REXBURG – A new option for your health care needs recently opened in Rexburg.

Rachelle Jones and Rebecca Jeppson opened Vista Healthcare, an all family clinic focuses on treating not just the symptoms, but the overall patient.

Jones and Jeppson are certified family nurse practitioners. They have 45 combined years of practicing medicine. Both have backgrounds in general health and women’s health.

“Our motto is ‘wellness over everything else,'” Jones said. “We’re about health promotion, not just I’m sick, so come in, but how can we keep you healthy.”

Both Jones and Jeppson have worked in various aspects of healthcare and nursing from labor and delivery to oncology to home health until they both landed in Nurse Practitioners school at Idaho State University at the same time. They soon became study partners and both graduated in 2009. Since then, they have worked as FNP’s in the Upper Valley. They felt it was time to branch out on their own.

Both provide care specific for women. They know that will be a huge part of their clientele, but they also would like to work with the whole family in their practice.

“Because we deal with hormone management and weight management, women are our draw and population. But our expertise goes beyond women,” Jones said. “Women are our draw because we are women. We can provide compassionate care for women.”

Office manager Heidi Burrows has helped open three other clinics in the area. She says she is surprised at how many patients have already booked appointments.

“I have never seen patients hunt down their providers like their patients have. They have almost been stalking them to find them. It’s been awesome,” Burrows said. “I have never been in a practice that had booked up so fast.”

As family nurse practitioners, they do not need to have a doctor oversee them but they do collaborate with many different specialists.

“We can write prescriptions. We don’t do surgeries, but we do procedures. We refer patients to specialists. So we would send a patient to a cardiologist for a stress test or any heart issues,” Jeppson said. “We will be doing lots of infertility and student health, but we won’t be delivering babies.”

Starting a new business is a lot of work and coming up with a name that fits their practice was important to the two women. Jones and her husband came up with several names but they stayed with Vista because of its multiple meanings.

“Vista came from us wanting to see the total perspective. We want to see you through the span of your healthcare. The graphic comes from where we live, but also because in life, our health has its peaks and its dips,” Jeppson said.

Jeppson feels like she has been able to help her friends and neighbors through her love of medicine. She is excited to see where her career will go with Vista.

“I can’t go fill their potato pits, I can’t tell them what weeds they have in their yards, but I can do this. I can do healthcare,” Jeppson said.

Vista is located at 556 Trejo ST Suite B in Rexburg. Learn more on their website at https://www.vistahealthcare.org.

The post New Rexburg health clinic focuses on total health appeared first on East Idaho News.

CHUBBUCK — The Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office has sealed the case involving a shooting at a Chubbuck convenience store last month between two men with business ties that left one dead and the other in jail.

Authorities identified the victim who died at the scene on Sep. 29 as Robert Phelps, 38, of Chubbuck, and the alleged shooter as Anthony Leinweber, also 38, of Chubbuck, and confirmed the two knew each other through business dealings, but few other details have been released.

When a case is sealed it means additional information on what happened is not currently available to the media or the public.

Bannock County Prosecutor Steve Herzog said Wednesday that he couldn’t comment on the case other than the case is sealed, the investigation is ongoing and Leinweber has a preliminary hearing scheduled sometime in early November.

“It’s a probable cause hearing where the court makes a determination that the state has sufficient evidence to establish probable cause,” Herzog said.

“The case is sealed because of a judicial order. (The Prosecutor’s Office) can ask for it and if the judge approves it, he will issue the order sealing the case.”

Herzog added the reason for sealing a case is that the investigation is ongoing and the prosecutor’s office does not want information contained within police reports entering the public domain.

“This could impact the police’s ability to talk to witnesses,” Herzog said. “We don’t want the witnesses to have read information that could somehow cloud their recollection of what happened or influence their statement at all.”

Further, Herzog said that once the preliminary hearing is complete, the court case should be unsealed.

The shooting occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. on Sep. 29 in front of the Jacksons convenience store along the 5000 block of Yellowstone Avenue after Leinweber pulled into the store’s parking lot in a black Mercedes-Benz sedan.

After Leinweber had gone into the store to make a purchase and returned to his car, Phelps approached Leinweber’s parked vehicle from the passenger side, authorities said.

While Leinweber sat in his car, an argument ensued between him and Phelps with Phelps standing next to the passenger side of the car, authorities said. Leinweber then exited his car and allegedly shot Phelps once in the face or head area with a pistol, authorities said. Phelps died at the scene.

Bannock County Coroner Kim Quick previously said Phelps was shot once in the head area but after conducting an autopsy of Phelps’ body, Quick said Phelps was shot in the chest.

Quick also said that Phelps was alive after being shot and people attempted to provide aid at the scene; however, his injuries were so severe that he could not be resuscitated.

Authorities said that Phelps was unarmed when he initiated an argument with Leinweber.

