Author: KIFI

News Release

The following is a news release from the Friends of Camas National Wildlife Refuge.

HAMER, Idaho (News Release) — The Friends of Camas National Wildlife Refuge invites the community to our annual Birds, Bugles, and Brunch celebration on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Camas National Wildlife Refuge. This free, family-friendly event runs from 8:00 a.m. to noon and provides an opportunity to explore the refuge and spend time outdoors.

Guests can enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast, followed by a variety of activities including hayrides, guided bird walks, activities for kids, and a “Find Your Wild” bingo scavenger hunt. Visitors will also have opportunities to explore the refuge’s pollinator garden, meet local wildlife partners at educational booths, and learn more about the refuge.

This year’s event is part of the nationwide Find Your Wild initiative, sponsored by America’s Wildlife Refuges and the Public Lands Alliance, an official nonprofit partner of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Camas is one of only two national wildlife refuges in Idaho participating in this nationwide celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week.

Birds, Bugles, and Brunch is a perfect way to experience the beauty and diversity of Camas Refuge while learning about the importance of preserving our public lands.

The event will be held at the Pavilion near Refuge Headquarters (2150 E 2350 N, Hamer, ID 83425). Guests are welcome to arrive at any time during the morning.

The Friends of Camas National Wildlife Refuge support the refuge’s mission to preserve, protect, and restore biological diversity and historical resources, while providing opportunities for recreation, education, and scientific discovery.

Join us and “Find Your Wild” at Camas National Wildlife Refuge!

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Bannock County Landfill is hosting their monthly ‘Household Hazardous Waste Day’ on Saturday, September 6.

People can drop of any unused pesticides, motor oil, batteries, aerosols, and other common, hazardous household wastes for free to be segregated, packaged, and disposed of differently than regular trash to protect the local ecosystem.

“It’s kind of one of those things where we look at the environmental impact that you may have on any kind of a landscape, and at the cost of cleanup, the cost of handling, disposal… what’s best for the environment,” said Dillon Evans, operations manager of the Bannock County Landfill. “It’s kind of a natural thing that a lot of landfills do is we try and mitigate the waste from going into the lined cells.”

Evans said the landfill accepts hazardous wastes for a cost any day they are open; Household Hazardous Waste Day lets people dispose of unwanted waste from their garage or cleaning supplies free of charge.

People wishing to dispose of approved hazardous waste can bring the items to the Bannock County Landfill from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Landfill managers ask that people follow signs to the pickup point and stay in their cars while staff unload the waste.

For a full list of approved items that can be brought to the landfill on Household Hazardous Waste Day, visit the Bannock County Landfill website.

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Curtis Jackson

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI)— A local farmer agrees to stop irrigating his crops for the rest of this year’s growing season, according to the Department of Water Resources.

District Court Judge Darren Simpson accepted a settlement between IDWR and Jerry and Valerie Bingham on Thursday.

The Binghams chose not to join the local water district, arguing that their water rights from the 1950s have seniority.

Because their water rights are junior to the priority date of 1900, the Binghams had to agree to stop irrigating for the rest of the 2025 season. As part of a settlement, the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) agreed to begin processing the mitigation plan the Binghams submitted on August 19. IDWR confirmed it had already taken the first step by publishing notice of the plan.

IDWR will still seek civil penalities against the Binghams at $300 per acre for their illegal diversion of water.

IDWR said most junior water users in Eastern Idaho have signed on to approved mitigation plans including those agreed in the 2024 Water Settlement Agreement. Because of that, they have avoided any impact from the curtailment order issued in July.

IDWR said the Binghams initially refused to curtail their water use on four wells.

IDWR provided the following background of events:

IDWR staff and the local Watermaster had several conversations with Jerry Bingham, where he was informed of the curtailment order and its requirements. 

The Binghams’ attorney sent a letter to IDWR confirming their intent to not shut off their water use and refusal to join a groundwater district for the purposes of mitigation. 

IDWR has started the review process on the Binghams’ mitigation plan; public notice of the plan will be forthcoming. 

On Aug. 20, 2025, the Department filed a motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO). The motion asked the Court to order the Binghams to cease diverting water until the hearing on the Departments motion for preliminary injunction. 

On August 25, 2025, the Court granted the Department’s motion for a TRO and issued an order telling the Binghams to cease diverting water until the September 4 hearing. 

The Watermaster has confirmed that the Binghams complied with the TRO. 

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—Idaho Falls Police have released bodycam video of an officer-involved shooting that killed an Idaho Falls man.

The video includes the initial 911 call and sections of body camera footage from three officers. You can see the above.

On August 19, 2025, police were called to an apartment on Clubhouse Circle around 10 p.m. A woman reported that a man, later identified as Derrand Zimmerman, 39, was acting “erratically” and armed with a gun, had allegedly pointed the weapon at her.

While officers were searching the area, the man came back and reportedly tried to force his way into the apartment. According to a statement from Idaho Falls Police, the caller said the man was pounding on the door, trying to get inside. Emergency dispatchers told the woman and children inside to stay put and shelter in place.

Police found the man outside and attempted to calm things down by giving him commands to surrender. When he didn’t respond, they deployed a K-9 unit to help take him into custody, but that also didn’t work.

