Tuesday 052323

An accident on 100 south near the Jerome Cheese Company left a Wendell man with serious injuries.  Police say the 38 year old was westbound early yesterday morning when he exited the vehicle while it was in motion.  The pickup came to rest against a nearby fence.  The driver was air lifted for treatment. 

The Idaho DEQ has lived the burn ban that was in place for much of southern Idaho over the weekend.  At last check the air quality is listed as good. 

Three different Idaho state agencies are moving forward with the second phase of a long-term project to create a network of electric vehicle charging stations situated every 50 miles on or near major Idaho highways.  Over five years, Idaho will receive about $29 million in federal funding. ITD officials say there has been a 269 percent increase in electric vehicle and hybrid ownership in Idaho. 

Bryan Kohberger, the 28 year old man accused of stabbing and killing four University of Idaho students last year stood silent during his plea yesterday.  A "not guilty" plea was entered on his behalf.

As more than 42 million Americans including 241,000 Idahoans head out for Memorial Day weekend, filling up the gas tank won’t be nearly as painful as last year.  According to AAA, Idaho’s average price for a gallon of regular is $3.76 two cents more than a week ago and 12 cents more than a month ago, but 87 cents less than a year ago.  The national average currently at $3.54 per gallon.

Thomas Rowley, the man convicted of murdering his four-month-old son Milo in 2020, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.  He was convicted in March of 2023 for shaking and dropping Milo face first in his crib. In court it was revealed that Rowley waited at least four hours before calling for help.

Boise State University officials say they have established the Institute for Microelectronics Education and Research.  It’s an effort they say to prepare students for careers in microelectronics and advance vital research.

WEATHER

Today:  A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming west northwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tonight:  Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday:  A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday Night:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 9 mph in the evening.

Thursday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind 10 to 16 mph.

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

Friday:  A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.

Friday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Saturday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 74.

Saturday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Sunday:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

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

Memorial Day:  A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.

Monday 052223

Another portion of a Blaine county sub division has been evacuated because of rising waters in the Wood River because of melting snow.  Eight homes along Gin Ridge Road in the Gimlet subdivision south of Ketchum were told to leave Saturday.  Now residents along Wilderness drive have been told they could be next.

Friday afternoon the Idaho DEQ issued a air quality advisory for most all of Southern Idaho.  The order means no open burning will be allowed.  An update is expected to be released this afternoon.

Idaho Governor Brad Little has ordered the Idaho State police to support the State of Texas efforts to secure the boarder.  The governor said the effort is also designed to improve the states ability to curb the illegal drugs that would come to Idaho.  In addition, Governor Little will travel to Weslaco, Texas to fly over hot spots for illegal border crossings.

Jerome county commissioner John Crozier has notified Chairman Ben Crouch that he plans to resign from the board.  Commissioner Crozier said it was for Health and personal reasons. The central committee will meet Wednesday to select up to 3 names as a potential replacement.

A federal judge on Friday denied a motion filed by Ammon Bundy to move proceedings in St. Luke's lawsuit against him to federal court.   In his petition earlier this month, Bundy argued the case should be moved to federal court because people involved in the case live in different states, and the matter exceeds $75,000.

The Gooding Police department is asking the public for help in locating a man who has been missing for a week.  58 year old Roger Drisel was last seen last Monday.  He was possibly spotted in the Rock Creek RV Park.  He may show signs of dementia or PTSD.

A Burley man is facing a charge of 1^st degree murder.  28 year old Antonio Gallegos is charged in the murder of Carl Yager who was shot in the back of his head last May.  Gallegos was in a Jerome courtroom Friday for his preliminary hearing.  Bond was set at a million dollars.

It’s arraignment day for Bryan Kohberger, the man suspected in the murders of four University of Idaho students.  If he pleads not guilty the judge will set a trial date.

WEATHER

Today:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. North wind 9 to 18 mph becoming west southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.

Tonight:  A 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 47. West southwest wind 7 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Tuesday:  A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Southwest wind around 8 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday Night:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday Night:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Thursday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.

Thursday Night:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Friday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.

Friday Night:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Saturday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.

Saturday Night:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Sunday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 74.

