Category: kifi-local-news

Chris Nestman

A rise in heat, humidity, and an unstable atmosphere is creating the perfect environment for severe thunderstorms in eastern Idaho and western Wyoming this afternoon.

The Storm Predication Center (SPC) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 8pm. Meaning strong to severe thunderstorms with microburst winds are possible this afternoon.

Strong to severe wind gusts of 60 mph is the most likely threat from these storms. The best thing to do is secure your property to avoid flying debris (see patio umbrellas, trampolines, tree branches, etc.)

Some pockets of hail within these storms is also a possibility. Finally, while its a very small chance, we will be on the lookout for a brief tornado. Strong tornados in Idaho are very rare, but quick moving weaker ones do happen on occasion. These kinds of tornadoes are still dangerous as they can cause some exterior damage to buildings and are a risk for injury to those outside due to flying debris.

The SPC, the branch of the National Weather Service that specializes in severe weather forecasting, has highlighted eastern Idaho for this afternoon for storm risk. Specifically, the I-15/Hwy 20 corridor has a “slight” risk (tier 2 out of 5) for strong storms compared to surrounding regions that are under a “marginal” risk (tier 1 out of 5).

Storms already started firing up around 1 p.m. today and we expect some risk for strong thunderstorms through about 9 p.m. this evening. Keep your phones charged in case of any power outages so you can still receive warnings.

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Kailey Galaviz

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) – For many students, high school sports are more than just a competitive outlet – they’re a source of teamwork, discipline and growth. But some families don’t have the luxury to cover the costs of these programs. That’s where Rigby Free Soccer kicks in.

What started eight years ago with only five players, the nonprofit has grown to help more than 1,000 young athletes aim high and shoot for the stars. Their mission is to motivate students through soccer to achieve success both in the classroom and on the field at no cost to families.

Rigby Free Soccer Founder Alex Greenfield says, “We noticed with these kids – the same kids that were underperforming by the time they got to the high school during soccer season – when they were part of the program, they were doing fine. Clearly, it was because they realized, ‘I have to pay to play.'”

These student athletes are noticing improvements in themselves too, helping them reach for the stars. 8th grader Riggin says, “Because I’ve seen more improvement in myself, I’m starting to believe in myself a little more every day. So I will want to eventually build up to playing in high school.”

A national study from Project Play says students who participate in sports are 15% more likely to attend college, less likely to do drugs and have less risk of developing health problems down the road.

None of this would be possible without Mr. Greenfield’s original vision for inclusion, achievement and opportunity. He says, “Not much makes a person happier than knowing you’ve impacted the life of a child and their families.”

For many students, Greenfield is a pivotal role model. 8th grader Brandon says, “He encouraged me to do the soccer program and stuff like that. So yeah, I think he’s a good… figure in my life.”

In the future, Greenfield is hopeful programs like this will expand. He says, “The dream is for middle schools throughout Idaho to have this, because it is it’s a win-win.”

Thanks to a sponsorship from Madison Memorial this year, the program has been able to thrive.

Rigby Free Soccer teams are gearing up for intense games, and they want the community to come cheer them on.

On May 13 and 20 from 4:00-5:00 p.m., the middle school team will compete at the Jefferson District Office fields. There will be food trucks, live music and, of course, a great soccer game.

The game on May 20 is for the coveted Jim Wilson Cup. This game will celebrate the life of long-time Jefferson County School District custodian Jim Wilson, who took a bullet protecting students during the tragic Rigby Middle School shooting four years ago. Wilson died a few years later.

On May 22 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. the elementary school team will compete at Roberts Elementary School, where they will have live music and food trucks as well.

All games are free to attend.

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Noah Farley

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Rehabilitative Health Services held its 10th annual Hustle Mental Health charity 5K Saturday morning.

Hundreds of people gathered at the start line at Snake River Landing. Participants ran and walked to support mental health and local non-profits.

“We raised almost $15,000 this year,” said Rehabilitative Health Services CEO, Devere Hunt. “We’ve raised over those ten years, $101,000. It’s been a great activity, and I think we’ve been able to help the community and help the stigma with mental health.”

