Category: kifi-local-news

News Release

IDAHO FALLS – Work to resurface all lanes of U.S. Highway 20 between Idaho Falls and Rigby begins tonight, promising a smoother ride and extending the lifespan of the roadway.

To minimize the headache for daytime commuters, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) announced that crews will work overnight from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will work intermittently this week to remove asphalt in sections, then repave the roadway the same night so both lanes of travel are open during peak hours.

From Sunday to Thursday nights, travel will be reduced to a single lane in active work areas overnight. Nighttime restrictions will stretch from just north of Exit 309 (Science Center Drive) in Idaho Falls up to Exit 320 in Rigby.

ITD is asking drivers to be aware of staged equipment off the road during the day.

Weather permitting, ITD expects the resurfacing project to be fully completed by late July.

For further information and updates, click HERE.

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Curtis Jackson

SODA SPRINGS, Idaho (KIFI) – A coin toss determined the winner of the Republican race for Caribou County Commissioner in District 2.

George Hulse won the toss over Tracy Davis.

George Hulse was declared the winner on Tuesday after a coin toss was used to determine who won the Republican ticket for Caribou County Commissioner District 2. Courtesy: The Idaho Enterprise

The coin toss was used after the two candidates tied with 469 votes each in last Tuesday’s primary election. A third candidate, Marty McCullough, also ran in the race received 405 votes.

The coin toss was held at the Caribou County Courthouse after the official results showed the race was tied.

Last week, we asked both Davis and Hulse if they would have preferred a runoff election instead.

“The only time I’ve ever seen anything decided by the flip of a coin that I thought was important? When I was in high school, I pole vaulted, and I tied with one of the other contestants,” relates Hulse. “It was decided by the flip of a coin who had first. I just thought, that’s quite a way to decide something like that or an election. But I don’t think that’s fair.”

“I think runoff elections are probably the more better bet,” says Davis. “I just feel like, you know, especially in a three-way race, it can change a lot of dynamics in the voting system.”

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Seth Ratliff

ASHTON, Idaho (KIFI) — Travelers planning a trip to the iconic Mesa Falls Recreation Area will need to pack their bags for the early part of summer. The Caribou-Targhee National Forest has announced a major renovation project that will temporarily shutter the entire Upper Mesa Falls area starting this August.

The closure will begin on August 10th and continue into the winter. During the construction, the Entire Upper Mesa Falls complex, including the visitor center and main boardwalks, will be closed off to the public.

While autumn is traditionally one of the best times to witness the falls, Forest Service officials it also provides the window needed to complete this necessary renovation project. The project will focus on important road repairs and chip sealing.

Forest Engineer Steve Jenkins emphasized that the timing was a careful balancing act.

“The timeline was chosen to minimize the impact to the public while still offering environmental conditions needed for success of the project,” said Jenkins. “We want to get the word out early so visitors aren’t surprised at the end of summer.”

If you are traveling to the area after August 10, you can still explore the nearby Lower Mesa Falls area.

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News Release

The following is a news release from Idaho State University:

POCATELLO, Idaho — Idaho State University is expanding access to career-focused higher education by launching three accelerated Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree programs designed to help students enter Idaho’s workforce sooner. 

Idaho State University is the first public institution in Idaho to offer a three-year bachelor’s degree option. These programs save students time and money by accelerating their time to career entry while maintaining strong connections to employers across the region.

The new degree offerings include BAS in Law Enforcement Management and Leadership, BAS in Applied Business and Professional Sales, and BAS in Intelligent and Trustworthy Digital Systems.

“These three new degree pathways will allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree while accelerating their entry into the workforce,” said Jerry Anhorn, dean of the Idaho State University College of Technology. “These degrees create greater opportunities for career advancement and help students move more quickly into meaningful employment.”

The programs were developed in collaboration with industry partners to address workforce challenges impacting Idaho. By combining technical education with leadership, communication, and applied management skills, the degrees are designed to prepare graduates for advancement opportunities in high-demand industries.

The BAS in Law Enforcement Management and Leadership responds to increasing demand for qualified public safety leaders across Idaho. The program focuses on leadership development, strategic communication, and applied management skills designed to prepare students for supervisory and administrative roles within law enforcement agencies and related public service organizations.

