Month: April 2026

News Release

The following is a news release from the City of Idaho Falls:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – The City is gearing up for the annual Clean & Green citywide cleanup effort, a partnership between Idaho Falls Code Enforcement and Idaho Falls Sanitation Division. 

As part of this initiative, code enforcement officers and sanitation staff will host a series of neighborhood cleanup events throughout May, providing residents with a convenient way to dispose of unwanted items and help keep Idaho Falls a beautiful and safe place to live.

Cleanup sites around the city will be open to the public Thursday through Saturday for three consecutive weeks, starting May 7. Dumpsters will be available, and staff will assist community members with proper sorting and disposal of household goods, construction debris, and yard waste.

Community members are encouraged to bring unwanted items to the following locations:

May 7 – 9 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Sweeper Dump, at the intersection of Lake Avenue, North Boulevard, and K Street

Russ Freeman Park, access off Fremont Avenue (glass recycling bin)

May 14 – 16 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Aquatic Center parking lot, corner of 7th Street and Lee Avenue

Mel Erickson Sunnyside Park, north side of Sunnyside

May 21 – 23 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Garfield Substation, at the intersection of Northeast Bonneville Drive and Garfield Street

Old Butte Soccer Complex, maintenance shed at 425 N Old Butte Road

Certain types of waste, such as hazardous waste, demolition materials, tires, large appliances, and select metals, cannot be accepted and will require alternative disposal. See the attached flyer for more information on other disposal sites.

Household hazardous waste, such as paint thinner, batteries, fertilizer, and antifreeze, can be disposed of at the Bonneville County Transfer Station, 2455 Hemmert Ave., on May 9 and Sept. 12. 

The neighborhood cleanup events are part of the city’s broader Clean & Green initiative, which promotes community pride, environmental responsibility, and neighborhood revitalization.

For more information about the Clean & Green initiative and disposal guidelines, review the flyer below or visit www.idahofallsidaho.gov/1696/Clean-Green-Citywide-Cleanup.

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News Team

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Pocatello residents may notice a change in their water tonight. Today, April 27, the city’s Water Department began its annual system flushing, a three-week process to keep drinking water clean and safe.

“While portions of the region are experiencing dry conditions, this routine maintenance is carefully managed and remains essential to protecting water quality and system reliability,” said the City in a news release. “The water used during flushing is part of maintaining a safe and effective distribution system, and the City continues to monitor supply conditions closely while encouraging residents to use water wisely, especially during the warmer months.”

Crews will be clearing out sediment, testing hydrants, and making sure everything is functioning properly.

During the three-week process, residents may notice lower water pressure or water that looks cloudy or rust colored. City Officials say the discoloration is temporary and not harmful, and should clear up within a few hours.

“If you notice crews flushing hydrants on your street, please avoid using tap water, especially for laundry or dishwashing, until the work is complete,” the Water Department asked in a press release.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO (KIFI) — The passing of former Idaho Governor and U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on April 24, 2026, is shining a spotlight on the importance of Colorectal Cancer screening in the face of increasing CRC cases among young adults.

Kempthorne died Friday in Boise at age 74, just over a year after his March 2025 diagnosis of colon cancer. As Idaho flags fly at half-staff in his honor, health officials are emphasizing the former governor’s plea from when he was first diagnosed with the disease: Urging “everyone to be current in their testing and remain vigilant on updates.”

What is Colon Cancer?

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. When Kempthorne was first diagnosed, he called it “the challenge of his lifetime” but expressed hope that sharing the message would help others, according to reports by the Idaho Statesman.

It is recommended that once you turn 45, you should get screened for colon cancer. However, if a family member was diagnosed with colon cancer, you should go in even earlier, starting at 35.

According to Yale Medicine, CRC rates are increasing among adults ages 20 to 40 and are now the “leading cause of cancer deaths overall in this age group.”

Doctors say you should get a Colonoscopy once every 10 years once you turn 45. The procedure is where a doctor uses a flexible camera to view the entire colon and remove polyps. A polyp is a small growth made of extra cells that forms on the lining of organs like the colon, uterus, or nose. Most are harmless, but some can turn into cancer over time, so doctors often remove them when they’re found.

Deborah Fuelling, the Director of Oncology Services at Teton Cancer Institute, had her first Colonoscopy this past year, and urges everyone to get their done, even if they’re scared.

“I think that something that kind of keeps people from wanting to do it is just the embarrassment or the, you know, discomfort. But it really wasn’t that bad. And they actually did, on me, find a precancerous polyp that was removed and that prevented a cancer that could have developed. All the discomfort, all those different things are worth it.”

There are various at-home stool tests you could take, but if you test positive on one, you will have to follow up with a doctor.

If caught early, Colon Cancer is 89% curable. So be sure to screen sooner rather than later.

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