Author: KIFI

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Attention Idaho Falls Power customers living in the Sunnybrook area. Idaho Falls Power is scheduled to begin significant upgrades to the electrical infrastructure in the Sunnybrook area, east of Woodruff, starting July 16. This project involves replacing aging underground electric cables and upgrading transformers to enhance the reliability and safety of the power system.

“The project is part of our ongoing commitment to provide our customers with a safe, modern, and resilient electrical system,” said Idaho Falls Power in a Facebook post.

Work will be done Monday through Friday and is expected to take around four to six weeks to complete.

As crews pull new cables through existing conduits and connect new equipment, temporary power outages will be necessary in various sections of the Sunnybrook area. Idaho Falls Power anticipates these outages to be brief, lasting no more than three to four hours at most.

Idaho Falls Power is urging all residents to exercise caution around work areas and “keep a safe distance from crews and equipment.”

“We understand projects like this can be inconvenient, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and cooperation as we complete this important work,” the post added.

For more information and updates on the project, please click HERE.

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News Release

UPDATE:

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI) —Authorities in Bannock County have identified the man killed in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 15 Thursday night as 31-year-old Darold Stricklin of Blackfoot, Idaho. Bannock County Coroner Torey Danner confirmed the identity and notified Stricklin’s next of kin.

“I want to express my condolences to Darold’s family and friends as they grieve the loss of their loved one,” said Coroner Torey Danner.

According to the Idaho State Police (ISP), Stricklin was driving a silver 2003 Honda Accord southbound on I-15 when he lost control. The Honda slid into the median, colliding with a red 2019 Ford F150, a Cat Tractor Blade, and a CAT Front End Loader. All of the struck vehicles were unoccupied.

ISP reported that Stricklin was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from his vehicle. He died from his injuries at the scene.

The Idaho State Police are continuing to investigate the incident.

ORIGINAL:

The following is a news release from Idaho State Police.

BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho – Idaho State Police is investigating a single-vehicle fatality crash that occurred Thursday, July 10, 2025, at approximately 9:35 P.M. on I15 near milepost 73, just north of Chubbuck.

A Silver 2003 Honda Accord, driven by a 31-year-old male from Blackfoot, was traveling southbound on I15 when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The Honda slid into the median and struck a Red 2019 Ford F150, a CAT Tractor Blade, and a CAT Front End Loader. All struck vehicles were unoccupied.

The 31-year-old male was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle.  The driver succumbed to his injuries on scene.

The left southbound lane was blocked for approximately two hours while crew worked to assist those involved in the crash.

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News Team

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — Authorities in Bingham County are responding to a rollover accident on I-15 Northbound near milepost 93. According to Idaho 511, the response began at 4:18 PM, and the Blackfoot Exit 93 on-ramp has been blocked for a vehicle recovery.

Drivers in the area have told Local News 8 that traffic heading north is backed up for around 2 miles. ITD is directing drivers to use Exit 89 to go northbound on I-15.

Photos from the crash site show what appears to be an Imagine RV travel trailer overturned in the median of the highway.

Courtesy: Lenny Curtis

There has been no word on any injuries or the cause of this crash at this time. This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.

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Max Gershon

RUPERT, Idaho (KIFI) —On July 8th, 2025, 56-year-old Benjamin Roy Naylor, a Burley resident, was arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree murder. Court documents from the case provide a chilling account of the investigation into the homicides that occurred across Cassia and Minidoka Counties.

According to the documents, police responded to a 911 call at approximately 3:30 PM MDT reporting an unattended death under “suspicious circumstances” at a residence in Rupert. Upon arrival, officers discovered a woman deceased in the northwest bedroom of the home.

The woman was described as “cold to the touch” and was later determined to have suffered at least one gunshot wound to the head. The woman’s identity has not been released at this time.

The investigation heavily relied on video evidence from a Blink doorbell camera at the residence. The documents state, “camera footage from the residence’s Blink doorbell showed that at approximately an adult white male… approached the door” at 1:34 PM.

The individual reportedly who answered the door was later discovered to be Benjamin Naylor. Occluding tot he documents he wore a “yellow glove on his left hand… and “a firearm tucked under his jacket.” Screenshots of this footage were later shared with local law enforcement.

