Author: KIFI

Hadley Bodell

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) – The City of Blackfoot is celebrating its 125th anniversary this weekend with “Celebrate Blackfoot,” a two-day event program at Jensen’s Grove. The weekend includes a vendor fair, family activities, a car show, barbeque and fireworks show.

“I love Blackfoot, it’s been a wonderful place to live and raise my family,” said Bonnie Moon, the mastermind behind the pioneer settlement stations at Celebrate Blackfoot. “We should be so grateful for our nation and for all those people that sacrificed for our good. So come out and celebrate America 250 and Blackfoot 125.”

The pioneer settlement stations are near the Kids Zone at Jensen’s Grove. Everything is free at the settlement, giving kids a hands-on experience of the life of pioneers who travelled thousands of miles to settle Blackfoot.

“It’s important to remember those who came before us, they built everything that we have. They had to walk a thousand or over a thousand miles to get here until the trains came,” Moon explained. “They sacrificed so much, they didn’t just do it for themselves, they did it for their children and grandchildren and we need to remember that.”

Kids can take a ride in a handcart, practice catching fish, carry water on a shoulder yoke, gather eggs and wash clothing for candy prizes. The interactive activities are only possible because of all the youth volunteers through the Just Serve program.

In Bingham County, if youth complete 30 hours of service, the county commissioners award them a service medallion. Several of the volunteers at the Celebrate Blackfoot pioneer settlement were gaining five hours of community service.

Moon said she’s been doing pioneer stations with younger kids for between 10 and 15 years. But at the anniversary celebration this weekend, where the city is expecting 8,000 visitors, the scale is new and different for the Moon family and volunteers.

“That’s why we’ve got so many helpers and it’s wonderful because nobody can do it alone, there’s a good 20 people helping out most of the time,” she said.

The event this weekend is also a hub for local organizations to connect with the community, including local non-profit Bless Blackfoot. They take donations for essential and non-essential items like shoes, clothing and household items for people in the area to get for free.

“There are no qualifications to be blessed by our organization,” said Krista Allman, vice president of Bless Blackfoot. “We help anybody who has any need.”

“We like to come out in our community because we love Blackfoot, it’s why we do what we do, so Celebrate Blackfoot was perfect,” said Amber Hare, secretary of Bless Blackfoot. “We’re here to raise awareness and we also have our fundraisers to thank our supporters on social media.”

Bless Blackfoot is currently looking for a place to call their own to help meet the needs of community members. Currently, they work out of a local storage unit.

“It’s getting trickier to meet the needs of everybody who has needs,” Allman added. “So we’ll do this raffle to try to earn a little money so that we can get moved into a space and our events will be easier to set up.”

If you’re interested in donating or volunteering with the non-profit, visit their website blessblackfoot.org. To receive help from Bless Blackfoot, their website can also connect the community with resources and provide assistance.

The festivities this weekend culminate with the Liberty Fireworks Show at 10 p.m. at Jensen’s Grove in Blackfoot on Saturday, June 27.

Schedule of Events

FRIDAY

12 p.m. – Vendors Open

5 p.m. – Smoke-N-Wings BBQ Competition

5 p.m. – Burn Out Competition at Tadd Jenkins Auto Group

8 p.m. – Zumba Party

SATURDAY

8 a.m. – Pilates and Yoga Class

10 a.m. – Open Ceremony and Vendor Open, Car Show, Kids Business Fair

11 a.m. – R/C Car Races

11 a.m.-4 p.m. – Historical Tours at the Idaho Potato Museum, Corn Hole Tournament

2 p.m. – Car Show Awards

10 p.m. – Liberty Fireworks Show

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho law enforcement has issued an endangered missing person alert for a local man and is urging the public to be on the lookout.

Eric Vineyard, 37, was last seen checking out of the Country Inn & Suites in Idaho Falls on Wednesday, June 24.

Police believe Vineyard may be experiencing a manic episode and fear for his safety. Authorities advise the public not to approach him if located, but to contact law enforcement immediately. He was last seen wearing a baseball jersey with the number 23, white Jordan shoes, and a straw hat.

If you have any information regarding Eric Vineyard’s whereabouts, or if you spot him, please do not approach him. Contact the Pocatello Police Department immediately at (208) 234-6100.

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Par Kermani

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — Volunteers spent Friday building tables for 4-H exhibitors at the Eastern Idaho State Fair, helping prepare for this year’s event while supporting youth agriculture programs.

Employees with Bingham Ag Services partnered with the Hall Foundation on Friday to build tables that will be used by 4-H exhibitors during the fair. The tables are destined for the poultry barn, where youth participants display their birds throughout the event.

Organizers say the project is an investment in the next generation of agricultural leaders.

