Category: kifi-local-news

Stephanie Lucas

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Mayor Brian Blad provided updates on the police shooting that led to the death of 17-year-old Victor Perez of Pocatello for the first time since the teen was taken off life support.

As part of the Mayor’s update, the City of Pocatello released the video timeline, 911 call, transcript of 911 call, dispatch, audio, and nearby surveillance camera video related to the incident. The information will be on the city website and social media pages.

“There are still many questions that we cannot answer because the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force and others are completing their investigations, and there will be and there is now pending litigation,” said Mayor Blad.

The move comes after a prominent California-based civil rights firm, known for representing Rodney King in his case against Los Angeles Police officers, filed a wrongful death and civil rights violation claim against the city on behalf of the family of Victor Perez. For more information, click HERE.

Mayor Blad reiterated that some questions cannot be answered at this time due to the ongoing investigation by the East Idaho Critical Incident Task Force and the pending litigation against the city.

Pocatello’s Police Chief Roger Schei also spoke. He said he recognizes how deeply the event has impacted the city, community, state, and nation.

“I can only imagine the people that witnessed this event, what they may be going through. And how difficult it may be for them,” said Schei. “My thoughts are with them.”

Blad expressed his hope that the city would be able to move forward.

“I recognize it’s going to take a very long time for our community to heal from this,” said Blad. “If we ever really, truly heal from this. But it is also my belief that as we work together, we will indeed build a stronger Pocatello.”

The Pocatello City Council meeting was packed with people wanting to be heard regarding the Victor Perez shooting, and Mayor Blad wanted to make sure everyone had that opportunity.

Those who stood to speak didn’t hold back.

“Full stop. Victor did not pose a credible threat to the police. The police are wholly responsible for the escalation of the situation, and the blame is on their shoulders for each of the rounds fired at Victor, the failure, the failure of all four police officers to rationally assess the situation and not just roll in with weapons drawn. Demonstrates to me and all members of this community that this inch, that this issue is endemic across the department,” a Idaho State University student said.

“I am proposing that we follow in places like Utah and Boise that allow for the police department to work with other mental health organizations to help train officers about mental disabilities and more de escalation tactics other than just drawing a gun and shooting,” another person said.

Sam Ross

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– Holy Spirit Catholic School invites the community to their annual K-5 student Easter play on April 25.

The play is an annual school tradition for over 30 years now, but this is only the second year the entire student body is participating, and school leaders are inviting the community.

“When you watch children presenting this play, it gives you hope,” said Margie Gabiola, principal of Holy Spirit Catholic School. “When you see the kids that are playing the disciples and playing Mary and Jesus, you’re filled with this hope, and it’s the best story ever–the story doesn’t end with Jesus dying, the story is that he’s resurrected.”

Principal Gabiola said the play is a joint effort from all students and staff at the school, and the performance highlights the school’s focus on creating well-rounded students versed in the fine arts.

The play will be on Friday, April 25, from 10:30 to 11 am at Saint Anthony’s Chapel in Pocatello. For more information, you can visit the Holy Spirit Catholic School website.

Noah Farley

FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Fremont County emergency responders have responded to an alarming number of wildfires since the beginning of the month.

In total, there have been 25 wildfires in Fremont County between April 1 – 16. Four of them alone happened on the same day, April 15.

In response, Fremont County officials are working to get the word out about burning safety and fire restrictions.

Most of the fires were caused by controlled burns that were either left alone or grew because of the wind. One firefighter was hurt during one of the recent fires and had to be taken to the hospital.

Fremont County usually sees only five to ten wildfires this time of year.

“But this year, there’s been a lot of people burning and they haven’t paid attention to the weather forecast to see if there’s going to be winds or they’re just burning something that they’re not able to control,” said Fremont County Fire Marshal, Keith Richey.

Richey says people need to get a permit before doing a controlled burn and use common sense. If their fire gets out of hand, they need to call the fire department before it gets even worse.

