Category: kifi-local-news

Curtis Jackson

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — The Eastern Idaho State Fair opens Friday, and one of the fair’s most anticipated traditions is the food.

Ahead of opening day, local media representatives and other guests gathered Thursday to sample this year’s entries in the Best Fair Food contest.

The competition included six categories, with dishes judged on both their appearance and taste.

The nine-day fair begins Friday, Sept. 4, and concludes Sept. 12.

Below is the list of winners.

Best New Entrée

A first-time savory item making its Fair debut this year, judged on creativity and flavor.

First Place:  The Liberty Stack from Between the Buns

Second Place:  Fiesta Fries from La Casita

Third Place:  Hog on a Log Nachos from Blackhawk BBQ Pit

“Freedom Taco” from La Casita

Best New Sweet

A first-time dessert or sweet treat new to the Fair this year, judged on creativity and flavor.

First Place:  An All American Whoopie Cookie from Sweet Temptations

Second Place:  Red, White & Butter from Creamy Creations

Third Place:  Freedom Taco Delight from La Casita

“Red, White & Butter” from Creamy Creations

Fairest Entrée of Them All

The standout among returning savory favorites, judged on presentation and taste.

First Place:  Pulled Pork Nacho from Mexican Crazy Corn

Second Place:  Rib-Eye Steak Sandwich from Billmans

Third Place:  The Whole Dam Farm from Smokin’ Bs

“The Whole Dam Farm” from Smokin’ Bs

Fairest Sweet of Them All

The standout among returning desserts and sweet treats, judged on presentation and taste.

First Place:  The Campfire Secret from Sweet Temptations

Second Place:  Dubai Cheesecake from Creamy Creations

Third Place:  “Cookies & Cream” Funnel Cake from Winder’s Funnel Cakes

“Dubai Cheesecake” from Creamy Creations

Most Patriotic Entry

New this year, honoring the item that best celebrates the Fair’s “Red, White and Blue Jeans” theme.

People’s Choice

First Place:  Volcano from Volcano

Second Place:  “ ” Funnel Cake from Winder’s Funnel Cakes

Third Place:  American Berries from MD’s Dinky Donuts

“American Berries” from MD’s Dinky Donuts.

Voted on by fairgoers, recognizing the crowd favorite among all entries.

First Place:  The WarHawk from Blackhawk BBQ Pit

Contest Participants:

Best New Entrée Category:

A first-time savory item making its Fair debut this year, judged on creativity and flavor.

Corn to be Wild (Corn Salsa) from Mexican Crazy Corn — Fire-roasted sweet corn in a bright, colorful salsa bursting with garden vegetables, a squeeze of fresh lime, and a blend of smoky spices — sweet, zesty, and just a little sassy.

Blue Ribbon French Toast Breakfast from Twisted Tater — Thick-cut Texas toast dipped in a signature batter, grilled golden and crisp, then drizzled with homemade buttermilk syrup and served with thick, crispy bacon.

Hog on a Log Nachos from Blackhawk BBQ Pit — Crispy tortilla chips loaded with queso, fresh toppings, and chopped pieces of the famous Hog on a Log smoked boneless pork steak.

The Liberty Stack from Between the Buns — A sweet, smoky, and savory stack of two beef patties layered with white cheddar, bourbon bacon jam, and garlic aioli, garnished with tomatoes, pickles, and lettuce.

Fiesta Fries from La Casita — Hand-cut fries piled high with slow-braised birria and seasoned carne asada, smothered in nacho cheese and topped with pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, and crushed blue tortilla chips.

“Peachy Keen” from Camille’s Crepes

Best New Sweet Category:

A first-time dessert or sweet treat new to the Fair this year, judged on creativity and flavor.

Cocoa Cup from Camille’s Crepes — Fresh, juicy strawberries enveloped in rich milk chocolate and topped with whipped cream.

Longboard Churro with Dipping Sauce from North Shore Shave Ice — A warm churro coated in cinnamon and sugar, served with an optional dipping sauce — the perfect treat for eating on the go.

Patriot from Blend & Squeeze — A refreshing tropical smoothie blending coconut, pineapple, strawberries, and blueberries into a cold, fruity drink.

American Berries from MD’s Dinky Donuts — Hot, fresh mini donuts with a homemade cream filling and fresh blueberries and strawberries, presented as an American flag.

Red, White & Butter from Creamy Creations — A light lemon cream dessert layered with sweet raspberry-blueberry filling and a buttery graham cracker crumble, crafted to look like a cube of butter.

Freedom Taco Delight from La Casita — A golden cake-battered taco shell fried crisp and filled with fresh strawberries and bananas, drizzled with white and milk chocolate and topped with whipped cream and blue sprinkles.

An All American Whoopie Cookie from Sweet Temptations — Two chocolate chip cookie whoopie pies filled with cream cheese, drizzled with scratch-made caramel, and finished with crushed Oreos, strawberries, and blue sprinkles, served with vanilla soft serve.

