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Shelley man convicted of lewd conduct with a minor

Steven Matthew Hardee of Shelley, Idaho, has been convicted of two felony counts of lewd conduct with a minor child and now faces two potential life sentences. On August 7, a jury found Hardee guilty after a trial, as announced by Bingham County Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney W. Oliver Wimbish.

Hardee is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Darren Simpson on September 29, 2025, at the Bingham County Courthouse.

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Get Ready for Scares: Pocatello skating rink prepping for Halloween horror experience

Pocatello’s premier skating rink is already preparing for scares this Halloween. ‘Deleta Skating and Family Fun Center’ is gearing up for a second year of transforming its escape rooms into a Halloween horror experience.

Deleta managers say last year their ‘escape the madhouse’ attraction was a huge hit with over 700 visitors over the Halloween season.

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Two men arrested after hit-and-run and assault

Two men are facing charges of aggravated battery and leaving the scene of an accident after a hit-and-run incident turned violent this past Saturday.

According to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 11 p.m. in a construction zone just south of St. Anthony. After a vehicle collision, the victims told deputies that two men, later identified as Randy A. Wheeler Jr., 37, and Tayson P. Thomas, 19, violently assaulted them.

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Lava Trail Fire: Spread halted on 91-acre blaze west of Idaho Falls, but the fight isn’t over

A wildfire is currently burning along Highway 20 west of Arco. The call came in around 3:47 p.m., according to Chris Burger with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The fire is burning south of the highway and is currently estimated at 15 acres or more, according to Watch Duty. Crews from the BLM, Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Forest Service, along with Idaho Falls Fire, are all on the scene.

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Two fires in one day prompt fire officials to urge caution in Jefferson County

Central Fire District firefighters, along with several local fire departments, responded to two separate fires in Jefferson County yesterday, August 6, as extreme fire danger continues to threaten southeast Idaho.

“With today’s fires, we were fortunate that our crews responded quickly and that no lives or property were lost,” said Chief White. “But these events show how quickly fires can start and spread. Please take the burn ban seriously.”

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City of Pocatello working on new park on the east bench; Area now closed to the public

Work is underway on Pocatello’s new ‘Legacy Park’ on Iron Bend Dr. on the city’s east bench, and the Parks and Recreation Department wants people to stay clear so they can finish key projects before winter.

The Pocatello Parks and Rec department will start final grading and grass seeding on the nearly 5-acre plot, and the projects are slated to last for the remainder of the summer. In spring 2026, the city plans to install paved trails, a parking lot, and a playground.

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Nearly-completed trail along I-15 will expand pedestrian access through Pocatello

The Portneuf Greenway Foundation has announced the new ‘Idaho Central Credit Union Connecting Communities Trail’ will be ready for its first pedestrians within the next few weeks.

The Connecting Communities Trail is a 1.5 mile walking/biking path stretching between the Bannock County Events Center and Pocatello Creek Road intersection along I-15. The Portneuf Greenway Foundation planned the new trail in partnership with the Idaho Transportation Department as part of the I-86/I-15 Interchange update project.

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Routine traffic stop uncovers missing juvenile and triggers criminal investigation

What began as a routine traffic stop by a Shelley police officer quickly escalated into a significant criminal investigation and recovery of a missing teen. In the early morning hours of August 6, the officer pulled over a vehicle for multiple traffic violations, and during the stop, a K9 unit was deployed, according to a recent press release. The K9’s “free sniff” of the vehicle indicated the presence of drugs, leading to a probable cause search.

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Stage 1 fire restrictions begin tomorrow across 14 eastern Idaho counties

As wildfire danger increases, the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center is implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions on federal, state, and private lands across 14 counties, effective at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, August 7.

The restrictions apply to Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Clark, Franklin, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, Power, Oneida, and Teton counties.

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Idaho Falls D91 reaches tentative wage agreement with teachers

There is a tentative contract agreement in the works for teachers in the Idaho Falls School District 91. School district officials, along with the Idaho Falls Education Association, have agreed on wages for the upcoming school year. Both sides worked all day to negotiate the agreement. 

These groups have been trying to come to an agreement on how the money will be spent. Last week, the education association’s negotiator, Jake Snarr, said they were not happy with how the budget for contracts was originally presented to them this year. He said the budget was presented differently than in years past.

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Bannock County’s at-risk youth center receives national recognition and award

Bannock County’s ‘The Village: A Place for Youth and Families’ recently received the 2025 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties for the center’s innovative approach to counseling kids and teens in the area.

Since opening in 2023, The Village has successfully served over 600 young people as a single point of contact for counseling and diversionary programs to keep kids out of the criminal justice system.

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Terrifying Flight: Idaho Falls passenger recounts mid-air horror on international Delta Flight from Salt Lake City

A flight from the Salt Lake City International Airport heading overseas left passengers fearing for their lives last night, July 30. The Delta Airlines flight carrying 275 passengers and 13 crew members experienced significant turbulence while flying over Wyoming.

