Author: KIFI

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – It’s the most important week of young cowgirls’ and cowboys’ lives in Idaho at the Bannock County Farigrounds where the Junior High State Rodeo Championship is being held this week.

The tournament kicked off on May 26 with the long rifle shooting competition. On May 27, the rodeo competitions began with pole bending and goat tying. Pole bending is an event where cowgirls ride their horses in between six standing poles in a zig-zag motion, trying to get the fastest time while not knocking any poles over.

At the same time, the young cowboys were competing in goat tying, where they come out of the gate on a horse, hop off the horse and chase down a goat to tie its legs as fast as possible.

Other events include team roping, goat tying for the girls and barrel racing. The events will continue all week long. Many of the athletes have competed in large rodeos before, saying they’re excited for the opportunity to ride against some of the most talented young equestrians in the state.

“I’m competing in barrel racing and I’ve been riding since I was eight,” said Amiah Hathaway from McCammon. “I am a little nervous, I get nervous every time.”

Another cowgirl from Downey, Polly Sweat, said she’s been riding since she could walk when she was two years old. “I’m always nervous before I go in and then when I go in I’m just really confident,” she said.

The confidence and talent of the junior high athletes is apparent watching from the crowd at the Bannock County Fairgrounds. Cowgirls were putting up sub 25-second runs in the pole bending and several earned less than ten seconds in their goat tying.

Both Hathaway and Sweat said their favorite part of being in rodeo is the horses. They’ll get more chances to compete in barrel racing as the competition progresses this week. Tomorrow’s rodeo starts at 9 a.m. with final awards on Saturday, May 30 at 11 a.m.

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Curtis Jackson

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (KIFI) – Six law enforcement officers were injured when a wildfire spread quickly and burned several homes on Tuesday night. One officer is still in the hospital. The extent of their injuries is unknown.

Local authorities said the fire started at 6:58 p.m. in the area of Airbase Road and SW Fly By Avenue in Mountain Home. Due to windy condition, the fire spread rapidly engulfing the homes. By 10 p.m., Elmore County issued a local disaster declaration, evacuating several homes.

Officials say no civilian casualties have been confirmed.

The fire burned an estimated 300 acres before it was contained Tuesday night. Authorities are still counting the number of homes and structures that were burned. Residents are being allowed back to their homes as of Wednesday afternoon. Those displaced by fire has asked to go to the Mountain Home Elks Lodge.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated with the help of the Idaho State Fire Marshall.

Officials will be holding a press conference at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday to provide updates.

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Curtis Jackson

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI)—Several residents in Ammon are without water Wednesday afternoon as crews work on an emergency water main repair.

The repair is affecting those on Taylorview Lane between Judy Street and Stonehaven Drive.

The Ammon Public Works department said they hope to be completed by 6 p.m.

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Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) – While Memorial Day weekend may be over, Idaho’s summer travel season is only beginning — and so are concerns over rising gas prices and deadly crashes on the road. The holiday weekend marked the start of both an increase in gas prices and Idaho’s “100 Deadliest Days”—the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when the number of fatal crashes statewide significantly rises.

Drivers in Idaho Falls are continuing to crowd local gas stations this week as summer travel ramps up. In Idaho Falls, the cheapest spot to find low gas prices is the Costco Gas station, with unleaded gasoline at $4.39 per gallon.

Over the holiday weekend, Triple AAA reported that the state average gas price settled at $4.55 – nearly a quarter more than a month ago. This extra cost due to gas prices puts a dent in the usual summer-season festivities and extended travel plans for many residents.

“Obviously, there’s never a great time for skyrocketing gas prices, but the pain is significant with so much of our summer travel season still ahead,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “For now, we believe that people will trim the budget in other ways and still hit the road or catch their flight.

But while more Idahoans are hitting the road for vacations and summer activities, law enforcement agencies say this time of year also brings a dangerous trend.

Idaho State Police says the state is now entering the “100 Deadliest Days” — the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when fatal crashes historically increase across Idaho.

Officials at Triple AAA and across law enforcement say distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, and failure to wear seatbelts continue to be major factors in deadly crashes during the summer months.

As a result, agencies across the state are increasing patrols and seatbelt enforcement efforts throughout the summer travel season. In fact, over the holiday weekend, the Southeast Idaho Traffic Safety Task Force reported issuing 217 seatbelt citations and warnings in a single day through patrol efforts.

Transportation officials say one of the easiest and most effective ways drivers can protect themselves is to buckle up before every trip.

Sgt. Andrew Nakashima of the Idaho State Police said, “With the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer starting in Idaho, the Idaho State Police reminds everyone that motorcycle and roadway safety is something we all share…Let’s all do our part by being more patient and paying extra attention on the roads. Together, we can help save lives this summer. Put safety first.”

