Author: KIFI

Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – A new emergency room is coming to Idaho Falls. The Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) hosted a beam-signing event commemorating the construction of the area’s first Free-Standing emergency room, also called FSER.

This new ER unit will provide hospital-based emergency services, serving as an extension of EIRMC’s emergency room. It will also be fully equipped with a laboratory, medical imaging technologists, and other medical staff.

When the new 10,820 square fee facility opens in 2026, it will include 10 patient exam rooms, 24/7 emergency medical care, and imaging services. 

The CEO of EIRMC, Betsy Hunsicker, says that after much research, they realized another ER would be beneficial in our area.

“EIRMC North Idaho Falls ER will provide high-quality emergency care for members of our community and region. We believe it will be a more convenient option for many people, saving significant travel time when seeking care,” said Hunsicker. “Patients can expect the same level of superior care as if they came directly to the ER on EIRMC’s campus.”

The FSER will be located just west of the intersection of Lincoln Road and 25th East (Hit Road) and will offer the same level of high-quality care as EIRMC’s ER on its main campus. Dr. Brandon Bloxham, a board-certified Emergency Room physician and the Medical Director at the new FSER, says that while urgent care clinics play a role in the healthcare delivery system, EIRMC North Idaho Falls ER will offer hospital-level emergency care. This satellite emergency room is open 24/7, accepts EMS drop-offs and treats all patients, regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay.

“The FSER will be fully equipped to handle any emergency. Urgent care facilities handle less severe injuries and illnesses—conditions like a cold, the flu, minor cuts, and sprains,” Dr. Bloxham explained. “Satellite ERs like this one improve healthcare access without compromising quality. It’s the same quality care – just closer to home for people in north Idaho Falls and the surrounding area.”

For more information on the FSER, check out the full press release below.

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Max Gershon

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KIFI) — A flight from the Salt Lake City International Airport heading overseas left passengers fearing for their lives last night, July 30. The Delta Airlines flight carrying 275 passengers and 13 crew members experienced significant turbulence while flying over Wyoming.

Andrew Schneider, a passenger from Idaho Falls, described the terrifying ordeal: ‘We were maybe 15 minutes… maybe an hour into the flight, and the turbulence gets way worse. Apparently, our pilots lost contact with air traffic control… and so we were flying blind.

When the turbulence hit, Schneider says he and the other passengers feared for their lives as several people and service carts hit the ceiling.

“The most terrifying part [was] people hit the ceiling. We were all thinking, this is it. Is this how we go?”

The incident forced an emergency landing in Minnesota, where 25 people on board were taken to hospitals, but have since been released. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the incident.

You can watch the full interview where Schneider shares his harrowing experience above.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the Idaho State Historical Society:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – On May 17, 2025, the Idaho State Historical Society, in partnership with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, is proud to recognize the Haderlie Family Farm as an official Idaho Century Farm, honoring over 100 years of continuous family ownership and agricultural legacy. The Century Farm and Ranch Program celebrates Idaho’s deep-rooted agricultural heritage and honors families who have worked the same land for generations. This year, the Haderlie family joins that distinguished legacy, with their farm tracing its roots back to 1915 when Henry W. Haderlie and his wife Ruth Ward began farming in the fertile ground of Bonneville County.

The recognition holds special significance for Verl Haderlie, Henry’s son and current patriarch of the farm. Now 93 years old and living with macular degeneration, Verl was still able to witness his family’s farm receive this honor—a moment that his children and grandchildren call a lasting gift for a man whose life has been devoted to the land. “My father, Verl, and grandfather Henry were incredibly hard workers who loved this land,” said Verl’s son Tim Haderlie, who now helps run the farm alongside his son, Dustin. “This recognition is a tribute to their dedication and vision—and a legacy we’re proud to carry forward.”

The Haderlie family story reflects not only the enduring values of Idaho agriculture but also the rich cultural tapestry of the American West. Henry’s father, Charles Haderlie, was a Swiss immigrant and early settler in Utah and Wyoming. Henry helped in digging the Gardner and Hillside irrigation canals with a horse-drawn slip/buck scraper—lifelines for early farmers in the region.

Over the decades, the farm evolved from horse-drawn implements and flood irrigation to wheel lines and center pivots. In the 1970s, Verl expanded operations, which included a bulk milk-hauling business and a cow/calf herd operation that grazed on land he acquired in Bone, Idaho. Today, fourth-generation farmer Dustin Haderlie works over 1,000 acres of leased farmland in addition to the family’s original acreage, with a fifth generation—Dustin’s son Hank, named after his great-great-grandfather—growing up close to the soil that sustained his family for more than a century.

The Century Farm recognition not only marks a milestone of longevity—it celebrates the values of resilience, stewardship, and a trust in God and family that are at the heart of Idaho agriculture.

