Author: KIFI

Sam Ross

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI)– The Old Fort Hall Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, hosted a dedication ceremony for the new ‘Never Forget Garden’ honoring veterans at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Blackfoot on Wednesday.

The Never Forget Garden features a monument, plaque, and landscaping honoring the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The garden is meant as a place of remembrance for missing and unidentified service members from the Revolutionary War to modern day.

The Never Forget Garden is open to the public. It is located at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at 2651 Cromwell Ln in Blackfoot.

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Linda Larsen

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Tomorrow night, Goody’s in Pocatello is hosting an event for a great cause, featuring music and delicious food. Pocatello’s singer-songwriter, Dawson Moon, will kick off the evening with a performance on the Idaho State University (ISU) quad from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

The music continues at Goody’s with an after-party starting at 7:30 PM, hosted by the Southeast Idaho Task Force on Domestic and Sexual Violence. This event will include raffles and other activities, with all proceeds benefiting the Family Services Alliance.

Bannock County Coroner, Torey Danner, a key organizer of the event, says the Task Force on Domestic and Sexual Violence wanted to help raise funds for a fantastic organization that plays a critical role in our community. “The Family Services Alliance is there anytime, day or night, to help people navigate some of the worst circumstances in their lives,” said Danner.

Admission to both events is free. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy Goody’s food, purchase raffle tickets, or make direct donations to the Family Services Alliance to support their work.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A 44-year-old Bonneville County man, Gregory Alan Davis, is now in custody following a violent incident where he allegedly drunkenly assaulted a man and woman with a metal rod. The attack happend in a shed on Tuesday evening, July 8, according to a press release from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.

Just after 6:00 PM, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an urgent 911 call from a home in the 2000 N. block of 5th W. in Idaho Falls. Dispatchers reported hearing cries for help and a man’s voice saying that there was “blood everywhere.”

Upon arrival, deputies discovered the male caller and a woman on the floor, who was bleeding from the head. The woman was taken by Idaho Falls Ambulance to a local hospital, where she received treatment for lacerations and potential head fractures, none of which were life-threatening.

The caller told deputies he had been talking with the woman in a work shed on the property when Davis suddenly entered. Davis then allegedly grabbed the woman by the head and began hitting her. The victim recounted how Davis then attacked him and eventually dragged the woman out of the shed as the victim desperately called 911. During the brutal altercation, Davis reportedly threw pieces of a metal car part at the victims and repeatedly struck the woman with a metal rod. Davis fled the scene before deputies arrived, accordign to the release.

Following a search of the property, Davis was ultimately found attempting to hide in a tree. When deputies commanded him to stop, he reportedly attempted to flee on foot. After a brief struggle, deputies used a taser to subdue Davis and successfully take him into custody.

Davis has been booked into the Bonneville County Jail. He faces serious charges, including two counts of Felony Aggravated Battery and Misdemeanor Resisting Arrest. The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office stated that the investigation is ongoing, and no further information is available at this time.

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News Release

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

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Pocatello, in partnership with the Southeast Idaho Skate Park Association, is excited to announce the grand opening of Optimist Skate Park, a state-of-the-art facility designed for skaters of all ages and skill levels. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Friday, July 25 at 12:15 p.m., at the skate park located at 972 N. 7th Avenue.

The new skate park spans approximately 7,000-8,000 square feet and includes a variety of features like ramps, stairs, ledges, rails, and a 41-foot-long bowl that is six feet deep at one end. The skate park offers a safe, welcoming space for youth and adults alike. The project was funded through American Rescue Plan Act funding and a $25,000 donation made by the Southeast Idaho Skate Park Association. A memorial honoring Chevy Nichols, a beloved local skateboard enthusiast, will also be unveiled during the celebration.

“We are thrilled to get this skate park open and celebrate with our friends at the Southeast Idaho Skate Park Association, the Nichols family, and so many others who helped make this park possible,” said Anne Butler, Parks & Recreation Director. 

For more information on the City of Pocatello Parks & Recreation Department, visit  pocatello.gov/pr.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls community is mourning the loss of Bruce Turner, a prominent 72-year-old resident who passed away unexpectedly as a result of a car accident on June 29. Turner was well-known for his dedicated service to the community, including his time as former president of the Rotary Club of Idaho Falls and as a Precinct Committee Officer for the Bonneville County Republican Party.

