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.

REXBURG — Mamoru Martial Arts is opening a second location in Rexburg and its third in the area. Beginning on Jan. 19, the dojo will offer judo, Brazilian jiujitsu, self-defense and karate classes in the Rexburg Arts Center.

Mamoru already holds classes in a Rexburg home and the Farnsworth Middle School wrestling area in Rigby.

Alex Greenfield started Mamoru Martial Arts in 2021. He had been doing judo for about 35 years and began teaching classes on a hunch.

“I just had a sense that this was something to start here,” Greenfield told EastIdahoNews.com.

The dojo’s slogan is “Change your kid’s life. Change your life.” In two short years, he has watched martial arts change the lives of individuals and families alike.

“A lot of families call me and say, ‘I have been recommended to try martial arts,’ or ‘I’m wondering if I should try martial arts because my child has ADHD because my child is having difficulty in school.'”

Greenfield said kids who struggle with school, focus or relationships with family come into classes and can “just blossom.” As a special education educator, he is passionate about helping these kids improve their concentration and focus — he wants them to succeed.

Mamoru Martial Arts provides three classes under the guidance of Greenfield, Professor Ned Sands and Ryan Christenson, who offer a learning experience where participants, both young and adult, can hone valuable skills and develop physical well-being.

In Brazilian jiujitsu, Sands teaches students unique self-defense strategies and control techniques. Sands is a former Navy officer and also the founder, owner and head instructor at Impact Jiu Jitsu in Portland, Oregon. This sport offers a great way to improve cardio fitness, agility and coordination.

Karate classes underscore the importance of balance through using one’s entire body. Greenfield and fellow instructor Christenson emphasize traditional kicking, punching, kata (or form) and blocking. Students who are ready and interested can also participate in sparring.

Judo means “the gentle way,” but it may not look gentle, Greenfield said. The sport has been compared to folding clothes with someone still in them. The philosophy behind judo is maximum efficiency, minimum effort and mutual benefit and welfare to all.

Jiujitsu is gaining popularity right now, but Greenfield recommends judo for beginner martial arts students.

“Jiujitsu focuses more on the ground, whereas the judo focus is more standing up,” he said. “So, for that reason … I would say that judo is a better sport for kids to get into because of its focus of standing up.”

Mastering judo, he added, naturally leads up to learning jiujitsu.

Although students learn skills that could “potentially be used to hurt somebody,” Greenfield said the last thing he wants to hear is that one of his students used their skills in a fight.

“We’re teaching how to be peaceful warriors; how to be warrior poets, too,” he said. “We’re trying to teach these kids how to be wiser.”

And classes aren’t just for kids. Adults can benefit from martial arts too.

“It’s kind of like the best weightlifting you could ever ask for because we’re twisting and talking and turning in ways that the human frame is meant to do,” Greenfield said. “It’s incredibly dynamic.”

The dojo is running a New Year’s resolution sale: $50 monthly for unlimited classes. Greenfield stated he is trying to keep prices low so he and his fellow instructors can help as many people as possible. He wants to keep the dojo accessible to everyone who wants to participate.

Mamoru Martial Arts will hold its grand opening at the new dojo, 155 East 2nd North, Rexburg, on Friday, Jan. 19, in the Rexburg Arts Center.

“It’s going to be a party all day,” Greenfield said.

The dojo will award scholarships to 10 Brigham Young University-Idaho students as part of their grand opening celebration. Greenfield is an adjunct professor at the university and hopes to allow some students to participate.

“I know college students don’t always have funds,” Greenfield said.

There will be music by a DJ all day on Jan. 19, he said. The music will continue into the evening. There will also be fitness activities for adults and games for kids. Greenfield recommends wearing something comfortable.

To learn more about Mamoru Martial Arts, or to sign up for a class, visit its website or Facebook page. You may also call (208) 557-3207.

The post New martial arts dojo brings ‘the gentle way’ to Rexburg area appeared first on East Idaho News.

The following is a news release from Brigham Young University-Idaho.

REXBURG — Brigham Young University-Idaho Center Stage will host the world-renowned BYU Living Legends on Friday, Jan. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium.

In a celebration of the cultural heritage of North and South America and the South Pacific, Living Legends presents a vibrant display of energy, music, costume and dance.
Talented performers of native descent capture the rhythms of Polynesia, portray the fascinating legends of Native American people and dazzle the senses with the energy of Latin America.

