Category: kifi-local-news

Curtis Jackson

UPDATE:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Firefighters responded quickly to a kitchen fire in an Idaho Falls home on Thursday, despite a potential delay by an unfounded call.

Around 5:34 PM, the Idaho Falls Fire Department (IFFD) received a call from someone claiming they saw smoke coming from a chimney at a home on the west side of Idaho Falls. IFFD dispatched a large crew, including multiple engines, to the home.

The firefighters eventually realized the call was baseless. However, IFFD says the eighteen responding personnel had spent “critical moments driving in the area searching for a possible structure fire” and additional time returning to their stations.

Shortly after 5:45 PM, only minutes after the unfounded call, fire officials received a 911 call of a real emergency. The caller told IFFD a fire had started in their kitchen and everyone had self-evacuated.

IFFD says firefighters who had responded to the unfounded call quickly left their stations or diverted to the fire on the 900 block of 13th Street. There, they found heavy smoke coming from the home. 

“This is a real example of why calling 911 when it’s not an emergency could lead to potentially tragic consequences,” said Idaho Falls Fire Department Battalion Chief Rob Hall. “Had the unfounded 911 call came in even two minutes later, critical resources needed to respond to this real house fire would’ve been unavailable on the other side of town.”

Although Idaho Falls firefighters responded quickly Thursday evening, three people were displaced from their home due to significant damage caused by the fire, says IFFD.

According to fire crews, Idaho Falls experienced strong winds on Thursday, and a delayed response could easily escalate, endangering lives and property.

“Calling 911 ‘for fun’ or as a prank is not only illegal but puts lives and property in danger. Our firefighters are here to help you when seconds count, so please help us by using 911 responsibly and teaching your children and teens when it’s appropriate to call 911,” Hall said.

Sam Ross

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– The Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park’s lion, Hondo, is heading to a zoo in Pittsburgh as part of a nationwide breeding program to preserve animal populations.

The Idaho Falls Zoo is part of a ‘species-specific program’ connecting them to breeding programs at zoos around North America and Europe, and because of Hondo’s strong genes, the lion will be sent to breed with two lionesses on the East Coast.

“We are one big dating system,” said Katie Barry, zoo curator for the Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park. “They looked at Hondo and his pedigree… and figured out what females would go well with him to make sure the genetic variability is as great as possible.”

Barry said Hondo will leave for Pittsburgh this Sunday, but the zoo will not be without lions this season–new lions will be summering at the Idaho Falls Zoo and should arrive soon.

The Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park will open for the 2025 season on Thursday, April 24. For more information, you can visit the zoo website.

Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – March 14-18 marks National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, and the Rexburg police department is honoring their Animal Control Officer.

Leaders at the Rexburg police department visited their officers at the shelter to deliver cookies and other sweets to express their appreciation for them.

They want us to know these officers aren’t just caring for animals all day.

There is a toll that comes with this job.

Even though it’s a non-kill shelter, some animals still need to be euthanized.

They witness neglect and cruelty cases, and at times deal with people who have a negative stigma of them. Animal control officers say they appreciate people taking the time to acknowledge their hard work.

Scott Chapman, Animal control officer for Rexburg police, said, ” We know what you’re going through as it is. It is hard, and it doesn’t seem like it’s ever going to stop. But you know, the animals and it’s a constant revolving door of animals and and knowing that it’s we’re all here for each other.”

Thursday morning, the shelter learned of a hoarding case in Ogden, Utah, with 152 dogs found in the house. These animals require foster care, and the Rexburg animal shelter has offered to take some of these dogs. 

Stephanie Lucas

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Mayor Brian Blad provided updates on the police shooting that led to the death of 17-year-old Victor Perez of Pocatello for the first time since the teen was taken off life support.

As part of the Mayor’s update, the City of Pocatello released the video timeline, 911 call, transcript of 911 call, dispatch, audio, and nearby surveillance camera video related to the incident. The information will be on the city website and social media pages.

“There are still many questions that we cannot answer because the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force and others are completing their investigations, and there will be and there is now pending litigation,” said Mayor Blad.

The move comes after a prominent California-based civil rights firm, known for representing Rodney King in his case against Los Angeles Police officers, filed a wrongful death and civil rights violation claim against the city on behalf of the family of Victor Perez. For more information, click HERE.

Mayor Blad reiterated that some questions cannot be answered at this time due to the ongoing investigation by the East Idaho Critical Incident Task Force and the pending litigation against the city.

