The following is a news release from the city of Pocatello.

POCATELLO — The Pocatello D.A.R.E. program now has a different vehicle to use when visiting schools.

Idaho Central Credit Union has generously donated a former “Green Machine” to be refurbished for the D.A.R.E. program.

“The D.A.R.E. program is grateful to Idaho Central for this charitable contribution,” stated Sgt. Trent Whitney.

Representatives from Idaho Central Credit Union handed over the keys to the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Oct. 20 at the Idaho Central Credit Union Administration office in Chubbuck.

The Pocatello D.A.R.E. officers are working with various sponsors of the program to transform the Jeep. They hope to have the vehicle completed in time to reveal it at “Chrome in the Dome” in the spring of 2018.

The current D.A.R.E. car will still be used by the second D.A.R.E. officer and be available for community events.

The post Credit Union donates vehicle to D.A.R.E. program appeared first on East Idaho News.

IDAHO FALLS — A national television network is revisiting a murder case that gripped east Idaho in 1989 when the bodies of two women were found in an Idaho Falls home.

ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN will be sharing the story of Reeda Roundy and Betty Gray on Investigation Discovery this coming Sunday.

In this episode, Zahn follows the tragic double homicide of Reeda Roundy and Betty Gray who were found in Roundy’s home. Next to the bodies was written a satanic message written in blood that said “Satan Loves You.” It appeared to have been part of a carefully planned ritual.

Detectives were puzzled, as neither murder had any signs of being ritualistic and both victims appeared to have died without a struggle. But as the investigation unfolded, detectives learned that nothing about the crime was as it appeared.

In fact, it would take remarkable police work and insights from the families of both beloved mothers to finally piece together the stunning truth.

This episode includes interviews with:

– Detective Victor Rodriguez, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office
– Sheriff Paul Wilde, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office
– Paul Roundy, Roundy’s son
– Clayton Roundy, Roundy’s son
– RuthAnn Web, Roundy’s daughter
– Sara Kussy, Gray’s daughter
– Detective Chris Brackin, Jackson Police Department
– Dixie Muephy, author, When Greed Turns Deadly

The episode will air Sunday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m., on Investigation Discovery (ID).

The post TV show to air story of I.F. women murdered, found near satanic message written in blood appeared first on East Idaho News.

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

REXBURG — The Villalobos Brothers, one of today’s leading contemporary Mexican bands, will perform Friday, November 3, at 7:30 p.m. in the Kirkham Auditorium at Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg.

Their original compositions and arrangements masterfully blend and celebrate the richness of Mexican folk music with the intricate harmonies of jazz and classical music.

In 2013 they performed at Cumbre Tajin, one of the most important music festivals in Latin America. Later that year they became the Ultimate winners of the “2013 Battle of the Boroughs,” one of National Public Radio’s flagship competitions in New York City. They were the first Mexican band ever to play at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.

In 2013 they performed at Cumbre Tajin, one of the most important music festivals in Latin America, where they shared the stage with Regina Spector, Pet Shop Boys and Los Tigres del Norte. Later that year, they became the Ultimate winners of the “2013 Battle of the Boroughs”, one of National Public Radio’s flagship competitions sponsored by The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, WNYC and WQXR’s in New York City.

The Villalobos Brothers were born and raised in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. They spent their childhood listening to their grandmother Cristina Vásquez sing and play guitar and accordion after a day’s work. They took up the violin as children and soon learned to sing and play other instruments, including guitar and piano.

Villalobos Brothers are Ernesto Villalobos, lead vocals and violin; Alberto Villalobos, lead vocals and violin; Luis Villalobos, lead vocals and violin; Humberto Flores, back-up vocals and guitar; Rosa Avila, drums; and Leo Sherman, bass.

Tickets are $12 for the general public and $6 for BYU-Idaho students. Tickets may be purchased at the BYU-Idaho Ticket Office, by calling 208-496-3170 or online at www.byui.edu/tickets.

The post Villalobos Brothers to perform at BYU-Idaho appeared first on East Idaho News.

Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline

If you, or someone you know, is in crisis or emotional distress, call the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline at (208) 398-4357 (HELP), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Text support is available Monday to Friday, 3 p.m. to midnight.

IDAHO FALLS — Family and friends of an Idaho Falls man who unexpectedly died Wednesday are remembering his life and hoping to raise money for his wife and seven children he left behind.

Kenny Chaffin, 44, was the owner of Lucky Bail Bonds and the main source of income for his family. With no life insurance, family members are trying to find ways to sustain the household.

“Everyone is kind of scrambling and trying to figure out what is going to happen with everything,” Chaffin’s sister-in-law, Lindsay Browning, tells EastIdahoNews.com.

Chaffin and his wife, Julissa, have children ranging in age from an 11-month-old boy to two kids in their 20’s. They also have a young granddaughter.

“The amount of people that this has affected is countless. He’s pretty well known in the community and really loved,” Browning says.

Browning said Chaffin was an extreme outdoorsman, who loved being active and was great in his profession. He also worked side jobs as a security guard at concerts.

