Category: kifi-local-news

Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Falls School District 91 officials have canceled school at Fox Hollow Elementary Monday morning as smoke filled the hallways due to a mechanical issue.

“For the safety of our students and staff, they should not be in the building until the repair is made and the smoke has cleared,” Superintendent Karla LaOrange said.

Parents were asked to pick up their students from school if they have already arrived at the school.

School will be back in session Tuesday LaOrange said.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A motorcycle crash involving an injured driver shut down First Street in Idaho Falls for several hours on Sunday evening.

The crash took place just after 5:30 PM in front of Bowl-Ero, leading police to close the roadway between North Freeman Avenue and Ronglyn Avenue until approximately 8:00 p.m.

The motorcycle was the only vehicle involved, and the driver was taken to a local hospital.

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Curtis Jackson

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A police chase in Rexburg ended with a driver facing multiple charges after allegedly speeding through town Saturday night, according to Rexburg Police.

Police say officers spotted a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed without its headlights on near University Boulevard. When officers attempted to stop it, the driver continued and eventually crashed into a ditch.

According to police, the driver then ran on foot but was quickly caught by officers.

The driver is facing charges of reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash, and resisting arrest.

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Seth Ratliff

UPDATE 11:17 AM

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Pocatello Police Department announced the investigation of the suspicious death is a homicide following a family dispute that turned physical.

During the investigation, officers determined that the victim sustained injuries during the altercation and died. Around 10 P.M. last night, officers took Andrew Scoffield into custody and he was booked into the Bannock County Jail on the charge of Second-Degree Homicide.

Andrew Scoffield

The victim’s identity has not been released.

ORIGINAL: 08/31/26 8:46 AM

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Detectives are investigating a suspicious death after a man’s body was discovered Sunday afternoon in the 800 block of Park Avenue.

Pocatello police responded to the scene at approximately 3:15 p.m. While details regarding the cause of death have not been released, authorities state there is no immediate threat to the public.

Officers are currently interviewing individuals involved, and further details will be provided as information becomes available.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide more details as we learn additional information.

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William Syslo

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Falls Chukars broadcaster John Balginy called his final game before retirement during the team’s last home game of the season. His retirement concludes a 41-year career in the booth.

Balginy has been a staple of Chukar’s baseball, working from the same seat for 41 consecutive summers. After the final out of the game, Balginy reflected on stepping away from the microphone.

“You know, bittersweet. I still love doing the ball games. You know, I had great friendships over the years, but, you know, all good things must come to an end. And I get to hang with my granddaughters. now, after my retirement. So it’s been a good run 41 years. Same seat for 41 straight summers. So it’s been good,” Balginy said.

Balginy’s connection to baseball began long before he entered the broadcast booth. He started in the sport as a bat boy and clubhouse boy in El Paso as a child. His father was a trainer for the Albuquerque Dodgers, giving Balginy the opportunity to spend his teenage years around major league players like Steve Garvey.

“Just being at the ballpark. You know, I was a bat boy when I was a kid in El Paso. I was a clubhouse boy. I did a lot of things with baseball. My dad was a trainer for the Albuquerque Dodgers. And during my teenage years, I got to hang around with Garvey and the Dodger greats. And it’s just been, it’s been part of my life since I was 12 years old. So I’ll miss it. But also, I’ll come to a few games and, you know, root the Chukars on from here on out,” Balginy said.

Over his four decades behind the microphone, Balginy accumulated numerous memories and key moments. He highlighted the Chukars’ 2019 championship as a standout memory and the last title he called. During that series, the Chukars dropped the first game at home before winning two consecutive games in Ogden to defeat the Ogden Raptors.

John also reflected on some of the people he had the pleasure of speaking with over his long broadcasting career. “I’ve had some great celebrity guests in the booth with me, Geena Davis from ‘A League of Their Own’, George Brett, Willie Stargell, I mean, it goes on and on, but, yeah, it’s just been a pleasure.” John then went on to add, “I mean, they actually pay me to watch baseball! You can’t beat that.”

