Thursday 080323

A boat on a trailer that became disconnected from a pickup caused a multi vehicle accident yesterday afternoon along the freeway near Burley.  Two vehicles crashed into the trailer and pushed it into the westbound lanes of travel causing one vehicle to roll over.  No injuries were reported.

A 34 year old Mackay man has been charged with stealing a government issued truck and driving at speeds of 110 miles per hour and refusing to stop for police.  Deputies in Blaine County began chasing the truck yesterday morning driven by Kyle Foster near Carey.  They chased the vehicle about 8 miles before using spike strips.  The truck was taken from a gas station in Mackay. 

There are rumblings from union workers at Amalgamated Sugar that they may go on strike next week.  Employees are unhappy with the new contracts that reportedly freeze pensions for newer employees, have workers go through a 2 tier pay raise and easily be able to move to other departments in the factory.  Employees also noted unsanitary conditions with outdoor toilets in 90+ degree weather, that haven’t been maintained.

Governor Brad Little formed a new state advisory committee that will work to improve outdoor recreation opportunities, as Idaho sees a "historic number" of visitors at state parks.  About 7.4 million people visited Idaho's 30 state parks from 2020 through 2022. That's a 27% increase in visitation from the five years prior.

South Central Public Health District has issued a public health advisory for Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir after recent testing from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality shows levels of a cyanotoxin that are now at unhealthy levels in the reservoir. Exposure to this toxin can be harmful to people, pets, and livestock.

Though it appears to be a shipping container on the outside, Idaho National Laboratory’s latest technology can help rural communities maintain power during emergencies.   The mobile grid system can tie into a modern electrical grid and coordinate the distribution of electricity for a small town, military base or a hospital.

WEATHER

Thursday:  Scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Patchy smoke after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming east southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Patchy smoke. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. East southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm.

Friday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Patchy smoke. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming west northwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night:  Patchy smoke before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east southeast after midnight.

Saturday:  Sunny, with a high near 83.

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

Sunday:  Sunny, with a high near 82.

Sunday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 85.

Monday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 59.

Tuesday:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Tuesday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Wednesday:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.

Wednesday 080223

Hot summer temperatures across the state have resulted in drier conditions and an increased fire danger, with nearly all lands under Idaho Department of Lands fire protection now in Very High to Extreme Fire Danger.  As of today, IDL crews have fought 166 fires with most being human-caused. 

The Idaho Career Ready Students Council convened for the first time yesterday to award its first set of grants to expand Career Technical Education in Idaho schools.  Hansen School District was awarded $25,530 for computers and equipment.

The Idaho Transportation Department began construction yesterday on the I-84 and US-93 interchange on and off ramps at exit 173 in Jerome County.  The project will resurface the ramps, upgrade signals, and construct a right-turn lane for the westbound I-84 off-ramp.  Construction will last 2 months.

The Idaho Republican State Central Committee selected former congressional candidate and longtime GOP activist Bryan Smith to fill the vacant national committee seat for the party.  Smith, an attorney from Idaho Falls, ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson defeated Smith both times in the Republican primary election.

Governor Brad Little is meeting with leaders at the Governor’s Water Summit, to discuss trends in Idaho’s water supply.  Since taking office Little has recommended, and the Idaho Legislature has approved, more than $1 billion in additional funding for water-related infrastructure projects.

Federal regulators delayed a key vote that would allow more natural gas to flow through Oregon, Idaho and Washington to California following pressure from environmentalists and Oregon’s two U.S. senators.  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was scheduled to vote whether to approve the expansion of the GTN Xpress that sends billions of cubic feet of natural gas each day from Canada to customers in the Northwest and California.

The University of Idaho has closed fiscal year with record-breaking fundraising numbers.  The university closed fiscal year 2023 with $57.5 million in gifts.

WEATHER

Wednesday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 83. East wind 9 to 14 mph.

Wednesday Night:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind 7 to 14 mph becoming south southeast after midnight.

Thursday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. South southeast wind 6 to 14 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Thursday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind 9 to 16 mph.

Friday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

Friday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Saturday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Saturday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Sunday:  Sunny, with a high near 85.

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

Monday:  Sunny, with a high near 87.

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

Tuesday:  Sunny and hot, with a high near 91.

Tuesday 080123

Lori Vallow Daybell will serve three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.  She was sentenced yesterday in a Franklin County courtroom for the murder of two of her children as well as conspiring to kill the wife of her fifth husband.  She also received an additional life sentence for the conspiracy and grand theft. 

