Author: KIFI

Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO (KIFI)—June was Men’s Mental Health Month, and during that month, Local News 8 saw several reports of men taking their own lives.

Suicide is a sensitive subject and often goes unspoken about.

A local restaurant helps combat this issue with love, compassion, and soup.

Bryan Lloyd was the founder of A Street Soup in Idaho Falls. He passed away four years ago in June.

His staff, known as the ‘A Street Soup Mafia,’ is opening up about their owner’s passing.

They hope to spread awareness on this topic by sharing his memory, his passion, and the signs they wish they had noticed. 

“Brian is an extremely generous person,” said Ashlie Birkinbine-Orchard.

“Great chef, just wonderful, man. Great father,” said Courtney Hall.

“We were best friends,” said Andrew Wilson, co-owner of A Street Soup. 

“One of the best people I’ve ever met,” said Hall.

A life full of promise and passion. 

“Brian is our original owner. He opened this restaurant. Cooking for people is a way to show love,” said Birkinbine-Orchard. “So every chance he could, whether it was just through our soup lunches or creating a five-course meal, I just believe that’s really how he showed how he cared about people.”

His associates said it’s a life that ended too soon.

“I miss him terribly. He was such a great person. He had so much to give the world. I just wish we could have done more for,” said Hall.

“I wish I had been there more. I wish over a whole onslaught of if what ifs and what could have been. But they haunt me every day if I let them,” said Wilson.

“I wish I had known. I understood it was depression is real. Mental illness is something very real. I wish I would have known how deep it really was,” said Hall.

Wishes that will never come true, but bring light to a dark subject, to bring hope to others. 

“There’s a bunch of societal expectations. Often, pressure men to never show weakness. Acknowledge vulnerability. It is a sign of strength. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help. Remember that you’re not alone. Many men experience depression. Connecting with others is key to recovery. Do not isolate. Depression is not a character flaw. Talking through grief, incorporating lifestyle changes in therapy can be life-saving,” said Wilson.

If you are struggling with mental health or have lost someone to mental health, A Street Soup encourages you to come in and talk with any member of their staff.

They are familiar with the feeling of loss and want people to know that they are not alone.

A Street Soup’s co-owner, Andrew Wilson, wrote a letter to all men struggling with depression. You can read the letter below.

Bryan Lloyd leaves behind three children. One is in college, and two are getting ready for college. Every month, the restaurant sends a portion of its profits to help pay for their tuition. 

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News Team

UPDATE:

ST. GEORGE, Utah (KIFI) — As of 4:50 PM, the St George Police Department (SGPD) says the suspect involved in the active shooting threat in the area of 3000 East Seegmiller Drive is now in custody.

The situation unfolded around 3:50 PM when a man barricaded himself inside a home and began firing at St. George Police Department (SGPD) officers. Police Chief Kyle Whitehead confirmed on Facebook that officers returned fire, successfully containing the suspect to the residence.

According to ABC4, a Local News 8 ABC affiliate, SGPD reportedly deployed tear gas into the home. Witnesses later observed a substantial amount of smoke and visible flames coming from the home.

Numerous agencies responded to the scene, including the SGPD, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, SWAT teams, and negotiation teams.

While the suspect is now in custody, authorities are still urging residents to avoid the affected area as first responders work to extinguish the blaze and secure the scene.

This is a developing story. We will continue to update this story as more details become available.

ORIGINAL:

ST. GEORGE, Utah (KIFI) — The St. George Police Department is currently responding to an active threat in the area of 3000 East Seegmiller Drive, where a man was reportedly firing a weapon. The police active shooter event began sometime before 3:53 PM today, when authorities first notified the public.

Law enforcement is reportedly asking people in the area to shelter in place and avoid the area.

This is a developing story. Local News 8’s Utah affiliate ABC4, reportedly has a crew en route. We will continue to update this story as more details become available.

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News Team

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Local businesses across Southeast Idaho are stepping up to offer support to the victims of the devastating Texas floods. These tragic events claimed the lives of at least 109 people, including dozens of campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, a Christian Girls’ Camp located along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas.

In the days since the flooding, community members and businesses here in Southeast Idaho united in efforts to provide aid and relief.

How You Can Get Involved

Two local businesses are spearheading initiatives to help those affected. Here’s how you can contribute:

Fizz Rizz Emergency Relief Donation Drive

Fizz Rizz, Madison County’s popular mocktail bar, is organizing an emergency relief donation drive to benefit Texas flood victims. This drive is ongoing until Wednesday, July 9th, so there’s still time to contribute.

Organizers at Fizz Rizz are specifically asking for:

Socks

Hygiene items

Flea/tick medicine

Non-perishable food items

And other essential supplies

You can drop off your donations at Fizz Rizz’s location between 6 PM and midnight.

