Stories to never forget from 2014

It was difficult trying to find the biggest stories and condense them down for our year in review, but we have some highlights from 2014 in southeast Idaho.

These were stories no one will forget. Events and weather that have put our lives and livelihoods in danger, hot topics that have caused heated debates, lawsuits and changed laws and people who have warmed our hearts with their compassion and care.

1. One of the main news items that landed the Gem State in the spotlight was the governor’s race. The gubernatorial debate even caught the attention of the Comedy Central show The Colbert Report.

2. Same-sex marriage is still heavily debated, not just on a values level but on a legal level as Governor Butch Otter continues to fight to keep the state’s ban.

But On October 15th, same-sex couples all over the state were allowed to legally marry, and same-sex couples all over the state have been getting hitched since that time. The case is still in the court system.

3. Other news that thrust Idaho into international headlines was Pocatello’s nondiscrimination ordinance. The ordinance was the only one in Idaho to be voted on and appealed.

After all was said and done, the ordinance has been in place since May 21. No legal actions have been made under the ordinance.

4. One story that captured our hearts was the story of a local family that helped take Nepalese children out of slavery and put them in school. The Rahim family has become recognized for their humanitarian efforts worldwide and in Southeast Idaho.

5. One story literally barreled it’s way to the top story. Just two days before Thanksgiving a 12-year-old boy stole an SUV and crashed into the New Life Church on 12th Street in Idaho Falls. No one was injured but the boy and two others were fined and charged.

6. But that wasn’t the worst damage our area saw this year. First, in April, the town of Jackson dealt with a hill slowly crumbling. But Budge Drive hasn’t budged much since, and it’s still being watched very closely.

But that wasn’t all Jackson saw. Just a little more than a month ago, a truck was delivering propane to AmeriGas around 1 p.m. But there was a leak.

While there’s still no word on what caused the gas to ignite, the explosion rocked the area and the flames shot 75 feet into the air. Fortunately no one was injured, but a dozen cars were destroyed.

7. But fire isn’t the only destructive force to hit our area… Torrential downpours caused severe flooding all over, but especially in Rexburg. Some parts of the town were buried in six feet of water, with the community dealing with the effects for months afterward.

8. But the flooding hit our farmers hard, and eight counties declared a disaster state… Barley, wheat and hay were the hardest hit, losing an estimated $220 million in crops. But things are looking up for farmers in 2015, with lower fuel and fertilizer costs, and an increase in the cost of potatoes.

For a list of the most popular stories you viewed, follow this link: bit.ly/13UBiae