Author: KIFI

David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – With millions of eyes riveted on the World Cup, one local soccer club is taking their talents to the highest level.

The Idaho Falls Futball Club’s top squad is on its way to nationals to compete against the best eight teams in the U.S.

“We won the Saint George tournament, the I.F. Shootout, and then we took second at State Cup,” said Kai Redd, the attacking midfielder. “That qualified us to go to regionals, which was in Boise, where we played against teams from Oregon, Montana, Washington, Alaska, Wyoming. We ended up winning that, coming on top and punching our ticket to nationals.”

Eighteen young men have qualified to compete at the highest levels of U.S. Youth Soccer.

“I think it’s bigger than soccer. I think it’s bigger than futball. I think here when we step on the pitches together, we’re playing as a team together,” said Memphis Lopez, IFFC left back. “We’re playing for our brothers on our right and our left, and I think we just really want to compete for each other and represent Idaho.”

The team has been playing together for eight years and feels like a family.

“I just love the camaraderie we have. I feel like we’re all brothers out here. We play for each other,” Redd said. “My favorite thing about this team is how much heart we play with, and it’s really a special thing to be a part of that.”

Nationals brings together the best 18 and 19-year-olds in America to compete for U.S. Youth Soccer’s National Presidents Cup.

“There’s eight different regions in the U.S., and we’ll be representing the Northwest Region,” Redd said. “We’re all playing each other in Wichita, Kansas – so top eight teams.”

The team has overcome numerous obstacles, instilling resilience and critical life lessons in competition and practice.

“No matter how many times you fall down, it’s how you react to everything,” Lopez said. “I think this season especially, we went through a lot of adversity as a team – from our defense, from our midfielders to our strikers – everyone on the team. … We stuck together like glue as a team. That’s what I think I will take with me forever as I continue my journey wherever I end up going.”

The young men are seeking to raise $25,000 to cover travel costs, hotels, food and competition fees.

If you would like to help send the team to nationals, you can visit www.givesendgo.com/kansas to make a contribution.

The team is revved up and confident about competing at the highest levels of U.S. Youth Soccer.  

“We’re going to kick butt in nationals,” said center Tristan Howell.

“We’re going to win the whole thing,” Redd added.

The Idaho Falls Football Club U18 and U19 team has qualified for nationals in Wichita, Kansas on July 7.

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Fox13

By: Scott McKane , Jeff Tavss

BEAVER COUNTY, Utah — After exploding in size in just hours, the Cottonwood Fire burning near Beaver slowed overnight, but “extreme fire behavior” resumed Tuesday, and helped the fire double in size.

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the fire has burned over 24,000 acres and 0% contained, while all evacuation orders are still in effect, and its cause is still undetermined.

“The lack of moisture recovery prevented the fire from moderating overnight,” officials said in a release.

The Beaver County Sheriff’s Office said the extent of any damage, if any, to cabins, trailers, and vehicles is not yet known.

The Cottonwood Fire was discovered at 3:36 p.m. after sparking near milepost 5 on State Route 153, then spread to Beaver Mountain almost directly east of the town. It quickly grew to 10,000 acres by 10:45 p.m., according to Utah Fire Info.

Beaver County Emergency Management said evacuations were ordered for people in the HiLo area east of the city, Arrowhead Summer Homes, Merchant Valley, and Eagle Point.

SR-153 is closed in both directions between mileposts 2 and 25.

In addition, Beaver City announced that the public is not allowed to use the pressurized irrigation system until further notice, because firefighting crews will be taking water from the pressurized irrigation pond.

“This is probably the worst I’ve seen since I’ve been down here,” said Beaver resident David Long. “We get some pretty good fires down here and we do prescribed burns from year to year, but this one has really taken off.”

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Maile Sipraseuth

IIDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — One year ago, Anna and Jacob Ames faced unimaginable uncertainty when their son, Logan, was born at just 22 weeks and one day of gestation. Today, Baby Logan Ames is celebrating his first birthday.

“It’s kind of an end of a chapter. Just a nice milestone to capture that. He survived. He made a wonderful little celebration,” his mother, Anna Ames, said.

Logan Ames was born on June 22, 2025, four months before his actual due date, weighing only 1.3 pounds. Due to his extreme prematurity, Logan spent 169 days in the Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center before finally going home with his parents, Anna and Jacob Ames, on Dec. 8, 2025.

According to EIRMC, Logan is the youngest surviving NICU baby in the hospital’s history.

“When baby’s born at 22 weeks, the chance of survival, we usually don’t give families their survival, meaning the baby lives. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they have a good quality of life, that’s around 30%. And then babies surviving with a good quality of life is usually about 12%. So it’s pretty low for 22 weeks. That’s why we call him the miracle baby,” Dr. Jordan Simpson, a NICU physician and medical director at EIRMC, said.