Fairest Entrée of Them All Category:

The standout among returning savory favorites, judged on presentation and taste.

Pulled Pork Nacho from Mexican Crazy Corn — Crispy tortilla rounds smothered in white queso, fire-roasted sweet corn, and slow-smoked pulled pork, finished with cilantro-lime sauce, sweet cheese, and house-made hot honey.

Peanut Butter Bacon Burger with Jalapeño Relish from Twisted Tater — A quarter-pound patty layered with thick bacon, a generous spread of peanut butter, and house-made jalapeño relish — a balance of sweet, smoky, salty, and spicy.

Hog on a Log from Blackhawk BBQ Pit — An award-winning giant smoked boneless pork steak, flame-seared on a skewer and smothered in signature BBQ sauce.

Rib-Eye Steak Sandwich from Billmans — Billman’s famous 12 oz rib-eye steak sandwich cooked to order, smothered with onions and grilled mushrooms.

The Whole Dam Farm from Smokin’ Bs — A plate of battered fries topped with smoked mac & cheese, smoked chicken, smoked brisket, and pulled pork — enough to feed the whole family.

Fairest Sweet of Them All Category:

The standout among returning desserts and sweet treats, judged on presentation and taste.

Dubai Cheesecake from Creamy Creations — New York cheesecake dipped in chocolate, drizzled with pistachio cream and chocolate ganache, and topped with toasted kataifi and chopped pistachios.

Peachy Keen from Camille’s Crepes — Fresh passion peaches and sweet cream served over a bed of ribbon-cut crepe and topped with whipped cream.

The Campfire Secret from Sweet Temptations — A signature chocolate whoopie pie drizzled with homemade caramel and crushed graham crackers, topped with mini chocolate chips, marshmallows, and strawberries, and paired with vanilla ice cream.

Horchata Shave Ice Sundae from North Shore Shave Ice — A base of vanilla ice cream covered with sweet almond-vanilla shave ice, topped with sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, and cinnamon sugar.

“Cookies & Cream” Funnel Cake from Winder’s Funnel Cakes — A golden funnel cake dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, a rich cream cheese drizzle, crushed chocolate cookies, and a scoop of whipped cream.

“Cookie Butter Crunch” Funnel Cake from Winder’s Funnel Cakes — A golden funnel cake dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, topped with cookie butter drizzle, crushed spiced butter cookies, and whipped cream.

Strawberry Delight from MD’s Dinky Donuts — A layer of hot, fresh mini donuts with powdered sugar and fresh strawberries, topped with whipped cream and warm chocolate frosting.

The Original Cinnamon Sugar from MD’s Dinky Donuts — The original hot and fresh mini donuts coated in cinnamon sugar.

Most Patriotic Entry Category:

New this year, honoring the item that best celebrates the Fair’s “Red, White and Blue Jeans” theme.

Scone Nuggets from Shelley Kiwanis Club — Scone nuggets served with a scoop of honey butter, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.

Freedom Freeze from Creamy Creations — An apple cider slush with creamy vanilla ice cream — a new twist on an American favorite.

Sweet Freedom from Camille’s Crepes — A red velvet crepe with white chocolate filling and fresh blueberries in a cup, topped with whipped cream.

An All American Whoopie Cookie from Sweet Temptations — Two chocolate chip cookie whoopie pies filled with cream cheese, drizzled with scratch-made caramel, and finished with crushed Oreos, strawberries, and blue sprinkles, served with vanilla soft serve.

American Dream Shave Ice Sundae from North Shore Shave Ice — A base of vanilla ice cream sectioned with blue raspberry, cherry, and piña colada shave ice, topped with sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, and stars-and-stripes sprinkles.

“Berry Patriotic” Funnel Cake from Winder’s Funnel Cakes — A golden funnel cake dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, layered with strawberries and sauce, a cream cheese drizzle, whipped cream, and a red, white, and blue berry candy cluster.

All-American BBQ Dog from Blackhawk BBQ Pit — An all-beef hot dog piled high with slow-smoked pulled pork, crispy onions, and signature BBQ sauce.

Freedom Flame from Between the Buns — Crispy chicken tenders with smoky BBQ aioli, melted pepper jack, jalapeño, and apple slaw, drizzled with hot honey.

American Berries from MD’s Dinky Donuts — Hot, fresh mini donuts with a homemade cream filling and fresh blueberries and strawberries, presented as an American flag.

Volcano from Volcano — A customizable treat: a refreshing beverage base topped with an attachment bowl of assorted fruits and a choice of seasonings such as lemon, chili, sweet tangy sauce, nuts, or sprinkles.

Winners will receive recognition during the Fair and special signage at their booths. The contest highlights new offerings and celebrates the Fair’s diverse food scene.

For a complete schedule of events, entertainment lineup, and ticket information, visit www.funatthefair.com or follow the Eastern Idaho State Fair on social media.

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Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The charges against Lindsey Clancy in the deaths of her three children have drawn intense national attention to maternal mental health and postpartum psychosis.

