Local flight instructor examines tragic midair collision

KIFI on February 5, 2025

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – “So because of its proximity to DC and to the White House and whatnot, there’s something called a special flight rules area. So within a 30-mile radius of that area, up to 18,000 feet, you cannot fly in there unless you have specific DC training and go in and out through very specific routes,” said Senior Flight Instructor Nathan Hamberg.

Local News 8’s Chris Nestman asked “Does that make it easier or harder to have like a collision?”

“It should be harder. But the problem is the amount of traffic going in there is more than the capabilities of those controllers and the equipment that they have that can handle,” said Nathan. “It was originally rated that they are supposed to be able to handle up to 25 million passengers a year, and they usually end up getting around 41 million passengers a year.” 

Despite the air traffic control limitations, Hamberg says that this crash had more to do with other factors.

Flying at night can change the way pilots perceive their surroundings.

“This Black Hawk was around and it was near CRJ [American Airlines “CRJ” 700] and they had requested what we call visual separation. So they had sight of the aircraft, presumably, and requested visual separation, meaning they will maneuver themselves around the aircraft, the CRJ was doing exactly what they were supposed to do, which was an approach to the runway,” said Nathan.  “And the Blackhawk was very close, very low to that aircraft and had assumed responsibility by saying, well, maintain visual separation. It’s an unfortunate incident.”

The collision is the deadliest aviation disaster in the US since November 12th, 2001, when an American Airlines flight crashed in New York killing all 260 people on board.

‘A sinfully sweet evening…’, A Chocolate Lover’s Affair returns to Stephens Performing Arts Center

KIFI on February 5, 2025

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The annual ‘Chocolate Lover’s Affair’ charity event is bringing an evening of chocolate confections, wine, and music to the Stephens Performing Arts Center at Idaho State University on January 31.

Guests will sample chocolate creations from some of the area’s most popular restaurants, bakeries, and candy makers–all paired with a selection of wines and live jazz.

Proceeds from ticket sales for the event will go to the Pocatello Rotary Club. For ticket information and pricing, you can visit the Chocolate Lover’s Affair website.

ICE policy protest set for Saturday in Idaho Falls

KIFI on February 5, 2025

Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)— A peaceful demonstration against current Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies is planned for Saturday, February 1, at noon at the Broadway Bridge. According to a new release, organizers expect a diverse crowd of community members, students, and activists.

“We want to take a stand against systemic racism and unjust immigration policies,” said Shantelle Duran, one of the demonstration’s organizers. “We invite the community to stand with us and show support for our neighbors who are likely to be targeted under increased ICE raids and detentions.”

The gathering point for the demonstration will be the southeast corner of the Broadway Bridge.

Organizers emphasize the importance of maintaining a respectful and civil atmosphere and urge participants to adhere to all laws regarding obstruction. Duran said she has communicated with the Idaho Falls Police Department and the City of Idaho Falls to ensure a safe and lawful event. A key focus of the organizers is nonviolence and nonaggression, particularly towards any counter-protesters or individuals who may attempt to disrupt the demonstration.

“Together, we can fight for justice and build community,” Duran said. “We encourage like-minded people to join us in this show of solidarity.”

Driver dies after high-speed chase with police

KIFI on February 5, 2025

Curtis Jackson

POWER COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – A man has died after a police chase in Power County on Thursday night, January 30, 2025.

Idaho State Police said it started when they got a call about a guy who was struggling emotionally just before 9 p.m. They were told he might be armed and possibly intoxicated. Power County deputies tracked him down in a white 2019 GMC Terrain on I-86 and tried to pull him over, but he took off, starting a chase.

State troopers jumped in to help, even setting up spike strips to try and stop the car. Those didn’t work, but the GMC eventually left I-86 and ended up on Highway 30, west of the interstate. When officers approached the car, they found the driver dead from a possible self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Power County Medical Examiner is investigating the cause of death and will release the person’s name later. No one else was injured.

The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office is now in charge of the investigation.  The road was shut down for nearly three hours.

Clark Hill Rest Area bathrooms close in February for deep cleaning

KIFI on February 5, 2025

Curtis Jackson

RIRIE, Idaho (KIFI) – The Idaho Transportation Department will close the bathrooms at the Clark Hill Rest Area on US 26 east of Ririe in February.

The bathrooms will be closed from Monday, February 3 through February 28. 

The rest area at milepost 357 features a view of the South Fork of the Snake River.  They said the parking lot and scenic overlook will remain open during the work.

The building will undergo a deep cleaning and fresh paint in preparation for the busy summer months.

The nearest rest area/public bathrooms are at the Hilltop gas station in Ririe.    

New Idaho school budget proposed

KIFI on February 5, 2025

Noah Farley

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield is proposing a new budget to optimize and modernize the way schools are funded.

The new budget would be distributed based on the unique characteristics of students in each district, instead of gathered averages. The budget will focus to especially help kids who are in special education, are economically disadvantaged, at-risk, or gifted and talented.

Critchfield says this new model will allow a budget that “aligns with student needs rather than one built on averages or what a neighboring district or charter looks like.”

