Category: kifi-local-news

Seth Ratliff

MADISON COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in finding a runaway juvenile, 16-year-old Stetson Reeves, who has been missing for two days.

Reeves was last seen on May 9, 2026, at around 2:30 p.m in Sugar City. He was wearing camouflage pants, an unknown-colored shirt, and sunglasses.

If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at 208-372-5001.

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Danielle Mullenix

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — Big changes are coming to a major intersection in Island Park. Installation of the area’s first traffic signal is underway at the intersection of U.S. 20 and Yale-Kilgore Road, America’s longest main street.

Crews were given the green light Monday to begin installing the new light, a project designed to improve safety and keep traffic moving in the area.

The traffic signal marks a significant change for Island Park, coming after years of public input and traffic data highlighted the need for safety upgrades. The Idaho Transportation Department expects the installation to take about two weeks, with the majority of the work occurring off the roadway. However, drivers should anticipate periodic lane reductions and short traffic stops as the lights are being installed.

For more information on the project and long-term planning for the US-20 Island Park corridor from Ashton to the junction of State Highway 87, click HERE.

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Maile Sipraseuth

CUSTER COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — A hiker is recovering after being caught in an avalanche near Mount Borah on Sunday, May 10th. The injured individual was rescued and airlifted to a hospital for immediate medical care.

The Custer County Sheriff’s Office received a call just before 2:45 p.m. regarding an injured hiker in the area. Search and rescue crews responded after learning the hiker had been caught in an avalanche and suffered multiple injuries.

The Idaho National Guard’s Talon 96 helicopter team performed a hoist rescue to reach the hiker. Crews were able to airlift the person to an ambulance waiting in Mackay for medical care. Life Flight Network then transported the hiker to a hospital for further treatment.

The Sheriff’s Office is now reminding people heading into the backcountry this season to be prepared.

“As the recreation season goes in to full swing, we would like to remind everyone to be prepared, travel in groups and carry a device such as a Garmin to help notify us in case things go wrong,” stated CCSO in a Facebook post.

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Maile Sipraseuth

CUSTER COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho State University community is mourning Scott Robbins, a student and Meridian native, who lost his life in a kayaking accident earlier this month.

According to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Robbins became trapped under logs while kayaking with a group of friends on Marsh Creek.

RELATED: Kayaker dies after becoming trapped in Marsh Creek

Despite the rapid response of his group, who worked to recover him and perform CPR, and the efforts of emergency responders, Robbins was unable to be revived.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Robbins had worked as a lead guide for Adventure Idaho Rafting in the summer of 2025. The company described him in an Instagram post as one of its biggest personalities.

Scott Robbins, Courtesy Adventure Idaho via Instagram

“If you knew Scott, you probably heard him before you saw him. He was the guy sprinting toward the camera, yelling something ridiculous through a megaphone, turning strangers into friends, and making every trip more alive,” states the post.

His former coworkers also expressed their grief through the post, saying, “Our hearts are with Jeff, Stephanie, and the entire Robbins family. Thank you for raising such an extraordinary son.”

While at school, Robbins studied Finance and Marketing. Fellow students at the university described him as a “kind, well-loved friend and peer” who loved the outdoors.

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KIVI Staff

By: Allie Triepke

Originally Posted 9:04 PM, May 09, 2026

NAMPA, Idaho — Kaylee Jade Dahlia Day, held at Franz Witte, highlighted a newly bred flower created in Goncalves’ memory while raising funds and awareness for the Kaylee Goncalves Foundation, also known as ‘Murder Has a Name.’

The flower features bright pink and purple tones and was developed by Oregon dahlia hybridizer Rosie Cooper-Vert.

“I felt it in my heart, and I knew it was going to be a beautiful day,” said Kristi Goncalves, Kaylee’s mother.

Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were killed in the 2022 University of Idaho murders in Moscow. Since then, the Goncalves family has become vocal advocates for victims and their families.

The foundation aims to help families find answers in violent crime cases by helping fund DNA testing and other forensic resources when law enforcement agencies may not have the financial means available.

“Murder is not a friendly word. Murder is a hard word to talk about,” Kristi Goncalves said. “But that’s the truth, and that’s how we got here, Kaylee being murdered.”

She said the family hopes donations will help provide answers to others waiting for progress in investigations.

“Every penny donated is going to that cause, to help family after family after family find answers,” Goncalves said. “Not having those answers for seven weeks was far too long. I can’t imagine how families feel when they’ve waited years.”

The Goncalves family said Saturday’s event also served as a reminder of the support surrounding their mission.

“This is what community looks like,” Steve Goncalves said. “People planned all this, organized this, and worked on signs and artwork.”

RELATED | ‘Everlasting hug’: Community creates quilt in memory of Kaylee Goncalves

Cooper-Vert said all proceeds from Kaylee Jade Dahlia sales are being donated directly to the foundation.

“Over 200 were sold over the winter, so Kaylee Jade will be seeing sunrises and sunsets all over the nation,” Cooper-Vert said. “It’s pretty amazing to think that she might be in places she dreamed to be.”

For more information and ways to donate, check out the Kaylee Goncalves Foundation.

