Category: kifi-local-news

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Gas prices have shot up an average of 10 cents overnight across the state, according to AAA. In Idaho Falls and Pocatello, gas prices jumped 17 cents, making the cost of regular gasoline over $5 a gallon. The statewide average is around $4.96 a gallon, which is roughly 30 cents shy of the highest recorded average price of $5.25, set in 2022.

“We saw the state average go up $0.10 just overnight, which is pretty shocking. $0.47 higher than a month ago $1.44 more per gallon than a year ago,” Matthew Conde, the AAA Public & Government Affairs Director, said. “This isn’t a refinery issue. This isn’t a local pipeline issue. This isn’t even a local demand issue. This is a global crude oil supply issue.”

Because of the ongoing conflict with Iran and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, these prices remain high. The cost of crude oil per barrel is roughly $90, which is steadily decreasing. However, local gasoline and diesel prices are not following the same trend.

“The crude oil is down and it’s like at $91 a barrel, the important thing to realize there is that it was at 105 a barrel like ten days ago,” Conde said. “Those higher prices were paid and that’s now starting to work its way through. So there is a delayed effect between what was paid and how it affects us at the pump. And then when you have that more expensive product out there, it needs to cycle through before a cheaper product comes along that fills up those tanks at the gas station and makes things a little cheaper for the rest of us.”

The market is still unpredictable, professionals say they cannot predict the future of these prices. But economists believe these higher prices will have a ripple effect on other everyday expenses.

“Diesel hit an all time high today of more than $6.50 a gallon,” Robert Spendlove, the senior economist with Zions Bank, said. “That can really have a big impact on the prices of end products as well. While gasoline is for the cars we drive and takes more money out of our pockets. That diesel really has an impact on those end products that we get. If they stay higher for longer, the longer they’re at this higher level, those prices are going to work more into groceries or into the other products that we get.”

Spendlove says prices could rise for everyday expenses such as food delivery services, packages, and Amazon deliveries, as well as groceries.

Currently, there is no predicable future for where gas prices go. But as they continue to climb, Spendlove recommends tightening budgets and making do with what you have.

“It’s important to be prepared for the unexpected,” Spendlove said. “You really need to keep that budget and we all have to tighten our belts. We have to figure out ways of doing more with less. And especially as we go into the holiday season.”

As these costs continue to rise, Spendlove says it may be worth enrolling in store and gas station rewards programs to save money.

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News Release

HARRIMAN STATE PARK, Idaho (KIFI)—Idaho foster and kinship families will have another opportunity to connect, explore, and enjoy the outdoors during the next Fostering Family Adventures event Sept. 26 at Harriman State Park on the banks of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River in Island Park. 

The Department of Health and Welfare (DHW), Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and community partners will host the event from 1-4 p.m. Mountain Time. Activities will include aquatic education, fly-fishing instruction, wildlife and natural history programs, equine activities, Junior Ranger activities, and opportunities to learn about Harriman State Park’s unique ranching history. 

Located along the Henry’s Fork, one of Idaho’s renowned fly-fishing destinations, Harriman State Park provides a fitting setting for families to experience the sport and connect with the river. The event continues DHW’s partnership with The Mayfly Project, a national nonprofit that uses fly fishing to mentor and support children in foster care. Through hands-on instruction and time on the water, youth have an opportunity to build confidence, develop new skills, and strengthen connections with caring adults while learning about river ecology and conservation. 

“Idaho’s state parks belong to all Idahoans, and we’re excited to welcome foster and kinship families to Harriman for an afternoon of discovery and fun,” said Parks and Recreation Director Susan Buxton. “These events give families a chance to experience our parks together while introducing children to outdoor activities and the natural and cultural resources that make Idaho special.” 

Fostering Family Adventures events bring foster and kinship families together in relaxed settings where children and caregivers can spend time outdoors, build connections, and make memories together. The Harriman event continues DHW’s work with state and community partners to create opportunities that support families caring for Idaho children. 

“Foster and kinship caregivers provide stability, connection, and support for children at important times in their lives,” said DHW Family and Community Partnerships Administrator Laura Denner. “Fostering Family Adventures is one way we can recognize those families while giving children and caregivers an opportunity to simply spend time together, meet other families, and have fun.” 

Families participating in the Harriman event also will be eligible for discounts at Yellowstone Bear World in Rexburg during the weekend. 

Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP at the following EventBrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fostering-family-adventures-harriman-state-park-tickets-1996497308193?aff=oddtdtcreator. 

Fostering Family Adventures is a partnership designed to connect Idaho foster and kinship families with outdoor recreation, educational activities, and one another through events at locations around the state. 

It is a collaborative effort between the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Health and Welfare, with critical financial and logistical support from Idaho Business for the Outdoors. Additional support comes from Capital City Kiwanis and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. 

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Curtis Jackson

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Rexburg police are warning drivers to slow down and stay alert after seeing several crashes in the past month.

On Monday, police responded to a crash at Second East and Main Street, where there were minor injuries. At the same time, officers responded to a four-vehicle crash at Second West and Fourth South.

