Appa is a happy, wiggly boy with a heart of gold. He is getting a little depressed at the shelter and really wishes his fur-ever family would come along.

This two-year-old boxer mix still has lots of puppy energy, so a home with older kids who won’t be overwhelmed by his playfulness would be best.

Sweet and easily trained, handsome Appa would be a paw-some addition to an active family who can commit to continuing his training so he can be the best boy.

Appa and lots of other animals are available for adoption at 3000 Lindsay Boulevard in Idaho Falls. You can see pictures and learn about the shelter on SRAS’s Facebook page

The post Amazing Appa is our Pet of the Week! appeared first on East Idaho News.

POCATELLO — Consider staying indoors during the mornings, dressing in layers, and being aware of frostbite. A wind chill warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in Pocatello for midnight to 9 a.m. Tuesday.

“Tonight is the coldest night. Just about everybody in eastern Idaho will get below zero. There might be a few spots like around Burley or close to the Utah border that stays around zero or 1 or 2 degrees,” said Andrew McKaughan, a meteorologist with NWS, on Monday.

In areas like Island Park and Dubois, dangerously cold wind chills are expected to be as low as 30 below zero.

“Just be safe out there. If you are going out tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, it’s going to be quite cold. Be sure to bundle up,” McKaughan said.

Mud Lake, St. Anthony, Rexburg, Rigby, Idaho Falls, Ammon, Bancroft, Grace, Soda Springs, Ashton, Driggs, Victor and Swan Valley could see wind chills as low as 25 below zero, according to the warning.

Snow is also in the forecast this week.

“There will be another system that comes through probably during the overnight hours Wednesday morning and into the day Wednesday. That’s our next round,” McKaughan said. “Snowfall amounts are probably 2 to 4 inches across the lower elevations — our valleys — and then 4 to 8 inches maybe across the higher terrains.”

As for the cold temperatures, there is some relief in sight.

“After that Wednesday system, it does look like our temperatures start to warm up in the later part of the week. It should rise above freezing for daytime highs everywhere. Maybe upper 30s, low 40s, so there is some warmer weather on the horizon by the looks of it,” he added.

The post Another wind chill warning has been issued, but is warmth on the horizon? appeared first on East Idaho News.

The following is a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office – Idaho.

BOISE – Peter Timothy Eromenok, 34, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced to nearly 12 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced.

According to court records, Eromenok was interviewed by investigators on May 9, 2022, about suspected fentanyl left behind at an Airbnb. During his interview, he admitted to possessing between 10,000 and 15,000 fentanyl pills in his room at a relative’s house in New Plymouth. Investigators searched this residence and found 1,419 grams of fentanyl in pill form (approximately 14,000 fentanyl pills) and more than a half-pound of cocaine.

On May 24, 2022, investigators again encountered Eromenok and found 71.1 grams of fentanyl in pill form (approximately 710 fentanyl pills) and 35.2 grams of methamphetamine in his vehicle.

“Unfortunately, we are seeing significant amounts of fentanyl on our streets and, in this case, left dangerously behind in an Airbnb,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “But we are also seeing law enforcement rise to the challenge and seize larger and larger amounts of fentanyl. And we stand ready to bring to justice anyone who would distribute this poisonous drug in Idaho.”

On Jan. 9, Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye sentenced Eromenok to 140 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the investigations by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Nampa Police Department, and the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Morse prosecuted the case.

The post Idaho Falls man who left thousands of fentanyl pills at an Airbnb sentenced to federal prison appeared first on East Idaho News.

IDAHO FALLS — The EastIdahoNews.com crew will be highlighting different jobs in our area throughout 2024, and today we’re workin’ it with the Idaho Falls Spud Kings.

Since the launch of the Mountain America Center in Nov. 2022, the junior hockey team has become one of the venue’s most popular acts. MAC Marketing Director Kelsey Salsbery says tickets for every game are sold out.

She gave me a behind-the-scenes tour of the venue for the one-year anniversary and introduced me to Colin Fairfield, the team’s equipment manager.

