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BSA recalls neckerchief slides for high lead content

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Courtesy U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — The Boy Scouts of America is recalling some of its neckerchief slides due to high lead content.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the colored enamel on the neckerchief slides contains levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban.

Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause significant health issues. No injuries from the neckerchief slides have been reported.

About 110,000 slides are affected. The slides came in four styles: red wolf, green bear, orange lion and blue Webelos. They came with a “Made in China” and P.O. number of 200228276, 20023175, 200233281 or 200236630 on a white label attached to the back of the neckerchief slide. They were sold at BSA retail stores and through distributors across the country, as well as on http://www.scoutshop.org/.

The slides were manufactured by Strategic Orient Sourcing of China.

For more information, contact the Boy Scouts of America at (800) 323-0736 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time, Monday through Friday, email at customerservice@scoutshop.org, or online at www.scoutshop.org and click on the Product Recall link at the bottom of the page.


Unleash Your Geek: Snake River Fandom Con returning to Pocatello

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Spider-man and Spider-man find EastIdahoNews.com reporter Natalia Hepworth at the 2017 Snake River Fandom Con. | EastIdahoNews.com file photo

Put the finishing touches on your cosplay and get ready to get your geek on, because the Snake River Fandom Con is invading Pocatello!

The con, in its second year of existence, will take over the Mountain View Events Center in Pocatello from Friday through Sunday. It will feature attractions and events for geeks of all stripes. From costume contests to photo opportunities with celebrities, Fandom Con has a little something for fans of all stripes.

While the inaugural convention was a success, event organizer Tanglwyst de Holloway says this year’s con will be even better. For starters, although last year’s panels and events were spread among three different venues, all of this year’s con events will take place in one location.

“The reason we chose three venues is so we could accommodate over 2,000 people,” says de Holloway. “We couldn’t have done that anywhere in a single venue.”

EastIdahoNews.com columnist Adam Forsgren poses with Wolverines of various ages at last year’s con. | EastIdahoNews.com file photo

Concern from convention attendees caused Fandom Con organizers to reassess the venue situation.

“So many people were concerned because they didn’t know there was a main events hotel,” de Holloway says. “They didn’t know there was an entire main events hotel or a vendor hall. So we’re going to give it a try and just hold it at the Mountain View Events Center this year.”

Accommodating a change in venue has meant changes in programming, with less-attended panels and events cut in favor of more popular programming.

“We’re bringing back things that were well-liked or standing room only,” de Holloway says. “We’re bringing back things that were requested, as well as some subjects and topics that we didn’t get the chance to cover last year.”

Fandom Con will also feature more tournaments of interactive events. Video games like “Tekken” and “Street Fighter” will provide gamers a chance to competitively bash buttons. Gaming tables will be available for anyone who wants to get their tabletop gaming on. And, of course, the con will feature a cosplay contest for costumers to show off their work.

“We are also bringing out photo ops with celebrities,” says de Holloway. “Hours are set aside and you go get your picture taken with that celebrity for really minimal money.” These photo ops will give attendees the opportunities to get professional photos with pop culture luminaries, just like at much bigger conventions, without hours of travel involved.”

Oddly, billionaire Bruce Wayne was a no-show. | EastIdahoNews.com file photo

Other unique events at this year’s Fandom Con include Splendid Teapot racing and the Iron Cosplay contest.

Splendid Teapot racers meld their Steampunk-inspired teapot creations to radio-controlled car chassis and run them through an obstacle course. The Iron Cosplay contest pits teams against one another, with the goal of creating a wearable costume in 90 minutes.

“Talk about creativity in action,” de Holloway says. “It’s like the cooking show of cosplay!”

De Holloway says the goal for this year’s con is to see return customers.

“That’s a really big thing,” she says. “We want to see people who came and had a great time last year come out and bring their friends.”

Hope is high that people who missed out last year’s con will also attend this year, excited by positive word of mouth from those who did make it last year.

Beyond that, de Holloway hopes Snake River Fandom Con will inspire attendees to start their own conventions for the pop culture they love.

“We don’t want people to have to drive two to five hours to hang out with people who like things like ‘My Little Pony’ or ‘Inuyasha,’” she says. “We want local businesses to embrace conventions and use superheroes in their marketing. We’re hoping we can get enough conventions starting here that it will grow the community and Idaho Falls or Pocatello will build a convention center that can handle it and attract national conventions.”

You can view schedule and ticket information on the Snake River Fandom Con website.

Adam and Natalia left last year’s event in the shuttle. | EastIdahoNews.com file photo

Fund created to pay for funeral of “devoted big brother” who loved his family

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Chandler Brown | GoFundMe

REXBURG — A Rigby High School graduate who died this week is being remembered as a “devoted big brother” who loved gymnastics, skateboarding and dirt biking.

