Friday 060923

A judge overseeing the case against Bryan Kohberger, charged with killing four University of Idaho students last fall, is set to hear arguments today over a gag order that largely bars attorneys and other parties in the case from speaking with news reporters.  A coalition of more than 30 media organizations has challenged the order, saying it violates the Constitution’s guarantees of free speech, as has a lawyer for one of the victim’s families. But prosecutors and the defendant’s lawyers insist it’s needed to prevent prejudicial news coverage that could damage Kohberger’s right to a fair trial. Kohberger is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary in connection with the stabbing deaths in Moscow on Nov. 13, 2022.

A flood warning remains in effect for parts of Blaine County.  The warning extends through next Saturday June 17^th. 

U of I ag experts say there has been some serious damage from the recent hail storms that passed through the area.  Winter wheat and Barley crops have been shredded and now a snow mold fungus has set in. 

Some wildland firefighters from Idaho have been sent to Canada to fight fires.  Currently, 283 federal firefighters and support personal from 14 crews are deployed in Canada.  Idaho firefighters make up a chunk of that numbers. Of the wildland firefighters deployed to Canada, 24 are from the Boise Hotshot Crew, 22 are from the Idaho City Hotshot Crew, and 19 firefighters are from the Snake River Hotshots. Idaho has also sent 4 overhead crews.

35 year old Esmeralda Ahumada of Caldwell was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years for the second-degree murder of her step-grandfather. Ahumada was arrested in August of 2022. When interviewed by police, Ahumada admitted to the shooting, indicating it was to end the sexual abuse she had been enduring since childhood.

This weekend it’s Filer fun days.  It all starts with a fish fry Friday at 5.  A community breakfast Saturday morning at 7 at the Fairgrounds.  The Parade begins at 11.  There is a concert with Bryon Hildreth in the afternoon and Copperhead at 7.  Fireworks cap the fun starting at 10:15. 

WEATHER

Today:  Showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. High near 76. South southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming east in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tonight:  A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light.

Saturday:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Sunday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Light and variable wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the morning.

Sunday Night:  Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Monday:  A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Monday Night:  A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday:  A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Wednesday:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Wednesday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Breezy.

Thursday:  A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.

Thursday 060823

Several school districts in the gem state are seeing their superintendents do the shuffle. Matt Valadao, a long-time English teacher in the Bliss school district, will take over as superintendent on July 1. He replaces Kevin Lancaster, who is retiring.  David Carson, Buhl’s superintendent, is set to take the helm for Gooding school district on July 1. He replaces Spencer Larsen, who took a superintendent position at Minidoka County school district.  Ryan Nesmith, the principal at Twin Falls High, will become Twin Falls School District’s next associate superintendent.  In Minidoka Rick Parker was appointed as interim superintendent on Feb. 2 after “a separation agreement was reached” with former Superintendent James Ramsey.

Rent is expensive and renters continue to pay more.  In Idaho since 2020, rent has gone up an average of $475 a month.  That's a 41 percent increase in three years. That ranks Idaho fourth in the nation for the biggest increase in that span. That's even with rent going down a little in the past few months.

Idaho’s average wage reached $24.69 per hour last year.  That hourly average is 7% higher than it was in 2021.  The median wage rose about 4% from 2021, to $19.26 per hour in 2022. Half of Idahoans were paid less than the median; half were paid more.

Idaho Power is preparing to renew its license to operate its most important hydroelectric sources for the next 50 years: the three Hells Canyon dams.  Built in the 1950s and ‘60s, the three dams Brownlee, Oxbow and Hells Canyon are located along the Idaho-Oregon border in the Snake River. The cost of implementing the new measures will cost Idaho Power $1 billion dollars over the next 50 years.

The Leading Idaho Local Bridge Program is set to usher in a new era of opportunity for small contractors across the state. The program, established at a 2020 legislative session, the Idaho Local Highway Technical Assistance Council received $200 million in state funding for poor condition bridges.

This Saturday, Idahoans can Fish for Free.  Anglers will not be required to have a fishing license on June 10, though still have to follow all of the other rules.  Fish and Game will host statewide events to help beginners get started.

WEATHER

Today:  Scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tonight:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South southwest wind 8 to 13 mph becoming light south after midnight.

