Local News

Your Daily Briefing – April 17, 2025

twest

🚨 Crime & Justice

  • The man behind Monday night’s Twin Falls crash that knocked out power to over 2,000 Idaho Power customers has turned himself in. Police say 29-year-old Eron Holbert hit a power pole, rolled his SUV, and fled the scene. He now faces multiple charges.
  • A major drug bust in southern Idaho led to 11 convictions, including Austin Lee of Twin Falls, Arafat Ramirez of Jerome, and Jamie Coltrin of Rupert. The federal case targeted a fentanyl ring trafficking drugs from Mexico into the Magic Valley.
  • The family of 17-year-old Victor Perez, a nonverbal autistic teen fatally shot by Pocatello police, plans to file a federal wrongful death lawsuit. Perez was holding a kitchen knife in a fenced yard when four officers opened fire. He died after multiple surgeries.
  • Lori Vallow Daybell plans to rest her case Monday in her Arizona murder conspiracy trial without calling witnesses. She’s accused of plotting the 2019 killing of her husband, Charles Vallow.
  • A 33-year-old Richfield man died in a rollover crash Monday on U.S. Highway 26/93. Blaine County deputies say he and a juvenile passenger were ejected after hitting a guardrail. The girl was flown to Portneuf Medical Center with serious injuries.

💰 Government & Economy

  • The USDA has terminated a $59 million climate-smart farming grant to the University of Idaho. The project aimed to pay Idaho farmers for eco-friendly practices but didn’t meet new “Farmer First” funding rules. UI may resubmit by June 20.
  • The Idaho Humanities Council is dipping into savings after losing $730,000 in federal funding. The National Endowment for the Humanities ended the grant, citing a Trump executive order. Director David Pettyjohn says community support has been strong despite the crisis.

🏛 Local Government

  • Twin Falls is auctioning off its old Fire Station No. 3 on Washington Street for at least $535,000. The 46-year-old building was declared surplus after the department outgrew it. Zoned commercial, it’s drawn interest—but a city-owned cell tower may complicate resale.

⚾ Sports

  • Baseball
    • Lighthouse Christian outlasted Glenns Ferry 16–11. Karsten Sweesy struck out five and got two hits along with Xander Ramirez. Glenns Ferry’s Alan Mesillas and Josiah Valencia also had standout games.
    • Buhl swept Filer: 6–0 (Porter Higley’s 13 K’s) and 1–0 (Remington Higley’s 3-hit shutout).
    • Kimberly overpowered Gooding: 11–1 (MaCraye Bruning led the way) and 15–0 (Isaac Sapegin shutout, Jeremiah Bybee homer). Kimberly has now won 8 of 9.
  • Softball
    • Burley split with Preston: Game one 4–1 win behind Ady Olmos’ 14 K’s; Game two lost 6–3. Taylin Beck had two hits in both games.
    • Declo crushed West Side 17–0 in three innings. Hornets are now 6–8.
    • Glenns Ferry’s Taylor Martinez threw a 13-strikeout no-hitter in a 13–1 win over Idaho City. The Pilots are 8–0 in conference.

🌦 Weather

  • Thursday: Breezy with a 50% chance of snow or rain. High near 52°F. Gusts up to 37 mph.
  • Tonight: 50% chance of showers before midnight. Low around 31°F.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, high near 54°F.
  • Friday Night: Mostly clear, low around 32°F.
  • Saturday: Sunny, high near 65°F.
  • Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, low near 41°F.
  • Sunday: Sunny, high near 62°F.
  • Sunday Night: Mostly clear, low around 38°F.
  • Monday: Sunny, high near 62°F.
  • Monday Night: Partly cloudy, low around 37°F.
  • Tuesday: Sunny, high near 64°F.
  • Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, low around 38°F.
  • Wednesday: Sunny, high near 69°F.
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