“He was always outside. He loved nature and everything about it. He loved birds. He loved fishing, rafting, kayaks, snowmobiles and motorcycles. Those were like his prized possessions,” Browning says. “He was the happiest person and always there for you and everybody. He loved his family and he was always taking care of all of his family members.”

Browning started a GoFundMe page for the family to help with expenses.

“If all you can do is $20, that will buy diapers for a month,” Browning says. “We as a family are helping but it makes such a huge difference if we could get the community to help too.”

Chaffin’s funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the South Point LDS church on 1291 West 6500 South in Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home 273 N. Ridge Ave.

The post Wife, young children grieving after father of 7 unexpectedly dies appeared first on East Idaho News.

POCATELLO — Five people were arrested in connection to a narcotics investigation Tuesday morning.

Detectives with Idaho State Police, the Bear River Task Force, the Bannock County STAR team and members of the Pocatello Police Department served multiple search warrants at a home on the 1400 block of 5th St. around 12:20 a.m.

Police are releasing very little information but the following people were taken into custody:

GAIL DOPP – 51

Offenses:

GRAND THEFT (possession of a stolen firearm)
UNLAWFUL POSS OF FIREARM (Felon)
TRAFFICKING METHAMPHETAMINE

DAVID MARCIEL – 52

Offenses:

TRAFFICKING METHAMPHETAMINE

DAVID DOPP – 51

Offenses:

POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE

DONNA FORTNER – 41

Offenses:

WARRANT ARREST (X2)

WILLIAM WEGNER
No mugshot provided

Offenses:

WARRANT ARREST

The post 5 arrested in major drug bust appeared first on East Idaho News.

POCATELLO — A woman has been arrested for allegedly stealing a disabled child’s leg braces and backpack.

Sky Lynn Larsen, 19, of Pocatello, is facing a felony burglary charge for allegedly taking the items from the garage of the home where the child resides on North Harrison Avenue.

Pocatello police received a report Friday morning that the garage had been burglarized.

Police said via a press release: “The reporting party said that her daughter’s backpack and custom leg braces had been removed from the back of her wheelchair. Another backpack and some other small items were also missing.”

On Friday afternoon a witness contacted police and said that Larsen was seen carrying one of the stolen backpacks in the 1400 block of North Main Street. Police detectives responded to North Main Street and located Larsen, who led them to the location of the stolen items.

Police said Larsen admitted that she committed the crime and was cooperative with investigators.

If convicted of felony burglary, Larsen faces one to 10 years in prison. She’s currently being held at Bannock County jail.

The post Woman accused of stealing disabled child’s leg braces, backpack appeared first on East Idaho News.

IDAHO FALLS — In front of her largest crowd ever, an 11-year-old singer wowed thousands of Utah Jazz fans while performing the National Anthem.

Paige Anne took to the court Saturday at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City before the Utah Jazz beat the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Idaho Falls girl, who has been singing three years, had auditioned to sing at the game but almost pulled out at the last minute because she was feeling sick.

“She had laryngitis that morning,” Anne’s mother, Launie Shelman, told EastIdahoNews.com. “The cold was not going away and she could barely talk.”

Shelman said before the audition, nationally-acclaimed pianist and composer Kurt Bestor saw Paige in the lobby and gave her some encouragement.

“Kurt Bestor came out and said, ‘Hey, you’ve got to give it a go. You can’t come all this way and then not do it,’” Shelman said. “My little girl got down on her knees and she prayed.”

Shelman said Paige gave judges an audition they’ll never forget.

“The voice came out of nowhere and it blew these judges away,” Shelman said.

Even though Paige is in the early stages of her youth, many say she has the voice of a seasoned professional and her mother says she’s “65 pounds of voice.”

Paige has done local plays with the Idaho Falls Youth Art Council and is a state and national pageant champion. Paige was also the winner of Rexburg’s Upper Valley Idol in 2016.

Paige will be performing the national anthem for the second time at a Boise State men’s basketball game in November.

Watch the video above to see Paige’s performance at the Utah Jazz game!

The post WATCH: Local 11-year-old stuns crowd while singing at Utah Jazz game appeared first on East Idaho News.

Do you want to know what’s happening on the east Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered.

EastIdahoNews.com is launching a new column called Biz Buzz.

Every Tuesday, we will highlight grand openings, ribbon cuttings, new faces and all things business related in east Idaho. Send your tips and suggestions to rett.nelson@eastidahonews.com. Also, don’t forget to sign up for the Biz Buzz newsletter.

Ribbon Cuttings

Design & Home Decor Outlet

Date: October 25
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: 1352 S. Holmes Avenue, Idaho Falls

Prolific Business Solutions

Date: October 26
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: 611 Wilson Ave., Ste. 6B, Pocatello

Telford Academy

Date: November 8
Time: 12:30 – 1 p.m.
Location: 2017 E 49th N, Idaho Falls
Details: Telford Academy is newly remodeled and now serving Bonneville Online Schools. Join us for a ribbon cutting and open house to celebrate.
Ribbon Cutting at 12:30 pm–please arrive 15 minutes before.