A witness at the scene said Phelps owned a local auto repair shop, and that Leinweber was a former employee at the shop. Both Leinweber and Phelps were friends at one point but had a falling out leading up to the shooting, the witness said.

Authorities said they don’t yet know what specific issue caused the disagreement between Phelps and Leinweber that led to the argument and then the shooting.

This story originally appeared in the Idaho State Journal. It is posted here with permission.

The post Few new details released in shooting at local convenience store appeared first on East Idaho News.

AMMON — A local mother is issuing a warning about electric blankets after her daughter was seriously burned in her sleep early Wednesday morning.

Mickeal Lovell-Smoley tells EastIdahoNews.com her 17-year-old, Kyla Lovell, fell asleep in her bed with a new electric blanket that had never been used.

“She woke up screaming at 3 a.m. from the shock and saw the blanket melted to her leg,” Lovell-Smoley says. “We went to the doctor, and she had second-degree and shock burns.”

Lovell-Smokey says Kyla has used electric blankets in the past and has never had any issues. But their family will no longer be sleeping with electric blankets or heating pads.

“I never thought electric blankets could be so dangerous. This could have ended so much worse. This blanket seemed safe and even has a safety feature that says it will turn itself off after a few hours,” Lovell-Smoley says.

Lovell-Smoley has reached out to Sunbeam, the blanket manufacturer, and it waiting to hear back from the company. EastIdahoNews.com has also requested a response and will update this story when we receive one.

Kyla had a hard time sleeping last night but is recovering, her mother says. Lovell-Smoley hopes sharing their story will prevent this from happening to anyone else.

“With winter coming everyone should be aware of this,” Lovell-Smoley says. “I am still in shock it happened and know my daughter has angels watching out for her. I’m feeling very grateful she is ok.”

The post Mother issues warning after blanket severely burns daughter appeared first on East Idaho News.

The following is a news release from Idaho State Police.

POCATELLO — At 10:16 a.m. Thursday, the Idaho State Police investigated a vehicle versus pedestrian injury crash northbound on I15 at milepost 64, one mile north of the Portneuf Rd. or Fort Hall Mine Rd. exit.

Gary Woodward, age 72, of Cardston, Albeta, Canada, was driving northbound in a Peterbuilt truck.

Shannon McKinney, age 39, of Pocatello, was on foot near milepost 64 when she entered the roadway and was struck by Woodward’s Peterbuilt.

McKinney was transported by ground ambulance to Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello.

Portneuf Medical Center officials say McKinney.

Northbound traffic was blocked for several minutes while Emergency Medical Services responded.

The incident is under investigation at this time.

The post Woman walking on I-15 in Pocatello hit by truck appeared first on East Idaho News.

IDAHO FALLS — The trial of a man accused of molesting a girl for years continued Wednesday with the mother of the victim addressing the jury.

William Ellwood was charged with ten felony counts of lewd conduct with a minor and one felony count of sexual abuse of a minor in Aug. 2016. He was also charged with one felony count of sexual abuse of a minor in the form of photos taken of the victim.

The alleged sexual abuse took place over five years from the time the victim was nine-years-old to when she turned 14 in 2016.

The victim’s mother gave emotional testimony about how her daughter changed during the time she was allegedly sexually abused by Ellwood and how she transformed after reporting what happened.

The mother, whom EastIdahoNews.com is not identifying, said her daughter became more withdrawn when she was nine-years-old.

“She started wearing a coat. It was from her knees to her chin. She would zip it up (and) wouldn’t take it off at school. She’d wear it at home half the time,” the mother said. “She began writing a lot and drawing and hanging out in her room all the time. She became more withdrawn from the rest of the family and less affectionate towards me.”

The mother recently took a job in Colorado and that’s when the victim told her about the alleged abuse. Since moving, the mother said her daughter has changed drastically.

“I feel like I got my daughter back,” she said. “She cooks with us now. She makes cookies, she watches movies with me. She comes and gives me hugs all the time. She comforts me when she thinks I’m having a bad day. She’s like a whole different person.”

The mother said her daughter only spends time her room when she sleeps and sometimes to do homework.

“She’d rather be upstairs at the kitchen table hanging out with us,” she said. “She didn’t have friends (but now) she has a whole group of friends. She’s in a game club. She’s a whole different person now.”

The trial continues Thursday.

The post Mother of victim testifies in trial of man accused of sex crimes appeared first on East Idaho News.

EastIdahoNews.com is hosting several forums over the coming days featuring men and women who are running for local political office in Pocatello, Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, Ammon, Rigby and Rexburg.

Each candidate is given 90 seconds to make an opening statement. They are then given 90 seconds to respond to questions and they get a final 90 seconds for a closing statement.

You can watch previous forums here and future forums will be posted on EastIdahoNews.com.

In Ammon, there are seven candidates running for four city council seats.

