Author: KIFI

David Barrington

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — The weather today might not feel like summer is on the way, but the city of Ammon is going forward with maintenance on their outdoor swimming pool.

“It takes quite the production,” said Parks and Recreation Director Tyler Draney. “We drained it yesterday. We had a pressure washer company come in and clean everything out for us, so we drained it out with pumps. And then, the pressure washers come in, bleach it down, wash it, and we do whatever repairs we need to do.”

Tuesday, the city’s fire department filled the pool after it was drained and cleaned. They even invited the community over to watch and celebrated the refresh with a traditional first plunge. About 30 people showed up.

“The fire department helps us fill it really fast,” Draney said. “They have the equipment to get the water from the city mains into our pool. Otherwise, it would take us about a day and a half to fill it ourselves.” 

This pool holds 110,000 gallons. It took them about an hour and 40 minutes from empty to full. The heated pool will to the public on June 7 along with the splash pad. 

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Phillip Willis

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The City of Pocatello held a town hall Tuesday night to discuss summer plans relating to the Library and the Parks and Recreation Department.

Plans included new aquatic programs for seniors and youth, and new reading programs for all ages.

But when the time came for the council to listen to comments from members of the community, some chose to speak about Victor Perez, an autistic teenager who was shot and killed by Pocatello Police on April 5th.

“We’re still wanting the remaining body cam footage of the two officers that were probably wearing them at the time of the April 5th shooting of Victor Perez,” says Steven Adams, a Pocatello resident. “And secondly, we had a question as to whether or not the four officers involved have been placed back into active duty status.”

This question went unanswered by the council.

“When somebody makes a call to the police department, the dispatcher should ask a very important question. Do any of the people involved in the incident that you’re reporting on have a documented disability or mental health issue?'” proposed Mike Riley, a Pocatello resident with a Doctorate in Political Science.

Members of the council invited Dr. Riley to send them his proposals via email. However, Dr. Riley felt they did not truly consider his proposed policy. Doctor Riley intends to make this policy a national conversation.

For more information on this meeting, please visit pocatello.gov.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Animal Shelter rescued several puppies Wednesday after receiving reports of a group seen in a field at the corner of 17th and Skyline Drive.

A post on the shelter’s Facebook page reported that the shelter was able to recover three of the dogs, but unfortunately, one of them did not survive. The shelter directors are uncertain if they managed to secure all the dogs.

“We are not sure if this is all of them or if there is one lone puppy out there, hiding from the world. We cannot find any others, but ask that if you are in the area, please keep your eyes open,” said the Shelter Directors in the post. “We are not asking you to go into the field to look, but if you see one out there and can coax it to you, please do.  We are hoping that this is all of them. The folks who live in a house across the street are keeping an eye out as well. Just in case.”

The shelter has cleaned up the rescued dogs, but says they are not available for adoption yet.

“Please keep your eye on our Facebook page for availability,” said the shelter directors in the post. For more information, click HERE.

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News Team

UPDATE: 3:20 PM, MAY 19, 2025

FORT HALL, Idaho (KIFI) — The Fort Hall Police Department has reportedly arrested a known sex offender, 36-year-old Eli Mosho.

Police notified the public they were looking for Mosho, who was traveling with a 16-year-old female runaway, on May 13, 2025, in a post on the department’s Facebook page.

According to the updated post, the police have located the juvenile runaway.

“We would like to thank the community for their assistance with this matter,” said police in the post.

ORIGINAL:

FORT HALL, Idaho (KIFI) — Police in Fort Hall are asking for the public’s help locating a known sex offender, 36-year-old Eli Mosho.

Courtesy, Fort Hall Police

The Fort Hall Police Department shared a post on their Facebook page indicating that Mosho is currently traveling with a 16-year-old female runaway. He is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes. The 36-year-old also has several tattoos on his left hand, wrist, back, and both legs, according to the post.

Anyone with information about Mosho’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Fort Hall Police Department at (208)238-4000, their local law enforcement agency, or call 911.

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Sam Ross

SODA SPRINGS, Idaho (KIFI)– Rocky Mountain Power representatives cite erosion as a major concern for the Soda Springs area’s Alexander Reservoir, prompting changes to recreational access this summer.

The Alexander Reservoir and connected ‘Soda Development’ hydroelectric dam are owned by Rocky Mountain Power’s parent company, Pacificorp, and representatives say they have been monitoring increased erosion of the reservoir over the past three years.

The recent, advanced erosion coincides, Rocky Mountain Power representatives said, with an increased use of wake boats and other ballast watercraft on the reservoir.

“We’ve become concerned that the bank erosion has continued to occur, and we’ve lost, in places here on this bank, five to six feet of shoreline,” said David Eskelsen, company spokesman for Rocky Mountain Power. “It’s generally the result of the increased wake and wave action on this relatively soft shoreline.”

Eskelsen said the erosion is starting to impact the quality of the water coming from the reservoir and degrade the wildlife buffer zone, Rocky Mountain Power is required to keep around the reservoir as part of their land use contract.

Rocky Mountain Power plans to ban the use of wake boats on the reservoir starting this summer and monitor whether erosion conditions improve.

A public meeting will be held at the Second Bridge boat access point parking lot on May 21 from 4 to 6 p.m., where members of the public can meet with Rocky Mountain Power representatives to discuss the changes and future plans for the reservoir.