Events

Buy a Vet a Bud for Veteran’s Day

Date: Now through November 11
Location: Applebees in Rexburg or Idaho Falls
Details: APPLEBEE’S® INVITES GUESTS TO BUY A VET A BUD THIS VETERANS DAY
Washington, Oregon and Idaho Applebee’s Locations to Treat Retired and Active Duty Military Members to a Free Beer Courtesy of their Customers on November 11

Applebee’s Grill & Bar locations throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho are inviting guests to thank their local retired and active duty military members with the announcement of their Buy A Vet A Bud program. Beginning today, and through November 11, guests can purchase a Budweiser®, Bud Light® or O’Douls® beer at their local Applebee’s to be given to a deserving veteran in-restaurant on Veterans Day free of charge as a way to honor and thank them for their service.* Participating guests will also have the opportunity to create an original label with a personal message, which will be put on the bottle before it is served to the veteran.

“At Applebee’s, we truly value and appreciate the sacrifices made by the members of our military to help keep our country safe,” said Jenifer Renteria, Regional Marketing Coordinator, Apple American Group. “As such, we are excited to announce our Buy A Vet A Bud program as a way for our employees and customers to show their support and gratitude to these brave men and women this Veterans Day.”

Buy a Vet a Bud is available at participating Applebee’s locations owned and operated by Apple American Group. In Washington, participating restaurants are located in Kennewick, Longview, Pasco, Richland (Columbia Point), Vancouver (Hazel Dell, Mill Plain, NE 112th Ave, Salmon Creek), and Walla Walla. In Oregon, participating restaurants are located in Albany, Beaverton, Corvallis, Eugene, Gresham, Happy Valley, Lake Oswego, Portland (Clackamas, Halsey, and Lloyd Center), Roseburg, Salem (Lancaster, North Salem, and South Salem), Springfield, and Tualatin. In Idaho, participating restaurants are located in Boise Airport, Boise Mall, Garden City (State Street), Idaho Falls, Lewiston, Meridian (Eagle Road), Nampa, Pocatello, Rexburg, Twin Falls.

*Guests must be 21 years old to purchase and redeem.

Guests must show proof of service from the list below:
*U.S. Uniform Services ID card (green)
*U.S. Uniform Services Retired ID card (blue)
*Current Leave and Earnings Statement
*Veterans Organization Card (American Legion, VFW)
*Photograph in uniform
*Guest wearing uniform
*DD214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Military
*Citation or Commendation
*Military dog tag

College of Eastern Idaho Trunk-or-Treat

Date: October 24
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: College of Eastern Idaho, 1600 S. 2500 E. Idaho Falls
Details:

Real Heroes Trunk or Treat

Date: October 28
Time: 3-5 p.m.
Location: Bonneville County Courthouse, 605 N. Capital, Idaho Falls
Details:

9th Annual Austin Kade Academy Hair & Fashion Show

Date: October 28
Time: 5 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Location: Civic Auditorium, 501 S. Holmes Ave., Idaho Falls
Details: Austin Kade Academy produces a Hair and Fashion Show Benefitting The Haven Shelter. All profits from our 9th Annual Show will be held at the Civic Auditorium on Saturday Oct.28th with two shows 5p & 7p. Tickets are $10. Video clips of our former shows are on YouTube under “Austin Kade Academy Hairshow”. We would love to be able to give The Haven an awesome donation this year. In the last 8 years we have been able to give them over $55,000. The students do all the work and preparation and we love to give back to the community that has supported us! Please contact Allison Price for more information: allison@austinkade.com

Warren Miller Snow Sport Film Premiere

Date: October 28
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Colonial Theater, 450 A Street, Idaho Falls
Details:
This fall, the annual tradition is back to salute the start of winter. The world’s biggest name in snowsports cinema—Warren Miller Entertainment—celebrates its 68th ski and snowboard film with downhill thrills, global adventure and a nod to those that taught us to slide on snow.

Snow riders are a family—one big tribe comprising of many smaller ones. Familial rites pass down through generations. Skier roots grow deep in high mountain soil. Line of Descent celebrates just that, the lineage of legendary athletes through a multi-generational cast of skiing’s icons and fresh faces, including Tommy Moe, Jonny Moseley, JT Holmes, Lexi duPont, Seth Wescott, Kalen Thorien, Marcus Caston, Jeremy Jensen, Griffin Post, and more.

This year, Volkswagen joins the most esteemed name in winter sports films as the presenting sponsor of the “Line of Descent” U.S. film tour. The partnership builds on the heritage and passion associated with both the Volkswagen and Warren Miller brands. Volkswagen’s partnership will grow authentically well into 2019, elevating the event experience that is the Warren Miller institution and marking the beginning of every winter season.

Ride along on a stunning cinematic journey as we travel near and far, descending some of North America’s deepest lines in Jackson Hole, Montana, Silverton, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, and Steamboat.

From powsurfing to splitboard, motorcycle, dogsled or snowmobile, watch as athletes chase winter along the Beartooth Pass, the French Alps, New Zealand, British Columbia, and Norway.

“This season, we explore how skiers are shaped by picking up a pair of skis for the first time,” notes Warren Miller’s veteran producer Josh Haskins. “More often than not, it’s family who introduces us to the sport or steers us on the path towards an ongoing passion—be it a ski bum lifestyle, a professional career or simply the desire to pass on the same feeling to the next generation. There is a kinship unlike any other in the ski community, and Warren Miller is the elder, bringing generations of skiers and riders together for 68 years, and this year is no different.”