Friday 051923

The State Board of Education has endorsed the University of Idaho’s $550 million plan to purchase the University of Phoenix, a for-profit, online behemoth serving some 85,000 students.  Voting unanimously, the State Board endorsed a resolution allowing the U of I to set up a nonprofit to take over the University of Phoenix’s operations, dubbed New U Inc. The resolution also gives the go-ahead on a financing plan for the purchase, which the U of I hopes to complete by early 2024.

The man shot by police during a standoff in Kimberly earlier this week died from his injuries.  The 45 year old male failed to comply to police commands after they attempted to serve a warrant at a home in the 300 block of Fafnir drive.

Idaho has its first female U.S District Judge.  Amanda Brailsford took the oath earlier this week following senate confirmation and President Biden’s signature.  Brailsford was raised in Hagerman.

Police have issued an amber alert for a 2-year-old boy who they say was taken by his non-custodial father yesterday.  Police in Nampa said they were looking for the boy and 36 year old Rodolfo Reyes. Police said Rudy Reyes was taken from a yard.  The boy was last seen at a gas station in Nampa.  Reyes is described as having tattoos on his head, face and neck.  He may be headed to Oregon.  The search is on for a 2008 Grey Lexis.

The Region Four Economic Development group has set their sites for more facelift projects in Southern Idaho.  The beautification project money is for cities that want to complete a project but don’t have the funding. 

Two people have been charged with firing a gun inside a victim’s home and attempted robbery.  28 year old Onnally Suzan Taylor and 50 Year old Keith McConnell allegedly entered a residence on Harmony road in Twin Falls demanding money.  When the victim refused they began firing a gun in the home and then at a vehicle police say.

A Boise Police officer has been charged with DUI.  Casey Hancuff was stopped by Eagle Police while he was off duty on Highway 44 and received a misdemeanor citation early Monday morning.  The field sobriety tests indicated he had a .111 blood alcohol content which is well above legal limits.  One of Hancuff's main focuses was impaired driving education and enforcement. He reportedly made over 3500 DUI arrests.

WEATHER

Today:  Widespread haze. Sunny, with a high near 82. East wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight:  Widespread haze. Mostly clear, with a low around 53. East wind 6 to 8 mph.

Saturday:  Widespread haze. Sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.

Saturday Night:  Widespread haze. Mostly clear, with a low around 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight.

Sunday:  Sunny, with a high near 86. East wind 7 to 9 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Sunday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Monday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Breezy.

Monday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Tuesday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

Tuesday Night:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Wednesday:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.

Wednesday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Thursday:  A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

Thursday 051823

The Blaine County Sheriff’s office has ordered more homes to evacuate and the Big Wood River continues to overflow it’s banks.  Three more homes in the Della View subdivision in Hailey have been told to leave.  The department has also placed homes in the Gimlet area on pre-evacuation alert.  As of this morning the weather service has issued 5 flood warning and watches in the area.

Whether it’s a promise or a threat, Kroger’s CEO isn’t mincing words: he will take his hunt for Albertsons to court, if need be.  Rodney McMullen’s deal to buy Albertsons has faced many hurdles in the months. In an interview last week, he let it be known the two companies agreed to go litigate if the government decides to block the $25 billion combination.

Prescribed burns in several ranger districts in Idaho’s Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests will continue this week as weather and conditions allow.  After postponing the projects due to forecasted high winds over Mother’s Day weekend, local fire personnel are preparing to treat multiple prescribed fire projects now that favorable conditions are forecasted this week.

A grand jury has indicted a man who was already charged in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, allowing prosecutors to skip a planned week-long preliminary hearing that was set for late June.  Bryan Kohberger was arrested late last year and charged with burglary and four counts of first-degree murder in connection with the Nov. 13, 2022, killings of four university of Idaho students at a rental home near the school’s campus.

The best view of outer space in Idaho will be from Mountain Home when a new observatory opens June 1^st.  Bruneau Dunes State Park Observatory added a second telescope. The Legislature allocated nearly $165 million in capital and operating funds for the Idaho Parks and Recreation Department. The telescope is among the new projects.

The skies are starting to turn hazy in the area due to wildfire smoke that is moving south from Canada and Western Montana.  According to NASA, fires have already burned 10 times the average area for this time of year.

WEATHER

Today:  Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm.

Tonight:  Mostly clear, with a low around 54. North wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east after midnight.

Friday:  Sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 7 to 11 mph.

Friday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 54. East wind 6 to 8 mph.