The funds from this year’s 5K go towards the People in Need Coalition (PINC), a service that provides almost 2,000 free meals each week to those in need.

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Phillip Willis

UPDATE MONDAY, MAY 12, 4:53 p.m. —

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Falls resident, Lucas James, was arrested by the Idaho Falls Police Department SWAT team on Saturday.

The 40-year-old man’s charges include having illegal drugs. Methamphetamine and three loaded guns were found in his car.

After an investigation, ISP found James has a criminal history with narcotics dating back to at least 2002.

James will have his first court appearance for this case Tuesday.

Court documents say one trooper tried to stop the pursuit, but was not able to because “someone else was talking on the radio.” Another sergeant called the chase off just as the crash happened.

UPDATE SUNDAY, MAY 11, 5:18 p.m.—

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A witness Local News 8 spoke with said he and his family were at one of the red lights when the crash happened.

He said he was impressed when only seconds after the crash, he saw the ISP trooper jump out of his car to help the person in the other vehicle. The witness says he’s very happy nobody was badly hurt.

UPDATE SATURDAY, MAY 10, 7:26 p.m.—

IDAHO FALLS (KIFI) — The man involved in last night’s Idaho State Police pursuit has been arrested by the IFPD SWAT team.

The wanted man involved has been identified as a 40-year-old Idaho Falls resident, Lucas James.

Lucas James: Booking photo courtesy Bonneville County Jail

James was at a home at the 1700 block of Burlwood Drive.

James was peacefully taken into custody around 5:30 Saturday night after the SWAT team approached the home with a Bearcat.

When officers started making announcements, James tried to escape out of a back door.

He is facing multiple charges from the Idaho State Police: Felony Eluding, Felon in possession of a firearm x3, Felony Possession of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

(The following information is from a press release from Jessica Clements, the Public Information Officer of the Idaho Falls Police Department)

UPDATE Saturday, May 10, 1:48 p.m—

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho State Police has released more information about a high speed chase that ended in a crash in Idaho Falls Friday night. ISP says the chase started when a trooper saw a car associated with a felony warrant. Police tried to stop the suspect with spike strips several times, but were not successful.

During the chase, a trooper crashed into an uninvolved car. ISP says both people in the crash had minor injuries—nothing life-threatening.

The suspect who was being chased was not caught, and he remains at large. The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash.

ORIGINAL—

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—A high-speed chase came to a crashing halt Friday night, when an Idaho State Police car collided with another vehicle in Idaho Falls. The crash happened around 10:20 p.m. at the intersection of 17th and Pancheri.

An ambulance was observed leaving the scene with occupants. It’s unknown at this time who was onboard. The condition of the state trooper and the other driver are unknown.

The chase and crash lit up social media. Members of the Facebook group “Life in Idaho Falls” reported seeing law enforcement officers chasing a white vehicle through west Idaho Falls headed toward town. One member of the group who witnessed the crash said the vehicle being chased got away, but Local News 8 has not been able to confirm this.

At the scene of the crash, Local News 8 met Leighton Johnson, who witnessed police cars involved in the response.

“As I was getting off of work, I pulled onto the Pancheri bridge, and I had a cop coming from South Colorado… as I took a right turn, there was another cop in that left turn lane,” Leighton said.

“He pulls all the way around, bloops me, turns on his lights, and speeds up towards the highway… then I see two more cops coming down from Broadway with their lights on, going 60 mph.

They go past me, and I’m pretty sure they turn onto Pancheri. I’m pretty sure they they figured out [the state trooper] crashed over here, but the highway ones, I’d guess they come through downtown- kind of all ended up right here.

I just saw, I don’t know, maybe six… seven cops, all going different ways. I then went back onto Pancheri, saw an ambulance coming past me near Skyline. I drove around a little bit more, figured out from my parents that the crash happened right here,” Leighton said.