Since 1949, ski families have cheered the official kickoff of winter with the ski film company that started it all. As the family grows, the traditions grow richer. Volkswagen Presents Warren Miller’s Line of Descent will premiere worldwide in three locations on October 13, 2017, including Salt Lake City, UT, Portland, OR and Bozeman, MT. Screenings will then sweep across the U.S. from the Pacific Northwest to the East Coast from October to January.

Tickets are on sale now. Film attendees will enjoy lift ticket and gear savings from Warren Miller resort, retail and partnered brands and also be entered to win nightly prizes like swag and ski vacations.

Idaho Falls Premiere will be at the Colonial Theatre – Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Additional show dates and times can be found at warrenmiller.com.

Sponsors of the 2017 Warren Miller Film Tour include: Volkswagen, Western Montana’s Glacier Country, Gosling’s, L.L.Bean, Ester C, Ducati, Airstream, Helly Hansen, K2, HEAD, Marker Dalbello Völkl USA and SKI Magazine.

Free Seminar for Parents and Teens

Date: November 1
Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Location: Eagle Rock Junior High, 2020 Pancheri Dr., Idaho Falls
Details:

For more information, visit Eirmc.com or ifschools.org.

Blackfoot Tater Trot

Date: November 4
Time: 7 a.m.
Location: Jensen Grove
Details:

New Faces

This segment will highlight new executives, employees, businesses, awards and other noteworthy items in the east Idaho business community.

Planning Ahead

Out of the Box Networking Lunch

Date: November 7
Time: 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Cafeteria, College of Eastern Idaho, 1600 S. 25th Street, Bldg. 3, Idaho Falls
Cost: $10 for members, $12 for walk-ins
Details: Join us on November 7 for our monthly Out of the Box Networking Lunch. This is your opportunity to build your professional network and learn more about businesses in the community.
Door prizes, introductions, and other interactions will make this a casual, fun opportunity to meet others and build your professional network. Preregister by Friday, November 3

4th annual Business of Distinction Awards

Date: November 11
Time: Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. with ceremony at 7:30
Location: Willard Arts Center, 498 A St., Idaho Falls
Details: RSVP here to attend. Call 208.523.1010 for more information.

Small Business Spotlight

If you own a business or know someone who does, we want to know about who you are and what you do. Stay tuned for a featured business in future columns.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

Check out these recent business stories from EastIdahoNews.com

Dealership giving away new 2017 car to benefit Blackfoot high school

EIRMC CEO announces his retirement

In-N-Out Burger has eye on Idaho as it mulls future expansion plans

Forbes details how VanderSloot pulled himself out of poverty by living in a laundromat and teaching Dutch

The post New Biz Buzz column to showcase local business happenings appeared first on East Idaho News.

POCATELLO — The case of a man who was arrested after filming the exterior of the FBI Field Office on June 20 is now over.

Sean Johnson of Pocatello appeared in Bannock County court Tuesday where his charge of misdemeanor resisting arrest was amended to misdemeanor disturbing the peace. He was sentenced to eight days in jail and given credit for all the time. He also received a $207.50 fine.

Johnson gained national attention earlier this year when he posted a video on Youtube showing a confrontation between him and a Pocatello Police Officer. The video went viral and sparked a controversy over police overreach and security versus freedoms.

The nearly six minute video shows the officer questioning the man until the situation between them escalates and leads to an arrest. The officer originally told the man he was being arrested for public voyeurism.

RELATED: Pocatello Police Chief: Officer misspoke in video, charges will not be dropped

Several days later, Pocatello Police Chief Scott Marchand said the officer misspoke and that the individual was arrested for resisting and obstructing officers. The police chief defended the actions of the officer for investigating a suspicious situation, but also said officers will be better trained on the the U.S. Department of Homeland Security policy that outlines the rights of citizens to photograph the exterior of a federally owned building.

On Tuesday, Johnson told KPVI that he’s glad it’s over, but will do similar stunts in the future, “I’ll test again to see if they have learned anything or respect rights more, but other than that I’m just living my life normal.

He says it was all worth it.

“My lawyer says it’s affected how things are done in this area of Idaho. So I feel like I accomplished what I wanted to do.”

Johnson says his message to the police is simply that “everybody has cameras…so don’t be afraid of them.”

Portions of this article were originally published by KPVI. It is used here with permission.

The post Charge reduced for man arrested after filming FBI building appeared first on East Idaho News.

IDAHO FALLS — An Idaho Falls man accused of sexually assaulting a young boy pleaded not guilty to his charges.

Stacey John Pearson, 47, was arraigned in Bonneville County District Court on Oct. 17. Pearson is scheduled for pretrial on Dec. 11 and will appear in jury trial Jan. 2, 2018.

Pearson is charged with one felony count of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor under 16.

RELATED: I.F. man accused of committing sex acts with a teenage boy

The victim, who was known to Pearson, told detectives during an interview that Pearson tried committing sexual acts with him on more than one occasion at various locations.

