Author: KIFI

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Bannock County Assessor’s Office announced property values may rise around the area after a study by the Idaho State Tax Commission found Bannock County prices fell below market real estate prices.

County property values are required by Idaho State law to fall within 90% to 110% of ‘actual market values’–determined by an annual study by the State Tax Commission comparing property value assessments to real estate market prices.

This year, the study found Bannock County property values had dropped below 90% of actual market values due to a continued rise in real estate costs around Idaho. Bannock County Assessor Anita Hymas said they will need to reevaluate and raise property values to remain in compliance with state law.

“I stayed conservative last year at 92%, and, unfortunately, real estate sales are still going up a little bit,” said Hymas. “…They are definitely still going up, which took us out of compliance… I have to bring them back up into the 90% to 110% range… I’m trying to be conservative so that we can keep values a little bit down.”

Hymas said an increase in property value does not necessarily mean an increase in property tax rates. Property taxes will depend on local budget decisions and levy rates set later this year.

But, in an effort to remain equitable under the possibility of increased tax rates later this year, the Bannock County Assessor’s Office plans to increase property values for commercial and residential properties together, which would offset any major tax increases for residential property owners.

Property owners who disagree with their assessed value have the right to appeal through the Board of Equalization. Anyone wishing to appeal their assessed property value is encouraged to visit the Bannock County Assessor’s Office and speak with an appraiser.

For more information, you can visit the Bannock County Assessor’s Office website.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Workers at the Idaho Falls Zoo arrived Friday morning to find a new addition. 

 Sometime overnight, Zasu the Bactrian camel gave birth. The zookeepers say they knew Zasu was pregnant.

Courtesy: Idaho Falls Zoo

“Please join us in welcoming the newest addition to our zoo family — Gankhuyag (pronounced Gon-Que-og), the baby Bactrian camel! Gankhuyag was born May 11th, and both he and his amazing mom, Zazu, are doing great,” said the zoo in a post on Facebook.

The zoo asks that we give them some privacy by not parking along the back fence for the next few days or trying to call the camels over when visiting the zoo. 

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Ann Swanson, a lifelong Pocatello resident, is running for city council during the next election cycle in November.

Swanson said, if elected, she plans to focus on providing affordable housing, drawing small businesses to the Pocatello area, and establishing better lines of communication between the city and the public, especially in times of emergency.

“My run is really a thank you note to Pocatello in some ways,” said Swanson. “It’s always been a driver of mine to be of service and to look for opportunities to give back to the community.”

City council elections will take place in November.

Swanson will hold a campaign kickoff event on May 28 at 5 p.m. at Caldwell Park in Pocatello.

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Sam Ross

CHUBBUCK, Idaho (KIFI)– The Pocatello Rotary Club and students at Ellis Elementary School celebrated the dedication of a brand new ‘Little Free Library’ on the school’s grounds.

Little Free Library is a national nonprofit organization providing books in small, designated boxes as easy access to literature for people who may not live close to a traditional library or have the means to buy reading materials.

Bringing the new Little Free Library to Ellis Elementary was a joint effort between school staff and students and the Pocatello Rotary Club.

“Reading is magic, and at the Pocatello Rotary we like to bring some more of that magic to our community,” said Michael Strickland, member of the Pocatello Rotary Club. “Little Free Libraries are great because, in today’s society, so many things cost money––it’s nice to have something that people and children and families can do that doesn’t cost anything.”

The Pocatello Rotary Club said they plan to install Little Free Libraries at Lookout Point and the Bonneville Commons in Pocatello.

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Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A man with an active felony arrest warrant is in custody following an alleged stalking incident and pursuit on Highway 20, according to a post on the Rexburg Police Department Facebook page.

On Sunday at approximately 5:30 PM, Rexburg police responded to a report from a woman stating that her ex-boyfriend had followed her home from work and was waiting outside her residence.

Officers promptly arrived at the scene but were initially unable to locate the man. However, they successfully identified him and his vehicle and discovered he had an active nationwide extradition warrant for three felony charges.

Law enforcement maintained a presence in the area to locate the suspect. Approximately two hours later, officers monitoring the victim’s residence observed the man returning. Upon seeing the officers, the suspect immediately fled in his vehicle.

Three Rexburg Police officers attempted a traffic stop, but the man refused to yield, leading to a pursuit southbound on Pioneer Road. Due to the suspect’s dangerous driving, officers made the decision to reduce their speed and increase the distance to prioritize public safety, according to the Rexburg PD.

The suspect continued southbound, crossing the Rexburg city limits onto 5000 South, where Madison County Sheriff’s deputies joined the pursuit as he entered Highway 20 at the Thornton exit.