RELATED | The Mountain America Center’s first year was a huge success. Here’s what’s coming in 2024

Colin showed me how to sharpen blades on skates, sew name plates on jerseys and organize the locker room. I enjoyed interacting with the team’s newest player and learned just how pivotal the equipment manager is in the team’s success.

See what it’s like and find out how I did in the video above.

PREVIOUS WORKIN’ IT STORIES

I worked as a soda jerk for a day and here’s what I learned

I spent the day training dogs. Here’s what they taught me.

What is it like to work as a mechanic? I decided to find out.

I flew with Air Idaho Rescue for a day. Here’s what I learned.

I agreed to be a school cafeteria lunch worker for a day. Here’s what I learned.

What is it like to work at the Idaho Falls Zoo? I decided to give it a try.

I went crawfishing for the first time with Crayster and here’s what I learned

The post I worked as the Spud Kings equipment manager for a day, and here’s what I learned appeared first on East Idaho News.

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series about Fred and Frank Keefer. Read the first story here.

IDAHO FALLS – The guns in Bruce Lines’ safe bring back warm memories of his great uncle.

The 74-year-old Idaho Falls man is the nephew of Fred and Frank Keefer, twin brothers for whom Keefer’s Island near John’s Hole Bridge in Idaho Falls is named. Fred built a cabin on the island in 1939 that’s still standing and served as a deputy for the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office for 21 years.

Lines still has several guns Fred used during his days as a lawman. One of them is a Colt Buntline Special, a long-barreled variant of the Colt Single Action Army revolver. Though most of the gun is still intact, the trigger guard is completely gone.

Lines also has a sawed off shotgun his great uncle once used, but in place of the handle is part of an antler from an elk or deer. Lines also has a Colt 45 with three notches on the handle, a gun Fred took from someone he once arrested.

These and a now pewterized cowboy hat worn by Fred, are just a few of the items in Lines’ possession. After Fred’s death in 1987, Lines says a realtor sold many of Fred’s belongings and whatever the family didn’t claim, the museum acquired. None of it is currently on display, but Chloe Doucette, the Museum of Idaho’s managing director, says they’re hoping to open an exhibit in the next few years.

Remembered as a soft-spoken, intelligent man, Lines tells EastIdahoNews.com Fred lived his life with one foot tied to the old west. He and his brother were born in 1891 when Idaho Falls was a burgeoning community on the western frontier. They preferred living off the land and they owned lots of it, including the property where Pinecrest Golf Course and Freeman Park now sit. (Keefer Street between Higbee Avenue and North Holmes near Pinecrest is named in their honor).

RELATED | Two brothers and a cabin on Keefer’s Island helped establish Idaho Falls as ‘a nice place’ to live ‘with a touch of wilderness’

“Frank (who was a taxidermist) and Fred lived in very modern homes, and yet Frank used his bathtub to soak his hides in. He never took a bath and Fred just stored stuff in his bathtub. They had modern things but they didn’t use them in the way they were intended,” Bruce’s wife, Jill, says.

When and how they bathed is “the question of the hour,” Jill says.

A photo of Fred Keefer provided by Bruce and Jill Lines

Getting started in law enforcement

Fred was first elected Bonneville County sheriff in 1918, a position he held for about a year, according to the sheriff’s office. He became a deputy years later in 1938. Over the course of two decades, he served under five sheriffs and was acting sheriff for about a week while a replacement was found.

The Lines don’t know for sure what motivated Fred to become a deputy, but say this quality of holding on to the Old West may have had something to do with it.

He also had an interest in the military. Frank was a veteran of World War I and war was a subject Fred was interested in, particularly the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

“Fred was very handy with weapons,” Bruce says. “He had 40 or 50 guns hanging from the ceiling. Those were the decorations in his house.”

Aside from that, Bruce says Fred was well-known and even-tempered, which could have played a role as well.

Though Fred and Frank were known for their wild stories, many of which have been passed down over the years, Bruce’s knowledge of Fred’s years as a lawman is sparse.

But he does recall Fred serving as a jailer for the bulk of those years. Drunkenness was a common thing he arrested people for in those days and many of those who came through liked him because of how he treated them.