“To anyone in or around Rexburg, we still need supplies to send, as much as you are able to spare,” Fizz Rizz stated in an email to Local News 8. “If you are able to get us those supplies here at Fizz Rizz, we are anxious to get them sent out to the Texas flood victims and help provide them with as much relief as possible.”

For more information, click HERE.

Little Mama Shirt Shop & Vast Apparel: Commemorative T-Shirts

Little Mama Shirt Shop and its sister company, Vast Apparel, have released a special, limited-edition unisex T-shirt to support the relief efforts in Kerr County, Texas, another area severely impacted by the floods.

“Our hearts ache for the families in Texas who have suffered unimaginable loss,” said Chynna Hansen, co-founder of Little Mama Shirt Shop and Vast Apparel. “As a business born from motherhood and built on community, we are profoundly saddened by the devastation and stand with every parent, child, and person affected during this heartbreaking time.”

Shirts are available in both adult and youth sizes and a variety of colorways. Each features a subtle front motif and a larger graphic on the back, symbolizing community resilience in the face of adversity.

All profits from every shirt sold will be directly donated to Kerr County Flood Relief through The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.

Adult shirts are priced at $33

Youth shirts are $28

For more info, click HERE.

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News Team

MINIDOKA COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho State Police is investigating a single-vehicle motorcycle crash that resulted in the death of a juvenile male from Rupert. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of July 8th on State Highway 25, near mile marker 57.3 in Minidoka County.

Authorities report that the young man was traveling northbound 2006 Yamaha YZDE6 motorcycle when it failed to navigate a curve. The rider was thrown from the motorcycle and, despite wearing a helmet, tragically succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office, Minidoka EMS, and the Cassia County Coroner assisted the Idaho State Police at the scene.

The Idaho State Police continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.

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News Release

The following is a press release from CEI:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) is proud to announce the start of its inaugural Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Patrol Academy. It began July 7th, and marks a major milestone in CEI’s efforts to expand workforce training and directly support law enforcement needs in eastern Idaho.

“We are excited to offer a police academy for the first time here at CEI,” said Trevor Elordi, Vice President of Workforce Training & Operations. “This has been something that has been in the works for almost two years now, and we are excited to make it happen. We are thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with several departments here in eastern Idaho and are grateful for the help from so many dedicated officers and deputies in this region who will be working with us. Providing top-quality training for these future law enforcement personnel has been our top priority, with special emphasis on officer safety and more scenario-based training.”

The inaugural POST Patrol Academy will host five recruits: two from the City of Idaho Falls, two from the City of St. Anthony, and one from Bonneville County. Throughout the 18-week program, recruits will receive intensive instruction on everything from firearms safety and emergency vehicle operations to physical training and arrest techniques.

The academy is made possible through the dedicated work of CEI’s Workforce Training team and a group of seasoned law enforcement professionals. Academy coordinators Joe Tafoya (retired LAPD), Scot Esmay (retired California Highway Patrol), and Mike Lasiewicki (retired FBI) bring more than 90 years of combined experience to the program. Supporting them are Director of Programs Rachael Green and Senior Program Coordinator Amy Secula, who played key roles in developing and organizing the academy.

With support from local agencies and businesses, CEI’s POST Patrol Academy is uniquely positioned to deliver hands-on, community-based law enforcement training in a way that allows recruits to remain close to their departments and families.

For more information about CEI’s law enforcement training programs, call (208)-535-5345.

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Sam Ross

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– Rebekah Sorensen stepped down as mayor of American Falls last week after serving five years as the city’s leader; she has appointed City Council President Gilbert Hofmeister as the new mayor.

Sorensen said she is resigning to move out of American Falls and build a home in the county with her family, but she said she is thankful for her time as mayor and for those who helped her navigate leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic and the following years.

“It’s been really cool for me to go through the community and be involved with different organizations or departments and get things done and get my hands dirty and try to fix problems,” said Sorensen. “It’s been an amazing five years, and I’m incredibly grateful to the supporters, for those that have concerns or criticisms and the changes we could make, to all of the employees––I’m nothing but grateful.”

Sorensen was appointed mayor following the retirement of former mayor Marc Beitia in 2020. Sorensen said some of her crowning achievements as mayor include strengthening cohesion between city employees and departments and advancing a $35 million area-wide water line replacement project.

Sorensen also said Mayor Hofmeister is “the man for the job”. Hofmeister, an American Falls native with nearly 12 years of city council experience, said he’s looking forward to his term as appointed mayor and plans to run for mayor during elections this fall.

