Category: kifi-local-news

Curtis Jackson

The following is a news release from the Idaho Lottery.

BOISE, Idaho – Check your Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle tickets Jefferson and Kootenai Counties!  One lucky player in Jefferson County and another in Kootenai County who purchased their Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle ticket there could be starting the year off as Idaho’s newest millionaires.  

The Idaho Lottery has confirmed the retail locations for the top prize-winning tickets from the Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle draw last night. Ticket 125579 was sold at an Idaho Lottery retail location in Jefferson County.  Ticket 326200 was sold from Idaho Lottery retailer location in Kootenai County.

In addition to the top prizes, the Idaho Lottery has also confirmed the $100,000 winning ticket was sold in Payette County. The $100,000 winning number is 271072.  The $50,000 winning ticket was sold in Bannock County. The winning number for the $50,000 prize is 056134.

Players have 180 days from last night’s draw to claim prizes in the game.  The $1,000,000 prizes, the $100,000 prize, the $50,000 prize, and any $1,000 prizes must be claimed at Idaho Lottery Headquarters in Boise. No one has come forward yet to claim any of the top four prizes.

To check their tickets for winning numbers, players can visit idaholottery.com, call the winning numbers hotline at 208-334-4656, use the Idaho Lottery’s mobile app, or visit an Idaho Lottery retail location.

All prizes of $1,000 and higher must be claimed at Lottery Offices in Boise.  Lottery Offices are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Mountain Time, Monday through Friday, except observed holidays.  The Lottery will be closed to celebrate New Year’s Day but will reopen on January 2, 2026.

This year’s version of the Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle returned over $1,700,000 to the Idaho Lottery’s beneficiaries, Idaho public schools and the State’s Permanent Building Fund.

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Local officials are hoping people can feel confident that any unused prescriptions collected at take-back events will be destroyed safely and responsibly.

Eastern Idaho Public Health has purchased and transferred a drug incinerator to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office. They said it will provide law enforcement with a secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible way to dispose of medications and illegal drugs.

The incinerator will provide disposal for all eight counties in Eastern Idaho Public Health’s jurisdiction: Bonneville, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, and Teton. It will be housed and operated by the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.

Eastern Idaho Public Health has partnered with local law enforcement on safe drug disposal initiatives, including National Drug Take Back Day, since 2019. Law enforcement agencies interested in using the incinerator can contact Lt. Zeb Graham at the sheriff’s office.

Officials said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to prevention, public safety and community well-being.

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Danielle Mullenix

We continue to observe dry northwest winds as we wrap up the final days of 2025. A high-pressure ridge will remain in control through the middle of the week, keeping conditions dry overall. However, we’ll occasionally see high- and mid-level clouds drifting through the region.

On Tuesday, sunshine takes the spotlight as temperatures rise slightly, with afternoon highs near 36 degrees. Winds will remain light from the north-northeast at approximately 5 mph, resulting in a calm but agreeable day.

Wednesday will bring slightly more cloud cover, especially in the afternoon and evening, but dry weather will continue. High temperatures will climb to approximately 40 degrees, and winds will be light, starting from the east-northeast at around 5 mph before becoming calm later in the day.

By Thursday, the pattern begins to shift as high pressure weakens and wetter weather approaches from the west. Skies will be mostly cloudy, with a chance of rain and snow developing during the afternoon. Highs will top out near 39°. That chance for mixed precipitation continues into Thursday night, mainly before 11 PM, with mostly cloudy skies and overnight lows falling to around 29°. The probability of rainfall during this period rises to approximately 30%.

Looking ahead to Friday, there remains a chance of rain and snow, with highs in the lower 40s.

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho grass and plants normally lie dormant under the snow this time of year; however, this warm weather is causing some confusion, even for our plants. 

Some people are reporting that their tulips and irises are starting to pop up.  Homeowners are wondering if they need to start mowing their lawns. Gardening experts are telling people not to worry and just let nature take its course. 

“Just be patient. It’s winter, and January is usually the coldest time of the year around here. Stay off the lawns. No heavy traffic on lawns. And try not to water anything. Just wait and be patient,” said Sheri Ellis, owner of Four Seasons Garden Design.

Ellis says do not water or mow your lawn right now, as that will cause it to grow more. She says there is a risk of damage to early-blooming ornamental trees and shrubs, but nothing can be done about it until spring. 

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Curtis Jackson

UPDATE:

SWAN VALLEY, Idaho (KIFI) – The owner of a mobile home in Swan Valley that went up in flames yesterday is speaking out today. Dwayne Christiansen says he and his son did enter the side of two connected mobile homes that was not on fire because they were trying to retrieve items that could be saved. 

After the items were out, Christiansen says he used a ladder to climb on the roof with some tools to separate the materials connecting the two mobile homes. Christensen claims foam or water from the fire hoses caused him to fall off the roof.

Fire Chief Travis Crystal says at that point, an altercation ensued, and Christiansen punched one of the firefighters in the face. 

Christensen says he doesn’t recall punching anyone but may have fallen on someone.

Fire Chief Crystal told Local News 8 that Christiansen was warned to stay away from the burning mobile home, but he refused.

