Author: KIFI

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Police are investigating a pair of allegedly counterfeit bills that were passed at two businesses in Idaho Falls.

The counterfeit money was reportedly being used by a man and woman at various businesses along 17th Street in Idaho Falls, according to a post on the Life in Idaho Falls Facebook page.

Photo Credit: Russ Young, Life in Idaho Falls

The Idaho Falls Police Department (IFPD) has confirmed that two suspected bills were found at two local businesses: one at O’Reilly’s and the other at Starbucks, both located on 17th Street.

According to IFPD, counterfeiters will often make small purchases with large counterfeit bills to obtain real cash.

IFPD has proved the following tips for people handling money to help spot fake bills:

The Transaction.

The goal when passing a fake bill is to get the most real cash back in exchange for the fake bill. The suspect may make a small purchase – a drink or candy bar at a convenience store, for example – then pay with a large denomination bill, typically a $100 bill. The business/victim gets a worthless bill, and the suspect gets $90 or so in real cash back in addition to their drink and candy bar.

Transactions where a large bill is used to pay for a small transaction, requiring cash back should be a red flag and encourage the person to look more closely at the bill.

The Bills

5 Ways to Spot a Counterfeit Bill

Feel the Paper – Genuine U.S. currency is printed on a unique blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen, giving it a distinct texture. It also contains small red and blue security fibers embedded throughout the paper. Counterfeit bills often feel smoother or thicker and may lack these embedded fibers.

Check for Color – Shifting Ink – On denominations of $10 and higher, the numeral in the lower right corner on the front of the bill changes color (from copper to green) when tilted. If it doesn’t shift, it’s likely fake.

Look for a Watermark – Hold the bill up to the light—there should be a faint image matching the portrait on the bill, visible from both sides. If there’s no watermark or it doesn’t match the portrait, it’s likely counterfeit.

Inspect the Security Thread – All denominations $5 and up have a vertical embedded thread that glows under UV light and indicates the bill’s denomination. If the thread is missing, misaligned, or the wrong color under UV light, it’s fake.

Examine the Printing Details – Real bills have very fine, detailed printing, especially around the borders and portraits. Blurry lines, fuzzy details, or smudged ink are red flags. Also, microprinting—tiny words like “USA” or the denomination—should be sharp and clear under magnification.

For more details on how to spot counterfeit bills or “dummy money,” click HERE.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Community Beautification Council is looking for volunteers in Pocatello and Chubbuck to join in on the ‘Community-Wide Spring Cleanup’ on Saturday, May 3.

During the annual event, volunteers are assigned areas of the city to clean up trash and debris left over from winter–all volunteers will be provided with free gloves and trash bags, and people who show up to clean up will also get a complimentary breakfast at the start of the event.

The Community-Wide Spring Cleanup is organized by the Community Beautification Council, a committee of the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce. The Beautification Committee will hold a ‘pre-cleanup’ kickoff in Historic Downtown Pocatello on Tuesday, April 29.

The Community-Wide Spring Cleanup will start on Saturday, May 3, at 8:30 am at the NeighborWorks Pavilion in Caldwell Park in Pocatello.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will accept applications for fall 2025 controlled hunts of deer, elk, pronghorn, swan, fall black bear, and fall turkey from May 1 to June 5, applications for the first Super Hunt drawing will be accepted through May 31.

According to Fish and Game, hunter harvest of mule deer, elk, and white-tailed deer increased statewide in 2024, indicating herds could be making a comeback after the harsh winter of 2022-2023 had major impacts on animal numbers.

Hunters with a valid 2025 license can apply for controlled hunts at gooutdoorsidaho.com, at their local Fish and Game office, or at any hunting license vendor. For more information, you can visit the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO (KIFI) – On Wednesday, April 30, some members of the Idaho State Police will change their uniforms temporarily in support of an important nationwide initiative.

Throughout April, ISP has been involved in various activities and initiatives to raise awareness during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. These efforts will come to a head on Wednesday, as the ISP joins individuals and organizations nationwide in participating in Denim Day.

“Sexual violence affects every community, every demographic, and every corner of our state,” said Colonel Bill Gardiner, Director of the Idaho State Police. “As Idaho’s statewide law enforcement agency, we are committed not only to responding to these crimes with professionalism and compassion, but to thoroughly investigating and enforcing the laws designed to stop this violence.”

Denim Day, which originated from a 1999 Italian Supreme Court case, is recognized annually as a visible symbol of protest against erroneous attitudes about sexual assault. In a show of support for survivors and to reinforce the importance of consent, ISP professional staff will wear denim as part of their uniform to highlight the agency’s commitment to ending sexual violence.

