Author: KIFI

News Release

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.: Idaho Falls Police said Donna Coleman was found safe.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The following is a news release from the Idaho Falls Police Department:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (News Release)— The Idaho Falls Police Department is searching for a missing, possibly runaway juvenile, Donna Coleman. Donna is 15 years old and was last seen yesterday, May 29, 2025, around 5:30 p.m. She is a white female, approximately 5′ 9″ and 100 pounds, with hazel eyes, and brown hair with blonde highlights. 

Anyone with information about Donna’s whereabouts is asked to call Idaho Falls Police dispatch at (208)529-1200.

Donna Coleman, 15

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News Release

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

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)—The City of Pocatello invites community members to an upcoming open house to learn more about the North Portneuf Crossing Project, a major infrastructure effort aimed at improving safety, mobility, and connectivity in the area.

Significant improvements are planned for the intersection of North Kraft Road and North Main Extension, including the installation of a traffic signal, extension of Foothill Boulevard, and numerous enhancements for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit users.

Project highlights include:

Traffic signal installation at North Kraft Road and North Main Extension

Extension of Foothill Boulevard to Kraft Road and cul-de-sac at the end of Gathe Drive

Bicycle and pedestrian improvements

A paved trail on the north side of the Portneuf River with a pedestrian bridge over Pocatello Creek

A new Pocatello Regional Transit bus stop

Stormwater system upgrades

New medians, sidewalks, and crosswalks

Planning for a paved trail at the Pacific Steel & Recycling trailhead

The City of Pocatello was awarded a competitive $7,750,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to support these major safety and infrastructure improvements. The open house is part of phase I of the project which will complete environmental work and preliminary design plans. Community input gathered during this phase will help shape the final plans before the project moves into the design-build stage.

Open House information:

Date: June 10, 2025

Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Location: Water Department Main Office, 1889 N. Arthur Ave, Pocatello, ID 83204

Residents are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and provide feedback on the project. For more information, visit: north-portneuf-crossing-pocatello.hub.arcgis.com/.

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—Three families were displaced Thursday night after a structure fire broke out near Lomax and the 100 block of Higbee Avenue.

According to the Idaho Falls Fire Department, the fire started in the kitchen of a main floor apartment and quickly spread to the unit above.

The basement apartment suffered smoke and water damage.

No injuries were reported, but the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

The fire was reported at 9:13 p.m. on May 29, 2025.

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Maggie Moore

Rexburg, IDAHO (KIFI) – Ballet Etude is taking flight in its performance of Peter Pan. The ballet is happening at the Romance Theater on Friday, May 30 at 6 p.m. and Saturday May 31 at 1 p.m.

With a cast of over 80 dancers, the show takes the audience through Peter Pan’s adventures through Neverland. It’s a family friendly show, and children 5 and under get in free.

Tickets are available here.

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Maggie Moore

Idaho Falls, IDAHO (KIFI) – Mrs. Idaho winner Megan Bartschi stopped by the Local News 8 studio to talk about her title, platform, and competing in the Mrs. America contest. You can follow her journey here.

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Linda Larsen

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Victor Perez was shot nine times by Pocatello police officers on April 5 just seconds after arriving on scene. He later died from those injuries. Lawyers representing his family are argue the fatal shooting of the disabled teen by Pocatello Police was a preventable tragedy, saying the officers were aware of the 17-year-old’s autism diagnosis, significant mental health struggles and physical disabilities.

The new development comes after a Local News 8 investigation broke the news that Pocatello Police had previously interacted with Victor Perez on two separate occasions before the April 5th shooting that led to his death.

According to Attorney James Cook, the situation demanded a different police response — one that strategically leveraged time, distance, and communication to de-escalate the incident.

“Not a lot of time passed between when the officers showed up and Victor Perez was shot and ultimately fatally. So that’s one thing,” said Cook. “Two, Distance: if I look at it, the police officers were on one side of the fence, and Victor Perez was on the other side. Detractors will say he was holding a knife, but realistically, he was quite a ways away from the officers. So, you know, there were opportunities, I would say, to create distance.”