Idaho State Police are reminding drivers this summer: “Click It or Ticket.” Safe and simple procedures like this ensure a summer of great, responsible fun.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – After a dry winter in southeast Idaho, wildfire season has struck early and the Pocatello Fire Department is urging people to take precautions, especially in wildland urban interface areas. They have also pushed the annual burn ban up an entire month, now to start June 1.

Wildland urban interface areas, or WUI for short, is where homes interact with the natural habitat on the edges of city lines.

“Those are our areas of greatest concern here in Pocatello,” said Kim Stouse, Public Information Officer for the Pocatello Fire Department. “It’s not to say we can’t get a fire in a field or a backyard, but if it’s in an interface area, then the potential to grow significantly is much greater than if we can contain it to a backyard or somewhere else.”

In assessing wildfire risk, the fire departments look at the moisture accumulated from the winter season. This year, there was little precipitation at all, leading to hardly any runoff to keep the ground wet. Stouse said they’ve also seen temperatures increasing more quickly than normal.

“The mountains look now, like they normally would in July,” she said.

Stouse also said this year has the potential for more “red flag warnings” which are issued by the fire department when three main factors come together for the highest chance of a rapidly-growing wildfire. The factors are high temperatures, low relative humidity, and high winds.

The legendary Charlotte fire in Pocatello in 2012 was a red flag warning day. “We’re always on guard and ready to go at any time, but we may bring in extra personnel in our brush trucks to drive the mountain just to make sure that if we do see anything, we can get on top of it as quickly as possible,” Stouse said.

Fires can be caused by fallen power lines, blown over by the wind. Experts say these can be especially dangerous, and to never touch a downed line.

“When winds get really high, it can cause damage to the power system,” said Chad Monroe, Wildfire Communication Programs Manager at Rocky Mountain Power. “Often it’s because of debris that gets into the lines or it’s from vegetation, trees and things that have branches fall and cause a power line to come down.”

Monroe says to call 911 immediately or your local power company if you see a downed power line. He also says to be aware that a purposeful power outage may occur during the fire season out of caution for public safety. The public will be notified of these outages.

Tips from the Fire Department

In a high-risk year like this one coming off of a dry winter, people have a few steps to take to stay safe during fire season. Stouse reminded travelers to be mindful if you have to pull to the side of the road not to pull into tall grass where a fire could start from the heat of the car.

She also said to make sure to work in your yard earlier in the morning when the humidity is higher and the temperature is lower. Something as small as a chainsaw spark could cause a fire.

“We know, on average, between 85% and 90% of all wildfires are caused from humans,” Stouse said. “It could be a matter that people are in the outdoors and using a fireplace and not making sure it’s totally out, so it’s about being really mindful.”

The fire department also asks that you call them immediately if you see smoke or flames anywhere. If you recieve an evacuation notice to your phone, follow the orders immediately.

Stouse also says to have a plan in place for your children if they stay home alone during the summer. “Safety is always our number one priority,” she said. “Make sure you can contact your kids if they’re home and you recieve a wildfire notice. We want to get everybody out safely as soon as possible.”

Other tips include maintaining your property per the fire department guidelines found on their website. Dry shrubs and fallen branches left untouched can put your home in more danger of a wildfire spreading.

The Burn Ban

Already this season, several small fires have occured in the mountains surrounding Bannock County. On May 25, the Summit Creak Fire near Burley created a plume of smoke viewable from over one hundred miles away. Stouse said at this point, it’s a matter of time before one strikes closer to our area.

The fire department usually issues a burn ban in July, preventing people from controlled burning or campfire buring any material during the highest risk months. This year, the burn ban will go into effect on June 1.

“It means not allowing people to have any kind of open burning campfires in anything that’s considered a wildland urban interface and it’s county wide,” she explained. “You’re still allowed to use your gas or charcoal commercial cooking equipment, just making sure you’re using it responsibly.”

This is the time of year when people love to go camping, but the fire department says they have to look at the inherent risk and how they can limit fires this season. Stouse recommended finding alternatives for “cooking your marshmallows” like a gas propane heater.

The burn ban is only effective for areas outlined on the wildland urban interface map, seen below. Homes not inlcluded in the yellow or red areas are welcome to continue using backyard fireplaces in a safe manner.

Pocatello Fire Department

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – 129 years ago—on May 26, 1897—Irish author Bram Stoker unleashed Dracula upon the world. Written as a series of eerie letters, diary entries, and newspaper clippings, the Gothic masterpiece followed the sinister Count’s attempt to move from his crumbling Transylvanian castle to England to spread his vampiric curse.

As the final school bells ring and the summer heat sets in, this legendary classic offers more than just a spooky history lesson. It serves as a perfect reminder of a vital seasonal tradition: the summer reading list.

