Author: KIFI

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A Madison County man has died following an officer-involved shooting incident with law enforcement last week. The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man as Landon Smith. He was officially declared deceased on December 22, several days after the incident on North County Line Road left him with a life-threatening gunshot wound.

Medical staff at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center declared Smith brain dead on Sunday, Dec. 21, following the Wednesday morning shooting.

The Shooting and Investigation

On Wednesday, December 17th, Smith was the subject of a multi-county search after being linked to a domestic disturbance and vehicle theft earlier that evening in Madison County. According to initial police reports, authorities believed that Smith was likely armed and had expressed an intent to commit “suicide by cop.”

RELATED: Armed suspect hospitalized after deputy-involved shooting in Bonneville County

Over the course of the search, Bonneville County Deputies spotted Smith in an allegedly stolen vehicle and tried to stop him multiple times from 11 PM Tuesday to 5:30 AM Wednesday, noting he drove recklessly in the area.

A Bonneville County Deputy was able to execute a PIT maneuver on North County Line Road, which turned Smith’s vehicle off the side of the road and into the gutter.

As his car came to a stop, BCSO says Smith immediately began firing at officers, and two deputies returned fire. Smith suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound, but BCSO says whether or not the driver was struck by his own fired rounds or rounds from a deputy is under investigation.

Sheriff’s Office Response

Smith was treated on scene by Deputies and taken by Ambulance to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. On Sunday, Dec. 21st, Smith was declared brain dead by medical staff, and officially declared deceased on Monday, Dec. 22nd.

“Our thoughts are with the families of those involved,” states BCSO PIO Sgt. Bryan Lovell. “This investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released at a later time.”

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Stephanie Lucas

UPDATE:

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — All is clear after a natural gas leak forced fire crews to evacuate the Red Robin and Wells Fargo Bank on East 17th Street earlier today, Dec. 23.

According to the Idaho Falls Fire Department, the leak was caused by an excavator operated by a private company, which struck a 4-inch gas line. As a precaution, IFFD evacuated the nearby businesses and temporarily closed eastbound traffic on East 17th Street at Ashment Street.

Within 20 minutes of the initial call, crews with Intermountain Gas arrived on the scene and quickly pinched off the damaged pipe, stopping the leak. IFFD confirms the gas line has since been secured and all roadways are now open.

In a press release, the Idaho Falls Fire Department thanked Intermountain Gas, Idaho Falls Power, and the Idaho Falls Police Department for their swift response and coordination, which helped minimize impacts and ensure public safety.

ORIGINAL:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – A gas leak is causing road closures near the intersection of 17th and Hitt in Idaho Falls near Red Robin. Eastbound traffic is blocked from Ashment to S 25th E (Hitt Road) while the leak is being fixed.

Red Robin and Wells Fargo have been evacuated as a precaution. No other businesses in the area are currently affected.

Drivers should plan for delays in this area and find alternate routes.

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Ariel Jensen

SHELLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — A local family is picking up the pieces after their trailer home went up in flames in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The Shelley-Firth Fire District was called to the blaze around midnight. While the home was a total loss, the three people inside escaped without injury.

Fast and Furious

Manuel Alvarez, one of the three residents, says he was asleep when the fire broke out. Speaking in Spanish through a neighbor who assisted with translation, Alvarez described a terrifying scene that escalated in seconds.

“In the night when we were sleeping, I saw flames coming from the back side of the refrigerator,” Alvarez said. “Like fast and furious, it just started to spread through the house.”

Alvarez was told by fire crews on the scene that the fire appeared to be accidental, likely sparked by a space heater. While Local News 8 has reached out to the Shelley-Firth Fire District for official confirmation, they have not yet returned a request for comment.

Community Spirit Amid Heartbreaking Loss

The devastation of the fire spread beyond the Alvarez property. Cindy Jarquin, who lives next door, watched as the heat and flames charred her family’s most recent sacrifice: a brand-new car intended as a surprise Christmas gift for her daughter, Alyssa.

“We actually bought it for her for Christmas,” Cindy said. “She goes to college in Arizona. Since she can’t afford it herself, we took the last dime we had to purchase it for her.”

For Alyssa, the surprise was revealed under the worst possible circumstances. “She didn’t know about it until now,” Cindy added. “She found out the hard way that her gift just went up in flames.”

Despite the loss of her Christmas surprise, Alyssa says some things are more important than a car.

“It’s truly heartbreaking, especially since I am going back to college,” Alyssa said. “But I’m more worried about my neighbors because they lost their home and their cars. I feel terribly sorry for them.”

Because the Alvarez family lost their phones and personal belongings in the fire, Alyssa is currently setting up a GoFundMe page to help them cover immediate expenses. Local News 8 will provide the link to the GoFundMe campaign as soon as it becomes available. Check back here for updates on how you can support the Alvarez family during this difficult time.

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Seth Ratliff

VICTOR, Idaho (KIFI) — A Victor home narrowly avoided a major catastrophe Monday night, after a nearby pickup truck burst into flames.