Their lavish attire and intricate choreography are both authentic representations of the showcase cultures.

RELATED | BYU-I’s Center Stage announces Winter 2024 Season lineup

Living Legends prioritizes tours in their native lands, a practice that encourages excellence and inspires a love for native culture in both the performers and their audiences.

Tickets for the event range from $10-$15. Purchase tickets here.

The post BYU Living Legends to perform at BYU-Idaho appeared first on East Idaho News.

REXBURG – Customers are addicted to the lighter, healthier menu at Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

At least, that’s what restaurant manager Alex Plummer says after eight months in business at 113 South 2nd West in Rexburg.

The Rexburg eatery offers a variety of smoothies, bowls, sandwiches, wraps, flatbreads, salads and more. Plummer tells EastIdahoNews.com the most popular item is the Bahama Mama, a smoothie with strawberry, pineapple, coconut and white chocolate. EastIdahoNews.com sampled this and other items, which you can watch in the video above.

Plummer’s parents, Kelly and Nepal, are the restaurant’s owners and it’s rewarding for him to be a part of the family business.

“Having something that I can call my own and take ownership of (is fulfilling),” he says. “It’s something I take a lot of pride in.”

RELATED | National franchise opening first restaurant in eastern Idaho

Tropical Smoothie Cafe first launched in Destin, Florida in 1999. It started spreading across the United States several years ago. The Rexburg store is the sixth location in Idaho.

Alex first heard about the franchise while serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Arkansas years ago and he grew to love it.

He and his family moved to Rexburg from California in 2016 so he could attend Brigham Young University-Idaho. Kelly and Nepal were eager to open a business together and Alex’s experience at Tropical Smoothie Cafe inspired them to bring it to Rexburg.

“They sent a letter (to the company) saying they were interested in franchising. An opening came up and so they snagged it,” says Alex.

The Plummers are looking to open another location in Idaho Falls in the near future. They hope to eventually have four or five locations in the area.

“We’re poking around everywhere. They’re developing new places out by Costco on that side of town. We’d love to get our foot in the door over there somewhere,” Alex says.

Until then, he’s encouraging people to stop by the Rexburg location and give the food a try.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday with an 8 a.m. opening on Saturday. Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The post Customers are ‘addicted’ to the delicious menu at Tropical Smoothie Cafe appeared first on East Idaho News.

REXBURG (Homestead Senior Living) — Homestead Senior Living recently introduced an exhilarating activity that had their residents cheering like they were 21 again — Indoor Tube Sledding.

In a creative effort to bring the joy of winter activities to residents who may not have the opportunity to venture outdoors, The Homestead Senior Living transformed the dining room and hallway into a winter wonderland.

The innovative activity was inspired by the desire to offer a fun and invigorating experience. The indoor tube sledding consisted of a large water tube strapped to the top of a dolly, and then pulled around the building by a staff member.

Residents eagerly waited for their turn to hop onto the tube and take a thrilling ride around the building. Laughter and cheers filled the air as participants navigated twists and turns, experiencing the joy of a winter pastime in the cozy confines of their home.

Residents have expressed their delight at the opportunity to engage in such a unique and stimulating activity. Many have shared stories of fond memories from their youth spent sledding with family and friends, and the indoor tube sledding experience has allowed them to relive those cherished moments.

The post Local seniors get thrill of winter sledding while indoors! appeared first on East Idaho News.

ST. ANTHONY — Boise attorney John Prior has filed a motion to withdraw as counsel in Chad Daybell’s murder case because he says he isn’t qualified to argue a death penalty case and his client can’t pay him.

Prior has been Daybell’s defense attorney since May 2021 after a grand jury indicted Daybell and his wife, Lori Vallow Daybell, on murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges for the deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan — two of Lori’s kids — and Daybell’s first wife, Tammy Daybell. Chad is also charged with two counts of insurance fraud in relation to Tammy Daybell’s life insurance policies.

“Mr. Daybell does not have the ability to pay for counsel‘s continued services and Mr. Daybell seeks the appointment of two capital qualified attorneys to represent him in this matter,” Prior wrote in a motion filed Thursday afternoon. “This motion is made with Mr. Daybell’s full consent. Mr. Daybell has requested from me that he be given two capital qualified attorneys for his trial.”