Andrew Schneider, a passenger from Idaho Falls, described the terrifying ordeal: ‘We were maybe 15 minutes… maybe an hour into the flight, and the turbulence gets way worse. Apparently, our pilots lost contact with air traffic control… and so we were flying blind.

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EIRMC begins construction on Idaho Falls’ First Free-Standing ER

“EIRMC North Idaho Falls ER will provide high-quality emergency care for members of our community and region. We believe it will be a more convenient option for many people, saving significant travel time when seeking care,” Betsy Hunsicker, the CEO of EIRMC, said. “Patients can expect the same level of superior care as if they came directly to the ER on EIRMC’s campus.”

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Firefighters battle blazes in Lemhi Mountain Range

Fire crews from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and partner agencies are actively working to suppress two wildfires burning in Idaho’s Lemhi Mountain Range.

The Mill Fire, which began on the afternoon of July 29, continues to burn approximately five miles southeast of Patterson in the Pahsimeroi Valley. As of this morning, the fire has grown to an estimated 1,820 acres and is 20% contained. Firefighters anticipate full containment by August 10.

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Idaho is one of the best states for pickleball, according to recent study

Idaho has been named the fifth best state in the nation for pickleball players according to a study by pickleball experts PodPlay Pickleball Business Guide, which surveyed the number of pickleball venues in the Gem State.

The study shows Idaho has an average of 4.65 pickleball courts per 100,000 people, making it one of the most accessible states in the US for people to find a place to play.

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Fire Danger elevated to “Very High” in Teton Area

Fire managers in the Teton area have increased the fire danger to “very high” for Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the National Elk Refuge, effective today, July 30. This heightened alert comes as conditions across the Teton Interagency Dispatch area are drying out rapidly, creating an environment where fires can easily ignite and spread quickly, according to a recent press release.

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CEI launches new Associate Education Degree to adress Idaho’s need for teachers

College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) is proud to announce the launch of a new Associate of Arts (AA) in Education degree program beginning fall 2025. The program is designed to prepare students for transfer into four-year teacher education programs and help meet the region’s growing need for qualified educators.

“The State of Idaho — and eastern Idaho in particular — has a growing demand for high-quality teachers,” said Jacob Haeberle, Dean of General Education. “College of Eastern Idaho has recognized that demand and is excited to meet our region’s education needs with this important, new degree.”

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WYDOT celebrates completion of Teton Pass Big Fill Slide restoration

After a year of intense work, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is celebrating the full completion of repairs to the Big Fill Slide on the Teton Pass. The critical roadway, Wyoming Highway 22 (Idaho 33), suffered a significant failure after a landslide swept away a section of the roadway at milepost 12.8 on June 7, 2024.

Today, July 30, at 1:30 PM, WYDOT and Ames Construction are hosting a ribbon-cutting celebration near Teton County, Idaho, to mark the occasion. The event will not only commemorate the Big Fill Slide’s restoration but also the successful repairs to the Snake River Bridge.

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Lone Star Geyser eruption, Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone hiker suffers severe burns near Lone Star Geyser

A 17-year-old hiker is recovering from significant thermal burns after his foot broke through the thin crust near Yellowstone National Park’s Lone Star Geyser, close to Old Faithful, on Monday morning. The incident resulted in burns to the teenager’s foot and ankle. He received immediate treatment from emergency medical staff on-site before being transported to a hospital for further care, according to a Yellowstone National Park news release.

This marks the first thermal injury in Yellowstone since September of last year. Park staff are currently investigating the incident.

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Game Changer: New Esports Arena coming to ISU

Idaho State University (ISU) is thrilled to announce a major gift from Direct Communications Rockland, Inc. that will establish the new Direct Communications Esports Arena on the ISU campus. The partnership continues Direct Communications’ deep commitment to rural education and student enrichment across Idaho.

“This generous investment from Direct Communications expands access to cutting-edge technology for ISU students while strengthening our ability to support student wellness, teamwork, and innovation,” said President Robert W. Wagner. “We are incredibly grateful to Tim May and the outstanding Direct Communications team for their continued support of Idaho’s students.”

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Fire crews tackle trailer fire behind Northgate Mile U-Haul

The Idaho Falls Fire Department was able to quickly put out a structure fire behind the U-Haul on Northgate Mile (Yellowstone Highway) on Monday afternoon. 

The fire appeared to be coming from two trailers behind the facility’s storage units, facing Higbee Avenue. Eyewitness photos captured the efforts of firefighters who were on top of the U-Haul trailers, extinguishing the blaze.

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Red Cross offering free diabetes screening with blood donations in August

“We are committed to the health of our donors and to public health, and this is a service we’re providing,” said Matt Ochsner, communications director for the Red Cross of Idaho, Montana, and East Oregon. “According to the CDC, there’s about 8.7 million Americans who have diabetes and don’t realize it; so we will provide this testing, and then the information you get, you can take back to your primary care doctor to see what the path forward is.”

