Author: KIFI

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce held its yearly ‘Chamber Young Professionals’ mini-golf tournament, bringing together local business owners and young people for a day of networking and friendly competition.

The tournament, a long-standing tradition for the Chamber’s Young Professionals program, helps support local youth by providing them with opportunities for career development. Funds raised from sponsorships and ticket sales are used to help young people find jobs, internships, and inspiration for their future careers.

“We created the Chamber of Professionals just to connect our young professionals in the community,” said Crystal Panek, event manager for the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce. “We want to make sure that they have great business connections [and] some friends, and hopefully, they’ll stay here in the community.”

The Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals program hosts regular meetings and classes to further assist young people in the Pocatello area.

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CNN

Michael Paul Brown, who is accused of fatally shooting four people at a bar in Anaconda, Montana, on August 1, has been taken into custody following a weeklong multiagency manhunt, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Friday.

Brown had been on the run since the “biggest” shooting in the state of Montana in a decade. He was arrested around 2 p.m. local time Friday near the search area in Anaconda and is now in the custody of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County authorities, according to the Montana Department of Justice.

“Incredible response from law enforcement officers across Montana,” Gianforte said in a social media post. “May God continue to be with the families of the four victims still grieving their loss.”

Brown, an Army veteran, was seen on security footage fleeing The Owl Bar, where the fatal shooting occurred, investigators said. Since then, he had been sought by authorities representing at least 38 local, state and federal agencies traversing challenging terrain in the western Montana wilderness.

“I am proud of the unrelenting law enforcement effort this week to find and arrest Michael Paul Brown. The support we’ve seen for the community of Anaconda from across the state and the nation has also been remarkable,” Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said in a statement following the arrest. “The families and friends of the victims remain in my prayers.”

Investigators found a white Ford F-150 truck that Brown drove the day of the shooting, but Brown “was not located in or around the vehicle,” Montana Division of Criminal Investigation Administrator Lee Johnson said at the time.

Those killed in the shooting were identified as 59-year-old Daniel Baillie, 64-year-old Nancy Kelley, 70-year-old David Leach and 74-year-old Tony Palm.

“It just isn’t real. It’s totally overwhelming,” said Cassandra Dutra, a bartender at the Owl Bar.

Brown served as an armor crewman in the US Army from January 2001 to May 2005 and was deployed to Iraq from February 2004 to March 2005, Lt. Col. Ruth Castro, a spokesperson with the US Army, previously told CNN.

Brown’s niece, Clare Boyle, previously told CNN he struggled with his mental health during his time in the Army and was never the same after his service. Brown’s mental health got progressively worse with the passing of both of his parents, Boyle said.

“The system failed.. We as people failed.. failed to report suspicious behavior because ‘that’s just Mikee’… We begged people to listen and open their eyes,” she said, referencing his nickname.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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Maile Sipraseuth

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Transportation Department is now allowing single-lane traffic on the Porterville overpass following a semi-truck strike that damaged the bridge earlier this week. The incident happened on Tuesday (Aug. 6), when a backhoe being hauled by a semi on I-15 stuck the underside of the bridge, resulting in damage to one of the concrete girders underneath the overpass.

ITD has determined that it is safe for vehicles to pass over the undamaged side of the bridge and will be using traffic signals to maneuver traffic safely. Concrete barriers will be put into place to deter traffic away from the damaged girder.

ITD will continue to investigate what the next steps are to repair the bridge.

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News Team

ST. ANTHONY, Idaho (KIFI) — Two men are facing charges of aggravated battery and leaving the scene of an accident after a hit-and-run incident turned violent this past Saturday.

According to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 11 p.m. on August 2nd, in a construction zone just south of St. Anthony. After a vehicle collision, the victims told deputies that two men, later identified as Randy A. Wheeler Jr., 37, and Tayson P. Thomas, 19, violently assaulted them.

Wheeler and Thomas were later arrested and booked into the Fremont County Jail, where they are currently being held on charges of aggravated battery and leaving the scene of an accident.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A wildfire west of Idaho Falls, known as the Lava Trail Fire, has been successfully contained after burning over 90 acres. The blaze started on Wednesday, August 6, near the lava trail inlet south of Highway 20. The Idaho Falls Police Department (IFPD) reports that the fire was sparked by two individuals who were target shooting in the area.