For Logan’s parents, the birthday celebration represents far more than cake and presents. It marks a year filled with uncertainty, hope and perseverance.

“Not to get too religious, but I would emphasize what a miracle he is,” his father, Jacob Ames, said. “I want him to remember that he has a purpose here.”

Logan’s story continues to inspire the staff at EIRMC, many of whom still talk about the tiny patient who defied the odds.

“Whenever we talk about little babies, we’re always bringing up Logan,” Dr. Simpson said. “He was a miracle baby, and everybody still loves him.”

His parents hope their son’s journey can offer encouragement to other families currently facing long days and sleepless nights in the NICU.

“There’s hope at the end of the road,” Anna said. “It’s hard, but it gets better.”

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – As the Fourth of July holiday draws closer, people are preparing to celebrate by purchasing fireworks, while local fire departments are urging people to follow safety precautions.

Warnings from the Fire Department

“We see people lighting fireworks off near dry weeds, open fields, next to vehicles, which is a big problem, or next to structures like sheds or their homes,” said Brian Curtis, fire chief with the North Bannock Fire District. “Typically, we want people to light fireworks off in an open space where they have a clearing with no shrubs, trees, bushes or grass to burn.”

Aerial fireworks are prohibited in the city of Pocatello, with ground-safe fireworks and sparklers permitted.

“We really hope people will proceed with caution, be safe and adhere to the recommendations of not doing aerials,” Curtis added. “Everything is so dry and there’s no moisture in the fuels around right now. It’s going to be super dangerous.”

Eastern Idaho has already seen an active fire season due to dry conditions and high winds. One ember from a rogue firework can start a wildfire in the area, making it more important that people follow the rules for celebrating on the Fourth of July.

“We’re pleading with the public to really take into consideration the dangers of the aerials. Please do not light them,” he said.

For sparklers and smaller fountain fireworks permitted in the city, the fire department says people should have a bucket of water or a hose nearby. After the firework is done, spray everything down with water or place it in a bucket of cool water.

“We want everybody to count the cost,” Curtis said. “What we mean is that a sparkler can reach 1,200 degrees and cause third-degree burns very fast. Count the cost of a trip to the emergency room. Count the cost of a surgery if you have to have one on your eye for getting too close to a firework.”

Most of the North Bannock Fire Department’s resources will be at the Bannock County Fairgrounds on the Fourth of July, with other trucks stationed throughout the area to respond to emergencies. Firefighters commonly see dumpster and garbage can fires on the holiday because fireworks are thrown away before they are completely extinguished.

Even fire chiefs are “astounded” by how dry the area is this year and are concerned about an increased fire risk.

“It’s dangerous out there, so we’re asking that people remain vigilant,” Curtis said.

Fireworks Stands on Having Fun Safely

Several fireworks stands in Idaho Falls have already opened for the season, while Pocatello stands will open next week. Pow-Wow Fireworks in Fort Hall is already selling thousands of fireworks ahead of next month’s America250 celebration.

Owner Karri H. Deschine said they take safety precautions seriously.

“We give every client or patron that comes through a punk,” Deschine said. “We give them the safety of using it, and if it’s a family, we’ll give them a few.”

A punk is a long bamboo stick that smolders slowly, allowing people to light fireworks from a safer distance.

Deschine also said the reservation is available for people who want to use aerial fireworks, which are illegal within city limits. The rodeo grounds and the area behind Shoshone-Bannock High School are popular locations.

“The tribe has officially approved those. Just make sure that you bring a trash bag or box, make sure to clean up after yourself,” she said. “Out of respect for the land, this is a sovereign place, and it’s a great way to save yourself a $700 fine.”

She said about half of her customers choose to set off their fireworks on the Fort Hall Reservation. She added it is common practice to place spent fireworks, including sparklers, into a bucket of water immediately after use.

Choosing age-appropriate fireworks is also important, according to Deschine.

“We don’t encourage sparklers for the really young kids, but we have plenty of other alternatives like swords and ones for the princesses,” Deschine said. “We have some that are bamboo and paper, which parents tend to prefer over the old-school metal ones.”

The stand also features a children’s section with smaller fireworks and a separate section for “Safe and Sane” fireworks.

“Everybody thinks they come out for artillery and they always come home with 80% safe and sane fireworks, so we’re doing our job to make sure that families are getting what they want,” Deschine said. “Artillery will say ‘shoots flaming balls with report’ and the safe and sane ones will say ’emits showers of spark.'”