For more information about the Idaho Century Farm & Ranch Program, visit www.history.idaho.gov

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News Release

The following is a News Release from the City of Idaho Falls.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Mayor Rebecca Casper presented a special Mayor’s Choice Award to longtime community leader Carrie Getty Scheid on Thursday night, recognizing her exceptional contributions to the city of Idaho Falls.

The Mayor’s Choice Awards were established in 2021 to recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to the community. Typically awarded at the start of the year, this presentation was held outside the usual schedule to ensure Scheid received the recognition she so deeply deserved.

“For more than 30 years, Carrie has helped shape Idaho Falls into the vibrant, compassionate and creative community we know and love today,” Mayor Casper said. “From the arts and animal welfare to civic engagement and philanthropy, her impact is immeasurable. It’s a true privilege to celebrate her legacy.”

Scheid played a key role in revitalizing downtown Idaho Falls. As the former executive director of the Idaho Falls Arts Council, she helped lead the $4.5 million restoration of the Colonial Theater and the development of the Willard Arts Center. Her efforts also supported the installation of public art, including the well-known art benches throughout downtown. She served on the Downtown Development Corporation board and other civic organizations for many years.

Appointed in 2016 by Mayor Casper to the city’s Civic Center Advisory Committee, Scheid brought decades of expertise and leadership to the group. She was instrumental in guiding the capital campaign for the Frontier Center for the Performing Arts lobby expansion, helping raise $5 million toward the $7.2 million project. Before that, she oversaw fundraising for the Phase 1 renovation of the interior of the Frontier Center, including the installation of new seating.

Scheid’s work extended far beyond the arts. She helped launch Idaho Gives, one of the state’s most successful nonprofit fundraising initiatives, and served on numerous nonprofit boards throughout Idaho. She also helped found the Snake River Animal Shelter and served as a founding board member, helping create a safe space for thousands of animals in need.

She also managed a large email list known as “the Middle” to promote awareness and encourage a commonsense approach to Idaho politics.

Whether through public art, nonprofit advocacy or civic leadership, Carrie Getty Scheid dedicated her time, energy and passion to strengthening the Idaho Falls community.

“Carrie has poured her heart and soul into this city,” Mayor Casper said. “Her leadership has been generous, visionary and steadfast. We are all better because of her, and I was honored to present her with this award.”

Scheid’s husband, Jerry, accepted the Mayor’s Choice Award for Outstanding Community Enrichment on her behalf at the July 31 Idaho Falls City Council meeting.

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Seth Ratliff

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (KIFI) — Firefighters in Yellowstone National Park are actively battling the Ash Fire burning in the park’s remote southwest corner. First detected on Wednesday, July 30, by Yellowstone helitack crews on an aerial reconnaissance mission in the Bechler area, the fire has quickly grown to over 10 acres.

25 personnel have been called to the scene, including U.S. Forest Service smokejumpers and Yellowstone’s dedicated fire crews, all working to contain the blaze. Fire officials suspect the fire was caused by a lightning strike.

To ensure visitor safety and allow firefighters to work unimpeded, several trail and backcountry campsite closures are currently in effect in the impacted area. Visitors planning trips to Yellowstone should consult the park’s official backcountry conditions page for the latest updates on closures and fire activity.

The parkwide fire danger level for Yellowstone is currently “HIGH,” indicating that conditions are ripe for wildfires to ignite easily and spread rapidly, according to the release. With over 350 lightning strikes reported in the park within the last 24 hours, the risk of new fire starts remains significant.

The Ash Fire is one of several wildfires Yellowstone firefighters have responded to since early July. This remains a developing situation, and further updates from Yellowstone National Park will be provided as more information becomes available. Local News 8 will continue to monitor and report on this story.

For more information about current fire activity in Yellowstone, click HERE.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — There was a lot of horsin’ around going on Wednesday morning as cowboys and cowgirls from Champs Heart took to the arena at Sandy Downs for the cutest rodeo in the west. This is the third year that the Champs Heart Rodeo has kicked off the events for the War Bonnet Round-Up, Idaho’s oldest rodeo.

Champ’s heart is an equine-based ministry offering children with limited abilities, veterans of war, and their families the opportunity to feel safe while connecting with horses. 

Over seventy local kids with special needs saddled up to ride to glory in events like pole bending, get the boot, horseshoes, and rope ring toss. They even crowned royalty.

Event organizer Kaylee Wilson says seeing the impact on these kids’ lives gives you so much more meaning. “It’s amazing to see these kids have their lives changed with what we do out here, what the horses do for them… It makes your day every time it’s it’s amazing,” said Wilson.

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News Team

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — Fire managers in the Teton area have increased the fire danger to “very high” for Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the National Elk Refuge, effective today, July 30. This heightened alert comes as conditions across the Teton Interagency Dispatch area are drying out rapidly, creating an environment where fires can easily ignite and spread quickly, according to a recent press release.