Since his passing, several local organizations have stepped forward to honor his memory and support his family.

Crash Details

According to the Idaho State Police, Turner and his 72-year-old wife, Barbara, were traveling eastbound on I-86 in a 2001 Ford Explorer when their vehicle, driven by a 35-year-old Nigerian man, overcorrected and rolled into the median. Both Bruce and Barbara were transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Sadly, Bruce Turner succumbed to his injuries, with his death confirmed by the Bannock County Coroner’s Office on Wednesday, July 2nd.

Related: Prominent Idaho Falls figure dies after rollover crash

Community Support for Barbara Turner and Family

In the wake of this tragic accident, which also critically injured his wife, Barbara, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church has established the “Bruce and Barbara Turner Fund” to provide much-needed assistance.

“Monetary donations would be especially helpful to pay for food, lodging, gas, and other essentials since the Turners’ two sons are displaced as they take care of Barbara,” St. Luke’s said on Facebook.

How to Contribute:

Checks can be made out to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, with “Bruce and Barbara Turner Fund” in the memo.

Online donations can be made by clicking HERE and selecting the Turner Family Emergency Fund.

The Bonneville County Republican Central Committee (BCRCC) will also pay tribute to Bruce Turner’s life at their monthly meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 10th, at 7 PM at the Snake River Event Center.

“We will be collecting funds at our meeting tomorrow and donate as an organization as well,” the BCRCC stated in an email to Local News 8, highlighting their collective support for the Turner family.

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Ariel Jensen

UPDATE: The Rexburg Police Department has outgrown its building and is relying on a bond approval to secure a new location to better serve the community. 

This evening, July 10th, the Police Department opened its doors to the public.

Community members got a chance to check out the building and see firsthand the environment police are working.  

On the tour, people learn of the history the building faced. Including flooding in their evidence room, ceiling tiles falling apart in the lobby, and issues with getting water.

The city is growing, and so is the police department.

The building is no longer able to support the space needed to best serve its community.

The police department wants to educate the public on what is needed to keep the community safe.

“The big takeaway is we want them to see what we could do as we continue to grow. As the city continues to grow, to provide safety and to have a department where we can provide them with all the resources,” said Josh Rhodes, Chief of the Rexburg Police Department. 

It’s very rare that the department allows people to view their facility, but they plan to host another open house in August. 

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Getting a new building for the Rexburg Police Department is in the works, but it will need the community’s support. The City of Rexburg and the Rexburg Police Department are actively exploring options to construct a new station to replace their existing facility.

In the last few years, the City has been setting aside funds for this project.

The city says following discussions with project consultants, it has become clear that the current savings will not fully cover the total cost of construction.

The City will need voter approval of a bond, which requires a super-majority (66.67%) vote in a Rexburg city election.  

In the coming months, they will share additional information, including preliminary concepts and police department statistics.

They will be working to place this bond measure on the November 2025 ballot.

A location for the new police station has been decided by the mayor and city council leaders, and they are now under contract to purchase land for a new building.  

The location they found is just off Pioneer Road near Highway 20.

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News Team

POWER COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — After a three-year investigation, law enforcement officials in Power County, in partnership with the Idaho State Police (ISP) and multiple other state, local, and federal agencies, have successfully identified human remains discovered in the Fort Hall River bottoms as those of Lesiah Olivia Pickett of Spokane, Washington, a woman last seen in 2019.

Discovery and Initial Investigation

The investigation began on July 30, 2022, when a fisherman discovered a human skull along the Fort Hall River in Power County. The following day, investigators from the Fort Hall Police Department, the FBI’s Pocatello Office, and the Power County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene. Despite a thorough search, no additional remains or signs of trauma were found at that time.

Police say the skull was then transferred to the Ada County Coroner’s Office for examination and later submitted to the FBI Lab for DNA and anthropological analysis.

Breakthrough in the Investigation

The case remained cold until the ISP Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Team, a specialized working group within the ISP Forensic Services Division, contacted the Power County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) and offered assistance in identifying the remains.

