Idaho

Rural Idaho comes together to to bypass landslide using the Weiser River Trail

Published

11 months ago

April 21, 2025

Rural Idaho comes together to to bypass landslide using the Weiser River Trail

A landslide took out a portion of Highway 95 in between Council and McCall in March. The road has been closed ever since, but the community has rallied to provide an alternative.

The Weiser River Trail is the longest rail line converted into a trail in Idaho, it features 85-miles of non motorized use. However, the Friends of the Weiser River Trail opened up a one-mile section to help people get around the construction site.

“As we go through each community we are part of that community,” said Leonard Messersmith, the President of the Friends of the Weiser River Trail. “We try to be as helpful as we can. This is a wonderful thing and I think we have done the right thing by opening this up.

Braun-Jensen Inc. out of Cambridge has been contracted by the Idaho Transportation Department to repair Highway 95. However, this local company has two of their workers performing eight hour shifts driving people back and forth in a side-by-side.

Ron Keller is one of the Weiser River Trail taxi drivers for Braun-Jensen and he told us he puts 125 miles on the side-by side everyday. The shuttle runs from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and around 100 people use the shuttle on a daily basis.

“I never dreamed I’d be a taxi driver, never,” said Keller. “It’s been relaxing and the people are really appreciative of us doing this.”

Lisa and Kirk Kundrick catch the shuttle

Kirk and Lisa Kundrick live in Council, but they work in New Meadows and McCall. Without the bypass it would take them four hours to drive all the way around.

“It’s amazing the cars are lining the whole road and the word is out about how efficient it is,” said Kirk Kundrick. “It is working to get everybody through in a timely manner.”

Allowing a motorized vehicle on the Weiser River Trail

Mountain Community Transit opened a bus line heading north to Valley county from the construction site, neighbors have helped neighbors and what could have been a huge inconvenience showcases the resiliency of rural Idaho.

Meanwhile, the Idaho Transportation Department says the road could be back open by the beginning of May. This past week crews installed a retaining wall and this upcoming week they will re-pave Highway 95.

The shuttle has run for 18 days helping workers get to mill north of the landslide. There are a lot of people that work and live on the opposite side of the construction site. We also met a pair of ladies who used the shuttle to take their cat to the veterinarian.

“I know there are a lot of businesses affected by opening this up in a positive manner,” said Messersmith. “We are glad to be part of that.”

The Weiser River Trail is a fun adventure for hikers, bikers and horseback riders

The Weiser River Trail provides a place for hikers, bikers and horseback riders to enjoy. I can tell you from experience that biking this section is pretty fun as the trail starts in the pines and goes all the way down to Weiser. Shuttles are available in Cambridge and Weiser.

The Friends of the Weiser River Trail is a non-profit and this trail was deeded to them in 1997. There mission is to preserve the integrity of the Pacific and Idaho Northern Railroad corridor, manage a public recreational trail and protect natural habitats along the corridor.

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Related Topics:Bowhunting camping deer elk Featured fish fishing Hiking hunting Idaho Backroads Kayaking

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Idaho

Idaho Lottery results: See winning numbers for Pick 3, Pick 4 on March 1, 2026

Published

12 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

The results are in for the Idaho Lottery’s draw games on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on March 1.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 7-2-3

Night: 2-7-6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 4-7-9-3

Night: 8-7-7-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Idaho Cash numbers from March 1 drawing

03-06-07-33-41

Check Idaho Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing

10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Idaho Lottery drawings held ?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
Pick 4: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
Lucky For Life: 8:35 p.m. MT Monday and Thursday.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
5 Star Draw: 8 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Idaho Cash: 8 p.m. MT daily.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Idaho

Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran

Published

2 days ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran

On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched major strikes in Tehran, with President Trump calling for an Iranian regime change.

RELATED | Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ in Iran, reportedly killing hundreds

President Trump authorized the U.S military operation without congressional approval, a decision that Democrats in Congress are arguing is unconstitutional.

RELATED | Trump’s Iran attack raises legal concerns among Democrats in Congress

Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea says Democrats are “demanding answers and accountability on behalf of the American people, who are being dragged toward another open-ended war they do not support.”

Necochea says her greatest concern lies with American troops, contractors and civilians who she says “did not choose this conflict.”

“Idaho has thousands of active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and military families who live with the consequences when leaders make reckless choices,” she says.

However, not all lawmakers share Necochea’s sentiments.

Idaho Republican representative Mike Simpson commends President Trump’s “decisive action” in Iran.

Idaho News 6

“Iran was given every opportunity to resolve this peacefully through negotiations but chose not to,” Simpson said in a post to Facebook. “I commend President Trump for taking decisive action against a regime responsible for decades of terror. May God protect our men and women in uniform on this vital mission.”

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Idaho

Town Hall to address future of Medicaid expansion in Idaho – Local News 8

Published

3 days ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Town Hall to address future of Medicaid expansion in Idaho – Local News 8

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Nearly two-thirds of Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion, but local leaders say that coverage is now at risk.

According to the organizers of a town hall set for Saturday, February 28, proposed changes could severely impact Idaho’s rural hospitals and leave thousands of residents without access to healthcare.

The town hall, titled “Protecting What Works: Medicaid Expansion in Idaho,” will take place at Chubbuck City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

A panel of representatives from across the healthcare sector — including home health, hospitals, and public and community health — will answer questions about how Medicaid expansion works in Idaho and how potential cuts could affect communities. Organizers say there will also be time for audience questions.

One of the event organizers told Local News 8 why the discussion is important:

“There have been conversations in the last couple of legislative sessions about either fully repealing Medicaid expansion or making significant cuts to Medicaid,” Shantay Boxham, the organizer, said. “This is an educational forum to ensure voters and community members have the information they need about what the program is, what’s at stake, and how it supports Idaho and Idahoans.”

There are limited seats available for the meeting. To reserve a spot, visit members.pocatello.com.

Local News 8 will continue to follow this story and have updates tomorrow.

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