Chandler Brown, 20, was found in the back seat of a vehicle parked at Rexburg Motor Sports Monday afternoon. Madison County Coroner Rick Davis says Brown died of alcohol poisoning.

He is preceded in death by his little brother, Hyrum Brown, who was hit and killed by a car in 2005 when he was two-years-old.

“Chandler Ethan Brown has been called back home to that God who gave him life,” says Jennifer Lynne Haeberle Moses, Brown’s mother. “He is at peace now. He is back with Jesus and with his brother Hyrum Robert Brown – our angel. Now we have 2 angels.”

Courtesy Brown family

Brown worked as a carpenter with his father and enjoyed traveling with his mother, according to his obituary. He loved the ocean and was making plans to move to California.

A GoFundMe account has been created to help Brown’s family pay for his funeral, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 29 at 11:00 a.m.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE GOFUNDME PAGE

“Any donations would be a tremendous help and be greatly appreciated at this time,” Moses says. “We are so very grateful and touched deeply by the thoughtfulness, sympathy, kindness and continuous prayers on all of our behalves.”

Rummage sale being held to benefit animal organizations

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BLACKFOOT — The All About the Animals Coalition is holding an end of season rummage sale to raise money for low cost spay and neuter vouchers.

The event will be hosted at the Bingham Humane Society on Friday, Sept. 28 and Saturday, Sept. 29. from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. each day.

“An exciting array of all kinds of household goods will be available for sale,” Kristin Sanger, Executive Director of the Snake River Animal Shelter, said in a news release. “One hundred percent of all proceeds go to help the All About the Animals Coalition so they can work towards lowering the number of homeless animals in the region.”

RELATED | Animal welfare groups form coalition to better serve community

The rummage sale bring together the Snake River Animal Shelter and Blackfoot Animal Shelter, For the Love of Pets, Portneuf Animal Welfare Society, Bingham County Humane Society and Fort Hall Reservation Organized Animal Rescue.

“We don’t need any items but we need volunteers to help and shoppers,” Sanger says.

Step back in time with the Simon and Garfunkel Story

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IDAHO FALLS — A nostalgia fest, authentic, exciting and simply incredible are only a few of the words used to describe the Simon and Garfunkel Story. East Idahoans can be a part of the excitement as the U.S. and Canada tour kicks off in Idaho Falls Friday.

Two 23-year-olds, Taylor Bloom and Ben Cooley, are playing the parts of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel in the show created by UK native Dean Elliott. Not only do the two look the part but they carry the tune of the beloved duo.

“The idea is that when we’re playing, you can just close your eyes and be transported,” Bloom says.

The original Simon and Garfunkel knew each other since grade school and the band debuted in 1964. They split at the peak of their music career in 1970.

The Simon and Garfunkel Story Banner | Courtesy image

“The show takes the audience through the years that Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel were performing music together,” Bloom says. “They had a troubled relationship but that’s not what our show is focused on.”

Cooley adds, “Although we do address the breakup in 1970 at the end.”

The songs the originals sang are still kept alive through the hearts of fans and performances. Cooley and Bloom say they play the parts of the famous duo, but they aren’t considered cover artists or a tribute band. They’re best viewed as a celebration of Simon and Garfunkel’s glory days.

“It’s more just like — We love Simon and Garfunkel, you guys love Simon and Garfunkel, let’s all hang out,” Bloom says.

“I think it’s more of a good time than trying to really be any specific thing,” Cooley says.

Ben Cooley playing Art Garfunkel. | Natalia Hepworth, EastIdahoNews.com

They say impersonations and impressions are definitely not something to expect from the show. When auditioning for the parts, producers did look for some physical characteristics of the young band, and the ability to recreate the bands original sound was key.

“I knew I looked like him (Garfunkel) and I knew I could sing the songs,” Cooley says. “Sounding like them was definitely one of the criteria. Chemistry and how we sound together was part of the mix there.”

“We study pretty hard on how Art and Paul perform. We try to make that authentic. In the show, it’s Taylor and Ben and we’re just excited to be playing Art and Paul,” Bloom says. “We’re excited to be talking about their music, but then when we get to sing, that’s when we really want to sound like them.”

Taylor Blook playing Paul Simon. | Natalia Hepworth, EastIdahoNews.com

Bloom says they love seeing the audience reaction to the songs as fans from the Simon and Garfunkel era seem to relive moments inspired by the music.

“You cannot see Simon and Garfunkel perform,” Bloom says. “I think there are a couple of other Simon and Garfunkel shows, but we have such attention to detail, especially with this new band.”

Catch the performance Friday at the Colonial Theater at 7:30 p.m. Go to the Idaho Falls Arts Council’s website for ticket information.

A Feel Good Friday surprise for the sisters of a 9-year-old who hasn’t woken up since having brain surgery

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EastIdahoNews.com and Ashley Furniture HomeStore are teaming up every week to bring you some good news during Feel Good Friday!

