Category: kifi-local-news

Maile Sipraseuth

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– Early voting for the Idaho Falls runoff election has been strong, with more than 1,080 in-person ballots cast and about 250 absentee ballots returned so far, but data shows that younger voters continue to have the lowest turnout.

“So for this run-off election, it has started very robust. We started last week on Thursday, and in the first through the first two days, we had over 800 people come and early vote. Right now we are at just over 1,087 voters at this point. Plus we have had about 250 mail absentee ballots returned to us out of over 1200 that we have mailed out so far,” Helena Welling, the election supervisor for Bonneville County, said.

Welling believes that this great turnout has been due to multiple positive factors, but especially because voters are eager to vote.

“They know who they’re voting for, they’ve already done it kind of once, and they may be just wanting to get it out of the way,” Welling said, “I think it has a lot to do with the fact that we don’t have an incumbent for the mayor. We had a lot of candidates for the council member seats. So there has been a lot of interest in there. And it seems like there’s a lot of strong opinions out there. And I do believe that people are wanting to get the voting done before the holidays hit.”

Despite the strong turnout for early voting, younger crowds stand as the lowest demographic for voters.

Welling reports that 1,858 voters are between the ages 18-34. While 3,548 fall within the 35-49 age group. The highest turnout comes from voters ages 65 and older, totaling 4,298.

The run-off election for Idaho Falls is on December 2nd.

For more information on where to vote and how to register, click HERE.

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A Bonneville County Grand Jury has returned indictments in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred earlier this year north of Idaho Falls last June.

On Monday, an indictment was unsealed charging Eric Christopher Alvarado, 35, with one count of first-degree murder. Alvarado was served with an arrest warrant in Nebraska, where he is currently incarcerated.

Four other individuals were also indicted by a Grand Jury for accessory, withholding knowledge and conspiracy.

They include:

Brittnie Lynn Schennum, 33, of Idaho Falls

Megan Lynne Paz Warrick, 35, of Idaho Falls

Jonathan Terry Warrick, 31, of Idaho Falls

Jarrod Thomas Sisneros, 30, of North Fork, Idaho

Jarrod Sisneros

Johnathan Warrick

Court records show they were indicted by a Grand Jury last week.

The Bonneville County Sheriff deputies were called to West Snake River Boat Ramp at 9924 North River Road on the morning of June 23, 2025. They found 34-year-old Daniel Leary was shot near the boat ramp. He was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Arraignment hearings have been scheduled for November 24th. The evidence presented to the Grand Jury is still sealed.

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Curtis Jackson

SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) – Lemhi County election clerks will conduct a recount in a race where only one vote separated the winner.

According to the Lemhi County Clerk’s office, the Attorney General’s office ordered a recount of the Salmon City Council race after candidate Margaret Glodowski filed a petition.

Glodowski was one of five candidates running for one of the three open positions.  She lost by one vote to Debbie Bielby.  The vote was 342 to 341 in Bielby’s favor.

Bob Overacker and Marti Bryant won the other two seats.  Steve Fisher came in last with 336 votes, 5 votes behind Glodowski.

The recount is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the Brooklyn Annex.

How the recount will work

The County Clerk’s office said the recount will be conducted in plain view of the candidates and their representatives.  The recount is also open to the public to watch.

They will start with a testing phase where a random sample of ballots is manually tallied and compared with the results from the electronic tabulating system. The sample size will be either 100 ballots or 5% of the ballots for the office, whichever is larger. 

If the comparison shows that the electronic system is accurate, the remaining ballots will be recounted using the automated system. If the system is found to be inaccurate, the remaining ballots will be recounted by hand.

The Attorney General’s office is the final authority on any questions that may arise during the recount.

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Ariel Jensen

UPDATED:

CHALLIS, Idaho (KIFI) – New details are available about the sentencing of the man charged with killing Patrick Shelton, 47, of Custer County.

Alan Douglas Bruce, 70, of Challis, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with 10 years fixed.

Bruce tried to withdraw his original plea at today’s sentencing, but was denied, and the sentencing proceeded.