“At this point, officers coordinated a rolling box-in maneuver to stop the pursuit and take the suspect into custody,” the Rexburg PD stated in a Facebook post. “One officer positioned their vehicle in front of the suspect’s vehicle, while another moved behind. Unfortunately, the suspect executed a U-turn, crossing the median and heading northbound on Highway 20.”

The wanted man then allegedly attempted to drive northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 20, driving towards oncoming traffic. Deputies successfully blocked his path, forcing him back to the northbound side of the road.

As officers closed in, the fleeing vehicle rammed a police car.

Law enforcement then executed a PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique) maneuver, causing the suspect’s vehicle to spin to a safe stop on the northbound off-ramp at the same exit.

Officers strategically positioned their vehicles to prevent the suspect from fleeing again, and he was taken into custody without further incident.

The suspect was transported to a local hospital for a precautionary medical evaluation. He was subsequently booked into the Madison County Jail on the three original felony warrants, as well as new charges of felony eluding and misdemeanor stalking in the second degree.

“We’re thankful to our partners at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Idaho State Police, for responding and assisting us on this call,” the Rexburg PD stated in their post.

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO (KIFI) — Idahoans are heading to the polls tomorrow for the May 20th election, with polls open from 8 AM to 8 PM. Several key local measures are on the ballot, impacting essential services and education.

Find your polling station: HERE.

Bingham County Ambulance District Funding:

Voters in Bingham County will decide on a proposed $567,000 annual funding increase for the ambulance district. If approved, this measure would result in an estimated $13 annual tax increase per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value. The additional funding aims to support staffing and medical service costs.

Shelley School District Bond for New High School:

The Shelley School District is seeking a school bond to help fund the construction of a new high school. It’s estimated that the nearly $79 million bond would cost taxpayers $423 a year for every $100-thousand of taxable assessed value.

The bond will need more than two-thirds majority to pass. For more information, click HERE.

Supplemental Levies in Multiple School Districts:

Several other school districts, including Blackfoot, Soda Springs, Marsh Valley, and Rockland, are seeking to renew their supplemental levies. These levies provide crucial funding for district operations.

For more information on the May 20th election, and to keep track of results as the numbers from the polling stations come in, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — In a surprise opportunity for young voices to be heard, the members of Skyline High School’s student government are set to meet with the chair of Idaho’s Senate Education Committee, State Senator David Lent, today, May 19, at 2:40 PM.

The exciting last-minute forum was arranged just this morning and will give students the chance to share their ideas for education innovation in Idaho, according to Skyline staff.

The student-led discussion will focus on fresh perspectives for pushing education forward in the Gem State. Skyline Students have prepared to share their insights on critical areas such as integrating technology into the classroom, the relevance of the current curriculum to their future needs, and the creation of learning environments that better equip them for their future careers.

“Our students have thoughtful ideas about how education can evolve to better serve their generation,” said Superintendent Karla LaOrange. “This discussion gives them a platform to have their voices heard by someone who can help implement meaningful change.”

Senator Lent, who previously served on the Idaho Falls School District 91 Board of Trustees, has reportedly expressed keen interest in hearing firsthand from students about their educational experiences and visions for improvement.

According to the school, the forum aligns with Idaho Falls School District 91’s vision of providing “a culture that empowers, instruction that engages, and technology that enables” as outlined in the district’s Continuous Improvement Plan.

Student government representatives have prepared discussion points focusing on:

Student-driven learning initiatives

Technology integration in the classroom

Career preparation pathways

Mental health support systems

Innovative learning spaces

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News Team

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

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Falls residents value the area’s economy and emphasize its importance, feel a strong sense of safety and appreciate the overall quality of services provided by the City, according to results from the National Community Survey of Idaho Falls.

Created by the National Research Center at Polco and used by more than 500 communities nationwide, the NCS is a trusted tool for gathering statistically valid feedback on community livability and performance. The survey conducted in Idaho Falls early this year includes community input on key metrics such as City services, public safety, economic vitality, and overall quality of life, highlighting both areas of strength and opportunities for continued growth. Responses will help city leaders make informed decisions that reflect the priorities and needs of residents.

“Citizen opinion matters a great deal. We appreciate all the residents who took the survey,” said Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper. “Citizen engagement is the gold standard for policymakers when it comes to public decisions, policies and investments. Our goal is a vibrant Idaho Falls, a community that is a great place to live, raise a family, grow a business and build a future. Citizen input and feedback can help us to get it right.”

Photo Credit: City of Idaho Falls

Key findings from the survey include:

·         76% rate the overall quality of services provided by the City of Idaho Falls as excellent or good.

·         74% rate the overall customer service by Idaho Falls employees as excellent or good.

·         93% say they feel very safe or somewhat safe in their neighborhoods during the day, and 91% say they feel very safe or somewhat safe in the downtown/commercial areas during the day.