Friday:  A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. High near 77. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. West southwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming light southwest after midnight.

Saturday:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Saturday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Sunday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

Sunday Night:  A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday:  A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Monday Night:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Tuesday:  A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.

Tuesday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Wednesday:  A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Wednesday 060723

Two people have been arrested following the death of Gooding resident Roger Driesel.  50 year old Athena Miller and 31 year old Nick James will be arraigned in court today.  Police say Driesel was killed as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. 

Jerome county prosecuting attorney Christopher Brad Calbo is in an Oregon jail facing felony charges of strangulation and coercion.  Bail was set at 500-thousand dollars.  Calbo was appointed as Jerome’s prosecuting attorney last fall when former Prosecuting Attorney Mike Seib resigned from the position.

There’s no splashing going on at one of the more popular Twin Falls Splash pads.  The sunway soccer complex pad had to be turned off so the company who built the pad could fix some rather serious damage.

Police say one person died last night following a crash on trail creek road in Blaine County.  A 47-year-old male of Orem, Utah, was driving southwest on Trail Creek Road in a Mercedes sedan with a 39-year-old female passenger from Vineyard, Utah. The vehicle went off the right shoulder, overcorrected, went down an embankment off the left shoulder and rolled.  The woman died at the scene.

The woman found guilty of murdering her two children and conspiring to murder her husband's former wife has asked for a new trial, citing "confusing" jury instructions.  On May 25, her defense attorneys filed a motion in Fremont County court asking for a new trial.  In the motion they cite an interview with a juror in the case days after the verdict.   They say this interview makes it clear that jurors were confused about demonstrative evidence versus character evidence in the shooting of Charles Vallow.

38 year old Afton Gailfus of Twin Falls is facing manslaughter charges for her involvement in a March crash that killed a motorcyclist.  Officials say she failed to yield to a motorcycle driven by 25 Dylan Wormsbaker of Twin Falls.  The accident happened at Martin Street and Shoup Avenue in Twin Falls.    The woman tested positive for methamphetamine.

WEATHER

Today:  Scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tonight:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind 5 to 9 mph.

Thursday:  A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. South southwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light south southeast after midnight.

Friday:  A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming east in the morning.

Friday Night:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Saturday:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.

Saturday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Sunday:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Sunday Night:  A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday:  Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday Night:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Tuesday:  A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.

Tuesday 060623

Police are investigating an accident in Jerome that claimed the life of a two  year old boy yesterday afternoon just before 2.  The accident happened near Jefferson School on North Fillmore.  A 72 year old female of Jerome was southbound when the juvenile ran into the roadway near 6^th street. 

Some Heyburn residents are joining together with warnings that if elected officials take no action over the fatal shooting of two dogs they will be held accountable.  Heyburn Police say the dogs were uncontrollable and could have caused an accident.  The officer has been placed on administrative leave. 

Jerome resident Levi Popplewell could spend 20 years in prison on Child sexual abuse charges.  He was sentenced in District court.  He also must pay fines and court costs.  He will also be required to register as a sex offender and have no contact with the victim for ten years. 

More and more Idaho students are habitually missing class. Last school year, more than 60,000 Idaho students or 21 percent were chronically absent and that’s up from 15% in the 2020-2021 school year, when many schools resorted to remote or hybrid learning due to the pandemic.   Those 60,000 students missed 10% or more of the school year or about 16 days or more of missed classes.  Twin Falls was 8^th in the state or 19 percent which was a 1-percent increase over last year.

Financial analyst S&P Global says it still believes the deal for Kroger to buy Albertsons will ultimately go through but the companies will have to give up more than they initially thought.  The deal has a cap of 650 divested stores. If regulators require Albertsons and Kroger to shed more than that, the parties could walk away from the deal.

According to AAA, today’s average price for a gallon of regular in the Gem State is $3.89, which is six cents more than a week ago and 13 cents more than a month ago.  AAA also reports that the current price is $1 per gallon cheaper than a year ago.  The national average is $3.55 per gallon, a three-cent drop from a week ago and a penny less than a month ago.  Today, Idaho ranks 9th in the country for most expensive fuel.