The first recorded interaction between officers and the Perez family occurred on Dec. 2 of 2024. According to the report filed by Officer T. Anderson, the police were called to the Perez home after Victor had pinned his mother to the ground by her hair. Officers were able to de-escalate the situation, convincing Victor to release his mother; she did not press charges.

Then, on Feb. 25 of this year, less than two months before the shooting, police were called to the home once again. This time, Victor’s grandfather Luis Armando Alicia told Officer Forburger of the Pocatello Police Department that the family was struggling to control the teen.

Officer Forburger observed that Victor appeared to be nonverbal, autistic, and according to the family, he’d been acting out in school.

Cook says both incidents show clear signs of mental health issues.

“We believe that the police had noticed that Victor Perez was suffering from, you know, having a mental health crisis,” Cook said. “We say that because, in one of the documents, they actually identify him as an autistic juvenile.”

Pocatello Police are not commenting on the case because of the ongoing investigation.

Attorneys for Perez have set up a conference in Fort Hall on June 27 and 28, where people can voice their concerns and comments about this or other interactions with the police departments throughout the state. For more information, click HERE.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the City of Pocatello.

POCATELLO, Idaho (News Release) — Construction is scheduled to begin the second week of June on the East Oak Street Child Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project, located in front of Greenacres Elementary School at the intersection of East Oak Street and Hyde Avenue.

The project is designed to enhance pedestrian safety for children in the area by upgrading key infrastructure near the school. Work will take place along East Oak Street, between Hyde Avenue and North 15th Avenue. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the construction process.

Project improvements include:

Removal and replacement of asphalt roadway and Greenacres Elementary parking lot

Sidewalk removal and installation of new sidewalks

Installation of new curb, gutter, and bulb-outs

Addition of curb ramps and driveway access

Installation of a rectangular rapid flashing beacon, pedestrian crossing signs, and pavement markings

This project is made possible through the Child Pedestrian Safety Grant Program, which provides funding to improve safety for children walking and biking, particularly around school zones. The City of Pocatello received $250,000 in state funding for the project. The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council is administering the grant with funds allocated by the Idaho State Legislature.

While some disruptions are expected, crews will work to reduce impacts and maintain safe access for students and pedestrians throughout the project. Construction is anticipated to wrap up by the end of summer 2025.

For questions or updates regarding the project, please contact the City of Pocatello Engineering Department at 208-234-6225.

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — With summer coming up, many people are anxious to get outside and make improvements to their homes and yards. Some want to put up new fences or even buildings. It turns out, you need permits from the city to build these things.

The City of Idaho Falls says the permits are necessary to make sure new structures don’t block visibility for drivers or become fire hazards.

A fence permit in Idaho Falls costs only $5, but permits to build decks, patios, or install solar panels will cost more.

“All these different things will have a little bit of a different fee because some of the size and the scopes of the projects are different,” said City of Idaho Falls Public Information Officer, Kimberly Felker.

Felker says something like a roof or fencing permit can take around two to three business days to be approved, while a bigger project like a deck or shed can take about five to 10 business days for approval.

More information on how to apply for a building permit can be found here.

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—Drivers in Idaho Falls should avoid S. Utah Ave. this Sunday, June 1, because it will be closed near Pancheri Drive.

Crews will be relocating a traffic light on the corner.

The closure will affect South Utah Avenue coming off of Pancheri Drive. See map above.

The closure starts at 7 a.m. and will reopen by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, according to Jerry Miller, the project manager with Wheeler Electric.

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Seth Ratliff

UPDATE:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Over 5,000 caped and casual crusaders swarmed the Elks Lodge in Idaho Falls for the final day of RetroX on Saturday, marking their largest attendance yet in the convention’s short three-year history.

The convention delivered on its promise of something for every generation, with fans getting the chance to meet WWE legend The Honky Tonk Man and Dickey Beer, the man who brought Boba Fett to life in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Fans also brushed shoulders with famous voice actors Sean Chiplock and Ryan Bartley, known for their work in Re: ZERO, plus visual artist and the mind behind Hogwarts Legacy’s story, Adrian Ropp.

While hundreds of dollars were awarded in Saturday’s cosplay contest, the true heroes, costumed or casual, were the attendees who donated to the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket. They collected fourteen large boxes, totaling over 700 pounds of canned goods – a whopping 150 pounds more than last year – to help those in need.