Bruce listened to two witness impact statements from the two daughters of the victim, Patrick Shelton. One daughter revealed during her statement some disturbing letters that Bruce sent to the family, explaining that he felt he did them a favor by dismembering the body so they wouldn’t have to pay for funeral expenses.

Bruce was allowed to make a statement of his own. He said he acted in self-defense, that he and Patrick were friends, and that he was trying to protect himself.

The court indicated it did not believe Bruce’s actions were self-defense, pointing out that Bruce had gone out of his way to get a gun and purchase night vision goggles.

ORIGINAL STORY:

CHALLIS, Idaho (KIFI) – The man charged with killing Patrick Shelton, 47, of Custer County, was sentenced to prison on Monday afternoon.

Alan Douglas Bruce, 70, of Challis, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with 10 years fixed.

He was arrested in May on felony charges of murder and destruction of evidence related to Shelton’s disappearance. According to court documents, Bruce told investigators that he admitted to dismembering and burning Shelton’s body and scattering the remains in the Salmon River. 

The Custer County Sheriff’s office reported DNA and skull fragments were found in Shelton’s truck in May, but the rest of his remains still haven’t been found, even after a lengthy search by Custer County Search and Rescue.  

Bruce entered an Alford Plea on October 23, 2025. By entering an Alford plea, Bruce admits that the evidence in the case is sufficient to prove his guilt, but he does not admit to committing the crime. The court will still sentence him as if he had pleaded guilty. 

Judge Stevan Thompson also issued a no-contact order prohibiting Bruce from contacting the family. Thompson explained that he considered Bruce’s age and poor health, noting that he had a pacemaker when setting the sentence.

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Danielle Mullenix

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The magic of the Christmas Season will come alive once again as the59th Annual Festival of Trees returns to the Elk’s Lodge, located at 640 E. Elva Street, from Monday, November 17th, through Friday, November 21st. This Year’s Theme, “A Storybook Christmas,” invites families and friends to step into a world of festive wonder and imagination with heartfelt gratitude and giving.

The Festival of Trees is held at the Elks Lodge in Idaho Falls on November 18, 2024.

A VIP Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting will open the event at 12:00 Noon on Monday, the 17th, with a special appearance by Santa Claus. All of the donated beautifully decorated Christmas trees, mantelpieces, and door displays will be open for purchase or a silent auction.

Festival guests will also be entertained by a variety of talented local groups and performers, with a new lineup of entertainment posted daily.

Visitors can also visit the Craft Boutique from local artisans, Santa’s Workshop (and Santa), and try the tasty dishes from the famous Festival Café, Fancy Desserts, and Bakery.

This cherished Idaho Falls Tradition welcomes everyone to join in the festivities. There is a nominal entrance fee, and all proceeds will benefit persons with disabilities in the greater Idaho Falls area through the DWI Foundation (Development Workshop Inc.).

DWI is a nonprofit agency with a mission of assisting individuals who have a disability or who aredisadvantaged to recognize and to achieve their chosen level of economic and social independence.

The festival will be open on Monday, the 17th, from noon to 9:00 PM, and from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Tuesday through Friday. Volunteers are welcome and appreciated.

For more information on volunteering and attending, click here. You may also visit the official Festival of Trees Facebook Page here.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – At Mountain View Cemetery, where parents come to remember loved ones, every small token of love matters. So when Meri Sistrunk found the hand-painted gnomes on her 14-year-old son’s grave missing, it felt like losing a piece of him all over again.

Jesse Sistrunk passed away in 2014 at 14 years old. He always had wanted to grow a beard, so the gnomes symbolize him.

“I came out to put out his Thanksgiving decorations, and he had two gnomes sitting out here, Beasty and Ninjy. And when I got out here, all the rest of the decorations were here, but they were gone,” Jesse’s mother, Meri Sistrunk, said.

Jesse’s sister, Sheila King, says the stolen gnomes bring her and her mother heartbreak.

“I don’t think that people realize the emotional impact that stealing from a grave in general, let alone a child’s grave has on grieving parents, or grieving families in general. Obviously, they can’t celebrate holidays or anything with their children in the living world. And this is the little that they can deal with,” King said.

