AMMON — It’s been one week since a popular restaurant caught fire in Ammon, and the business is expressing its thanks to the community on social media.

The structure fire happened on Monday, Jan. 8, at Texas Roadhouse.

RELATED | Blaze at Ammon restaurant causes $200,000 in damage, fire officials say

“We are truly overwhelmed with the current support of our community, thank you!” the restaurant posted on its Facebook page over the weekend.

Businesses like Cocoa Bean, Chick-fil-A, Guns N Gear, and Dixie’s Diner have reached out to Texas Roadhouse in support.

“Our utmost priority at this time is taking care of our Roadies,” the post said. “…our Roadies have a safety net for tragedies like these.”

Texas Roadhouse is temporarily closed due to the fire and it’s unknown when it will re-open. It’s also unclear what caused the fire.

EastIdahoNews.com has reached out to Texas Roadhouse but has not received a response back.

When the fire broke out, Bonneville County Fire District No. 1 Ammon Division Capt. Jon Molbert told EastIdahoNews.com there were reports the blaze started in the attic and heavy smoke was coming out of the roof.

Some employees were inside preparing for the day when the fire broke out, firefighters said, but nobody was injured.

“We feel incredibly lucky for our fast-acting employees that helped keep damage to a minimum and kept everyone safe. We are working hard to open as quickly as possible. Until then, we miss you all, and we LOVE this community!” the post from Texas Roadhouse said.

Ammon Fire Marshal Keith Banda estimated the damage to be $200,000.

The post Texas Roadhouse thanks community for support following fire 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 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.

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.

Check out road conditions across the region here.

The post LIVE: Eastern Idaho road web cameras appeared first on East Idaho News.

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 – A 39-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday after investigators reportedly found him in possession of over 300 videos and images of child pornography.

Chase Philip Hornaday was charged with five counts of distribution of sexually exploitative material and five counts of possession of sexually exploitative material.

According to a report written by a Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office detective, who is also on the Idaho Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, he was assigned a cyber tip on Nov. 27 regarding images of child sexual abuse material uploaded through Kik, a mobile messaging app.

The detective states that nine videos were uploaded 41 times. They reportedly showed children between the approximate ages of 4 and 15 being raped and engaging in sexual activity.

Investigators were able to track the IP address to a home in Ammon and connect the Kik account user information to Hornaday’s phone number.

Detectives conducted surveillance on Hornaday for multiple days, where they discovered he works at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport. Through the Federal Aviation Administration, they reportedly learned Hornaday is a contractor for them.

The detective filed a search warrant for the rest of the Kik account and received the remaining data on Dec. 12.

According to the detective’s report, there were ten more videos, one that was the same as in the original findings, showing children between the ages of “less than 4 months old” and 14 years old being raped and engaging in sexual activity.

The detective ultimately found “over 60 images and videos of CSAM in Hornaday’s Kik account that depicted child and infant rape, molestation and sexual abuse.”

Reports also state detectives found over 20 images and videos of Hornaday and a woman “engaging in sexual conduct” in the air traffic control tower at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport.

City of Idaho Falls Public Information Officer Eric Grossarth says the city is aware of the allegations and is working with law enforcement.

“The individual arrested was not an employee of the Idaho Falls Regional Airport but rather a federal contractor who operates the local air traffic control tower,” says Grossarth. “The city takes any allegations like this seriously and will fully cooperate with law enforcement.”

Kik also provided the detective with recent chat messages between Hornaday and other users during November and December. In one message, Hornaday reportedly insinuates that he is going to convince a woman to steal her daughter’s underwear.

“She has a 17-year-old daughter…maybe I could get her to steal a dirty pair of her panties.”

Additionally, Hornaday reportedly talked with users about trading “pedo” images and videos of “yng.” According to court documents, “yng” is a term used when talking about child sexually exploitative material, meaning “young.”

Hornaday was stopped by a Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputy Wednesday in a parking lot of East 17th Street. He was taken to the Bonneville County Ammon Field Office, where he requested a lawyer and declined to talk with investigators.

He was then taken into custody and booked into the Bonneville County Jail.

That afternoon, detectives say they listened to multiple jail calls between Hornaday and a relative.

The relative reportedly asked Hornaday, “What was going on with you?” to which he replied, “I’ve been in pain a long time, I’ve tried to numb it, I’ve done bad things.”