SEAT ONE

DAVID MCDANIEL

WAYNE MANESS

CLICK HERE to visit his Facebook page.

SCOTT WESSEL

SEAT TWO

RUSSELL SLACK

SEAT FOUR

BYRON WISCOMBE

SEAT SIX

CRAIG TIBBITTS

CLICK HERE to visit his Facebook page.

MARK PERMANN

CLICK HERE to visit his Facebook page.

The post EAST IDAHO ELECTS: Ammon City Council forum appeared first on East Idaho News.

IDAHO FALLS — People for and against Idaho Falls School District 91’s proposed $110 million bond are making themselves heard before voters decide the issue Nov. 7.

If the bond passes, about $70 million will go toward building a new Idaho Falls High School just off 49th South near Taylorview Middle School. The old school would become home to all of District 91’s career technical programs, administrative offices and continue to be used for community functions.

The other $40 million would be used for a top-to-bottom renovation of Skyline High School.

District 91, along with groups in favor of the bond, say the measure is necessary to modernize the schools, and it will not raise taxes for voters.

“As our tax base grows, our tax levy rate will stay the same even though we will be collecting more revenue from people,” District 91 spokeswoman Margaret Wimborne says.

Opponents, however, say the measure will increase taxes, the bond is not cost effective, and the proposal is an unnecessary amount of debt to put on patrons.

IN SUPPORT OF THE BOND

Matthew Traynor, an ophthalmologist with Premiere Eye Care, is a volunteer on the District 91 bond campaign. He has a daughter who attends Idaho Falls High School and will soon have other children going to classes in the building.

He says space is lacking at both high schools, and the infrastructure is archaic. He’s experienced similar challenges in his own profession.

“The building I have been in for the last six or seven years is an old house that was built in the 1950s — the same decade Idaho Falls High School was built. So we’ve dealt with all the same issues,” Traynor says.

Those issues included an inadequate electrical structure for modern technology and thick walls that prevent reliable wifi.

Traynor recently moved his office into a state-of-the-art building at a new location.

“We have patients who had been going to the old building for 30 years. They were sad to leave. But we couldn’t provide them with the quality medical experience this new building provides. It’s the same thing for the high school,” Traynor says.

As a volunteer with the bond campaign, Traynor has heard from students, teachers and the school board. After a comprehensive study, district leaders learned they could renovate Idaho Falls High School for $46 million or build a new one for around $70 million. They opted for a new school because renovations of an old building would not have allowed them to fully modernize the school.

“Even with the $46 million, they wouldn’t be able to get it to the level they need without a new building,” says Traynor.

IN OPPOSITION TO THE BOND

Tom Bailey is the vice president of Quality Steel in Idaho Falls and has experience fabricating and erecting structural steel for schools. He sees the $110 million bond as wasteful and is opposed to it.

“Right now we don’t have a cost-effective option. We have a contractor saying it’s going to cost $110 million. That’s not the world I live in. Something doesn’t smell right,” Bailey says.

Lisa Keller, a local real estate agent, is the spokeswoman for D91 Taxpayers, a group opposed to the bond. She says she would like a new school, but the price tag is too high.

“Regardless of the district’s questionable tax assumptions and claims of no tax rate increase, we, the taxpayers, will be paying this off for the next 20 years. We see this huge, new unnecessary debt as a bad example to our children and a poor legacy to leave to them,” Keller says. “It’s simply irresponsible.”

THE BOND, TAXES AND YOUR WALLET

The school district says taxes won’t be increased, but is that even possible?

It could be, but perhaps not in the way you are thinking. The overall tax burden in the district will increase if this bond is passed. When a debt is levied against property taxes, taxpayers are responsible to pay the new debt over a period of time.

“I hate the idea that a person increases the budget and thinks that it doesn’t increase taxes because it does,” Bonneville County Assessor Blake Mueller tells EastIdahoNews.com.

However, just because the tax burden goes up, that does not necessarily mean the tax levy rate will increase. Nor does it mean patrons will see their monthly or annual property tax bill go up as a result of the bond.

Carrie Smith, the school district’s director of finance, says the district can maintain its tax levy rate (the percentage of money it takes to pay off the debt) because the region has seen sufficient market growth. That growth means more money is coming into the county because more people are paying property taxes, and home values have risen.

Consider this analogy: say you have $1,000 and are taxed at 10 percent. $100 goes to the government. If you get $1,120, your 10 percent tax rate becomes $120. You’re paying more taxes, but the tax rate remains the same.

In this case, Bonneville County is receiving more money from patrons because home values have increased since the last school bond passed.

This means households are already paying more taxes than in previous years. District officials say this excess money will compensate for new debt and allow the school system to maintain the same percentage of taxes they are taking from homeowners.

So in summary — the district is getting more money from each household, but that’s not because you’re being taxed more by the district. It’s because you are already paying more, and the district is just taking a larger portion of that pie.

