Author: KIFI

Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Bonneville County Board of Commissioners recently announced they would end its lease agreement with the Idaho Innovation Center at the end of September 2026. 

Since 1988, the Idaho Innovation Center has helped small, new companies build up their business by providing them with resources.

While the Board of Commissioners expressed their gratitude to IIC, they say funding the center is no longer aligned with the county’s economic development goals.

IIC is figuring out its plan for where to move to so it can keep serving its tenants, but they are optimistic as they start this next chapter.

“What they’ve done has actually been a blessing to us, and that we’re going to be able to catapult ourselves in being much more focused in what we’re doing and being much more relevant to many, many businesses,” said IIC Executive Director Bryan Magleby.

Bonneville County Commissioner Karl Casperson says the decision of what will be put in the building once the lease ends hasn’t been made yet. He says the property could be sold and the money could be used to fund county projects, but there’s still about a year to think about it.

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Ashley Chilcutt

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — A hobbyist photographer from Blackfoot has a lot to be proud of. Debra Hamilton was happily surprised to learn three of her photos were selected to be in the top ten for the Professional Division at the Eastern Idaho State Fair this year. One of them even took the Sweepstakes prize.

Her photography journey began just seven years ago after a friend inspired her to look for a good hobby.

“I got an entry level camera and just started learning how to use it,” Hamilton said. “I took some classes from a few people around the area, learning the exposure triangle, all of that basic stuff, and I have just found such joy.”

Hamilton says her passion for photography has inspired her to stay fit and travel more.

After getting her first passport 5 years ago, Hamilton has since gone to Paris, France, and Venice, Italy. She encourages those looking for a hobby to consider a few things.

“Maybe just sit down in a quiet place, do a little meditating about what you like. ‘What do you do? What you watch and look at?’ And that might just open something up in your life.”

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Noah Farley

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — Saturday, September 6, was the last day of the Eastern Idaho State Fair, and for its last night, they went out with a bang—and a few dozen crashes.

People piled into the arena to see the September Slam Demolition Derby. The annual event is so popular, tickets sold out quickly.

The crowds cheered as the drivers crashed into each other. Some cars even starting to smoke and light up in flames, providing pure, simple fun for everyone.

Emergency personnel were there, ready to jump in and keep everyone safe.

While many people were sad the fair came to a close, everyone had fun up to the very end.

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Dozens of people met at the park for the Snake River Championship, a disc golf tournament.

The field was split into two pools of 72 players. Everyone went around the courses at Freeman Park and Snake River Landing, tossing their discs forward to see who could complete the course with the lowest score.

“We get players all the way from Utah. We get some players from Montana,” said Assistant Tournament Director Koy Blanchard. “But really, it’s just a big local event that we’re trying to get a lot of amateurs and pros out here to come and play and just have a good time.”

Studies show disc golf is getting more and more popular, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. There are over 16,000 disc golf courses in the world as of 2024. One of the main reasons the sport is so popular is that it’s a very inexpensive sport.

“It’s something that’s very attainable for anybody,”Blanchard said. “You know, you can go to your local store, get like a 3-pack of discs for $30, maybe a little more than that. And then your local park course is free.”

If you want to get out and try out disc golf for yourself, your local park probably has a course.

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Stephanie Lucas

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — Local News 8 has learned that seven individuals were arrested in Fremont County on August 28 for felony charges of voter fraud and perjury related to the May 2023 election. The arrests were made following an investigation into voter irregularities in the Island Park area.

While seven people, or just under 2% of the 405 voters who cast a ballot in the Fremont County Precinct 1 election in May 2023, were arrested, they all have one outstanding factor in common: according to court documents, none of them actually live in Island Park.

The accused individuals are:

(Left) Marian McKenna (Right) Rodney McKenna

(Left) Christi Spinner (Right) David Spinner

(Left to Right)Marcye Gifford,Chad Vanderbeek, Winter Mickleberry

Courtesy: Fremont County Sheriff’s Office

Christi Spinner & David Spinner

Marian McKenna & Rodney McKenna

Chad Vanderbeek

Marcye Gifford

Winter Mickleberry.

