Category: kifi-local-news

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Bannock County Landfill is hosting their monthly ‘Household Hazardous Waste Day’ on Saturday, September 6.

People can drop of any unused pesticides, motor oil, batteries, aerosols, and other common, hazardous household wastes for free to be segregated, packaged, and disposed of differently than regular trash to protect the local ecosystem.

“It’s kind of one of those things where we look at the environmental impact that you may have on any kind of a landscape, and at the cost of cleanup, the cost of handling, disposal… what’s best for the environment,” said Dillon Evans, operations manager of the Bannock County Landfill. “It’s kind of a natural thing that a lot of landfills do is we try and mitigate the waste from going into the lined cells.”

Evans said the landfill accepts hazardous wastes for a cost any day they are open; Household Hazardous Waste Day lets people dispose of unwanted waste from their garage or cleaning supplies free of charge.

People wishing to dispose of approved hazardous waste can bring the items to the Bannock County Landfill from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Landfill managers ask that people follow signs to the pickup point and stay in their cars while staff unload the waste.

For a full list of approved items that can be brought to the landfill on Household Hazardous Waste Day, visit the Bannock County Landfill website.

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Curtis Jackson

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI)— A local farmer agrees to stop irrigating his crops for the rest of this year’s growing season, according to the Department of Water Resources.

District Court Judge Darren Simpson accepted a settlement between IDWR and Jerry and Valerie Bingham on Thursday.

The Binghams chose not to join the local water district, arguing that their water rights from the 1950s have seniority.

Because their water rights are junior to the priority date of 1900, the Binghams had to agree to stop irrigating for the rest of the 2025 season. As part of a settlement, the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) agreed to begin processing the mitigation plan the Binghams submitted on August 19. IDWR confirmed it had already taken the first step by publishing notice of the plan.

IDWR will still seek civil penalities against the Binghams at $300 per acre for their illegal diversion of water.

IDWR said most junior water users in Eastern Idaho have signed on to approved mitigation plans including those agreed in the 2024 Water Settlement Agreement. Because of that, they have avoided any impact from the curtailment order issued in July.

IDWR said the Binghams initially refused to curtail their water use on four wells.

IDWR provided the following background of events:

IDWR staff and the local Watermaster had several conversations with Jerry Bingham, where he was informed of the curtailment order and its requirements. 

The Binghams’ attorney sent a letter to IDWR confirming their intent to not shut off their water use and refusal to join a groundwater district for the purposes of mitigation. 

IDWR has started the review process on the Binghams’ mitigation plan; public notice of the plan will be forthcoming. 

On Aug. 20, 2025, the Department filed a motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO). The motion asked the Court to order the Binghams to cease diverting water until the hearing on the Departments motion for preliminary injunction. 

On August 25, 2025, the Court granted the Department’s motion for a TRO and issued an order telling the Binghams to cease diverting water until the September 4 hearing. 

The Watermaster has confirmed that the Binghams complied with the TRO. 

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—Idaho Falls Police have released bodycam video of an officer-involved shooting that killed an Idaho Falls man.

The video includes the initial 911 call and sections of body camera footage from three officers. You can see the above.

On August 19, 2025, police were called to an apartment on Clubhouse Circle around 10 p.m. A woman reported that a man, later identified as Derrand Zimmerman, 39, was acting “erratically” and armed with a gun, had allegedly pointed the weapon at her.

While officers were searching the area, the man came back and reportedly tried to force his way into the apartment. According to a statement from Idaho Falls Police, the caller said the man was pounding on the door, trying to get inside. Emergency dispatchers told the woman and children inside to stay put and shelter in place.

Police found the man outside and attempted to calm things down by giving him commands to surrender. When he didn’t respond, they deployed a K-9 unit to help take him into custody, but that also didn’t work.

Around 10:50 p.m., things escalated. The man allegedly pulled out a gun, shouted threats, and fired a shot at the officers. In response, two officers fired back, hitting the suspect, according to the police statement.

Zimmerman was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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News Release

UPDATE:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — Crews from multiple agencies are actively battling the Buckum Fire, burning in the rugged Hells Half Acre lava flow area near East River Road.

Firefighters from multiple agencies are on the scene, including the BLM Idaho Falls District, the Shelley and Firth fire departments, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. According to the Bureau of Land Management Idaho Fire Program, aerial support is also on site, with a Forest Service Helitack Type 3 helicopter and a large air tanker assisting with suppression efforts from above.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time. Officials have confirmed that no evacuations have been ordered, and no structures are currently under threat.

Fire managers are urging the public to avoid the area to ensure the safety of both residents and fire personnel. A strict warning has also been issued to the public: flying drones near the fire is prohibited. “If you fly a drone over a fire, air operations could be suspended,” warns BLM Idaho Fire.

Local News 8 is tracking this developing story and will provide updates as more details are released.

ORIGINAL:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — A 40-acre wildfire, named the Buckum Fire, is currently burning between Blackfoot and Shelley. The fire was first reported around 2:52 PM.

Details are limited, but the smoke is reportedly visible from the Eastern Idaho State Fairgrounds. Witnesses have reportedly seen large planes and helicopters on the scene dropping fire retardant. The specific crews responding to the fire are not yet known.

Local News 8 is tracking this developing story and will provide updates as more details are released.

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Abi Martin

A nursing student at the College of Eastern Idaho is representing the Gem state on the national stage.

Ellie Daniels was crowned Miss Idaho earlier this summer and will now compete in the Miss America pageant tomorrow evening.

She’s currently in Orlando, Florida, preparing for the big night while juggling her studies in CEI’s registered nursing program.

The competition highlights leadership, academic achievement, and community impact. 

These are values Daniels says reflect her own journey as a student and scholarship recipient.

You can watch the Miss America pageant Sunday at 5:00 p.m. on the Miss America Youtube channel.  

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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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