“The Eastern Idaho State Fair affects the counties that we serve, and a lot of people come to the Eastern Idaho State Fair,” said Burke Higley, president of Bingham Ag Services. “We just saw an opportunity to help them out and to help out our community and help out the kids that are involved in 4-H.”

Bingham Ag Services worked with the Hall Foundation and fair officials to identify projects that could benefit communities throughout the company’s service area. Higley said the tables were selected because they would directly support youth exhibitors while also allowing employees to participate in a hands-on service project.

Store Manager Ashlei Peterson said supporting 4-H is especially meaningful because of the lessons the program teaches young people.

“I think it teaches kids a lot about responsibility to take care of your animal and to show your animal,” Peterson said. “If you don’t put in the work, then you’re not going to get your ribbon and your prizes. It just teaches them how to be responsible.”

Peterson said Bingham Ag Services regularly works with 4-H families through its farm store and was eager to find another way to support local youth outside of the business.

The Eastern Idaho State Fair is scheduled to run Aug. 29 through Sept. 6 in Blackfoot, bringing together thousands of exhibitors, visitors and agricultural producers from across the region.

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News Release

The following is a news update from the Idaho Transortation Department:

ISLAND PARK –Work to install a traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 andYale-Kilgore Road in the Elk Creek area of Island Park resumes tonight and will continueinto next week.

Crews had been working to get the signal installed earlier this spring when it wasdiscovered that a piece would need to be fabricated for poles to be placed. That piece is now ready for installation.

Work tonight and Friday, June 26, will be conducted from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Nighttime trafficon both US-20 and Yale-Kilgore Road will be held for approximately 15 minutes at a timeonly when signal poles are being hoisted into the air.

Striping operations that must be completed during daytime hours will begin on Tuesday,June 30th. Traffic will be temporarily reduced to one lane as needed while paint is applied.

The new Island Park signal is expected to become operational on Wednesday, July 1, inadvance of an influx of recreational traffic for the Fourth of July holiday. Crews and trafficpersonnel will then monitor it to determine if changes to the signal timing need to be made.US-20 will be prioritized and green lights for Yale-Kilgore will last for one minute.

Drivers are asked to stay aware and be patient through work zones and new traffic patterns.More information regarding work zone effects can be found on the Idaho 511 app and at511.idaho.gov.

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Max Gershon

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Spud Kings are at the center of a new lawsuit following their offseason move to the North American Hockey League.

According to a report by JuniorHockey.IO, the United States Premier Hockey League filed a lawsuit on June 22, 2026, in the Delaware Court of Chancery, claiming the Spud Kings and three other former mountain division teams secretly planned their departure to the NAHL while still under league contracts.

The report specifically names Spud King’s former General Manager, Erik Hudson, along with East Idaho Hockey Inc. President Kevin Greene. The lawsuit alleges that during his role as general manager, Hudson was privy to sensitive information as the only non-member invited to attend Executive Committee meetings.

“The lawsuit alleges that Hudson sat in these meetings, absorbing confidential blueprints, all while simultaneously conspiring to move his team to a direct competitor,” states the report.

The league is seeking more than $1 Million in damages and is petitioning the court to prevent the four teams from competing in the NAHL while the case moves forward. The Spud Kings previously competed in the NCDC, the top tier of the USPHL.

The lawsuit calls the future of the Spud King’s 2026-27 season into question, even while the team is actively announcing its new roster. Thursday, the team’s Instagram page announced the Spud Kings had Chase Buehler.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 has reached out to current Spud Kings management for comment and is actively attempting to contact former management. Updates will be provided as they become available.

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Curtis Jackson

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho drivers will have new license plate options and significant changes to vehicle registration requirements beginning July 1, 2026. These updates include eliminating physical registration stickers and removing the mandatory 10-year license plate replacement cycle, aiming to offer convenience and cost savings.

The elimination of registration stickers, passed through House Bill 533 during the 2026 legislative session, is projected to save approximately $300,000 annually in materials and production costs for the Idaho Transportation Department. These savings will be reinvested to enhance DMV services for Idaho residents. Drivers will no longer need to apply new stickers for renewals, nor pay sticker fees for replacement registration documents, while still being required to maintain active vehicle registration.

Two new license plate designs will be available to Idaho drivers. ITD updated the Idaho Agriculture plate, which features a sunrise over farm fields, grazing cattle, and Idaho crops. Its tagline is “Harvest the Future.” Proceeds from this specialty plate support “Idaho Ag in the Classroom” with agricultural education and outreach.

The second option is a new standard white-and-black Idaho plate, which offers high-contrast lettering for improved readability and a minimalist design. Both plate options can be obtained at county offices and through the Idaho Transportation Department’s DMV portal.

Although registration stickers will no longer be required, drivers must still carry active vehicle registration and present related documents if requested by law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies can use multiple electronic systems to verify a vehicle’s current, valid registration status. ITD has informed local, state and other jurisdictions about this change, noting that law enforcement agencies nationwide can access the department’s database to confirm registration.

