Author: KIFI

Danielle Mullenix

The residual snow and sunshine from yesterday will give way to cloudy, stormier weather, with conditions picking back up this evening. A winter storm watch is in effect for the mountains and highlands of eastern and southeastern Idaho, as well as western Wyoming. The storm is expected to start Thursday afternoon and continue through Saturday morning. This will likely be the first major snowfall of the year for some mountain areas, with forecasts predicting 1 to 2 feet of new snow.

Expect mostly cloudy skies throughout Thursday morning and afternoon. Scattered snow showers return in the evening with highs in the lower 30s. Southwest winds will push through the southeast Idaho region throughout the day, with speeds up to 10-15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. Lows are expected to be in the mid-20s.

Friday continues the scattered pattern of snow and rain, with a 50% chance across Southeastern Idaho. Expect rain and snow by Friday evening, with precipitation chances reaching 60%. We will see a mix of snow and rain throughout the weekend.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Falls small business owner and real estate developer Brandon Lee secured a seat on the Idaho Falls City Council Tuesday, receiving 6,899 votes or 59.5% of the electorate.

Candidate Teresa Dominick earned 4,695 votes, or 40.5% of ballots cast in the race.

Lee emphasized the need to build unity following a prolonged and intense election season. 

“I truly do have a listening ear and an open door policy,” Lee said. “… I truly do want to know and listen and understand so that when we make decisions and when I cast my vote for any particular issue, I feel like I have fully vetted and have a full understanding of all aspects and understand the true trade-offs, so that the best decisions can be made.”

Lee proposes that the city adopt a “predictive growth model.”

“That’s working with other community leaders — like Brian Powell in Ammon and now Lisa Burtenshaw the mayor — and really creating a tool that has more information sets and data sets which allow us to make better decisions,” he said.

Lee is a native of Idaho Falls and is married to Nettie Lee. They are the parents of four children, and the youngest is a sophomore at Idaho Falls High School.

He has served on the Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Commission for seven years and is the head coach for varsity girl’s soccer at Idaho Falls High School. 

Lee is excited about the community’s trajectory and the unique offerings and opportunities available to Idaho Falls residents.

“I think it’s important, as we grow, that we make wise decisions so that we don’t lose the things that have made us special,” he said.

Brandon Lee

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — An accident along US-20 north of the Ucon exit has created bumper-to-bumper traffic, as the Idaho State Police closed off the left northbound lane from mile-marker 315 to 316.

Details on the accident are limited at this time. But drivers and witnesses along US-20 report seeing multiple vehicles pulled into the median off the left side of the northbound lane and a white Jeep van with what appeared to be a crumpled hood.

The accident has not been listed on ITD’s Idaho 511 website; however, the site does indicate traffic has slowed significantly in the area. In these situations, ITD does typically advise drivers to avoid the area and take alternative routes where possible.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide more details as we receive them.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Pocatello has announced that Mayor-Elect Mark Dahlquist and the new City Council Members will take their oaths of office on Thursday, January 8th, 2026, at 6 PM. This ceremony will officially inaugurate the new leadership following the 2025 municipal elections.

The announcement follows the Mayoral Runoff Election held last night, where Dahlquist won decisively with 7,238 votes, or 62%, over his opponent, Greg Cates, who received 4,424 votes, or 38%.

Council Members-Elect Dakota Bates, Stacy Satterfield, and Ann Swanson, along with Mayor-Elect Dahlquist, will be sworn in by City Clerk Konni Kendell. Once they have taken their oaths, they will immediately take their seats at the dais to begin their four-year terms.

Members of the public are invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony and the remainder of the City Council Meeting that evening.

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News Team

UPDATE:

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — Ammon Rd between Georgia and 17th Street has been reopened in both directions as of Wednesday afternoon, after a waterline break damaged the roadway Tuesday night, December 2nd.

After initially repairing the waterline on Tuesday night, crews with the City of Ammon worked to repair the roadway, originally anticipating repairs would take until the end of the day Thursday.