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Falls Farmers Market returned Saturday with hundreds of people filling Memorial Drive to shop local food, handmade products and small businesses from across eastern Idaho.

The market’s return comes after a week of changes within the organization’s leadership. Vendors and shoppers said they were happy to see the market continue and remain focused on the community.

“There was fresh food, handmade art and live music,” said Landon Knowles, the new president of the Idaho Falls Farmers Market board. “We really love this community and all the vendors that have built up this market for a long time.”

Throughout the market, vendors sold a wide variety of products ranging from homemade cheese and goat milk products to Hawaiian shave ice, locally made hot sauces and pizza inspired by music.

For some vendors, the farmers market has become more than just a place to sell products. Many said it has become an important part of their connection to the community and the foundation of their small businesses.

Alydia Grover, a BYU-Idaho student and owner of Sunnydell Ceramics, said the market helped her grow her business after joining as a young vendor several years ago.

“I’ve been here for about five years now, and they took me on when I was brand new and kind of a rookie,” Grover said.

Kaycee Salmond with Burger Smithy said the market continues to bring strong community support for local businesses.

“We love it here at the market. We love the community. It’s been great. It’s always a good turnout,” Salmond said.

Knowles said the new board’s goal is to continue supporting vendors and keeping the market moving forward throughout the summer season.

The Idaho Falls Farmers Market runs every Saturday along Memorial Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the summer months.

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Seth Ratliff

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — An early morning crash has stalled traffic on I-84 Westbound north of Hagerman. According to the Idaho Transportation Department, the crash happened near milepost 156 around 9:36 a.m. Monday morning, May 11.

All lanes are currently blocked. Details regarding the nature of the crash remain limited. Authorities have not yet confirmed the number of vehicles involved or any potential injuries.

Travelers heading in that direction may need to take an alternate route. For traffic and closure updates, click HERE.

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Maile Sipraseuth

RIRIE, Idaho (KIFI)— A Ririe man is in custody after reports of shots being fired Friday night, May 8th, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Dispatchers received multiple calls just before 9:30 p.m. reporting gunshots in the area of 1st East in Ririe.

Deputies responded to the area and took 35-year-old Isreal Joel Hughes into custody without incident. The motive remains unknown, and the investigation is still ongoing.

One minor injury was reported.

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Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — At Moreland Elementary in Blackfoot, there’s someone so special she no longer goes by Mrs. Ramos, but rather, Grandma Ramos. For over a decade, Adela Ramos has been a familiar face—helping students learn and making the kids and staff feel like she’s family.

One student smiled as he said, “I love that she’s always really nice.” Another chimed in, “I like it when she reads with me.”

But more than that, Grandma Ramos is a warm, smiling presence who helps them feel seen and loved, as any good grandma does. And like the quintessential grandma who always has a sweet to hand out, she even gives Starbursts to students—not just to the ones who get the answers right, but to everyone she works with.

How It All Began

Grandma Ramos works through the “Adopt-a-Grandparent” program. She remembers how nervous she was to try it out. It took some convincing from a friend.

“I was scared,” Ramos admits. “But I said, okay, I’ll try it. And I’ve been here for a little over 15 years—and I love it.”

Now, she spends her days working with kindergarteners and first graders—turning lessons into games and building connections that last far beyond the classroom.

Her co-worker, teacher Carrie Godinez, gushes, “She’s a gem. She just brings a light everywhere she goes…the smiles, the hugs, just the love she brings to everybody.”

Local Celebrity

That love transcends learning and makes her memorable for years to come—making her almost like a local celebrity in Blackfoot.

Ramos recounts, “When you go to Walmart, and this big kid comes up and says, ‘Oh, hi, Grandma!’ and gives you a hug, then you think, oh my gosh, I can’t believe they’re all grown up.”

Sometimes, the payoff comes immediately. Ramos still recalls a touching moment she’s never forgotten.

“This little boy gave me an envelope… with just some pennies and nickels… and he wrote, ‘I hope this will help you.’ I still have that. I’ll never forget that.”

Moments like that are why she keeps coming back.

“It makes me feel good. I feel excited when I come into work,” Ramos says with a big smile on her face.

More Volunteers Are Needed

The volunteer coordinator, Cheiska Motloch, is hoping Ramos’ example will inspire others to help.

“We have a lot of places where we can put volunteers… we just don’t have enough right now.”

Grandma Ramos wholeheartedly recommends it. “It’s a lot of fun… and it gets you out of the house… and it makes you feel so much better.”

Motloch notes that the program works with anyone’s schedule and comfort level—whether that means helping younger children or older students. You don’t need a teaching background, either. Volunteers come from all kinds of careers and life experiences.

The Adopt-a-Grandparent program needs help across 24 counties, from Twin Falls to Teton Valley. If you’re interested, you can find out more about the program HERE.

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Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — The Upper Valley SAFE Initiative aims to protect families on the internet.

They recently held a free workshop with the Rexburg Police where they gave tips for protecting children online.

In case you missed the workshop, or haven’t heard of this non-profit before, the co-founders came in the studio to share their mission and best tips.

You can find out more about their mission, or learn more tips on their Facebook.

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