Author: KIFI

News Team

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Pocatello’s Riverside Golf Course will soon welcome a new clubhouse, thanks to a 20-year agreement with Connections Credit Union. The new facility is designed to be a community hub, promoting healthy and active lifestyles.

“This is an advantageous opportunity for the City of Pocatello, Connections Credit Union, and golfers in Southeast Idaho,” said Parks & Recreation Director Anne Butler.

The current clubhouse was originally built as a barn 80 years ago. While city leadership says the existing clubhouse has served the community well, it has far exceeded its intended lifespan. The new clubhouse will be a significant upgrade, featuring approximately 3,300 square feet on the main floor, a full basement for golf carts, patio seating, and a modern golf simulator.

Design work is already underway, with the city awarding the project to Construction Services, Inc. The new clubhouse is scheduled to open in 2026, with the demolition of the old building to follow.

“We’re proud to partner with the City on a project that will enhance Riverside Golf Course and benefit the community for years to come,” said Jamie Simmons, CEO of Connections Credit Union. “Riverside Golf Course is an important part of Pocatello’s recreational offerings, and this new clubhouse will create an even better experience for golfers and visitors alike.”

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The City of Pocatello has announced ongoing work on upgrade projects for parks, trails, and the Portneuf River, with many projects scheduled to start over the next two years.

Several of the updated projects include improvements to the Portneuf River to provide better access for swimmers and floaters.

The city is currently working with the Army Corps of Engineers on a Bureau of Reclamation-funded effort to move levees currently located near Centennial/Rainey Park and create better flood prevention, habitat restoration, and river access. The project is slated to begin in 2026.

An additional river access point will also be installed at the Greenway Trailhead, south of the Simplot Don Plant, with construction scheduled to begin in fall 2025.

Other city projects with updated 2025 construction timelines include:

The addition of another stretch of Greenway trail between Monte Vista Dr. and Pocatello Creek Road along I-15.

The installation of three restroom facilities at Optimist/Tydeman Park, Lower Ross Park, and the Upper City Creek parking lot.

A Forest Service-funded wildfire fuels reduction program to remove juniper trees from plots of city land in fire-prone areas.

For more information on the City of Pocatello community improvement project timelines, you can visit the city website.

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Jeff Roper

ARCHER, Idaho (KIFI) — It’s a warning for all of us on social media. An eastern Idaho rancher says scammers stole his identity — and it cost his friends and customers.

Hagen Erickson owns Diamond E Quarter Horses, and while he was out of cell service, scammers were busy stealing his online identity — and using it to target those closest to him.

“So far, I think there’s probably been about $5000, if not a little more money, that’s been sent to this person that hacked my account,” said Erickson. “Years of networking down the drain.”

Watch the full story on how it happened, and what local law enforcement and the FBI are doing to fight back above.

New statistics from the FTC report rip-offs among Idahoans aged 60-69 have lost nearly $2,867,705 to fraud this year so far. The most prevalent scam categories affecting seniors in the state are business impostors, government impostors, and online shopping. Law enforcement agencies say the internet is the perfect disguise for these cyber criminals, with little to no recourse for the victims.

Here is how you can better protect your online accounts:

Use multi-factor authentication on every account — especially social media.

Change your passwords often and make it long, at least 12 characters.

Never use the same password in multiple places.

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Kailey Galaviz

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – America’s young singles are seemingly starting to shift expectations when it comes to dating and finances.

Many singles are more comfortable having that conversation and allowing financial decisions to impact how they choose to date. That is according to ‘Banking on Love,’ a survey through Chime in partnership with former Bachelorette star and Financial Expert Jason Tartick.

“I found some interesting information from the survey that about 50% of millennials and Gen Z actually find it attractive when someone is willing and open to talk about their income,” Tartick says, “Only 23% of boomers agree with that.”

While different generations may not have the same point of view on financial etiquette, Tartick says the best thing people can do, whether single or married, is to remain transparent with each other.

Tartick offers more advice in the interview above. Click play to watch the full interview.

