Seth Ratliff
REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — Fall River Electric is announcing a planned power outage for Madison County, as crews trim and remove trees near powerlines in the Salem area.
The outage is set to begin at 9 AM on Wednesday, May 7th, and last until Noon. The news comes from a post on the Fall River Electric Facebook page. For more information, click HERE.
Seth Ratliff
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Some Idaho Falls Power customers may experience brief power outages in the coming weeks as crews work to upgrade infrastructure.
Over the next 6 weeks, crews will be upgrading power poles and overhead lines in the Falls subdivision to improve long-term service reliability, according to a post on the Idaho Falls Power Facebook page.
Work is scheduled to take place weekdays from 8 AM-4:30 PM.
According to the post, people living near the subdivision can expect occasional brief outages, temporary access restrictions, and construction noise during work hours.
“Please stay clear of work areas for everyone’s safety. We appreciate your patience as we improve your power service,” said Idaho Falls Power in the post.
Seth Ratliff
ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho State Police has determined the driver at fault in last Thursday’s deadly crash on U.S. Highway 20 near Henry’s Lake.
The collision involved a Dodge Ram pickup and a Mercedes passenger van, both of which caught fire after the crash.
“Based on current evidence, investigating troopers have determined that the Dodge Ram pickup crossed the center line and struck the eastbound Mercedes passenger van,” writes ISP. “This finding will be documented in the official Idaho Vehicle Crash Report (IVCR).”
The reason the pickup crossed the center line is still under investigation. ISP reports that crash reconstruction is ongoing, and troopers are working to determine all factors contributing to the crash.
Thursday’s crash took the lives of seven people, including the driver of the Dodge Ram, as well as six passengers of a tour group by Ctour Holiday.
Tuesday morning, May 6, Ctour Holiday sent Local News 8 the following statement responding to the crash.
“CTour Holiday is saddened by the loss of life and injuries suffered in this terrible accident. CTour Holiday is continuing to work with the families as well as the investigating authorities regarding this accident.”-
Ctour Holiday LLC
ISP troopers are actively collaborating with Ctour Holiday LLC, as well as with the home countries of both the surviving and deceased tourists, as the investigation into the crash continues.
National Transportation Safety Board to lead independent investigation
In addition to ISP, the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an independent investigation. This is due to the commercial vehicle’s involvement and the magnitude of the crash.
According to ISP, National Transportation Safety Board Personnel have visited the scene and are reviewing evidence. While information is being shared between the two agencies, ISP says each will conduct its investigation separately.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those lost in this tragedy,” said ISP Sgt. Blake Higley. “We are incredibly grateful to the passersby who stopped to help and to the first responders whose quick actions and teamwork aided those in critical need. This was a challenging and emotional scene for everyone involved.”
Ariel Jensen
FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho – Several of the survivors of last Thursday’s fatal crash near Island Park have been discharged from Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg.
The fiery two-vehicle crash claimed the lives of seven people, six of whom were members of a tour group by Ctour Holiday. ISP troopers are actively collaborating with Ctour Holiday LLC, as well as with the home countries of both the surviving and deceased tourists, as the investigation into the crash continues.
Local News 8 received the following statement from the tour company responding to the fatal incident.
“CTour Holiday is saddened by the loss of life and injuries suffered in this terrible accident. CTour Holiday is continuing to work with the families as well as the investigating authorities regarding this accident.”
– Ctour Holiday LLC Statement
The condition of the other two survivors staying at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) has not been made known at this time. Five people were sent to Madison Memorial, but only two were admitted. The hospital said they were released on Sunday.
Douglas McBride, the Executive Director of Business Development at Madison Health, shared that the hospital offers a service allowing them to communicate with patients in any language. As a result, communication and translation were not obstacles for the Chinese individuals involved in last Thursday’s crash.
Seth Ratliff
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 is gearing up for the 20225 Summer Food Service Program. This summer will mark the 25th year that the program has provided meals to children ages 1-18 without charge.
“The Summer Food Service Program is a wonderful program. For many children, this is the only meal they will get during the summer days while parents are working,” write D25 Staff. “However, this program does more than serve needy families – it promotes health and well-being, and provides an opportunity for all families in the community to enjoy the wonderful parks our city has to offer while enjoying a nutritious meal.”
Courtesy: Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25
Children will be able to pick up lunch for free, and adults for just $5, at the following locations:
Alameda Park – Wayne St. & E. Pine St.
Caldwell Park – 8th & Center St.
Lower Ross Park – 2750 2nd Avenue
OK Ward Park – W. Quinn Rd.
Raymond Park – Riverside Dr. & Carson St.
Stuart Park – Stuart Avenue (Chubbuck)
Syringa Elementary School – 388 E. Griffith Avenue.
Meals will be provided starting Monday, June 9, and will continue Monday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM until August 8, 2025, excluding Independence Day.
Maggie Moore
Idaho Falls, IDAHO (KIFI) – After 46 years, PGA Golf Professional Tim Reinke is retiring from Pinecrest Golf Course.
Reinke started his career in 1979 after taking a summer job at Pinecrest. He worked as an assistant professional for Mike Taylor. During that time, Reinke attended the PGA education program to become a certified member. He earned the highest score in the nation on the test to complete Business School 1 and had the highest score at the site for Business School 2.