In May 2025, the skull’s information was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), and a bulletin was distributed to law enforcement agencies across surrounding states. Through coordination between ISP SAKI, NamUs, and forensic odontologists (dental experts), investigators identified two possible matches. Police say one was ruled out by DNA comparison, while the second was confirmed through a comparison of dental records within the NamUs database.

On June 26, 2025, NamUs officially confirmed that the remains belonged to Pickett, who had been reported missing since late 2019. Pickett was last seen in American Falls, Idaho, on October 4, 2019, and later in the Pocatello area on October 20, 2019. Police say she was known to be transient and had been in Ogden, Utah, in September 2019. Her family has been notified of this identification.

Lesiah Olivia Pickett, Courtesy Idaho State Police

A call for public assistance

“This identification reflects the power of teamwork, science, and tenacity,” stated Sheriff Joshua Campbell, Power County. “We are grateful to have worked alongside our local and federal partners to bring some measure of peace to Ms. Pickett’s family. Cold cases take time, trust, and collaboration, which are all in this case.”

Colonel Bill Gardiner, Director of ISP, echoed these sentiments, adding, “Behind every unidentified person is a family searching for answers, and behind every investigation like this is a team who refuses to give up. This case is a testament to what dedicated investigators and forensic professionals can accomplish when they work together across agencies and jurisdictions. We’re grateful to have played a part in giving Ms. Pickett her name back and bringing her family the answers they’ve long deserved.”

Lesiah Olivia Pickett, Courtesy Idaho State Police

Investigators are now seeking the public’s help to piece together Pickett’s last known movements. If you saw Lesiah Olivia Pickett after October 20, 2019, or possess any information about places she may have stayed, particularly in southeast Idaho or the surrounding areas, please contact the Power County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 226-2311.

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News Release

The following is a press release from Eastern Idaho State Fair:

Blackfoot, ID – July 2025 – The Eastern Idaho State Fair is proud to announce Gene and Marietta Womack as the 2025 Grand Marshals. Known for their selfless service and unwavering community spirit, the Womacks have been selected to lead this year’s festivities in recognition of their decades-long dedication to the fair, their fellow veterans, and their hometown of Blackfoot.

This honor marks a moment in fair history—selecting a duo whose partnership in service is as strong as their bond in life. From military deployments to local traditions, Gene and Marietta have quietly shaped the character of the fair through years of behind-the-scenes work—particularly in the American Legion Beer Garden, where they’ve fostered a space full of warmth, welcome, and camaraderie.

Gene’s journey of service began during the Korean War era, enlisting in the National Guard while still in high school. Over the next 26 years, he served in the Army Reserves, Navy Seabees, and again in the Reserves—building bridges, training troops, and forming an Honor Guard at the American Legion Stewart Hoover Post to honor fallen veterans.

By his side through it all, Marietta balanced family life with steadfast support, standing strong during deployments, career changes, and countless volunteer hours. Together, they’ve become pillars of the fair’s American Legion presence—creating not just a spot to relax, but a lasting symbol of community pride.

“Gene and Marietta represent everything the fair is about—hard work, heart, and homegrown values,” said Brandon Bird, General Manager of the Eastern Idaho State Fair. “They don’t seek the spotlight, but they deserve it. Honoring them as Grand Marshals is our way of saying thank you for years of quiet dedication.”

Gene and Marietta will lead the Grand Parade this September and take their place at the forefront of the 2025 Fair—reminding us all that the soul of the fair lies not in the midway, but in the people who make it matter.

For more information about the Eastern Idaho State Fair and upcoming events, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

UPDATE:

RUPERT, Idaho (KIFI) — 56-year-old Benjamin Roy Naylor of Burley is now in custody, facing four counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of four individuals across Cassia and Minidoka Counties. His arrest on July 8, 2025, followed a rapid, multi-agency investigation that unfolded over several hours.

The investigation began Tuesday afternoon when officers, responding to a 911 call in Rupert, found the body of a woman inside a home. She was described as “cold to the touch,” according to a press release by the Cassia and Minidoka County Sheriff’s Offices. Within hours, two more victims were located in Cassia County, and the fourth victim was later found in a vehicle in Minidoka County.