While prosecutors argue Clancy is fully accountable and capable of understanding her actions, the case has sparked broader conversations about maternal mental health conditions and their warning signs.

We talked with an Idaho-certified perinatal mental health therapist about what new moms — and their families — need to know, including when to seek help.

The difference between Postpartum Psychosis and other mood disorders

Postpartum depression and anxiety are much more common than postpartum psychosis — and they can be treated.

Brianna Nuttall, an Idaho licensed clinical social worker and perinatal mental health certified therapist, says it’s important to know the difference.

“We treat postpartum psychosis differently than the rest of the perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.”

Postpartum psychosis is rare — affecting about one to two out of every 1,000 births — but it is a medical emergency.

Nuttall says some of the warning signs include severe confusion, going days without sleep, fixed beliefs that aren’t true or hearing voices.

“A mother in psychosis genuinely believes that false reality. And so, because symptoms can ebb and flow, a mom can lose touch with reality. Getting to an emergency room or calling 911 immediately is what’s important for postpartum psychosis.”

Other Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, or PMADs, are among the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Nuttall says one in five new mothers will experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder.

Those include postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. For women experiencing those conditions, the struggle and symptoms can look different from postpartum psychosis.

Nuttall says these conditions can show up two weeks to two months after giving birth and can look like extreme irritability, rage, brain fog — or an inability to sleep, even when the baby is sleeping.

She also wants moms to know that scary, intrusive thoughts can happen with postpartum anxiety and OCD.

“I want to normalize the fact that moms suffer from scary, intrusive thoughts, unwanted images coming to their mind of harm to their baby. I want to say having these thoughts doesn’t mean that you’re a bad mom, and especially if you are feeling distressed by them. There is interventions that we can do to help you with that.”

Nuttall also wants moms to watch for one big warning sign.

“The biggest red flag … is if you are unable to sleep even when your baby’s sleeping. That’s an indication that your nervous system is stuck in overdrive. And we need to help you with getting that, because lack of sleep is going to exacerbate all of these problems.”

You’re not a bad mom

Nuttall reassures moms that having scary or intrusive thoughts does not make them bad mothers.

“Having these thoughts doesn’t mean that you’re a bad mom. This is a classic, classic symptom of postpartum anxiety and OCD that you do not need to feel ashamed about. And the sooner you can talk about it, the sooner you can receive some relief.”

And if you’re not sure where to start, you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is free, confidential and available 24/7.

You can call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA — that’s 1-833-852-6262.

Another resource is Postpartum Support International, which offers a helpline, support groups and a directory to help connect families with perinatal mental health professionals.

“You are not alone. You are not to blame,” says Nuttall. “And with the right support, you will get better. This doesn’t need to be what motherhood means to you. And research has shown that if you get the support that you need, relief is on the horizon.”

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Danielle Mullenix

ISLAND PARK, ID (KIFI) — For generations, the Playmill Theatre has been a beloved place for families to find sanctuary in the summertime. Now, as the curtain rises on its new theater in Island Park, the most important traditions are coming with it.

Some places become more than buildings, and some traditions become more than the dates we mark on a calendar. They become part of the way a family remembers a summer, the place where a child first discovers a passion, or the familiar face that appears year after year until a stranger becomes an old friend. For more than six decades, the Playmill Theatre has held that place in the lives of generations of families who came to the Mountain West looking for an evening of entertainment and found, perhaps without realizing it at first, something that lasted far longer than the curtain call.

Now, the Playmill is stepping into its next act. Its new home in Island Park is nearly five times larger than the original. The stage is bigger. The possibilities are stronger.

Playmill Theatre circa 1960s / Courtesy of Montana State Library & Yellowstone Historic Center

But the story it carries with it is the same one that began in 1964.

ANY DREAM WILL DO: A HUMBLE BEGINNING TO WESTERN TRADITION

The vision began on June 20, 1964, in West Yellowstone, Montana, when a group of BYU theater students discovered an abandoned pharmacy left behind after the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake. They saw potential for creating a stage in this space. Though their initial production was modest, especially compared to the productions that would come later, the idea behind it was significant: live theater could thrive anywhere, even in a region better known for its mountains, rivers, and its entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

Playmill Players circa 1970s

Now, more than 60 years later, the Playmill still tells stories to almost 80,000 visitors per summer, although the building where those first audiences gathered no longer carries the weight of its future.

For families who have returned to the theater over the decades, however, the Playmill’s history is not measured simply in years.

It can be found in a collection of old programs tucked away in a cabin drawer.

Kyndal Baker still has one from 1981, a small pamphlet of papers that connects her family to a tradition that began years before she was born. Her grandparents had been attending the Playmill since around 1969, while other families remember going back even farther. Erin Madsen’s parents believe they may have been among the audience when the theater opened in 1964, while Jim and his family have been making the trip for roughly 35 years.

That is how the Playmill grew: not only by putting on shows, but by becoming something families sauntered to.