We want to surprise people in our community with random acts of kindness and leave you feeling good.

Han Wheeler is a 9-year-old boy who goes to Rimrock Elementary. A few weeks ago, he had a seizure and was rushed to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center before being taken to Primary Children’s Hospital.

Doctors discovered a brain tumor and performed surgery on Han. Since that day, he has not woken up and specialists believe the tumor may be terminal.

Han has a large loving family and his mother is staying by his side in Salt Lake City while his father and siblings try to continue with their daily activities in eastern Idaho. A benefit run and concert was held for “Team Han” last weekend and everyone is doing the best they can despite the circumstances.

We decided to let Han’s sisters know that they aren’t forgotten during this difficult time. We surprised them at Thunder Ridge High School.

Watch the video above to see what happened and click here to follow updates on the Team Han Facebook page.

If you have a Feel Good Friday idea, email neaton@eastidahonews.com.

WATCH MORE FEEL GOOD FRIDAY SEGMENTS

Seriously ill girl moved to tears when her favorite singers show up at her house

A surprise for the sister of a high school football player who was paralyzed diving into the Snake River

A Feel Good Friday surprise for 6 siblings who survived a horrific crash

A Feel Good Friday surprise for some workers who have had the worst month of their careers

A thank you for a woman who’s helped thousands of animals find their homes

Even though her job was eliminated, this woman won’t stop helping drug and mental health patients

A Feel Good Friday thank you for a modern day Patch Adams

A thank you surprise for a man who worked as a school custodian for 20 years

He has terminal cancer but this young man is determined to make the most of every minute

An unforgettable ‘Feel Good Friday’ surprise for a beloved race car driving teacher battling cancer

We hired a snow cone truck and surprised 100 people with a cool treat

They woke up early to pick up garbage so we decided to thank them

She’s helped hundreds of pregnant women and today we’re thanking her

Kids at lemonade stands get a surprise (and big tips!) for Feel Good Friday

Crews respond to sulfuric acid spill in several Pocatello locations

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

POCATELLO — Emergency crews responded to a sulfuric acid spill in multiple Pocatello and Bannock County locations Thursday night.

The spill was reported to Pocatello Police officers just before 7 p.m.

The route of travel for the individual transporting the acid included:

– U.S. Highway 30 from Soda Springs to Old Highway 91

– Old Highway 91 to Fort Hall Mine Road

– Fort Hall Mine Road to Portneuf Road

– Portneuf Road to Bannock Highway

– Bannock Highway to Main Street

– Main Street to Gould Street

– Gould Street to McKinley Avenue

– McKinley Avenue to the 700 block of McKinley Avenue

Over the night, crews with the Pocatello Fire Department Hazardous Material Team in conjunction with City of Pocatello Street Operations Department mixed a neutralizing solution and put it down on the spill using Street Operations deicing trucks. After the acid was neutralized, crews swept the road surfaces to remove it from the road.

Operations were complete around 3 a.m.

Officials estimated 60-65 gallons of 93-98 percent sulfuric acid were spilled.

If you believe you may have driven through the spill, do not wash the acid off by hand. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality says the acid that may have gotten on a vehicle’s tires can be cleaned by using a commercial-grade sprayer with soap and water. The water and soap will help to neutralize the acid and not contaminate the water supply.

Responding agencies included the Pocatello Police Department, Pocatello Fire Department, Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police, and Regional Response Team 6.

Pickup truck hits District 93 school bus

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Natalia Hepworth, EastIdahoNews.com

IONA — A Bonneville Joint School District 93 bus was involved in a crash while loading teens on Crowley Road in Iona.

The crash occurred around 8:30 a.m. Friday between Iona Road and Lincoln Road.

A black pickup rear-ended the bus while it was stopped and its lights were flashing, according to police.

The driver was cited for following too close.

There were reports of minor injuries, but emergency crews checked out the 60 middle and high schoolers on the bus, and no one was transported to the hospital, Bonneville County Sheriff Sgt. Bryan Lovell said.

After students were taken to Rocky Mountain Middle School, some of them started to complain of more injuries, Idaho Falls Fire Department Kerry Hammon said. Paramedics responded again and rechecked the students on the lawn. Again, no one was transported, but school nurses told emergency crews that they would contact parents if the students felt injured.

Authorities say some parents are taking their children home.

Natalia Hepworth, EastIdahoNews.com

UPDATE: 3 people hospitalized following crash near Soda Springs

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Courtesy of Caribou County Sheriff’s Office

UPDATE:

About 10:30 a.m. the Caribou County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch got a report of a collision involving an SUV and a semi pulling a trailer at the U.S. Highway 30 and 34 junction.

Pauline Rigby, 66, of Grace was traveling northbound in an SUV on Highway 34, while Luis Lemus, 25 of Portland, Oregon was heading eastbound in a semi on Highway 30. Lemus also had a passenger, Manuel Maldonado also of Portland, Oregon.

