Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Suspected acts of vandalism have forced the closure of Blacktail Park, potentially delaying its seasonal opening, leaving Bonneville County with an estimated $8,000 repair bill. In response, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is reaching out to the public to find the suspected vandals.

While preparing the site for summer recreation earlier this week, Parks and Recreation staff discovered significant damage to the area. Staff found several cut or damaged wires to pumps and sprinkler systems, along with damaged cables and components of floating docks and gangways.

Parks and Rec. closed the park yesterday, Mar. 5th, to make emergency repairs. In a news release, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) highlighted the strain that acts of vandalism put on public resources.

“Use of Blacktail Park and other county recreation areas requires a significant amount of maintenance to ensure docks, ramps, and picnic areas are safe for public use,” BCSO stated. “Use fees and resources from county funds are limited and damage this significant make it difficult for our community to enjoy these recreational resources. “

Until repairs are finalized, all gates and access to Blacktail Park will remain closed.

BCSO Deputies are actively investigating the incident and seeking leads. If you have information regarding the vandalism, contact Bonneville County Dispatch at 208-529-1200. Tips and information can be reported anonymously online through East Idaho Crimestoppers at www.IFcrime.org. 

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News Release

The following is a news release from the City of Idaho Falls:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Beginning Monday, March 9, crews will begin a roadway and utility reconstruction project on E Street between Memorial Drive and Northgate Mile (Yellowstone Highway).

The project will include reconstruction of the water mainline and storm drain system, roadway reconstruction, and upgrades to curbs, sidewalks, and corner ramps. These improvements will help strengthen critical infrastructure and improve roadway conditions in the area.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in June 2026.

During construction, parking along E Street within the work zone will be restricted. Traffic control will include lane shifts, lane closures and temporary detours as work progresses. Access to businesses will be maintained via nearby side streets, including Capital Avenue, Park Avenue and Shoup Avenue.

Drivers traveling through town between Yellowstone Highway and the river are encouraged to use F Street or D Street as alternate routes during construction.

This project is part of the City of Idaho Falls’ ongoing efforts to invest in critical infrastructure and improve roadway safety, reliability and connectivity throughout the community. The City of Idaho Falls appreciates the public’s patience as these necessary improvements are completed.

Motorists should watch for crews and equipment, follow posted traffic signs, and reduce speeds in the work zone.

For more information about the project, contact the City of Idaho Falls Public Works at (208) 612-8250.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A 42-year-old Pocatello man is free on bond after police say he drunkenly fell out of his moving SUV, causing his vehicle to plow through a local building Tuesday evening, March 3rd.

TJ Christensen was booked into the Bannock County Jail and faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia following the incident that resulted in an estimated $52,000 in property damage.

The chaotic scene unfolded around 6:00 PM at the intersection of Garrett Way and East Gould Street. According to court documents, several witnesses saw Christensen hanging out of the driver’s side door of his white 2008 Chevrolet Suburban while making a turn. He tumbled out of the SUV, which, unmanned, continued through a parking lot and crashed into a building located at 1527 North 2nd Avenue.

Witnesses reported that Christensen immediately jumped up and chased after the vehicle. After the initial crash, he then rammed the SUV through a garage door on the north side of the building and again through a lot gate to flee the scene. Officers arriving minutes later began a search for a bald male in a purple hoodie based on bystander descriptions.

A Lieutenant with the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office eventually found Christensen standing outside his heavily damaged SUV on Jones Drive. According to the report, Christensen was visibly suffering from a ‘head injury consistent with a car accident.’ As the officer attempted to talk with him, Christen appeared to be wobbly and uncooperative.

The officer told Christensen to “Stop right there,” but the 42-year-old drunkenly replied, “not much,” and refused several commands to sit down. After attempting to walk away, Christensen was taken to the ground and placed in custody following a brief struggle, according to the report.

As more officers arrived on the scene, they began a search of the Chevrolet Suburban, which uncovered a marijuana pipe and several plastic bags and containers holding THC-positive wax and residue.