Children who once watched from booster seats eventually came back with children of their own. Vacations were planned around performances, and familiar faces appeared in the audience year after year. The scenery changed, the performers rotated, and the years passed, but there was comfort in returning to a place where, for a few hours, life seemed willing to slow down.

David Walker, one of the theater’s longtime and renowned performers, has spent more than 25 years connected to the Playmill. For him, the theater became the place where he learned his craft, grew as a performer, and formed relationships that outlasted individual seasons.

David Walker as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables in 2026 Playmill Theatre Production / Photo Courtesy of Travis Gugleman

He does not describe it simply as a workplace.

He calls it home.

That sense of belonging is part of what has kept audiences coming back. Annie Dalling says she returns because of the magic she finds both on the stage and behind it. Lynn Arbon has watched the tradition continue for decades and describes the people associated with the theater as an extended family. For the Madsen family, the Playmill represents a tradition worth passing from one generation to another — a place where wholesome entertainment can become part of a family’s shared history.

And for Walker, there is something particularly meaningful about performing for an audience that returns.

The actors may be different, but the relationship between the stage and the people sitting in front of it remains.

A FAMILY LEGACY

Behind that relationship is another story, one that is itself part of the Playmill’s history.

Roger and Heidi Merrill, owners of The Playmill Theatre

Roger and Heidi Merrill’s lives became intertwined with the theater long before they became its owners. Roger attended the Playmill as a child and began performing on its stage in 1985. Heidi performed there in 1986. They met that summer, began dating, married the following year, and eventually built their lives and family around the same place where their story had begun.

“The Playmill has become a part of the fabric of our lives,” Roger said. He and Heidi raised four children within the walls of the original Playmill, and their kids often referred to the theater as their childhood home rather than their actual address.

In 2005, they officially took over the Playmill.

For the Merrills, keeping the theater alive was never simply a business decision. It became a commitment that shaped their family, their careers, and much of their lives. Heidi acknowledges there were times when they considered walking away, but each time they returned to the same conviction — that what they were doing mattered, and that the Playmill was supposed to continue past them.

TIME CATCHES UP

However, sentiment alone could not solve the problem of a tired facility.

The original Playmill building was never designed to become the theater it eventually was. Before audiences filled its seats, the building had served other purposes, including a drugstore, a bingo parlor, and a post office dating back to the 1930s. Over time, its walls accumulated evidence of generations who had passed through: signatures, ticket stubs, and the small marks left behind by performers who understood they were becoming part of something older than themselves.

Varied imperfections were part of the theater’s charm, but they also reminded people of its limitations.

Original stage and smaller capacity of the West Yellowstone, MT Playmill Theatre location. / Photos Courtesy of FilmGarage 208

Eventually, the building could no longer carry the ambitions of the people trying to preserve what made the Playmill special.

“If Playmill was to progress and remain positive for cast and audience, we had to do something different; we had to do something more,” Roger Merrill said.

NOSTALGIA BECOMES A COMPASS

The decision that followed required the kind of courage that is often difficult to recognize when what’s changing is something people love.

The Merrills chose not to preserve the old building exactly as it was. Instead, they chose to preserve what the building had come to mean. Nostalgia was not to become a cage but a compass.

Construction began on a new theater in Island Park, Idaho, a building nearly five times larger than the original. There would be more seats, more space, and more opportunity, but the purpose was not simply to build a bigger theater. It was to create a home capable of carrying the Playmill into the next generations.

Conceptual design of the new Playmill Theatre in Island Park, ID, featuring the Steakhouse 64 singing waiter restaurant and the Mill Creek Mercantile gift shop, which showcases local vendors and unique finds.

“We were literally outgrowing the space,” Roger said. “We wanted to accommodate our dreams and our goals. And so that’s why we decided to move.”

Heidi describes the decision in simple terms that reach beyond construction and expansion.

“We dedicated our lives to this place so that it could go on without us,” she said.

That may be the most important part of the Playmill’s next act.

FAITH AND FOUNDATION PREPARING THE STRUCTURE

A theater is made of wood, steel, concrete, and lights, but a tradition is made of people. The new building may have a larger stage and more room for an audience, yet the memories that made the Playmill important did not remain behind in West Yellowstone. They travel with the people who carried them.

They are in the family that still keeps an old program from 1981.

They are in the parents who remember bringing their children and the children who now bring theirs.

They are in the actors who return because they still love the unique connection with Playmill audiences.

And they are in the people who spent decades believing that a small theater in the mountains could matter.

Celebrations onstage and off at The Playmill’s new home in Island Park, ID. / Photos courtesy of Travis Gugleman

The Playmill’s next act, then, is not really about leaving its past behind.

It is about making room for it.

NEW WAYS TO DREAM: THE NEXT ACT

The new theater in Island Park represents a future large enough to hold the stories still waiting to be told, while the traditions that brought audiences through the doors for more than 60 years remain at its center. The stage is larger now, but the reason people gather around it has not changed.

