Author: KIFI

Maggie Moore

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Rotary Club is making waves as they gear up for the annual Great Snake River Greenbelt Duck Race. On Wednesday, the club officially launched its yearly fundraiser, giving the community an exciting sneak peek at this year’s prizes.

This year’s event promises high-flying thrills with a World War II military “warbirds” flyover, alongside speedboat races and an escort down to the greenbelt.

The grand prize is a 2025 Kia K4, while the first prize offers a 2025 4-wheeler ATV, generously provided by Idaho Central Credit Union.

“Over the past 33 years, the Idaho Falls Rotary Club has raised more than $7 million through duck adoptions, with matched funds by the City of Idaho Falls. After event expenses, all of the remaining funds go into making improvements along the River Walk/Greenbelt,” said the rotary club.

For the past nine years, the funds have gone toward the development of the city’s newest park along the River Walk – Heritage Park.

The Rotary Club is quacking with ambition this year, aiming to sell a whopping 30,000 ducks to support these community improvements. To adopt a duck, click HERE.

Click here to follow the original article.

News Release

The following is a press release from the City of Pocatello:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Pocatello Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), in coordination with the Friends of the Brady Chapel, will be hosting the Brady Chapel Memorial Day Open House Monday, May 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery.

A special presentation will take place at noon, highlighting the historical significance of the Chapel and ongoing preservation efforts.

“The Brady Chapel has been a part of the Pocatello community for over a century,” said Jim Anglesey, City of Pocatello Long-Range Planner and staff liaison to the HPC. “The open house gives the community a chance to celebrate Pocatello’s history, explore the Chapel’s significance, and learn about the efforts underway to preserve this historic landmark.”

In 2024, the City received funding to initiate Phase I of the Chapel’s restoration, which included cleaning and repainting the limestone exterior and installing reconstructed pinnacles. The HPC and Friends of the Brady Chapel continue to raise funds for future restoration phases. These improvements include exterior repairs to the roof, windows, and doors, along with interior restoration such as masonry repairs, pew and woodwork refinishing, updated flooring, enhanced ADA accessibility, and the addition of climate control systems to help reduce humidity and protect historic materials.

“Community support is vital to preserving the Brady Chapel,” said Anglesey. “Our hope is that, through these restoration efforts, the Chapel will be available for more frequent use and allow future generations to enjoy its historic value.”

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the policy of the City of Pocatello to offer its public programs, services, and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.  If you are disabled and require an accommodation, please contact Skyler Beebe with two (2) business days’ advance notice at sbeebe@pocatello.gov; 208.234.6248; or 5815 South 5th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho.  Advance notification within this guideline will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility.

Click here to follow the original article.

Stephanie Lucas

UPDATE:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Funland in Idaho Falls kicked off its 2025 season May 23, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

Located next to the Idaho Falls zoo at Tautphaus Park, Funland has classic rides geared towards kids and fun for all ages.

“Funland adds something extra special to a day in Tautphaus Park or your zoo experience,” said PJ Holm, Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Director. “It’s the perfect way to end a day of animal adventures by enjoying a few rides, sharing some treats, and making more memories together.”

This is the second year the park has been open since its restoration, and loyal fans have been waiting months to come back.

“We weren’t too surprised being the first people here this season because she has been waiting all season long to come to Funland,” said mother and daughter Kaitlin and Stella Miklos. “Every time we’ve driven by or come to the zoo…she points to Funland and wants to come. And I have to tell her it’s not open until Memorial Day weekend.”

Funland will be open Mondays from noon to 8 p.m. and Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will remain open through Labor Day weekend before closing for the season. The park is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

For more information about Funland, ticket prices, and ride details, click HERE.

ORIGINAL:

The following is a news release from the City of Idaho Falls:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Funland at the Zoo opens for the season on Friday, May 23, inviting visitors to extend their trip to the Idaho Falls Zoo with classic rides, snacks and family fun.

Located just steps from the Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, Funland offers a unique opportunity to turn a zoo visit into a full afternoon of excitement. Whether you’re flying high on the Octopus, taking a leisurely ride on the carousel or enjoying a snack around the original log hut, Funland makes it easy to keep the good times going.

“Funland adds something extra special to a day in Tautphaus Park or your zoo experience,” said PJ Holm, Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Director. “It’s the perfect way to end a day of animal adventures by enjoying a few rides, sharing some treats, and making more memories together.”

Funland will be open Mondays from noon to 8 p.m. and Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will remain open through Labor Day weekend before closing for the season. The park is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

“We’re excited to welcome visitors back to Funland for the summer season,” Holm said. “Whether it’s your first visit or a family tradition, we can’t wait to see the park filled with laughter and fun all summer long.”

Funland at the Zoo was professionally restored by trained experts and the City of Idaho Falls and reopened in August 2023. This historic community treasure, part of Idaho Falls since 1947, will be welcoming visitors for its second summer season since restoration, offering the community and visitors the chance to enjoy its nostalgic charm all season long.

For more information about Funland, ticket prices and ride details, click HERE.