While Dracula is a staple of many high school reading curricula, you don’t need to be facing a graded English quiz to reap the massive benefits of cracking open a book this summer.

The importance of summer reading for all

It is easy to view summer reading as “homework” meant only for students. But local libraries across Eastern Idaho are launching their annual summer programs to prove summer reading can benefit anyone, regardless of age:

For Kids: Building the Foundation

Improves basic reading and vocabulary skills

Prevents loss of educational progress over the summer

Develops creativity and imaginations

Helps children discover interests and favorite subjects

For teens: Supporting both Academic Growth and Personal Development

Encourages independence and self-expression

Helps teens explore identity, values, and different perspectives

Keeps critical thinking skills sharp

Expands knowledge for school subjects and college preparation

For Adults:

Keeps the brain active and engaged

Improves communication and lifelong skills

Creates social connections through book clubs and community programs

Provides entertainment, relaxation, and inspiration

“Reading is one of those lifelong things that, like, it’s a relaxing thing,” Beth Swenson the Director of Community Engagement with the Idaho Falls Public Library said. “Like, it can be very enjoyable, but it helps people connect to the world and finding ideas they’ve never have. Even at 80, they can still come up with new ideas or empathy for others. And plus, there’s a little bit of social if people are coming in, then they’re meeting with people who are like them and helps with the loneliness epidemic.”

Libraries across the region are offering prizes, tracking challenges, and community events to keep you motivated. Check out your closest local resource to sign up:

Idaho Falls Public Library Summer Reading

Madison Library District Summer Reading

Teton County Library Summer Reading

You can find more information on summer reading near you by visiting your local library’s website.

Finding a Page-Turner: Dracula by Bram Stoker

If you are looking to start your summer reading with a book that will actually keep you hooked, look no further than Stoker’s masterpiece itself.

Stoker drew inspiration from Vlad the Impaler (Vlad III of Wallachia), a brutal 15th-century Romanian prince, to craft his masterpiece. While Vlad wasn’t a vampire, brutal military tactics, particularly impaling his enemies on stakes, gave Stoker the perfect name that translates to “son of the dragon/devil”.

The novel blends Slavic and Balkan undead myths with Irish revenant folklore that Stoker heard growing up, such as the Abhartach and undead or nosferatu, who sustain themselves by drinking blood.

Stoker couldn’t have known that his novel would permanently alter pop culture. From the sparkly Edward Cullen in Twilight and the rock-playing Marceline the Vampire Queen in Adventure Time, all the way to Sesame Street’s beloved Count von Count, every modern vampire owes its fangs to Dracula.

When picking your summer lineup, look for books with that same rich mix of atmosphere, history, and suspense. For more suggestions to add to your summer reading list, click HERE.

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Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– How much does a graduation typically cost? That’s the question many parents have before they throw their kid’s graduation party. In between picking out the perfect venue, catering and decorations, making the perfect party can be difficult, especially with rising costs and inflation.

Laura Lee Klosterman’s son graduated from Watersprings school last week. She had a vision and did everything possible for a perfect celebration.

“We had to get a venue and food was actually probably one of the more expensive things,” Klosterman said.

Venues and food was the top expense for graduation parties. Postage and announcements also added significant costs.

“I was hoping to keep it pretty cheap. But in my mind, because I did a lot of ‘do it yourself’, I thought, oh, ‘I bet I can do this for 500 bucks or less, and there’s just no way,'” Klosterman said.

Shane Gritzenbach’s step-daughter is graduating from Thunder Ridge High School this Friday. His family is still planning her graduation party, and opted to get a permit from the city instead of renting a venue and are closely monitoring different grocery stores.

“For like, the food and the, drinks and stuff, we’ve been watching, different supermarket prices.”

How Idahoans are Stretching Dollars for Graduation

Local News 8 reached out to the community about the growing costs of graduation this year. Some people budgeted by throwing a small party and cooking from home, and some people even picked up extra shifts.

Jordyn Quilimaco, a local parent, was expecting to spend $500 for her graduate party. Instead, she spent nearly double at $1,100.

“My original plan was to rent a shelter at Tauphaus Park, but I had to change it to hosting at our place to help with saving some money,” Quilimaco said.

She also said food was another reason party planning was so costly.

“Food prices have definitely skyrocketed. We did the same food for a party last year that cost maybe $150 for meats. It cost around $350 this year,” Quilimaco said, “Venues have also gotten more expensive, which is why we had to change to doing it at home.”

Quilimaco encourages families to prepare early and not be afraid to ask loved ones for help when graduation expenses start adding up.

“Plan ahead and save. It took us two families coming together, two months in advance, to get what we could, and it was perfect. Remember to breathe, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from family,” Quilimaco said.

Both Klosterman and Gritzenbach say to begin planning as soon as possible to know what to expect.