·         92% rate fire services as excellent or good, 89% rate ambulance/emergency medical services as excellent or good, and 70% rank police services as excellent or good.

·         86% rate the quality of the power utility as excellent or good, and 73% rate the quality of affordable high-speed internet access as excellent or good, scoring higher than the national benchmarks.

·         73% rate the overall quality of business and service establishments as excellent or good.

·         63% rate the vibrancy of the downtown/commercial areas as excellent or good.

·         63% and 62% rate Idaho Falls as an excellent or good place to work or visit, respectively.

While the survey results affirm many of the City’s efforts, they also highlight a few areas where residents see room for improvement, particularly in street maintenance, economic development, airport facilities and public transportation options. Many of these areas are already the focus of ongoing City initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, access and quality of life for all residents.

“We look forward to further analyzing the findings and using them to drive thoughtful, data-informed improvements throughout our city,” said Mayor Casper. “Several of the improvement areas identified by residents closely align with priorities already on the radar of City leaders. For example, upgraded airport parking is currently in development. Residents also voiced strong support for expanding affordable mobility and public transit options. The GIFT Board shares this vision and is actively exploring ways to broaden transit service.”

The National Community Survey of Idaho Falls was conducted in two phases between Jan. 23 and Feb. 28. In the first phase, postcards were mailed to randomly selected households. In the second phase, the survey was opened to all residents. The results were statistically weighted and have a +/- margin of error of 5%.

View the full survey results here. 

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI)—The federal government has ended nearly $50 million in grants to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare following President Trump’s directive to eliminate “wasteful spending.”

In a statement to Local News 8, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare spokesperson AJ McWhorter explained that the grants were all part of pandemic-related funding.

“Ongoing programs are not affected by the ending of these grants, and DHW is executing its exit strategies to minimize any disruptions for the one-time pandemic grants,” said McWhorter.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) discontinued the grants for Idaho on March 24. According to HHS data on canceled grants, over $29 million was designated for children’s vaccination programs. Additionally, $13.2 million was intended for mental health programs and services, while the remaining $6.9 million of federal funding was allocated for substance abuse services and programs.

These grants are part of a larger cut of $12 billion in health care funding across the nation in response to this directive.

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News Team

The following is a press release from the National Parks Service:

ARCO, Idaho (KIFI) — The National Park Service (NPS) invites members of the public to participate in three special “walks on the Moon” that will be held in May and June at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in southern Idaho.

“Spring is a great time of year to visit Craters of the Moon, with mild temperatures, fewer visitors, and beautiful scenery as remaining snow contrasts with lava and wildflowers bloom,” said Michael Irving, chief of interpretation & education at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve.

“We are pleased to offer these special walks in partnership with the Craters of the Moon Natural History Association and encourage members of the public to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in them!”

The following walk and hikes will be led by Doug Owen, who worked as a park ranger, park geologist, and education specialist for 19 years at Craters of the Moon and is also a professional photographer:

Wildflower and Ethnobotany Walk

Saturday, May 31 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This approximately two-mile walk will feature discussions of ecology, adaptations, and traditional uses of plants. The walk is limited to 20 participants and reservations are required. Additional information is available on the Craters of the Moon website. 

To reserve a spot, please call the Craters of the Moon Visitor Center at 208-527-1335.

Photography Adventure Hike

Saturday, June 7 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Photographers of all skill levels who are interested in learning tips and tricks of shooting different textures and wildflowers as well as using light reflectors are welcome on this approximately four-mile hike. The hike will cover a variety of terrain, from the cinder flats to the Broken Top Loop Trail. The hike is limited to 15 participants and reservations are required. Additional information is available on the Craters of the Moon website.

To reserve a spot, please call the Craters of the Moon Visitor Center at 208-527-1335.

Geology Nature Hike

Saturday, June 14 – 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

This four-mile hike will include viewing and learning about a wide variety of geologic features. The hike is limited to 20 participants and reservations are required. Additional information is available on the Craters of the Moon website.

To reserve a spot, please call the Craters of the Moon Visitor Center at 208-527-1335.

The NPS has reopened the entire Loop Road and the Lava Flow Campground to motor vehicle travel after removing enough snow and ice to make it possible and safe.

The spur road to the Caves area remains closed and will reopen as soon as enough snow and ice melt to make it safe for visitors to explore the Indian Tunnel and Dew Drop caves.

The NPS closes the Loop Road and Lava Flow Campground to motor vehicles each year, generally from the late fall to late spring, when snow and ice accumulations create hazardous conditions. The Loop Road remains open during the winter motor vehicle closure to visitors for walking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Tent camping remains available in the Lava Flow Campground and the Devils Orchard or Caves area parking lots.

Before traveling to Craters of the Moon, visitors are encouraged to check current conditions by viewing the park website HERE or calling the park Visitor Center at (208) 527-1335.

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