Emergency Response and Containment

The Idaho Falls Fire Department (IFFD) was the first to respond to the scene. Due to the rapid spread of the fire, they requested help from several partner agencies, including the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Ammon Fire Department. The BLM took command of the unified response, and air support was activated to drop retardant and contain the fire’s spread.

Fueled by strong winds, the fire moved quickly to the north and east. Fire crews worked diligently and were able to halt the blaze by 10:30 p.m. that night. The fire is now considered fully controlled. The BLM remained on the scene overnight Wednesday to monitor conditions and ensure the fire was completely out.

Camper Injured While Escaping Fire

During the incident, an 81-year-old man who was camping in the area sustained minor burns to both of his arms while trying to escape the flames. A bystander initially tried to warn the man about the advancing fire, but had to retreat for their own safety. IFFD personnel witnessed the event, provided immediate medical aid, and arranged for the man to be transported to meet with emergency medical services (EMS). Both the camper and the man’s pickup truck were destroyed in the fire.

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News Team

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI) — Craving a coffee and a chance to do good? The Human Bean in Chubbuck is making it easy to help those in need today with its annual “Food Drive Give Back” event.

For every drink purchased, the coffee shop will donate a dollar to the Idaho Foodbank. The timing is intentional, as employees point out that hunger doesn’t take a summer break.

“Hunger is a year-round concern. A lot of businesses… do food drives during the holidays,” said Human Bean Barista Amanda Hansen. “But August is a great time to give back. Any time is a good time to give back to the community.”

Customers can also bring in non-perishable food items and receive a dollar off their drink.

The Human Bean is open until 8 p.m., so there’s still plenty of time to grab your afternoon pick-me-up and help make a difference.

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News Release

The following is a press release from the Idaho Transportation Department:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) ­­— The Idaho Transportation Department is partnering with the Idaho National Laboratory to alert motorists of changes to their commute beginning next week.

Starting Monday, paving operations within the INL site will limit usual turning movements at the Puzzle, the junction of US-20, US-26, and INL. During morning and overnight hours, traffic will be able to make right turns only off US-20 into the site.

From 4 to 6:30 p.m., traffic at the Puzzle will be restricted to outbound only movement, with no inbound turns allowed.

Speed will be reduced to 50 mph on US-20 near and through the Puzzle while this work is completed.

Both inbound and outbound site traffic will be able to access US-20 from an alternative route at West Portland Avenue, Gate Three, one mile west of the Puzzle. No dedicated turning lane exists on US-20 at this intersection, so motorists are urged to be alert and slow down.

Flaggers will be present as needed when INL paving work is near the intersections of US-20 or US-26. Traffic control signs and lower speed limits will not be in effect when work is not actively ongoing along these roadways.

INL paving operations are expected to be complete and traffic running as usual by late September. 

INL employees should refer to internal communication regarding effects to their commute on roads within the site. Effects to US-20 and US-26 will be noted on the Idaho 511 app and at 511.idaho.gov.

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News Team

UPDATE:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — Authorities have identified the elderly woman killed in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 15 near Blackfoot over the weekend as Nancy Northman, 81, of Brocket, Alberta, Canada.

Bannock County Coroner Torey Danner confirmed the victim’s identity and extended his condolences. “My heart goes out to Nancy’s family and friends during this difficult time,” Danner said.

According to Idaho State Police (ISP), the crash took place just after 5 a.m. at mile marker 89. A 21-year-old man from Idaho Falls was driving a 2015 Buick Verano southbound in the left lane when he struck the rear of a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country minivan. The minivan was driven by an 80-year-old man from Brocket, Alberta, Canada, and had Northman as a passenger.

Both vehicles came to a stop in the median following the collision. The driver and Northman were taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where Northman later died from her injuries. All parties involved were wearing seatbelts.

Next of kin has been notified, and the incident remains under investigation by the Idaho State Police.

ORIGINAL:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — An 81-year-old woman is dead and an 80-year-old man is injured following a two-vehicle crash on I-15 near Blackfoot early this morning.

According to Idaho State Police (ISP), the crash occurred just after 5 a.m. at mile marker 89. A 21-year-old man from Idaho Falls, driving a 2015 Buick Verano, was traveling southbound in the left lane when his vehicle struck the rear of a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country minivan.

The minivan was driven by an 80-year-old man from Brocket, Alberta, Canada, who had an 81-year-old female passenger. Both vehicles came to a stop in the median after the collision.

