Author: KIFI

Par Kermani

SUN VALLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — A Wolverine has been spotted in the Idaho wilderness, but probably not the one wildlife officials are usually looking for.

Actor Hugh Jackman, best known for playing Wolverine in Marvel’s “X-Men” film franchise, appears to be spending some time in Sun Valley.

Jackman recently shared a photo on social media showing himself on a trail with a simple caption: “Sun Valley, Idaho.”

The actor did not provide many other details about his visit or what brought him to the area, but that hasn’t stopped the excitement surrounding his post.

Jackman has played Wolverine for more than two decades, first taking on the role in 2000’s “X-Men” and most recently returning as the character alongside Ryan Reynolds in 2024’s “Deadpool & Wolverine.”

And while seeing Jackman wandering an Idaho trail may be unusual, spotting the animal itself isn’t completely out of the question.

Small populations of Wolverine’s can be found in the Rocky Mountains, and the animals have been spotted in the Greater Yellowstone region.

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Par Kermani

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — The U.S. Forest Service has issued an emergency closure for part of the Bridger-Teton National Forest following a reported human-bear encounter.

The closure affects History Trail from the Trail Creek area to its intersection at the top of Teton Pass in the Jackson Ranger District.

According to the Forest Service, the closure is effective immediately while officials investigate the encounter.

The agency is asking people to avoid the area until further notice.

Additional details about the encounter, including whether anyone was injured or what type of bear was involved, have not been released.

Updates can be found on the official social media page of the U.S. Forest Service-Bridger-Teton National Forest

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Seth Ratliff

PITTSBURG (KIFI) — A lion cub halfway across the nation, but beloved by Idahoans, made her public debut at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium on Monday with a name that permanently connects her to her father’s home state.

Timed with World Lion Day on August 10, the zoo officially introduced four-month-old “Kiazi” to visitors. The name, which means “potato” in Swahili, honors both the African lion’s native range and serves as a nod to her father, Hondo, who came to Pittsburgh from the Idaho Falls Zoo.

RELATED: Former Idaho Falls Zoo lion becomes first-time father at Pittsburgh Zoo

“Since she is Hondo’s first offspring and he is from Idaho, keepers loved the name,” said Assistant Curator of Mammals Karen Vacco in a post announcing the naming. “Hondo’s little Idaho potato!”

Born on April 5, Kiazi is the cub for Hondo and mother Scarlett as part of a strategic breeding recommendation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan. African lions are considered vulnerable, and numbers have declined by 50 percent over the last 25 years due to habitat loss, loss of prey, and human-lion conflict. 

“Every lion cub birth is vital to the long-term survival of the species, and each one represents hope for the future,” says Vacco. “We hope Kiazi inspires Zoo guests to learn more about lions and protect them in the wild.”

To name the playful cub, the zoo turned to the public. Pittsburgh Zoo friends submitted over 1000 name suggestions during a fundraising initiative that generated $5,705. The proceeds will directly support Kiazi, the lion pride, and wildlife care initiatives across the facility.

Caregivers report that Kiazi is in peak health. While she will eventually transfer to another accredited zoo in a few years to establish her own pride, keepers are enjoying her early years in Pittsburgh, according to reports by KDKA.

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Phillip Willis

CUSTER COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — According to a Facebook post by the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, an intruder was shot by a homeowner in their residence at McCaleb Estates in Mackay.

Deputies are on scene, and the injured intruder is receiving medial treatment at this time.

People are being asked to avoid the area as the investigation is ongoing, but the Custer County Sheriff’s Office is emphasizing there is no danger to the public at this time.

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Danielle Mullenix

ISLAND PARK, Idaho — A longtime Island Park fly shop is celebrating five decades of helping anglers experience one of Idaho’s most well-known rivers.

Henry’s Fork Anglers is marking its 50th anniversary this week with a series of public events celebrating the business’s history, its guides and customers, and the Henry’s Fork itself.

The business first opened its doors in 1976 and has since grown from a small fly shop into a nationally recognized fly-fishing outfitter. Over the past 50 years, Henry’s Fork Anglers has guided visitors from across the United States and around the world, provided fly-fishing instruction and helped mentor generations of professional guides.

The business also says conservation and stewardship of the Henry’s Fork have remained an important part of its work through education and community involvement.

Store manager Katie Stroud says the anniversary is an opportunity to recognize the history behind the business while looking ahead to the future.

“To have been in business this long and to kind of be preserving this incredible area and that we get to make a living here. So we just want everyone to come celebrate with us, kind of appreciate the history that is the Henry’s Fork and how far we’ve come throughout the years, and just get excited about the next 50 years and where the fishing industry is headed.”