A breathalyzer test later revealed that Christensen’s blood alcohol content was 0.160, exactly twice the legal limit in Idaho.

Christensen was arraigned on Wednesday, where his bond was set at $10,100. He has since posted bond and been released from custody.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 17.

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Seth Ratliff

CANYON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — A 59-year-old Canyon County man is facing felony charges for distributing child pornography after a multi-agency investigation.

On Tuesday, March 3rd, the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Unit arrested 59-year-old Kelly Beavers, Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced today. The arrest was made in partnership with the Caldwell Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and Canyon County Sheriff’s Office.

“Every arrest my ICAC Unit makes removes another threat from Idaho streets and brings us closer to ensuring children can grow up safe from exploitation,” said Attorney General Labrador. “The law enforcement partnerships we’ve built across Idaho make it possible to take swift action when children are at risk, and we’re grateful for every agency that shares our commitment to protecting Idaho’s kids.”

Beavers faces three counts of possessing child sexually exploitative material. His preliminary hearing has been set for March 18, 2026, at 8:30 AM in Canyon County.

Anyone with information regarding the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local police, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.

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CNN

Originally Published: 06 MAR 26 05:24 ET

Updated: 06 MAR 26 05:56 ET

By Karina Tsui, CNN

(CNN) — As investigators raced to find the person responsible for three killings in rural Wayne County, Utah, they used automated license plate readers and a victim’s own vehicle key fob to track their suspect – a man police said has no connection to the victims or the region that is known for its awe-inspiring landscapes dotted with quiet, small towns.

It would take just hours to pin down the suspect in a search that spanned multiple states in the Four Corners region of the Southwest – ending early Thursday with the arrest of 22-year-old Iowa resident Ivan Miller, who is charged with three counts of first-degree, aggravated murder, officials said.

Miller was taken into custody in Colorado, officials said –– more than 350 miles from where the bodies of three women were found at two locations in Utah.

Miller’s first court appearance is scheduled for Friday afternoon in Archuleta County, Colorado. He will be represented by a public defender, court records show.

The victims were identified as Margaret Oldroyd, 86; Linda Dewey, 65; and Natalie Graves, 34, Utah’s Department of Public Safety said.

Dewey and Graves, an aunt and niece who’d gone for a hike together, were found dead near a trailhead just outside the town of Torrey, Utah’s DPS said. The women’s bodies were found by their husbands who grew concerned when the pair didn’t return from their hike, Utah Highway Patrol spokesperson Lt. Cameron Roden said at a news conference Thursday.

Investigators found Oldroyd’s vehicle at the trailhead and deputies went to her home in nearby Lyman, where they discovered her body, Roden said.

A gruesome discovery

After his arrest, Miller told investigators he spent a night in Oldroyd’s back shed and snuck into her house while she was out, according to an indictment filed in court Thursday. Miller “waited for her behind a door and shot her in the back of the head … while she was sitting down to watch television,” the indictment said.

Miller made efforts to clean up the scene before dragging the 86-year-old’s body to a cellar under the shed, where she was later found, the indictment read. He then stole her Buick Regal and traveled to the trailhead, investigators said. Miller told investigators “he did not like the car and wanted to find a different vehicle,” the indictment said.

At the trailhead, Miller said he saw Dewey and Graves get out of a white Subaru and shot them both, according to the indictment. Miller told investigators he stabbed one of the women in the chest multiple times because she was still moving, the document said.

He then admitted dragging their bodies into a ditch, where the two were discovered by their husbands, the indictment said.

Officials said Miller ditched Oldroyd’s car at the trail and drove away in the white Subaru. Miller also admitted stealing the women’s credit cards and using one to pay for gas, according to documents.

Investigators used a network of license plate scanners to track the Subaru “through southern Utah into northern Arizona and eventually into Colorado,” Roden said.

“Colorado law enforcement located the vehicle abandoned in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and after a brief search, took the individual into custody without incident,” Utah DPS said Thursday.

One of the husbands was also able to track the car’s location using an app that monitored the vehicle’s key fob, investigators said. Just after 9 p.m. Wednesday, the key fob appeared to be in Farmington, New Mexico — about two hours southwest of where Miller would later be taken into custody, according to the indictment.