The BAS in Applied Business and Professional Sales was created to support growing workforce needs in business development, client relations, and professional sales. The program prepares students for careers in business-to-business environments by emphasizing communication, negotiation, leadership, and customer engagement strategies relevant to today’s evolving marketplace.

The BAS in Intelligent and Trustworthy Digital Systems addresses the growing need for professionals with expertise in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital systems management. Students will develop skills in building and managing secure, reliable, and trustworthy systems that support modern industrial and organizational operations.

The new BAS degrees continue Idaho State University’s commitment to workforce development, applied learning, and creating educational opportunities aligned with Idaho’s economic and industry priorities.

For more information about Idaho State University’s Bachelor of Applied Science degree programs, click HERE.

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Falls firefighters were able to quickly extinguish a grass fire near the Iona Hill.

The fire started near Iona Road and Foothill Road on Monday, May 25 just before 2 p.m.

It burned nearly four acres. The Idaho Falls Fire Department said it started when a controlled burn spread beyond its intended area.

Idaho Falls Fire was assisted by Bureau of Land Management and Bonneville County Fire District 1. They were able to contain the fire in about an hour.

No structures were damaged.

Firefighters remind peopel that controlled burns can quickly become dangerous, especially during dry conditions and changing weather patterns.

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Curtis Jackson

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)—Idaho’s first bat to test positive for rabies this year was located in Bannock County.

Southeastern Idaho Public Health confirmed the case on Tuesday.

Rabies is a fatal viral illness to humans and other animals.

“It is extremely important for people to avoid all bats and other wild animals, particularly if they appear sick or are acting aggressively or abnormally,” said Jeff Doerr, SIPH Epidemiologist, in a news release.

Doerr also strongly encourages owners to contact their veterinarian if they believe their pets, regardless of vaccination status, were in contact with a bat.

The health agency said most bats do not carry rabies, but they detect an average of 15 rabid bats each year in Idaho.

To protect yourself and your pets, public health officials recommend these guidelines:

• Never touch bats with your bare hands.

• Be very suspicious of bat activity during daylight hours.

• If you or your child wakes up in the presence of a bat, discuss the situation with your medical provider. Seemingly insignificant exposures have contributed to several fatal cases of rabies in the past.

• If you have an encounter with a bat, seek medical attention immediately. Save the bat in a container and contact your local public health office immediately for testing options. NEVER handle a bat with your bare hands—use gloves, a towel, etc.

• Because household pets and other animals can be exposed to the virus through contact with sick bats, it is important for people to make sure that their animals (dogs, cats, horses, and ferrets) are up to date on vaccinations against rabies. If your dog or cat brings a dead bat home, collect it in a plastic bag without touching it and call your local public health office for possible testing. Also, contact your veterinarian to make sure your animal’s rabies vaccinations are up-to-date.

• Bat-proof your home or cabin by checking chimneys, roof peaks, loose screening on louvers, dormer windows, or areas where flashing has pulled away from the roof or siding. Bats can enter through holes the size of a quarter. Typically, bat-proofing is best after bats have migrated away in the fall.

You can contact Southeastern Idaho Public Health Epidemiologist at 208-478-6303 for more information. You can also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/rabies/.

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Curtis Jackson

SOUTHERN IDAHO (KIFI) – Wildland firefighters were kept busy over the Memorial Day holiday as several fire were reported.

Fire managers in southern Idaho were called to four large-acre fires.

The Dewoff Fire, located 28 miles northeast of Burley, started on Monday, May 25, 2026, around 6:30 p.m.. It burned an estimated 2000 acres in grass and brush. Crews said they were able to make good progress through the night as winds eased.

The Black Ridge Fire, located 8 miles northeast of Richfield started around 4 p.m. on Monday. It was estimated at over 1,500 acres. They say 7 to 8 active fingers moving around and through lava blisters.

The Kinyon Springs Fire, located 15 miles southeast of Glenns Ferry, started Monday around 2:00 p.m. It’s estimated at 3,000 acres. They said forward progress was stopped.

