rounds at police officers during a standoff on Tuesday, July 8.

The incident began around 4 PM on 3000 East Seegmiller Drive after an argument broke out between Hansen and a victim living with him in the home. Hansen reportedly relapsed into drinking and barricaded himself inside the home.

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Blacktail Fire: Crews battle lightning-sparked wildfire north of Salmon

Firefighters in the Salmon-Challis National Forest are actively combating the Blacktail Fire, a small but challenging wildfire sparked by a recent lightning strike. The blaze is burning approximately 18 miles north of Salmon.

As of 7:10 PM, the fire is estimated at 0.25 acres, but crews are working diligently to contain it. Additional firefighters are currently en route to bolster suppression efforts, and two helicopters are providing crucial aerial support.

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Suspect in custody after standoff and fire in Southern Utah

As of 4:50 PM, the St George Police Department (SGPD) says the suspect involved in the active shooting threat in the area of 3000 East Seegmiller Drive is now in custody.

The situation unfolded around 3:50 PM when a man barricaded himself inside a home and began firing at St. George Police Department (SGPD) officers. Police Chief Kyle Whitehead confirmed on Facebook that officers returned fire, successfully containing the suspect to the residence.

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College of Eastern Idaho launches first-ever police academy

“We are excited to offer a police academy for the first time here at CEI,” said Trevor Elordi, Vice President of Workforce Training & Operations. “This has been something that has been in the works for almost two years now, and we are excited to make it happen. We are thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with several departments here in eastern Idaho and are grateful for the help from so many dedicated officers and deputies in this region who will be working with us. Providing top-quality training for these future law enforcement personnel has been our top priority, with special emphasis on officer safety and more scenario-based training.”

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Fatal motorcycle crash claims life of juvenile from Rupert

The Idaho State Police is investigating a single-vehicle motorcycle crash that resulted in the death of a juvenile male from Rupert. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of July 8th on State Highway 25, near mile marker 57.3 in Minidoka County.

Authorities report that the young man was traveling northbound 2006 Yamaha YZDE6 motorcycle when it failed to navigate a curve. The rider was thrown from the motorcycle and, despite wearing a helmet, tragically succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

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Southeast Idaho rallies to support Texas flood victims

Local businesses across Southeast Idaho are stepping up to offer support to the victims of the devastating Texas floods. These tragic events claimed the lives of at least 109 people, including dozens of campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, a Christian Girls’ Camp located along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas.

Several local businesses are spearheading initiatives to help those affected.

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New SRO funding bolsters student safety for District 25 and 20 Other Idaho school districts

“This funding means that additional districts and charters will receive resources to support a position that brings valuable peace of mind to parents, staff and students,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. “Whether our SROs are reinforcing security efforts, being another positive role model or serving as a trusted adult for students, their presence benefits our school communities in so many positive ways.”

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Former American Falls mayor speaks about resignation and new appointment for city leader

“It’s been really cool for me to go through the community and be involved with different organizations or departments and get things done and get my hands dirty and try to fix problems,” said Sorenson. “It’s been an amazing five years, and I’m incredibly grateful to the supporters, for those that have concerns or criticisms and the changes we could make, to all of the employees––I’m nothing but grateful.”

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Bannock County emergency manager offers tips on summer power outage preparedness

Summer power outages can be dangerous, especially when coupled with hot weather, and the Bannock County Office of Emergency Management is helping people get prepared in case the power goes out.

Risks of power outages increase during the summer with high winds and wildfires downing power lines and air conditioners and other electronics causing increased strain on power infrastructure. During power outages, hot weather can be potentially deadly for at-risk groups like the elderly and children.

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Planned outage scheduled for parts of Blackfoot July 9th

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.

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Coeur d’Alene firefighter Dave Tysdal has “a long road to recovery,” says fire officials

Coeur d’Alene fire officials have provided a reassuring update on the condition of Engineer Dave Tysdal, a firefighter injured in the tragic ambush on Canfield Mountain on June 29. Tysdal is recovering from a single gunshot wound to the back but was confirmed to be in stable condition after a third surgery on July 2nd.

The attack, which claimed the lives of two of Tysdal’s colleagues—Kootenai Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison—left Tysdal with significant injuries. The gunshot wound collapsed his left lung, damaged his clavicle, shattered several ribs, and caused spinal swelling.