Drivers are not required to remove any registration stickers currently on their license plates. After July 1, 2026, individuals can choose to remove existing stickers if they prefer.

House Bill 577 eliminated the requirement to replace license plates every 10 years, allowing plates to remain in use as long as they are readable and legible. This change allows car owners to delay replacement costs until new plates are genuinely needed. A license plate will require replacement if it is stolen, damaged to the point it cannot be properly displayed, or is no longer clearly legible. The base fee to replace license plates is $11.80.

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Curtis Jackson

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK(KIFI) – A 12-year-old was injured by a bison in Yellowstone National Park on Friday, June 26, 2026.

Park officials said the incident happened near Mud Volcano, just north of Fishing Bridge, at around 9:15 a.m. They said the visitor sustained injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. They did not disclose the 12-year-old’s gender.

Park officials are still investigating the incident.

The incident is a reminder to stay at least 25 yards away from all large animals, including bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes, and at least 100 yards away from bears, wolves, and cougars.

Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal, park officials said in a new release. They are unpredictable, can run three times faster than humans, and will defend their space when threatened.

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News Team

DRIGGS, Idaho (KIFI) — Teton County Idaho Search and Rescue is urging caution after responding to two river rescues in the past week.

On Wednesday, June 24th, TCISAR received a distress call from a group of kayakers trapped in a strainer, a dangerous obstruction formed by fallen trees or debris, on the Teton River. Volunteers successfully rescued all individuals from the river and transported them safely to the Bates Boat Ramp.

Sadly, the dog involved in the incident did not survive, despite wearing a life vest.

“Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased dog—we know dogs ARE family too,” stated the agency on Facebook.

Search and rescue volunteers stress that even the seemingly calm, mild stretches of the Teton River can hide serious hazards.

To ensure a safe trip on the water, TCISAR is stressing that everyone recreating on the river wear a life vest and be aware.

“And if you get in trouble, call 911, we will be there to help you,” states the post.

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ABC4

By: Ava Hart

Originally Published: Jun 26, 2026 / 10:04 AM MDT

SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — Nicholas Rossi, the man who was extradited from Scotland to Utah and found guilty of rape twice, has died.

Rossi, whose legal name is Nicholas Alahverdian, is convicted of faking his death to escape rape charges in Salt Lake County and Utah County. Rossi insisted that prosecutors had the wrong man, and that he was actually a man named Arthur Knight. Nicholas Rossi sentenced to five years to life in second rape case

In October 2025, Rossi was found guilty of first-degree felony rape of a 24-year-old woman. He was sentenced in Salt Lake County to five years to life in prison.

One month later, in November 2025, Rossi was sentenced to five years to life in prison for a second rape conviction in Utah County, to be served consecutively with his first conviction.

The Utah Department of Corrections confirmed that Rossi died in a local hospital on June 25, 2026, at 8:32 p.m. at age 38. He passed away from complications of an existing medical condition after choosing to discontinue medical treatment.

Rossi was serving a cumulative sentence of 10 years to life for two counts of First-Degree Felony Rape.

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KIVI Staff

By: KIVI Staff

Originally Posted 2:11 PM, Jun 25, 2026

BOISE, Idaho (KIVI) — The family of a young girl injured when windows shattered during the 2026 Idaho Potato Drop fireworks show has filed a tort claim against the City of Boise and others, alleging officials allowed the event to continue despite years of concerns about planning and permitting.

The claim, filed on June 9 by Richard and Daryl Ratto on behalf of their daughter, I.R., says the child was severely injured by glass and debris after a fireworks explosion during the New Year’s celebration in downtown Boise.

READ MORE | Child injured by broken glass during Idaho Potato Drop fireworks

According to the notice, the family alleges city officials had documented concerns dating back to at least 2018 involving event planning and execution by the Idaho New Years Commission, which organizes the Idaho Potato Drop. The claim alleges officials knew of repeated issues involving event plans and permit requirements but continued allowing the event to move forward.

The family claims I.R. suffered serious injuries and is seeking compensation for medical expenses, psychological and counseling costs, pain and suffering and mental anguish.

The claim says the incident happened shortly after midnight on Jan. 1 near North 6th Street and West Bannock Street during the Idaho Potato Drop celebration.

The notice was directed to the City of Boise Council Office, Boise City Attorney Jamie Sullivan, the Boise Office of Community Engagement and the Boise Special Events Team. The claim also names several Boise police officers and other individuals as persons involved.

RELATED | Investigation underway into NYE fireworks explosion as accountability comes into question

The family is seeking $10 million in damages against each respondent individually, or another amount that could be determined at trial.

A tort claim is typically a required step before a lawsuit can be filed against a government entity in Idaho.

Read the full tort claim below —

2026-06-11-ratto-claimfordamageDownload

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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