There will still be children leaning forward in their seats, families laughing together and performers waiting in the wings for their cue. There will still be people who arrive as strangers and leave knowing one another’s names. There will still be the expectation that, for an evening, the outside world can wait.

And perhaps that is why the Playmill has endured.

Not because the building stayed the same, but because the feeling did.

From the small wooden stage that opened in West Yellowstone in 1964 to the new theater rising in Island Park more than six decades later, the Playmill’s greatest performance has never belonged entirely to the people onstage. It belongs to the generations who kept coming back, the performers who gave pieces of themselves to the work, and the families who decided this place was worth making part of their story.

The building has changed.

The stage has grown.

And the story continues.

After 60 years, the curtain is rising once again, and the Playmill begins its next act.

What’s Next Onstage: 

As the inaugural summer season wraps up this Labor Day weekend, the Playmill Theatre is excited to announce the opening of its first fall production, “The Foreigner.” This marks an ambitious step towards becoming a year-round theatre destination. Tickets are now available for this fan-favorite show, as well as for “A Very Playmill Christmas,” an original play created specifically for Playmill audiences. This holiday production will offer more opportunities for families to create lasting traditions. To purchase tickets for the remaining shows of the 2026 season and to learn more about the Playmill’s 2027 season, visit their website here. 

In addition to the new theatre complex, the Playmill will also expand its offerings with a brand-new restaurant, Steakhouse 64, and a unique antique and gift shop, Mill Creek Mercantile. Click here to read the previous article about these newest additions. 

Thank you to Film Garage 208, Josh Sales Films, Sam Merrill, and Travis Gugleman for their additional footage and photos for this story.

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Curtis Jackson

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Drivers on Interstate 15 near Fort Hall should prepare for traffic changes Thursday evening as the Idaho Transportation Department shifts southbound traffic onto newly constructed lanes in the median.

According to ITD, the traffic switch will allow crews to continue work on widening I-15 to three lanes between Northgate and Fort Hall.

The shift will move southbound traffic from the Sheepskin Road Bridge to an area north of the 2½ Mile Road Bridge. As part of the change, the southbound off-ramp at the Fort Hall Interchange (Exit 80) will be closed for about one hour beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Motorists planning to exit at Fort Hall during that time will need to use either the Northgate Interchange (Exit 73) or the South Blackfoot Interchange (Exit 89) as a detour, according to ITD.

Drivers should also expect intermittent lane closures on southbound I-15 between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. While construction is underway, two lanes of traffic will remain open in each direction during daytime hours.

The work is part of ITD’s I-15 Northgate to Fort Hall project, which began in fall 2024. The $200 million project is designed to improve safety and increase capacity along the corridor by expanding the interstate to three lanes in both directions.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2027, according to ITD.

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Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – A Bluegrass festival is about to take over the Rigby Rodeo Grounds next weekend, September 11-13.

There will be nine bands from Idaho, Utah and Montana including: Well Beaten Path, Dry Buck, Winterwood, Cold Creek, Dusty Mill, Mountain Strings, Montana Standard, Release the Squirrels, as well as Jack & Rebekah Workman.

The band Mountain Strings performed live on Local News 8 in the morning, with Anchor Megan Lavin and Weather Reporter Danielle Mullinex tapping their toes and clapping along. To hear a sample of their music, click the video above.

Bank spokesman, Gerry Grider, reminded Local News 8 viewers to bring a camp chair to sit on, and if you’d like, you can even dry camp through the weekend.

There will be food, workshops, a band scramble and a raffle.

You can purchase your tickets on their website: BlueGrassOnTheSnake.org or at the door.

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KIVI Staff

Originally Published: 03 SEP 26 10:34 ET

By Greenlee Clark

Click here for updates on this story

    STAR, Idaho (KIVI) — For the Young family of Star, Dolly Parton was never just a country music star. She was a role model. A constant in their lives. And eventually — a Make-A-Wish dream come true.

Kristi Young said Dolly Parton’s music was woven into the family from the very beginning.

“All the kids were born to Dolly Parton music. It was the first sound they ever heard in the world,” Kristi said.

Her daughter Faith, now 15, laughed, recalling the detail.

“There was just Dolly Parton playing in the delivery room apparently,” Faith said.

“There was!” Kristi said.

Faith said Dolly taught her something she carries with her every day.

“To be kind and treat others respectfully,” Faith said.

Kristi said Dolly’s outlook on faith and kindness shaped the way their family moves through the world.

“She’s taught us to live our faith, but don’t make others feel uncomfortable if they, you know, don’t maybe share it. Leave the judging the Lord and live your faith,” Kristi said.

Inside their Star home, years of memories fill a Dolly Parton scrapbook that Kristi gave Faith as a surprise on her 11th birthday — along with a trip to Dollywood. The first half of the scrapbook is filled with memorabilia the family collected over the years. The second half documents their journey to meet Dolly. Each page tells the story of a family who grew up admiring Dolly’s music, kindness, and message. Kristi said Dolly’s belief that you can be anything and dream big was another lesson that stuck.