Pearson is accused of removing his pants and sexually abusing the boy in a shed. On another occasion, Pearson allegedly tried to sexually abuse the boy twice in one day in a bedroom and in a bathroom.

The alleged incidents began with the boy who was 12-years-old in Feb. 2013. Court documents state the abuse continued until Feb. 2017.

The post I.F. man pleads not guilty to allegedly sexually assaulting a child appeared first on East Idaho News.

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

IDAHO FALLS — At approximately 11:00 p.m. on Oct. 24, the Idaho Falls Police Department responded to a report of multiple gunshots near the corner of Sage Avenue & “H” Street in Idaho Falls – the same location as gunshots fired on Oct. 20.

RELATED | Idaho Falls Police respond to gunshots in neighborhood

No civilians or officers were injured.

Upon initial investigation, officers discovered rounds were fired at a vehicle’s windshield as well as a Dumpster.

This incident, as well as the Oct. 20 incident, are under investigation. No other information is available at this time.

If anyone has information on this case or others, please contact dispatch at (208) 529-1200, Crime Stoppers at (208) 522-1983 or report the information online at www.ifcrime.org.

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

IDAHO FALLS – Hillcrest High School senior Justin Moore is learning that one act of service can lift his spirits when he is down.

Moore is the fullback/linebacker for the Hillcrest Knights. He and his teammates played Highland High School last Friday night. A final score of 45 to 29 advanced Highland into the playoffs, leaving Moore and his teammates behind. This was the end of Moore’s high school football career.

After the game, Moore and his friends were mourning their loss. That’s when Moore got a text from his dad offering a unique way to pick themselves up.

“He said, ‘I know you’re taking this pretty hard. But if you and your friends could help me with this project, I’d really appreciate that,'” Moore tells EastIdahoNews.com.

Moore’s father wanted his son and some of his football friends to come help lay carpet and put in flooring in his grandparents house.

“Even though we were feeling pretty sad, we headed right over,” Moore said.

Ruth Judd, Moore’s grandma, apparently was not at home when this took place. EastIdahoNews.com asked her how she reacted to the new floor and carpeting.

“I just couldn’t hardly believe it,” Judd says. “They outdid themselves. They worked so hard and just did a beautiful job. I’ve never seen a floor so pretty.”

Moore say this experience has given him a new perspective.

“It made me realize there is more to life than football. Everything I did everyday was to prepare for varsity football, (but) there are great things I can do for the world, not just for myself or my teammates,” Moore said.

The post Hillcrest football players perform act of service after losing big game appeared first on East Idaho News.

ABERDEEN — Idaho State Police are investigating a single-vehicle, fatality crash on State Highway 39 near milepost 14, about one mile south of Aberdeen.

The crash occurred around 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, according to an Idaho State Police news release.

Police reports show Leobardo Castro, 41, of American Falls, was driving a 2012 Volkswagen Golf south on Idaho Highway 39. The vehicle went off the road to the east side of the highway and rolled.

Castro was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The post Man killed after rollover crash near Aberdeen appeared first on East Idaho News.

(CNN) — Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl‘s former platoon leader and a former Navy SEAL testified Wednesday about the grueling conditions they endured as a result of Bergdahl’s desertion.

Bergdahl, 31, pleaded guilty last week to misbehavior before the enemy and desertion. The judge, Army Col. Jeffery R. Nance, said Bergdahl could face up to life in prison.

Bergdahl deserted from his outpost in Afghanistan in June 2009. Hours later, he was captured by the Taliban. He was eventually released in a controversial prisoner swap in exchange for five Guantanamo Bay detainees.

During Bergdahl’s sentencing hearing Wednesday, retired Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer James Hatch said he and his dog came under military fire while searching for Bergdahl. Hatch said he was shot in the leg, and the dog was killed.

Army Capt. John Billings also testified on behalf of the prosecution. Billings, who was Bergdahl’s platoon leader in Afghanistan, said the platoon searched for Bergdahl for 19 days with virtually no food and no access to showers. He described wearing a soiled uniform for 19 days while looking for the sergeant.

‘A critical problem’

Bergdahl told the judge last week that he was trying to reach the base from where he was dispatched.

Bergdahl said he wanted to report “a critical problem in my chain of command,” but did not specify what that problem was.

“I left my observation post on my own,” Bergdahl told the judge last week. “I understand leaving was against the law.”

The judge said Bergdahl faces up to life in prison.

Taliban capture and torture

During his five years in Taliban captivity, Bergdahl made “somewhere between a dozen and 15 escape attempts,” he told the judge last week.

Bergdahl previously described the torture he endured, which included months chained to a bed and years either locked in a cage or chained on all fours.

After five years, the Taliban released Bergdahl in a prisoner swap for five detainees at Guantanamo Bay. At the time, President Barack Obama cited a “sacred rule” about attempting to rescue American service members — no matter the circumstances surrounding their capture.

“We still get an American soldier back if he’s held in captivity. Period. Full stop. We don’t condition that,” Obama said at the time.

Since then, Bergdahl has been called both a traitor and a hero.

Celebrated at first, Bergdahl’s release raises more questions

In 2015, an Army Sanity Board evaluation said Bergdahl had schizotypal personality disorder. That information was included in the hundreds of pages of documents that Bergdahl’s defense team released on a website called The Bergdahl Docket.