IF THE BOND DOESN’T PASS, WILL TAXES DROP?

Opponents to the bond are asking if the bond fails, will taxpayers benefit financially?

“If we weren’t going to spend $110 million on it, what would happen to our tax rate? Would it go down?” Keller asks.

It wouldn’t actually matter.

Provided the tax base continues to grow, the district’s tax levy rate will remain the same after the bond is passed. Any increases or decreases to local property values will have been caused by other factors and not the school bond.

WHAT IF THE GROWTH STOPS?

For this scenario to work, and the tax levy rate not increase, the tax base in the district has to continue to grow for at least 11 years.

If property values decrease at any point, the school system may need to increase its levy rate to pay off the debt.

That’s D91 Taxpayers representatives say the district’s claims are misleading, since growth occurring at the necessary rate to keep the tax levy rate the same is not a sure thing.

There is historical data to support that belief. Bonneville County numbers show that between 2011 and 2013, the tax base declined rather than increased.

But district leaders say are confident they will see the growth they need.

Wimborne agrees that there were several years of decline, but said there has also been years of double-digit growth. She says the district’s growth rate over the past 20-year period is 4.29 percent.

“The idea that we’re going to have zero growth for (the next) 20 years is not based in reality. Just drive around the community. There are new subdivisions and new businesses,” Wimborne says.

The district’s bond election planning report, published by financial firm Piper Jaffray in Boise, shows the district needs an estimated 6 percent projected growth rate for 2018, which is calculated based on current trends. About 5 percent growth will be needed for 2019 and 2020. And between 2021 and 2029, the report estimates 2.5 percent growth will be needed to maintain the tax levy rate.

This means the district needs to continue to grow its tax base for at least 11 years to maintain the tax levy rate. If that doesn’t happen, the district says is has sufficient savings to cover added cost.

Bonneville County records show there is already sufficient growth to meet the needed 6 percent in 2018. But there are no firm numbers after 2018.

Also keep in mind, that although the tax base has increased, growth in student enrollment has remained steady. In the past four years, enrollment at both District 91 high schools has increased by 3 to 5 percent.

HOW MUCH DEBT?

This isn’t the first bond measure that has gone to the ballot in the last decade.

In 2012, District 91 passed a $53 million bond to build four new elementary schools and complete renovations across the district. About $37.5 million still needs to be paid on that bond.

If this new bond is approved, the district’s amount of debt will skyrocket.

Based on current projections, the 2012 debt will be paid off by 2032.

“(The proposed bond) is set to take the district debt from about $40 million to $185 million – an increase of over 460 percent,” Keller said.

District leaders say they are equipped to handle the debt.

Smith says market growth has allowed the district to build up a significant savings fund that will help cover any dips in the market and allow for the levy rate to remain the same.

“We also have a strong fund balance in our general fund. That gives us another cushion if any projections fall short,” says Smith.

The $110 million bond payment would require an $824,000 payment for 2018 and fluctuate every year thereafter until the previous bond is paid off. The new bond will be paid off by 2039, officials said.

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR

Another complaint from some opposed to the bond is District 91 illegally or inappropriately hired a contractor for the construction or design of the high school without a bidding process before the bond was even voted on.

“They interviewed all the architects, chose one, and then said, ‘Go ahead and do it,’ instead of saying to the architect, ‘We need to be wise fiscally,’” Keller said.

RELATED: District 91 selects design team for high school redesign project

But District 91 officials say they haven’t broken any laws. A company was paid to design a new school, but leaders state a construction contractor has not been hired.

Additionally, the district looked at many design firms before selecting one.

“We have attorneys involved to make sure that everything we do is in accordance with state law, so those allegations make no sense,” District 91 Superintendent George Boland said. “What people are alleging is that design professionals were put on contracts without bid. You don’t bid for professional services. That’s not the way you select a design team.”

Boland says the established practice is to fill out a request for qualifications, send it out and evaluate those who respond. During an interview of the top candidates, costs of service are negotiated.

Once the design phase is over and a bond is approved, the district is legally obligated to take bids on the construction work and choose the company with the lowest price.

WHAT’S NEXT?

A two-thirds supermajority is required for the bond to pass.

If it does, the project will begin immediately and is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2021.

The post Everything you need to know about the $110 million school bond vote appeared first on East Idaho News.

AMMON — A woman was taken to the hospital after her car flipped upside down during a crash Thursday afternoon.

The rollover happened on Derrald Ave. at the entrance of Johnny Carino’s and Citizens Community Bank around 4 p.m.

The woman, driving a Kia SUV, pulled out of the Sportsman’s Warehouse parking lot and failed to yield to another vehicle driving on Derrald Ave., according to Bonneville County Sheriff Sgt. Bryan Lovell. The Kia was T-boned and then flipped onto its roof.

