Category: kifi-local-news

David Pace

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – More than 100 volunteers celebrated Arbor Day today in Rexburg, braving a chilly afternoon to plant 70 new trees at the DONJO Sports complex.

“You should go out and plant trees. It’s a good thing, and it helps the community and the air,” said Madison Junior High School athlete Jack Siddoway.

Madison High School’s football and baseball teams assisted, alongside Brigham Young University-Idaho students and other community members.

“My little sister comes and plays softball here almost every Saturday,” said Madison Junior High School Student Body President Bryce Rasmussen. “It’s going to be fun having a whole bunch of trees to look at and inspire from.”

The trees were purchased through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Department.

“It’s a $1 million dollar grant, so we’re going to be planting trees all over the city all summer long,” said Rexburg Mayor Jerry Merrill. “We’re going to be planting just hundreds, maybe even thousands of trees – as many of them as we can get done for a million dollars.”

The group planted six-to-seven-foot tall Bosnian pines, as well as 12-to-15-foot maples to act as windbreakers.

“You see them get just bigger and bigger, and you can say, ‘Hey, I planted, I picked up that tree. Now it’s so big you can’t even carry it any more,'” said JustServe volunteer Emmett Mangus.

Rexburg has long been recognized as a Tree City USA, a designation by the Arbor Day Foundation honoring communities that prioritize the health and vitality of their tree canopy.

Spreading bark and filling holes, volunteers of all ages pitched a hand to raise a new windbreak on the park’s border.

“We like to call ourselves America’s Family community, so we want to have places where families can come and do all kinds of sports and get the kids more active instead of being in on the screens all day,” he said. “Hopefully, that will help families to be stronger.”

The new park, named in honor of baseball benefactors Don and Joan Chicos, opened in 2023 and boasts four ball fields.

The efforts are part of what will soon be a new field at the sports complex.

“This area here will be a multi-purpose grassy area where you can play baseball, softball, soccer, and different things like that,” Merrill said.

Madison School District football and baseball players pitch in to complete a tree-planting project on Arbor Day.

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Hadley Bodell

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Former City Treasurer of American Falls, Deana England, has been arrested for grand theft with a total of $278,057.98 lost in city money.

England was originally hired by the City of American Falls as City Clerk in May 2019. She was later appointed to City Treasurer in February of last year. England was in charge of collecting utility payments for water, sewage, and garbage at City Hall.

According to court documents, she was terminated from her position on November 17, 2025. Earlier that month, city officials were informed of potential discrepancies involving payments at a multi-unit apartment complex.

Court documents say the investigation found payments were made in full with adjustments for vacancies at the complex. While deposits reflected the total number of checks, there were portions of money missing.

The investigation determined England was responsible for making identical monthly adjustments since July 5, 2023. The total documented loss identified was over 275 thousand dollars.

England entered the vacancy adjustments, generating the memos and adjusting the deposit records. The pattern of each monthly transaction showed consistent cash shortages. During an interview with a power county peace officer, England allegedly admitted to falsifying the vacancies. Court documents reveal she claimed to have used the money for her personal medical expenses and never paid it back.

At this time, Power County officials say no other city employee assisted her in committing grand theft.

England’s arrangement has been scheduled for May 8th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

A criminal charge is an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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Par Kermani

Idaho Falls, Idaho (KIFI)— Skyline High School remains shuttered on Friday as the Idaho Falls School District 91 awaits final safety certification following a cooling system failure that released foul odors and raised health concerns. As of Friday night, the school district said a decision regarding school on Monday has not yet been made.

District 91 Awaits Safety Sign-Off

The closure has forced D91 to reschedule or relocate school events, including tonight’s United Prom, which has been moved to Eagle Rock Middle School.

According to D91 Superintendent Karla LaOrange, this morning, an industrial hygienist conducted a preliminary walkthrough of the building, which determined that air quality readings were within recommended levels while the air systems were disabled. During the closure, they replaced all air filters and turned on general ventilation; however, the air conditioning system remains completely disabled.

Superintendent LaOrange emphasized that the building will remain off-limits to students and stall until D91 receives a written certification that the building is safe.

“The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority, and we are continuing to closely follow the recommendations of the hygienist as we move forward. We are grateful for their expertise and the work of the D91 Maintenance team,” said LaOrange.