“I visited him at the jail sometimes and I could tell you what the jail looked like but not any specific stories, other than what’s in his book,” says Bruce.

The Keefer brothers’ knack for storytelling prompted both of them to write memoirs late in life. In his book, Fred recalls some childhood experiences that may have influenced his decision to go into law enforcement.

Growing up in the wild west

Fred recounts an instance in his boyhood when a saloon keeper shot and killed two cowboys for repeatedly shooting out the lights in his business.

“The law enforcement officers, which were few, were not only tough, but sometimes cruel,” Fred writes.

A man from Montana who was wanted on a “minor charge” hid out in a straw stack in Idaho Falls with his partner. Fred says an officer shot one of them, put his head in a gunny sack and placed it in a downtown bar.

On another occasion, an officer reportedly shot a 16-year-old boy who had “run away from a freight outfit.” He was an orphan and the company had snagged him to do chores, but treated him badly. He hid in a barn and an officer shot him.

Years later, Fred and his dad were in a saloon. Around 9:30 p.m., someone came in and yelled that the jail was on fire. They followed the sheriff to the jail and told him to hurry and open it so the man inside wouldn’t burn.

“He set it on fire,” the sheriff said, according to Fred.

They were able to get him out and the sheriff rolled him on the ground to put out the flames. Fred didn’t remember what happened to the victim.

In 1911, Fred and Frank were 20 years old and were part of a posse sent to catch Hugh Whitney, a man wanted for shooting a conductor and wounding another man. That fall, Fred “went to work in the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.”

‘In 20 years of service, I used a gun twice’

More than 30 pages of Fred’s memoir is devoted to his years as a deputy. Among all the cases he was involved in, he says he only used his gun twice in 21 years.

The first time happened during his first week in office. He and the sheriff (whom Fred doesn’t name but was most likely Sheriff Harry Meppen, Bonneville County’s longest-serving sheriff to date) went to a neighboring state to arrest a man on a felony charge. They picked up the 30-year-old man in a bar, who Fred says was “more than 200 pounds, half drunk and hard to handle.”

RELATED | How Bonneville County got its name and the early lawmen who protected its citizens

When they got him to the jail, he apparently refused to sign the extradition papers. They locked him up and both sheriffs later admitted they forgot to search him. A search revealed the man had nothing on him but he was now willing to sign the papers because the jail was freezing.

Fred went in the basement to wash up before they left, and the prisoner went with him because he claimed he wanted to wash up, too. That’s when the prisoner tried to escape.

“With two jumps, he landed on the bottom. How a man that size could move sure surprised me. I found him in the coal bin crawling through a coal shute. I yelled for him to stop but he kept on crawling,” writes Fred.

Fred placed his gun in the middle of his back and told him he’d shoot if he didn’t stop. He crawled back and Fred handcuffed him before bringing him upstairs and back to Idaho.

Fred actually fired his gun on the second occasion. He’d gone to bed at the jail while working the night shift. Around 1 a.m., he saw a man inside the barbed wire fence that surrounded the jail.

The man was running around so Fred put on his boots and his holster and yelled at him to stop. The man ignored his warning and Fred fired a shot above the man’s head. Fred reports the man jumped over the eight foot fence like it was nothing. He kept running and Fred fired a second shot, causing him to stop. Fred caught him on the west side of the courthouse.

“I then found out why he had ignored the gun shots — he was drunk,” Fred writes. “He was carrying a package of hack saw blades, which he was intending to put through the bars. I was severely reprimanded by the sheriff for this act.”

‘People are still talking about him’

Fred retired as a deputy in 1959, the same year he sold his cabin to the city for $1. He was 96 when he passed away on Dec. 5, 1987.

Fred wasn’t the only member of his family to serve his community. His sister, Louise Blackbird, was the first woman in eastern Idaho to pass the bar exam, according to Bruce. Fred’s brother, Clyde, who is Bruce’s grandfather, was the mayor of St. Anthony for 34 years. Clyde Keefer Memorial Park is named in his memory.