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Scam Alert: Fake traffic ticket texts targeting Idahoans

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and several local law enforcement agencies are issuing a warning to Idahoans regarding a widely circulating scam text message. The message claims to be from the Idaho Department of Vehicles demanding immediate payment for outstanding traffic tickets. These fraudulent messages threaten penalties if payment isn’t made right away and include a link to supposedly submit payment.

“These messages are fraudulent and do not come from the ITD Division of Motor Vehicles,” said ITD in a press release. ” ITD does not send texts related to unpaid traffic tickets or fines, will not demand immediate payment, will not provide links to unfamiliar websites and will not use threats of legal action or license suspension.”

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Aid for Friends invites people to upcoming summer swimming fundraiser

Aid for Friends is approaching the date of their thirteenth annual ‘Splish and Splash’ fundraiser event, scheduled for August 1, to raise money for Pocatello’s homeless shelter.
“This shelter belongs to the community; we want the community to be part of everything that goes on here at the shelter,” said Tami Moore, shelter manager for Aid for Friends. “We need the community support, and as we have increased our beds, it takes more money, it takes more supplies, it takes more case management time… we are unable to continue the increase until we’re able to get the money that we need to continue the stuff that we do here.”

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“Be safe on the water,” urges Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is issuing a warning to all water enthusiasts, urging them to “be safe on the water.” In a recent press release, Sgt. Bryan Lovell highlighted a concerning trend, highlighting how deputies have responded to at least six water rescue events in the past week alone.

Local News 8 has covered several of these incidents, including a rescue where a Utah family’s minivan plunged into the Snake River near the Fall Creek Campground. Only a day later, on July 15, first responders safely rescued two men whose boat overturned in the Snake River just below the falls near downtown Idaho Falls. Fortunately, all individuals involved in these specific incidents escaped with only minor injuries.

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Take aim for a cause! Paintballing RC Planes with the Desert Eagles RC Club

Southeast Idaho’s Desert Eagles RC Club is inviting you to a unique fundraiser this Saturday, July 19th, where you can aim a paintball gun at their model radio-controlled airplanes for a good cause.

For just $3, you’ll get 10 shots to test your accuracy on RC planes in flight. All proceeds will go to the Veterans Mobility Corp, an organization that refurbishes electric wheelchairs and donates them to deserving disabled veterans right here in Southeast Idaho.

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Montana duo arrested with 25 pounds of Meth in targeted Idaho Falls traffic stop

Idaho Falls Police made a massive drug seizure Friday, after a traffic stop led to the arrest of two Montana residents found with approximately 25 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in their vehicle.

Cody Davidson, 38, and Diane Walters, 50, both of Great Falls, Montana, are currently being held at the Bonneville County Jail, potentially facing serious drug trafficking charges following their arrests on July 11, 2025.

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I-86/I-15 Interchange project nears ‘successful completion’

“It’s an amazing process, three years of construction, 24/7, and all the way through the winter; it’s been a massive undertaking,” said Justin Smith, public information officer for ITD District 5. “Not only that, but keeping traffic moving while rebuilding the entire interchange has just been something amazing to watch play out, and watching the contractors working, the community interacting with us, it’s been really gratifying to see the project coming to this conclusion.”

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ISU’s KISU public radio station braces for blowback from possible federal budget cuts

“The impact of the loss of CPB funding is going to be big, it’s going to be huge,” said Anderson. “I think we’ve got funding in place for this current fiscal year, but we’re going to spend the next 11 months really trying to increase the amount that we’re getting from some of those other areas with the goal of continuing on with increased business support and, of course, donations.”

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Yellowstone Black Bear euthanized after repeatedly targeting campers’ food

“We go to great lengths to protect bears and prevent them from gaining access to human food in all areas of the park,” said Kerry Gunther, Yellowstone bear management biologist. “But occasionally, a bear outsmarts us or overcomes our defenses. When that happens, we sometimes have to make the difficult decision to remove the bear from the population to protect people and property.”

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River Rescue: Fishermen rescued after boat overturns below Idaho Falls

Two men were safely rescued this afternoon after their boat overturned on the Snake River, just below the falls near downtown Idaho Falls. Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies and Idaho Falls Fire were called to the Broadway Bridge around 1:30 pm after bystanders witnessed the boat overturn and two men inside plunge into the water.

Emergency crews were immediately dispatched to the scene. Fortunately, both men were able to reach a rocky outcropping and get out of the swift current before responders arrived.

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Search & Rescue crews lift injured hiker from remote canyon

Fremont County Search and Rescue (FCSAR) successfully pulled off a tricky high-line rope rescue this past Sunday, July 13, to extract an injured hiker out of a remote canyon east of Ashton.

Around 7:19 PM, rescue crews, along with folks from Fremont County EMS, Emergency Management, and an Air Idaho flight crew, were sent out to Robinson Creek Canyon. Reports came in about someone with a broken leg stuck deep in a remote part of the canyon, which made getting to them and getting them out incredibly difficult.

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