Idaho
Officials advised Wood River Valley residents to remain alert after bear sightings
HAILEY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Multiple bear sightings have been reported in the Wood River Valley. Idaho Fish and Game officials are investigating a report of a black bear near Alturas Elementary in Blaine County.
With the bear near the elementary school, the school district issued a shelter-in-place order.
Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers and the Hailey City Police monitored the animal while they waited for biologists from Jerome.
Morgan Ballis, the school resource officer for Alturas Elementary, explained the police’s role in this situation.
“Our primary role was to make sure the public was safe,” Ballis said. “That means being on scene and keeping them away from that area, but also communicating with them via social media and other outlets to let them know what was going on.”
Terry Thompson from Idaho Fish and Game explained the biologist’s job.
“We came up with a dart gun we were able to anesthetize the bear and because this is a bear that just wandered into town, was not food conditioned, it was a good candidate for relocation,” Thompson said.
The biologists darted the bear and relocated it to Galina Summit.
The bear was found around this neighborhood but showed no signs of aggression, according to Idaho Fish and Game.
Although there is no confirmed cause for the bear’s arrival, there are reasons why an animal might leave its habit and come to a city.
“It’s been hot, and it’s been dry, so a lot of their natural food sources are not as available to them as they would be on a normal summer,” Thomas said. “So they’re coming into town, coming to valley bottoms, repairing areas along rivers and with houses comes residential garbage. So right now, what we’re seeing is some of these bears that are in town are getting into residential garbage.”
Thompson said there are different ways to protect yourself and your house from bears coming in.
“Securing your household garbage and when I see say secure, I mean keeping it in your garage, keeping it in a locked shed. You don’t want to have that bear having the ability to get to that garbage cart. The other things is don’t feed your pets outside and leave the food, take down your bird feeders.”
If you see a bear near a neighborhood, report it to Idaho Fish and Game. Call your local sheriff’s department if the bear appears aggressive or threatening.
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MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (CBS2) — A joint investigation by the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and the Mountain Home Police Department has led to the arrest of a man accused of multiple sexual offenses in Elmore County and the city of Mountain Home.
An arrest warrant was issued on June 10, 2026, for Dillon Thorpe following an investigation conducted by Elmore County Sheriff’s Office detectives. Thorpe was taken into custody on June 11, 2026, on a warrant by the Idaho State Police.
Thorpe is charged with rape, child enticement, lewd conduct with a minor, and sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16.
Authorities said additional details about the investigation will not be released at this time because of the nature of the crimes and to protect the privacy of victims and witnesses.
Law enforcement believes there may be additional suspected victims and/or witnesses who have not yet been identified. Anyone with information or evidence relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office or the Mountain Home Police Department to make a report.
DENVER (KDVR) — Three Colorado motorcyclists died on Tuesday in northern Idaho after a pickup truck driver, also from Colorado, hit all three while trying to pass another vehicle, according to the Idaho State Police.
The crash happened at about 4 p.m. Tuesday outside the town of Kooskia on U.S. 12, police said. The pickup truck driver, identified as a 60-year-old Colorado Springs woman, was headed west on the highway when she crossed the double yellow line in a no-passing zone while trying to pass another vehicle.
She then collided head-on with the three motorcycles that were headed east on the highway.
The three motorcyclists died at the scene. The Idaho County Coroner identified the motorcyclists as: Ethan Powers, 35, of Timnath, Jeremy Coleman, 45 of Berthoud, and Nathan McCormick, 26, of Loveland.
The Colorado Fraternal Order of Police later identified Coleman and Powers as a sergeant and deputy with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and McCormick as Coleman’s son-in-law.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends, coworkers, and the members of FOP Lodge 4 as they face the difficult days ahead,” the union said. “The law enforcement profession is built on service, sacrifice, and commitment to others. Sgt. Coleman and Deputy Powers dedicated their lives to protecting their community, and their impact will continue to be felt by those who had the privilege of serving alongside them.”
The truck driver was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation before being released then arrested. She was booked into the Idaho County Jail on probable cause for three counts of vehicular manslaughter, police said.
The following is a press release from the Idaho State Police:
The Idaho State Police (ISP) is investigating a three-fatality crash that occurred at approximately 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, on U.S. Highway 12 near milepost 113 east of Kooskia.
The preliminary investigation indicates a 2019 Ford F-150 was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 12 when the driver attempted to pass another vehicle in a marked no-passing zone. The pickup crossed the double yellow centerline and collided with three motorcycles traveling eastbound.
The three motorcyclists sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
The 60-year-old female driver of the Ford, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. Following her release, she was arrested and booked into the Idaho County Jail on probable cause for three counts of vehicular manslaughter.
The Idaho County Coroner’s Office will identify the deceased and determine the cause and manner of death.
U.S. Highway 12 was closed for approximately six and one-half hours while emergency responders assisted at the scene and investigators processed evidence.
ISP was assisted by the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho County Coroner’s Office, the Idaho Transportation Department, and local fire and EMS personnel.
The crash remains under investigation.
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