“We don’t need to blow up the entire funding mechanism,” Critchfield said. “But we can make some very impactful and strategic updates and improvements with some of these changes.”

The following is a release from the Idaho Department of Education.

01.30.25 Critchfield – Let’s Make Idaho’s School Funding Formula Work for All CommunitiesDownload

Community All-Stars: “Service is a valuable thing” – ‘Valentine’s for Seniors’ with JustServe

KIFI on February 5, 2025

Kailey Galaviz

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – This Valentine’s Day, most may be making plans with their loved ones enjoying each others’ company and affection. But for many senior citizens, this holiday can be a reminder of loss or loneliness. That’s why JustServe Idaho Falls is stepping in with ‘Valentine’s for Seniors.’

JustServe is an organization dedicated to sharing and organizing service projects in cities around the world to help those in need. Their ‘Valentine’s for Seniors’ project is aimed to let local senior citizens know they are loved and not forgotten. “A lot of them just are… struggling to be excited about life, and I don’t necessarily blame them,” Senior Solutions Owner Chanse Powell says.

In a proclamation declaring Feb. 14, 2025, as ‘We Love Seniors Day,’ Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper said, “It’s important to remember that our senior citizens are the crown jewels of our community.”

This Valentine’s project invites people of all ages to write cards or create artwork to give to seniors in the area. Gaylen Stucki, an Idaho Falls JustServe Specialist, said, “It doesn’t matter if it was a child that made it up with a crayon or a pencil or one that’s been professionally painted. They get that same feeling that somebody with love has done something for them.”

But ‘Valentine’s for Seniors’ is just one of many ways JustServe is making a difference in the community.

They host a variety of projects like beautifying local parks, helping out at the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket, volunteering at the Idaho Falls Animal Shelter, and countless others. “Service is a valuable, valuable thing, and I’m so grateful to JustServe for providing this forum for that kind of thing to happen,” Mayor Casper said.

Looking ahead into 2025, even more service projects are in the works. Idaho Falls JustServe Specialist Susan Stucki said, “We have watched JustServe grow in this area as a community service tool, but now we’ve realized JustServe is a service movement, and in this community, it’s grown rapidly.”

For their efforts in bringing the Greater Idaho Falls Area together through service, JustServe, you are this week’s Community All-Stars.

Those who want to get involved with ‘Valentine’s for Seniors,’ drop off your personalized cards, artwork or gifts to Senior Solutions at 841 Oxford Drive, Idaho Falls, ID, 83401 by Feb. 11.

The College of Eastern Idaho will have a table available for students, staff and community members who want to fill out Valentines in their cafeteria, Building 3, from Feb. 3-7.

For more information, inspiration, a template, and more, visit justserve.org.

Propane safety tips to prevent house explosion

KIFI on February 5, 2025

Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) –  In light of Tuesday’s [Jan. 28] house explosion, people might be wondering about safely operating propane tanks in their homes.

Most people living in residential areas use natural gas in their homes, however, a lot of houses in rural locations use propane. 

Idaho State Fire Marshal Knute Sandahl is reminding homeowners how to protect the gas lines in their houses.

“One of them is to have the propane piping below ground, which would protect it from any physical damage,” said Sandahl.

The second method would require a little work.

“Build a small roof, if you will, or some type of structure that would protect the regulator and the piping from any type of slope snow slide,” said Sandahl.

The fire service is seeing new homes are being built with the propane service on the gable end of the home, which prevents any issues with snow slides.

However with the older homes, very often it’s on the slope side of the houses.

“So what we want to do is protect them. We have had a couple of instances where snow slides have caused fractures of the pipe coming into the house and it fills up the lowest part because propane is heavier than air and it’ll fill up in there. And once it finds an ignition source, it could result in a fuel explosion,” said Sandahl.

Mortar caused the evacuation of Idaho Falls Regional Airport earlier this month

KIFI on February 5, 2025

Tucker Robertson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The Transportation Security Administration said on Facebook that an inert mortar was found in one Idaho Falls Regional Airport passenger’s checked bag. 

The Idaho Falls Regional Airport was evacuated on January 11. Officials said it was evacuated because of a suspicious device, but they didn’t say what.

On Friday, Idaho Falls Public Information Officer Eric Grossarth confirmed that the mortar was the device that prompted the evacuation.

If you plan to fly, just remember explosives are not good flight companions and are prohibited, inert or otherwise.

Portneuf District Library hosting Community Valentine’s Day Party

KIFI on February 5, 2025

Sam Ross

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI)– The Portneuf District Library will host an early Valentine’s Day Party with crafts and cookies on Monday, February 3.

Every year, the library hosts a Valentine’s Day event, but Portneuf District Library director Cresta Craner said this is the first year they have hosted a party on this scale.

“Having this space available and then having activities that people can do, provide that resource for the community. It’s a fun thing that everybody can participate in,” said Craner.

The party will give guests the opportunity to decorate and enjoy Valentine’s Day cookies and make Valentine’s cards that will be delivered to local seniors.

The Portneuf District Library’s Valentine’s Day party will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at their building on ​5210 Stuart Ave. in Chubbuck.