Click here to follow the original article.

News Team

BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Local law enforcement officers and deputies are lacing up their running shoes for a cause: the annual Special Olympics Idaho Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). The inspiring event kicks off the countdown to the 2025 State Summer Games, where athletes from across Idaho will gather in Nampa from June 6th to 7th to compete in basketball, flag football, track & field, cycling, and aquatics.

In the weeks leading up to the Games, public safety officials from around the Gem State will carry the “Flame of Hope” through various Idaho communities. This symbolic journey isn’t just about covering miles; it’s about “raising awareness for the inclusion and empowerment of individuals with intellectual disabilities,” a core mission of Special Olympics Idaho.

Here in our neck of the woods, you’ll have the chance to witness this powerful display of community support. Local law enforcement officers are set to carry the torch through the Bonneville County area next Tuesday, May 27th, starting at The Waterfront at 2:00 PM and concluding at Teton Toyota off Sunnyside Road.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police, Idaho Falls Fire Department, and Idaho Falls Police Department are all participating and are inviting the public to gather at Teton Toyota to give the runners a warm Eastern Idaho welcome as they arrive.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas, as a way for local law enforcement to support Special Olympics athletes. Since then, it has grown into a global movement, with over 100,000 officers participating annually. This commitment has made a real impact, with LETR raising over $1 billion for Special Olympics programs worldwide.

“We are proud to be part of this movement and honored to support the incredible athletes of Special Olympics Idaho,” said Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue, who also serves as the Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Idaho. “Carrying the Flame of Hope is a symbol of our commitment to inclusion, respect, and community.”

The cross-state torch relay will culminate in the Opening Ceremony of the State Summer Games at Nampa High School on Friday, June 6th, at 6:00 PM.

To track the

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A Rexburg man is facing several charges after police say he crashed his car into two separate vehicles while allegedly under the influence of a “cocktail” of prescription drugs. The incident, detailed in a Rexburg Police Department Facebook post, began around 10 p.m. when officers responded to a crash near North 2nd West.

After arriving on the scene, police found the man’s car haphazardly parked diagonally across a sidewalk. Police captured the botched parking job in the gallery of photos below.

Rexburg Police Department

Rexburg Police Department

“This is not a parking method endorsed by Rexburg PD,” the department quipped on social media.

The driver, according to police, was “shocked” to find his vehicle wasn’t perfectly parallel parked and claimed he hadn’t noticed hitting another car hard enough to damage his tire.

The investigation quickly uncovered an even stranger story. The driver had reportedly just come from another location where he’d already crashed into a friend’s car. He was then trying to find his friend’s house when he collided with a second vehicle while attempting to park. This second car, ironically, belonged to the sibling of the friend whose vehicle he’d just hit.

“Yes, that’s right. He crashed into two different vehicles, belonging to siblings,” the police sarcastically remarked in the post.

With the assistance of a drug recognition expert, the officers determined the driver was under the influence of a “cocktail” of prescription drugs. According to the post, the officers were tipped off by the man’s slow and delayed answers and the fact that he had marker scribbled on his face.

Further investigation revealed the driver’s license was suspended, and he was unable to provide vehicle registration or proof of insurance. Police also found several firearms and open containers of alcohol in the vehicle.

The unnamed driver now faces charges including DUI, carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence, possession of open containers of alcohol, and driving without privileges.

Click here to follow the original article.

Curtis Jackson

UPDATE:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — The name of the 47-year-old pedestrian killed in Tuesday’s minivan accident has been released. Bingham County Coroner James Roberts has identified the man as Chase Adams of Blackfoot, Idaho.

According to the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, Adams died from his injuries after he was hit by a minivan driven by a juvenile boy.

The incident happened near 100 W and Mitchell Road (50 S). Deputies say a man stopped and performed CPR, and Adams was taken to Bingham Memorial Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

The incident is still under investigation.

ORIGINAL:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) – The Bingham County Sheriff’s Office said a pedestrian died from injuries after he was hit by a minivan.

The sheriff’s office said the accident happened around 6:45 p.m. in the area of 100 W and Mitchell Road (50 S). They said the minivan was driven by a juvenile boy when it struck a 47-year-old man on foot.

A man stopped and performed CPR, and was taken to Bingham Memorial Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

The sheriff’s office continues to investigate the accident.

Click here to follow the original article.

Curtis Jackson

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) – Voters in the Shelley School District said no to building a new high school.

63 percent of voters were against the $78,640,000 bond. If it passed, it would have buildt a new high school, construct a new career technical education buildng and a new auditorium along with renovating and improving other school facilities in the district.

The proposed bond would cost taxpayers $423 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year.

View the election results for other races here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– School is almost out for summer, and working parents are looking for child care services to maintain their daily schedule. But for many parents, finding a daycare that fits their specific needs proves a challenge.

However, with state law cracking down on financial regulations and child-to-staff ratios, both parents and daycares are coping with struggles.

Parents frequently say the high cost of daycare is a major hurdle. Meanwhile, daycares are experiencing significant staff turnover due to low wages.