Before the school’s water tank was drained and dried, samples of stagnant cooling water were collected for testing. The district expects those results by the end of next week. In the meantime, the administration is calculating lost instructional hours and working with staff to determine if the academic calendar must be adjusted.

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KIVI Staff

Originally Published: 24 APR 26 14:47 ET

By KIVI Staff

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    BOISE, Idaho (KIVI) — A married Boise couple who wrote a manifesto that included a “kill list” have been found guilty by an Ada County jury of a combined 122 counts of stalking, witness intimidation, and threats involving multiple victims.

According to the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office, 43-year-old Daniel Harms and 39-year-old Lynn Harms sent an email to thousands of recipients that included a 277-page manifesto, which they referred to as a “kill list.” In the document, the couple calls for killing several persons, including members of Table Rock Church, a church that the Harms previously attended. The documents also called for the deaths of police officers and public officials.

The document included a direct command to its recipients that states: “Go. Hunt. Kill.” followed by the names and addresses of the targeted individuals.

The manifesto was also posted on various social media platforms.

Twenty of those named in the manifesto obtained civil protection orders. However, those orders were repeatedly ignored. The couple is said to have sent certified mail to the victims following the orders and continued to post the manifesto to social media.

In court, 20 victims testified to that harassment, saying it resulted in psychological and emotional harm.

“This case involved repeated, deliberate, malicious threats by the defendants that had more than 20 victims fearing for their lives,” said Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts. “The jury’s verdict reflects the seriousness of that conduct and the impact it had on the victims involved. Protections for victims exist for a reason, and violations of them will be prosecuted.”

Daniel and Lynn Harms represented themselves throughout the case.

Ada County Judge Cynthia Yee-Wallace revoked bail for the couple and has ordered psychological evaluations.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 20. The defendants face up to more than 200 years in prison. They are being held in Ada County Jail.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

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KIVI Staff

Originally Published: 24 APR 26 14:36 ET

By Lorien Nettleton

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    TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KIVI) — The breakneck pace of growth in Southern Idaho has seen more and more open spaces transform into subdivisions, but one couple has a different vision for the future of their land.

Melody and Charlie Lenkner, who have owned a 330-acre property south of Twin Falls since the 1980s, chose to donate their land to the Magic Valley Land Trust rather than sell it to developers.

The parcel, located at the base of the South Hills, will become the Cottonwood Canyon Nature Preserve.

“Several developers have approached us to buy it because they’re purchasing land all around it. We [realized] would be rolling over in our graves if we saw that… if we heard in our little graveyard that it turned into a development,” said a laughing Melody Lenkner.

“It’s really a way of keeping a little piece of what used to be,” added Melody.

The property is covered in sagebrush, with Cottonwood Creek forming a canyon and a pond through the center of it all.

The couple wanted the land preserved as a place where the public could gently interact with wildlife.

“And I guess in the back of our minds, we have that as an idea. So bless the land trust, that they have taken that responsibility on,” Melody Lenkner said.

Charlie Lenkner seconded the sentiment, saying, “It’s like a godsend as far as our aspirations.”

Karl Ruprecht, a board president of the Magic Valley Land Trust, has visited the property the past couple of years to prepare the land for its future as a preserve.

“And really, what we found— it’s a nice oasis in the desert,” explained Ruprecht. “It attracts a surprising amount of wildlife.”

“Lots of mule deer, coyotes, badger, river otter, wood rats, kangaroo rats, two kinds of skunks, porcupine— they’re a pretty big variety of stuff is out here— so that’s really neat,” Ruprecht said.

The Magic Valley Land Trust has helped landowners secure conservation easements on 15 properties, mostly farming properties with scenic or historic value, to protect them from being developed into subdivisions. However, the Cottonwood Canyon Nature Preserve will be different.

“We are going to own and manage it with public access so the people of the Magic Valley can enjoy it indefinitely,” added Ruprecht.

“My whole life growing up there in southern Idaho, I have gotten so much benefit from— you know— the canyons, the parks in the canyons, and the public land,” Ruprecht said.

“The Magic Valley is growing so quickly right now, and there are a lot of wonderful things that come with that,” said Ruprecht. “We want people to live here and have great places to live, but it’s also important to preserve a few of the special places. And they’re going to become more and more valuable as the population grows.”