King took to Facebook post in hopes to find someone with information. Other grieving parents from the area said they also experienced gravesite robberies at the Mountain View Cemetery.

Unfortunately, there are no leads, but many supportive comments.

While some families have stopped decorating headstones because of the consistent robberies, Sistrunk will never quit.

“I will never stop until I’m dead. Stop decorating or stop celebrating him,” Sistrunk said.

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Abi Martin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Five people from Eastern Idaho have received the 2025 Spirit of Freedom: Idaho Veteran Service award.

Idaho Senator Mike Crapo created the award in 2002 to recognize the invaluable contributions of Idaho veterans, as well as to those who volunteer in service to veterans.

The five East Idaho recipients include: 

From Pocatello:

Eva Ackerman

Cheri Honas

Lynn Leggat

From Idaho Falls

Larry Auman

Allen Arnold

These five make up a total of 10 veterans and 14 volunteers who were honored in local ceremonies across the state.  

“I am honored to recognize these remarkable individuals for their extraordinary service to our nation and Idaho’s veterans,” Crapo wrote in a press release. “We extend our deepest gratitude to the veterans who bravely served our nation with honor and to the volunteers who continue to serve them with unwavering dedication. Their spirit of service inspires us and upholds the values our nation’s veterans fought to protect.” 

About the Recipients

Larry Auman – Idaho Falls

Larry Auman served our country in the Navy during the Vietnam War.  After six years in the Navy, Larry worked for more than 40 years in the nuclear industry as a health physicist in nuclear power operations at U.S. Department of Energy facilities across the United States, including the Idaho National Laboratory. 

Since retiring, Larry has dedicated considerable time to supporting veterans and various veterans service organizations. An example of his service includes his extensive work to make sure veterans are honored through service recognition on their graves. 

Eva Ackerman – Pocatello

Eva Ackerman volunteers with a number of organizations including the Run to Remember with the Field of Heroes and Bannock County Veterans Memorial Association. She also helps coordinate lunches and dinners held at the Pocatello Memorial Building.

She shared, “I’ve met several veterans who are very good. I love to find the good in people.”

Allen Arnold – Idaho Falls

Allen Arnold has been involved in area veterans activities for more than 20 years.  Al, a U.S. Navy retiree, has participated in more than 1,700 graveside honors for veterans, and served in many capacities in veterans service organizations. He is a leader of the Bonneville Memorial Team and the War Bonnet Round Up American Legion fundraising effort.  He and his late wife were honored as Rodeo Volunteers of the Year. 

 Arnold retired as a Lieutenant in 1990 after more than 25 years and earning many honors for his distinguished service.  He served on a guided missile destroyer, fleet ballistic missile submarine and fast attack submarine and as an instructor and supervisor for training of Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operators at the Naval Reactors Facility in Idaho.

Cheri Honas – Pocatello

Cheri Honas’s military family inspired her to offer six years of service to veterans through the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1.  She helps with immediate, short-term needs and helps coordinate the luncheons and dinners held at the Veterans Memorial Building.

She said, “God looks down on all of us and smiles when he sees us making someone happy.  He especially loves his veterans.”

Lynn Leggat – Pocatello

Lynn Leggat has volunteered helping veterans for the past three years.  Lynn’s husband, William Leggat, served in the U.S. Air Force.  After her husband passed away, Leggat says was guided through prayer to serve veterans.  She started out helping with steak dinners at the American Legion after hearing about a dinner on the radio and showing up to help.

She primarily assists veterans through the American Legion Auxiliary, but also she assists with Amvets and other organizations.  The list of projects Lynn assists with is lengthy and includes assisting with the Field of Heroes Information Booth, 9/11 Commemoration, Pearl Harbor Remembrance, Veterans Day Luncheon and Veterans Day Parade. 

Nominating for 2026

To nominate someone for the 2026 Spirit of Freedom: Idaho Veteran Service award, contact Courtney Lehosit in Crapo’s Boise office at 208-334-1776.

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Max Gershon

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) — In a rematch of last year’s semifinal clash, the Rigby Trojans (also known as the Red Devils during the state tournament) hosted the Rocky Mountain Grizzlies under the Friday night lights. Led by the red zone weapon Amani Morelli, Rigby punched their ticket to the state championship with a commanding victory, highlighted by Morelli’s unreal six total touchdowns.