A man is dead after drowning in a popular recreation spot in Lincoln County.  The incident happened at the Drops in Shoshone.  Water levels were reduced and were able to recover the body yesterday morning.

A federal judge in Idaho has granted a preliminary injunction barring Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador from taking legal action against medical providers who refer patients across state lines for abortion care and denied Labrador’s request to dismiss the case.  The parties have 14 days to submit litigation and discovery plans as the next step in the lawsuit.

A staffing shortage and hampered transition services are some of the main obstacles the Idaho Department of Correction must overcome to improve the reentry experience for formerly incarcerated individuals, according to a legislative report released this month.   But aside from those obstacles, some state programs seem to be working well, including education and work-release programs. 

The annual Twin Falls State of the City Address will be held at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow at the 2nd South Market.  Speakers will include Twin Falls City Mayor and Council who will provide the annual update on city objectives, challenges and achievements.

After weeks of slow and steady price drops, Idaho pump prices are rising again.  The main culprits are rising crude oil costs and a slight increase in fuel demand.  Today’s price for a gallon of regular in the Gem State is $3.91, which is three cents more than a week ago but six cents less than a month ago.  Meanwhile, the national average currently sits at $3.76 per gallon, which is 16 cents more than a week ago and 22 cents more than a month ago.

WEATHER

Tuesday:  Isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy and hot, with a high near 94. South wind around 6 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night:  Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday:  A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. East wind 8 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind 6 to 13 mph becoming south southeast after midnight.

Thursday:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.

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

Friday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.

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

Saturday:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

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

Sunday:  Sunny, with a high near 86.

Sunday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Monday:  Sunny, with a high near 88.

Monday 073123

As we come on the air this morning, firefighters are battling several wildfires in Idaho.  New Fire burning near Cascade is called, the Sixty Fire.  Multiple structures are threatened, and evacuations are underway by the Valley County Sheriff’s office.  The fire is burning near the timber rim subdivision South of Sixty lane to the east, north of round valley rd. There is a new Fire burning near Grangeville is called, the Russell Fire.  Multiple structures are threatened.  The fire is burning near mile marker 217, East of HWY 95, South of Whitebird. The Hayden Fire, which is burning 18 miles west of Leadore has now burned 17,531 acres and is 0% contained and has over 700 fire personnel working together to get ahead of the blaze that started on July 19th.

A 14-year-old boy is in custody this morning.  He was arrested after reportedly shooting a child at a home in Caldwell Friday morning.  The child is being treated for gunshot wounds and is expected to be ok. 

An Oregon judge said no to a motion on modifying release orders of Jerome County Prosecuting Attorney Brad Calbo.  He is faces felony charges while in Oregon last month.  The victim works in the Jerome County Judicial Annex, and as a condition of his release from jail, Calbo was ordered to stay away from the victim’s place of employment, meaning Calbo has essentially been locked out of his job.  The victim was in favor of the modification.

Lori Vallow Daybell the eastern Idaho woman found guilty of murdering her two children and conspiring to murder her husband’s former wife is scheduled to be sentenced at 9 a.m. this morning in Freemont County.  Vallow will not face the death penalty, but she could face up to life in prison.

Two young children visiting Bear Lake in Eastern Idaho made the grim discovery of possible human remains.  No other details have been released.

A mosquito has tested positive for West Nile virus in Twin Falls County.  It was found 7 miles Northwest of Buhl on the river’s edge and county line.

Water levels in the Snake River are higher than average for this time of year.  With the heavy amount of snowfall, this past winter and with June being cooler, the snow melt has been prolonged.  Water manager from American Falls dam and Milner Reservoir have both been releasing more water.

WEATHER

Today:  Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. South southeast wind 5 to 11 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Tonight:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northwest wind 5 to 11 mph becoming south after midnight.

Tuesday:  Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Light and variable wind becoming north northwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning.

Tuesday Night:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. North northwest wind 8 to 14 mph becoming south southeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph.

Wednesday:  A chance of showers between 7am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. South wind 8 to 14 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Thursday:  A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then a chance of showers between 7am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night:  A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Friday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.

Friday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Saturday:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

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

Sunday:  Sunny, with a high near 87.

Friday 072823

Boise Police have arrested 27-year-old Dallas Brower of Twin Falls after responding to a reported stabbing around 7:30 a.m. yesterday in the area of South Production Avenue north of Gowen Road.  According to police, evidence indicates that Brower and two adult males were parked in the area and became involved in an altercation when the victim was stabbed.  Brower is charged with 1st Degree Murder.