Saturday:  Sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 8 mph.

Saturday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 55.

Sunday:  Sunny, with a high near 87.

Sunday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.

Monday:  A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Breezy.

Monday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Breezy.

Tuesday:  Sunny, with a high near 79.

Tuesday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Wednesday:  A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Wednesday 051723

A Kimberly man was shot by authorities in Kimberly.  The incident happened Monday afternoon just before 5 when deputies attempted to serve a protection order to a 45 year old Kimberly man on Fafnir Drive.  A standoff followed resulting in the armed man being shot.  He was critically injured and airlifted for treatment. 

A mandatory flood evacuation order has been issued for the Della View subdivision in Hailey.  Residents in a portion of War Eagle Drive were told to leave yesterday afternoon and will not be allowed to return until the danger has passed. 

Voters in the Hagerman school district passed a 400 thousand per year for five hear plant facility levy yesterday.  It will raise taxes about 102 dollars per 100-thouand dollars of taxable assessed value a year.  Voters in Burley approved the library levy.

Tuition is rising at Idaho’s four-year universities and colleges.  The Idaho State Board of Education approved a five percent increase in undergraduate tuition for Boise State University, University of Idaho, and Idaho State University. Lewis-Clark State College is rising by 5.6%.  The last time the board raised tuition was in 2019.

New court filings in the case of Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of murdering four University of Idaho students last year, show how much evidence police have collected for the prosecution.  They say over 10 thousand photos, 92 hundred tips, and 51 terabytes of digital evidence has been presented.

If you received cash in a transaction at a couple of Nampa hardware stores you may need to speak with the Nampa Police Department.  The department says several fake $20 bills went into circulation at the Nampa Lowe's last Thursday and at the Nampa Home Depot on Friday. The suspect, in this case, was arrested by the Meridian Police Department.

WEATHER

Wednesday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Light and variable wind becoming west northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 52. West wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable.

Thursday:  Sunny, with a high near 78. East wind 6 to 8 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.

Thursday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 54. West northwest wind 7 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight.

Friday:  Sunny, with a high near 82.

Friday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 56.

Saturday:  Sunny, with a high near 84.

Saturday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 58.

Sunday:  A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Sunny, with a high near 84.

Sunday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Monday:  A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

Monday Night:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Tuesday:  A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

Tuesday 051623

Today is Election Day in Idaho.  Blaine County is asking voters if they support the reallocation of funds to the existing one percent local option tax.  Cassia county voters will decide on a Burley public library override levy.  The Hagerman School district is hoping to pass a plant facility levy.

The College of southern Idaho has named Dr. Joshua Kern to fill the unexpired Board seat of Jack Nelson who stepped down last year. 

Idaho state revenues beat forecasts during the most important tax month of the year, April, which could leave the state with an extra $10.3 million for property tax reductions as long as revenues meet or beat forecasts during the next two months.  If revenues hit the forecast for May and June, the state would end the fiscal year June 30 with a balance of $426.6 million.

There is a boil water advisory in place this morning for the city of Eden.  The city said they will drop the water pressure around 8 am to make a repair.

Another fire season is approaching and BLM Idaho is asking for your help to prevent human-caused fires. A Fire Prevention Order has been issued through October 20th making it illegal to use fireworks, exploding targets, steel component ammunition, tracer ammunition, shooting at steel or ferrous material targets or burn explosive materials on BLM-managed lands in Idaho.

The Joslin Field 75th Anniversary Celebration Air Show is about a month away.  The airshow is Saturday June 17th, the day before father’s day.

With Memorial Day Weekend starting Thursday May 25^th for some, Triple A is predicting that 42 point 3 million Americans will travel on the roads.  That’s 2-point 7 million more than a year ago.  In Idaho that number will be 241 thousand. 

New tenants are planning to move in to the old Bed Bath and Beyond Building near the canyon rim in Twin Falls.  Natural Grocers will have a second location in the magic valley and will be the sixth in Idaho.  They plan to open their doors this fall.

WEATHER

Today:  Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable.

Tonight:  A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east southeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. West wind 6 to 9 mph becoming east southeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Thursday:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Friday:  Sunny, with a high near 83.

Friday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 56.

Saturday:  Sunny, with a high near 86.

Saturday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 58.

Sunday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 86.

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

Monday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.