Seth Ratliff

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – 72-year-old Bruce Hauber of American Falls is sentenced to 5 years of probation for stealing over $129,000 from the American Falls Housing Authority (AFHA). The news comes from the Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.

Between 2019 and 2023, Hauber was responsible for paying bills, managing rent, and handling the authority’s bank accounts.

But instead of sticking to official business, prosecutors say Hauber started using AFHA credit cards for personal purchases. According to court records, Hauber used the cards to pay for meals, airplane tickets, utilities for his home, medical expenses, and purchases at retailers.

“Hauber deliberately orchestrated a fraudulent scheme to embezzle more than $125,000 in federal funds designated to provide housing assistance for elderly and disabled residents in American Falls, Idaho—a community of roughly, 4,500 people,” said Special Agent in Charge Machelle Jindra with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “The theft was especially harmful given the limited resources available to support the community. HUD OIG remains committed to working alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement and oversight partners to aggressively pursue individuals who compromise the integrity of HUD programs and exploit communities in need.”

To conceal the embezzlement, Hauber wrote fictitious checks to venders and entered the checks into AFHA’s internal accounting system, say prosecutors.

“Our office will vigorously investigate and prosecute cases involving theft of public money,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott. “Bruce Hauber stole from the American taxpayer and deprived American Falls residents vital public housing funds.”

As part of his sentence, Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye ordered Hauber to pay back $79,000 in restitution. The judge also sentenced Hauber to eight months of home detention with location monitoring as a condition of probation.

Ariel Jensen

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – The deadline to file your taxes has passed, and the 2025 tax season is winding down. Financial experts tell Local News 8 it’s been a pretty standard tax season.

People using direct deposit can expect to see their returns in their bank account 5 to 10 business days after processing.

Checks will usually take a bit longer to arrive. If you missed the deadline, you can still file your taxes without penalty if you’re expecting a return.

If you do owe money, financial experts suggest that you take immediate action, and late filing penalties can be expected. 

“The biggest problem that we have is people that start new businesses. A lot of people aren’t aware that partnership and corporation returns are actually due on March 15th. And so every year we get several people that come in here that have started new leases or new partnerships or corporations after March 15th, and they’re already late,” said Brett Zollinger, CPA at Sutton & Simmons PLLC.

The next tax deadline is for nonprofits that have a regular calendar year end, and that’s May 15th.

Ariel Jensen

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) – The Rexburg Soup Kitchen has been open for just over three weeks, and organizers say it is already benefiting more people than expected.

The organization is serving 100 meals on average to people in need each week.

Organizers say they’ve also been delighted by the sheer number of people who have volunteered to help. They say they’ll have volunteers booked till late May or early June.

“I have been amazed at the variety of circumstances that people come from. We’ve had senior citizens, we’ve had young adults. We’ve had single parents with young children, just a variety of people coming in, and it’s great to see the entire community coming in. For those who need help, and we’re happy to help whoever with whatever we can do for them, if possible,” said Co-founder of the Rexburg soup kitchen, Margo Merrill.

Seth Ratliff

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – One of the men charged in connection with the February 2024 shooting at Compass Academy in Idaho Falls has changed his initial plea.

20-year-old Gabriel Perkins pleaded guilty Wednesday to Voluntary Manslaughter in the death of Alex Barber and Aggravated Battery in the shooting of an Idaho Falls man at the Compass Academy in Idaho Falls, in February 2024. 

Under a plea agreement, the parties will recommend that Perkins face up to 40 years in prison, according to Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Neal.

Perkins is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Dane H. Watkins, Jr., on June 17, 2025.

The plea agreement was reached through mediation, which involved the surviving victim and the victims’ families, Neal told Local News 8.

Perkins had initially pleaded not guilty after being indicted by a Bonneville County Grand Jury in March of 2024.

Charges are still pending against two other defendants for the events that occurred during the confrontation between over 10 individuals in a parking lot behind the school. For more information, click HERE.