Jessica Clements with Idaho Falls Police tells Local News 8 that Idaho State Police is investigating the high-speed chase and Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash. Idaho State Police says a press release will be coming soon. We are still awaiting a response from the Sheriff’s Office.

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Phillip Willis

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Two-hundred and forty six (246) teams of soccer players between the ages of 9 and 18 came together in the 4th annual Shoot Out. The event was put on by Idaho Falls Futbol Club.

Teams from the respective age groups played soccer. 400 games were planned for the event.

“We have a lot of referees working really hard, coaches working really hard, and players working really hard,” said Mary Murray, the tournament director.

Teams from all over Idaho, and even other nearby states came to participate in the event.

The event brought in an estimated 1 million dollars to the Idaho Falls area in terms of revenue from restaurants and hotels from all those who attended.

“I feel that the more soccer experiences that we can bring to our area, rather than traveling, is only going to benefit the community here,” said Alex Minton, the IFFC’s executive director.

The event ended with it’s namesake, the Barbecue Shoot Out. The participants reported having fun, and feeling more deeply connected to their teammates.

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News Release

IDAHO FALLS-Officers are investigating a motorcycle crash that happened at about 8:40 p.m. near Lomax & Fanning.

Officers will be there for another hour or two documenting and investigating the crash.

There is some some blockage, but you can still get through the area if you need to.

Please drive carefully through the area and expect some congestion.

Please watch out for first responders.

(The following information is from the Idaho Falls Police Department Facebook page)

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Stephanie Lucas

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A broken water main flooded the street and a mobile home community near N. Eden Drive in Bonneville County on Friday, May 9, 2025.

The cause of the break has not been confirmed at this time; however, according to several homeowners living in the area, it may have been caused by a fiber contractor working in the vicinity.

The water has since been fixed.

Editor note: This story was updated.

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Seth Ratliff

BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) —  One woman has died following a Friday afternoon two-vehicle crash north of Idaho Falls.

Just before 3 p.m., the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office says, a pickup truck and a smaller sedan had a head-on collision on the Lewisville Highway near 97th North.

The accident caused both vehicles to overturn. The Sheriff’s Office reports, both drivers had been ejected from the vehicles, and there were no other occupants.

The Sheriff’s Office says, “The driver of the pickup, a 21-year-old male, was transported by ambulance to the hospital with severe injuries. The driver of the car, a 61-year-old female, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Preliminary details from the scene indicate the pickup was southbound on Lewisville Hwy and crossed the center line, colliding with the car traveling northbound. The Bonneville County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and the investigation is still ongoing.”

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Seth Ratliff

TETON COUNTY, Wyo (KIFI) — The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) and its partners are gearing up for the summer construction season. As several projects get underway on State Highway 22, WYDOT is offering an update on the work being done on the Big Fill landslide at Teton Pass.

After the June 8, 2024, landslide partially destroyed the Teton Pass connecting Jackson, Wyoming, and Victor, Idaho, WYDOT worked to create a temporary detour to reopen the highway around the critical failure. Twenty days later, Highway 22 reopened to traffic in both directions, and crews began work on the long-term fix.

The Teton Pass at milepost 12.8 where a landslide wiped out the road. Courtesy: WYDOT

Wyoming Department of Transportation via CNN Newsource

A portion of the road is gone on the Teton Pass Saturday, June 8, 2024.

Work was paused on December 16, 2024, due to winter conditions that brought over a foot and a half of snow to the pass in just one weekend.

WYDOT Eyes July Completion for Landslide Fix

According to WYDOT, beginning in May, contract crews with Ames Construction worked to clear the remaining snow on the Bill Fill landslide in preparation for the spring construction season.

“Crews are now moving into the final phases of work package no. 2 with hopes of completing the work by the end of July,” writes Stephanie Harsha of WYDOT public relations. “WYDOT and Ames spent the fall and part of the winter of 2024 working on key construction elements to rebuilding and reinforcing the slope, including a robust drainage system, lightweight embankment and foundational improvements for the section of roadway.”