Prior noted the complexity of the case would require him to work “around the clock, more than full-time for more than four months without compensation and without the assistance of any other counsel.”

“I have made a diligent effort to find a lawyer to assist in this matter for a significant amount of time. The attorney who I located and agreed to try to get qualified has not yet been approved by the Public Defense Commission. The time for him to be of any assistance to me in preparing for this trial is long gone,” Prior wrote.

Prosecutors filed their intent to pursue the death penalty in Daybell’s case in August 2021. Prior has solely represented his client since being hired over three years ago.

Jury selection for Daybell’s trial is scheduled to begin less than three months from now on April 1 in Ada County. If District Judge Steven Boyce grants Prior’s request to withdraw from the case, new attorneys would be appointed and there could be significant delays in the trial start date.

“After speaking with Mr. Daybell, I have confirmed that he is unable to pay any additional funds, and he believes it would be a disservice for me to continue to represent him in a capital case and trial without compensation,” Prior wrote.

Kay and Larry Woodcock, JJ Vallow’s grandparents, tell EastIdahoNews.com “nothing this journey surprises us anymore.”

“It is what it is and Chad’s trial will be when it happens,” Kay Woodcock says. “It’s in the Lord’s hands. Who are we to question Him.”

Lori Vallow Daybell was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole last summer. She is currently in Arizona on charges of conspiracy to commit murder of Charles Vallow, her fourth husband, and Brandon Boudreaux, her former nephew-in-law. Once court proceedings are done in Arizona, she will return to Idaho to serve her life sentence.

A hearing on Prior’s motion to withdraw is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m.

The post John Prior, Chad Daybell’s attorney, asks to withdraw from the murder case appeared first on East Idaho News.

REXBURG — A new elementary school will soon house hundreds of students in Madison County.

Teachers, staff, volunteers and Madison School District #321 employees have been working since Monday, bringing trailers full of desks, chairs, books and school supplies into the newly built Hibbard Elementary School.

It’s located at 2335 North 3000 West and has taken about a year and a half to build. It’s right behind the old Hibbard Elementary School.

“We’ve had great support from our teachers and other staff throughout the district. A lot of support from the community. There’s a lot of excitement about it,” said Madison School District #321 Superintendent Randy Lords.

The elementary school comes after a $25.5 million bond in 2022.

RELATED | Madison School District seeking $25.5 million bond for new elementary school and school remodels

“That bond was to build a new Hibbard Elementary School, build classrooms and an addition to the lunchroom at the junior high and then a remodel to our old Hibbard for an early childhood center … so that’s where our preschool will be moved to,” Lords explained. “Right now, our preschool is currently housed in Burton Elementary, but the Burton area is growing so much.”

Lords said the old Hibbard Elementary School has nine classrooms. The new school has 19.

“It’s almost double. We can fit about 650 (students) in this elementary school. In the last one, we were at capacity at 185. We actually had a trailer out back with two classrooms,” he said.

The old school is estimated to be about 20,000 square feet. The new one is 50,000 square feet. There are a total of 12 teachers, with two new teachers who have already been hired.

The elementary school came about due to growth and projected growth in the Madison County area.

“Right now, we’ll open up with 10 of the classrooms being used, and then the other nine classrooms will move into different STEM programs,” he said. “We knew the growth was coming, and we’re seeing the growth. Our kindergarten numbers are growing. Our second-grade numbers are growing.”

He showed EastIdahoNews.com around the brand-new school, which is very similar to the design of other schools in the district.

“This is the third time we’ve built this building. Ten years ago, we built Burton Elementary and South Fork Elementary, and we used the same pattern, which saved us several million dollars to use the same plan,” Lords said.

However, district officials made some adjustments to the plan.

“For example, what we did on this one is we increased the size of the gym. So in the other two buildings, it’s lunchroom, gym and that’s it. In this building, we have a lunchroom, gym and gym. We have widened it a little bit,” he said.

Lords added he is grateful for the support of the new school and thankful to taxpayers.

Elementary students will be in the building on Tuesday.

“It will be a great learning atmosphere,” Lords said.

Voters in Madison County have had a history of approving school bond measures. In 2017, the district passed a $27 million bond that added classrooms to two elementary schools, high school classroom additions and a new stadium.

The post Brand new Hibbard Elementary School ready for students appeared first on East Idaho News.