Miller had a handgun and a large knife in his possession at the time of his arrest, according to police in Pagosa Springs.

Miller told investigators he killed the women because he needed money, according to the indictment. “Miller confessed that it ‘had to be done’ but he did not like to do it,” the document reads.

A cross-country road trip

Miller, who lived in Blakesburg, Iowa, set out on a cross-country road trip about two and a half weeks ago, his brother, who spoke with The New York Times on condition of anonymity, said.

Miller’s brother said the two stayed in contact during the trip, and Miller mentioned crashing his truck after hitting an elk, according to the Times.

The brother was concerned about how Miller was traveling around after that and offered to bring him back to Iowa, which he declined, the Times reported.

After his arrest, Miller told officials that he had been staying at a hotel in the area for a few days after he hit an elk with his truck, which he then sold to a tow truck company, according to the indictment.

A close-knit community shaken up

On Thursday, shaken residents across Wayne County placed pink ribbons around trees and fences in their communities as they remembered the three women who were killed in apparently random attacks carried out by a stranger.

“We wanted to honor our friend and neighbor,” Mary Sorenson, who put up ribbons around Lyman, told CNN affiliate KSL.

The Wayne County School District announced it would be closed for the rest of the week and would “have counselors in place to support students when we are back in session next week.”

In a statement Thursday, Torrey Mayor Mickey Wright described the multiple homicides as a “heartbreaking moment for our small, close‑knit community.”

“Our community is strong. In the coming days, we will support one another, check on our neighbors, and ensure that those affected by this tragedy are not alone,” Wright said. “We stand together today — in grief, in compassion, and in solidarity.”

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – A bill that prohibits public employers from using taxpayer funds to promote government unions is drawing pushback from teacher unions across Idaho.

House Bill 745 zeroes in on the collective bargaining powers of teachers unions.

It passed the Idaho House of Representatives on Tuesday and is moving to the Idaho Senate.

The bill states, “No agreement … may require or permit a school district, including specially chartered districts, to use taxpayer funding to promote a local education organization or its affiliate…”

According to Idaho Ed News, this means public school districts would not be able to:

“Deduct union dues from paychecks. 

“Cover union dues in employee wages. 

“Provide personal information about employees (including contact information) to the union. 

“Require employees to meet with union representatives. 

“Communicate on behalf of the union. 

“Offer employees paid leave for union activities – although the union could still reimburse districts for paid leave,  or employees could use their own sick leave or paid time off.”

Idaho Falls Education Association President-Elect Nick Raines said the changes “hurts more than it helps, and at times can feel demoralizing.”

“It’s pointed right at our teachers who are in our buildings, who have the right to organize as provided under state code,” Raines said. “But then it basically tries to take away every single aspect of what they can do within their association and within their union – especially at the local level.”

However, Rep. Barbara Ehardt, a House Education Committee Member, said the measure protects taxpayers’ funds.

“It doesn’t prevent them from having unions, being a part of a union, but it definitely says that it’s not right for our taxpayer dollars to basically be funneled and be used as part of that union,” Ehardt said.

She noted the measure had broad support from Republicans across the House of Representatives.

The law specifically refers to teachers’ associations, not police or firefighter associations, according to the bill’s sponsor Rep. Judy Boyle.

Raines said the bill would take away the teachers’ association right to dispute and serve as a representative for its members to help deescalate situations.

He also said the union would be prevented from using school facilities for its meetings.

But Ehardt said the teachers’ union could likely still use school facilities, they may just have to pay a fee, like other entities.

The law passed the Idaho House on a 45-14 vote.

Local Representatives Ehardt, Rod Furniss, Marco Erickson, and Jerald Raymond voted for the bill.

Representatives Erin Bingham, Rick Cheatum, Ben Fuhriman, Dustin Manwaring, Stephanie Mickelsen, Britt Raybould, and Jon Weber voted against it.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Jersey Mike’s is expanding again in eastern Idaho, with a new sandwich shop set to open next month near one of Idaho Falls’ busiest intersections.