Jayden Reinhart, manager at NiNi Daycare, explains, “The way that the state does funding for child care, it’s getting a little bit more difficult to get I.C.C.P.s (The Idaho Child Care Program) stuff like that. So it makes it more expensive for them [parents] to be able to bring their child to daycare, which makes less parents be able to work and less income for the family in total.”

Several daycares have noted that families with multiple children face the most significant difficulties in securing adequate childcare.

Click here to follow the original article.

Seth Ratliff

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the City of Troy, Idaho, alleging that the city violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by denying a conditional use permit (CUP) to a small evangelical church. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, claims the city’s decision was influenced by bias against the church’s beliefs.

The church in question, Christ Church, is a Moscow-based fundamentalist congregation founded by Doug Wilson, whom the Idaho Capital Sun has identified as a prominent figure in the Christian Nationalist movement. According to the lawsuit, Christ Church had outgrown its previous worship space and was unable to find suitable rental alternatives. In March 2023, the church sought a CUP to hold weekly services at the Ye Olde Bank Event Center on Main Street in Troy.

The Ye Olde Bank Event Center is owned by a member of the Christ Church congregation, as reported by the Moscow-Pullman Daily News. The building is located within the City’s C-1 zoning district, which permits non-religious assembly uses such as clubs, museums, auditoriums, and art galleries.

The lawsuit asserts that Troy residents largely opposed the church’s CUP application, with “many of their written and verbal comments reflected animus against Christ Church’s beliefs.” While residents at a January 2023 meeting cited concerns about parking, downtown traffic, and limited commercial tax revenue, the lawsuit specifically alleges that the City Council, in its March denial of the CUP, pointed to significant public opposition.

The Moscow-Pullman Daily News reported that the council also echoed fears about parking and the potential impact on commercial growth in downtown Troy, noting that Idaho code prohibits businesses selling liquor by the drink within 300 feet of a church.

However, the DOJ’s complaint highlights that the City’s denial explicitly cited the fact that the public was “heavily against” the permit and that the “great majority of the city residents” opposed granting it.

“RLUIPA unequivocally forbids local governments from deciding zoning matters based on their dislike of certain religious groups,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will not hesitate to file suit against jurisdictions that discriminate in land use matters on the basis of the applicants’ religious beliefs.”

The lawsuit contends that the City’s denial of the CUP placed an undue burden on Christ Church and was motivated by discriminatory attitudes within the community. It further argues that Troy’s zoning code treats religious assembly differently and less favorably than non-religious assembly.

In 2023, Troy City Attorney Todd Richardson posted a letter on the Troy City Hall Facebook page, acknowledging the city’s voluntary cooperation with the DOJ. The Moscow-Pullman Daily News initially reported that Richardson’s letter noted the presence of at least five religious denominations already holding services in Troy, none of which are located in the central business zone (approximately two blocks on Main Street).

For more information on RLUIPA, click HERE.

Click here to follow the original article.

News Team

UPDATE:

McCammon, Idaho (KIFI)— The Department of Environmental Quality has given the all clear to lift the boil order affecting residents in McCammon. The move comes after yesterday’s water samples returned with satisfactory results, according to the city of McCammon Facebook page.

UPDATE:

McCammon, Idaho (KIFI)— Residents in McCammon remain under a boil order for at least the next twenty hours after yesterday’s water samples returned unsatisfactory results this morning.

Water services have been restored since the critical well pump malfunction Tuesday, but residents are still strictly advised not to drink tap water without boiling it first.

The city’s order specifies: “Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.”

ORIGINAL:

McCammon, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of McCammon has issued a mandatory 36-hour boil order for all homes within city limits after a critical well pump malfunction during a water main replacement project led to a significant loss of water pressure.

Work on the city’s water system improvement project began Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 7:00 AM, with crews replacing a critical water main. However, according to an urgent update posted on the City of McCammon’s official Facebook page, the well has unexpectedly gone down, and currently, the entire city is without water.

“They are actively working to get it back online,” city officials stated in the Facebook post. “Once the well pump is repaired, the entire city will be on a boil order,” added the city officials in an email to the press.

While city officials anticipate water service to be restored tonight around 7:00 PM, the boil order will remain in effect until at least 5:00 PM on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, when results from water quality tests are expected to confirm the water is safe for consumption.

Boil Water Instructions and Health Risks:

Residents are strictly advised not to drink tap water without boiling it first once service is restored. The city’s order specifies: “Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.”

The presence of low water pressure or a well pump failure can introduce harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, into the water system. E. coli bacteria are indicators of potential contamination with human or animal waste. Ingesting contaminated water can lead to short-term health effects such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and headaches. Infants, young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of more severe illness.

It’s important to note that these symptoms can have other causes. If you experience persistent symptoms, it is advisable to seek medical attention. Individuals with increased health risks should consult their healthcare providers.

Further updates regarding the water situation will be posted on the City of McCammon’s official website: HERE.

Click here to follow the original article.