Former comrade: ‘He’s still a coward’

Retired Army Spc. Cody Full, a member of Bergdahl’s platoon in Afghanistan, called Bergdahl a “coward.”

He said the military has an open-door policy for service members to voice concerns about chains of command, so Bergdahl had no reason to desert.

“He was a coward nine years ago when he deserted, and I think he showed he’s still a coward,” Full said. “He refuses to take responsibility for his actions.”

Who is Bowe Bergdahl?

Those actions, Full said, jeopardized the safety of other service members.

“He literally put thousands and thousands of people’s lives at risk just so he could go and want to complain for whatever transgressions he thought happened or didn’t happen,” Full said.

The prosecution has said it intends to call two soldiers and a Navy SEAL who they say were wounded during the search for Bergdahl.

But the Army general who led the investigation into Bergdahl’s actions in Afghanistan testified that jail time for him would be “inappropriate.”

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Dahl said he did not find any evidence to corroborate reporting that Bergdahl was sympathetic to the Taliban.”

And Terrence Russell, who debriefed Bergdahl while working for the Department of Defense’s Joint Personnel Recovery Agency, said the sergeant suffered “horrific” conditions while in Taliban captivity.

“An army of one, he had to fight the enemy alone for four years 11 months,” Russell testified in 2015. “You cannot overestimate how difficult that is.”

On Sunday, Eugene Fidell, Bergdahl’s civilian defense attorney, would not share with CNN whom the defense plans to call as a witness during the sentencing phase of the trial.

Trump: Bergdahl ‘should be shot’

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump said Bergdahl “should be shot” for walking off his post.

“In the good old days, he would have been executed,” Trump said.

After Trump took office, Bergdahl’s lawyers argued the judge should dismiss the charges because of Trump’s comments, claiming Trump violated Bergdahl’s due-process rights and saying it would not be possible for Bergdahl to get a fair trial.

Bowe Bergdahl: I wanted to be Jason Bourne

But a military judge ruled against dismissing charges. Bergdahl later chose to be tried by a military judge rather than a jury.

In an exclusive interview obtained by ABC last year, Bergdahl said he didn’t think he would be able to get a fair trial after Trump’s comments that he should be shot.

“We may as well go back to kangaroo courts and lynch mobs. They got what they wanted,” Bergdahl said. “People who are to the point of saying, ‘Yeah, just shoot him’ — you can never convince those people to change their minds.”

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2017 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

The post Wounded Navy SEAL and Army platoon leader testify against Bowe Bergdahl appeared first on East Idaho News.

IDAHO FALLS — Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be the featured speaker at a rally for Tommy Ahlquist in Idaho Falls Wednesday evening.

The event will held at the Waterfront at Snake River Landing. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. and the event is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

Romney publicly endorsed Ahlquist for Idaho’s next governor and said his experience as a physician and businessman has helped make him qualified to become the state’s CEO.

If you want to attend the rally, click here to RSVP.

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(CNN) — Idaho Republican Sen. Jim Risch denied it’s his responsibility to call out President Donald Trump if he lies during a back-and-forth with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday.

“When he lies about something and you know it’s a lie, shouldn’t you speak up?” Blitzer asked the senator.

“That’s your job,” Risch replied.

“But that’s your job,” Blitzer continued. “You’re a United States senator. You’re a co-equal branch of the United States government.”

But Risch persisted, telling Blitzer that if he were to criticize everything he didn’t like, it would take too much time.

“Wolf, if I went around criticizing a statement that was made by the President, or any one of my fellow senators, or any one of the congressmen up here, or people in Idaho who hold public office, and I stood up and talked every time they talked and said, ‘I don’t like this, I don’t like that,’ I’m criticizing — I’d be busy all day long,” Risch said.

Risch went on to say Trump has a “unique personality and a very strong character.”

“Look, I have had a number of disagreements with the President, both before he was President and now after he’s been President,” he said. “He’s treated me with nothing but respect and dignity, as we’ve discussed those,” Risch said, adding that he also does not “go on Twitter in the morning and start poking him.”

On Wednesday, Risch appeared on CNN’s “Newsroom” and elaborated that he believes the country will “get through” Trump’s presidency.

“I have seen the clashes, and we get through these things. Obviously, you wish they would come out better. It should be obvious to everybody by now that we have a President who has a very unique personality, very different than what we have ever seen in a President before, and he communicates and handles issues differently, and it causes some grief with some people,” he told CNN’s Poppy Harlow. “But we are Americans, and we get through it.”

Risch also suggested that European leaders are uncomfortable with Trump’s administration, saying he tells them not to worry.

“I deal with Europeans all the time — and they are really wringing their hands over this, and I tell them, look, we are Americans, we have been through a civil war and two world wars and a depression, and we will be standing when this is over,” he said. “We’ll get through this. We were founded in revolution and in discord and it’s probably going to go on as long as the nation stands.”

Risch added he stands by his denouncement of Trump before the election when the “Access Hollywood” tape leaked.