An 82 year old female died around noon yesterday when a vehicle struck her while she was riding on a mobility scooter in a crosswalk near Idaho Falls.  Police say the incident occurred on Northbound I-15 at the 118 off ramp. 

A 500-thousand dollar check was presented to Magic Valley Paramedics yesterday by the St. Luke’s Health Foundation.  The foundation spent 18 months in a fundraising campaign.  The money will be used for Ambulances.

School buses in Filer are going to be smarter come this next school year.  The district purchased 17 buses and equipped them with GPS technology.  Parents will be able to follow the bus their child is riding on.

Twin Falls county commissioners have put the 182 day moratorium on permits for large scale commercial energy projects on hold for now.  They will take the discussion back up on August 24^th.  Some are concerned that the county may not be ready for large scale energy projects on county land.  The moratorium would not control federal land.

The defense team for the man accused of murdering four U of I students in November 2022 has filed a motion to dismiss the indictment against him.  According to new court documents, the defense team says the grand jury was misled about the standard of proof required for an indictment against Bryan Kohberger.  His trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 2, 2023.

The department of energy is launching an initiative to increase clean energy production by potentially leasing thousands of acres of DOE land for new emissions free energy development.  The DOE has identified approximately 40,000 acres of land potentially available for clean energy industry projects in Washington State, New Mexico, South Carolina, at the Idaho National Laboratory, and the Nevada National Security Site.

WEATHER

Friday:  Sunny and hot, with a high near 94. Light and variable wind becoming west 13 to 18 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.

Friday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 63. West wind 5 to 14 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Saturday:  Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northwest wind 7 to 11 mph becoming south after midnight.

Sunday:  Sunny and hot, with a high near 94.

Sunday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 62.

Monday:  Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95.

Monday Night:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Tuesday:  Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 94.

Tuesday Night:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Wednesday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.

Wednesday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Thursday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Thursday 072723

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s office has asked the Idaho Supreme Court to dismiss Idahoans for Open Primaries’ legal challenge to ballot titles assigned by Labrador’s office. The ballot initiative is designed to eliminate Idaho’s closed party primary elections and replace them with a single primary election that all voters vote in and all candidates run in, regardless of party affiliation.

More people will be allowed to give impact statements when Lori Vallow Daybell is sentenced for the murder of her two children and conspiring to the murder of her current husband’s former wife.  Her aunt, Vicki Hoban, will be allowed to speak.  Her sentence is set for Monday at 9 am. 

Boise Police Department say an officer shot and killed an armed suspect on the intersection of 19th and Resseguie street last night.  The suspect was pronounced dead on the scene by BPD.   Boise Chief of Police Ron Wineger said officers could hear shots being fired and called for backup at 10:43 p.m. last night. 

A 22 year old Oklahoma man was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a child by producing child porn.  Investigators learned that Kobe Mahoney traveled from Twin Falls to Elko, Nevada, to meet a 13-year-old child.  He admitted that he had sex with the child and used his cellphone to make a recording of the acts.

Yesterday U.S. Senator Jim Risch criticized the U.S. Customs decision to maintain adjusted hours at northern U.S. ports, including Porthill Port of Entry in Idaho. Risch has long advocated for a return to pre-pandemic hours. 

Following a meeting this week, the Twin Falls Planning and Zoning commission said work continues on the city’s new master transportation plan.  The master transportation plan shapes the future of Twin Falls for the next 20 years and deals with topics that include changing one way streets, maintenance costs and safer options for intersections.

Idaho Power announced new fire restrictions at campsites it maintains at C.J. Strike south of Mountain Home, in addition to a fire ban already in place at Woodhead Park in Hells Canyon. 

WEATHER

Today:  Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny and hot, with a high near 95. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west northwest 11 to 16 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.

Tonight:  Mostly clear, with a low around 60. West northwest wind 11 to 16 mph becoming south 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.

Friday:  Sunny and hot, with a high near 95. South wind 5 to 11 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Friday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northwest wind 5 to 11 mph becoming south southeast after midnight.

Saturday:  Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. South southeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon.

Saturday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 64.

Sunday:  Sunny and hot, with a high near 94.

Sunday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Monday:  Sunny and hot, with a high near 94.

Monday Night:  Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Tuesday:  Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 95.

Tuesday Night:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Wednesday:  Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 91.