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Seth Ratliff

CHALLIS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Custer County Sheriff’s Office released the name of the suspect in the homicide investigation of 47-year-old Patrick Shelton.

Alan Douglas Bruce of Challis was arrested May 12, 2025, on felony charges of murder and destruction of evidence related to Shelton’s disappearance, according to the sheriff’s office.

According to the latest update from the Custer County Sheriff, the body of Patrick Shelton has not yet been recovered. All individuals accused of crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This is a developing story that Local News 8 will continue to update. For more information on the investigation into Shelton’s disappearance, click HERE.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Museum of Idaho is showcasing a world-class traveling exhibition, Mummies of the World, opening May 31, 2025.

The exhibit showcases one of the largest collections of real mummies and artifacts ever assembled, according to museum directors.

“Every exhibit we bring in, we bring in because we think it will be interesting and important to the East Idaho community. But this one is truly a big deal – frankly, the biggest we’ve had in more than a decade,” said Muesum of Idaho Executive Director Jeff Carr.

The unique display includes both naturally and intentionally preserved human and animal mummies from South America, Europe, Egypt, and the United States. Some of these mummies date back thousands of years, while others are more recent.

Through modern science, the exhibition demonstrates how mummification occurs both naturally and intentionally. Mummies of the World” utilizes multimedia, interactive stations, and 3D animation to explore the history and origins of these mummies, along with the processes that led to their creation. CT scans reveal various pre-death ailments, some of which are familial or endemic.

Courtesy World Heritage Exhibitions

Exhibit highlights will include:

The Vac Mummies, a mummified family from Hungary, believed to have died from tuberculosis

Baron Von Holz, a German nobleman found in a 16th-century crypt, still wearing his leather boots

Egyptian animal mummies, including a falcon, fish, dog, and baby crocodile, many preserved to accompany royals into the afterlife

MUMAB, the first ancient Egyptian-style mummification performed on a modern body in 2,800 years

The exhibition will be hosted in the museum’s traveling exhibit hall, including the Petty Gallery. The museum’s main Idaho exhibit, Way Out West, and the limited-time local exhibit Signs of the Times will remain open during the exhibition’s duration.

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Phillip Willis

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) — Yesterday, five trees in Pioneer Cemetery were blown over by a micro burst. The fall caused damage to the earth and tombstones.

Photo Credit- Vicki Williams

“I’m just kind of wondering if their gravestones are okay, and not broken,” says Cheston Bell. Bell has family buried in the Pioneer Cemetery. His grandmother, Vicki Williams, shared images of the fallen trees with Local News 8.

Photo Credit- Vicki Williams

“The thing about spruce [trees] is they have a shallow root system, so they’re more susceptible to blowing over than a lot of the other trees in our area,” says Seth Eddins, Owner and Operator of Zundel Tree Service, the company in charge of the clean up efforts. He says the tree that fell were likely between 60 and 80 years old.

Zundel Tree Service at work, shredding the fallen trees. Photo Credit – Phillip Willis

The trees should be removed from the cemetery by the end of the day on Friday.

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Ashley Chilcutt

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho law enforcement and the Idaho Transportation Department are bracing themselves for the 100 Deadliest Days, marking the most dangerous time to be on Gem State roads.

“Historically, there are more fatalities that happen in that time between Memorial Day and Labor Day than a lot of times the rest of the year,” said Kelly Campbell with the Office of Highway Safety.

By this time last year, 57 people died on Idaho roads. As of May 12, 2025, there has already been 74 deaths. The Idaho Transportation Department records several factors that contribute to this statistic.

“We know that speed and distractions are two of the most common factors when it comes to fatalities in Idaho,” said Britt Rosenthal, spokesperson for ITD.

In general, people tend to drive more often and at higher speeds when the roads are nice.

“The most common fatality is during daylight hours and on dry roads,” Campbell explained. “People are out on the road a lot more during the summer months. They’re out doing fun things, and they’re not necessarily as focused as they should be when they’re driving on the road.”

The good news is your car’s existing safety features can reduce your risk of car crash death.

“At this point in time, we know that 86% of Idahoans buckle up,” Rosenthal said. “The Office of Highway Safety and the Idaho Transportation Department would love to see that number at 100%.”

ITD publishes a crash report, detailing crash statistics on Idaho roads, every year. For more information, click HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

UPDATE:

As of 5:10 PM, May 12, 2025, 11-year-old Christopher has been found safe, according to a post on the Rexburg Police Department’s Facebook page.

UPDATE:

According to Rexburg PD, Christopher was spotted on Maple Drive near Lincoln Elementary School around 4:15 pm.

If you see or have seen him since, police are asking you to contact dispatch immediately at 208-372-5001.

ORIGINAL:

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Police in Rexburg are asking for help searching for a missing 11-year-old with a history of mental health concerns.

According to a post on the Rexburg Police Department Facebook page, 11-year-old Christopher was last seen wearing a Roblox shirt, black sweatpants, and bright green shoes. The youth has blue eyes and brown hair with spikes on the front.

He reportedly left his apartment in the area of 5th W and University Blvd and may have a green scooter.

If you see or have seen him, police are asking you to contact dispatch immediately at 208-372-5001.

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