According to arrest and property records, their primary addresses are in cities like Rigby, Ashton, Idaho Falls, and Herriman, Utah. Despite the subject matter, the arrests received little attention outside of Fremont County.

How the arrests fit together – The Island Park Auditorium District

Local News 8 began its investigation into the arrests on August 24, after receiving viewer emails about potential voter fraud. We reached out to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, the Fremont County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Fremont County Elections Office, and were told we would receive a call back. As of Sunday, September 7th, we are still waiting for a response.

We’ve also contacted the Idaho Attorney General’s Office and the Idaho Secretary of State’s office, who said they would look into the matter.

Court documents, including the criminal complaint and probable cause statement for each case, indicate the arrests are directly linked to a contentious local election: the proposed Island Park Auditorium District.

In 2023, members of the Island Park community petitioned the county to form the district and collected the necessary signatures to place the issue on the May ballot. The measure needed a simple majority to pass, but failed by just 9 votes: 198 to 207.

 The proposed district, if passed, would have imposed up to a “five percent (5%) lodging tax on all qualifying nightly lodging facilities that rent rooms or facilities for 30 days or less.” In other words, Airbnbs, cabins, and short-term rentals in Voting Precinct 1 of Fremont County.

The money from the tax would have been used to build and fund a new multipurpose meeting spot for the town of Island Park, at a proposed cost of $3 million.

“The community needs a place that we can have meetings, that we can have our clubs and do fundraisers,” Island Park Auditorium District Committee Member Bruce Ard told reporters in 2023. “We have no place right now that it will is big enough.”

Once again, the measure only failed by a handful of votes. According to the criminal complaint from the Fremont County Prosecutor, each of the seven arrested individuals “did fraudulently vote in the May 26, 2023 AMB LEVY-AUD, while not being a resident of Island Park, and did cause such ballot to be added to those legally polled, with the intent to change the outcome of the election.”

Authorities used court documents, voting records, tax filings, and homeowners’ exemptions to establish the voter’s primary residence. Court documents also indicate that the property owners used addresses such as Airbnb, leasing agencies, rental properties, secondary homes, etc., to vote in the election.

 In the Island Park case, some of the probable cause affidavits include a litany of excuses for voting in the election or registering to vote under a different address. For example, one property owner told deputies, “They claim their Utah home as their primary address because it makes it easier for taxes.”

While certain voting records are private, Local News 8 cannot confirm if those accused voted in favor of or opposed to the district; however, historically, property owners have interfered in or fraudulently voted in elections to avoid tax increases.

For example, in New Hampshire, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, South Lake Tahoe, California, and Alabama, officials have found second-home owners and dual residents who switched addresses, often when short-term-rental rules or new taxes were on the ballot.

Next Steps

In one probable cause affidavit, police noted one suspect as saying, “Well s—, sounds like we’re getting a community center,” suggesting they were aware of the potential for the vote to be overturned.

All seven individuals were arrested and charged separately. They have since been released on parole and are scheduled to appear in court on September 17.

Sources in Fremont County have suggested to Local News 8 that more people may be involved in the potential scheme. Local News 8 will continue to investigate this story.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The ISU-based Institute of Rural Health is launching their annual 9/11 Remembrance Week, starting with a ‘Day of Service’ kick-off event on Monday, September 8.

At the event on Monday, ISU will host a 9/11 ‘Memorial Moment’ and invite people to make Veteran Care Kits to support and show gratitude to local veterans.

The 9/11 Remembrance Week and kick-off event are free and open to everyone in the community. The event will take place on the Quad on Idaho State University’s campus from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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News Team

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — The city of Ammon is coming together to support one of its own. Mayor Sean Coletti has officially declared today, September 8th, as Tanner Scoresby Day in honor of a local teen fighting a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.