“I stand by the remarks I made then, and it was after the revelations of the now infamous tape that was revealed by NBC, the talk that was the banter going back between the two gentlemen, I don’t think anybody had any use for that,” Risch said. “The man now is President of the United States, and I know there’s a lot of people that reject that fact, but he is the President of the United States. It’s in the interests of every single American to see that the President is successful.”

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It’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing and everything is “pumpkin spice” flavored and, of course, haunted attractions and Halloween themed events all across the area. Here is a list of some of the best around.

Idaho Falls

Dr. Slaughters House of Terror
Located on 680 1st Street, Dr. Slaughters House of Terror features themed rooms inspired by movies and classic Halloween and horror myths. Dr. Slaughters is a non-profit entity. All proceeds go to the D.A.R.E program in Idaho Falls. Tickets are $10 and their hours are 7-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Click here to visit their website.

U Pick Red Barn
Want a fun activity for the whole family and maybe some pumpkins? U Pick Red Barn is located on 2726 Rollandet Street in Idaho Falls across the street. Pumpkins are for sale and a train ferries guests around for a tour of the patch. The train runs Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets cost $2 for kids and $3 for adults. Pumpkins can be picked 24/7. Simply, put your payment in a drop box. Click here to visit their website.

New Sweden Corn Maze
This maze encourages guests to “escape the city” and lose themselves in the elaborately designed cornfield. If getting lost doesn’t put you into the holiday spirit then the pumpkin patch and sweet shop will. Buy your tickets or see it for yourself at 3662 W 17th S. The maze is open from 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4-10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. Kid friendly haunting will be held Friday and Saturday. Click here to visit their website.

Real Heroes Trunk Or Treat
On October 28th from 3-5 p.m., a trunk or treat will be held in honor of local police officers, the sheriff’s office, fire department, and local businesses at 605 N. Capital. There will be fire engines and police cars decorated as well. Trick-or-treaters will receive candy as well as glow sticks.

Rexburg

Rexburg Scare Tower/ Straw Maze
Rising up over the Rexburg Straw Maze, located on 150 North 2nd West, looms the Rexburg Scare tower. Admission to the tower costs $10. Their hours are 8-11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 to Midnight Friday and Saturday. Admission to the Straw Maze is $3 with the hours being from 4-11 pm Monday through Thursday, 4 to Midnight on Friday and Saturday. Click here to visit their website.

Gravity Factory Trunk-Or-Treat
Local trampoline parck, “Gravity Factory” is hosting a Trunk-or-Treat from 5-8 p.m. on the Oct. 30. 15 “jump passes” will be awarded to the best decorated cars and a free months pass to the best costume. Gravity Factory is located on 165 Airport rd across the street from the Rexburg golf course. Click here to visit their website.

Haunted Straw Maze/Haunted Forest
Located outside Rexburg towards Archer at 7600 South 3200 West, the Straw Maze and Haunted Forest offer an exciting experience trying to find your way out. The forest is just beyond the maze and is a more direct path for those seeking a less mazelike experience. If you are looking for added elements of fear for your maze or forest experience, visit on a weekend or on Halloween. Click here to visit its website.

Hibbard

Treehouse Nursery & Landscape Co.
Take a ride in a wagon to find the perfect pumpkin to be launched out of a cannon, at 3265 w 2000 n. This pumpkin patch features play areas for children including a fairytale forest as well as a scarecrow contest. You have the chance to vote on your favorite scarecrow decorated by local businesses. The pumpkin patch is open 4-8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays.

Teton

Haunted Mill
Claiming to actually be haunted, the Haunted Mill is located right off of highway 20 at exit 339. Tickets are $10 or $15 for a “Fast Pass” if you want to skip the lines. The Mill is open from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursdays and 7:30 p.m. to Midnight Friday and Saturday.

Shelley

The Hospital of the Lost Souls
Also claiming to be haunted, the hospital stands next to the “Haunted Theater” on 172 South State Street. This haunted house warns those who are physically handicapped to be aware the journey requires climbing steep stairs, crawling and tunnels. Hours are 7-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and from 7 p.m. – 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Click here to visit their website.

The Theatre of the Lost Souls
If you think you can handle both, you can buy a wristband which will give you access to the theatre and hospital for $17 per person Monday-Thursday and $20 Friday and Saturday. The theatre also has some challenging obstacles while walking through so, travelers beware. Click here to visit their website.

Island Park

Haunts of Harriman
On Saturday, Oct. 28, you can participate in trick-or-treating, wagon rides and a Halloween Carnival at Harriman State Park. Admission is free with a donation of a non-perishable food item, which will be donated to a local food bank. Donations of $2 per person or $10 per family are also recommended. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and will end at 9 p.m. They’re located at 3489 Green Canyon Rd, Island Park.

If you are looking for any more additional information on local events or haunted houses in your area you can check the link interactive map for most haunting and festivities in the area.

If we missed anything, please email us at news@eastidahonews.com and we can add it to the list!

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IDAHO FALLS — Two people were rushed to the hospital after being hit by a vehicle on the 2700 block of Rollandet Ave. near the U Pick Pumpkin Patch around 7:15 p.m. Wednesday.

A man and woman were taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, according to Idaho Falls city spokeswoman Kerry Hammon. The couple was crossing Rollandet when they were hit.