As the semi approached the intersection, Rigby pulled out northbound across Highway 30 causing the collision with the semi.

Rigby was transported by Air Idaho to Portneuf Medical Center for medical treatment. Lemus and Maldonado were transported by Caribou County EMS ground ambulance to Caribou Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The wreck is still under investigation by the Caribou County Sheriff’s Office.

ORIGINAL STORY:

SODA SPRINGS — Idaho State Police are responding to a crash involving a semi-truck and a car on U.S. Highway 30.

The crash occurred around 11 a.m. and is blocking eastbound traffic on the highway, according to ISP dispatchers.

It’s unclear if anyone was injured in the crash.

Courtesy of Mitzi Lish Gonzalez

The Idaho Transportation Department says the crash occurred at mile marker 386. They are encouraging drivers to use extreme caution.

Check back with EastIdahoNews.com for updates.

Dropping swimsuit competition may increase contestants and donors, Miss Idaho Board says

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Miss America swimsuit competition | File photo, EastIdahoNews.com

POCATELLO – No swimsuits, no problem.

The Miss Idaho Organization says they are in full support of the Miss America Board’s decision this summer to eliminate the swimsuit competition. The 51 women representing their home states and the District of Columbia will no longer be judge on their physical appearance.

RELATED | Miss America is scrapping the swimsuit portion from its pageant

While these changes and some leadership decisions haven’t been without controversy, Christivan Ravenhorst, Executive Director of the Miss Idaho Organization, says these changes may actually improve the organization’s ability to recruit contestants and donors.

“We are a conservative state and while there are many talented young women interested in earning scholarships by competing in our program, their hesitation to participate in the swimsuit competition often kept them from doing so.”

Miss Idaho serves as an empowerment and leadership mentor in the State. In addition to the scholarships she earns, she advocates for social issues that are important to her. She is also an ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Nina Forest, Miss Idaho 2018 just returned from Atlantic City where she placed in the top 10 at Miss America. Miss Forest, who is from Pocatello, has won more than $20,000 in scholarship funds at the local, state and national levels.

RELATED | Miss Idaho is a finalist for the Miss America crown

Every young woman who competes at the state level for the title of Miss Idaho begins her journey at a local competition. Currently, there are established local programs in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Rexburg, Twin Falls, Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Emmett and Weiser. We are looking for directors for the Boise, Pocatello, Twin Falls and Rexburg programs and are hoping to expand by establishing new local programs in north Idaho, including Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston and Moscow. We would consider establishing additional new programs in a variety of areas in the state. Anyone interested in starting a local competition in your area may contact Karen Carpenter at miofielddirector@gmail.com. Local directors and their boards receive training and resources from the state organization to assist them in running a successful program.

Young women between the ages of 17 and 25 interested in earning scholarships can find more information about eligibility, the phases of competition and where to find a local near you by visiting our website at www.missidaho.org or email us at missidahoboard@gmail.com.

There is no entry fee for any local competition.

Local school district looking ahead after second failed bond issue

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Devin Bodkin | IdahoEdNews.org

IDAHO FALLS — After a second failed attempt in a year to pass a bond issue, Idaho Falls School District 91 is again reconsidering ways to upgrade its schools.

The school board met Wednesday to discuss possible paths forward and to address why its $99.5 million request to rebuild Idaho Falls High School and remodel Skyline High School failed in August.

RELATED | Idaho Falls District 91 faces uncertainty after second bond issue fails

“I think we did it right,” said trustee David Lent, who blamed the failed measure on organized opposition and Idaho’s two-thirds supermajority requirement for a bond issue to pass.

Lent said the district would need support “in some fashion” from local opposition group D91 Taxpayers to get a future measure approved by voters.

The district’s $99.5 million request followed trustees’ months-long effort to whittle its previously failed request from $110 million in upgrades to below $100 million.

Board chairwoman Deidre Warden solicited feedback from Lent and other trustees regarding next steps in upgrading the district’s aging infrastructure.

Taking more time to identify the most pressing needs and to better communicate them to patrons emerged as a theme.
Compare and explore data on Idaho public schools »

Like Lent, trustee Larry Wilson cautioned against “jumping into the next election” with a revised measure. Still, Wilson said, “we’ve got to do something” to avoid “kicking the can down the road.”

Complicating a future measure to upgrade the high schools is growth among elementary students in the southern end of the district. Trustees discussed the prospect of both boundary changes and building a new elementary school, which Warden estimated costing between $13 million and $14 million.

Idaho Falls Superintendent George Boland told trustees that the district already purchased architectural drafts for an elementary school.

Trustees are still unclear how boundary changes or a measure for a new elementary school would affect another request to upgrade the high schools. Boland suggested hiring Ohio-based consulting firm Cooperative Strategies, which, according to its website, assists “local educational agencies in providing quality facilities for America’s students.”