To follow Tartick for more advice, pick up his book ‘Talk Money to Me‘ or watch his ‘Trading Secrets Podcast.‘

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News Team

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — This Saturday, August 16, the City of Pocatello is calling all volunteers to roll up their sleeves and help with the annual Portneuf River Cleanup.

“Every year, we see more people enjoying the river,” said Hannah Sanger, Pocatello’s Science & Environment Administrator. “Events like this show how much our community cares about protecting and enhancing this natural treasure.”

The cleanup will take place along the river from Raymond Park to Simplot, with a specific focus on removing trash, debris, and invasive materials from both the riverbanks and the main channel. The event supports the long-term goals of the Portneuf River Vision, a community-wide effort to keep the river clean and beautiful.

Volunteers will meet at the Pacific Recycling Trailhead (on N. Main, just off Kraft Rd.) at 10 a.m. on Saturday. All are welcome, including individuals, business groups, and service clubs.

What to Bring

Work gloves (some extras will be provided)

Boots, waders, or water shoes

Handsaws and nets are optional (a limited number of extras will be available for use)

If you have your own boat and would like to use it for the cleanup, the City asks that you please contact stormwater@pocatello.gov or call 208-234-6519 in advance for important float route information.

“Together, we can keep the Portneuf River a vibrant part of Pocatello for generations to come,” said the City of Pocatello in a press release.

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Stephanie Lucas

IDAHO (KIFI) — A new effort is underway to repeal Idaho’s 6% sales tax on groceries, but this time, proponents are bypassing the legislature and taking their case directly to Gem State voters.

Howard Rynearson, Chairman of the Payette County Republicans, is leading a new initiative to gather enough signatures to place a repeal of the grocery tax on the November 2026 ballot. This move follows a series of failed attempts by lawmakers in past legislative sessions to pass a repeal.

The Idaho GOP recently passed a resolution in support of the initiative. Bryan Smith, a National Committeeman for the Idaho GOP, places the blame for previous failures squarely on legislative leadership.

“It’s the Republican leadership that’s preventing it. And so now the Republican Party has passed a resolution supporting an initiative. We need 70,000 signatures. It’s going to go on the ballot. And when that gets on the ballot, we will finally do an end run around the legislature to and we will get grocery sales tax repeal. People get grocery sales tax relief.”

During a visit to the Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce, Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke, who has previously opposed a full repeal, defended his position. According to Bedke, Idaho’s current grocery tax credit effectively balances the impact of the tax for residents by providing a refund, while still collecting revenue from non-citizens and tourists.

“In my opinion, we have a situation where Idahoans pay the tax, but then they get it back. But non-Idahoans pay the tax, and that helps fund our services here in the state now,” explained Bedke. “So, just a straight-up removal of sales tax on food, while that may sound good, we’re basically doing that right now through the grocery tax credit.”

If passed, the “Repeal Idaho’s Grocery Tax” initiative would eliminate Idaho’s 6% sales tax on food items, effective fiscal year 2028. It would also eliminate the Idaho Grocery Tax Credit.

The debate now moves from the Statehouse to the public, where proponents of the initiative will need to convince Idahoans to sign on and bring the issue to a statewide vote. For more information on the petition, click HERE.

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Curtis Jackson

EASTERN IDAHO, Idaho (KIFI)— Candidates looking to run for city races will be able to file their Declaration of Candidacy beginning next Monday, August 18. The deadline to file is August 29, 2025. Election day is November 4, 2025.

Several eastern Idaho cities will be electing a Mayor and some city council members.

Candidates must file a Declaration of Candidacy with the City Clerk, accompanied by:

A nonrefundable filing fee of $40.00;

A petition of candidacy signed by at least five (5) qualified city electors, verified by the County Clerk’s Office.

In addition, candidates must affirm that they:

Have been a resident of the City for at least 30 days prior to filing

Are a qualified elector

Are at least 18 years of age

Are a U.S. citizen

Have their primary residence within the city limits

Have a voter registration address matching their residence address on the declaration

Below is a list of a few cities whose seats are up for election.