The driver, who was wearing a seatbelt, was taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center by ambulance with minor injuries, according to Lovell. The driver of the other vehicle was not hurt.

Bonneville County Sheriff deputies and EMTs responded to the scene. A tow truck operator was able to remove the vehicle and the intersection was fully functional by 5 p.m.

The post Woman injured after car flips upside down in Ammon appeared first on East Idaho News.

UPDATE

Power has been restored to all but 200 customers in Shelley and Ucon as of 12:45 p.m. Friday.

ORIGINAL STORY

IDAHO FALLS — Strong winds are causing small outages throughout the Idaho Falls area.

A fallen branch on South Boulevard caused about 1,500 Idaho Falls Power customers to be without power for just under an hour Friday morning.

About 1,700 Rocky Mountain Power customers are still without power as of noon Friday in Idaho Falls, Ammon, Ucon, Shelley and Roberts.

Estimated restoration on those outages is about 2 p.m., according to RMP officials.

If you are experiencing an outage contact Idaho Falls Power at www.ifpower.org or (208) 612-8436 or Rocky Mountain Power at (877) 508-5088.

The post UPDATE: Power has been restored to most customers in Idaho Falls area appeared first on East Idaho News.

The following is a news release from Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

IDAHO FALLS — Doug Crabtree, Chief Executive Officer for Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center since 1999, announced his retirement, effective December 31, 2017.

Doug’s career in healthcare has spanned three decades, with most of that time spent at EIRMC. He has served as CEO of the region’s largest healthcare facility for 18 years; prior to his appointment as CEO, Crabtree served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at EIRMC from 1993-1997, and Assistant Administrator from 1991-1993.

Under his leadership, EIRMC has seen tremendous growth and transformation. In the late 1990’s, EIRMC was a community hospital serving healthcare needs of Idaho Falls residents. Today, it is the largest hospital in Southeast Idaho, western Wyoming, and southern Montana, and functions as a regional referral center for multiple hospitals within this service area.

Throughout his tenure, Doug has been guided by one singular vision: to provide the best care for our patients. To that end, the focus remained on building services, recruiting physicians, and training employees so that residents do not have to travel hours away to receive high-quality healthcare that they deserve.

Doug says, “It has been a remarkable experience to be involved in EIRMC’s transformation. I’m very proud of the work we’ve done to ensure that people in our area can choose top-notch healthcare close to home.”

EIRMC’s growth has included:

· Designation as a Level II Trauma Center, requiring 24/7 specialty care, such as trauma surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, and an integrated clinical structure to properly care for traumatically injured patients.

· Designation as a Level I Intensive Care Unit.

· Development of a comprehensive heart program, including open-heart surgery, minimally-invasive cardiac surgery, cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology (region’s only), and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

· Built the Idaho Cancer Center at EIRMC, and later, a partnership with Gamma West Cancer Care to provide region’s most advanced radiation oncology treatment.

· Creation of the region’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, serving babies born as early as 22 weeks gestation.

· Partnership with Obestetrix Medical Group of the Mountain States for the region’s only maternal-fetal medicine services from women with high-risk pregnancies.

· Opening of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for critically-ill and critically-injured children.

· Establishment of the region’s only inpatient rehabilitation unit for people with conditions such as stroke and traumatic brain injury.

In fact, over the last 18 years, EIRMC has invested $93 million in renovations and additional building footprint to provide for service line expansion and growth.

Additionally, Doug has sought to build important relationships with hospitals in the region. The result is a stronger network of regional healthcare, particularly for residents of outlying communities served by smaller hospitals. For example, he was instrumental in creation of the Hospital Consortium, a partnership between EIRMC, Madison Memorial Hospital (Rexburg), Teton Valley Hospital (Driggs), St. John’s Medical Center (Jackson), Star Valley Medical Center (Afton, Wyoming), and Sublette County Rural Health Care District (Pinedale, Wyoming). The Hospital Consortium works to improve healthcare delivery at the local level. The focus is on “sharing” services, when appropriate, to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs, while still keeping healthcare operations at the local level where it is best delivered and managed.

Dr. Rachel Gonzales, CEO at Madison Memorial Hospital and Hospital Consortium member, said, “We have built a wonderful partnership over the years. Doug’s leadership has built a strong sense of community collaboration. This has been the fundamental reason why EIRMC has worked so well with area hospitals. He has a motto he often says, “Friends and family serving friends and family.” I have appreciated Doug as a friend and colleague, but additionally I am grateful for what he has taught me. I wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Doug’s impact on healthcare in southeast Idaho is only overshadowed by the passion he has brought to work every day. “I’ve been very fortunate to have a career where I’ve loved going to work every day. Being a hospital CEO is a 24/7 job, and I’m grateful for every minute of it,” Crabtree says.