Teton County Fire & Rescue was called to the emergency around 9:46 PM on December 22. They arrived at the 8400 block of Red Hawk Trail to find a vehicle with flames coming from its engine compartment and threatening a nearby home.

The crews immediately attacked the fire, first preventing further damage to the home and then directly combating the flames. The fire was fully extinguished within 15 minutes.

While the pickup truck was declared a total loss, the home escaped with only exterior damage. Teton County Fire & Rescue officials credited the favorable outcome to the quick thinking of bystanders who quickly called emergency services. No injuries to civilians or first responders were reported during the incident.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– Santa traded reindeer for rifle racks this weekend, stopping by The Gun Shop in Idaho Falls to pose for photos with kids. It’s all part of a holiday event meant to give families a less crowded alternative to the mall.

The idea had actually come from a practical problem.

“Everybody wants to go see Santa, and so I know if I take my kids to the mall, the lines are crazy long. And so we just wanted to give kids another option, another place to find Santa,” Lindsey, the marketing coordinator at The Gun Shop, said.

This is the first year The Gun Shop is hosting Santa, but it won’t be the last.

“I think we’ll probably do it again,” Lindsey said.

Santa had one last thing to say to all the kids before he jumps down those chimneys.

“It’s easy to think that you can get on the naughty list, but for the most part, kids are pretty good. We all make mistakes. The important thing is that we fix our mistakes and we try better the next day. That’s what matters,” Santa said.

The event is happening from Dec. 23 to Dec. 24 from 12-2 p.m.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Due to increased holiday travel, the Long-Term Parking Lot at Idaho Falls Regional is now full and temporarily closed. Airport officials issued an alert via social media, sharing photos of the packed lot and notifying passengers that while the Economy Lot on International Way remains an option, its availability is also becoming limited.

Addressing potential confusion for travelers on the ground, IDA explained that once the airport determines that safe access or traffic flow can no longer be maintained, the lot must be closed.

“You may notice open spaces in some areas — however, parking availability is managed based on operational and safety thresholds, not visual vacancy alone,” states the post. “When traffic flow or safe access can no longer be maintained, a lot may temporarily close even if some spaces remain.”

Airport leadership expressed their gratitude for the public’s patience during this peak holiday travel season, emphasizing that these restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of both passengers and their vehicles.

The airport is encouraging travelers to get a ride or use the Greater Idaho Falls Transit to avoid parking trouble. They’re also reminding flyers to arrive early and check flight status with their airline

To watch for updates on parking conditions, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A Canadian truck driver is facing felony charges of enticing a child over the internet following an undercover sting operation by the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced Monday that 41-year-old Kelly Maier was taken into custody in Idaho Falls following a joint investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.

Case Background

The investigation began on December 8, when an ICAC investigator posing as a teenage girl created a new profile on an online chat application, where “she” was contacted by Maier. Under the guise of the teenage girl, the detective continued to message back and forth with Maier, at one point asking the man, “Would u be mad if I’m not 18?” Documents state that Maier responded by asking how old the fake girl was, to which the detective responded, “14, but super mature for my age.”

Maier allegedly continued the message back and forth with the undercover detective, eventually moving the chat to a secondary messaging app under the username “KM.” As the conversation progressed over several days, Maier allegedly sent explicit messages and photos taken from inside his truck. In exchange, the detective sent a doctored image of a woman posing as a teenage girl, often used by law enforcement to investigate internet crimes against children, according to court docs.

Investigators state that Maier repeatedly suggested a physical meeting as he traveled through Idaho Falls, at one point acknowledging the age gap could get him in trouble but assuring the undercover officer they would “behave.” Maier continued to make several references to sexual activity and offered to meet the minor at a local truck stop. At one point, Maier assured the fake girl he’d use a condom so she didn’t get pregnant and made references to “her” virginity.

Law enforcement moved in to arrest Maier on the night of December 17 at a Love’s Truck Stop after he agreed to meet the undercover detective there. In interviews with police, Maier reportedly admitted that he knew he was chatting with a 14-year-old but claimed he only intended to “wish her a Merry Christmas” and provide emotional support. When confronted with the sexual nature of his messages, Maier allegedly told investigators he wrote them in the “heat of the moment” but never intended to act on them.

Maier was booked into the Bonneville County Jail on felony charges. His Preliminary hearing has been set for Dec. 31, 2025

Strong Partnerships and Protecting Idaho’s Children

Attorney General Labrador credited the arrest to the seamless coordination between agencies in Madison County, Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, and Pocatello. He emphasized that these partnerships are vital for removing predators from Idaho streets and ensuring the safety of children throughout the state. “Thanks to the strong partnerships we’ve built with law enforcement across Idaho, individuals like this are being arrested for these terrible crimes against children and families,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Madison County, Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, and Pocatello all worked together to make this arrest happen. When agencies coordinate like this, those who threaten our kids get removed from our streets. I am grateful for these partnerships and the commitment every officer brings to protecting Idaho’s children.” Anyone with information regarding the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local police, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678. For more information, click HERE.