Rexburg police say these crashes are an example of a bigger trend happening.

Over the last ten days, officers have responded to 46 crashes, which they say is more than they saw during the entire month of August.

The department says speed and distracted driving are two of the biggest factors. They are urging drivers and pedestrians to slow down, put the phone away, and stay alert.

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Seth Ratliff

RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) — A 34-year-old Rexburg man was hospitalized after a head-on crash along US-20 north of Rigby last night.

The crash happened just after 10:30 pm around mile marker 342. Idaho State Police say the Rexburg man was driving east in a 2003 Toyota Corolla when he crossed into the westbound lanes and head-on collided with a 2026 Subaru Forester.

Neither the driver nor the passenger of the Subaru was injured, but the Corolla driver was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. His current condition has not been released. Everyone invovled in the crash was wearing their seatbelts.

US-20 was blocked for around two hours while ISP and responding agencies worked to clear the scene. The crash remains under investigation by ISP.

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Danielle Mullenix

BREAKING UPDATE: Christie Stone’s preliminary hearing has been continued again, with the judge saying the case will require significantly more court time to work through the evidence. Judge Cousins said the case is “paper heavy” and the parties expect to need about a day and a half — roughly 12 hours — for the preliminary hearing.

The court will work with county clerks to find a special date for the hearing. A status conference is scheduled for October 27 at 10:30 a.m.

Local News 8 will continue following the case and will update this story when a new preliminary hearing date is set.

BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – The former president of the Portneuf Valley Soccer Club is expected in court Tuesday morning for a preliminary hearing stemming from allegations that she misused nearly $220,000 from the organization.

Christie Stone is facing a felony grand theft charge following an internal audit into the soccer club’s finances.

Christie Stone | Akamai Advisors

Stone’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 22, before Judge Cousins. The hearing had previously been scheduled for July 21 but was moved to late September.

According to the incident report, Stone is accused of making personal purchases using the soccer club’s account. Investigators say the alleged transactions totaled nearly $220,000.

The report says the soccer club’s board questioned Stone about the transactions after they were discovered. According to investigators, Stone said she did not realize the soccer club account had been linked to her personal Idaho Central Credit Union credit card.

Stone first appeared in court after the charges were filed. During that hearing, her defense attorney waived the reading of the complaint.

Judge Eric Hunn previously stated the charge carries a potential sentence of one to 14 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine if Stone is convicted.

Stone is not currently in custody.

Protocol of preliminary hearings?

For clarification, a preliminary hearing is not a trial. Prosecutors must present evidence for the court to determine whether there is enough probable cause for the case to proceed.

Stone has been accused of wrongdoing but has not been convicted of the charge.

Local News 8 will be in court Tuesday morning and will provide updates as the hearing develops.

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David Pace

TERRETON, Idaho (KIFI) – A new 18,000-pound memorial dedicated to Prisoners of War has been erected in West Jefferson Cemetery by Terreton and Mud Lake.

The memorial consists of two massive pieces of travertine engraved with words honoring a local hero.

Ray Cope, a POW from Mud Lake, was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Wake Island in December 1941 – enduring 44 months of torture, starvation rations, beatings and sickness.

On Saturday, Ray’s son John Cope led the dedication of a new war memorial to his father, those taken captive at the Battle of Wake Island and all prisoners of war.

However, the memorial isn’t just dedicated to Cope. It’s dedicated to those taken captive at the Battle of Wake Island and all prisoners of war.

Men like Lewis W. Shamel, who wrote about his experiences as a Japanese prisoner in four different prison camps on mainland China and in Japan.

His niece Nancy Shamel shared his story with me at the memorial’s dedication.

He preserved his memories in a book called “A Cup of Rice” about his experiences as a Japanese prisoner in four different P.O.W. camps on mainland China and in Japan.

“He was a prisoner of war for four years under the Japanese prison system. They were horrible, horrible conditions,” Nancy said. “When they first captured them, they made them all take off their clothes and sit on the airstrip for two days with just a little bit of water.”

Lewis was 21 when he left to serve in World War II, weighing 185 pounds. When he returned, he weighed 89. 

It is for these sacrifices that John Cope says we must remember and honor Prisoners of War.

“Always remember the sacrifices that the P.O.W. / MIAs (Missing in Action) have done for this country and this community,” Cope said. “When you put your name on the line to join the service, you’re committing to protecting our freedoms and following the Constitution of the United States.”

Construction of the memorial was a community effort led by Cope, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8893 and residents of Mud Lake and Terreton.

John Cope invites all to visit the new monument and reflect on the dedication of Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action.

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Maile Sipraseuth

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — For 61 years, John Bagley has spent his life in the skies. When he’s not in the cockpit, you can find him at the Legacy Flight Museum in Rexburg, probably talking about vintage aircraft. On Saturday, September 19, Bagley was honored by the Federal Aviation Administration with the prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, recognizing his decades of dedication to aviation.

“All the good things that there is to do in life, you can experience in an airplane,” Bagley said.