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Search continues for missing Utah man in Bingham County

he Bingham County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is asking the public for help locating a missing 62-year-old man, last seen June 26, 2025.
Authorities received an initial call on Friday, June 27th, reporting an abandoned vehicle near Coffee Point. Sheriff’s Deputies later determined the vehicle belonged to 62-year-old Kelly Thayne Archibald of Logan, Utah, who had been reported missing on July 27 by friends in Utah and family in Wyoming. However, at the time, deputies determined the vehicle was unassuming due to the popularity of the spot among outdoorsmen.

It wasn’t until July 4th, when the initial caller spotted the abandoned vehicle again, that the Sheriff’s Office responded and discovered the vehicle was out of fuel. Investigators recovered the vehicle registration and linked Archibald to the missing persons report out of Utah.

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Work begins this week on I-15 bridges toward the Montana state line

Repairs and improvements are starting today on the first of 11 bridges along Interstate 15 north of Roberts toward the Montana state line. Crews will be replacing water damaged concrete and installing anti-skid surfacing to greatly extend the life of the bridges. Travelers should expect to see lane restrictions and lower speed limits where work is occurring through the summer and fall.

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Two sisters who died holding each other, a doting grandmother who enjoyed sitting by the river, a camp counselor who mentored young girls: The faces of the Texas flooding tragedy

CNN, KPRC, KEYE, KABB, WOAI, KERR COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, ROBERT BRAKE, EL PASO FIRE DEPARTMENT, KABB/ WOAI By Alaa Elassar, Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN (CNN) — Julian Ryan’s final words to his mother as floodwaters quickly engulfed their trailer home were simply, “I love you.” He had made a split-second decision to thrust his arm

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Severe Weather: National Weather Service issues multiple thunderstorm warnings

Three severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued within minutes of each other in the last hour, as of 4:30 PM July 4, 2025.

One in Cassia County is moving NE towards I-84 with quarter-sized hail. Second in western Power County moving NE towards American Falls and along I-86 with quarter-sized hail. Third in eastern Power County moving towards Bannock County and the greater Pocatello area, also having quarter-sized hail and strong wind gusts.

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Vehicle fire blocks I-84 eastbound near Burley

First responders are on the scene of a vehicle fire on I-84 heading eastbound near Burley. The incident began around 12:43 PM. Video from witnesses on the scene shows a pillar of dark black smoke rising from what appears to be the wreckage of an overturned semi-truck.

According to Idaho 511, all eastbound lanes of I-84 are blocked from State Highway 25 (SH-25) to I-86.

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Flash Flood Watch issued for Wapiti burn area in Custer County

Custer County Emergency Management has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the Wapiti burn area, effective until 9:00 PM MDT on Friday, July 4th. Residents in and around the burn scar should be particularly vigilant, as the most severe weather is anticipated between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM MDT today.

“Stay aware and be very cautious of your surroundings. Watch out for flash flooding and debris flowing,” warned Custer County Emergency Management in a recent Facebook post.

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Pocatello Fire Department Warns: A drone in the sky will ground all firefighting aircraft

The Pocatello Fire Department wants to let the public know about the significant dangers and operational impacts of unauthorized drone flights over active wildfires.

When an unauthorized drone enters the airspace of an active wildfire, all aerial firefighting operations are immediately grounded. This includes air tankers and helicopters vital to slowing the fire’s spread and supporting ground crews. These protocols are enforced to protect pilots who already operate in challenging, low-visibility conditions.

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Seasonal Mormon cricket swarms spotted in Southeast Idaho

Swarms of Mormon crickets are making their way through Southeast Idaho on their migratory routes, with insects spotted in areas of Fort Hall.

Mormon crickets (Anabrus simplex), are insects in the katydid subfamily native to the Western United States whose groups can grow to large numbers during migratory seasons in spring and summer and have potentially devastating impacts on agriculture.

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Multi-state ground search called off for Idaho teens feared abducted by FLDS Church

The Uvalde Foundation For Kids has ended its 10-day multi-state ground search for missing Idaho teens Allen Larand Fisher and Rachelle “Shelly” Leray Fischer. The foundation announced this morning that new information suggests the teens are being hidden in one location by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS), who are suspected of abducting the children.
“At this juncture, new information we have received, coupled with an exhaustive multi-state ground search… has led us to end our active ground search for the moment,” Daniel Chapin, founder and national director of the Uvalde Foundation, told reporters. “We do not believe these kids are being transported anywhere at this point.”