Within hours of the initial discovery, two more victims, later identified as Kelly and Donna Jenks, were found deceased in a home in Cassia County. A fourth victim, whose identity is also being withheld, was later discovered in a vehicle in Minidoka County.

Naylor was later apprehended and taken into custody in Lincoln County. According to court documents, he was wearing the “same clothes seen in the doorbell footage” at the time of his arrest. Authorities also recovered a “1911-style handgun in 10 mm caliber” in his possession.

Following his arrest, Naylor was booked into the Mini-Cassia Criminal Justice Center. He currently faces four counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths across the two counties.

In Loving Memory

In the wake of the grisly killings, a GoFundMe has been organized on behalf of the Jenks’ family. The couple leaves behind their only daughter, Jerica Harper, her husband Alex, and their daughter Adalee.

“Kelly and Donna were overjoyed to step into the role of grandparents, and baby Adalee was truly the light of their lives,” the fundraiser states. “The sudden and violent loss of both parents is absolutely heartbreaking.”

As of 4:30 PM MDT on Thursday, July 10, the fundraiser has gathered over $10,000 to support the family.” For more information, click HERE.

“If he were in his right mind, he would be horrified by his actions,” says Naylor’s family

In response to the tragic events, Naylor’s family has issued a statement via Facebook, extending their condolences to the victims’ families.

“Our hearts and thoughts will forever be with every life touched by this terrible loss,” they wrote in part. They added that Naylor has struggled with severe mental illness for most of his life, expressing their belief that “If he were in his right mind, he would be horrified by his actions.”

“We believe that once he has received proper psychiatric care, he is going to realize the devastation he has caused, and he is going to have to live with this the rest of his life,” said the post.

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News Team

UPDATE:

The following update is a press release from the Idaho Falls Zoo:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Zoo is thrilled to welcome two new residents to the African lion exhibit: Kenya and Dixie, a sibling pair who arrived on July 1 from the Abilene Zoo in Texas.

The 12-year-old lions spent several days behind the scenes acclimating to their new surroundings, getting to know their keepers, and completing a standard quarantine period before stepping into their outdoor habitat for the first time on July 9. Visitors can now see the lions on exhibit throughout the summer.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Kenya and Dixie to Idaho Falls,” said David Pennock, Zoo Executive Director. “They’ve adjusted well and are already exploring and enjoying their new home.”

While 12 years is considered old for lions in the wild, where females typically live around 15 years and males around 12, Kenya and Dixie are under excellent veterinary care in a safe, enriching environment. Staff is hopeful they will enjoy many more years to come in Idaho Falls, as lions in human care often live significantly longer. Kimani, the zoo’s previous lioness, lived to be 21.

As siblings, Kenya and Dixie will not breed. The Idaho Falls Zoo is an active participant in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP), which ensures the long-term survival of species by managing genetic diversity across accredited institutions. Breeding recommendations are made based on genetics and population needs, and Kenya and Dixie’s genes are already well represented in other litters.

Kenya and Dixie’s arrival follows the April departure of Hondo, the zoo’s previous male lion. Hondo was transferred to the Pittsburgh Zoo as part of the SSP to join two unrelated females in hopes of a future breeding opportunity. According to recent updates, he is adjusting well to his new home.

The Idaho Falls Zoo is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. On Mondays, the zoo remains open until 8 p.m., with last admission at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.idahofallsidaho.gov/zoo.

ORIGINAL:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Zoo proudly welcomed two new lions, Kenya and Dixie, who made their official debut in the lion exhibit this week.

The brother and sister pair come from a zoo in Texas and are now settling into their new home.

Kenya and Dixie replace Hondo, the zoo’s previous male lion, who left the Idaho Falls zoo in April for a zoo in Pittsburgh to participate in a breeding program with two lionesses.

Courtesy: Idaho Falls Zoo

Visitors can look forward to seeing Kenya and Dixie on regular display throughout the rest of the summer.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Bannock County Veterans Memorial Association is trying to raise $100,000 by the end of August to qualify for a matching donation, which would help the veterans repair flood damage to the historic Bannock County Veterans Memorial Building.

In December 2024, flooding in an upstairs bathroom severely damaged the nearly 100-year-old Memorial Building’s ballroom before leaking to lower levels, soaking walls, and washing up other issues, which now need repair.