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News Release

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

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Idaho Falls Sanitation Division is helping residents wrap up the holiday season by offering convenient Christmas tree disposal options throughout the city through Jan. 31.

Because of processing requirements at the Bonneville County Transfer Station, Christmas trees cannot be placed in regular household garbage. To make disposal easier, the Sanitation Division has established 13 designated drop off locations across Idaho Falls where residents can safely discard their trees.

The disposal sites are intended for city residents only and may not be used by commercial tree lots to dispose of unsold trees. Residents are reminded to remove all ornaments, lights and decorations before dropping off their trees.

Christmas tree disposal locations:

Soccer fields parking lot off Old Butte Road

Washburn Avenue and Michael Street at Reinhart Park

 Fremont Avenue near the recycling bin north of the Science Center

West Elva Street at the Melaleuca Field parking lot

North Water Avenue and Chestnut Street in the northeast corner

West 13th Street and North Placer Avenue

10th Street and Emerson Avenue

Tautphaus Park outdoor ice rink near the glass recycling container

Bennett Avenue and Waid Street

Sunnyside Park near Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in the southeast corner

Sykes Drive and Davidson Drive

Ashment Avenue and 12th Street

Russet Street and Lincoln Drive

CHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSAL SITE MAP

Collected trees will be chipped and recycled into mulch, which will be made available to Idaho Falls residents next spring.

For more information about Christmas tree disposal or the mulch program, contact the Sanitation Division at (208) 612-8491.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Sirens will soon be blaring from a brand-new fire station serving northeast Idaho Falls.

Firefighters and city officials celebrated the grand opening with a ceremonial uncoupling of the hoses on Monday.

The station will house a crew of five firefighters and paramedics.

Officials say the new station will help firefighters reduce fire response times.

“This new station allows us to fill a gap we identified in our coverage area to the North,” said Idaho Falls Fire Department Interim Fire Chief Paul Radford. “Out of our stations that we have in this area, we’ve placed them strategically across town so we can make our national standards of four minutes per EMS call and five minutes per structure fire call for the first arriving unit and then eight minutes for the effective response force.”

Located on Spitfire Street (next to North 15th East/Woodruff Avenue), the fire station will provide crews faster access to Sage Lakes, Lewisville Highway and the County Line area, the interim chief said

“This station will have a (fire) engine and an ambulance currently when it opens,” Idaho Falls Fire Department Paramedic Brock McCue. “Then hopefully within the next two, three years, we’ll be able to stand up our second battalion chief.”

Built on a seven-acre parcel, the additional ground provides space for a future Idaho Falls Fire Department storage site.

“It’s been a real privilege to be a part of this department’s growth and maturity, and … this is our third fire facility that I’ve worked on,” Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper said. “I think it’s awfully impressive that we have been able to do all of that with no debt.”

The building cost $1.5 million, with a total project price tag of $3.7 million including the land, equipment and a generator.

A boy jumps into the fire truck at Station #6.

It was paid for with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, wildland resources and impact fees.

The uncoupling ceremony marked one of Casper’s final public addresses as mayor of Idaho Falls.

During her tenure, the city’s Insurance Service Organization (ISO) rating improved from a III to a II as the department expanded its network of stations.

Fire officials recognized Casper’s leadership, commitment to the safety of Idaho Falls citizens and responsiveness to the needs of the fire department.

The station will be fully operational starting on January 5.

A fire engine departs from the new Station #6 in north Idaho Falls.

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Seth Ratliff

UPDATE:

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — After a 14-hour cleanup, the Teton Pass along Wyoming Hwy. 22 is back open as of 5 PM today, December 22, the Wyoming Department of Transportation announced. WYDOT expressed its gratitude to the Idaho Transportation Department for their help clearing the pass, which originally was projected to take until 2 PM the following day.

WYDOT is directing travelers to drive cautiously and stay alert, as contract crews will work under traffic as roadside operations continue tomorrow.

For updates and alerts, click HERE.

ORIGINAL:

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — The Idaho Transportation Department is working to help crews in Wyoming in the massive task of cleaning the Teton Pass following Monday morning’s avalanche mitigation.

The pass remains blocked in both directions by a substantial wall of snow after WYDOT crews brought down a large, controlled avalanche at Glory Bowl during the mitigation work. WYDOT initially closed the pass at 3 AM on December 22 to begin the mitigation work. However, due to the sheer volume of debris, officials do not expect the road to reopen until Tuesday between noon and 2:00 PM.

Courtesy: ITD/WYDOT

Recognizing the scale of the cleanup, WYDOT reached out to the ITD foreman in Driggs early Monday afternoon for reinforcements. Idaho crews are now attacking the snowbank from the western side.

“In our usual ‘No Boundaries’ mindset, eastern Idaho is here to help through today, tonight, and until the task is done,” ITD posted to Facebook.

For updates and alerts on when the Teton Pass is open, click HERE.

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