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Roughly 13 people die each die while waiting for a kidney donation match. And there are currently more than 100,000 people across the United States waiting for a match on the kidney donation list.

Living organ donors can make a life changing difference and give those in need a chance to get the transplant they need to live.

One of these people searching for a Kidney match is Mark Thiel, who’s family has a a genetic kidney disease called Polycystic Disease.

“My dad had it, my brother had it,” Mark said. “My dad’s mother died of it. Almost all of her aunts and uncles all died before the age of 60 from it. And thankfully, you know, kidney transplants came along in time to save my dad and save both my aunts and save my brother. Unfortunately, my grandmother was too early, and she died at 53.”

The National Institute of Health says Polycystic Kidney Disease is a genetic condition that causes fluid-filled cysts to grow in the kidneys. Overtime, those cysts can make the kidneys much larger, reduce their function, and even lead to kidney failure.

“He has one cyst on his kidney that’s the size of a regular kidney,” Shannon Thiel, Mark’s wife, said “They say I think his are about 10 pounds each.”

Mark’s dad and brother received their kidneys from living donors. Living donors are able to donate a kidney or a portion of their liver to a person in need. To become a living donor there are some tests you must undergo to ensure you would be healthy enough to donate.

A kidney from a living donor tends to have a longer life span. The National Institute of Health found, on average, a living donation could last 5-10 years longer than a deceased donation. And Mark’s father was able to live for 27 years on his donated kidney.

For the Thiel family, a donation or simply getting tested, could mean more time to spend together. And for the thousands of families waiting for their match, it could mean a second chance at life.

“I know it’s a big ask,” Shannon said. “But if people are just willing to take the first step and get tested, that’s huge.”

“Even if it doesn’t find a match for me just to raise awareness about kidney donation in general, because there’s hundreds of thousands of people waiting on kidneys,” Mark added.

Here is a link to the University of Utah’s kidney donation site. When you sign up for screening, the family asks you mention Mark Thiel in your application.

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News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Multiple law enforcement teams, including divers from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, are searching the Snake River in Idaho Falls after an out-of-town man fell into the water. The incident occurred near Broadway and South Tourist Park.

Emergency services received a call regarding the incident at approximately 2:30 p.m., with first responders arriving at the scene shortly after.

According to the Idaho Falls Police Department, the missing individual is a man from out of town.

Dive teams with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office are actively searching the water. Additionally, multiple rescue teams are searching along the rocky shoreline for any sign of the missing man. Law enforcement officials have asked members of the public to stay away from the scene near Broadway and South Tourist Park while search efforts continue.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Pocatello Greek Festival is a fan-favorite every year, drawing out thousands to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church for a vast menu of Greek food, pastries and desserts, as well as tours of the historic church building and Greek folk dancing.

Pocatello locals and visitors lined Wyeth street beginning just before 9 a.m. this morning in preparation for the Greek Festival. The festival officially began at 11 a.m. and goes until 7 p.m. The menu includes a variety of Greek food like baklava and gyros.

Over 50 volunteers come together to make the festival happen, between giving the church tours and roasting the meat for various dishes. Attendees said they particularly enjoy the chocolate baklava and signature “baklava sundae.”

The church building in Pocatello is on the national registry of historic buildings and features sacred artwork painted on the walls. Organizers said they’re pleased to show visitors inside their santuary for a tour and presentation about the Orthodox Christian religion.

“I’ve been doing this for about 16 years but they’ve been doing it off and on for about 50,” said Father Constantine Zozos, Priest at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. “We have ethnic folk dancers performing that are spectaular, they come up from Salt Lake and we have four tours of the historic church.”

Father Constantine said the church is a historic national site that deserves to be shared with everyone. He also said Greek culture is important worldwide, bringing food and ideas to many countries.

“The traditions are great and the food is incredible,” he said. “If it wasn’t for Greek food, Costco wouldn’t have feta.”

There are many Greek festivals across the country. When asked what makes the Pocatello one special, Father Constantine said all the food for the community is made in their commercial kitchen on site.