The driver and passenger of the Chrysler were taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where the woman later died from her injuries. All people involved in the crash were wearing seatbelts. The Idaho State Police are currently investigating the cause of the crash.

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Stephanie Lucas

UPDATE:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A plan to start paid parking in downtown Idaho Falls has been put on hold following a major backlash from local business owners.

The Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC) announced plans last week to implement a new app-based parking system this October. However, during a packed meeting on Thursday, August 7, more than 30 downtown merchants voiced their concerns, saying they were “blindsided” by the decision.

In response, the IFDDC staff and Board of Directors formally requested that the Mayor and City Council postpone the proposed on-street parking rates on its upcoming fee schedule hearing scheduled for Thursday evening, August 14.

“We believe it is crucial to pause and take additional time to engage with the business community, share more information, and facilitate more productive dialogue before moving forward,” IFDDC Executive Director Kerry Hammon said in an email to downtown merchants.

“We were thrilled to see that there’s been a little bit of a halt put to the app for parking that I don’t think a lot of people were happy about the thought of having to download an app to be able to park in the downtown,” said Cindy Napier, Sales Manager and building owner at Idaho Mountain Training.

“We’re going to have some more talks and negotiate more and find a better solution than an app for paid parking in the downtown, said Richard Napier, owner and General Manager at Idaho Mountain Trading. “One, we want to keep it free. And two, we don’t want to have an app. We still live in a rural area, and we’re a regional hub, and we don’t want to turn anybody away from the downtown. The downtown’s a special place. It always has been, and we want to keep it that way.”

Terri Ireland, owner of the downtown metaphysical store “Healing Hands,” has launched a petition to completely halt the city’s new paid parking plans. As of 2 p.m. Friday, August 8th, the petition has already garnered over 1,800 signatures. For more information, click HERE.

In the press IFDDC release, Hammon added that they are committed to working with downtown businesses to develop a parking solution that “serves the best interests of our entire downtown community.” The corporation will communicate with business owners through its IFDDC Downtowners Private Facebook page and Mailchimp distribution list.

“We appreciate your understanding and support as we work toward this goal,” Hammond said in the email.

For more information or to be added to the email list, contact Kerry Hammon directly.

ORIGINAL:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Downtown Idaho Falls Development leadership got an earful Thursday afternoon, August 7, over a plan to start charging for parking. About 30 merchants from the downtown area spoke their minds at a packed meeting this afternoon.

The meeting started at the Downtown Development Corporation’s office but had to be moved to the nearby Samoa Club, due to the number of merchants who wanted to voice their concerns about a plan to charge for parking.

The majority of the business owners and building owners expressed they felt “blindsided” by the announced plans and “would love to have had conversations before it got to this point.”  

The Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation announced plans last week to implement a new paid parking system to increase turnover and parking availability downtown, using an app called PARK SMARTER. They planned on bringing the system to the Business Improvement District in two phases. The first phase is scheduled to start in October 2025.

Today, they seemed to walk things back a bit.

“Nothing is law yet. We are an agent of the city, and so we receive information and cannot do anything without permission of the city.  So we are an advocate and an ally first and foremost, and we want to hear you,” Downtown Development Corporation Treasurer Brandi Newton told the gathered merchants.

Business owners brought up numerous reasons they think parking fees would be a bad idea, ranging from difficulties with technology and fears that the change would drive people away from the downtown area.

But the overarching sentiment was simply put by Amanda Poitevin, owner of Winnie & Mo’s Bookshop: “Business owners should have been consulted about this a lot more.”

As for the Downtown Development Corporation, Executive Director Kerry Hammon stated that the communication with business owners was “what we needed.” Moving forward, Hammond says they plan on addressing business owner concerns over the next several days.

“We are going to talk to the board members next… continuing our conversations, our board of directors have been out on the street going into the businesses and talking to them, over the last week getting additional input, we’re going to continue those communication meetings and whatnot,” said Hammond.

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Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A motorhome towing a passenger car was struck by a train in Rexburg this afternoon, but remarkably, no one was hurt, according to Rexburg Police.

The collision happened at 4:23 p.m. at the intersection of 5th West and Yellowstone. Rexburg Assistant Police Chief Gary Hagen confirmed that no one was injured despite the crash. Video captured by a local business, 0500 Mechanics, shows the intense moment when the train hits the back of the motorhome.

The scene has since been cleared by the Rexburg Police Department. This is a developing story, and we will share new details as they are released.

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