ORIGINAL:

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — Water service has been restored to several homes in Ammon after crews successfully repaired a significant waterline break along Ammon Rd. near Liberty Square that began last night, December 2nd.

While the water issue is resolved, Ammon Rd. is currently restricted in both directions between Georgia and 17th Street as crews work to repair the damaged roadway. City officials are directing drivers to take alternate routes. Crews anticipate the repairs will be completed by the end of the day tomorrow, Thursday, December 4th.

The City of Ammon issued a thank you via Facebook, expressing its gratitude to residents for their patience during the repair process. They also thanked the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and Bonneville County Fire District #1 for their help in managing traffic around the busy area while the emergency repairs were underway.

For updates or more information on repairs, click HERE.

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News Release

The following is a news release from the City of Idaho Falls:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — After an extensive search and a lengthy and thoughtful deliberation period, the City of Idaho Falls has selected Zachary Jones as the new city attorney, pending City Council confirmation.

“Mr. Jones has already shown us what he can do as our interim city attorney. In a very short amount of time, he has demonstrated his ability to bring people together to build a team that will serve this city with excellence,” said Mayor Rebecca Casper. “His fresh perspective, exceptional legal training and willingness to master new areas of the law will be invaluable to Idaho Falls. He also brings something you can’t teach — an innate sense of good judgment. We are confident that Mr. Jones and the city’s legal team will continue to provide the well-reasoned, sound and thoughtful counsel our city requires.”

Jones currently serves as the city’s interim city attorney, a role he assumed in September 2025 after previously working as assistant city attorney and prosecuting attorney. In these capacities, he has handled a wide range of responsibilities, including prosecuting criminal cases and providing civil counsel to departments such as Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Greater Idaho Falls Transit and the Idaho Falls Police Department.

Before joining the city, Jones worked as an associate attorney at Anderson, Julian & Hull LLP, where he prepared briefs, managed discovery and supported litigation. His background also includes extensive appellate work, serving as a staff attorney for Judge Jessica M. Lorello at the Idaho Court of Appeals and Judge Jason D. Scott in the Idaho Fourth Judicial District. In addition, he taught Advanced Advocacy as an adjunct professor at the University of Idaho College of Law.

Jones earned his juris doctor from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, graduating magna cum laude and ranking seventh in his class. He served as senior editor for both the BYU Law Review and the Education Law Journal. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in statesmanship, summa cum laude, from George Wythe University.

“During my time at the city, I’ve been impressed by the dedication of the elected officials and city staff to making Idaho Falls a great place to live and work,” Jones said. “I will strive to continue that tradition of public service and do my level best to fulfill my new responsibilities with responsiveness, competence and fairness.”

The appointment will be presented to the City Council for consideration on Dec. 11. If confirmed, Jones will formally assume the role of city attorney and transition into his new responsibilities.

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Linda Larsen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Two dedicated law enforcement officers from the Idaho Falls area received awards from the Idaho Attorney General for their work protecting children from online exploitation. Detective Jared Mendenhall of the Idaho Falls Police Department and Detective Korey Payne of the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office were honored for their outstanding work with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. (ICAC)

During the ceremony, Attorney General Raúl Labrador spoke about the collaborative and tireless efforts of the two detectives and how their work is saving children from abuse and exploitation.

Mendenhall and Payne have solved over 100 cases, leading to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of online predators.

“It’s not an easy job to do, for sure. But, I think having the support of everybody and having a dog with us, and having the backing of our agency, really does help our mental health aspect of it, because that’s a huge portion and it’s been really helpful. It’s honestly the best job I ever had,” Payne said.

While representing different departments–IFPD and Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office–their joint commitment to the ICAC mission has led to a significant number of arrests and the protection of vulnerable youth across the state, nation, and even globally.

“I have to thank the Idaho Falls Police Department and Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, like my desk where I sit, where I work, where the environment that that these agencies have put me in. If I have an ICAC question, all I have to do is spin around,” Mendenhall said.

The awards serve as recognition for their profound impact in making the internet a safer place for our children.