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United Way releases updated report on number of families facing financial hardship in Idaho

United Way has released its updated 2025 report cataloguing the number of people in Idaho classified as ‘asset limited, income constrained, and employed’ (ALICE) around the state.

Mikala Peterson, director of donor and community engagement with United Way of Southeastern Idaho, said ALICE households live above the Federal Poverty Line (and do not qualify for federal or state aid) but are at risk of financial ruin if faced with a major expense like an unexpected medical bill or car repair.

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Park Rangers respond to drowning in Jackson Lake near Colter Bay

A 30-year-old man from El Paso, Texas, drowned in Jackson Lake near Swim Beach in the Colter Bay area of Grand Teton National Park on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 2.

Rangers responded around 5 p.m. after Teton Interagency Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a person in distress in the water. CPR had been initiated when rangers arrived on scene. Rangers continued CPR for approximately one hour but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

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Local firefighters/Tunnel to Towers Foundation rally in support of fallen North Idaho heroes

Idaho Falls Firefighters are raising funds to support the families of the North Idaho firefighters gunned down while responding to a brush fire on Canfield Mountain, near Coeur d’Alene.

“Our thoughts are with those affected, and we stand with our fellow firefighters during this incredibly difficult time,” said the Idaho Falls Fire Department in a post on Facebook.

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Idaho Cleanup Project completes spent nuclear fuel project

Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP) crews recently completed a significant achievement by successfully transferring 40 spent nuclear fuel baskets into safer, long term storage vaults.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) contractor Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC) finished the final transfer — moving spent nuclear fuel from older, first-generation vaults to new, second-generation vaults — several months ahead of schedule.

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Trump lands first major legislative win after Congress passes his massive domestic policy bill

By Sarah Ferris, CNN (CNN) — Republican lawmakers have handed President Donald Trump the first major legislative achievement of his second term, following a fierce arm-twisting campaign by GOP leaders to unite a deeply divided party behind his sweeping domestic agenda. House Republicans voted Thursday afternoon to approve Trump’s massive package of tax and federal

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Idaho GOP releases statement responding to threats against party leaders and members

In light of credible threats made against members of the Idaho Republican Party and its leadership, Idaho GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon issued the following statement:
“In recent days, our party has been subjected to disturbing threats, including a direct message left on my home phone promising a personal visit and a public post on social media calling for the murder of Idaho Republicans. These threats follow the horrific assassination of a state senator and her family in Minnesota, a tragedy that underscores just how seriously we must treat acts of political intimidation and violence…

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Unpacking Bryan Kohberger’s guilty plea deal to avoid death penalty in Idaho student killings

By Emma Tucker, CNN (CNN) — Bryan Kohberger appeared expressionless as a judge asked if he murdered four Idaho college students in their off-campus home, answering “yes” to each name called out in the courtroom Wednesday. At a change-of-plea hearing before state district Judge Steven Hippler in Boise, Idaho, the courtroom was packed with family

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American Falls Mayor Rebekah Sorensen resigns

American Falls Mayor Rebekah Sorensen has announced she is stepping down to focus on her family while completing a new home in the county. Her resignation, effective immediately, comes at a complex time, but Sorensen says she’s confident City Council President Gilbert Hofmeister will do “a fantastic job as mayor.”

“I support him wholeheartedly and extend congratulations to Mayor Hofmeister and Councilman Perez,” Sorensen wrote in a post on Facebook announcing her resignation. “I am rooting for you and cannot wait to see what the future holds for American Falls!”

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Idaho Falls Police hiring new officers – Testing July 26 & test prep on July 12

The Idaho Falls Police Department is hiring new police officers and a testing date just a few weeks out. 

“Being a police officer gives you an opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives and in the world,” said Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson. “Idaho Falls Police Officers get to have a great career making an impact every day, all while serving in a great community.”

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Snake River Animal Shelter offers tips for pet safety and stress relief during Fourth of July

The Snake River Animal Shelter is helping pet owners prepare for increased pet stress during Fourth of July celebrations with simple tips and safety measures.

Romi Weaver, operations manager for the shelter, said the most important thing pet owners can do to relieve animal anxiety and mitigate the risk of escape during Independence Day fireworks is to make sure dogs and cats have a dark, quiet place indoors to hide during the noisiest part of the night.