Naylor was apprehended on July 8, 2025, during a traffic stop conducted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Idaho State Police. The arrest followed a coordinated investigation among the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office, Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office, and Rupert Police Department.

“This arrest represents the collaborative effort of multiple law enforcement agencies working together to ensure public safety,” stated Cassia County Prosecuting Attorney McCord Larsen. “We are grateful for the swift response and professional work of all officers involved.”

Naylor appeared in court today and has been ordered held without bond. A state public defender has been appointed to represent him in both counties. Preliminary hearings have been set: for Cassia County on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 9:00 AM, and for Minidoka County on July 23, 2025, at 1:30 PM.

Minidoka County Prosecuting Attorney Lance Stevenson emphasized the commitment of both offices to pursuing justice. “Our offices are committed to working together to seek justice for the victims and their families,” he said. “This partnership ensures that we can provide the resources and expertise necessary to handle a case of this magnitude.”

In a press release, both prosecutors urged the public to allow the legal process to proceed without interference. We ask the public to refrain from spreading unverified information about this case,” Larsen cautioned. “Such speculation can harm the investigation and potentially impact the defendant’s right to a fair trial.”

The extensive investigation involved numerous law enforcement agencies, including the Rupert Police Department, Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office, Cassia County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Heyburn Police Department, Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho State Police.

UPDATE:

RUPERT, Idaho (KIFI) — A 56-year-old Burley man, Ben Naylor, has been taken into custody in connection with the murders of four people in Cassia and Minidoka Counties, according to a press release from Cassia and Minidoka Counties. Naylor was arrested last night, July 8, as part of a joint investigation between the Cassia and Minidoka County Sheriff’s Offices, along with the Heyburn and Rupert Police Departments.

The investigation began Tuesday afternoon, when officers responding to a 911 call discovered the body of a woman inside a Rupert home, “cold to the touch.” Within hours, two additional victims were discovered in Cassia County, and a fourth victim was later found in a vehicle in Minidoka County.

Idaho State Police and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office apprehended Naylor Tuesday night.

Authorities believe Naylor acted alone and have stated there is no ongoing threat to the public. In a press release, officials acknowledged the significant public interest in the case but urged patience to preserve the integrity of future judicial proceedings. They committed to providing more information as it becomes available.

“We offer our deepest sympathies to the victim’s families during this profoundly difficult time,” stated the release.

ORIGINAL:

MINIDOKA COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Law enforcement officials in Minidoka County have apprehended a suspect as part of an ongoing investigation into the death of a Rupert woman on July 8.

Emergency services were dispatched to 1024 F Street after receiving a report of a woman found unresponsive and “cold to the touch.” Upon arrival, emergency personnel quickly determined the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death were suspicious. Rupert Police Chief Jeff McEwen stated in a Facebook post that investigators were immediately called to the scene and are actively “conducting an investigation into the circumstances that were discovered.”

The Cassia County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a similar case, and Chief McEwen confirmed that Rupert Police Department officers are actively collaborating with Cassia County detectives.

The Cassia County Sheriff’s Office with the Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office confirmed via Facebook that a suspect has been taken into custody. The Rupert Police Department later confirmed that a suspect is in custody in their investigation. While it remains unconfirmed if the suspect is the same individual for both agencies, Chief McEwen’s statement could indicate a joint investigation between the departments.

Chief McEwen announced that additional information regarding the investigation will be released later on Wednesday.

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Curtis Jackson

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) – Jackson residents can once again water their lawns now the a well has been repaired.

On Friday, July 4, the Town of Jackson asked people to pause or reduce their irrigation when one of the wells on the west side experienced issues. City crews had to wait for parts to get the well running again.

Public works staff said reducing irrigation would be a simple solution to the demand on the system.

They said they are working on increasing water capacity and storage in West Jackson by constructing two new wells and piping along High School Road to address increasing demand.

On Wednesday, July 9, the city said the well is back online. “The community’s participation resulted in a 40% reduction in water use,” they said in a news release.

The town also suggested the following in conserving water, as water is not a endless resource. : •    Raise mowing blades to 3-4 inches to improve water retention •    Consider watering 4 days a week or only on odd or even days  •    Change to weather-based irrigation systems with sensors •    Plant native plants that require less watering •    Don’t water on rainy days   

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