“I like the idea of engaging with a company to make sure that an accurate message gets out there,” Wilson said.

It’s still unclear when trustees could float another measure for future upgrades. Boland pointed to November 2019 as a possible timeframe.

“I think everybody’s a little tired,” Warden said.

This article was originally posted at IdahoEdNews.org on Sept. 27. It is used here with permission.

Busiest year for aerial firefighters at Pocatello Regional Airport

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POCATELLO – It’s supposed to be the tail end of fire season.

But between the Roosevelt, Marten Creek, and Eight Mile fires and others, this record-breaking year doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

And in Pocatello, that means more air traffic.

“You’ll see those aircraft coming and going several times a day, every hour they’ll pick up retardant, they’ll go drop and then they’ll come back and pick up more then go drop,” said Pocatello Regional Airport management assistant Kristy Heinz.

Pocatello Regional Airport has been home base for the region’s BLM aerial firefighters since the late eighties following the Johnny Creek fire in 1987.

Right now, it’s housing a double-digit number of planes that drop retardant on regional fires every day. They leave at sunrise, and return at sunset. And the increased air traffic hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Pocatello community.

“They use some really large aircraft sometimes to fight the fires and those do make a lot of noise. They also look a lot closer because they are a lot larger than the normal commercial aircraft that we have flying out,” said Heinz.

And if you’re thinking the amount of air traffic is higher than past years, you’re right.

BLM’s record high for retardant used in one fire season is 1.5 million gallons, they’ve used 2.8 million so far this season.

When the DC-10 tanker arrived in Pocatello a few years ago, they were told there would never be more than one present at a time.

For much of this season, there have been three.

“Their activity is really based on what fires are going on and if there’s an active fire, they could sit here and not be going anywhere,” said Heinz.

But this season, that’s rarely been the case.

This article was first published by KPVI. It is used here with permission.

Group awarded $945,000 to help with downtown revitalization efforts

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Bonneville Hotel is one building undergoing renovations in downtown Idaho Falls | File photo, EastIdahoNews.com

The following is a news release from the Downtown Development Corporation.

IDAHO FALLS – The Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation is awarded $945,000 by the Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency for downtown projects, including street improvements and parking technology. Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation exists to promote and care for the downtown area by promoting and advocating the downtown consistently.

“This funding will maintain the great momentum we have downtown with the development at The Broadway, the renovation of The Bonneville Hotel and many other renovations taking place in the core of downtown Idaho Falls,” said Catherine Smith, executive director of Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation. “We are excited to take the lead in beautification efforts that will certainly result in lasting change. The downtown has seen significant growth in the last 18 months and we are thrilled to be part of the efforts both as a catalyst for this growth and grateful recipient of the downtown experience.”

The funds will be used for three distinct projects downtown.

The first project will be the Broadway streetscape from Memorial Drive to Yellowstone Highway running east to west. The entire stretch will be addressed with all new curb and gutter, sidewalks, trees, and planter pots. A drip irrigation line will be installed as well. This will reduce the number of labor hours spent to hand-water the vegetation and flowers along Broadway during the growing season.

The second project will be to address the broken and crumbling planter boxes found throughout downtown at each intersection. The planter boxes are estimated to have been installed in the 1970s with trees planted within the concrete boxes. Over the years the boxes have deteriorated as the roots of the large trees have been constricted to the concrete walls along with harsh weather conditions of cold and hot. The boxes are a mixture of aggregate rock and brick. Funds will be spent to replicate the design established downtown that includes pavers with the appropriate trees for the urban landscape. This project also includes new curb, gutter, and sidewalks. This design will allow the trees to grow in a healthy setting in soil in the ground. The beautification efforts to be managed in pots with planter foliage and flowers that hold a special reservoir of water. This will in turn reduce the costs for labor. The design will be consistent throughout downtown and tie into the Broadway streetscape, so the area is very complimentary and aesthetically pleasing.

The third project will include the purchase of parking meters to be installed in off-street-parking lots currently managed by Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation. With adding technology to the off-street-parking lots, the parking customers will have a similar experience to pay-to-park in the core of downtown that is found in larger cities. This will allow the processing of credit cards as well as servicing the validation program for downtown restaurants, bars, and merchants that Idaho Falls Downtown Development offers for off-street-parking patrons.

The Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency has been a catalyst for change throughout the downtown area with smart investing and projects that have flourished. Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation is pleased to be poised and ready to continue the good work and intent to revitalize and support the downtown area.

Boise man charged with drug delivery after getting Oxycodone pills in the mail

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File photo | EastIdahoNews.com

The following is a news release from the Ada County Sheriff’s Office.