After his retirement, Doug will continue to pursue passions that are meaningful to him. He is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Shauna; daughter Amanda and her husband Chris; son Matt and daughter-in-law Aubrei; and their two grandchildren. Doug will also continue service to the community through charitable and church activities.

The post EIRMC CEO announces his retirement appeared first on East Idaho News.

IDAHO FALLS — Running alongside other kids in a cross-country competition was something Nicole Wallace never thought she’s see her autistic son do.

“We tried karate and soccer. But whenever there was a loud noise he would just run away because it was really overstimulating,” Wallace says.

Eight-year-old Asher Wallace deals with both autism and anxiety. Before finding cross country Asher was very withdrawn and had a hard time saying what he needed. Loud noises would scare him from interacting with others. But even with his limitations, Asher had a desire to compete in sports.

“He would say he wanted to do it, so we tried but he just couldn’t do it,” Wallace says.

Wallace said certain coaches also weren’t used to working with children who have autism.

“The coaches haven’t been very supportive or he just can’t stay with the group so it makes it a little bit impossible,” Wallace says.

When Wallace decided to enroll Asher with her daughter’s cross country team this fall, the outlook for Asher’s capabilities began to change. With a coach willing to work with Asher and allow family members to run next to him, he had finally found a sport he could connect with.

“Jill his therapist came out with him and has done an amazing job. She and I run right alongside him. She goes to all the practices does the pushups, the hard running, and then we switch off in the races. We do half and half,” Wallace says.

High Five Flyers cross country team coach Jeremy Smith says he has seen a change in Asher’s behavior over the weeks he had competed.

“I thought I noticed him smiling a lot more, he just has this huge, big smile,” Smith says. “I think kids can succeed in ways that we’re not really ready to accept as long as they have the support all in place that they need.”

Rehabilitative interventionist Jill Sullivan works with a developmental disability agency called Journeys and says she’s seen Asher go from totally uninterested in training to being engaged and competitive. She said running has helped him in many areas of his life.

“Every practice just got better, it was amazing and then this last practice he was up there with the coach showing the kids the exercises to do,” Sullivan says.

Wallace wants others to know they can have success in their families and that resources are available in their communities. Asher’s supporters say discovering the right sport for him has given him the tools to succeed as he learns to grow with his autism.

“We’ve just had so much support, I’ve never thought that I would see him run, I’ve never thought that I would see him participate in a sport,” Wallace says. “Knowing that he can do this, there’s just so much hope for his future.”

The post Cross-country running gives mom with autistic son new hope appeared first on East Idaho News.

The following is a news release from the Idaho Falls Police Department

IDAHO FALLS — Authorities are investigating a report of multiple gunshots near the corner of Sage Avenue and “H” Street early Friday morning.

Police responded to the area at about 12:42 a.m.

The gunshots had ceased by the time officers arrived, but officers were able to locate a home in the area with a window shot out.

Following the initial investigation, there did appear to be an exchange of gunfire between two parties.

No civilians or officers were injured.

No other information is available at this time.

If anyone has information on this case or others, please contact Bonneville County dispatch at (208) 529-1200, crime stoppers at (208) 522-1983 or report it online at www.ifcrime.org.

The post Idaho Falls Police respond to gunshots in neighborhood appeared first on East Idaho News.

EDITOR’S NOTE: EastIdahoNews.com posted this story on Oct. 25, 2016. We are sharing it again in honor of breast cancer awareness month.

In October 2013, I walked into a Virginia hospital for a simple test that would change my life.

It would give me vital information about my personal health but, I’ll be honest, I was really there for my daughter, Emerson.

There was a chance my adorable 5-month-old was carrying a potentially deadly problem that’s been in my family for generations.

The breast cancer gene.

More specifically, a mutated gene that drastically increases our risks of getting and dying of cancer.

“I watched my mother die early from breast cancer,” my mom, Alana Eaton, recalls. “She had it, her mother had it, my great-grandmother died of cancer and her brothers and sisters. She came from a very large family and nearly every one died of cancer at a very young age.”

The cancer rates were so alarming in my mom’s family that researchers at the University of Utah began studying their history in 1995.

They focused on BRCA1 – a gene everyone is born with but, in a very small group of people, the gene is mutated.

“Less than one percent of people have a mutated BRCA1 gene,” Dr. William Irvin of the Bon Secours Cancer Institute told me when I got the test. “For those few who do have it, aggressive measures are often taken.”

Many women, including Angelina Jolie, have a double mastectomy after learning they are BRCA1 positive.

Doctors recommended the same procedure to my mother when, at age 45, she tested positive for the mutation. She refused, but did undergo surgery.

“They recommended that I have my ovaries removed, because the risk is far greater to get ovarian cancer than breast cancer in my family,” she says.

My mother’s five siblings also had the BRCA test. Results were negative in every case except my aunt Margaret, who died of breast cancer in 2014 at age 50.