ORIGINAL:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Get ready, Southeast Idaho! Idaho Falls RetroX, presented by Superfly Productions LLC, the highly anticipated Comic Con-style event, is returning to the Elks Lodge June 20-21, promising an immersive and unforgettable experience for fans of all ages.

Last year’s event drew in 4,400 guests in just two days, doubling the attendance from the first year. This year, event planner Brandon Kimball says the production company has increased radio presence and purchased two billboards to reach more people.

“All we can hope is people had fun and everyone that came last years returns with a friend.  We are planning for 6,000 attendees, but hoping for more,” said Kimball.

Building on the runaway success of its first two years, this year’s RetroX is set to be the biggest yet, boasting over 70 vendors from across the intermountain west, exciting new attractions, and a star-studded guest lineup including voice actors from the worlds of anime and videogames, WWE legends, and guests from a galaxy far far away.

Special Guests include:

Dickey Beer (all the way from the Netherlands): A true Star Wars legend! Meet the actor and stuntman who donned the iconic Boba Fett armor in the 1983 classic Return of the Jedi. Dickey Beer performed as Fett in the thrilling action scenes at the battle of the Sarlacc, bringing the fan-favorite bounty hunter to life.

The Honky Tonk Man: World Famous WWF wrestling legend from 1986-1991. He was also the WWE Intercontinental Champion for a reign of 454 days, the second longest in the history of the title until it was broken in 2023. WWE Hall of Fame 2019 Inductee.

Ryan Bartley: A prolific voice actress with an impressive 157 roles across 111 titles. Her extensive credits include beloved anime series and video games such as Pokémon, Shimmer and Shine, Ram in Re: ZERO, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Demon Slayer, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Sonic Frontiers, Mini Stay-Puft in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Pompompurin in Hello Kitty, and many more!

Sean Chiplock: A versatile voice actor with over 206 credits from more than 133 games and titles. Fans will recognize his voice from popular titles like Poppy Playtime, Revali, Teba, and The Great Deku Tree in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Subaru Natsuki in Re: ZERO, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, Mortal Kombat 11, Fazbear & Friends, Spider-Man, and countless others!

New and Expanded Attractions for 2025:

Introducing Kid Con: Included with general admission, this new addition allows “kids and fans of all ages to meet Princesses and superheroes from Storybook Parties Idaho” and enjoy a host of family-friendly activities, according to event directors.

Artist Alley is returning with a wide array of regional artists and crafters, selling original art and prints. From your favorite game franchises and anime series, to Disney, Garbage Pail Kids 40th Anniversary, and Flash Tattoos and a local author, there is something for everyone.

Expanded Artist Alley: Artist Alley is returning, featuring a wide array of talented regional artists and crafters. “From your favorite game franchises and anime series, to Disney, Garbage Pail Kids 40th Anniversary, and Flash Tattoos, and a local author, there is something for everyone,” writes Kimball of Superfly Productions.

New Food Truck Food Court: RetroX is introducing a dedicated Food Truck Food Court with an outdoor eating area, to ensure guests can “come and stay all day.”

Interactive Costuming Groups: Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the world of their favorite fandoms with interactive booths and photo opportunities. Returning favorites include costume groups like the Timberline Garrison of the 501st Legion, East Idaho’s local Star Wars costuming group. They will be joined by the Snake River Ghostbusters and new additions like the 405th Infantry Division, a Halo costuming group.

2025 Cosplay Contest: RetroX 3 will also feature the return of the annual RetroX Cosplay Contest, where talented creatives will have the chance to compete and win cash, prizes, and trophies totaling over $2,000. For full rules, restrictions, and general information, click HERE.

General admission to RetroX is just $15 per person. Children ages 12 and under receive free entry with a paid adult. RetroX is also offering early bird and weekend passes, in addition to reduced prices at the door in support of the fight against food insecurity.

“RETRO X is committed to supporting our community and is discounting tickets by $3 at the door for a donated non-expired canned food item,” says Superfly Productions. “Donations will go to the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket.

For more information, click HERE.

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