The Summit Creek Fire, located 11 miles southeast of Oakley, is estimated at 1,273 acres as of Tuesday morning. This fire started around 2 p.m. on Monday and is burning mostly in timber. Crews said they are using air support to suppress the fire.

This story will be updated as new information is released.

Summit Creek Fire from above. Courtesy: Sawtooth National Forest

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A Downey man has been hospitalized after an early morning crash along I-15 near Arimo.

At 7:15 a.m., Idaho State Police say the 32-year-old was driving northbound near milepost 38 in a 2011 Subaru Outback. ISP says his car left the roadway on the right shoulder and rolled.

The driver was not wearing a seatbelt and had to be air-lifted to a local hospital.

The incident remains under investigation by ISP.

ISP Emphasizes Seatbelt Safety as Idaho Enters 100 Deadliest Days

The stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day is historically known as the “100 Deadliest Days”—the time when fatal crashes spike as summer travel ramps up.

In response to the seasonal danger, ISP is heavily emphasizing seatbelt safety. On May 18, the Southeast Idaho Traffic Safety Task Force conducted coordinated regional patrols throughout Eastern Idaho, specifically targeting seatbelt and child restraint compliance.

During the single-day emphasis, participating agencies made approximately 217 contacts with motorists, resulting in:

During the blitz, law enforcement made contact with 217 motorists, leading to:

21 seatbelt citations

60 additional citations

3 arrests

140 warnings

ISP is urging the public to remember that buckling up is the simplest and most effective way to prevent severe injury or death in a rollover.

“Drivers are encouraged to slow down, allow extra time for travel, eliminate distractions, and always wear their seatbelt, said ISP in a press release. “Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring children are properly secured in age-appropriate child restraint systems.”

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Curtis Jackson

UPDATE

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — Raymond Robinson has been located safe, according to an official update on the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

ORIGINAL:

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) – The Bingham County Sheriff’s Office is looking for Raymond Robinson, 71, who was reported missing Monday, May 25, 2026.

Robinson left his home to go fishing and was known to be in the Birch Creek Campground area in Clark County.

The sheriff said he may be driving a red 1997 Ford Expedition with license plate 4BT916U. He is described as 6’2″ tall, approximately 180 pounds, with blue eyes and grey hair. He may be wearing blue Wrangler pants, a plaid shirt, and a Vietnam hat.

They say Robinson is hard of hearing and suffers from dementia and PTSD.

If you have any information or have seen Robinson, call the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office at 208-785-1234 or 911.

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David Pace

RIRIE, Idaho (KIFI) – It has been more than eighty years since U.S. Navy Corpsman Calvin Hairl Johnson left Ririe for the front lines of World War II.

In honor of Memorial Day, hundreds gathered at the Ririe-Shelton cemetery to pay tribute to a local hero — the cemetery’s most decorated veteran.

Johnson was one of more than 6,800 U.S. servicemen who gave their lives in the battle of Iwo Jima.

“These men were not fighting for a piece of volcanic rock. They weren’t just defending a hill or an island,” said Johnson’s granddaughter Kelsey Tucker. “They were standing in the breach between a brutal, expansionist empire and everything we hold dear – our families, our democracy, our freedom.”

He left behind a wife, Shirley, and a newborn daughter Cheryl.

Shirley and Calvin Johnson.

On Monday, Cheryl and her daughter Kelsey shared the legacy they have painstakingly uncovered through hundreds of Johnson’s letters and interviews with fellow servicemen.

Twenty-nine days after his arrival on Iwo Jima, on March 20th, 1945, the 20-year-old medic ran into the line of fire to save another wounded Marine.

“Cal didn’t hesitate. He moved forward through mortar blasts and machine gun fire, determined to reach the wounded man,” Kelsey said. “Shrapnel tore into him, but he kept crawling. He reached the man and rendered first aid. Cal then exposed himself again to enemy fire, intending to get a litter team to evacuate his patient. Cal was hit a second time and killed.”

For his sacrifice, Johnson was awarded the Silver Star, the military’s third highest honor, by U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

“If that trouble to keep this freedom of ours must go on and on and on, may God help you and me and all Americans to have the fortitude of Calvin Hairl Johnson and his World War II buddies,” Cheryl said.

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