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Tabernacle Choir is celebrating 100 years since its first performance at the Hollywood Bowl, and communities across the country are being invited to join the celebration through special screenings and watch parties.

In Pocatello, the Portneuf Health Amphitheatre will host a free watch party on Friday, June 26. The event will include food trucks, school donation opportunities benefiting districts in Pocatello and American Falls, and live entertainment before the concert broadcast.

The Lava Flow Fire Show, featuring lava dancers from Lava Hot Springs, will kick off the evening, followed by singer and comedian Emily Pack. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the pre-shows begin at 5:45 p.m.

The Tabernacle Choir’s performance will feature several special guests, including music producer David Foster and his wife, Katharine McPhee. Fan favorite Donny Osmond will also perform, along with Broadway performers Sebastian Arcelus and Stephanie J. Block.

“It’s the 100-year celebration of the first time they performed there, and they wanted everyone to be a part of that,” said Ross Hughes, area coordinator for the Tabernacle Choir Watch Party. “So they’re broadcasting it one time across the United States for others to come together to celebrate the culmination of their tour.”

Hughes said the tour, titled “Songs of Hope and Love,” comes at a time when people are looking for opportunities to gather as a community. He added that the choir was once known as “America’s Choir,” making the event open to everyone, regardless of background.

“It’s free to the public, and there will be food trucks available to buy food from,” he said. “You’ll be able to come and have confidence this is going to be a wonderful event for a family to enjoy some great entertainment.”

Hughes and his wife have helped organize the watch party in Pocatello. They have worked alongside volunteers to set up chairs and prepare the venue for the event.

The broadcast begins at 7 p.m. and will be shown on a high-definition screen with a concert-quality sound system. Free parking will be available at the Portneuf Wellness Complex.

The Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls will also host a screening on Saturday, June 27. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m.

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Par Kermani

UPDATED: July 24th 3:15 PM.

ST ANTHONY, Idaho (KIFI) — After pleading not-guilty earlier this month, Olympic gold medalist Bode Miller has publicly responded to the allegations of drug charges in Fremont County.

On an Instagram post, Miller said he had been traveling through Fremont County with a friend at the time of the arrest. He claims his friend had a “small amount of cannabis and a cannabis pipe in his possession,” which Miller was not aware of.

“I was pulled over for accelerating while passing another vehicle on a highway in Idaho,” states the post. “…We fully cooperated with the officer. I am hopeful the misdemeanor charges will be dropped once the facts are reviewed.”

According to court documents, Miller has been charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from an incident on June 6. Fremont County Sheriff’s deputy alleged Miller was in possession of approximately 4.1 grams of psilocybin mushrooms and was taken into custody.

Court records indicate Miller has posted a $5,000 cash bond and retained private counsel. According to court records, attorney Jeromy W. Stafford entered a notice of appearance on behalf of Miller on June 11 and filed a not guilty plea to the charges.

A pretrial conference has been scheduled for July 29th in Fremont County.

The case remains pending. A not guilty plea is not a determination of guilt, and Miller is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

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Par Kermani

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — As families across Idaho prepare for the summer vacation season, Idaho Attorney General has issued a warning to be on the lookout for travel scams.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, scammers often create fake online advertisements that mimic airlines, hotels and travel booking websites in an attempt to steal personal and financial information.

They also warn that some scams direct travelers to fraudulent customer service phone numbers or booking websites designed to appear legitimate.

“Scammers count on vacation excitement to cloud your judgment, and they’re getting more sophisticated every year,” Attorney General Raúl Labrador said. “A fake ad, a phishing text, or a too-good-to-be-true deal can drain your account before your trip ever starts.”

The Attorney General’s Office is also warning travelers about text message scams claiming they owe unpaid tolls or traffic fines. Residents are encouraged to verify any payment request directly with the agency involved rather than clicking links included in unsolicited messages.

How to stay safe

Consumer protection officials recommend researching travel companies before booking, reading refund policies carefully and avoiding payment methods such as wire transfers, gift cards, payment apps or cryptocurrency when possible.

The office says requests for payment through those methods are often red flags for fraud because recovering lost money can be difficult or impossible.

Idahoans are also encouraged to be skeptical of travel deals that seem significantly cheaper than similar offers.

Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a travel scam can report it through the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Falls Power employees spent Monday giving back to the community by helping improve public spaces along the Idaho Falls Riverwalk.

About 40 employees participated in Idaho Falls Power’s first Public Power Day of Giving, volunteering on several beautification projects throughout the Greenbelt and Riverwalk areas.

Projects included staining Riverwalk viewing decks overlooking the Snake River, installing bark mulch in landscape planters, cleaning and maintaining rock gardens, and trimming brush along pathways between South Tourist Park and Sunnyside ahead of Fourth of July festivities.

