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RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) – Jefferson County Lake is starting to fill up. While other recreational bodies of water in east Idaho are struggling to get filled this year, Jefferson County Lake is not slowing down this year.

“I’d say we’re pretty much on pace.” Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Director Martin Jones says the current water rights issues and drought situation will not impact the water level at Jefferson County Lake.

“It should be at about full capacity. I’d say hopefully by about early to mid-June.” 

Jones says there is a misconception that the county fills the lake every year. He says that’s not the case. There is nothing to turn on or off. 

“Once the irrigation starts, the water starts coming up from the ground, so it fills naturally.”

The park and campground will open for the summer on Friday. While the lake won’t be ready, there is still plenty to do while people wait for the water. 

On Saturday at 10 am, it will host a brand new event, a fun run called the “Cinco de Mile,” a play off of the Cinco de Mayo holiday. In addition to the run, there will be food trucks and pinatas for the kids. Several other fun runs and events are also planned for the summer. 

Also new this year is a second gate to the right of the main entrance. It will serve as an express lane for those who have season passes or are paying with cash. It will only be open on days with larger crowds to get the lines to move faster.

This year the Freedom Celebration fireworks show will be back. It is scheduled for June 27th. 

“It is going to be the 250 year anniversary [for the country],” teases Jones. “So we’re looking to go a little bigger this year.”

For those eager to see the lake fill up, the county is offering you a way to track its progress. Jones says there will soon be a meter that updates as the water rises on the county’s website and Facebook page.

Editor’s Note: The second candidate in the video was unintentionally misidentified. He is Chad Christensen – Legislative District 35 Seat A Candidate.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Six candidates squared off during a second round of Legislative debates Thursday, organized with the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber.

With less than three weeks until the May 19 primary elections, three races in District 33 and 35 are drawing significant attention. 

Mike Veile: “My highest priority is education. Education is our future. I am very interested in moving education to that next step – taking our public education, innovating it, figuring out how we can solve some of our challenges around special needs and behavioral issues. We live in Idaho for our public lands. Our public lands need to remain public. … Lastly, local control. I want to make sure that we’re not pushing unfunded mandates down to our cities and our counties and our school districts and our sheriffs.”

Chad Christensen:  “I served two terms in the House, and I enjoyed that thoroughly. I told my constituents when I ran for office that I would stand on the Constitution, freedom, limited  government, free market. And I went to Boise and did just that. I did what I said I was going to do. I have integrity. I didn’t campaign over here as a conservative and go to Boise and do the opposite like so many do. When I was in Boise, you know, I was very outspoken against COVID mandates, you know, I stood up for that, stood up for God-given rights.”

In the race for District 33 B in Idaho Falls, challenger Jilene Burger drew contrasts with incumbent Marco Erickson on issues such as Medicaid Expansion.

Marco Erickson: “I’ve done nothing but protect your ability to have your health care needs met through Medicaid, through Medicaid expansion. That’s what our voters in Idaho Falls asked for, and that’s why I was sent there. And I did that. I protected it year after year. I think people probably have no idea how many hours we have spent having conversations and having to have compromises to keep that stable.”

Jilene Burger: “About the Medicaid expansion, I believe that as the ‘voice of the taxpayer,’ we need to cut spending in the Legislature. Fred Birnbaum has said that there’s not a revenue problem, there’s a spending problem. Since I know that the budget has increased 60 percent over the last six years, and it’s increasing every session. That’s unsustainable, we cannot keep that kind of spending.”

In a closely-watched race, incumbent Barbara Ehardt and Idaho Falls Firefighter Connor Cook presented competing visions to voters in the race for District 33 Seat A. 

Connor Cook: “We’re at a crossroads, as a state, and a true battle is being unfolded in front of us – a battle for the heart and soul of our state versus authoritarianism, the battle for true freedom or a ruse of freedom fed to you by freedom scores – Freedom Foundations that are stripping away our autonomy Legislative year after Legislative year. I want an Idaho where my stepson’s education is free of mandatory minutes of silence that we can’t even articulate why it was enacted. I want him to have educators that feel empowered to challenge him to learn and grow.”

Barbara Ehardt: “I’ve been a families first person. A lot of legislation I’ve done has been to protect our families and that means a lot of parental rights. … Protecting girls and women in sports was just heard at the Supreme Court – absolutely amazing. Centering and voting on things to absolutely reduce your property taxes – and not just property, all of your taxes. And then finally, let’s just say, I absolutely support our energy, the INL, hydropower and all things water.”

Rigby, Idaho (KIFI) – The spirit of the Old West is alive and well in eastern Idaho—but today, it’s being assisted in the reign by a group of women riders redefining the sport.

The Gem State Gunslingers, a mounted cowboy shooting group, is gearing up for its next competition this Saturday, May 2, at Wind River Arena in Rigby.

Mounted cowboy shooting blends speed, precision, and horsemanship. Riders race through a timed course on horseback, using blank ammunition to shoot balloon targets along the way. The result is a fast-paced, high-energy event that demands both control and coordination.

For many of the women involved, the sport offers more than just competition.

“Isn’t everybody’s childhood dream to shoot off the back of a horse?” Gina Weymiller joked. “If you come out to these events, you’ll always see big families and kids watching… and usually the kids will go on to fly through the course and outrun us!”

The Gem State Gunslingers regularly host practices and competitions across eastern Idaho, building a growing community of riders who share a passion for the sport and western tradition.

“This is the coolest community that I’ve ever found in the horse world,” Rider Hailey shared. “I’ve done all kinds of competitions, and the horse people in this group are just so much fun, and they’re willing to help. You can have the worst run of your life, and someone’s going to be giving you a high five and telling you how great you did.”

Saturday’s event is part of a larger series of shoots planned throughout the season. Organizers say it’s also an opportunity for the public to get an up-close look at a unique and often overlooked sport.

“If you like watching anything in the horse world, just come out once and watch,” Rider Bailey Lee said, “Everyone always has so much fun.”

Spectators are welcome to attend, with food vendors expected on site and events running throughout the day.

Whether you’re a seasoned equestrian or just looking for something different to do this weekend, organizers say the event offers a chance to experience a modern-day version of the Wild West—right here in eastern Idaho.

For more information about the Gem State Gunslingers and this weekend’s event, visit their Facebook page here.