Kristi said Dolly’s words carried a particular weight for Faith.

“When Dolly says that you can dream more and you can do anything and you can be anything, those are words that mean something to Faith, like she just took it to heart, like this person’s talking to me. Just to me,” Kristi said.

In 2022, the family’s life changed after Faith was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. Kristi said the family had spent years believing Faith had cerebral palsy before further testing during her teenage years led to a new diagnosis.

“Faith has a rare genetic disorder, and it’s a neuromuscular progressive condition, so it is life-impacting and limiting, and so we qualify for wish through that,” Kristi said.

Kristi said qualifying for Make-A-Wish came with complicated emotions.

“You want your child to have everything they ever dreamed of, but the reality of qualifying is pretty hard one,” Kristi said.

Through Make-A-Wish, Faith had the opportunity to choose one special experience. The family talked through the options — a puppy, backstage passes for other artists — but one wish stood apart. Dolly was not touring, which meant getting to meet her would require something special.

“What’s the one thing you can never do?” Kristi recalled asking her daughter.

“Dolly Parton,” Faith said.

The family joined the waitlist and kept busy in the meantime — participating in polar plunge fundraising for Make-A-Wish and staying connected to the community. When the call finally came, it arrived earlier than expected. Kristi said she found out about the wish about two weeks before telling Faith, keeping the secret until the 30-day mark so the family could do a countdown.

Because celebrity wishes do not follow a traditional planning timeline, the family had told their employers upfront that when Dolly called, they would go. Dolly’s team kept details tightly guarded — the family did not receive their itinerary until about 30 hours before they were set to meet her.

“They don’t tell anyone where Dolly is gonna be at any given moment ever,” Kristi said.

Kristi said Dolly was known for keeping her Make-A-Wish visits quiet, not wanting the publicity for herself.

“Dolly always kept it very quiet. She didn’t want the PR from Make A Wish. She wanted it to just be the kid. She was famous for saying keep a little bit back for yourself, something her mother had taught her, and so she just wanted that for the kids,” Kristi said.

The morning of the meeting, the family enjoyed a breakfast buffet before heading to meet Dolly. When they arrived, Dolly did group wishes so she never had to turn a child down. The Young family was there alongside three other families, each seated at a table with activities while Dolly worked her way around to visit with each family.

When Dolly walked into the room, Kristi said the energy shifted immediately.

“It was a very busy room. And increasing security, increasing and increasing, and then she walks in and all of the air just felt so much lighter. And she said, well, hello there. And her big voice, and immediately it was just joy,” Kristi said.

Before the visit, when the family found out the wish was going to be granted, Faith thought of bringing Dolly flowers. They picked up a vase of yellow, pink, and red roses from Star’s local Albertson’s. Faith explained that yellow and white are Dolly’s two favorite colors — yellow makes her happy and white makes her calm.

Faith had one specific hope for the visit — to play her fingernails and sing with Dolly. She got exactly that. Before the trip, the family visited a nail salon so Faith could have her “9 to 5” nail moment ready.

“We got to sing with Dolly because Faith had never been able to see a Dolly Parton concert. She wasn’t touring anymore and it was our little private concert,” Kristi said.

Kristi said Dolly’s kindness extended to every child in the room. At one point, Dolly let a child with visual impairments feel her buttons, pins, and hair.

Faith said the experience confirmed everything she had believed about Dolly.

“When I sang with her, like, there wasn’t auto-tune or anything. It was all real voice,” Faith said.

Kristi said Dolly was everything the family had hoped she would be.

“Getting to know her through her family and then getting to spend a little time with her and she’s everything that you would have ever thought she was. She was very genuine. Everything you saw was 100% real,” Kristi said.

The two also talked about the family’s Dolly Parton parties — a tradition the Youngs hold whenever there is a Dolly special.

“Like bake Duncan Hines and watch Dolly movies,” Faith said.

Dolly asked about the tradition herself during the visit. After the meeting, the family received free tickets to spend the afternoon at Dollywood. The morning after, the feeling of missing her had already set in.

“The next morning we were loading up and we looked at each other and went, I miss her. I wonder what she’s doing,” Kristi said.

Faith said the experience was everything she had hoped for.

“I was happy. It was magical, and it felt like I was dreaming. Dolly is this magical person that you don’t even feel like it’s just, you don’t even feel like it’s actually real,” Faith said.

The Young family’s connection to Dolly’s world extended beyond the Make-A-Wish visit. On Faith’s 11th birthday trip to Dollywood, the family met Shelly, Dolly’s cousin, who works at the park. Faith was so overwhelmed by being close to Dolly’s family that she went nonverbal and sank to the ground. Shelly sat through her entire dinner break waiting for Faith to feel comfortable enough to take a photo. Shelly still stays in touch with the family.

The family left blank pages at the back of the scrapbook — because there is still more to come. Dolly recorded an album set to be released in 2046, when she would have been 100 years old.