A few things need to get ready before the preserve can open to the public, including parking and gates. Ruprecht expects it to be open to the public within a year. “It’s just going to be a quiet, peaceful place to walk on trails and observe wildlife.”

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KIVI’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

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

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Seth Ratliff

UTAH (KIFI) — After a while, even a crocodile needs a check-up. For Bill, a 61-year-old Siamese crocodile at Utah’s Hogle Zoo, a recent trip to the doctor was one appointment he couldn’t swim away from.

In early 2025, herpetology experts noticed a concerning change in Bill’s health. The nearly 400-pound reptile was experiencing a decreased appetite, noticeable weight loss, and unusual abdominal bloating.

Concerned for their resident senior reptile, the Hogle Zoo team mobilized for a massive undertaking: transporting the large, armored predator to the University of Utah Health for advanced diagnostic imaging.

According to a Facebook post by Zoo staff, moving a senior crocodile is no small feat.

“Pursuing a transport and CT scan required a significant, highly coordinated effort, calling for expertise across the zoo and carrying inherent risks, particularly for an aging animal like Bill,” the zoo shared in a recent update.

To ensure his safety, Bill’s care team spent weeks practicing a detailed plan. On the day of the move, it took a team of over 20 people using specialized tools to safely restrain Bill, focusing on controlling his powerful head and body. He was given a mild sedative to keep him calm during the commute.

Courtesy: Utah’s Hogle Zoo Facebook

Once at the University of Utah radiology department, Bill became perhaps the most unusual patient of the year. Under the leadership of Dr. Edward Quigley, professor of radiology, the team performed a full-body CT scan.

According to Zoo staff, the scan revealed several gastroliths—stones located in Bill’s stomach.

“Crocodilians naturally swallow stones, both in their natural habitat and in human care, to help with digestion,” explains the post. “Given Bill’s age and current condition, the team is thoughtfully weighing the pros and cons of a stone-removal procedure, with decisions guided by his overall well-being and quality of life.”

For now, Bill is back at the zoo, and staff says he is recovering well from the excitement. He has been reunited with his habitat mate, Hillary, in the Small Animal Building, where guests can once again visit one of Utah’s most resilient senior residents.

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Par Kermani

Idaho Falls, Idaho (KIFI) — A warmer-than-usual winter and early spring conditions are changing bear behavior across eastern Idaho, according to wildlife experts.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game says the mild winter and lack of snowpack could impact where bears search for food this season.

James Brower, regional communications manager for the Upper Snake Region, said bears are waking up hungry and may be forced to look beyond their typical food sources.

“We had a very mild winter, and that could affect the movement of bears looking for food in different places,” Brower said. “Some of the resources they typically rely on may not be available right now, so they’re looking for high-calorie food sources as easily as they can find them.”

That shift could bring bears closer to neighborhoods and campsites.

Sightings are already being reported across the region, including images captured on home security cameras and shared on social media. In nearby Yellowstone National Park, bears have also been observed waking up slightly earlier than usual.

“They are definitely up right now,” Brower said.

With increased activity, Fish and Game is urging people to review basic bear safety practices before heading outdoors.

Hikers and outdoor recreationists are encouraged to carry bear spray and know how to use it, travel in groups, make noise, and stay on designated trails. Officials also recommend avoiding hiking during dawn and dusk, when bears are more active.

“One of the things that we love to teach people to do is to carry bear spray” Brower said “Make sure that you know how to use it. And when you go hiking, hike in a group, make lots of noise. Stay on the trail and avoid hiking at dawn or dusk. “

Brower also explained how to stay safe while camping.

“When you’re camping, prepare food at least 100 yards away from where you sleep and clean up as soon as you’re done,” Brower said. “Anything that smells should be secured, whether that’s in a hard-sided vehicle or hung out of reach.”

If someone encounters a bear, officials say the response depends on the animal’s behavior. In most cases, people should remain calm, avoid sudden movements, and slowly back away without running.

“Make yourself known as a human by speaking in a calm, low voice,” Brower said. “Don’t run. Back away slowly and give the bear space.”

Spring also brings an increase in baby wildlife sightings, which can lead to unnecessary human intervention.