Pocatello’s Police Chief Roger Schei also spoke. He said he recognizes how deeply the event has impacted the city, community, state, and nation.

“I can only imagine the people that witnessed this event, what they may be going through. And how difficult it may be for them,” said Schei. “My thoughts are with them.”

Blad expressed his hope that the city would be able to move forward.

“I recognize it’s going to take a very long time for our community to heal from this,” said Blad. “If we ever really, truly heal from this. But it is also my belief that as we work together, we will indeed build a stronger Pocatello.”

The Pocatello City Council meeting was packed with people wanting to be heard regarding the Victor Perez shooting, and Mayor Blad wanted to make sure everyone had that opportunity.

Those who stood to speak didn’t hold back.

“Full stop. Victor did not pose a credible threat to the police. The police are wholly responsible for the escalation of the situation, and the blame is on their shoulders for each of the rounds fired at Victor, the failure, the failure of all four police officers to rationally assess the situation and not just roll in with weapons drawn. Demonstrates to me and all members of this community that this inch, that this issue is endemic across the department,” a Idaho State University student said.

“I am proposing that we follow in places like Utah and Boise that allow for the police department to work with other mental health organizations to help train officers about mental disabilities and more de escalation tactics other than just drawing a gun and shooting,” another person said.

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Holy Spirit Catholic School invites the community to their annual K-5 student Easter play on April 25.

The play is an annual school tradition for over 30 years now, but this is only the second year the entire student body is participating, and school leaders are inviting the community.

“When you watch children presenting this play, it gives you hope,” said Margie Gabiola, principal of Holy Spirit Catholic School. “When you see the kids that are playing the disciples and playing Mary and Jesus, you’re filled with this hope, and it’s the best story ever–the story doesn’t end with Jesus dying, the story is that he’s resurrected.”

Principal Gabiola said the play is a joint effort from all students and staff at the school, and the performance highlights the school’s focus on creating well-rounded students versed in the fine arts.

The play will be on Friday, April 25, from 10:30 to 11 am at Saint Anthony’s Chapel in Pocatello. For more information, you can visit the Holy Spirit Catholic School website.

Noah Farley

FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Fremont County emergency responders have responded to an alarming number of wildfires since the beginning of the month.

In total, there have been 25 wildfires in Fremont County between April 1 – 16. Four of them alone happened on the same day, April 15.

In response, Fremont County officials are working to get the word out about burning safety and fire restrictions.

Most of the fires were caused by controlled burns that were either left alone or grew because of the wind. One firefighter was hurt during one of the recent fires and had to be taken to the hospital.

Fremont County usually sees only five to ten wildfires this time of year.

“But this year, there’s been a lot of people burning and they haven’t paid attention to the weather forecast to see if there’s going to be winds or they’re just burning something that they’re not able to control,” said Fremont County Fire Marshal, Keith Richey.

Richey says people need to get a permit before doing a controlled burn and use common sense. If their fire gets out of hand, they need to call the fire department before it gets even worse.

Seth Ratliff

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – 72-year-old Bruce Hauber of American Falls is sentenced to 5 years of probation for stealing over $129,000 from the American Falls Housing Authority (AFHA). The news comes from the Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.

Between 2019 and 2023, Hauber was responsible for paying bills, managing rent, and handling the authority’s bank accounts.

But instead of sticking to official business, prosecutors say Hauber started using AFHA credit cards for personal purchases. According to court records, Hauber used the cards to pay for meals, airplane tickets, utilities for his home, medical expenses, and purchases at retailers.

“Hauber deliberately orchestrated a fraudulent scheme to embezzle more than $125,000 in federal funds designated to provide housing assistance for elderly and disabled residents in American Falls, Idaho—a community of roughly, 4,500 people,” said Special Agent in Charge Machelle Jindra with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “The theft was especially harmful given the limited resources available to support the community. HUD OIG remains committed to working alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement and oversight partners to aggressively pursue individuals who compromise the integrity of HUD programs and exploit communities in need.”

To conceal the embezzlement, Hauber wrote fictitious checks to venders and entered the checks into AFHA’s internal accounting system, say prosecutors.

“Our office will vigorously investigate and prosecute cases involving theft of public money,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott. “Bruce Hauber stole from the American taxpayer and deprived American Falls residents vital public housing funds.”

As part of his sentence, Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye ordered Hauber to pay back $79,000 in restitution. The judge also sentenced Hauber to eight months of home detention with location monitoring as a condition of probation.