CALL THE KAT KOUNTRY 106 REQUEST LINE! (208) 436-KATT
CALL THE KAT KOUNTRY 106 REQUEST LINE! (208) 436-KATT
☀️ Here’s a look at the latest news from around the Magic Valley and across the Gem State for Monday, October 19.
Jerome students are getting an unexpected day off today after a weekend cyberattack disrupted the school district’s computer network.
All classes are canceled Monday, October 19, while technology teams work to restore the system. Superintendent Brent Johnson says the attack targeted the district’s technology infrastructure over the weekend.
The district reports that existing security measures helped isolate the disruption quickly. Officials say student data, Chromebooks and laptops remain secure. Staff computers are undergoing security checks before being returned to the network.
District technology staff and cybersecurity experts are working to restore systems and assist authorities with the investigation. Families are being asked to watch for updates regarding the remainder of the school week.
A Saturday morning fire has left Southern Idaho Volleyball Academy searching for a new place to practice after heavily damaging S and G Customs and destroying the club’s training facility and equipment.
Firefighters from Filer, Twin Falls and Buhl responded to the blaze at a commercial building near Filer. Crews brought the fire under control in approximately 90 minutes. No injuries were reported.
The academy rented roughly 7,000 square feet inside the warehouse. The fire destroyed volleyballs, carts, poles, nets, clothing and other equipment, along with the club’s practice space.
Although the club’s regular season begins in January, its fall academy is scheduled to start October 27. Club director Andria Parker and her team are searching for available gym space to keep athletes on the court.
🏐 Other volleyball organizations have already offered to donate supplies, and Parker says the community’s support has meant a great deal. The club now needs a place to practice as it works to get back on its feet.
New drinking water filters are in place at Magic Valley Regional Airport after testing found elevated levels of two PFAS chemicals in an airport well.
An August 26 water sample measured PFOA at 9.83 parts per trillion and PFOS at 5.35 parts per trillion. The federal limit for each chemical is 4 parts per trillion.
The City of Twin Falls says filters have been installed at airport drinking water sources, including the Happy Landing restaurant and drinking fountains, to bring the levels below federal limits. Officials are also exploring alternative well locations.
🚰 Important distinction: The findings apply to the airport’s water supply, not the broader Twin Falls city water system. The city also notes that a single sample exceeding the limits does not, by itself, establish a regulatory violation.
A 73-year-old Richfield man was flown to a hospital Friday afternoon after a semi-truck struck his pickup and horse trailer on State Highway 46 in Gooding County.
Idaho State Police say the crash happened around 12:51 p.m. near milepost 108. Both vehicles were traveling south when the pickup driver began turning left into a veterinary office.
Troopers report that the 18-year-old Burley man driving the semi swerved to avoid stopped traffic and struck the pickup. The pickup driver was not wearing a seatbelt, while the semi driver was buckled up.
The injured man’s condition has not been released. The highway was blocked for approximately five hours as authorities investigated the crash.
Idaho voters have another opportunity to make their voices heard as early voting opens today in many counties ahead of the November 3 election.
Saturday’s No Kings demonstrations included Twin Falls, Boise and other communities across the state. Participants encouraged people to vote, with speakers in Boise discussing candidates, ballot issues and volunteering with campaigns.
Early voting runs through October 30 in participating counties, but availability and hours vary by location.
📅 Important election dates:
Voters can check local early voting schedules with their county clerk and find polling information at VoteIdaho.gov.
Idaho’s restored Liberty Bell replica is preparing to return to the State Capitol after traveling through all 44 counties as part of the America250 celebrations.
A free public rededication ceremony is scheduled for November 23 at noon in Boise. The bell will be reinstalled on the Capitol’s front steps.
The replica was sent to South Carolina for restoration in January and returned to Idaho in July before beginning its statewide tour, giving students and members of the public an opportunity to see and ring it.
Meanwhile, Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth has proposed a permanent liberty fountain as another America250 landmark. She estimates the project would cost $1 million and is encouraging fundraising to support it.
No location has been announced, and the advisory council has not approved the proposal. Members have asked Ellsworth to gauge public support and report back at a future meeting.
Two separate fires caused damage in southwest Idaho over the weekend.
The Smore Fire, east of Swan Falls near Melba, burned approximately 2,115 acres before being extinguished Sunday morning. The fire began around 11 a.m. Saturday and was listed as human-caused by the Western Fire Chiefs Association. No evacuations were in effect.
In southeast Nampa, another fire burned approximately two acres near Diane Street and Wright Lane, destroying multiple outbuildings and vehicles.
🚒 The Nampa Fire Protection District reported no injuries, and the cause of that fire remains under investigation.
The Raft River Trojans remain perfect after defeating Valley 58–12 on Friday, improving to 8–0 as the regular season approaches its finish.
Other Magic Valley football results included:
Buhl put together a particularly dominant performance, piling up more than 500 yards of offense while intercepting five passes and holding Wendell to fewer than 100 total yards.