“We left blank pages in because there’s still hope,” Kristi said.

“We are all learning to live in a world without Dolly, but there’s still more to come,” Kristi said.

When Dolly Parton passed away, the day hit the Young family hard. Kristi said she was at her job when a wave of texts from unrelated groups of people started coming in, all offering condolences. She asked a colleague to check on the news for her rather than read it herself online.

Kristi said she immediately called Faith’s school to let them know. The school understood and went tech-free in some classes that afternoon to prevent pop-up ads from catching Faith off guard. Faith’s teacher also suggested she change into her volleyball jersey so no one would recognize her Dolly shirt and inadvertently say something before Kristi could tell her in person.

Kristi left work early and worked with the school counselor on the right moment to break the news. It was decided she should be told before the volleyball game rather than risk Faith hearing it elsewhere.

“She was shattered,” Kristi said.

Faith said volleyball was the one thing that brought her any happiness that week.

“The only time she saw me happy and smiling was when we won our first two games,” Faith said.

Faith’s school gave her bereavement leave. That Friday, the family honored Dolly the way she would have wanted — with a Dolly Parton party. This time, they made Duncan Hines blondies with chocolate chips after discovering a new recipe, watched Dolly movies, and set aside time to grieve together.

The family later learned through one of Dolly’s nieces that Dolly had been laid to rest that same Friday — the same day the Youngs had taken their bereavement day.

“We set aside time to pray for her family and we were praying for them when they were having their funeral,” Kristi said.

The outpouring of support from the Star community brought Faith comfort during those first difficult nights. Kristi said her phone was flooded with messages from people across the community who knew their story.

“That first night when we got home, that was a really rough night and it brought Faith a lot of comfort to read those messages. It was the one thing that really was comforting in those moments,” Kristi said.

Kristi said the unity she has witnessed in the wake of Dolly’s passing reminded her of something she had not felt in a long time.

“I haven’t seen our country, our world this united since 9/11. It doesn’t matter what side of the political fence you’re on, it doesn’t matter whether you’re religious or you’re part of more liberal communities, it doesn’t matter who you are, where you came from,” Kristi said.

“We are all learning to live in a world without Dolly together,” Kristi said.

“I think it would have brought her a lot of joy to see the world united. She wanted to be remembered for everything that she had done and who she was, and I think we’re all doing a really good job of that,” Kristi said.

In the end, Kristi said the best memorial anyone could offer is a simple one.

“I think the only thing that Dolly would really love. If she had to put up with all these articles is to be kind to one another. And to carry forth and not to lose the unity that we have found right now,” Kristi said.

“I think that would mean more to her than any memorial, if we, if we were just decent people to each other and kept being decent people,” Kristi said.

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Curtis Jackson

BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – Two Power County men are in custody after an early morning shooting and hours-long standoff near Trail Creek on Thursday, according to the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s deputies were called to the Trail Creek area at about 2 a.m. after receiving reports that two men were firing shots into a motorhome parked at a campsite. The motorhome’s owner was not injured, but the suspects had left the immediate area before deputies arrived.

According to the Sheriff’s Office news release, deputies quickly secured the area, issued a temporary shelter-in-place order for nearby residents, and launched a drone to help search for the suspects. Within about 20 minutes, deputies located two armed men in a ravine north of Trail Creek.

Investigators said the men discharged firearms during the search and may have fired in the direction of the drone.

The Southeast Idaho Special Tactics and Response (STAR) Team was requested to assist. Before the team arrived, deputies were able to communicate with one of the suspects and persuade him to put down his weapon. He surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody at 3:12 a.m., according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Following the surrender of two armed suspects, law enforcement vehicles from assisting agencies line Trail Creek Road. A Bannock County Sheriff’s Office drone captured this image while deputies and special response teams were processing the scene. Courtesy: Bannock County Sheriff

The second suspect remained armed and refused to surrender. The STAR Team continued negotiations with the man at 3:25 a.m. After continuous communication efforts, combined with the use of police canines and drone-mounted spotlights, the man finally surrendered. He was taken into custody at 3:55 a.m., according to the report.

No injuries were reported.

The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspects as William W. Cronon, 58, and Gavin R. Scollard, 44, both of Power County. Both men were booked into the Bannock County Detention Center on preliminary charges of felony aggravated assault and felony unlawful discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling.

“This was a best-case scenario for a high-risk call,” Sheriff Tony Manu said in the news release. “I’m exceptionally proud of our deputies, the STAR Team, and our regional partners. Their professional coordination and patience brought a potentially dangerous situation to a peaceful resolution.”

The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Pocatello Police Department, Chubbuck Police Department, Idaho State Police, Bannock County Ambulance District, and the Southeast Idaho STAR Team.

Authorities have lifted the shelter-in-place order. However, West Trail Creek Road from the cattle guard to the county line remained closed Thursday morning while investigators continued processing the scene, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

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Seth Ratliff

WILSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — A Colorado man died Wednesday evening following a rollover crash on Teton Pass that forced a full closure of Wyoming Highway 22.

Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Deputy Chief Brian Coe reported that dispatchers were paged just before 8 PM with a warning of a crash involving flames and fire near milepost 7, located between Jackson and the Idaho state line. When first responders reached the scene, they did not find any flames but found a pickup truck pulling a flatbed trailer that had overturned in the roadway.

Javier De Luna Chavez, of Colorado, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Teton County Coroner Brent Blue. First responders transported a second individual by ambulance to St. John’s Health in Jackson; their condition has not been released.

The crash completely blocked traffic until just before 11 pm Wednesday.

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Danielle Mullenix

Chances of precipitation continue into the Central Mountains this Thursday, with mainly dry conditions throughout the rest of Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming. A flash flood watch warning is in effect for the Wapiti Burn Scar and part of the Central Mountains as isolated thunderstorms continue to pass through from the Northwest Pacific. We will all continue to experience breezy conditions heading into the weekend, making for a nice launch into the summer/fall transition period of early September.

Expect clouds and a chill this Thursday morning, as mid- to high-level precipitation clouds loom over the region. It will remain breezy this Thursday across the Snake River Plain but not as windy as Wednesday. Temperatures will also be slightly warmer today, with highs back in the mid-upper 70s for the valleys and plains and the upper 60s for the mountainous Highland areas.

Precipitation chances are around 15% in the valleys and plains this afternoon, with a contrast in the Central Mountains, which do expect on-and-off rain showers later this afternoon and humidity around 50%. Wind gusts could pick up to around 20-30 mph later as these storms begin to pass through.

Wet weather will trend for the next few days around the Central Mountains. Central Idaho could see thunderstorms developing late Thursday night into early Friday. Heading into the holiday weekend, we could see rain shift slightly toward more of Eastern Idaho, so plan alternative indoor activities for your family and friends on Monday, should precipitation stretch into the plains and valleys and Eastern Highlands. Temperatures will also gradually warm heading into the weekend.

Partly sunny skies are expected on Friday, along with a chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms. High temperatures across the Snake River Plain will reach the upper 70s and lower 80s.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to increase areawide on Sunday and Monday. Partly cloudy skies are forecast for Sunday, with high temperatures reaching the upper 70s and lower 80s.

Red Flag Warning issued September 2 at 9:22 AM MDT until September 3 at 9:00 PM MDT by NWS Riverton WY

The National Weather Service in Riverton has issued a Red FlagWarning, which is in effect from noon to 9 PM MDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS: Low Humidities…Unseasonably Warm Temperatures…andstrong, gusty winds could cause erratic fire behavior.

* AFFECTED AREA:In Central WY Fire Zones…280…283…285…288…289…300.In North Central WY Fire Zones…275…276…281…282…287.In Northwest WY Fire Zone….286.In Southwest WY Fire Zones…277…279.In West Central WY Fire Zone….278.

* COUNTIES AFFECTED:In Central WY…Fremont…Natrona.In North Central WY…Big Horn…Hot Springs…Johnson…ParkWashakie.In Southwest WY…Sweetwater…Uinta.In West Central WY…Lincoln…Sublette.

* WIND: Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 35 to 45 mph.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Madagascar’s largest carnivore and the Nēnē, the world’s rarest goose, are coming to an incredible new “Islands” exhibit opening Thursday at the Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park.

“Bringing new animals to the zoo is always fun. The fossa, Hawaiian geese – it’s just fun being introduced to new animals, and providing that to our community is a big deal,” said Idaho Falls Zoo Executive Director David Pennock.

Exhibit donors and offered a sneak peek at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.

Guests will experience exciting new habitats – featuring lemurs, tortoises, and a couple surprises.

“My favorite part is about seeing all of the animals, and my favorite animal is the armadillo,” said Junior Zookeeper Leo Scherr.

The exhibit gives guests an opportunity to come face-to-face with wild animals in an immersive island experience.

“This exhibit has been a long time coming. This is something we’ve been working on for about seven years now. So this is huge progress for us,” said the zoo’s Animal Care Supervisor Erika Alderette. “It’s a really big step forward for the zoo and the community as a whole.”

Visitors will learn about the animals’ unique adaptations, as well as the challenges facing native island animals.

“We have some new species and some species that you saw in our zoo in past years, such as our ringtail lemurs,” said the zoo’s Curator of Education Bethanie West. “However, their new exhibit is exciting and new and fun to watch them interacting in their new space.”

Such encounters are increasingly rare and important. The World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet 2024 study estimates the population of wild animals in the world has declined 73 percent in the last 50 years, Pennock said.

Zoo guests can catch the island magic through September, before the zoo moves to a three-day weekend schedule in October.

One young guest was excited to see the lemurs in their new habitat.

“Cause they wait to move inside there,” explained Lucy Elsethagen-Tate.

The Idaho Falls Zoo’s newest carnivore, the fossa, eats lemurs in Madagascar.

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