“Be prepared ahead of time. Plan out your event. Plan out what you want to do. Because if you don’t plan it out. You’re going to get into higher costs,” Gritzenbach said.

“There are some people and their kids are just going into their sophomore year. And one of them said, ‘I need to start planning now,’ And I’m like ‘yeah, I would,'” Klosterman said.

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Seth Ratliff

CALDWELL, Idaho (KIFI) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has officially unveiled the site of its newest house of worship in the Gem State.

On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, the First Presidency of the Church—the faith’s highest governing body—announced the location for the upcoming Caldwell Idaho Temple.

According to the announcement, the temple will be built on a 19.2-acre site located at the southwest corner of West Orchard Avenue and South Florida Avenue in Canyon County, Idaho. Current blueprints outline an 82,000-square-foot, multistory temple. The site will also feature a local meetinghouse and an accompanying ancillary building.

The development significantly impacts hundreds of thousands of church members across Idaho. The Gem State boasts a sizeable Latter-day Saint population, serving as home to more than 480,000 members who meet across roughly 1,300 congregations, according to the faith.

The Caldwell Temple marks the 11th temple either announced, under construction, or operating throughout the state. Unlike local meetinghouses, where weekly Sunday services are held, the LDS faith reserves temples for specific forms of worship. According to faith, “Latter-day Saints worship in temples for several reasons: to feel God’s love and peace, to learn more about God’s plan for His children and the gospel of Jesus Christ, to make promises with God and with one’s husband or wife, and to unite families in this life and the next through sacred ordinances.”

The Caldwell Idaho Temple was announced by the former Prophet of the church, President Russel M. Nelson in April 2025, before his passing in September 2025. In his announcement, President Nelson emphasized the spiritual value of the house of worship.

“Regular worship in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both virtue and charity. Thus, time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord,” he said. “Increased time in the temple will help us prepare for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A shelter-in-place order has been lifted for a local neighborhood after an attempt to serve a warrant led to a brief police incident on Tuesday afternoon.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office issued an “all-clear” for the area surrounding W. Elswood Drive after an Idaho Falls Police Department operation concluded safely.

Idaho Falls Police and the United States Marshals Task Force responded after Gustavo Chavez “barricaded himself inside the home,” said IFPD Interim Spokesperson Lt. Dustin Howell.

In the end, officers took Chavez into custody without incident.

He was wanted on several felony charges, including felony eluding and probation violations, according to Lt. Howell.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Two wanted individuals are behind bars following a Sunday afternoon traffic stop that escalated into a brief foot chase near a busy local intersection.

Matthew Phillips, 35, and Tamya Louise King, 28, were arrested around 3:40 p.m. in the Albertsons parking lot near 17th Street and Holmes Avenue.

According to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, the case began when a deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle, citing multiple traffic violations. As soon as the vehicle stopped, Phillips—who had been lying down in the backseat—jumped out and attempted to run away on foot, discarding a fanny pack in the process.

The deputy recognized Phillips, knowing he was wanted on multiple felony warrants and had already eluded law enforcement in a vehicle earlier that same day.

According to police, Phillips ran toward a nearby McDonald’s, ignoring the deputy’s commands to stop. This forced the deputy to tase Phillips, who fell on the ground, cutting his face above the eye. After the deputy subdued him, BCSO says Phillips was taken to a local hospital for medical clearance before he was booked into the Bonneville County Jail.

During the chase, more deputies and Idaho Falls Police officers arrived to secure the scene, where they detained the male driver and a female passenger, later identified as King.

Investigators learned that King had active felony probation warrants out of both Madison and Bonneville counties. She was arrested and transported to the Bonneville County Jail.

According to a BCSO press release, King later admitted to deputies that she had used illegal drugs earlier that day and told them that Phillips had panicked when police pulled behind them, stating he “couldn’t go back to jail” as he tried to hide in the back.

After searching the scene, the deputies retrieved the fanny pack Phillips threw as he attempted to run, which contained drug paraphernalia and just over 2 grams of methamphetamine. Investigators also found a small amount of suspected methamphetamine in the back seat where Phillips had been sitting. Later, during the jail booking process, deputies found another small baggie in Phillips’ pocket containing just over 1 gram of methamphetamine.

King was arrested and booked into the Bonneville County Jail on her outstanding warrants.

Phillips was booked on an active Bonneville County warrant for felony eluding, as well as felony warrants from the Idaho Department of Corrections and the Utah Board of Pardons. He faces new felony charges for possession of methamphetamine and destruction of evidence, alongside misdemeanor charges for possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest.

According to court documents, Phillips has also been charged with felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer in a motor vehicle. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 9, 2026, at 1 p.m.

Deputies are continuing to investigate, and further charges related to Phillips’ actions before the traffic stop are pending.

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