Tanner Scoresby, an 18-year-old graduate of Thunder Ridge High School, has been a beacon of positivity in the community while facing an intense battle with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. After undergoing months of demanding chemotherapy, he is now preparing for a crucial three-week stem cell procedure.

This next phase of his treatment will bring significant financial and emotional challenges for Tanner and his family. The mayor and other city leaders are encouraging all residents to join them in showing support for Tanner, recognizing him as a truly inspiring example of strength and resilience for his friends and community. To find out more and how to help, click HERE.

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News Team

SMOOT, Wyo. (KIFI) — Firefighters are gaining ground on the Willow Creek Fire, which is now at 73% containment as of September 8. The now 4,066-acre fire started just over two weeks ago, three miles south of Smoot, near the Idaho-Wyoming border.

Crews have been diligently working around the fire’s perimeter, extinguishing hot spots and strengthening fire lines. According to the US Forest Service, firefighters are continuing these efforts by felling dangerous snags and hazard trees that could pose a threat to fire lines.

As of yesterday, September 7, Wyoming Type 3 Team 3 assumed command of the Willow Creek Fire, which had been managed by Nevada Type 3 Team 2 since Aug. 24. Although Sunday’s rain and hail aided containment efforts, officials report that dry conditions are expected to return to the area today. There is no current estimate for when the fire will be fully contained.

All areas within the previously established evacuation zones have been downgraded to a “ready” status. This means residents are no longer under a mandatory evacuation but should be prepared to leave at short notice if conditions change.To keep track of evacuation updates, click HERE.

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News Team

UPDATE:

SWAN VALLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — A late-afternoon fire destroyed a hay barn in Swan Valley on Monday, causing an estimated $75,000 in damage. The Swan Valley Fire Department was alerted to the blaze at 4:20 p.m. at 649 Chapel Road.

Upon arrival, crews found the barn fully engulfed in flames, according to Swan Valley Fire Chief Travis Crystal. Firefighters, with assistance from Ucon Fire, Ammon Fire, and the Forest Service, used heavy equipment to pull apart the burning hay, allowing them to douse the flames and prevent them from spreading to nearby structures.

Video from the scene showed widespread smoke as fire crews combated the blazing bales of hay. Despite their efforts, the hay shed was a total loss, including $40,000 in hay and $35,000 for the shed itself.

Crews remained on the scene through the night, monitoring for hot spots. The State Fire Marshal and Chief Crystal are now investigating the cause of the fire.

ORIGINAL:

SWAN VALLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — Firefighters in Swan Valley are currently battling a large barn fire on Chapel Road. Video from the scene shows widespread smoke as fire crews combat the blazing bales of hay. The structure is completely engulfed in flames, according to Fire Chief Travis Crystal.

Details are limited at this time, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. No injuries have been reported.

Local News 8 is tracking this developing situation. We will provide updates as new details become available.

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Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Portneuf Pollinator Partnership and Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust are highlighting the Monarch Butterfly, Idaho’s official state insect, in September when the bugs make their migratory trip through Southeast Idaho to winter in California.

Monarch Butterflies are important parts of Idaho’s ecosystem, acting as pollinators for native plant species and agriculture. However, Monarch populations west of the Rocky Mountains have declined as much as 95% over the past 20 years due to pesticide use, urban expansion, and climate change.

Local conservation groups are partnering to bring awareness to the importance of the insects and help people make Idaho more livable for Monarch populations.

“We want to do everything that we can to help protect this species and help them thrive,” said Carly Flandro, community conservation, communications, and marketing coordinator for the Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust. “Every person in Idaho can do that in really simple ways: in their own yard, they can plant milkweed, and milkweed is a really important species because it’s the host plant for monarch caterpillars. It’s the only plant that monarchs lay their eggs on, so it’s essential to their survival.”

The Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust and Portneuf Pollinator Partnership will set up at the Portneuf Valley Farmers Market on Saturday, September 6, where they will hand out free packets of native milkweed seeds for people to plant Monarch way stations in their own yards.

The conservation groups will be at the farmers market at Lookout Point in Pocatello from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, you can visit the Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust website.

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