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SHELLEY, Idaho (KIFI) – Families across the country deal with their childrens’ health complications every day. However, not all of them are lucky enough to have an entire town of support during their difficult times. Tonight, the community of Shelley rallied around Austin Currall and his family, uniting in love and support for the 4-year-old going through his second round of cancer.

Jenel Andersen is the mastermind behind the community fundraiser. “I just called six or eight of my friends and told them this is what I want to do for this family, will you guys help? And they said yes,” said Andersen. “We had a meeting and made some plans and went with it!”

Tanys Searle was another behind-the-scenes volunteer for tonight’s fundraiser. “We split off into teams and put everyone in charge of something,” said Searle. “So many people donated food and were so generous and we’re so grateful for that.”

The best part is that many people in attendance as well as helping with the event, didn’t even know the Curralls. “I know maybe a quarter of the people here,” said Michael Currall, Austin’s dad. “Everybody’s coming up and introducing themselves like they already know us, which in a way, they kind of do at this point. It’s just super cool, I’ve had a couple of times tonight where I’ve forgetten that we’re all here for Austin.”

The event included ticket and t-shirt sales, dinner and pie, games like a pie walk for the kids as well as a silent auction. Community members and local businesses donated to the silent auction, with all the proceeds going to the Currall family and their medical expenses.

It’s rare that a community unites in support of one cause, but locals tell us this is who Shelley is. “This is Shelley,” said Andersen. “And it’s Firth as well. This is what we do, this is what our community does.”

The Currall family could not be more grateful for the turnout and the positive experience their family had at tonight’s fundraiser.

“We just want to give a giant thank you to everybody, there’s no way we can say it enough at this point,” said Michael.

For more on Austin’s story and where you can donate, visit https://localnews8.com/news/2026/03/13/slices-of-hope-shelley-community-to-rally-for-4-year-old-battling-cancer/

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — As gas prices soar nationwide, Idaho’s trucking industry is sounding the alarm. They say the pain at the pump will soon turn into pain at the checkout line.

The surge is being driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East. Following U.S. and Israeli air strikes on Iran and the subsequent retaliatory strikes, global oil markets are shuddering.

In the Gem State, AAA says the average price for a gallon of regular is now $3.51, 55-cents more than last month.

Executives at Doug Andrus Distributing say they saw diesel jump by a dollar per gallon in the first week of the conflict. When you’re buying 400-thousand gallons a month, that’s a massive hit to the bottom line.

Jason Andrus says ultimately, those costs will trickle down to everyday Idahoans.

“80% of the goods in the United States are moved by truck. And so, you know, all of those prices will be affected by the cost of gas and energy,” said Andrus. “Not only do the consumers see (the spike in prices) at the gas pump, but they’re going to see it in the price of groceries and everything else they buy that gets moved by trucks.”

The spike in prices shows no signs of slowing. As global shipping traffic stalls in the Middle East, AAA warns oil prices could climb even higher.

SHELLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — A local family of nine is finding out that in the city of Shelley, no one has to fight alone.

This Saturday, the community is invited to “Pi Day with a Purpose: Slices of Hope for Austin,” at Shelley High School from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is dedicated to supporting 4-year-old Austin Currall as he begins his second battle with kidney cancer.

A Sudden Diagnosis

The Currall family’s world changed two years ago when Austin was just a toddler. His father, Michael Currall, recalls the chilling phone call from the pediatrician that sent them on an immediate, open-ended trip to a hospital in Salt Lake City.

“They found the tumor on his kidney,” Michael said. “He said, ‘It doesn’t look good… you’re going to go home, you’re going to pack a car, and you’re going to go down there right now.’”

The prognosis was grim. Austin’s mother, Bridget Currall, said the family had to prepare for the unthinkable.

“We prepared ourselves from the very beginning that we might not get to see him as a three-year-old,” Bridget said. “We really believe that children are a gift from god, and they are not necessarily ours to keep. So we just decided that we would take one day at a time, do whatever we needed to do, and be grateful for whatever amount of time [we had].”

The Battle Returns

Austin proved to be a fighter, making it through a grueling first round of treatment. The family, who moved to the Shelley area in 2023, was finally beginning to settle into a sense of normalcy when the cancer returned, forcing them back into a battle that they thought they had won.

Bridget says the second diagnosis carries a different kind of weight. “It’s harder going back in the second time. We really felt like we were kind of done with everything.”

Despite the “uphill climb” ahead, Austin’s spirit remains unbroken. His parents describe him as a “resilient little warrior” who currently remains in good spirits—a sign that gives the family much-needed encouragement.

Building a “Community Family”

Because the Curralls are relatively new to the area, they haven’t had decades to build the deep roots many Shelley residents share. Neighbor Janel Andersen recognized their need and decided to fill it.

“They don’t have that community back for generations and generations,” Andersen said. “So we want to help them build a community family for them.”

The “Pi Day” event aims to do more than just raise funds; it’s designed to introduce the Curralls to their neighbors. For Michael Currall, the hope is for lasting connections.

“The kids walk away with some friends, I may walk away with a fishing partner or two, and people put in a lot of prayer for Austin,” Michael said. “Then we won.”

For a family of nine, navigating the toughest of times, a few slices of pie and a room full of new friends might be just what the doctor ordered.

“When we help each other shoulder hard things in life, it unites us,” Andersen said. “It’s a feeling that only comes when you come together and lift someone who is hurting.”