Franchise owner Eric Schindler said the new store, located near the intersection of Yellowstone Highway and East Anderson Street, is scheduled to open on April 8. The shop will sit just a block from Fred Meyer.

Schindler said he chose the site because of its access to longtime Idaho Falls residents and workers who pass through the area every day.

“This time, we want to hit actual Idaho Falls — the citizens and the people, the community that’s lived here for a long time and built this community,” Schindler said, “We want to be able to impact them, and that’s really why we picked this location.”

The new store will join an existing Jersey Mike’s in Ammon, which Schindler considers his first Idaho Falls-area shop, even though it sits just across the city line.

“It’s a really good location for us because it’s such a heavy access point right there on Yellowstone,” Schindler said. “INL uses that back property as a parking lot. Fred Meyer is right there. The golf course is right there. So I’m really excited to see what comes.”

The franchise group currently operates five locations, with two more under construction, including the Idaho Falls and Rexburg sites. They have also signed rights for Mountain Home to reach eight Idaho locations by the end of the year.

While the new Idaho Falls location will not be open in time to participate, Schindler’s existing stores — including Ammon and Pocatello — will take part in Jersey Mike’s national “Day of Giving” on March 25.

On that day, all of his open locations will donate 100% of sales to Special Olympics, supporting Idaho athletes traveling to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota.

Throughout March, customers can also donate in stores or round up their change at the register.

Schindler said his Ammon location alone has raised about $10,000 in a single day during past events.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Springing forward this weekend might feel routine, but medical experts say even losing one hour of sleep can still take a serious toll on people’s hearts, safety, and overall health.

Dr. Christopher Valentine, a family medicine doctor and medical director with Optum in Utah and Idaho, said the one-hour jump has been linked to a short-term increase in heart attacks, strokes, and car crashes, especially on the Monday after the time change.

“There is an increase in the incidence,” Valentine said. “When we suddenly shake up our regular circadian rhythm, if someone is already on the edge in terms of their cardiovascular risk, that shift can just push them over.”

Valentine said the health effects underscore how important consistent sleep is to the body’s ability to regulate blood pressure, metabolism, and reaction time.

Instead of trying to force an earlier bedtime the night before daylight saving time begins, Valentine recommends focusing on your wake-up time in the days leading up to the change.

“It’s a lot harder to try to force yourself to go to sleep sooner,” Valentine said. “The key is to slowly start to wake up earlier, so you’re not making that one-hour shift all at once.”

Ideally, people should start adjusting several days to a couple of weeks ahead of the time change.

“Over a few days — or ideally a couple of weeks — wake up a few minutes earlier each day, and get that light exposure in the morning,” Valentine said. “If you can do it gradually, it’s less of a shock to the system.”

That early-morning light helps reset what he called the body’s internal clock. When people make the full one-hour jump all at once, the sudden shift can leave them feeling groggy, irritable, and less able to focus, especially behind the wheel.

Valentine said sleep deprivation can be as dangerous on the road as alcohol.

“Lack of sleep winds up making us just as much at risk of getting behind the wheel of a car as drinking alcohol,” he said. “We have poorer reaction time and less emotional regulation when we’re sleep deprived.”

He added that the problem isn’t limited to adults rushing to work on Monday morning. Children and teenagers who don’t get enough sleep can also experience attention and behavior issues.

“There’s a lot of complications with ADHD, particularly in children, when they have poor sleep,” Valentine said. “With the increased incidence of ADHD, we need to take a really hard look at the way we’re managing and regulating the sleep of our children as well.”

While the exact number of hours varies, Valentine said most adults need at least seven to 7.5 hours of sleep each night, and some people naturally need more.

“Some people need nine hours or more — and that’s normal,” Valentine said. “That’s just what your body needs.”

He stressed that the quality of sleep is just as important as quantity. People who snore heavily, wake up often during the night, or feel exhausted even after a full night in bed should talk with a health care provider.