Anniversary celebration continues all week long:

Henry’s Fork Anglers’ week-long Golden Anniversary celebration began Monday and continues through Saturday, August 15.

The schedule includes seminars, panel discussions, photography instruction and fly-tying demonstrations. Evening programs are held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Henry’s Fork Anglers, with door prizes offered at each event.

On Tuesday, August 11, Current owner and fly-fishing expert Chris Lawson will present “Improving Your Fly Casting.”

The rest of the week includes:

Wednesday, August 12: Fly Fishing Photography Using Your Smartphone, presented by Brian O’Keefe.

Thursday, August 13: 50 Years on the Henry’s Fork, presented by Mike Lawson.

Friday, August 14: Guides of the Decades, featuring guides representing five decades of fishing on the Henry’s Fork and surrounding waters.

Saturday, August 15: Fly Tying Demonstrations, hosted by Hal Gordon and featuring regional fly tyers.

Henry’s Fork Anglers was founded by Mike and Sheralee Lawson in 1976. The business expanded its guide services throughout the 1980s and 1990s before being purchased by Mark Rockefeller in 1999. Mike and Sheralee Lawson continued managing the business during its growth.

Mike and Sheralee Lawson – Founders of Henry’s Fork Anglers / Courtesy of Lawson family

Original Henry’s Fork Angler Shop (1977)

In the 2000s and 2020s, Henry’s Fork Anglers expanded its guided fishing opportunities to include permits on the South Fork of the Snake River and the Teton River.

Today, Chris Lawson serves as general manager and outfitter, leading the business and its team of guides while continuing the tradition established by his parents.

The anniversary celebration continues through Saturday, August 15 at Henry’s Fork Anglers in Island Park.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The City of Idaho Falls is holding a public hearing for its almost $400 million 2027 budget this Thursday.

Idaho Falls’ budget totals $393.5 million for the coming year.

City Revenues

City revenues are anticipated to reach $325.2 million — a 1.5 percent or $4.9 million increase from last year.

Fifty percent of revenues come from service charges including “electricity, fiber, water, sewer and sanitation fees; airline passenger charge; entrance fees to golf courses, the aquatic center, Frontier Center for the Performing Art, the zoo and more,” according to a news release.

City Expenditures

Salaries and benefits will total $111.3 million — a 6.8 percent increase from last year.

Idaho Falls plans two percent wage increases for city and fire union employees (plus standard steps and grade changes).

Health benefit costs are expected to increase 5 percent for medical, vision and 10 percent for dental insurance.

Property Taxes

On property taxes, just under 17 percent of city revenues or $54.1 million come from property tax.

This money funds city services including “police, firefighters, roads, bridges, parks and the library,” the release states.

Planning for the budget began this year in March, with review by the city’s finance team, the mayor and the City Council.

You can review the full 188-page draft budget here.

The hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the City Council Chambers on 680 Park Avenue. Interested citizens are invited to provide public feedback or view the livestream here.

The final budget will be adopted two weeks later on August 27.

Courtesy City of Idaho Falls

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– The East Idaho Welcome Home program launched Monday, August 10, as a partnership between the GoWest Foundation and four local credit unions: Connections Credit Union, Frontier Credit Union, Idaho Central Credit Union and Westmark Credit Union.

“This is an opportunity to give those first-time homebuyers an option to get into a home sooner than what they had originally planned,” Stephanie Tocher, chief lending officer at Connections Credit Union, said.

Credit union leaders say rising home prices and interest rates have made it increasingly difficult for young and first-time buyers to enter the housing market.

“We also know that for many first-time homebuyers, getting into that first home has become increasingly difficult,” said Dan Thurman, CEO of Frontier Credit Union. “With rising interest rates and the challenge of saving for down payment, it’s made that feel out of reach for many, many young families or starting families. That’s why this program matters.”

The program is available to eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing homes in Bannock, Bear, Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Cassia, Clark, Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Jefferson, Lake, Lemhi, Madison, Oneida, Power, or Teton County.

“I do believe this is going to help a lot of people buy their first home. And when you buy homes like we had today, where people are building homes for their families, for their employers, for their communities, they can now participate, they can volunteer, they can really get engaged in what’s going on around them,” Adam Stewart from Frontier Credit Union said.

For more information, and to check eligibility, click HERE.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Families are invited to attend Head Start’s open house Wednesday, August 12th to learn more about the educational program offered for children.

The open house gives parents with younger children a chance to explore Head Start classrooms, meet the staff, and learn about the opportunities they offer.