Crews reportedly hope to complete the slope stabilization work by the end of next month and tentatively plan to begin paving the new roadway by the beginning of July.

Travelers passing through the area can expect increased activity and occasional heavy truck traffic near the site in the coming weeks, as crews work around the clock, 6 days a week, to bring in more lightweight fill and other materials to finish the embankment, according to WYDOT.

For more information on the project progress and background, click HERE.

“WYDOT would like to remind drivers to slow down in work zones, be alert and cautious of roadside workers, and obey all traffic control devices. Unpredictable weather and other variables may necessitate last-minute changes to the plans. WYDOT remains committed to updating the public with timely information,” writes Harsha in a press release.

Highway 22 Snake River Bridge work begins May 12

WYO 22 Snake River BridgeWYDOT and contract crews from Ames will be working in the Snake River channel beginning Monday, May 12, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drivers will not see any traffic delays, but river users should stay alert and exercise caution while moving through the work area. Crews will be utilizing a snooper truck to access the underside of the bridge to bolt cross braces on the new bridge. To complete the job, crews will need to work over the main river channel. River users are advised not to float underneath the work area and a flagger will be present at the Wilson boat ramp to alert river users of any potential hazards.

In addition to the work in the river channel, crews will be wrapping up pavement operations at the intersection with the final concrete pours on Wednesday, May 14 and Friday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drivers traveling to WYO 390 northbound from WYO 22 will be directed to make a right hand turn at the intersection signal while the work is underway.  For more information about the current work going on at the WYO 22/WYO 390 intersection and Snake River Bridge, visit https://wy22wilsonsrb.com.

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Seth Ratliff

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — The BYU-Idaho student critically injured in an on-campus accident is miraculously recovering, according to his family.

On April 30, 26-year-old Israel Garcia was caught in an industrial accident in BYU-Idaho’s Austin Building, which houses the technical and engineering programs on campus.

According to first responders, several students were moving a stack of steel beams. “They were in the process of moving (those) when that stack collapsed,” said Madison County Fire Department Deputy Chief Troyce Miskin.

Garcia was caught under the collapse and quickly rushed by emergency responders to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

In several social media posts, the 26-year-old’s family updated friends and family members regarding his condition. According to the posts, on May 3, doctors did a test for brain function, and the results were not positive.

Israel’s family continued to reach out to friends and family for prayers and support, words echoed by both the Madison County Fire Department and the school itself.

“At the time of the incident, paramedics responded swiftly and transported the student to receive medical care. BYU-Idaho invites the campus community and friends to join us in praying for the student and his family,” said the school in a statement to Local News 8.

In the following days, Israel’s family says he had an amazing recovery. Their son, who they say had been considered brain dead and on life support, was alive. May 7th, Israel’s mother, Carol Garcia, told friends and family through Facebook that her son “cast off his final bandages and sat up and put his feet on the ground.”

His mother likens his recovery to a modern-day Lazarus.

“We are indeed so very blessed ~ we feel the prayers of so many people! This is a miracle that will continue to grow, and it is all in and for the glory of God. It is for testifying of the divinity and majesty of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who is the light and the life and the way ~ who is the only way to salvation,” said Carol Garcia in a written statement to Local News 8.

“Faith and Diligent Efforts”: BYU-Idaho Comments on Student’s Recovery

As news of the 26-year-old’s recovery reached us, Local News 8 reached out to BYU-Idaho for comment. The University issued the following statement:

BYU-Idaho is so very grateful for Israel’s improving condition. We know that his healing is the result of much fasting, many prayers, and the faith of his loving family, his fellow BYU-Idaho students and employees, and friends. We also know that his ongoing recovery would not be possible without the diligent efforts of first responders, emergency services personnel, and medical professionals who have been caring for him since the accident. 

Brett Crandall, Public Affairs Director.

Local News 8 has requested more details from the school regarding the incident, including why the 26-year-old student was moving steel beams in the first place and whether they were wearing proper safety gear. The University has confirmed that an investigation is open, but it is unable to provide any details due to Federal Privacy Regulations and University Policy.

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