Full Post Style

BUTTE COUNTY, IDAHO (KIFI) – Butte County Joint School District is closed today due to snow and inclement weather.

We will continue to provide updates as we receive more information about a reopening schedule.

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI)– Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior and Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne has died at 74, according to his family, with tributes pouring in from across the state, including from Governor Brad Little, remembering his legacy of public service.

Kempthorne’s family announced his passing Friday night, sharing a heartfelt statement reflecting on his life and legacy, saying in part:

“Our family is heartbroken, but we are also deeply grateful — for the time we had with him and for the extraordinary outpouring of love and support we have received from across Idaho and the country.”

Current Idaho Governor Brad Little also released a statement, remembering Kempthorne’s character and impact.

“I will always remember Dirk’s generosity and warmth. He was thoughtful, gracious, and deeply committed to the people around him.”

Kempthorne also held several roles throughout his career, serving as the mayor of Boise from 1986 to 1993 before being elected to U.S. Senate from 1993 to 1999. He went on to become Idaho’s governor, serving from 1999 to 2006. He later went on to serve as the 49th U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 2006 to 2009 under President George W. Bush.

For Gov. Little’s and the Kempthorne family’s full statement, click HERE.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Senior Helpers in Idaho Falls are extra busy during the spring, with seniors in the community taking on spring cleaning, house projects, and getting out and about in the nicer weather. This means safety is more important than ever for the elderly.

Senior Helpers don’t just offer in-home care for elderly, they can help with decluttering and safety-proofing homes to ensure seniors stay safe and healthy.

“People are ready, they want to get back out there. So cleaning can be really important,” said Aliera McDonough, Client Service Manager at Senior Helpers. “Making sure that there are no loose items in hallways to trip on, making sure all of your cords are protected. You know, adding extra lighting into your home so you can really see what’s around you.”

The team said loose rugs can cause tripping hazards for seniors and need to be taped down. Checking all the cans in pantries for expiration dates as well as fridge products are also tasks the helpers can assist with.

“We’re collectors. We we get things that we love, and then maybe we don’t use them as much as we thought we would,” added McDonough. “So downsizing can be really important because it leaves your family with a little bit less to have to deal with, and it leaves you with a little bit less to have to deal with.”

The team at Senior Helpers had some tips for spring cleaning.

“Cords are really bad, especially in the main walkways,” said Renae, Communications Manager at Senior Helpers. “You want to make sure that you have everything clear. Cords that are super chunky can get tangled really easily and could be a huge health hazard.”

It’s a daunting task to clean and safety-proof your own home, especially at an older age. However, this is exactly what the Senior Helpers are here to do.

“It’s something you don’t have to do alone,” Renae added. “That’s what Senior Helpers is for. We can help you secure those rugs. We can make sure that there’s no tripping hazards in your way. Spring cleaning is an awesome time, but it also can be a very risky time if you’re trying to take it on all by yourself.”

McDonough’s personal favorite tip is to continue drinking lots of water throughout spring cleaning. “You can never drink too much water, just drink lots of it, it really does help,” she said.

For more information about how to contact Senior Helpers, you can visit https://www.seniorhelpers.com/id/eastern-idaho/ or contact Aliera McDonough at amcdonough@seniorhelpers.com.

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – A partnership between Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho State University, and eCyclers of Idaho brought an electronic waste collection event to the Pond Student Union on ISU’s campus.

Community members were able to drop off items such as phones, computers, and TV’s to be safely recycled.

Organizers say events like this help keep hazardous materials out of landfills while also recovering valuable resources found in electronics. 

“The goal is really simple,” said Yuan Yuan Lee, with Idaho National Laboratories in the Visual Science Department. “We just want everyone to bring their owned or unwanted electronics to our event and we can collect them, not to mention recycle them.”

E-waste can contain materials such as copper, lithium, and other metals that can be reused in manufacturing and energy production.

“They’re certified to process the materials and securely handle data. After collection, everything is taken to a warehouse where it’s sorted and prepared for recycling,” said Yuan Yuan Lee.

Joseph Shannon, the Recycling and Scrap Manager at Recyclers of Idaho said there’s a lot of hazardous materials in electronics which could cause environmental damage if thrown away. By taking them to an eCycling event such as this one, people can safely dispose of their unwanted electronics.

The event was free and open to the public, encouraging community members to recycle their electronic devices responsibly.