When Taylor took a job in Arizona, Reinke was promoted to head professional at 24 years old.
Reinke took East Idaho’s golf community by storm. He was named golf professional of the year in the PGA Rocky Mountain Section 3 times, and listed as one of the top golf instructors in Idaho by golf digest twice. In 2021, Reinke was inducted into the PGA Rocky Mountain Section Hall of Fame.
But Reinke’s focus has always been the people of Idaho Falls.
“I teach everybody who works for me, take care of these people. They come out here for fun,” Reinke said. “Making sure that when they come out here to play, they have an enjoyable day. If I did that, I did a good job.”
Reinke has helped tons of people in East Idaho learn to love the game of golf.
Elliot Billings, a golfer in Idaho Falls said, “I’ve been here for 23 years, and I’ve known Tim for a long time. The amount that he does for this community of golf is unprecedented.”
“He has been an incredible asset to this community and to the golf community,” Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper said. “We’re just really lucky to have that kind of employee with that kind of dedication.”
Reinke says he’s never had a bad day in all the 46 years he’s been at Pinecrest. “I’ve been very fortunate to be here at Pinecrest,” he said.
But now Reinke is passing the golf club to a new generation of golf professionals. But, that doesn’t mean he’s stepping away from the game.
“Oh, I’ll take more time golfing. I love the game, it’s the greatest game ever made. So I will be playing lots of golf.”
Casper says that Reinke will rarely be caught without a smile or positive comment. “That’s one of those rare life skills that he’s managed that just make him incredibly pleasant and wonderful to be around, and that’s something we all can learn from,” she said.
Reinke will still be in Idaho Falls and teach lessons after retirement.
Seth Ratliff
ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — The Ashton/Island Park Ranger District is planning prescribed burns for May to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure, and natural resources from wildfires.
Caribou-Targhee National Forest Rangers expect the work to continue through the spring as weather conditions allow.
Prescribed burns are planned along the Yale-Kilgore Road near the Old West subdivision.
Park Rangers are asking travelers to watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns. People living near the areas may also see or smell smoke during the planned fires.
For more information, click HERE.
Seth Ratliff
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Mudvayne is bringing their acclaimed debut album to the stage in Southeast Idaho. Along with special guests Static-X and Vended, the band’s 30-city tour will include a stop at The Port in Pocatello on Friday, October 3.
Tickets for The Port will be available beginning Friday, May 9, at 10 AM local time at ETIX.
Curtis Jackson
The following is a news release from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (BCSO) – Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested the driver of a vehicle involved in a crash overnight (May 5) on E. 1st St. near Amy Ln. Deputies responded to the crash just after 10pm along with Idaho Falls Fire and an Idaho Falls Police Officer. Emergency personnel arrived on scene to find a red Honda car on its side in a ditch after it had apparently run off the road. The driver, 35-year-old Kristin C. Jones, was assisted out of the vehicle and immediately showed signs of intoxication. Deputies were able to determine Ms. Jones was called in by other motorists prior to the crash as running red lights and driving erratically.
While on scene, Deputies observed Jones stumbling around and saying things that did not make logical sense. Jones was then transported by ambulance with a Deputy for treatment of any potential injuries from the crash.
At the hospital, Ms. Jones became belligerent to staff and security officers. After attempting to run away, Deputies secured Ms. Jones in handcuffs so she could continue to be evaluated. During this time Jones continued to be combative and yelling obscenities in the Emergency Room. In the process Ms. Jones assaulted a Deputy, kicked hospital staff, and spit on a Security Officer.
Deputies were able to obtain a warrant to collect blood evidence to determine Ms. Jones level of intoxication and after a medical clearance she was transported to the Bonneville County Jail. Ms. Jones was booked into jail on a Felony charge of Battery on a Health Care Worker, and Misdemeanor charges of 2nd Offense Driving Under the Influence, Resisting Arrest, and Disturbing the Peace.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash and Ms. Jones was the only occupant.
Noah Farley
ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — Following the crash that killed seven on Highway 20 last Thursday, several people in the Idaho Falls area are expressing feelings that the roads near the site of the accident are dangerous.
They say the speed limits are a part of the issue. There are at least five areas where the speed limit changes from 65 or 70 miles an hour to 45.
Some locals feel the speed limits should be lowered and made consistent. They think the current situation makes people impatient and drive less carefully.
“If they were to slow down and have a nighttime speed limit of 55, and then maybe a daytime speed limit of 65, I think we could save animals.” said Island Park Preservation Coalition Chairman Ken Watts. “I think we could save people.”
The Idaho Transportation Department has expressed plans to widen the sections of Highway 20 going through Island Park and turn it into a four-land highway.
However, many Island Park residents do not agree with this plan, citing the potential costs to build it and how a wider highway would affect the environment.
Watts also feels ITD has not been listening enough to locals’ ideas.
“Listen to the people of Fremont County and what solutions they would like to have and and back away from this idea of the four lane freeway,” Watts said.
To increase safety on the road, Watts suggested adding more rumble strips on the sides of the road, cutting down more trees to improve visibility, and creating wider shoulders so people can pull over.