Around 10:50 p.m., things escalated. The man allegedly pulled out a gun, shouted threats, and fired a shot at the officers. In response, two officers fired back, hitting the suspect, according to the police statement.

Zimmerman was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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News Release

UPDATE:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — Crews from multiple agencies are actively battling the Buckum Fire, burning in the rugged Hells Half Acre lava flow area near East River Road.

Firefighters from multiple agencies are on the scene, including the BLM Idaho Falls District, the Shelley and Firth fire departments, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. According to the Bureau of Land Management Idaho Fire Program, aerial support is also on site, with a Forest Service Helitack Type 3 helicopter and a large air tanker assisting with suppression efforts from above.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time. Officials have confirmed that no evacuations have been ordered, and no structures are currently under threat.

Fire managers are urging the public to avoid the area to ensure the safety of both residents and fire personnel. A strict warning has also been issued to the public: flying drones near the fire is prohibited. “If you fly a drone over a fire, air operations could be suspended,” warns BLM Idaho Fire.

Local News 8 is tracking this developing story and will provide updates as more details are released.

ORIGINAL:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — A 40-acre wildfire, named the Buckum Fire, is currently burning between Blackfoot and Shelley. The fire was first reported around 2:52 PM.

Details are limited, but the smoke is reportedly visible from the Eastern Idaho State Fairgrounds. Witnesses have reportedly seen large planes and helicopters on the scene dropping fire retardant. The specific crews responding to the fire are not yet known.

Local News 8 is tracking this developing story and will provide updates as more details are released.

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Abi Martin

A nursing student at the College of Eastern Idaho is representing the Gem state on the national stage.

Ellie Daniels was crowned Miss Idaho earlier this summer and will now compete in the Miss America pageant tomorrow evening.

She’s currently in Orlando, Florida, preparing for the big night while juggling her studies in CEI’s registered nursing program.

The competition highlights leadership, academic achievement, and community impact. 

These are values Daniels says reflect her own journey as a student and scholarship recipient.

You can watch the Miss America pageant Sunday at 5:00 p.m. on the Miss America Youtube channel.  

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bonneville County Board of Commissioners recently announced they would end its lease agreement with the Idaho Innovation Center at the end of September 2026. 

Since 1988, the Idaho Innovation Center has helped small, new companies build up their business by providing them with resources.

While the Board of Commissioners expressed their gratitude to IIC, they say funding the center is no longer aligned with the county’s economic development goals.

IIC is figuring out its plan for where to move to so it can keep serving its tenants, but they are optimistic as they start this next chapter.

“What they’ve done has actually been a blessing to us, and that we’re going to be able to catapult ourselves in being much more focused in what we’re doing and being much more relevant to many, many businesses,” said IIC Executive Director Bryan Magleby.

Bonneville County Commissioner Karl Casperson says the decision of what will be put in the building once the lease ends hasn’t been made yet. He says the property could be sold and the money could be used to fund county projects, but there’s still about a year to think about it.

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Ashley Chilcutt

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — A hobbyist photographer from Blackfoot has a lot to be proud of. Debra Hamilton was happily surprised to learn three of her photos were selected to be in the top ten for the Professional Division at the Eastern Idaho State Fair this year. One of them even took the Sweepstakes prize.

Her photography journey began just seven years ago after a friend inspired her to look for a good hobby.

“I got an entry level camera and just started learning how to use it,” Hamilton said. “I took some classes from a few people around the area, learning the exposure triangle, all of that basic stuff, and I have just found such joy.”

Hamilton says her passion for photography has inspired her to stay fit and travel more.

After getting her first passport 5 years ago, Hamilton has since gone to Paris, France, and Venice, Italy. She encourages those looking for a hobby to consider a few things.

“Maybe just sit down in a quiet place, do a little meditating about what you like. ‘What do you do? What you watch and look at?’ And that might just open something up in your life.”

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Noah Farley

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — Saturday, September 6, was the last day of the Eastern Idaho State Fair, and for its last night, they went out with a bang—and a few dozen crashes.

People piled into the arena to see the September Slam Demolition Derby. The annual event is so popular, tickets sold out quickly.

The crowds cheered as the drivers crashed into each other. Some cars even starting to smoke and light up in flames, providing pure, simple fun for everyone.

Emergency personnel were there, ready to jump in and keep everyone safe.

While many people were sad the fair came to a close, everyone had fun up to the very end.

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Dozens of people met at the park for the Snake River Championship, a disc golf tournament.

The field was split into two pools of 72 players. Everyone went around the courses at Freeman Park and Snake River Landing, tossing their discs forward to see who could complete the course with the lowest score.

“We get players all the way from Utah. We get some players from Montana,” said Assistant Tournament Director Koy Blanchard. “But really, it’s just a big local event that we’re trying to get a lot of amateurs and pros out here to come and play and just have a good time.”

Studies show disc golf is getting more and more popular, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. There are over 16,000 disc golf courses in the world as of 2024. One of the main reasons the sport is so popular is that it’s a very inexpensive sport.

“It’s something that’s very attainable for anybody,”Blanchard said. “You know, you can go to your local store, get like a 3-pack of discs for $30, maybe a little more than that. And then your local park course is free.”

If you want to get out and try out disc golf for yourself, your local park probably has a course.

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