The open house will be at the Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership building from 10 A.M. to 1 P.M., at 1465 Hoopes Ave, Idaho Falls, ID 83401.

Head Start provides meals, diagnostic hearing and vision screenings, and will help parents establish regular medical check-ups for their children.

“We want families to feel like they can have a voice in their child’s education and in the decisions they make every day with their children,” Sarah Taylor, the deputy director for EICAP Head Start & Early Head Start, said. “So whether it comes to like actual things dealing with their with their child’s education, or health, nutrition, things like that, we just try to help empower the families to be able to make decisions and to be connected to places in the community.

The program is for children ages 3-5 to prepare them for Kindergarten. With inclusive classrooms, behavioral observations, curriculum focused on Kindergarten readiness, and early intervention screenings for social, emotional, and developmental skills.

“It really gives them that environment where they’re learning how to work with classmates, they’re learning how to be involved in the classroom,” Katie Atterton, the Program director for EICAP Head Start & Early Head Start, said. “They’re gaining a lot of those skills. And so when they go to kindergarten, it’s not such a shock to the system. We have an evidence based curriculum that is really focused on giving them those skills so that they can be successful.”

For some parents, it could be scary to drop off your child at such a young age. For a mother, who now works with EICAP, it was tough to drop her child off. But she found the program was worth it.

“My little boy started when he was four months old and he went through early head start and head start,” Reagan Church, the operations manager for EICAP Head Start & Early Head Start, reflected. “As a single mom, that was very hard to trust somebody else with my child. But it was the most rewarding thing to watch him grow and develop the skills that he has today. The social emotional skills that he has are something that I don’t think that he would have without Head Start.”

Class times across the region offer different program options:

Rexburg Head Start

Classes 3.5 hours a day, 4 days a week, Sept. through the end of May

Idaho Falls & Blackfoot Head Start

Classes 6 hours a day, 4 days a week, Sept. through the end of July/early August.

Here is a link to Head Start’s website for applications and more information about the program.

The open house will be from 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. August 12th at 1465 Hoopes Ave, Idaho Falls, ID 83401

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — A man who pleaded guilty to being an accessory to a murder was sentenced on Monday.  William Burton, 62, will serve five years, two years fixed, followed by three years indeterminate, meaning he could be eligible for parole.

Burton was riding in a vehicle with Randy Larkin and Gerald Hamlin on May 13, 2022, the night Pelton was killed. Pelton’s body was later discovered at the Clark Hill Rest Area, along US 26 east of Ririe.

William Burton, Curtsey of Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office

According to testimony presented in court, Larkin shot Pelton during a dispute over drugs.

Prosecutors said Burton, who was sitting in the back seat and was intoxicated at the time of the shooting, withheld critical information from investigators when questioned about what happened.

Larkin was convicted of second-degree murder in November 2024 and is serving a life sentence.

Hamlin pleaded guilty in July 2024 to accessory charges and concealing evidence. Hamlin was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison and was placed in Idaho’s rider program.

Court documents also identified Kelly Hincks as being involved in the case. Hincks died in January 2024 before any charges were filed against him.

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Seth Ratliff

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Firefighters are making “steady and consistent” progress on the Big Rock Fire, as crews achieve 85% containment. Today’s update marks the final daily briefing from the Big Rock Type 3 Incident Management Team as command is returned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) Great Basin Unit 3.

The fire has burned 2,142 acres of brush in the Heise area over the past week. Firefighters faced steep, rugged terrain, hazardous vegetation, and hot, windy weather conditions during suppression efforts.

“The progress made on the Big Rock Fire reflects the dedication and professionalism of firefighters and support personnel…” the USWFS stated in a news release. “Their commitment to safety and operational excellence substantially reduced fire potential while protecting the residences, resources, and facilities of the Heise area and businesses.”

Reopenings and Remaining Closures

Despite the burn area, none of the nearby homes, local landmarks, or recreation areas were lost. Monday, the Heise Hot Springs pools are scheduled to reopen for regular business hours.

However, several road and recreational closures remain in place to protect public and firefighter safety while efforts to mop up remaining hot spots and strengthen containment lines continue.

For the time being, Heise Road east of 7N Ranch and River Road, both east of Kelly Canyon and west of the Heise Bridge, will remain closed. Camping closures for Kelly Island Campground, Wolf Flats, Warm Springs, and all dispersed sites along River Road will remain in effect through Sunday, August 16. The Cress Creek Nature Trail, Stinking Springs Trail, and all hiking and biking trails in the Kelly Canyon and Heise areas will also remain closed.

Residents and visitors are asked to avoid closed areas and follow all first responder instructions.

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