BOISE – A 26-year-old Boise man is being held on a $25,000 bond in Ada County Jail after getting a delivery of Oxycodone pills in the mail Thursday, September 20.

Jacob R. Lassoff is charged with a felony count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Detectives began the investigation in August and later developed evidence that Lassoff was getting Oxycodone sent to him by the mail from outside the United States.

Our detectives worked with U.S. Postal Inspectors on the case and intercepted a package, filled with 41 Oxycodone tablets, that was sent to Lassoff in Boise.

Detectives arrested Lassoff at a Boise-area post office Thursday afternoon after he picked up the package.

Investigators also found blank prescription forms which appear to be stolen from a Boise-area medical provider in his car.

Detectives interviewed Lassoff and then arrested him.

The crime of possession with intent to deliver a narcotic like oxycodone is punishable by up to life in prison.

Parking, traffic improvements scheduled for Tautphaus Park

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Courtesy photo

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

IDAHO FALLS – As part of the Tautphaus Park Master Plan, the City of Idaho Falls Parks & Recreation and Public Works departments will be undertaking several improvements within the park.

Crews will be repairing asphalt roadways, in addition to installing new traffic signage and re-striping to allow more two-way traffic throughout the park.

With the construction of the new Maeck Education Center at the Idaho Falls Zoo, and the subsequent closing of Rogers Street from Rollandet Street, traffic flows through the park are being reconfigured to allow two-way traffic along sections of roadway that are currently only one way.

“This was one of the key recommendations from the community for the improvements at Tautphaus Park and is all about making the park safer and more family friendly to everyone who uses it” said Greg A. Weitzel, Director of Parks & Recreation. “We are excited to see these changes and know they will help improve the safety and make the experience there even better.”

Picnic Way and North Park Drive will be changed from one-way streets to allow two-way traffic to the intersection of Sunken Diamond Drive. Future improvements will eventually see two way traffic along all of Park Drive.

In addition to the changes to traffic flow, roadway striping and asphalt improvements, parking will also be reconfigured throughout the park to make better use of the existing space and to improve parking availability.

Construction is expected to get under way next week and is anticipated to take approximately a week. The public is asked to please stay away from construction areas and to observe barriers while work is being completed.

To see the Tautphaus Park Master Plan or to learn more about the upcoming improvements, CLICK HERE.


Retired priest pleads guilty to child porn, LSD charges

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William Thomas Faucher | File photo, EastIdahoNews.com

BOISE – A former Boise priest has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography and LSD.

William Thomas Faucher, 72, appeared in an Ada County courtroom Friday morning.

The guilty plea was a deal Faucher and his defense attorney previously reached with prosecutors. The announcement was made during a pre-trial conference.

RELATED | Retired Boise priest appears in court on child porn charges

Faucher pleaded guilty to five of the 24 charges against him. Deputy Ada County Prosecutor Kassandra Slaven told KIVI Faucher agreed to plead guilty to two counts of possessing child pornography, two counts of distributing child pornography, and one count of possessing LSD. ‘

Prosecutors agreed to drop all the other charges.

“The state is recommending a thirty-year prison sentence with twenty years fixed and ten years indeterminate,” said Slaven. “That means he could serve twenty years in prison without the possibility of parole.”

A sentence hearing is set for December 20th.

Faucher was originally charged with ten felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, and two additional felonies for knowingly distributing materials involving sexually exploitive material of a child. Faucher was also charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Investigators said they found thousands of images of child pornography on Faucher’s computer — some of which he reportedly sent to another individual.

RELATED | Idaho Catholic Diocese to evict disgraced Boise priest

While investigators searched the home Faucher was renting at that time from the Diocese of Boise, they also say they found an open electronic chat with another individual that “appeared to have been going on for quite some time.” In that conversation, prosecuting attorneys say Faucher expressed his desire for sexual relations with children and the desire to physically harm children.

Investigators said hundreds of the pornographic images contain children as young as infants and toddlers “being subjected to different acts of abuse and torture.”

Investigators also found marijuana, LSD and ecstasy in Faucher’s home, Slaven said.

The defendant’s attorney argued during Faucher’s initial court appearance in February that the “progressive Catholic priest” is a highly respected member of the community with strong family ties and no previous criminal history. He also expressed a concern on behalf of his client that he may suffer from early symptoms of dementia and may seek medical screening.

Faucher’s arrest came after a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Investigators searched Faucher’s home and took him into custody February 2nd of this year.

Faucher’s jury trial was originally set for October.

The retired priest has been incarcerated in the Ada County Jail since March on a $1 million bond.

Because of Faucher’s retirement three years ago, he has not held any pastoral assignments since that time.

RELATED | Boise Diocese speaks out on retired priest’s sex crimes arrest

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Early election day voting in Bonneville County begins Monday

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File photo | EastIdahoNews.com

The following is a news release from the Bonneville County Elections Office.