Check out road conditions across the region here.

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IDAHO FALLS — The following eastern Idaho schools have announced classes are cancelled on Friday, Jan. 12, due to extreme weather conditions:

School Districts

• Idaho Falls School District 91
• Swan Valley School District 92
• Bonneville Joint School District 93
• Madison School District 321
• Sugar-Salem School District 322
• Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25
• Jefferson School District 251
• Ririe School District 252
• West Jefferson School District 253
• Teton School District 401

Charter/Private Schools

• Grace Lutheran School in Pocatello
• Conner Academy in Pocatello
• Alpine Academy in Pocatello
• Gem Prep Pocatello
• Holy Rosary Catholic School in Idaho Falls
• Taylor’s Crossing Public Charter School in Idaho Falls
• White Pine Charter School in Idaho Falls
• Lighthouse Montessori School in Idaho Falls
• Snake River Montessori School in Ammon
• Vogue Beauty College and Salon in Idaho Falls
• Downtown Barber School in Idaho Falls
• Acton Academy in Idaho Falls
• Austin Kade Academy in IDAHO FALLS

Universities

• Idaho State University
• The College of Eastern Idaho
• Eagle Gate College

The majority of eastern Idaho is under a blizzard warning from Thursday evening until Saturday morning. Significant snowfall and high winds are forecast throughout the region, which will cause poor visibility on eastern Idaho roads.

A number of highways in eastern Idaho were closed Friday morning. Click here for the list.

RELATED | Do you really have to travel? How you can stay safe on the road during the blizzard

For the latest road conditions visit 511 Idaho. You can also view road conditions on the EastIdahoNews.com traffic webcam page.

For the latest weather conditions visit the EastIdahoNews.com weather page.

The post These schools are closed Friday, Jan. 12 due to severe weather appeared first on East Idaho News.

IDAHO FALLS – Idaho State Police is making sure you know what to do to stay safe during the potential for an extreme blizzard on Thursday and Friday.

ISP is partnering with local law enforcement agencies and the Idaho Department of Transportation to ensure they are out in “full force” during the storm that could create extremely dangerous road conditions.

“This one has a big word in it, and it’s called blizzard,” says Capt. Chris Weadick with the Idaho State Police. “We usually don’t usually get blizzard warnings, so this one is on our radar.”

Weadick says the most important thing to do is decide if you really need to be driving during the storm or not.

RELATED | Blizzard coming to eastern Idaho Thursday night; drivers asked to not travel

“During this storm, one of the biggest things is travel. Ask yourself if you really need to be traveling out in the weather during this period of time,” says Weadick. “If you don’t, limit your travel, reduce your travel, or just simply stay home. Stay off the roadways.”

If you decide you need to travel, remember the roads are slick, the wind is fast, and there are more people on the road than just you.

“A lot of people have been comfortable for the last month or two having nice dry roads, and they have forgotten winter driving habits,” says Weadick. “Slow down, don’t follow so close, and wear seatbelts. We still see a lot of crashes with drivers that aren’t wearing their seatbelts. A lot of that type of stuff is very preventable.”

According to Weadick, the biggest threat with the blizzard will be the wind as the National Weather Service is estimating that Idaho Falls could see winds gusting as high as 55 mph.

“We’re expecting extremely high winds. If we get a couple of inches of snow with 50 mph winds, you’ve got significant drifting issues,” says Weadick. “We could still have significant snow accumulations, but really, the wind is going to be a very big concern.”

All of local law enforcement and the Idaho Transportation Department will be deploying everyone available to make sure the roads are clear and people are as safe as possible during the storm.

“The Idaho Transportation Department is going to be out in full force, trying to keep the roadways clear,” says Weadick. “It is going to be all hands on deck for the Idaho State Police, here in the Idaho Falls area. We are pretty much going to have every trooper available in our ranks working.”

Weadick says local law enforcement will also be patrolling more remote areas and long stretches of road to ensure drivers are using caution.

“The other law enforcement agencies are out doing the same thing. We’ve got a lot of remote highways, a lot of long stretches of road, everybody is going to be out trying to provide the best travel safe roadways out here,” says Weadick. “We’re committed to being out in full force, and trying to help the motoring public.”

The post Do you really have to travel? How you can stay safe on the road during the blizzard appeared first on East Idaho News.