The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award is known to be the highest honor in aviation. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, you must meet these requirements to earn the award:

Hold a U.S. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificate. Have 50 or more years of civil and military piloting experience or 50 or more years combined experience in both piloting and aircraft operations. Up to 20 years of the required 50 years may be U.S. military experience. The effective start date for the 50 years is the date of the nominee’s first solo flight or military equivalent. The 50 years may be computed consecutively or non-consecutively. Be a U.S. citizen. Have NOT had any airman certificate revoked.

“The FAA called me, and they interviewed me for a while, and they said, ‘Do you think you deserve it?’ And I said, ‘No, but my mechanics do, because my mechanics keep me flying,'” Bagley said.

While he says that, he is grateful for the recognition from the FAA.

“To me, it was just a great honor to get it. You know, I’ve got about 10,000 hours of flying and this is the FAA’s way of saying good job,” Bagley said.

Like every career, there were tough times. But he survived.

“I had an airplane quit on me just south of town, and I had to landed on the freeway. In 1995, I had a TI-28 fireball on me, and we crashed it outside of town, and I was burned very badly. My buddy in the back seat had a broken back, and I waited about ten days for I went flying again,” Bagley said.

Despite the challenges, it wasn’t able to keep him out of the pilot’s seat.

“(I love) the beauty of the earth when we’re in the air. But there’s another part when you’re up high and the clouds,” Bagley said, “And you’ll see it is so peaceful up there. You get up at 24, 26, 28,000ft and everything is calm. And there’s not really a sense of motion, and it’s just wonderful. It’s just delightful. It’s home.”

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – After a bit of an enrollment slump last year, Idaho Falls School District 91 has more than doubled its band and orchestra enrollment this year, with well over 150 signing up.

“Last year we had a little bit of an off year with not as many students, so I’d say we’re more than double already,” Sharon Cole, District 91’s Music Office Manager, said.

The teachers are thrilled of having more students enrolling in the program.

“With this new class of sixth graders coming in, we have a ton of students, and we’re just really excited to just provide this opportunity for more kids,” Jake Snarr, the Band Director at Taylorview, said.

More student’s enrolling in these music programs not only brings a smile to the faces of the teachers, but it could prove beneficial to their development. In a study conducted by The University of Southern California, scientists found that as little as 2 years of music instruction could boost brain engagement, the ability to focus, creativity, and enhance intellectual development.

“It’s very important for development,” Cole said. “Studies have shown that students in band, choir or orchestra classes actually do better academically.”

Cole said it also gives students a chance to take full responsibility for their own equipment, teaching them a valuable life lesson.

“One of the things that I think is important that we teach is responsibility,” Snarr said. “Taking care of the instrument is a big challenge for students. It’s a very fragile piece of equipment and there’s a lot of nuance to taking care of each and every single one of them. So it’s a great way for them to become responsible for something that is very valuable and fragile.”

The District is thrilled to provide this opportunity for so many young students, but they could use a little help ensuring every student gets an instrument.

“We are especially low on trumpets, trombones and alto saxophones,” Snarr said. “If there’s anybody in the community that would like to donate those, we always accept donations. And often the district will take care of repairs so that they are ready to go and get into a student’s hands.”

If you are interested in donating an instrument or simply want to show support for these young performers, you can find more information on District 91’s Music Department page.

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Kaelyn Blessinger

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Southeastern Idaho Public Health is offering free STD testing for the rest of the month, urging community members to take advantage of quick, accessible screenings.

The test will consist of a small needle prick to the finger; then the blood sample taken will be used to screen for Syphilis, Hepatitis C, and HIV, helping people catch potentially serious conditions early. Ian Troesoyer, a board-certified family nurse practitioner for Southeastern Idaho Public Health, recommends annual testing for individuals with multiple or new sexual partners.

“Anybody who has sex with new partners or whose partners have sex with other partners should get screened,” Troesoyer said.

Although Idaho is ranked as one of the lowest STI and STD rates in the nation, that does not make them non-existent. Local cases are steadily rising across the region. According to data from the Pew Research Center, the prevalence of HIV cases in Idaho increased from 55.8 to 83.2 per 100,000 people between 2008 and 2021.

“Southeastern Idaho Public Health and East Idaho Public Health put out a press release earlier this year saying that we’ve gotten the same number of HIV cases in the first three months that we normally get in the whole year,” Troesoyer said.

Routine screening is important not only to stop the spread of infection, but also to prevent long-term health complications. Conditions like Hepatitis C, if it goes unnoticed and untreated, could do irreversible damage to the liver.

Public health officials also want to eliminate the stigma and anxiety often associated with STD testing.

“There are a lot of people who feel uncomfortable or nervous about getting tested because nobody wants bad news. But knowing is empowerment,” Troesoyer said. “Knowing is able to keep yourself healthy. And so even if someone is positive for something, there’s usually something we can do about it. It’s better to know better to help protect your partners, protect the community, and also protect your own health.”

If you are interested in free testing, click is HERE.

Residents unable to attend this month’s event will have another opportunity when SIPH hosts its next free testing event in December.

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