BONNEVILLE COUNTY – In person early voting for November 6 general elections will be available starting on October 1 at the Bonnevlle County Elections Office, located at 825 Shoup Avenue, in Idaho Falls.

The election office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., excluding Columbus Day. The last day for early voting will be November 2 until 5:00 p.m.

Registered voters may request to receive an official election ballot by mail. A request must be received at Bonneville County Elections Office by Friday, October 26 by 5:00 p.m. Requests require elector’s name, resident address, mailing address for the ballot, and signature.

Pre-registration deadline is October 12. Election Day registration will also be available.
Voters may go to idahovotes.gov or co.bonneville.id.us for additional election information and resources.

Singing group to hold benefit for teen paralyzed in diving accident

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Nate Koplin and his family. | Courtesy Melanie Olsen

IDAHO FALLS — After learning about a local teen’s life-altering injury, a local singing group is putting on a benefit concert to help pay for his medical bills.

Nate Koplin, a senior at Skyline High School, was injured in a diving accident in August and is now paralyzed from his shoulders down. To help pay his medical bills, the local singing group, Singers on Stage, is holding a benefit concert and donating all the proceeds to Koplin.

RELATED: A surprise for the sister of a high school football player who was paralyzed diving into the Snake River

The concert will be held on Monday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. at the Colonial Theater in Idaho Falls. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. A silent auction will be held prior to the show, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

SOS | Courtesy Melanie Olsen

“In today’s world, it’s easy to focus solely on our personal needs, but we don’t have to look far beyond ourselves to find someone struggling with horrific challenges,” SOS benefit event coordinator Melanie Olsen said.

SOS has been performing for over 30 years and it’s members consist of youth from four to 16 years old.

“It is our core belief that part of training young people to be successful in life is instilling in them a desire to serve others and give back to the community,” Olsen said. “In the past, our benefit concerts have helped raise awareness of many debilitating diseases and conditions.”

Netflix adding 101, dropping 42 titles in October

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File photo | EastIdahoNews.com

(KSL) — Back in the heat of the summer, we told you it was a good time to stay inside and watch a movie to avoid the scorching temperatures.

Now, the weather outside isn’t quite so unbearable. But it will be getting colder soon, so it’s still a good time to check out the latest movie choices.

There’s never a bad time to watch a movie, and Netflix has another batch of new options coming in October. The streaming service will add 101 titles in October, and 42 titles will be leaving in the coming days.

Fantasy fans will be excited to see the classic “The NeverEnding Story” on Netflix, available Oct. 1. However, the fantasy films “The BFG” and “Kubo and the Two Strings” will leave the streaming service in October.

Here is the full list of everything coming and going from Netflix in October:

Adding:

Oct. 1

  • “Angel Eyes”
  • “Anger Management”
  • “Billy Madison”
  • “Black Dynamite”
  • “Blade”
  • “Blade II”
  • “Blazing Saddles”
  • “Empire Records”
  • “Gotham: Season 4”
  • “Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain”
  • “Kevin Hart: Seriously Funny”
  • “Must Love Dogs”
  • “My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rollercoaster of Friendship”
  • “Mystic River”
  • “New York Minute”
  • “Once Upon a Time in America”
  • “Pay It Forward”
  • “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure”
  • “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves”
  • “Rumble in the Bronx”
  • “She’s Out of My League”
  • “Sommersby”
  • “The Dead Pool”
  • “The Devil’s Advocate”
  • “The Green Mile”
  • “The Lake House”
  • “The NeverEnding Story”
  • “The Shining”
  • “V for Vendetta”
  • “Zack and Miri Make a Porno”

Oct. 2

  • “Joe Rogan: Strange Times” (Netflix Original)
  • “MeatEater: Season 7” (Netflix Original)
  • “Monty Python: The Meaning of Life”
  • “Monty Python’s Life of Brian”

Oct. 3

  • “Truth or Dare (2017)”

Oct. 4

  • “Creeped Out” (Netflix Original)
  • “The Haunting of Molly Hartley”
  • “Violet Evergarden: Special: Extra Episode”

Oct. 5

  • “Big Mouth: Season 2” (Netflix Original)
  • “Dancing Queen” (Netflix Original)
  • “Élite” (Netflix Original)
  • “Empire Games” (Netflix Original)
  • “Little Things: Season 2” (Netflix Original)
  • “Malevolent” (Netflix Original)
  • “Private Life” (Netflix Original)
  • “Super Monsters Save Halloween” (Netflix Original)
  • “Super Monsters: Season 2” (Netflix Original)
  • “The Rise of Phoenixes” (Netflix Original)
  • “YG Future Strategy Office” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 6

  • “Little Things: Season 1”

Oct. 8

  • “Disney’s Sofia the First: Season 4”
  • “Mo Amer: The Vagabond” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 9

  • “Terrace House: Opening New Doors: Part 4” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 10