Blackfoot:

– Mayor – City Council Seat 1 – City Council Seat 2

Driggs:

– Mayor- Two (2) City Council Seats

Idaho Falls:

– Mayor – City Council Seat 2 – City Council Seat 4 – City Council Seat 6

Iona:

– Mayor – City Council (4-yr term) – City Council (4-yr term)

Pocatello:

– Mayor – City Council Seat 4 – City Council Seat 5 – City Council Seat 6

Rexburg:

– Three (3) City Council seats

St. Anthony:

– Mayor- Three (3) City Council seats

Rigby:

-Mayor- Three (3) City Council seats

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News Release

The following is a press release from Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s office:

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Attorney General Raúl Labrador, as Chairman of the Idaho Medal of Honor Commission, presented the Idaho Medal of Honor to four law enforcement officers Tuesday, recognizing their extraordinary acts of courage in going above and beyond the call of duty to save lives while risking their own.

“These officers represent everything we admire about Idaho law enforcement—courage under fire, selfless service, and an unwavering commitment to protecting their community,” said Attorney General Labrador. “When lives hung in the balance, they didn’t hesitate to charge toward the danger and risk their own lives to save people they’d never met. This is the heroism that defines our men and women in blue, and Idaho is safer because of officers like them.”

The ceremony at the Idaho State Capitol honored Officer Brian Quiterio of Kimberly-Hansen Police, Sergeant Taylor Beach of Coeur d’Alene Police, and Garden City Police officers Sergeant Leon Dennis and Corporal Sikko Barghoorn.

Officer Quiterio rescued a suicidal individual from the Snake River Canyon edge on November 24, 2024, positioning himself mere inches from a 350-foot drop while the combative subject regained consciousness. Quiterio refused to leave the dangerous position until the person was secured and safe.

Officer Brian Quiterio of Kimberly-Hansen Police, Attorney General Raúl Labrador

Officer Brian Quiterio of Kimberly-Hansen Police, Attorney General Raúl Labrador

Sergeant Beach saved a wounded officer’s life during a February 2018 shooting incident, returning fire at an armed suspect before exposing herself to gunfire to extract her seriously injured colleague and transport him to the hospital for life-saving treatment.

Attorney General Raúl Labrador, Sergeant Beach of Coeur d’Alene Police

Sergeant Beach of Coeur d’Alene Police, Attorney General Raúl Labrador

Sergeant Dennis and Corporal Barghoorn entered a residence with an active shooter on August 9, 2023, to rescue an innocent person trapped inside. The officers came under immediate gunfire upon entry but continued toward the threat until they located and evacuated the victim safely.

Attorney General Raúl Labrador, Corporal Sikko Barghoorn, Sergeant Leon Dennis of Garden City Police

Since 2004, more than 85 Idaho law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel have received the Idaho Medal of Honor for acts of exceptional courage that distinguished them above their peers.

The Idaho Medal of Honor Commission was established by the Legislature to recognize public safety professionals who risk their lives to save others through acts of extraordinary heroism.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Idaho Museum of Natural History’s (IMNH’s) new Museum Everywhere Program will bring a slice of the museum experience to the entire Gem State with help from its flagship ‘Mobile Museum’ unit.

The Mobile Museum van is equipped with a full walk-through exhibit and hands-on activities featuring items from the IMNH’s collection. This summer, the traveling exhibit focuses on celebrating Idaho’s dinosaurs.

Museum managers said the new program and mobile unit are the IMNH’s way of fulfilling their responsibility as Idaho’s official natural history museum to bring the educational experience to everyone from Pocatello to the panhandle.

“We think that everyone in Idaho should have the chance to experience Idaho’s natural history,” said Robert Gay, education manager for the IMNH. “As the state’s official museum of natural history, we feel like we have that statewide duty, and it’s just really cool stuff; Idaho has really cool natural history.”

The Mobile Museum was made possible by a grant from the David B. Jones Foundation, a non-profit that supports research in paleontology and educational programs.

To keep track of the Mobile Museum’s upcoming tour locations, you can follow the Idaho Museum of Natural History on Facebook. To book a visit from the Mobile Museum at a library, school, or event, you can find details on the IMNH website.

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