“One of the things that makes public power unique is that we’re owned by the people we serve,” said Chris Fredericksen, general manager of Idaho Falls Power and Idaho Falls Fiber. “This Day of Giving is an opportunity for us to demonstrate that commitment in a hands-on way while helping care for the community assets that residents and visitors enjoy every day.”

The volunteer effort was held in partnership with Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation for partnering with us on this event and for the tremendous work they do year-round to maintain the Riverwalk, Greenbelt, parks and public spaces that make Idaho Falls such a special place to live,” Fredericksen said.

The event was part of the American Public Power Association’s Public Power Month of Giving, a nationwide initiative encouraging public power utilities to support their communities through volunteer service and community engagement.

Idaho Falls Power officials say the effort reflects the utility’s commitment to serving the community beyond providing electricity and broadband services.

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Danielle Mullenix

ST. ANTHONY, Idaho (KIFI) – A long-running dispute over the Sandbox RV Park near the St. Anthony Sand Dunes may be headed back before Fremont County commissioners — and potentially into the courts.

A group of Fremont County residents has formally requested that county commissioners reconsider their June 8 decision involving the controversial development, arguing the county’s findings contain factual errors and fail to reflect the public record.

The request for reconsideration was filed June 18 with the Fremont County Clerk and asks the Board of County Commissioners to revisit its decision regarding the Sandbox RV Park near the St. Anthony Sand Dunes. According to the filing, residents believe the commissioners relied on flawed information and ignored evidence presented during the appeal process.

“For years, concerns over the Sandbox RV Park near the St. Anthony Sand Dunes have divided residents, business owners, and county leaders,” said St. Anthony resident and author of the reconsideration request, Cathy Koon.

Koon says the request is not an effort to stop development, but rather an attempt to ensure county decisions follow the law.

“We want to hold the commissioners accountable. This is not a vendetta against Sandbox. This is simply citizens who want those decisions made according to the law.”

Earlier this month, county commissioners ruled that the Fremont County Planning and Zoning Commission improperly extended Sandbox’s Class II conditional use permit. Commissioners directed the RV park to submit a new permit application.

Residents opposing the project argue that the development has expanded beyond what was originally approved and that additional amenities and operations were never properly reviewed.

“As we started looking at the public record, we found a lot of inaccuracies and missing information,” Koon said. “As a group, we decided that the only way we could get the commissioners to be attentive to these issues was to file a request for reconsideration.”

The six-page reconsideration request alleges factual errors within the county’s findings and identifies several procedural issues dating back to the original permit process in 2023. Supporters of the request claim the development has experienced “mission creep,” with additional amenities and expanded operations occurring without proper approval.

The filing also alleges that evidence and public comments may be missing from the official record of the appeal hearing. Residents argue that portions of the public record were either overlooked or omitted during the decision-making process.

Under Idaho’s Local Land Use Planning Act, the commissioners now have up to 60 days to reconsider their decision. They may issue a new decision, modify their findings, deny the request, or take no action. If the request is denied or no action is taken within that period, residents could pursue a petition for judicial review in the district court.

The dispute over Sandbox RV Park has spanned several years and involved appeals, public hearings, and ongoing debate over growth and development near the St. Anthony Sand Dunes. At this time, the RV is operating in the St. Anthony area with plans to officially open this summer.

The reconsideration request was signed by residents from St. Anthony, Island Park, Chester, Salem, and Egin. Commissioners are expected to respond by mid-August.

“We’re not anti-growth,” Koon said. “We just want the law to be upheld.”

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A 59-year-old Idaho Falls woman died Monday evening following a four-vehicle collision northwest of Iona.

Idaho State Police say the crash happened just before 5 PM. The incident began when a 39-year-old man from Camarillo, California, was driving a 2019 Nissan NV200 van eastbound on East 49th North and ran a stop sign. The Nissan struck a 2017 Dodge Challenger driven by the Idaho Falls woman, who was traveling on U.S. 26.

The force of the impact pushed the Dodge into the westbound lanes of the highway, where it collided with a 2017 Ford F-250 and a 2008 Ford Focus.

The driver of the Dodge was rushed by ambulance to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries. The driver of the Ford F-250 was also hospitalized via ground ambulance; her current condition has not been released. Two juvenile passengers in the F-250 and the 34-year-old driver of the Ford Focus escaped without serious injury.

ISP noted that the drivers of the Nissan, Dodge, and Ford Focus were all wearing seatbelts. However, whether or not the juvenile passengers in the F-250 wore their seatbelts remains unclear.

The crash blocked both directions of U.S. 26 for approximately five hours. The incident remains under investigation by ISP.

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