Month: July 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Singing, dancing, and a whole lot of screaming are helping build a supportive community at the Idaho Falls Public Library.

Music and Movement is a relatively new program at the library. It invites parents and children ages 0 to 5 to learn through singing and dancing.

“It is a high energy class that where we will sing and dance and usually do some work with a musical instrument, like the shaky eggs or rhythm sticks,” Sarah Carr, the instructor and creator of the program, said. “It’s meant for the 0 to 5 crowd. It is basically developing just some core skills of rhythm and rhyming.”

Although advertised mainly for children, Carr says it’s a great way for parents to build a community.

“I love the community that I see the moms and dads building up there. They look out for each other’s kids,” Carr said. “You wouldn’t be able to tell that I notice because I’m singing the whole time. But I see when a kid falls down and another mom helps them. They’re building a community.”

When Carr first moved to Idaho Falls 9 years ago, she struggled to find her community. Many people who are new to the area, especially new parents, may be struggling to find a support system.

“When I moved here, my husband had a lot of connections, but I felt like a bit of an outsider. And so that was definitely hard. It took a little while to feel like this is home,” Carr reflected. “I didn’t take advantage of programs like this and I should have. Because it can be so isolating when you’re new in town. And if you have a kid, sometimes it’s even more isolating because you’re not sure you know what to do.”

Carr has made it her mission to not only teach kids with singing and dancing, but to help other lonely parents find their community.

“I definitely was lonely when I moved here but it’s been nine years. So now it’s home but it took a while,” Carr said. “I am really excited for a parent who’s lonely to come and find an outlet for their kid and hopefully it can make their day a little bit brighter.”

More information about this and other events can be found at Idaho Falls Public Library Calendar.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Police Department is accepting applications for its next class of police officers, with testing scheduled later this month.

The department’s next hiring test is set for July 25 at the Idaho Falls Police Complex. Anyone interested in a career in law enforcement is encouraged to apply. To help prospective applicants prepare, the department will host a practice test and information meeting on Saturday, July 11, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the police complex.

“Being a police officer gives you the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives every day,” Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson said. “Being a police officer in Idaho Falls means you get an exciting and rewarding career while serving an incredible community.”

According to the department, new officers start at $28 per hour and receive a pay increase after completing training. Additional pay opportunities are available through shift differentials, overtime, advanced certifications, career path programs and language incentives. Benefits include paid time off, paid holidays, retirement through PERSI, wellness programs, education assistance and medical, dental and vision insurance.

The hiring process begins with a written exam and physical fitness test on July 25. The physical fitness portion includes a 300-meter sprint, vertical jump, push-ups, sit-ups and a 1.5-mile run.

Candidates can register through PublicSafetyTesting.com and must also submit an employment application through the City of Idaho Falls website. Applicants who pass the testing phase will move on to background investigations, oral interviews, and medical and psychological evaluations. Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 21 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and hold a valid driver’s license.

Department officials say the July 25 testing session is expected to be the final entry-level police officer testing opportunity of 2026.

The Idaho Falls Police Department is also hiring emergency communications officers and lateral police officers. More information is available through the City of Idaho Falls employment website.

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Danielle Mullenix

ISLAND PARK, ID (KIFI) – Continuing the spirit of America’s 250th birthday festivities, residents of Island Park gathered near Mesa Falls this afternoon to witness the historic dedication of a new obelisk monument for the long and winding city.

Island Park has unveiled a new monument: an obelisk with engravings on all four sides depicting the city’s history, from Native American accounts to modern-day travel along “America’s Longest Main Street.”

The Island Park Historical Society unveiled the monument, an engraved obelisk standing beautifully against the south side of Sawtell Peak, at the historic Mesa Falls Highway 20 turnoff across from Harriman State Park during a ceremony that kicked off an afternoon of America 250 celebrations.

The monument is thoughtfully designed to introduce visitors to the history of Island Park and what is known as “America’s Longest Main Street”, preserving the stories that have shaped the small but mighty community for generations.

“This should stand as a historical overview, providing the public with an introduction to the history of ‘America’s Longest Main Street’,” said Island Park Historical Society Archivist Allison Orme Giacoletto. “It’s our identity. Our history is our identity, who we are. It should provide a background kind of context for how we got here, why we’re here, and why it is the way it is.”

Island Park Historical Society President Mel Bingham said he hopes the monument serves as a lasting reminder of both the area’s heritage and the freedoms celebrated during America’s semiquincentennial.

“I hope that even this obelisk and the work we do today may help us all think of the freedoms that we have and the opportunities and the beauty of this area,” Bingham said.

The monument dedication was the first part of a full day of activities commemorating America 250, Idaho’s celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Following the ceremony, visitors gathered at Harriman State Park’s Ranch View Shelter for historical exhibits along the Railroad Ranch, community fellowship with patriotism reflected through each pair of sunglasses on the sunny Island Park day, and a free ice cream social sponsored by the Island Park Historical Society.

Guests also had the opportunity to join a nationwide reading of the Declaration of Independence near the new monument at 4 p.m., led locally by Jim Smith.

Island Park Historical Society organizers said the day’s events were designed to celebrate not only America’s 250 years of history but also Island Park’s unique role in the country’s heritage, encouraging residents and visitors alike to reflect on the community’s past while preserving it for future generations.

To learn more about the history of Island Park, visit the Historical Society of Island Park’s Facebook page here.

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