The relative later said they didn’t understand, and Hornaday reportedly stated, “I didn’t want to do drugs, and this was another way to numb my pain.”

The relative told Hornaday he “should have done drugs,” to which he replied, “I should have done drugs.”

Court documents state the relative told him he was “a pedophile now” and the call cut out as time ran out.

Seven minutes later, there was another call between the two, where the relative again asks Hornaday, “why?”

Hornaday reportedly responded, “Because it helps numb the pain of anything.” The relative asked, “How did looking at naked pictures of children help?” And Hornaday responded, “That’s the conversation we can have later I don’t have much time.”

Another six minutes later, the relative asks how long it has been going on, and he responds, “Maybe a year.”

When asked how old the kids in the images are, Hornaday reportedly states “5-18.”

He then reportedly told the relative, “I can tell you more about it if you ever want to talk to me again and try to come to an understanding of why I did it because I don’t fully understand other than I slowly found it and it was shocking enough to numb the pain of every other thing that was hurting.”

Hornaday also stated, “I’ve never touched a child, I’ve never looked at a child in person, I’ve never wanted to do anything, I’ve never touched anybody.”

Detectives seized 13 devices from Hornaday, including a Samsung cell phone. On the cell phone, investigators reportedly found over 300 images of child pornography.

Hornaday was booked with a bond of $250,000 and is expected to appear for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 24.

If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.

Though Hornaday has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

Anyone with information regarding the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local police, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at (208) 947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.

Parents, educators, and law enforcement officials can find more information and helpful resources at the ICAC website, ICACIdaho.org.

The post Man arrested for child porn also allegedly filmed himself having sex in Idaho Falls Airport tower 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.

POCATELLO — A blizzard is coming to eastern Idaho, bringing significant snowfall and high winds throughout the region starting Thursday evening.

The National Weather Service in Pocatello has issued a blizzard warning starting 5 p.m. Thursday and will last until Friday evening or Saturday morning in certain areas.

NWS Meteorologist Audra Moore said the last blizzard warning that was issued was eight years ago in eastern Idaho during December 2016. She said there have been about seven blizzard warnings issued since 2006.

“We are trying to get people to understand how serious this is,” Moore said. “A blizzard is sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater causing blowing snow to reduce visibility to a quarter of a mile or less for 3+ hours. So a blizzard warning is less about the snow falling than it is about the blowing snow impacting travel.”

Blizzard conditions are expected all across eastern Idaho, with total snow accumulations of one to five inches in the Upper Snake River Plain. The snowfall and wind is expected from 5 p.m. Thursday to 5 p.m. Friday. Areas affected include the Mud Lake, Teton Valley, Idaho Falls, Rexburg, St. Anthony, Victor, Ashton, Tetonia and Driggs.

Places like Pocatello, Fort Hall, Shelley and Blackfoot could expect snow accumulations of four to eight inches and winds gusting as high as 60 mph. In these areas, the blizzard warning is in effect from 5 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Saturday.

Places like Inkom, Lava Hot Springs, Preston, Montpelier, Soda Springs and Swan Valley could have five to nine inches of snow. The blizzard warning in these areas is also in effect from 5 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Saturday.

Additionally, there is a wind chill watch in effect from Friday through Saturday. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph are possible. Dangerously cold wind chills are possible, with chills as low as 25 below zero.

“Tomorrow (Friday) morning would be a nightmare travel scenario with gusts in that 50 to 60 mph range,” Moore added.

The blizzard warning from NWS says that travel could be very difficult to “impossible.” Blowing and drifting snow will significantly reduce visibility. In a graphic posted by NWS, the blizzard warning advises, “do not travel.”

“It’s way too dangerous. Don’t be out unless it is an emergency. Not only are you putting yourself at risk, but you also put at risk the lives of the emergency responders,” Moore said.

If you have to travel, Moore suggests doing it on Thursday before the blizzard warning is in effect.

“Make sure you’ve got your snow gear in the car with you and make sure you’ve got extra food, extra water, flashlights, and power banks to charge your phone,” she added.

Click here to check out the road conditions. Click here to view the weather in your area.

The post Blizzard coming to eastern Idaho Thursday night; drivers asked to not travel appeared first on East Idaho News.