Because my mom is a carrier of the mutated gene, there was a 50/50 chance I was too. If so, there was a 50 percent chance Emerson and my son, Everett, could also be carriers.

And that’s what led me to the hospital that October afternoon.

I decided to document the BRCA1 test for a TV news story to show others how painless, quick and easy it is.

I was in the exam room for less than two minutes and the actual test took 20 seconds. I simply swished mouthwash in my mouth and spit it into a container. That’s all.

Three weeks later, the results were back and I learned the news.

WATCH NATE LEARN THE RESULTS OF HIS TEST BELOW:

My test was negative.

That means my risk — and my daughter’s — of getting 
cancer is now the same as anybody else’s.

“Her risk of getting the gene is zero,” Dr. James Pellicane told me when the results came back. “It can’t 
skip a generation so if you don’t have it, she doesn’t have it.”

My two sisters and one brother have been tested and they are all BRCA1 
negative. My older brother plans to get the test soon.

My mother is now 65 (sorry, Mom!) and cancer free. She’s likely the longest living person in her family who has the mutated BRCA 1 gene.

Every year, she has follow-up appointments at the University of Utah and she pays close attention to any changes in her health. She’s active and is living life to the fullest.

There are people reading this who have the BRCA1 mutation and may not even know it. If your family has a long history of breast or ovarian cancer, you may want to talk with your doctor and see if getting the test is right for you.

It’s made all the difference for me and my family.

The post EATON: Confronting cancer – a father’s fear appeared first on East Idaho News.

IDAHO FALLS – The former girlfriend and son of a man accused of sex crimes testified on his behalf.

William Ellwood is charged with sexually molesting a girl from the time she was 9-years-old to when she was 14. Hilda Woodling, Ellwood’s former girlfriend, and Zach Ellwood, 18, a child Woodling and Ellwood have in common, were called by the defense to testify on Ellwood’s behalf.

Woodling said she and Ellwood had been together for 10 years, from 1997 to 2007. During that time, they had three children together.

“He is a great father,” Woodling said. “My kids love him and he’s always there for them. They look up to him.”

She said she has no concern about Ellwood being a danger to the daughter they have together or to other children.

RELATED: Mother of victim testifies in trial of man accused of sex crimes

When defense attorney Allen Browning asked if Woodling had any reason to believe Ellwood was a child molester she said she did not.

Ellwood’s son, Zach, allegedly delayed his entrance into the United States Marine Corps to have the opportunity to testify at his father’s hearing.

Zach said he had never seen Ellwood and the victim behind closed doors together to have private talks.

“If he had any discussion to do with anyone he, actually, would prefer to do it in public so, they’d know that he wasn’t joking around and not messing around with them,” Zach said. “So, they’d know not to do it again.”

RELATED: Trial begins for I.F. man charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse

Ellwood has children of his own, as well as children with the victim’s mother. The victim’s mother also has children of her own from a previous relationship.

Zach said Ellwood was more strict, in regards to punishment, with his own . The victim’s mother would get upset when Ellwood attempted to punish her children, Zach said.

“He’d be more disciplined towards us,” he said. “Especially because he raised us with certain expectations. If we went aside of those he’d be disappointed.”

Zach said part of his decision to join the Marine Corps was to make his father proud of him.

Ellwood is expected to take the stand and give testimony Friday.

The post Former girlfriend and son testify in local man’s sexual abuse trial appeared first on East Idaho News.

EastIdahoNews.com is hosting several forums over the coming days featuring men and women who are running for local political office in Pocatello, Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, Ammon, Rigby and Rexburg.

Each candidate is given 90 seconds to make an opening statement. They are then given 90 seconds to respond to questions and they get a final 90 seconds for a closing statement.

You can watch previous forums here and future forums will be posted on EastIdahoNews.com.

In Blackfoot, there are two candidates running for City Council seat one and one candidate running for City Council seat two.

SEAT ONE

CHRISTOPHER JENSEN

SEAN WILLIAMS

SEAT TWO

LAYNE “SKIP” GARDNER

The post East Idaho Elects: Blackfoot City Council appeared first on East Idaho News.

The following is a news release from the Idaho Department of Correction.

BOISE — An eastern Idaho inmate who was helping battle a California wildfire is back in custody after walking away from his inmate fire crew near the town of Sonoma.

Angelo Manuel Diaz, 37, was reported missing at about 11:30 a.m. Friday. A Napa County Sheriff’s deputy found Diaz about three hours later. Diaz reportedly claims he got lost while going to a restroom.

Diaz’s 19-member crew and two correctional officers left the South Idaho Correctional Institution on Oct. 14. They have been based at a fire camp in Santa Rosa, California.

On Jan. 30, in Bannock County, Diaz was sentenced to 3-7 years for possession of a controlled substance.