  • “22 July” (Netflix Original)
  • “Pacto de Sangue” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 11

  • “Salt Fat Acid Heat” (Netflix Original)
  • “Schitt’s Creek: Season 4”

Oct. 12

  • “Apostle” (Netflix Original)
  • “Errementari: The Blacksmith and the Devil” (Netflix Original)
  • “Feminists: What Were They Thinking?” (Netflix Original)
  • “FightWorld” (Netflix Original)
  • “ReMastered: Who Shot the Sheriff” (Netflix Original)
  • “Tarzan and Jane: Season 2” (Netflix Original)
  • “The Boss Baby: Back in Business: Season 2” (Netflix Original)
  • “The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell” (Netflix Original)
  • “The Haunting of Hill House” (Netflix Original)
  • “The Kindergarten Teacher” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 15

  • “Octonauts: Season 4”
  • “The Seven Deadly Sins: Revival of The Commandments” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 16

  • “Ron White: If You Quit Listening, I’ll Shut Up” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 19

  • “Accidentally in Love” (Netflix Original)
  • “Ask the Doctor” (Netflix Original)
  • “Best.Worst.Weekend.Ever.: Limited Series” (Netflix Original)
  • “Derren Brown: Sacrifice” (Netflix Original)
  • “Distrito salvaje” (Netflix Original)
  • “Gnome Alone” (Netflix Original)
  • “Haunted” (Netflix Original)
  • “Hip-Hop Evolution: Season 2” (Netflix Original)
  • “Illang: The Wolf Brigade” (Netflix Original)
  • “Larva Island” (Netflix Original)
  • “Making a Murderer: Part 2” (Netflix Original)
  • “Marvel’s Daredevil: Season 3” (Netflix Original)
  • “The Night Comes For Us” (Netflix Original)
  • “Wanderlust” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 21

  • “Robozuna” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 23

  • “ADAM SANDLER 100% FRESH” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 24

    “Bodyguard” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 25

  • “Great News: Season 2”

Oct. 26

  • “Been So Long” (Netflix Original)
  • “Castlevania: Season 2” (Netflix Original)
  • “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” (Netflix Original)
  • “Dovlatov” (Netflix Original)
  • “Jefe” (Netflix Original)
  • “Shirkers” (Netflix Original)
  • “Terrorism Close Calls” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 27

  • “Girl from Nowhere” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 28

  • “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 30

  • “Fate/EXTRA Last Encore: Illustrias Geocentric Theory” (Netflix Original)
  • “The Degenerates” (Netflix Original)

Oct. 31

  • “Goldie & Bear: Season 2”
  • “GUN CITY” (Netflix Original)

Dropping

Oct. 1

  • “21”
  • “Adventureland”
  • “Akira”
  • “Bad Boys”
  • “Boogie Nights”
  • “Cinderella Man”
  • “Curse of Chucky”
  • “Eyes Wide Shut”
  • “Freaks and Geeks: Season 1”
  • “Full Metal Jacket”
  • “Guess Who”
  • “Inside Man”
  • “Let Me In”
  • “Life Is Beautiful”
  • “Menace II Society”
  • “Red Dragon”
  • “Scream 2”
  • “Sin City”
  • “Stealth”
  • “The Adventures of Tintin”
  • “The Clan”
  • “The Family Man”
  • “The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence”
  • “The Lost Boys”
  • “The Rugrats Movie”
  • “Trading Places”
  • “White Collar: Seasons 1-6”

Oct. 2

  • “The Human Centipede: First Sequence”

Oct. 6

  • “The BFG”

Oct. 8

  • “90210: Seasons 1-5”
  • “Kubo and the Two Strings”

Oct. 10

  • “Leap Year”

Oct. 13

  • “The Nut Job”

Oct. 14

  • “About a Boy: Seasons 1-2”
  • “The Babadook”

Oct. 17

  • “Donnie Darko”

Oct. 22

  • “The Secret Life of Pets”

Oct. 24

  • “V/H/S/2”

Oct. 25

  • “Big Eyes”
  • “Queen of Katwe”

Oct. 26

  • “Southside with You”

Oct. 28

  • “Bridget Jones’s Baby”

This article was first published by KSL.com. It is used here with permission.

BREAKING: Two men killed in Wyoming trench collapse

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Stock image

TETON COUNTY, Wyoming – A trench collapsed in Indian Springs Friday afternoon, trapping and killing two men.

The victims have been identified as Juan Baez-Sanchez and Victoriano Garcia-Perez. Initial investigation indicates the most likely cause of death to be suffocation.

“This was a very tragic accident, and we extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” Teton County Undersheriff Matt Carr said in a statement.

The men were both workers at a residential construction site at 120 S. Indian Springs Drive.

This article was first published by Jackson Hole News & Guide. It is used here with permission. To read the full story, click here.

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