“You can see their commitment to this cause I think they feel like this is their mission. And I think when when you have a good person who feels inspired that there’s their mission in life, that they’re saving children, they’re saving society, they’re protecting our community. You see it in the work that they do actions, and you can hear it in the words and their enthusiasm for it,” Labrador said.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — As holiday decorations go up across the country, fire officials are urging families to take extra precautions with Christmas trees, warning that a dry tree combined with faulty lights can turn a living room into a dangerous blaze in minutes.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Between 2018 and 2022, fire departments in the United States responded to an annual average of 155 home structure fires caused by Christmas trees. On average, these fires resulted in four civilian deaths, seven civilian injuries, and $15 million in direct property damage each year.”

Christmas tree fires happen due to lighting and electrical equipment, and according to the NFPA’s research:

Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two in five (41 percent) home Christmas tree fires.

One in five (20 percent) home Christmas tree fires were started by lamps or bulbs. 

More than one in 10 (11 percent) home Christmas tree fires were started by candles.

Two in five (40 percent) home Christmas tree fires started in the living room.

Local firefighters are urging Idahoans to make safety central to their holiday traditions. The Idaho Falls Fire Department has provided the following helpful tips and guidelines for keeping your Christmas from becoming too warm and bright.

Placement and Setup

Keep trees at least 3 feet away from heat sources, including fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles, and heat vents.

Place the tree in a sturdy stand on a non-flammable surface and keep it clear of exits, stairs and high-traffic areas.

“The biggest mistakes they make when setting up a tree, they put a too close to a [fire source] So again, they put it next to a fireplace. they put it next to a heater vent, they put it next to a radiator, electric heater, something that can then, dry out the tree and cause it to become more flammable. They put it in an exit path,” Jim Newton, Idaho Falls Fire Marshall, said.

Watering and Maintenance

Water your tree daily and use a stand with a water reservoir. Many trees consume up to a gallon of water per day.

Before placing the tree in the stand, trim 1 to 2 inches off the trunk base to improve water absorption.

Never drill holes in the trunk.

“You have a dry Christmas tree fire which can take over in about 30 seconds. And a wet Christmas tree can take substantially longer, up to five minutes before it becomes fully engulfed,” Newton said.

Lighting and Decorations

Only use lights certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Inspect lights for frayed wires, cracked insulation or broken bulbs, and replace damaged sets immediately.

Avoid overloading circuits by connecting no more than three strands of lights per extension cord and plug lights directly into wall outlets whenever possible.

Keep decorations at least 12 inches from the tree to avoid contact with lights or branches.

Turn off tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

In the event where your Christmas tree does catch fire, Newton recommends to evacuate the area immediately and call 911 immediately.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Tonight, Dec. 3rd, the 2025 Guns N’ Hoses hockey fundraiser hits the ice at the Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls, celebrating local first responders. The family-friendly fundraiser features youth hockey players who will suit up in police and firefighter-themed jerseys to honor our local first responders.

Tickets are available now for just $10 per person, and all proceeds directly benefit the Idaho Falls Youth Hockey Association and the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation. Doors open to the public tonight at 5:30 PM, with the official puck drop scheduled for 6:45 PM.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Local law enforcement officers are kicking into high gear for a heartwarming holiday tradition. The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is calling on the community to join in a holiday fundraiser luncheon today, December 3rd, to support their annual Shop With a Cop event.

Happening today, from 11:30 AM to 1 PM, the Outback Steakhouse on Lindsay Blvd in Idaho Falls is hosting a special Build-Your-Own-Burger Bar. Each meal is $15, with all proceeds going directly to funding the local Shop With a Cop program.

The heartwarming tradition pairs local police and Sheriff’s deputies with children, ages 5 to 12, who could benefit from a positive experience with law enforcement. The goal of the program is to build or improve a positive relationship, as each child and officer spend the morning Christmas shopping for the child’s immediate family.

The main event kicks off this Saturday, December 6th, beginning at 7 AM at the Eagle’s Lodge on Hemmert Ave in Idaho Falls. At 8 AM, the children and officers will participate in a special parade of cop cars before heading to Target to begin their shopping trip.

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