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SUGAR CITY, Idaho (KIFI) —  A combination of strong winds and icy roads made for a hectic and dangerous morning on the roads, and tomorrow, Wednesday, February 18th, we could see more of the same.

Several crashes took place on Highway 33 near Sugar City. This morning, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office also responded to several calls of cars sliding off in this area.

Deputies tell Local News 8 it felt like call after call, they responded to a car, a semi, and a van that slid off as a result of high winds. The highway was closed from mile marker 108 to 115 and reopened around 11 A.M. The MCSO tells Local News 8 that even though the roads aren’t icy, these heavy winds still make the roads slick. 

“They just need to be aware. Don’t get distracted. If the wind starts blowing hard, just be mindful of that. Once that starts blowing over the roads, it’s going to be ice over really well. So in general, just drive safely. Watch what’s going on,” said Chief Deputy Vince Kaaiakammu, Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

It’s a First Alert Weather Day. First Alert Chief Meteorologist Michael Coats is tracking the next storm set to roll in overnight. Watch the News Cast for updates.

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — A recent anthrax outbreak in southern Idaho livestock has triggered concern among residents, but a local veterinarian says the risk to the general public is low if handled correctly by responsible owners.

The recent cases involve livestock in the Cassia County area near Burley. Dr. Tony Parsons, a veterinarian at Blackfoot Animal Clinic who has worked with cattle and small animals in eastern Idaho for nearly two decades, said anthrax has long existed in Idaho, particularly in soil and dust.

“It’s in the environment. It’s in the dust, it’s in the dirt. It can live for decades in the soil,” said Parsons. “It’s not as if this anthrax suddenly appeared in 2026.”

The last time anthrax was a common term used among the general public was in 2001. Many people associate anthrax with the 2001 attacks, when powdered spores were mailed in letters. Parsons emphasized that the current situation is different.

“This is not the anthrax of 2001 that was shipped in letters to people,” Parsons said. “This isn’t as contagious.”

Anthrax primarily affects herbivores, including cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, llamas, alpacas, and farmed elk. The bacteria live in the soil as hardy spores and can infect animals that graze close to the ground or ingest contaminated dirt.

“In dry conditions, the bacteria form into a capsule,” Parsons said. “When the water makes it down to the capsule, that kind of causes the bacteria to come back to life.”

This winter has been unusually warm in eastern Idaho, and the ground has not frozen as deeply or as long as in typical years. According to Parsons, this could be the reason why there have been anthrax-related deaths in cattle.

“With this warm weather, it’s probably just made it a little bit easier for it to come out of the ground,” Parsons said.

If producers find an animal that has died suspiciously, Parsons said they should stay away from the carcass and immediately contact their veterinarian or the state veterinarian.

“If somebody finds an animal they feel like has died suspiciously … you should stay away from the animal,” he said. “By moving the animal and things like that, you could get contaminated. You could get the disease.”

He said proper handling made a crucial difference in the most recent outbreak, noting that the livestock owner recognized something was wrong and called a veterinarian. As a result, no people were exposed.

Parsons said people who work directly with livestock — such as ranchers, farm workers, and veterinarians — face the highest risk of exposure and should use protective equipment like masks, gloves, and coveralls when dealing with suspect animals.

“There is a good vaccine for it,” he said. Exposed herds are being vaccinated, and veterinarians can also administer penicillin to animals that appear ill.

According to Parsons said the most important step is awareness — especially among livestock owners.

He urged producers to recognize the signs of suspicious deaths, avoid handling carcasses and contact veterinary professionals immediately.

“We just need to be aware that it’s there and know what to look for,” he said.

Update 9:28 p.m. – Police have identified the person who allegedly stabbed two women late Sunday night.  Marita gonzeles, a 32 year old woman from Pocatello has been booked into the Bannock County jail on one charge of attempted murder and one count of aggravated battery.

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Investigators with the Pocatello Police Department are calling on the community for help following a stabbing attack that left two women injured late Sunday night. Police have spent the days since the attack establishing a timeline of the victims’ movements and are now asking residents and business owners in the vicinity to review their security footage.

The incident took place around 10:00 PM on Sunday, February 15, 2026, within the 700 block of South Arthur Avenue. According to police, an unknown man approached the two women and stabbed them before fleeing the area on foot.

Witnesses described the suspect as a man standing roughly 5 feet 10 inches tall with short hair. At the time of the attack, he was wearing a hat and a dark jacket, and he was last seen running south on Arthur Avenue away from the scene, according to Pocatello PD.

Police have now confirmed that one victim was treated for her injuries at Portneuf Medical Center and has since been released. The second victim required more intensive care and was transported by Life Flight Helicopter to the University of Utah Medical Center, where she remains in stable condition.

Detectives are currently conducting interviews and analyzing cell phone data associated with the victims.

Members of the community who have relevant camera footage or information regarding the attack are urged to contact the Pocatello Police Department directly at (208) 234-6121. Police are specifically interested in any video footage captured before, during, or after the incident that may show an individual matching the suspect’s description.

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The City of Pocatello is launching a new tool to help first responders support individuals with special needs during an emergency call.

The ‘Know Me File’ is a program that gives police, fire, and paramedics quick access to important information about the individual they are helping.

Pocatello Mayor Mark Dahlquist said the goal of the program is to provide critical information during high-stress moments of emergency response.

“We’ve just rolled out a great new program called the ‘Know Me File,’ Dahlquist said. “The Know Me File is just a tool that we have out there for emergency response calls. …There’s an interface with the registration page that the public can do. It will allow a police officer showing up on the scene if there is an emergency (to respond to the needs of the individual).”

Officials say it will help make sure first responders have the details they need on the ground.

Participants can share things like preferred communication methods, sensory sensitivities, medical needs, or conditions. 

They can also add emergency contacts or a photograph.

“It’s a really great way to access a little bit of extra information, so if there’s a vulnerable individual or someone with a disability living at the residence or the location where first responders are responding, it’s just a great tool to provide more information that comes from the individual themselves or a family member,” Dahlquist said.

The program was developed in part in response to the shooting of Victor Perez last year.

Victor was shot by police when he appeared to be threatening his family with a knife.

After the shooting, officers realized Victor was autistic.

Jennifer Call, an attorney representing the Perez family, said the program is one of a number of changes her clients are asking the City of Pocatello to make in their lawsuit following Victor’s shooting.

“This is the first step, and other changes we’d like to see are de-escalation techniques, and training being taught more widely within the police department, and a call for more transparency in what is happening inside the department,” Call said.

Bannock County residents can enroll in the ‘Know Me File’ program here on the Pocatello City website. 

You can also sign up in person at the Pocatello Police Department.