Teton Interagency Fire Managers are urging all visitors to these affected areas to “practice heightened fire safety at all times.” Teton Interagency Fire personnel have already extinguished 75 unattended or abandoned campfires this year alone.

“Abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires, and if your campfire sparks a wildfire, you can be held responsible for the cost of putting it out,” stated the recent press release.

Fire Managers are directing all visitors to the affected areas to “practice heightened fire safety at all times.”

What You Can Do to Prevent Wildfires

With the fire danger elevated, the safest course of action is to avoid building campfires altogether. Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly and use layers for warmth instead of relying on a fire.

If you do choose to have a campfire in a permitted area, fire managers ask you to follow these guidelines:

Never leave a campfire unattended or abandoned.

Have a shovel and water bucket on hand.

Use several gallons of water to fully extinguish your campfire.

Drown, stir, feel, and repeat until the ashes are cold to the touch.

Break up charred logs and cover all remains with dirt.

Other considerations

Do not park on tall grass, as that grass can ignite when in contact with a hot vehicle.

If pulling a trailer, ensure your chains are clear of the groun,d as small sparks could start roadside fires.

If you come across an abandoned campfire and it is within your power, please put it out and contact Teton Interagency Dispatch to report its location.

Stay Informed

For the latest fire updates, essential safety tips, and current fire restrictions, visit TetonFires.com. To report smoke or a fire, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center directly at 307-739-3630. Your diligence can help protect our precious natural resources.

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News Release

The following is a News Release by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department:

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — After consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department captured and relocated an adult female grizzly bear on July 29, 2025. 

The grizzly bear was captured in association with conflict management efforts for cattle depredation on the national forest in Fremont County. In cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Targhee National Forest, the grizzly bear was relocated to the Calf Creek drainage approximately one-half mile south of Yellowstone National Park. 

Grizzly bears are relocated in accordance with state and federal law and regulation, and Game and Fish is required to update the public whenever a grizzly bear is relocated.

WHY RELOCATION?

Grizzly bear relocation is a management tool large carnivore biologists use to minimize conflicts between humans and grizzly bears. Bears that are considered a threat to human safety are not relocated. In some cases, a bear may be removed from the population if it cannot be relocated successfully.

Capture is necessary when other deterrents or preventative options are exhausted or unattainable. Once the animal is captured, all circumstances are taken into account when determining if the individual should be relocated. If relocation is warranted, a site is determined by considering the age, sex, and type of conflict the bear was involved in as well as potential human activity nearby.

Grizzly bears are only relocated into the recovery zone or adjacent areas. With any relocation, Game and Fish consults with appropriate agencies to minimize the chance of future conflicts and maximize the relocated grizzly bear’s survival.

HOW THE PUBLIC CAN HELP

Game and Fish continues to stress the importance of the public’s responsibility in bear management and the importance of keeping all attractants such as food, garbage, horse feed, bird seed unavailable to bears. Reducing attractants available to bears reduces human-bear conflicts, and in some cases, relocations.

For more information on grizzly bear management and reducing the potential for conflicts, visit the Bear Wise Wyoming webpage.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Salvation Army Pocatello Corps will set up collection bins at Fred Meyer for donations of school supplies benefitting local families in need; the donation drive will run through August.

Salvation Army ministry leader Bryan Makowski said they are accepting any new or gently used donations of common school supplies, including pens, pencils, notebooks, and corded headphones. The donated supplies will be made available to students in grades K-12 before the start of the new school year.

“Our main goal that the Salvation Army does is we want to let people know that we love them, we care about them, and one of the best ways that we can do that is we can help them with these practical things,” said Makowski. “We see a need, we fill it.”

The donation bins will be installed starting August 1 at Fred Meyer in Pocatello. The bins will be emptied regularly and divided into back-to-school kits for students in need.

For more information, visit the Pocatello Salvation Army website.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Idaho hunters who successfully drew tags for controlled hunts in the Southeast Region have until Friday, August 1, to buy their tags before applications open for the second drawing.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game said tags for controlled hunts of deer, elk, pronghorn, swan, fall black bear, and fall turkey left unclaimed after August 1 will be forfeited and sent to the second drawing pool, which will accept applications starting August 5.

“This is just trying to connect people to the opportunities that are out there,” said Jennifer Jackson, communications manager for Idaho Fish and Game’s Southeast Region. “We don’t want to let those tags go to waste; we want them to be in the hands of hunters that love and appreciate hunting, and love the outdoors, and want to spend time hunting in Idaho, and having these tag sales is one way to do that.”

Results of the second controlled hunt tag drawing will be available August 26. Tags for sandhill crane and sage grouse hunts will also go on sale August 1.

For more information on hunting tag drawings and purchase deadlines, visit the Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game website.

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