Carey also won a ranked matchup, improving to 7–1 with its victory over Salmon River.
⚽ State soccer begins Thursday, with seven local teams competing for championships. Wood River’s boys will look to defend their title, while Twin Falls’ girls enter the tournament as the top seed.
District volleyball competition is heating up across the Magic Valley.
In 5A action, Minico eliminated Burley in four sets, winning 25–23, 13–25, 25–23 and 25–22. Twin Falls and Wood River also recorded victories earlier in the tournament.
In 4A, Filer swept Gooding, while Valley and Hagerman picked up wins in 2A. Oakley outlasted Raft River in five sets, and Shoshone swept Glenns Ferry.
In 1A, Carey swept Dietrich, Castleford defeated Lighthouse Christian in four sets, and Camas County beat Hansen.
The College of Southern Idaho Golden Eagles delivered an outstanding weekend on the soccer field, with the men’s and women’s teams combining for 18 goals and two shutouts against Pacific Northwest Christian.
The CSI men won 8–0, snapping a three-game losing streak. Julian Rodrigo Olmos and Nicolas Anatoh scored twice each.
The 18th-ranked CSI women followed with a commanding 10–0 victory. Carina Muegge recorded a hat trick, while Macey Call and Halle Hall each scored twice.
Both teams travel to Colorado Northwestern on Thursday as the regular season winds down.
The 10th-ranked CSI volleyball team earned a major road victory by knocking off No. 2 Salt Lake in four sets.
After losing the opening set 25–14, the Golden Eagles rallied to win three consecutive sets, each by a score of 25–23.
Emma Pannell led CSI with 16 kills, while Emerson Heatwole recorded 25 digs. The victory improved CSI to 17–6 overall and 6–2 in conference play, keeping the Golden Eagles tied atop the Scenic West standings.
CSI returns home Friday to host Colorado Northwestern, with the match scheduled for 6 p.m.
The nationally ranked CSI cross-country teams turned in strong performances at the LC State Invitational in Lewiston.
The No. 2 women finished second behind Gonzaga, with Indianna Lundell leading CSI in 11th place in the 5K.
The No. 7 men placed two runners in the top 25, led by Ben Jensen in 21st place in the 8K.
Both teams now prepare to host the Scenic West Athletic Conference championships on October 30 at Canyon Springs Golf Course in Twin Falls.
The Idaho Steelheads have named veteran forward Ty Pelton-Byce captain for the 2026–27 season.
Entering his fifth season with Idaho, Pelton-Byce recorded 41 points last season, including 13 goals and 28 assists in 59 games. He ranks fifth on the franchise’s all-time points list and is three points away from moving into third.
Jade Miller and Sam Jardine will serve as alternate captains.
The Steelheads open their home schedule against the Allen Americans on Friday, October 23.
The Idaho Vandals pulled off a major upset Saturday, defeating No. 7 Montana 42–35 in Missoula and bringing the Little Brown Stein back to Moscow.
The victory marked the first time since 1989 that Idaho defeated both Montana schools in the same season.
Quarterback Joshua Wood accounted for 420 yards of total offense and four touchdowns. Idaho converted 11 of 14 third downs and scored on all six trips inside the red zone.
The Vandals now prepare to host Southern Utah for homecoming Saturday at the Kibbie Dome.
Boise State moved up two spots in both major college football polls, reaching No. 21 in the Associated Press Top 25 and No. 22 in the Coaches Poll.
The Broncos improved to 5–1 overall after a 38–31 victory over Fresno State, reclaiming the Milk Can and extending their winning streak to five games.
Next up is a road matchup against Washington State on Saturday, October 24, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. Mountain Time.
The Boise State men’s basketball team defeated Washington 109–91 in exhibition action Saturday night at Idaho Central Arena.
Aginaldo Neto led the Broncos with 29 points, shooting a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor, including all four of his three-point attempts.
Pearson Carmichael added 22 points, while Spencer Ahrens scored 19. Boise State led throughout the game and turned 18 Washington turnovers into 23 points.
The Broncos are now 2–0 in exhibition play and will face Bismarck State on October 29.
Campbell Wilson scored a late penalty kick to give Boise State a historic 2–1 victory over Oregon State on Saturday night.
Wilson’s goal with just over 30 seconds remaining secured the Broncos’ first-ever victory over the Beavers. Asia Lawyer scored Boise State’s opening goal in the 28th minute.
The Broncos improved to 12–2–1 overall and 4–1 in conference play. They visit Colorado State on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Idaho State’s women’s soccer team defeated Portland State 1–0, completing a successful two-win road trip. Saydree Cooke scored early, and goalkeeper Aliya Garrett made six saves for her sixth shutout of the season.
Idaho State improved to fourth place in the Big Sky standings.
📻 Stay connected with Kat Kountry 106 for more local news, high school sports, community updates and everything happening across Southern Idaho.
Have a great Monday, Magic Valley!