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IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Law enforcement and mental health specialists are sounding the alarm after state cuts are eliminating services for individuals with serious mental illness.

Six local lawmakers met with providers today at the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office to hear concerns about the elimination of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program in Idaho on December 1.

“We deal with the extremely mentally ill people in our community,” said Tom Tueller, owner of Tueller Counseling. “… Without this program, we want the counties to understand that their budgets will go up extremely high.”

The cuts will eliminate “community-based care,” he said, which allows providers to travel and assist individuals who otherwise would not come to office visits.

The end of the program also cut funding for peer support specialists; employment specialists; and nurses who provide medication compliance, delivery, injections and support. 

Bonneville County Sheriff Sam Hulse warned that eliminating support programs has a cost far beyond dollar signs.

“The truth is, if we can’t keep people stable in the community, then they’re going to end up in the crisis services – that means the emergency rooms, that means our jails, and that puts an increased burden on law enforcement.”

Hulse also serves as president of the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association, which recently released a letter to Gov. Brad Little and leaders in the Idaho Legislature, warning of a “significant public-safety concern.”

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Ric Boyce told lawmakers the $13 million Idaho saves by eliminating the ACT program will ultimately cost the state’s counties and taxpayers $150 million in property taxes for increased incarcerations, hospitalizations and legal services.

“Now the state comes in with a wrecking ball because they mismanaged the budget, and they train wreck everything,” Hulse said Friday. “Then they anticipate that they’re not going to have problems. We’re here to tell you as sheriffs, you’re going to have problems, and some of these problems are not going to be measured on a spreadsheet about budgets, but they’re going to be measured in human cost.”

The legislators said they recognize the importance of the mental health services, but warned of a political climate in Boise where a majority of lawmakers are looking to “DOGE” or cut entire programs and potentially repeal Medicaid expansion.

Tueller said he’s hopeful the Legislature will take action to restore mental health services for those who need it most.

The following is a news release from the City of Pocatello:

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Construction on the Center Street Underpass Project is scheduled to begin in early January 2026. To help residents and businesses stay informed, the City of Pocatello and Historic Downtown Pocatello will host an open house on Monday, December 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Historic Downtown Pocatello offices, 435 W. Center Street. The event will provide a straightforward overview of the work planned and what the community can expect during construction.

The Center Street Underpass is one of several key connections into Historic Downtown Pocatello, with approximately 10,000 vehicles using the route each day. Motorists will continue to have multiple nearby options to cross the railroad. The Benton Street Bridge is located approximately a half mile from the underpass, and the West Gould Street Bridge is also available for drivers traveling through the area.

Project work will include repairing abutments, replacing retaining walls, updating sidewalks, fascia, and pedestrian tunnel portals, and adjusting the stormwater system by relocating pump controls and power to higher ground. A new pedestrian bridge across Center Street is also part of the planned improvements. All required permits with Union Pacific Railroad have been approved, and crews are preparing to begin work.

The City of Pocatello has coordinated with the Idaho Transportation Department, the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC), and project consultants since 2010. Jacobs Engineering completed the project design, Cannon Builders was awarded the construction contract, and Civil Science will provide construction engineering and inspection services. LHTAC is administering the project. Prior work, such as replacing a City water line and relocating utilities, has already been completed.

The City appreciates the public’s patience during the upcoming construction period and will continue to share updates as the project progresses.

Additional information is available at projects.pocatello.gov.

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – A powerful wind storm tore through Southeast Idaho on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction that has kept local emergency and cleanup crews working around the clock.

Bannock County became an epicenter of the weather event that saw recorded gusts reaching near hurricane-force winds.

Now, cleanup is underway – of fallen trees, downed powerlines, and debris – all over the city of Pocatello.

“We lost about three trees, fell in the cemetery, and seven or eight trees city-wide, kind of down the center of Pocatello,” said Pocatello Parks and Recreation Director Anne Butler. “We’re cleaning those up today, but we’re, you know, urging people to use caution in our parks and trails right now.”

The cleanup is moved quickly, with city crew workers cleaning up Alameda Park by afternoon. Downed tree limbs were removed from the Mountain View Cemetery before nightfall, but for many, memories of the damage inflicted by the powerful winds will remain long after cleanup is finished and power is restored.

“All of a sudden, I saw a flash of light come down to the power pole,” says Clint Bohney. “And then the power pole fell and went boom to the top of our house to our roof and scared me to death.”

“We lost electricity,” said Bohney’s neighbor, Ismael Gonezlez. “We have two parrots. And honestly, it kind of hurt them because they can get sick and they can probably die.”

Residents have noticed the city workers throughout Pocatello today.

“It’s been really good,” said Melynda Bohney. “They were quick, and they’ve been really amazing.”

The City is asking the public to avoid trees where there is still a chance they could fall – but branches and twigs are another matter entirely.

“If you see a branch or a twig in the you know, one of our park spaces, help us out, pick that up, throw it in the dumpster. We’re doing the best we can to cover as much ground as possible,” said Anne Butler.

Residents can also help dispose of the fallen trees if they’d like to use any of them for firewood. The City says if you’re interested, come to Lower Ross Park across from the baseball field to get it.

A permit will be needed, but it’s free. A sign with a QR code on it to obtain the free permit is located by the trees.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Big changes could be coming for two busy Idaho Falls thoroughfares, and that could impact your commute — down the road.

Progress on a project to potentially construct a new connector between Interstate-15 and U.S. Highway 20 continues.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) shared three alternatives for the I-15 and US-20 connector project with the public this week.

“In the years past, there were at one time 14 different alternatives,” said Sky Buffat, Idaho Transportation Department spokeswoman. “As of right now, in our Environmental Impact Statement document, we’re carrying forward three of them.”

Officials are concerned about increasing traffic, safety, and the number of accidents in the area.

“Constructed in the 1950s and 60s, the I-15 and US-20 interchanges in Idaho Falls are not expected to provide adequate safety, mobility, and economic opportunity in the city, county, and region given the anticipated future growth,” said ITD Program Manager Jake Nyman in a presentation to Stand Up for Idaho Wednesday night.

The first possibility is a no-build option, she said, which would maintain existing conditions without adapting for future traffic or addressing safety concerns.

A second alternative would construct two flyover ramps, a new bridge over the Snake River, and move US-20 slightly north toward Freeman Park. It would relocate I-15 Exit 119 and change the configuration of US-20 Exit 308 (Science Center/Fremont Avenue).

A third option would realign US-20 north of the Idaho Falls Regional Airport, constructing three new interchanges with a new Snake River bridge and interchanges at North 5th West and East 49th North. Buffat said this possibility is gathering the most consideration.

Josh McAfee, an Idaho Falls truck driver for Grasmich Produce, has been hauling goods since 2016 and takes the route from I-15 to Highway 20 three times a week.

At a Maverick gas station near the Lewisville Highway exit, he said he prefers the second alignment that more closely follows US-20’s current configuration.

“I think, honestly, the overlap where that comes around and then merges back on, I think that might be the best option instead of having to move further down,” McAfee said.

The project is still in the planning stages, and no timeframe has been set for the start of construction as the project has not received funding

“[It’s] our big connector project, right in Idaho Falls, and it would bring just a lot of change and a very massive improvement to the Idaho Falls area,” Buffat said.