Friday 052623

The date that Lori Vallow Daybell will learn her fate has been set.  She will be sentenced on July 31^st at 9 am at the Fremont County Courthouse in Saint Anthony.  The sentencing follows a six week trial that found her gulty of murder and conspiring to murder her son and daughter and her current husbands former wife.

With the smoke from the Canadian wildfires in the air, the Idaho Department of Lands reminds residents they can sign up for Wildfire Alerts on their smart devices.  By doing so, Idahoans will receive up to date info on wildfires.  Go to IDL dot IDAHO dot Gov for more info. 

The families of two of the victims who were killed in Moscow last November say they are filing a tort claim against the city of Moscow.  The notices are asking for an undetermined amount of money for damages caused after the deaths of both Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, who were found dead in the home at 1122 King Road.

Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise and Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Nampa have received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2023.  This is the Nampa hospital’s first time receiving the award, while Boise is a repeat recipient.  They are the only hospitals in Idaho, and among only 262 nationwide, to receive this honor.

With increased reports of coyote and Fox activity around Twin Falls, city officials are reminding everyone to take additional precautions with pets.  One of the easiest ways is keep your dog on a leash at all times when outside of a fenced residence.  There have been coyote sightings near Justice Grade, and another in a vacant lot near Fred Meyers. 

The U.S. Supreme Court in a major environmental decision yesterday overturned the EPA’s definition of wetlands, siding with an Idaho couple who’d said they should not be required to obtain federal permits to build on their property that lacked any navigable water.  All nine justices agreed to overturn the ruling that endorsed the Biden administration’s broad definition of waters of the United States.

WEATHER

Friday:  Scattered showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday Night:  Scattered showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday:  A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. South southwest wind 6 to 13 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. West wind 6 to 11 mph becoming south southeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.

Sunday:  A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

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

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

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

Tuesday:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

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

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

Wednesday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Thursday:  A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.

Thursday 052523

Weather is once again making headlines this morning.  Yesterday afternoon golf ball size hail was reported in parts of Rupert with heavy rain.  Several homes and cars were damaged.  Today there are several flood warnings in Blaine County.  There is also a flood advisory that was issued in Twin Falls where more rainfall is expected by early afternoon. 

Water levels on the Big Wood River are the highest they have been this year. They are expected to continue to increase through the weekend. The Northwest River Forecast Center is expecting river levels to exceed historical maximums for this time of year, especially on Saturday and Sunday. That means there will likely be more flooding impacts over Memorial Day weekend.

The Idaho DEQ is inviting public comment on a proposed settlement agreement after U.S. Silver allegedly violated the clean water act at Galena Mine.  Reportedly they discharged pollutants into Lake Creek near the city of Wallace.  U.S. Silver agreed to pay fines of $222,320 for past and continuing violations.

People should throw away chocolate chip cookie dough and s’mores bar dough from Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.  The dough has been linked to multiple Salmonella infections.  The health department said four people in southern and northern Idaho became ill, and one person hospitalized. There have been a total of 18 Salmonella infections associated with Papa Murphy's in six states, including Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Authorities in southern Idaho continue to search for a Gooding man who has been missing for now 11 days.  58 year old Roger Drisel disappeared On Monday May 15^th.  Contact the Gooding police or Sircomm at 324-1911 if you think you may have spotted him.

A Twin Falls man is facing charges of burglary after several vehicles were broken into early Monday.  21 year old Carlos Jose Lopez was taken into custody after police responded to a call of two males casing cars in the 1200 block of Park Meadows drive along with spray painting a car and a garage. 

WEATHER

Thursday:  Scattered showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night:  Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday:  Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 9am, then scattered showers between 9am and noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming south southwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday Night:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Saturday:  A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Sunday:  A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.

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

Memorial Day:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.

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

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

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

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

Wednesday 052423

Tensions between China and Micron continue to heat up.  The Chinese Government said this week it would not allow any company that produces “critical information infrastructure” in the communist nation to buy chips from Micron. China said the company was a “major security risk”.

Emergency 911 centers in Idaho are concerned with the increased amount of calls that are coming in that are just pocket dials or settings that need to be adjusted.  Part of the problem is Apple's relatively new crash detection feature, which calls 911 when a serious crash has been detected.  Problem is that it calls when the phone is dropped as well.   When the 911 operator can’t make contact with the caller, an officer is sent to the location. 

A judge issued a stark warning following Bryan Kohberger’s arraignment that the media has done “irreparable harm” to Kohberger’s case and could affect his right to a fair trial.  The judge said there’s a larger responsibility to the Sixth Amendment, the right to a speedy trial by an impartial jury.

The Blaine County Sheriff’s office has closed Warm Springs road to nonresidents because of flooding.  The Wood River continues to rise and there are several weather warnings that have been issued by the weather service to watch out for flooding.

The 38 year old Wendell man who was driving a pickup near the Jerome Cheese Company has died after he jumped out while the vehicle was still moving.  It happened early Monday morning.   

The state of Idaho will pay $1.2 million and allow a disability rights group to monitor how patients are treated at a state-run center for people with developmental disabilities. That agreement ends four years of litigation between the state and six families of vulnerable Idahoans who were abused, neglected or died at the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center in Nampa.

19 year old Sydney Gibson learned her fate from a police chase that ended with her boyfriend being shot and killed by police last August in Buhl.  She will be on probation for three years and perform 100 hours of community service.  She will also pay 900-dollars in restitution. 

There was a local winner from the Idaho Lottery recently.  Dennis Bell of Filer won 90-thousand dollars in the Big Spin Game.  It’s the largest win in the history of the game that the lottery debuted last summer. 

WEATHER

Wednesday:  Scattered showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday Night:  Scattered showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then isolated showers. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southwest wind around 7 mph becoming east southeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday:  Isolated showers, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. South southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night:  Scattered showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southwest wind around 8 mph becoming east after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday:  Isolated showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday Night:  Scattered showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday:  A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

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

Sunday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.

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

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

Monday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 52.

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

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.