WEATHER

Today:  Isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some storms could be severe, with hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight:  Scattered showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South southeast wind 11 to 16 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday:  Scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. East southeast wind around 6 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night:  Isolated showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. West southwest wind around 7 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night:  A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday:  A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Saturday:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Saturday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Sunday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.

Sunday Night:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Monday:  Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday 060523

Chad Daybell who has been charged with murder, has a trial date set.  Chad will face a jury trial in Ada County on April 1 of next year.  His wife Lori Vallow Daybell was found guilty of murder earlier this year.  The trial could last through the end of May. 

Idaho Governor Brad Little has proclaimed this week as Summer Food Service program awareness week.  It’s designed to raise awareness about food insecurity in Idaho.  The program provides healthy food choices when school meal programs are not operating. Access to free summer meals and snacks will start today for all children in most community’s in southern Idaho.

In a recent study in what the Idaho education system can improve on for Hispanic students and parents, the group has found seven main aspects that Hispanic parents and students value about the education system in Idaho. The Here to Stay study began after researchers noticed a major gap in Hispanic populations at Idaho charter schools. The seven aspects include teaching the basics, staff to Child Ratio, social emotional help, teaching Spanish in Idaho Schools and paying for college.

A Boise man was arrested Friday night and booked into the Ada County Jail after he intentionally hit two people with his vehicle, killing a woman.  Police said 23-year-old Marion Nikichimus was involved in an altercation. Nikichimus reportedly used his vehicle to hit the woman and a man.  The woman died at a local hospital Friday night.

A small portion of Yellowstone National Park’s Northeast Entrance Road will be temporarily closed during evening hours on select days in early June to allow for construction.  The section of road in Lamar Canyon between Tower Junction and Lamar Valley will be closed from 7-9 p.m.

With federal COVID-19 relief money for Idaho's childcare industry running out this month, some local providers are adjusting their budgets to make ends meet.  Over the past three years, Idaho has received more than $300 million in relief money for care. About 3,600 individual employees also got $300.

WEATHER

Monday:  Sunny, with a high near 81. East northeast wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.

Monday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind 5 to 7 mph.

Tuesday Night:  A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. East southeast wind 6 to 9 mph becoming northwest in the evening.

Wednesday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.

Wednesday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.

Thursday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80.

Thursday Night:  A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday:  A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Saturday:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Saturday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Sunday:  A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.

Friday 060223

If Idaho Power’s request to the PUC is granted, customers will see an increase in their bill by about 11 dollars a month.  The utility has filed for a rate increase of 111-million dollars.  Any changes would not happen until January of next year. 

A new summer camp is on the horizon.  This one will be part of Camp Rainbow Gold who is expanding services for Hidden Paradise in Fairfield.  It’s the first medical camp in Idaho that will allow any child the opportunity to go to summer camp. 

Two eastern Idaho hospitals and their clinics are working to resume full operations after a cyberattack on their computer systems.  Officials with Idaho Falls Community Hospital said the attack happened Monday, causing some clinics to close, some ambulances to be diverted to nearby hospitals and their cafes to only accept cash. Mountain View Hospital, also located in Idaho Falls, was similarly affected by the computer virus.

The families of two transgender teenagers filed a lawsuit yesterday to block enforcement of Idaho’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors.  The ban was signed into law in April and scheduled to take effect in January 2024. It makes it a felony for doctors to provide puberty blockers, hormone treatment and surgery for minors only in cases in which it is to help align their bodies with their gender identities.

Heyburn officials have placed the officer who shot two dogs running along the freeway Saturday on administrative leave as they investigate the shooting.  Heyburn Police said when they arrived Saturday they found the dogs running on the interstate. Police reported officers whistled, called and shouted at the dogs after two people attempted to capture them.

The Idaho department of corrections is building a new dorm for men with updated philosophies in mind that will hopefully cut down on repeater rates.  The facility will feature things like dimming light switches and larger windows with a view.  All 152 men living there will also have a bit more privacy and more responsibilities like cooking, doing laundry and other chores. 

WEATHER

Today:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. West wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Tonight:  Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Southwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Saturday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind around 9 mph.

Saturday Night:  A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. West wind 5 to 9 mph becoming south after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday:  A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Light and variable wind becoming north northwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Monday:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Monday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Tuesday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Tuesday Night:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Wednesday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.

Wednesday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Thursday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.