“Southeastern Idaho and Western Wyoming don’t have a lot of Greekness in them, so we want to share this culture, it’s a beautiful culture,” he said. “Greece brought a lot of things to the world, including democracy. So we’re very proud of that.”

Greek music played over loudspeakers everywhere at the festival and for those in line. The Pocatello Police Department, local mayors, Gold’s Gym representatives and individual volunteers came to serve the community.

More information about the local Greek Orthodox community can be found at www.assumptionpocatello.net.

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Maile Sipraseuth

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI)– Rexburg Police arrested a man Saturday morning after a weeklong reports of a naked man disturbing residents at apartment complexes in the area.

At about 4:08 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, officers spotted the suspect in the area of South 1st West. Police said the man immediately fled.

Officers conducted surveillance and canvassed the area while working to locate the suspect. Deputies with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, BYU-Idaho Campus Security and members of the public assisted in the search.

According to police, the suspect was eventually located and pursued until officers surrounded him in the backyard of a residence on 4th West. He was then taken into custody and transported to the Madison County Jail.

Police said the suspect faces criminal charges including resisting and obstructing, stalking, indecent exposure and malicious injury to property.

The identity of the man has not been released and the investigation remains ongoing as additional victims and witnesses continue to come forward.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incidents to contact the Rexburg Police Department.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Edson Fichter Nature Area is welcoming back the beloved Nature Talks series to the newly improved amphitheater for the entire month of September. Every Wednesday night at 6 p.m. a different speaker will give a presentation on a different nature topic.

“This year isn’t going to disappoint,” said Jennifer Jackson, Regional Communications Manager for Idaho Fish and Game. “We have a variety of topics to appeal to everyone. If you love nature, the outdoors, even if you have a penchant for fossils, we’ve got something for you this year.”

Some of the upcoming lecture topics include animal social behavior, the benefits of beaver to the ecosystem, the Pleistocene area as seen through the fossil record, and even a nature sketching night with a biological illustrator.

Some of the presenters will be from ISU and others from the Idaho Museum of Natural History, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Idaho Fish and Game and the Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust. The lectures are family-friendly and welcome people of all ages.

“There are so many wonderful ways to connect with the Edson Fichter Nature Area and learn a little bit more about the area and some of the wildlife and habitats in the valley,” Jackson said.

If there is inclement weather, the nature area is located right next to Indian Hills Elementary School, and Jackson says the lecture will be moved there if weather becomes a problem.

Visitors are welcome to use the amphitheater seating or bring their own blankets and chairs. Jackson encourages everyone in the community to come out for the weekly events.

“Even if you’re not particularly adventurous, maybe you don’t like to go on big hikes or you don’t like to go on a big river, you can still get some connections to those kinds of outdoor experiences, right here in a special place, literally in our own backyard,” she said. “So just come on out for it for an evening connection. What a great way to kind of connect your mind and heart and even your soul to this beautiful place and the incredible amount of nature that abounds right here in Pocatello.”

The amphitheater has been updated to be accessible for people of all abilities, with a wheelchair-friendly ramp. Jackson also mentioned the Friends of the Edson Fichter Nature Area Volunteer Group as an important piece of the nature talks project coming to life.

“They’ve been dedicated to sharing the nature area with the public and have helped with things like programing, fundraising and supporting us with volunteer efforts,” Jackson said. “The final talk of September will actually be a celebration of this special group.”

The final talk will include a falconer and a bird attending to entertain visitors. The first event on Wednesday, September 2, will be presented by returning guest Dr. Rosemary Smith from ISU about animal social behavior.

The nature talks series began as an idea six years ago, born from some of Edson’s personal friends. One of those friends is Jane Streubel, a retired teacher and friend of Fichter.

“The most important thing to me is it’s community bringing us all together to love nature, connect with nature, develop curiosity about nature,” Streubel said. “It’s healthy too because it helps physically, mentally and emotionally.”

Streubel said the nature area is an excellent opportunity to sit, relax, and enjoy the wonders of wildlife in our backyards. The nature talks are a further way for the management and supporters of Edson Fichter to connect with the public.

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