“The incidence of obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders is high enough that it’s worth taking a history and doing some testing,” Valentine said. “You could sleep for seven or eight hours, but if you’re not getting restorative sleep, it’s not going to serve your health.”

Valentine said the shift to daylight saving time is a good opportunity to revisit basic “sleep hygiene” habits that can help people year-round:

Keep a consistent wake-up time, even on weekends.

Get light exposure first thing in the morning to help set the body’s internal clock.

Create a quiet, dark sleeping environment with minimal disruptions.

Avoid screens and bright light from phones, tablets and TVs for at least an hour before bed.

Wind down gradually with calm activities like reading or meditation, rather than working or scrolling in bed.

“There is good evidence that a lot of that exposure to light through our devices is signaling to our brain and fooling it into thinking it’s daytime,” Valentine said. “That increases our sleep latency — how long it takes us to fall asleep.”

In recent years, lawmakers across the country have debated whether to make daylight saving time or standard time permanent to avoid the twice-a-year clock change.

“From a medical standpoint, I don’t think there’s any evidence that either one would be preferable if we committed to one or the other,” he said. “But the fact that shift is happening every year, and is putting stress on people’s bodies and increasing their short-term risk, is an indication that we need to look at this really seriously.”

For now, he said, the best most people can do is take their sleep seriously — during the time change and throughout the year.

“Consistency in sleep will lead to better health outcomes,” Valentine said. “We don’t even completely understand why we sleep, but we do know that when we don’t get enough, it affects not just us, but everyone around us.”

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KIVI Staff

Posted 5:56 PM, Mar 04, 2026 and last updated 5:58 PM, Mar 04, 2026

By: Brady Caskey

KUNA, Idaho (KIVI) — Data centers — like the massive one under construction by Meta in Kuna — are popping up across the country, supporting services like artificial intelligence and cloud storage. They also use a lot of power.

As these large-scale power users come online in Idaho, one lawmaker wants to ensure residents don’t see higher utility bills as a result.

“It’s basically a ratepayer protection bill against large data loads,” said Republican Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen.

Mickelsen said other states are already facing issues with big energy consumers raising costs for everyday consumers — she hopes to prevent that in Idaho.

“I want to make sure that the older people that are on fixed incomes and the young families that are trying to get started, they don’t get priced out of affordability in our state because of data centers,” Mickelsen said.

Currently, rate rules are decided by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, but Mickelsen wants guidance written into state law.

House Bill 756 would require any new power customer that needs 20 megawatts or more of power to fund the infrastructure themselves and ensure rate increases aren’t passed on to other customers.

“We have to make sure that our PUC (Public Utilities Commission) has the proper guidance and the proper tools in the toolbox to make sure that they can allocate those costs to the cost-causer, not every user on the system,” explained Mickelsen.

RELATED | Inside the secretive data centers powering the AI boom

For reference, Idaho Power says one megawatt powers about 760 homes — and most data centers use much more than that.

“Typically, those types of facilities [have] energy requirements in the hundreds of megawatts,” said Megan Ronk, Director of Customer Experience & Economic Development with Idaho Power. “That is not the type of energy that we just have available on our systems.”

Ronk said large Treasure Valley projects like Meta’s data center in Kuna and Micron’s $50 billion expansion already fund new electrical infrastructure upfront.

“The reality is that those projects very much pay their own way,” Ronk said.

She acknowledged concerns about rising prices due to massive consumer demand, but said currently, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission ensures rates remain fair for all customers.

“We have a structure in place and have for decades to ensure that that type of cost shifting doesn’t occur,” Ronk said.

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Falls Police are investigating a burglary at the Perfect Light Camera store on 17th Street.

Officers were called out around 2:30 a.m. Thursday after an alarm company reported a break-in. When police arrived, they found one of the doors shattered.

Between the damage and the high‑end camera gear stolen, police say the dollar amount is significant, though they aren’t releasing specifics yet.

If you know anything about this burglary, call Idaho Falls Police at 208-5291200. You can also report tips anonymously through East Idaho Crime Stoppers at ifcrime.org. Tipsters who submit information to Crime Stoppers that leads to a successful arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.

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