Officials say many young animals are not abandoned, even if they appear alone. In most cases, their mothers are nearby or will return.

“The best thing to do is leave baby animals where they are,” Brower said. “Keep pets away and give them space.”

Anyone who encounters injured wildlife or has concerns is encouraged to contact Idaho Fish and Game so officials can assess the situation.

As warmer conditions continue, wildlife officials say awareness and preparation will be key to avoiding conflicts during the busy spring and summer recreation season.

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Megan Lavin

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) —  There’s an exciting update for a local Idaho Falls man, David McClelland.

As we reported in December, this engineer by day, LEGO builder by night, had submitted a LEGO design to a national competition. If his build (dubbed “The Excitebike”) got 10 thousand votes, it would move onto the next stage of the competition. And if he wins it all: his build will be mass-produced and sold on actual store shelves.

He and his wife, McKenzi, have been working hard at getting press and getting the word out since then.

Then, he was struck with ANOTHER idea: What if he did a second, similar build based on the pro skater, Tony Hawk?

While David was in California, he reached out to Tony Hawk. And lo behold, Hawk invited David and his family over a few days later.

They were able to watch Tony skate, let Tony play on his LEGO build, and even let their son slide down his skate ramps.

Once Tony got the word out, both builds–the Excitebike build, and the Tony Hawk build hit the required 10 thousand votes.

To follow along on their journey, you can find them on Instagram @Americanbricker and @Arcadebricker. You can also see more about his builds on LEGO’s official voting website here and here.

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Par Kermani

Blackfoot, Idaho (KIFI) — City crews in Blackfoot have rebuilt a key dike along the Snake River after high spring runoff last year damaged the system that supplies water to Jensen Grove.

The repairs aim to restore water flow to the popular recreation area, which has seen significantly reduced water levels after the failure of the original dike, which was built too high and pushed too much water towards the head gate that feeds Jensons Grove. It worked for two months before causing the island that separates the part of the river that feeds the headgate from the rest of the river to blow out. Due to the water levels being too low, the headgate was unable to receive water. 

Stufflebeam said crews initially struggled to fill the channel, as water continued to erode the area during repairs.

“Every time we tried to start filling, this started washing away the island,” Stufflebeam said. “So we had to get a longer excavator, start dropping rocks across, and then build back this way. And that was the only way we could do it.”

The rebuilt dike is designed to help raise water levels enough to push flow toward the city’s head gate, allowing water to be diverted under the interstate and into Jensen Grove.

“That allowed us, by filling this dike in, to actually cause the river to rise over here, which was necessary for us to get water to our head gate,” Stufflebeam said.

City officials say water is now moving back into the system, including areas near the Blackfoot Golf Course that feed into Jensen Grove.

Still, the long-term outlook remains uncertain.

State Rep. Ben Fuhriman said while infrastructure repairs and a new agreement with the Snake River Valley Irrigation District have addressed legal and maintenance issues, water availability remains the biggest concern.

“The big problem is, is there water? And that’s something that nobody can really control,” Fuhriman said.

Jensen Grove is a centerpiece of the Blackfoot community, hosting recreation and events throughout the year.

Stufflebeam said keeping the grove filled is important not only for residents, but also for the local economy.

“It’s a great recreation area, but it’s also important for our businesses,” he said. “People see that, they want to come here, they want to visit.”

Officials say they will continue monitoring water conditions through the summer as they work to keep Jensen Grove full.

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Seth Ratliff

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A small plane was damaged after landing at the Pocatello Regional Airport Thursday, by what officials speculate may have been a large gust of wind.

Airport Director Alan Evans confirmed Friday that incident took place around 4:20 PM involving a small single-engine plane. Evans says the plane had landed and come to a stop on the runway without incident, when it experienced “some kind of issue” while it began to taxi toward the hangar.

According to the National Weather Service, a 45 mph WSW wing gust was measured at the airport around that same time.

Evans confirms that no one was injured, but plane did suffer some damage and the airport did receive a call to remove the plane from the runway. An airport crash rescue truck responded and taxied the single-engine plane to a parking spot.

The airport will not be conducting a formal investigation into the mishap. Under standard aviation protocol, the pilot or owner of the aircraft will have to file the inicdent with the NTSB.

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