Rigby struck first with an Amani Morelli goal line rush to put the Trojans up 6-0.

Rocky answered fast with 40-yard TD pass to Resean Jones. Grizzlies held their only lead of the game 7-6.

But it didn’t last. Amani Morelli went off with three TDs in the first half and three more in the second. Six total touchdowns for the former Serman Service and Electric Student Athlete of the week.

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Ariel Jensen

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — While the appearance of white caps on the mountains this time of year is usually a familiar sight, many Idaho ski junkies are still waiting for the first significant snowfall of the season. The crucial question for winter enthusiasts remains: What do the current weather conditions mean for the approaching ski season?

Local News 8 reached out to Pomerelle Mountain Resort to get an update, and the news is good: Although Idahoans aren’t seeing snow in lower elevations, the ski season is still right on track. According to spokesperson Gretchen Anderson, there is no delay whatsoever.

“We’re ready. We have our crews hired, and the mountain is looking good. We’re making snow up on the mountain. And, you know, it’s just a matter of Mother Nature and a little bit of snowmaking. We should be able to open Pomerelle.”

Pomerelle is officially targeting a Thanksgiving Week opening. Despite the lack of widespread snowfall, the resort is moving ahead with preparations, including currently hosting ski clinics.

For information on Pomerelle Mountain Resort, visit HERE.

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) —  A planned Lifetime movie based on the murders of four University of Idaho college students by Bryan Kohberger has been met with a wave of online backlash. The Idaho community and the victims’ families have strongly denounced the film, arguing it exploits their trauma for commercial gain.

In the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, Bryan Kohberger entered an off-campus King Road home near the University of Idaho in Moscow. He brutally stabbed and murdered four students: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. Earlier this year, Kohberger pleaded guilty to the murders in a deal to avoid the death penalty, and he was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Lifetime Announces “The Idaho Murders”

As originally reported by Deadline, the Lifetime network is adding a new film to its controversial “Ripped From the Headlines” series, with the working title The Idaho Murders. According to IMDb, Miles Merry (Untamed) has been cast in the role of Bryan Kohberger, with a slate of other actors set to portray the victims.

The film’s synopsis, provided by IMDb, states: “After four University of Idaho students are brutally murdered in their off-campus home, detectives race against time to identify the killer, uncovering chilling clues that lead to Bryan Kohberger, a quiet criminology PhD student.”

Victims’ Families Condemn the Film

The announcement of the project was met with immediate and fierce public condemnation. The family of victim Kaylee Goncalves publicly expressed their grief and anger in a deeply emotional post on Facebook.

“With everything that our family has been through, it’s hard to fathom that people are now making a movie,” wrote the Goncalves family. “This is a nightmare for us. We do not want Kaylee being portrayed in a slasher film. They are not characters, they are REAL people. It’s heartbreaking. It’s embarrassing, and Kaylee would not want this. I wish people would just stop.

“Please, we just want it all to stop. I don’t think people realize how hard this is for our family. It’s November 4th. The days are tightening around us. It gets harder and harder to breathe. There’s no relief from the pain, that radiates through your entire body. We are doing our best just to try to get through these days.”

Community Organizes Online Petition to Stop the Film

Shortly after the film was announced, members of the greater Idaho community initiated an online petition to stop the production, accusing Lifetime of exploiting trauma for commercial gain.

Emily Leontiy, the petition’s organizer, argues that creating a film about this tragic event not only disrespects the memory of the victims but also causes immense pain to their families and friends who are still grappling with their loss.

“Turning their harrowing story into a movie risks sensationalizing their deaths and undermines the gravity of the loss experienced by their loved ones and communities,” wrote Leontiy. While Leontiy did not know the victims personally, she writes that the announcement has stirred deep emotions within her community and countless others.

As of Friday, November 14, just one day after the third anniversary of the horrific crime, the petition has already garnered over 14,000 signatures urging Lifetime to cease production immediately. The Goncalves family shared the petition in a separate post, encouraging people to sign.

For more information, click HERE.

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