“[A restoration company] wound up peeling up the whole floor,” said Bud Smalley, veteran of the US Marine Corps and member of the Marine Corps League and Bannock County Veterans Memorial Association. “They had to mitigate for the lead paint that was found on all of the baseboard; there’s also some mold that they found downstairs. Long story short, the bill is $325,000 that we don’t have.”

After being handed the bill, the Veterans Memorial Association started seeking donations and was met with contributions from local businesses, including $5,000 from Idaho Power and nearly $11,000 from Phil Meador Subaru. Local people also pitched in amounts ranging from 50 cents to $1,000.

In March, an anonymous organization sent a check to the Veterans Memorial Building for $100,000, with a promise to send another $100,000 if the veterans could match the funding with donations by the end of August.

So far, the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Association has raised $43,000, and they are asking people in the area to reach into their hearts and wallets to help them make the remaining money before their deadline at the end of summer.

“This building was built in 1926 by the citizens of Pocatello and Bannock County, specifically for veterans of Pocatello and Bannock County and the surrounding area,” said Smalley. “It’d just be a shame if, because of this misfortune, we wind up losing this building–we need to repair it.”

Donations for the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Building can be sent to their address at 300 N Johnson Ave, Pocatello, ID 83204. Links to the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Association Venmo, Angelink, and GoFundMe accounts can be found on their website.

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News Release

The following is a press release from the City of Idaho Falls Public Works:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Beginning Sunday, July 13, Union Pacific Railroad will close Sunnyside Road at the railroad tracks east of the intersection with Yellowstone Highway to complete scheduled railroad track maintenance. The closure is expected to remain in place through Tuesday, July 15.

The City of Idaho Falls is assisting Union Pacific Railroad during the project. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes and follow posted detour signage.

Eastbound traffic should detour south on Yellowstone Highway to 65th South or north on Yellowstone to 17th Street to continue east. Westbound traffic should use South Boulevard to 17th Street or follow detour signs via South 5th West to 65th South to continue west.

Motorists should plan ahead for delays and use extra caution in the area. The city appreciates the public’s patience as Union Pacific completes this important maintenance.

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CNN Newsource

By Tori Luecking

Click here for updates on this story

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (KXYL) — Two St. Maries men are facing eight felony charges after illegally killing seven mature white-tailed deer bucks in north Idaho.

According to Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the hunting spree took place in November 2024 and violated wildlife laws 56 times.

The Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office filed the charges June 27 following an Idaho Fish and Game investigation that began with a tip to the Citizens Against Poaching hotline about suspicious deer heads.

Conservation officers said five of the seven deer were killed within a single 24-hour period.

Three of the bucks were classified as trophy white-tailed deer, which carries higher penalties under Idaho law than non-trophy classifications. All seven deer were taken outside legal shooting hours, and meat from three deer was left to waste.

The investigation is still ongoing.

“Fish and Game thanks the public for being diligent in reporting potential wildlife crimes and helping to preserve, protect, perpetuate and manage the incredible fish and wildlife to which Idaho is home,” the agency stated.

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Studies show hearing loss is on the rise for Millennials and Gen Z. 10% of Millennials and 17% of Gen Z have been found to have hearing loss. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over one billion people in the world between the ages of 12 and 35 might be at risk of hearing loss.

Doctors say unsafe listening is one of the main reasons for this. Many people are listening to audio at high volumes through their headphones and/or earbuds. Some are also spending long periods of time at venues like concerts.

“So some of the symptoms are just going to be you’re going to notice that soft speech, distant speech. People start to sound like they’re mumbling or not annunciating correctly,” said Miracle-Ear Hearing Instrument Specialist, Jim Williams.

While unsafe listening is one cause, hearing loss can also happen because of genetics or nerve damage. That’s how it is for Cali Ellis, which is why she’s excited to get new hearing aids through the Miracle-Ear Foundation’s Gift of Sound program. Ellis told Local News 8, she’s most excited have an easier time singing and playing the piano.

“I’m very emotionally attached to music, so music makes me feel emotion super easily. And when I have the hearing aids and it just makes it even stronger and I just, I love it so much. I’m so excited to go home and play on the piano.”

Williams says some people might be embarrassed to check for hearing loss, but the sooner the better.  When you get hearing aids, your brain needs to relearn how to filter sounds. The older you are, the harder it is for your brain to adjust.

More information on hearing loss, symptoms, and solutions can be found HERE.

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