“Denim Day gives us a straightforward but powerful way to show our support for survivors, promote prevention efforts, and reaffirm the fundamental importance of respect and dignity for every person,” said Gardiner.

“ISP encourages Idahoans to learn more about Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the importance of supporting survivors. We also invite you to join us by wearing denim to show your support. Together, education, support, and action can help build safer communities across our state,” said ISP in a press release.

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Phillip Willis

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Old Fort Hall chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is excited to share a new innovative exhibit taking a look into the birth of the United States.

The traveling exhibit will be open from April 28th, 2025, at 10 AM through May 10th, 2025, at 9:00 PM.

“The innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation,” according to the Idaho Falls Public Library website.

The Daughters of the American Revolution “… was founded in 1890 to promote Historic Preservation, Education, and Patriotism across the United States,” according to the group’s website.

The exhibit is located on the second floor of the library and will be available to the public during the library’s normal operating hours.

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Noah Farley

WARM RIVER, Idaho (KIFI) — A woman from Brisbane, Australia, has stopped in Idaho during an amazing hiking trek across the American continents.

Lucy Barnard started hiking in the most southern end of Argentina in 2017. Since then, she’s traveled all the way up to Warm River, Idaho. Her goal is to make it up to the furthest northern reach of Alaska. That would take her over 9,000 miles of travel.

Barnard originally started her journey on a whim when she was on vacation in Argentina. She learned some men had walked the full length of that country, but no women had yet.

“And it just got under my skin a little because I felt like back then hiking and walking couldn’t be that difficult,” Barnard said. “But that’s been a hard and long lesson.”

Since then, Barnard has traveled through beautiful countries like Chile, Peru, and Mexico. She loved seeing the culture, dancing, and art in South America. She says she has a great appreciation for hiking trails here in the United States.

“There is such a strong community, and I really felt helped by the trail through the United States, where it’s the first time I’ve just felt like people understand what I’m doing, and have really been able to get behind me,” she said.

Barnard says she has a strong social media community, where many people have given her encouragement, and she’s been able to give people confidence to travel like she has.

You can learn more about Lucy Barnard, her journey, and her dog, Wombat, here.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) —   If you have extra trash from spring cleaning, now may be the time to take it to the dump in Bonneville County.

The transfer station will be the week of May 12th until May 16, 2025, for necessary maintenance, according to the Bonneville County office of Emergency Management.

During that time, household waste can still be taken to the Peterson Hill landfill on Sunnyside Road.

Tires, old refrigerators, air conditioners, used motor oil, and lead-acid batteries can still be dropped off at the transfer station.     

While metal and cardboard will be accepted at the Bonneville County Hatch Pit, 3690 Recycle Rd, Idaho Falls. The hours of operation at the Hatch Pit are Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM, and closed on Sundays.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is hosting two open houses to share preliminary plans for upcoming construction to widen I-15 to three lanes from Northgate Pocatello to Blackfoot and replace highway interchanges.

ITD says the end goal is to add three lanes in both directions to the 51 miles of interstate between Pocatello and Idaho Falls.

The project will be completed in three separate, smaller phases: the first phase includes widening I-15 from 5th Avenue in Pocatello to Northgate Pocatello, phase two will be widening from Northgate to Exit 93 in Blackfoot, and during the final phase, crews will widen the highway from Blackfoot to Exit 116 in Idaho Falls.

ITD will host open houses in Blackfoot and Fort Hall to collect public input on their plans to move into phase two of widening the highway through Blackfoot and replacing both highway interchanges on the stretch of interstate.

“We want comments on that from the community so we can adjust whatever plans that we need to adjust,” said Justin Smith, public information officer for ITD’s District 5. “…We’re bringing preliminary plans for comment, there’s still opportunity for their input to change what we’re looking at or to improve what we’re looking at.”

Smith said they are waiting to secure funding for the project from the Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) funds, part of Governor Brad Little’s ‘Leading Idaho’ program. After collecting public feedback and securing funding, construction on the project could begin as early as 2030.

The ITD open houses will be Wednesday, April 30, from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Blackfoot Community Center in Blackfoot, and Thursday, May 1, from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Shoshone-Bannock Convention Center in Fort Hall.

For more information, you can visit the Idaho Transportation Department website.

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Seth Ratliff

WAYNE, New Jersey (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Spud Kings have defeated the South Shore Kings 2-1 and claim the Dineen Cup.

The win marks the first time in the Spud King’s 3-year history that the Idaho Falls team has won the cup.

Local News 8’s Will Syslo will have the full breakdown tonight on SportsLine.

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