Bruce is proud of his heritage as a member of the Keefer family and the indelible mark Fred and his brother had on the city of Idaho Falls.

“He’s been gone for a long time and people are still talking about him,” says Bruce. “He was a man of integrity.”

A photo of Fred Keefer in his old age | Courtesy Museum of Idaho

RELATED LINKS

Why a former deputy cut off an outlaw’s leg, and the ‘controversy’ surrounding a notorious gunfight

A former sheriff says a head-on collision was a ‘blessing in disguise,’ and how he arrested one of America’s most wanted fugitives

Locals recall 2 bank robberies, and a rollover collision involving Clark County’s longest-serving sheriff

Why a former sheriff is remembered as ‘the Wyatt Earp of Madison County’

Remembering a former Madison County sheriff, and a ‘tragic accident’ that made national headlines

Former Bonneville County sheriff was a ‘self-taught, hard-working’ man who solved 2 murders

Rigby’s longest-serving police chief looks back on 43-year career and tragic double homicide

How a former Driggs lawman with a bullet in his side captured a triple murder suspect

Why one of Fremont County’s most respected lawmen was arrested and sued in two separate cases

Former Bannock County sheriff recalls one of ‘the most difficult service calls in law enforcement history’

Fremont County’s first sheriff, a ‘ghastly’ murder, and the lawmen who had a brush with fame

How Bingham County was formed and why its first sheriff was a ‘fearless and efficient officer’

Fremont County sheriff who served nonconsecutive terms shares memories of time in office

Jefferson County’s longest-serving sheriff looks back on 40-year career in law enforcement

How Bonneville County got its name and the early lawmen who protected its citizens

Jefferson County’s beginnings and why its first sheriff was ‘widely known and highly respected’

The post Iconic Idaho Falls citizen who served as a lawman for over 20 years grew up in the city’s Wild West infancy appeared first on East Idaho News.

IDAHO FALLS – Sen. James Ruchti, D-Pocatello, says one thing on his list takes precedence above everything else this Legislative session.

“If there’s only one thing I could get done … it would be to defeat any sort of tax credit voucher proposal,” Ruchti tells EastIdahoNews.com.

He’s referring to the education tax credit, a bill that aims to provide $5,000 for every K-12 student ($7,500 for special ed students) to use for academic instruction. The idea, according to Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, one of the bill’s sponsors, is to give parents “the power to choose the learning environment that works best” for their child.

It sets aside $40 million from the general budget to fund it. Ten million of that would go towards a grant for lower income families.

“Parents who can’t afford tuition expenses upfront … could apply for a grant for the same amount and be eligible for the refundable tax credit the next year,” Horman explains.

Those who are opposed to more education options often call it a voucher, Horman says, but tax credits and vouchers are two different things.

Horman introduced similar legislation with Sen. Lori Den Hartog, R-Meridian, during the 2023 session. SB 1161 called for $30,000 in ongoing state funding to provide tuition grants of $6,000 for up to 2,000 students a year. It failed to earn enough votes in the House Education Committee to advance it to the floor.

RELATED | Proposed bill makes state funds available to students in private or homeschool

Regardless of the changes, Ruchti is opposed and under no circumstances would he vote for it.

“It’s going to take money from our public schools and give it to private schools, religious schools and home schools,” Ruchti says. “It’s a program that will continue to grow and expand, and we’ll have less money for facility repairs, less money to pay teachers and staff, less money to provide quality education and technology for students.”

Another reason Ruchti is not in favor of it is that it’s “totally unaccountable.” He says there’s no requirement for private, religious or home schools to report how the money is spent or the impact it’s having on students.

“We have all kinds of state statutes that govern how money is spent and we expect graduates to meet certain metrics each year,” says Ruchti. “I’m really shocked when legislators endorse this type of program. This is a conservative state and I can think of nothing less conservative than allowing public money to be spent without accountability.”

But Horman, who served on a local school board for 11 years, says this bill will not take money away from public schools because it’s completely separate from public school funding.

“The money we appropriate belongs to the people, not schools, and the people have entrusted their elected representatives to appropriate it out to the various agencies and institutions of the state,” Horman says.

