Month: June 2025

Ashley Chilcutt

“The thing about life, you never know what’s around the corner.”

– Cleave Lewis, retired basketball coach

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — On Friday, dozens of people attended a casual retirement party for long-time basketball coach Cleave Lewis. It was his last day with the Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department, working as Front Desk Attendant and Basketball Instructor.

“I started coming down here playing basketball when I was ten years old,” said Jon Clark, the Parks and Recreation Center Facility Supervisor. “Cleave ran the front desk, and he’s just been here every day for the last 45 years that I can remember.”

With gifts and cards in hand, colleagues and friends young and old gathered to show him just how much he’s impacted their lives. 

“I just feel like he has taught us so many skills and things that we haven’t learned before,” said Sasha Mendez, a young athlete.

Sasha and Eva Beebe have been coached by Cleave for a year. They say he encourages them to work hard and keep trying.

“He’s been very inspiring to me to keep going and never give up,” Eva said.

After graduating from Skyline High School, Cleave went on to play college basketball at Fresno State where he was part of the 1983 National Invitation Tournament Championship team. In 1985, he started his professional career in Europe. Eventually, Cleave came home to the Idaho Falls Rec Center where he has worked for decades.

“We’re all blessed to do certain things, and I just think that working with kids, coaching is something that I’ve been blessed with,” Cleave said. “There’s no other way to put it. It’s what gives me joy.”

Deb Sorenson has known Cleave nearly his whole life. He recalls seeing Cleave as a toddler and watching his love for basketball grow throughout the years.

“He never gets too excited about things and just enjoy life, enjoys the game of basketball, and enjoys seeing kids progress,” Deb said.

With a chance to create some new memories, Cleave is looking to the future with an open mind.

“The thing about life, you never know what’s around the corner,” said Cleave. “So, there’s always a chance that at some time in the future, I might be back in here on this floor coaching again, working with kids again. We’ll see, right? We’ll see. But, there’s always that chance. “

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — People met in downtown Idaho Falls today for their love of the barbering industry, which is on the rise.

“Every walk of life, every culture comes through the barber shop,” said barber Jordian Perez.

Over a hundred people visited Idaho’s Best Barberfest to learn about the artistic side of the barbering industry and how to build revenue and clientele.

“This will be the beginning of Idaho having a path, opportunity of education, competition, [and] networking being built in this area,” said Idaho’s Best Barberfest’s Creator and Owner, Marcus Rodriguez.

People also participated in barber battles to showcase their talent and passion.

Studies show the barbering industry is growing, mainly due to men becoming more conscious of their appearance and barbershops showcasing their work on social media.

Rodriguez says there’s a lot more to the barbering industry than some people might think. He says social skills and networking are essential, especially to connect with clients.

“If somebody’s having a kid or somebody just got a promotion or maybe somebody is about to get married and you’re giving them a haircut for that…you get to be with them in that moment,” Perez said. “It’s pretty cool to see their life kind of play out throughout the year.”

“And that’s what’s going…to get [clients] to continue coming back over and over again for years to come,” said Rodriguez.

Many people who get their hair cut know the importance of having good connection and good conversations with their barber.

Rodriguez says if someone wants to go into the industry, they should visit a barber shop they find interesting.

“Whether it’s the way they cut, the way they speak, or the way they present themselves in the shop. Connect with them on a level of showing your interest.”

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CNN Newsource

COLORADO (CNN) — Police in Boulder, Colorado, are investigating after man reportedly set people on fire in an attack, leaving multiple people injured, police said during a news conference. A suspect is in custody.

“When we arrived, we encountered multiple victims that were injured with injuries consistent with burns and other injuries,” Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said Sunday.

A group of pro-Israel demonstrators were taking part in a peaceful demonstration, Redfearn added.

“We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available,” FBI director Kash Patel said in a social media post Sunday.

FBI personnel are at the scene along with local law enforcement, according to FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino.

“We are investigating this incident as an act of terror, and targeted violence,” Bongino posted to social media. “All of the necessary assets will be dedicated to this investigation.”

The reported attack took place at the Boulder Run for Their Lives event, the Anti-Defamation League said on social media. The weekly gathering of Jewish community members is meant to support the hostages taken during the October 7 attacks in Israel in 2023.

The incident happened ahead of the holiday of Shavuot, according to the ADL – a Jewish holiday which celebrates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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