“They said, you can’t go in there. And said heck I can’t, I said, I’m gonna go save some stuff,” said Christiansen. “And I grabbed my bear head, my lion rug – ha, to me that’s irreplaceable, you know – and a computer, and threw some suitcases out. Tracen, my kid, and another guy who was with him, helped carry them out. They [Tracen and friend] got a bunch of guns out, and all I think they said 57 guns. They’re collectors. And they took them and pulled all those out. And then we called it good, cause you know, pretty much good because they got what they pretty much wanted out of there, I guess.”

According to the Swan Valley Fire Department, they were called to a trailer house fire on Monday afternoon, where they found flames coming from a bedroom window.

The fire started around 12:50 p.m. at 3481 Swan Valley Highway. Firefighters quickly arrived. But as they started fighting the fire, the homeowners tried to go back into the burning trailer to recover items. Firefighters had to physically stop them.

Crystal said the homeowners attempted to re-enter the buildings several times after being told to stay back for their own safety.

Fire Chief Travis Crystal said two mobile homes were joined together. Crystal said at one point, one of the homeowners climbed a ladder and was on the roof with an ax, trying to keep the fire from spreading to the attached house. Firefighters were attempting to spray water on the buildings at the time. There are conflicting reports on whether or not the man was knocked off the building or if he jumped.

When he was on the ground, he was restrained by firefighters. Chief Chrystal says that during that altercation, one of the firefighters was punched in the face. The firefighter was treated on the scene and released. The homeowner who was on the house is being treated at a local hospital for injuries he sustained in the fall.

Bonneville County officers are contacting all parties, including eyewitnesses, to determine what happened.

After their investigation is complete, they will talk with the prosecuting attorney to determine if any charges will be filed.

“In all of my 26 years as a firefighter, I’ve never had someone try to impede firefighting efforts like this by causing a physical disturbance and assaulting a firefighter,” Travis Crystal, Swan Valley Fire Chief, said.

The fire caused $100,000 damage to the structure and another $30,000 for the contents.

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Curtis Jackson

UPDATE: This year’s two, $1,000,000 winning numbers, in the order drawn, are:

3 2 6 2 0 0 and 1 2 5 5 7 9

This year’s Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle game offered over 21,500 prizes, the most of any Raffle game, 500 prizes of $100, 1,000 prizes of $50, 5,000 prizes of $25, and 15,000 prizes of $15.

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BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – The Idaho Lottery’s 19th annual $1,000,000 Raffle sold out all 500,000 tickets in just 52 days, marking the 11th time the game has sold out before Christmas.

Tonight at 5:59 p.m. MT, two lucky tickets will each win $1 million. Additional prizes include $100,000, $50,000, and more than 21,500 other prizes, making this the largest prize pool in Raffle history.

Players can check results at idaholottery.com, via the Lottery app, by calling 208-334-4656, or visiting a retailer. Winning numbers for the two $1 million prizes will be posted on the Raffle Results banner online, with a downloadable list available.

Unclaimed $1,000 winning tickets from this year’s earlier raffles include:035429, 099040, 122908, 149710, 158289, 173160, 192289, 450000.

Prizes of $1,000 or more must be claimed at Lottery offices in Boise within 180 days. This year’s game generated $1.7 million for Idaho public schools and buildings.

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Curtis Jackson

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) – The city of Ammon will once again hold its annual Christmas Tree Bonfire on Saturday, Jan. 17.

Residents are urged to drop off their undecorated Christmas trees on the southwest corner of McCowin Park, located at Targhee and Williams, until Jan. 17.

Organizers said Ammon firefighters will then light the fire at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks will begin when the fire is at full burn.

There will be music, food and prizes for participants.

The Icy Inferno Christmas Tree Bonfire and Fireworks Show is sponsored by Lookout Credit Union.

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Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – This has been an unusual Idaho winter, and many local shops depend on snow to keep business going. 

Local News 8 reached out to the owners of Idaho Mountain Trading in Idaho Falls, who tell us they are feeling the impact of this light winter. The shop sells snow skis, snowboards and sports gear, and when the weather isn’t cooperating with the season, it has an impact on sales. While sales may be slowing, store owners remain optimistic. 

“It’s tough because no doubt about it, we are first to know that if there’s no snow in the valley, it’s difficult to think, ‘Hey, I need a new parka or I need new gloves.’ But when we get up to the resorts, which finally Targee is getting some snow, we had the unfortunate event where Kelley’s opened and had to close. Hopefully, it will drop in temperature and will get them back open. And, you know, we can get off to a good season.”

Due to the lack of snow, customers will find some pricing drops on snow gear. 

Kelley Canyon did open on Monday, according to their Facebook page.

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Curtis Jackson

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Bannock County Coroner’s office and Pocatello Police have identified the woman who was killed in an accident Saturday night.

Lena Phelps, 29, of Pocatello was injured when a pickup ran a red light and hit the car she was riding in.

It happened around 7 p.m. at the intersection of North Arthur Avenue and West Clark Street. A man was also injured in the accident. His condition is unknown.

Officers said Guy Guerrero, 25, of Chubbuck, is facing an aggravated DUI charge for causing the accident.

Guy Guerrero

Guerrero and his passenger suffered minor injuries.

Guerrero was booked into Bannock County Jail.

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