Two ambulances, multiple Idaho Falls Police officers and a fire engine responded to the scene.

Hammon reminds all drivers to slow down and use extra caution this time of year as many people are out enjoying fall festivities and getting ready for Halloween.

EastIdahoNews.com will post any new updates as we receive them.

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IDAHO FALLS — Splash Self-Serve Pet Spa will be having a grand opening Saturday at its new, larger location, at 330 Cliff Street.

There will be goodies for children and adults, an hourly raffle for free washes, discounted pet washes, $10 nail trimmings and pet food sales. The Snake River Animal Shelter will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with adoptable animals looking for their “fur-ever” homes. Each animal adopted will also receive a free wash.

Bring your pet in costume, and if there are enough participants, there will be a “cutest costume” contest at noon.

Splash has been in downtown Idaho Falls since March 2014, when owner Tina Dixon opened next door to Chesbro Music.

Dixon had moved from Bakersfield, Calif., and knew it was the small business idea she wanted to pursue. Splash has custom-built tubs that are big enough for large breeds but can be converted to handle little critters, with water temperatures regulated. For $15, you get access, shampoo, towels, ear wipes and a blow dryer. And no more cleaning dog hair out of the bathtub drain.

Since opening, Dixon has been expanding the line of toys, food and accessories for sale in the shop. She has been committed to everything in the shop being made in the United States, with special preference given to anything made locally. For more information, call (208) 881-1021.

This story originally appeared on Bizmojo Idaho. It is posted here with permission.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is an editorial column submitted to EastIdahoNews.com by Build Up District 91 – an advocacy group in support of the $110 million school bond proposed by Idaho Falls School District 91 school. Click here to read the editorial submitted by those opposed to the bond.

Click here to read a comprehensive report on the issue by EastIdahoNews.com.

By Build Up District 91

We want to start by simply stating that we believe it is so important for us to show our kids how much we value their education. New and updated high schools would be a huge boost for our community and our economy. Voting yes would send a message that Idaho Falls is a proud and progressive city who cares about the future. The fact that we can do so without a levy increase is a unique situation and just an added bonus.

We have a real opportunity to make a choice to invest in our community and our kids. What’s great about this decision is that it is NOT being forced on us from a state or federal level. It’s ours to make. Yours and mine. We recognize that this isn’t a small investment. $110 Million is a significant investment. But we hope that most will view it exactly as that. This is an investment, not a tax.

The Numbers

All financial decisions are based on assumptions. Piper Jaffray, the financial experts who provide bond underwriting services to school districts all over the country, have done an in depth study and used the best information available in their analysis to make their forecasts. Some data points for consideration:

o Piper Jaffray has a track record of calculating conservative, not-to-exceed, tax rate projections that have proven to be accurate for school district bond elections throughout Idaho including Twin Falls, West Ada, Boise, Nampa, Lewiston, Coeur d’Alene and Bonneville.

o Piper Jaffray considered our 20-year compound growth rate of 4.29% together with recent building permit activity in and around Idaho Falls. (It is worth noting that the historical growth rate included a period when the District’s property values declined following our nation’s worst recession since the Great Depression.)

o The growth rate necessary to avoid any levy rate increase is 1.9% (less than ½ the historical average)

o The District worked with the same professionals from Piper Jaffray on the District’s 2012 bond election and their estimate of the taxpayer impact of the 2012 bond was conservative. The projection for the 2012 Bond property tax rate was an increase of $1.19 per $1,000. The actual increase in the District’s total property tax rate was $1.04 per $1,000.

o The 5% growth projection for FY 2019 and FY 2020 is consistent with the most recent 6% actual growth rate for Tax Year 2017 which corresponds to the Districts FY 2018.

o The assumptions necessary to not have a rate increase include 8 years of zero growth – this is beyond conservative

o To be more specific, Piper Jaffray’s numbers to avoid a levy increase would result in a 3.33% compound growth rate over the next 10-years and 1.90% over the next 20-years. In short, the District believes that Piper Jaffray’s market value growth projections are reasonably conservative.

o Although not built into the projections, another factor that gives the District comfort that its tax rate projection can be achieved is the State of Idaho’s Bond Levy Equalization Program. As its name would suggest, this program is designed to “equalize” the impact of bond proposals based on a measure of the affordability of the bond in a particular community. The program provides a state-paid subsidy to reduce the local property tax levy needed to repay school bonds. Based on Piper Jaffray’s analysis of the historical data from the Department of Education, if the District’s market value grows at a lower rate than is currently projected the District would expect a corresponding increase in the levy equalization subsidy offsetting any potential increase in the property tax rate.

The opposition would have people believe in a dooms day type scenario. One of zero growth.

So which method is realistic and reasonable? You be the judge.

The great thing is that the decision is in our hands. It’s not up to politicians or a group of distantly removed officials. It’s up to us. We can either look at this from a conservative reasonable approach or from a dooms day zero-growth perspective. The choice is ours. This is one moment in time we may never have again. We hope that as a community we take advantage of the opportunity before us.

For more in depth information on the Piper Jaffray analysis or other pertinent facts, please go to www.buildupdistrict91.org.

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