She cites Article 7, section 13 of the Idaho Constitution, which prohibits “money to be drawn from the treasury,” except through “appropriations made by law.”

Regarding Ruchti’s point about the bill having no accountability, Horman says it requires recipients — not institutions — to keep receipts for how the money is spent.

“The Tax Commission has the authority to audit the expenses and recapture the grants if they aren’t used in accordance with the law. It can also report potential misuse to the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution,” she says.

She points to a recent study from the Mountain States Policy Center showing how Idaho’s public school enrollment isn’t keeping up with the population growth and school choice often improves student outcomes.

But Ruchti says Idaho is a highly ranked school choice state nationwide without implementing tax credits and students already have options for their education.

“You can enroll your kid in private school (if you aren’t satisfied with the public school system). But you do it on your dime because we don’t have accountability for it,” he says. “When you hear people say this is all about school choice, it’s not true. This is about taking tax money and using it in a way we don’t allow in any other scenario.”

Horman is sponsoring the bill with Senators Hartog, Doug Ricks, R-Rexburg, and Scott Grow, R-Eagle, along with Rep. Jason Monks, R-Nampa.

Once a final draft is approved, it will be introduced in the Revenue and Taxation Committee. Ruchti anticipates it being a highly-debated bill in the Legislature. Follow its progress here.

RELATED LINKS

Idaho bill aims to provide funds to help first responders become mental health specialists

Idaho lawmaker introducing bill addressing what mortuaries can do with unclaimed ashes

Proposed bill in the Idaho legislature aims to make AI-generated pornography illegal

The post Local legislator says killing education tax credit is biggest priority this session appeared first on East Idaho News.

The following is a news release from the city of Idaho Falls.

IDAHO FALLS — The recent snowfall resulted in more than two inches of snow, which qualifies as a snow event. Parking restrictions are now in place for all roads located within Idaho Falls city limits until further notice.

Vehicles parked on streets after a snow event is called will be subject to ticketing and relocation in accordance with the City’s Snow and Ice Control Policies and Procedures Manual.

A snow event in Idaho Falls means three things: 1) parking restrictions are in place for all streets; 2) snowplows have begun plowing streets on a priority basis; and 3) property owners must remove snow and ice from their sidewalks within 24 hours following the cessation of the precipitation.

Plowing approximately 783 lane miles within city limits typically takes about 72 hours, unless more precipitation falls, then the process starts over. It’s anticipated Idaho Falls will receive additional snow in the coming days, extending the snow removal process.

Click here to view the interactive snow removal map. Zoom in on the map to see addresses and dates.

SNOW REMOVAL SCHEDULE

ZONE B: Zone B is currently being plowed and will continue to be plowed until completion. Zone B is the majority of the city and is colored yellow on the zone map.

DOWNTOWN: Downtown will be plowed during the early morning hours of Monday, Jan. 15, from midnight to 7 a.m. to minimize the impact on businesses. Downtown is colored gray on the zone map.

ZONE A: Zone A is a relatively small area located in the center of the city and is colored green on the zone map. Most of the streets in zone A are relatively narrow, therefore plowing is done over a two-day period to allow residents who utilize on-street parking to find alternative parking. The schedule is as follows:

• North and south streets on Thursday, Jan. 18, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• East and west streets on Friday, Jan. 19, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Staying informed about snow removal parking restrictions and other city-related information is easier than ever with Idaho Falls’ new mobile app and text alerts. Go to www.idahofallsidaho.gov and click on the blue Stay Informed/Sign Up button or click here.

The post City of Idaho Falls issues a snow event; parking restrictions are now in place. appeared first on East Idaho News.

POCATELLO — A winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow to the Magic Valley, southern Idaho and much of eastern Idaho from Saturday evening until early Sunday morning.

The National Weather Service in Pocatello has issued a winter storm warning for the following eastern Idaho counties: Franklin, Oneida, Caribou, Bannock, Bingham, southern Bonneville, eastern Madison and western Teton. Pocatello, Soda Springs, Blackfoot, Preston and Malad City will all be affected.