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Garden Creek Fire now 30% contained

The Garden Creek Fire, burning east of Blackfoot on the Fort Hall Reservation, has now consumed over a thousand acres and jumped the Blackfoot River on Tuesday night. The wildfire, which began around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, is currently 30 percent contained, according to the latest update from incident command.

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Trump says Israel has ‘agreed to the necessary conditions’ to finalize 60-day ceasefire in Gaza

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Israel had “agreed to the necessary conditions” to finalize a ceasefire in Gaza, though it was not immediately clear whether Hamas would accept the terms.

Two administration officials said Hamas still had to agree to the deal. In a post on Truth social, Trump said the Qataris and the Egyptians would deliver it.

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Innovative materials/last steps of reconstruction: Teton Pass reopens in time for Independence Day

Following an intensive, round-the-clock effort by crews to pave the permanent roadway, the Teton Pass (Wyoming State Highway 22) has officially reopened to travelers after a weekend closure. The completion of the paving marks a significant milestone in the repairs since this critical section of road was devastated by the “Big Fill Slide” in June 2024.

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Coeur d’Alene mourns fallen firefighters After Canfield Mountain ambush

Authorities in Coeur d’Alene are holding a procession to honor the firefighters killed in Sunday’s ambush on Canfield Mountain. Monday, the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Chief and Kootenai County Fire & Rescue Chief confirmed the tragic deaths of Battalion Chief John Morrison of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, of Kootenai County Fire & Rescue.

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The firefighters killed and injured in Sunday’s attack had nearly 70 years of combined experience. Here’s what we know

CNN, BROADCASTIFY, KHQ, MARK LANTHROP, SPOKANE VALLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT, CITY OF COEUR D’ ALENE, KOOTENAI COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE, CNN VIA WEBEX CISCO, FROM SOCIAL MEDIA By Amanda Musa, CNN (CNN) — Two firefighters were fatally shot and a third is seriously injured after investigators say a lone gunman opened fire on crews responding to

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Authorities name victims and suspect in firefighter ambush

In a somber press conference Monday, authorities in Coeur d’Alene identified the two firefighters killed in Sunday’s ambush. Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Chief and Kootenai County Fire & Rescue Chief confirmed the tragic deaths of Battalion Chief John Morrison of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, of Kootenai County Fire & Rescue.

The community can support the victims’ families by donating through the official Facebook pages of Kootenai County Fire & Rescue and Coeur d’Alene Fire.

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Pilot rescued after plane crashes into Palisades Reservoir

Just after 11 am this morning, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies and Star Valley Rescue were dispatched to the Palisades Reservoir near the Alpine Airport to a report of an airplane that went down in the water. A boater was able to get to the plane and rescue the pilot, who was the only one on board. The pilot was transported to the Star Valley Emergency Center but was not injured in the crash. 

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69-Year-Old Rexburg man killed in Sunday accident near Sportsman’s Gun Range

A 69-year-old Rexburg man, Thomas Ray Archibald, died Sunday after a serious two-vehicle collision on West 33, near the Sportsman’s Gun Range.

According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred just before noon on June 29. Investigators determined that a truck, which was pulling a trailer and traveling westbound, was attempting to turn south onto East Butte Road when it was struck by a second vehicle trying to pass it.

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Victim’s family “furious:” Bryan Kohberger accepts plea deal in University of Idaho murders to avoid the death penalty

University of Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger has reportedly accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to the murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.

Brian Entin of News Nation wrote on X, “Sources confirm the prosecution has proposed dropping the death penalty in exchange for Kohberger pleading guilty to committing the four murders and serving life.”

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Teton County woman busted with quarter-pound of cocaine in narcotics investigation

A 25-year-old Teton County woman is facing serious charges after sheriff’s deputies intercepted her in the act of delivering narcotics, including over a quarter pound of cocaine. Taylor Marie Keele was arrested on June 26 as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.

According to the Teton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies stopped Keele’s vehicle while she was allegedly en route to traffic the narcotics. After searching her vehicle, investigators discovered trafficking amounts of cocaine, fentanyl, a handgun, and other items of drug paraphernalia.

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Fort Hall man sentenced to Federal Prison for illegal possession of a firearm

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.

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