The post Inmate, who says he got lost, back in custody after walking away from fire crew appeared first on East Idaho News.

COUNCILWOMAN BARBARA EHARDT

RONALD JORDE

KENLY OSTERHOUT

REP. JEFF THOMPSON

EastIdahoNews.com asked for a response from Rep. Jeff Thompson multiple times, but our request was not answered.

The post Here’s where the I.F. mayoral candidates stand on the D91 $110M school bond appeared first on East Idaho News.

RIGBY — The Rigby City Council met Thursday night to discuss future possibilities for the Farnsworth TV and Pioneer Museum.

People in Rigby have been wondering if the museum building is going to be sold and relocated.

City Council President Doug Burke said Thursday’s meeting was the just the beginning in terms of talking about a possible sale of the museum. He says hype concerning the potential sale of the building has been blown way out of proportion, and that there is much to be done before any decision can be made.

“The only thing we had to do (last night) was really authorize an appraisal so we have an idea of what the value of the property is,” Burke said.

Burke said outside of that no formal decisions have been made. Because there is no appraisal price on the property the city isn’t able to move forward with any plans for new development.

“We’re not going to go without a museum here in town,” Burke said. “It’s just a matter of whether we get a new one or what are possibilities are. We are putting so much money into repairs and maintenance on the building every year, that even though the old museum is nice, it would be nice if we had something a little more modern and interactive.”

Museum curator Cleave Reddick said all he has wanted for the museum was a roof repair. He said it could potentially be a hassle to relocate the museum because of murals that were painted on the walls that cannot be removed.

Burke said if the sale of the property does go through then there would be the possibility of a new museum, but Burke says right now the city is just testing the waters before they can begin a negotiation.

“I’m passionate about the museum, but if we have a possibility to upgrade it let’s look at that,” Burke said.

The post Rigby City Council to get Farnsworth museum appraised appeared first on East Idaho News.

Idaho is on In-N-Out Burger’s radar.

That’s what the popular Irvine, California-restaurant chain told Idaho Statesman writer Michael Deeds in a story posted this week at http://www.idahostatesman.com/entertainment/ent-columns-blogs/words-deeds/article179242496.html.

The question apparently is not if the legendary chain will open an Idaho location but when. However, In-N-Out officials told Deeds the company believes in slow growth so the expansion into Idaho isn’t going to happen overnight.

“Slow and controlled growth has always been part of our strategy here at In-N-Out Burger,” Denny Warnick, In-N-Out’s vice president of operations, told Deeds.

In-N-Out already has restaurants in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas and Oregon, and Warnick said the company is “aware of the great opportunities in Idaho.”

Deeds’ article highlighted a recent poll showing that In-N-Out Burger is by far the one chain restaurant Boise area residents most want to see expand into Idaho’s capital city.

Deeds wrote, “When I set up a poll recently asking readers ‘Which chain restaurant should come to Boise?,’ the result was a fast-food landslide. A whopping 44 percent of the 4,588 votes were cast for In-N-Out Burger. The next closest restaurant was White Castle — at just 8 percent.”

In-N-Out noticed the poll results.

“We consider it a great compliment to be considered as a favorite burger restaurant in the wish-list survey of ‘which restaurants should come to Boise,’” Warnick told Deeds. “The fact that this result comes directly from your readers in Idaho makes it especially meaningful.”

In-N-Out is also unique in that none of its restaurants are franchises.

The company is a private, family-owned enterprise that places a high value on quality.

“Our own in-house butchers produce all of our meat patties at In-N-Out Burger facilities in three locations: Baldwin Park, California, Lathrop, California, and Dallas, Texas,” Warnick told Deeds. “We do this so that we can control the quality and freshness of every meat patty we serve. The ability to deliver our fresh meat patties to all of our restaurants is one of the most important considerations for us when we consider expanding to a new market.”

Deeds wrote, “In-N-Out gets those patties from California to Utah. So it seems like Boise would be possible.”

The post In-N-Out Burger has eye on Idaho as it mulls future expansion plans appeared first on East Idaho News.

BLACKFOOT — Idaho State Police are investigating a single-vehicle injury crash on Interstate 15 in Bingham County.

The accident occurred at about 7:34 p.m. Friday near milepost 89.

Victoria Kinghorn, 27, of Idaho Falls was driving southbound on I-15 in a 2001 Nissan Xterra.

Kinghorn drove off the right shoulder and rolled the vehicle. The vehicle came to rest on the right shoulder not blocking traffic, according to an Idaho State Police news release.

Kinghorn was not wearing a seat belt and was transported by ground ambulance to Bingham Memorial Hospital in Blackfoot.

Bingham Memorial Hospital officials report Kinghorn was treated, stabilized and transferred to a larger hospital in stable condition.

The post Woman hospitalized after rollover on I-15 appeared first on East Idaho News.