NWS officials say the region may see between 6 to 13 inches. Ridge tops and higher elevations could get between 8 to 20 inches.

Wind gusts could reach 40 mph, and areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility, according to the warning. Expect widespread winter driving conditions and plan on slippery roads.

NWS suggests keeping an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Click here for an updated list of road closures.

Click here to check out the road conditions. Click here to view the weather in your area, webcams of roads and recent weather stories.

The post Snow, wind expected as winter storm warning goes into effect appeared first on East Idaho News.

The following is a news release from the city of Idaho Falls.

IDAHO FALLS — Ian Turner will become the new director of the Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) after receiving an appointment from Mayor Rebecca Casper.

The Idaho Falls City Council approved Turner’s appointment at Thursday night’s City Council Meeting. Turner will begin his new role at the region’s premier airport on Feb. 1, 2024. As director of the airport, Turner will be responsible for the administration, planning, organizing, directing and controlling of all financial and operational activities at IDA.

“We look forward to welcoming Mr. Turner to Idaho Falls and the Idaho Falls Regional Airport,” said Casper. “As the region’s hub for air travel, we understand the importance of strong leadership at our airport. I have full confidence in Mr. Turner’s ability to navigate the challenges of operating our growing airport and further connect Idaho Falls to more key locations throughout the country.”

Turner comes to the city after gaining extensive experience as an airport director at the La Crosse Wisconsin and Pueblo Colorado airports. He holds a bachelor’s degree in aviation management from Rocky Mountain College and a Master of Finance degree from Colorado State University. Turner has also earned the coveted Accredited Airport Executive designation.

“I am truly fortunate to be trusted with the leadership of the Idaho Falls Regional Airport by Mayor Casper and the city of Idaho Falls. I am inheriting a great airport that I look forward to further leading in the economic and air service growth for East Idaho,” Turner said.

IDA is served by five major airlines, including American, Alaska, Delta, United and Allegiant to twelve non-stop destinations including Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix/ Mesa, Los Angeles/Orange County, Oakland, Portland and San Diego.

For the last three years, IDA has enjoyed double-digit passenger growth. Six new non-stop destinations have been added in the last two years in response to tremendous growth in the region. In addition, IDA has seen increased cargo growth year- over-year for the last four years.

The post New director welcomed at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport appeared first on East Idaho News.

IDAHO FALLS — College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) had a 14.4 percent increase in credit student enrollment for the 2024 spring semester, the college reports. Enrollment for the spring semester is expected to continue to rise as Early College high school students continue to enroll over the coming weeks, the college said in a news release Friday.

“At a time when many educational institutions nationwide are facing challenges with decreasing enrollment numbers, CEI stands out as a model for growth,” college officials said in the news release.

Since transitioning to a community college in 2017, CEI has seen a 244 percent increase in its total credit student headcount. Enrollment has consistently expanded each academic year, from 1,008 credit students in 2017 to 3,468 in fiscal year 2023.

“I am thrilled by the remarkable growth CEI has undergone since becoming a community college in 2017,” Rick Aman, CEI President, stated. “We take pride in our commitment to open enrollment, affordability and the delivery of exceptional, skills-based training.”

RELATED | Gov. Little touts rollout of LAUNCH project ahead of upcoming Legislative session, says education will remain top priority

Beginning in the fall of 2024, CEI anticipates the trend to continue as the Idaho LAUNCH program is implemented. Idaho LAUNCH is a grant initiative. It gives 2024 graduating seniors in Idaho the chance to have 80 percent of their tuition and fees covered at eligible institutions, up to a maximum amount of $8,000.

“CEI’s dedication to providing accessible and affordable education is evident in its exceptionally low tuition rate of just $140 per credit,” the release stated.

The college is committed to delivering industry-relevant, in-demand education. It has a 97 percent placement rate in Career and Technical Education programs.

“At CEI, every graduate is equipped to transform lives, forging a path not only for themselves but also for future generations,” college officials said.

The post CEI reports another significant increase in enrollment appeared first on East Idaho News.