“It’s an honor and a privilege,” said Hofmeister. “I was born and raised in American Falls… my family’s here, we farm here; I just love to be able to help the community in any way I can.”

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Nearly two dozen districts, including Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25, are receiving new grant funding to boost student safety with School Resource Officers (SROs).

Thanks to the Idaho Legislature and the Millennium Fund, 21 local education agencies (LEAs) across the state will benefit. 12 of these LEAs are getting their first-ever SROs, with funding secured for three years.

“This funding means that additional districts and charters will receive resources to support a position that brings valuable peace of mind to parents, staff and students,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. “Whether our SROs are reinforcing security efforts, being another positive role model or serving as a trusted adult for students, their presence benefits our school communities in so many positive ways.”

Districts applying for the funding demonstrated a strong commitment to collaboration, providing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with their local law enforcement agency and a letter of intent outlining the SRO’s qualifications and training.

The awarded districts and charters are:

Alturas Academy
Boise Independent School District

Cassia County School District
Canyon Owyhee School Service Agency (COSSA)

Council School District
Emmett Independent School District

Gem Prep: Meridian
Gooding School District

Hagerman Joint School District
Hayden Canyon Charter School

Heritage Community Charter School
Highland Joint School District

Kimberly School District
Kootenai Joint School District

Lewiston Independent School District
Marsing School District

New Plymouth School District
Payette Joint School District

Pocatello-Chubbuck School District
Thomas Jefferson Charter School

Weiser School District
 

To receive funding, applicants were asked to provide an MOU created between the district and their local law enforcement agency, as well as a letter of intent stating potential applicants’ qualifications and training for the position.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream! This Saturday, July 12, the Idaho Falls Scoop Jam returns to the Snake River Greenbelt. The proceeds from this all-you-can-eat ice cream event benefit the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission and the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center. 

Scooptastic Details

When: Saturday, July 12, 11 AM – 3 PMWhere: Snake River Greenbelt just north of the Farmer’s Market, by the roundabout.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click HERE.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Summer power outages can be dangerous, especially when coupled with hot weather, and the Bannock County Office of Emergency Management is helping people get prepared in case the power goes out.

Risks of power outages increase during the summer with high winds and wildfires downing power lines and air conditioners and other electronics causing increased strain on power infrastructure. During power outages, hot weather can be potentially deadly for at-risk groups like the elderly and children.

Wes Jones, director of Bannock County’s Office of Emergency Management, said the most important thing people can do to prepare for a power outage is to stay informed with updates from emergency managers and utility providers and review resources to know what to do in the event of a power outage.

“What we want to do is make sure that [people] have that information, it’s readily available so that they get the front end,” said Jones. “How to be prepared, what to do during, and then after the fact–it’s those three areas of concern, and as we build that out for that preparedness it minimizes the mayhem and the chaos and the confusion.”

The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office app has a page dedicated to the Bannock County Office of Emergency Management complete with information for weathering a power outage.

Important tips to prepare for summer power outages include:

Make sure your household has a 72-hour kit stocked with food, water, and necessary medications.

Turn off breakers to minimize damage from potential power surges.

Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.

Have coolers handy for perishable food and medications.

If a power outage occurs during hot weather, people are advised to conserve cool air in the home by closing windows and blinds and, if necessary, seek shelter in an air-conditioned, public place.

For more information, you can download the free Bannock County Sheriff’s Office app from Google Play or the App Store, or visit the Bannock County Office of Emergency Management website.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Power is alerting customers to a recent increase in scams, with imposters contacting individuals by phone and going door-to-door, falsely claiming to represent the power company. These scammers are reportedly spoofing Idaho Power’s phone numbers and demanding immediate payment or attempting to extract personal information related to your home’s service.

Idaho Power reminds users that their employees will never:

Demand immediate payment over the phone or request payment using pre-paid cards.

Ask for payment for a defective meter.

Require same-day payment via pre-paid cards like Green Dot MoneyPak, Bitcoin, or QR codes.

To protect yourself from scammers, Idaho Power is directing customers to utilize My Account online or download the Idaho Power mobile app to monitor your bill, sign up for account alerts, and make secure payments. This familiarity will help you spot any unusual requests.

The power company is also directing customers to verify legitimate employees who arrive on your property. “Although there are situations where Idaho Power employees may need access to your property — with or without advance notice — they will arrive in logoed company vehicles and clothing or be able to present a company ID badge,” writes Idaho Power in a press release.

What to Do if You Suspect a Scam

If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from Idaho Power and anything seems suspicious, immediately call Idaho Power customer service at 208-388-2323 or 1-800-488-6151 (toll-free). Their customer care team can confirm any scheduled work activities for your address and help you verify the legitimacy of the contact.

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