Idaho
Fire burning near Ammon foothills – East Idaho News
Courtesy Zach Zaugg
AMMON — As the community celebrates the Fourth of July with numerous aerial fireworks ringing through the night, a fire has broken out near the Ammon foothills.
According to WatchDuty, a wildfire mapping application, a fire has been reported near South High Willow Lane, and another near East Comish Drive and East 65th South.
WatchDuty watchers report that forward movement of both fires has been stopped, and crews are working on containment.
EastIdahoNews.com has reached out to Bonneville County Fire District 1 and is waiting for more information about the fire.
EastIdahoNews.com will update this story once more information becomes available.
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IDAHO FALLS — The CEO of the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber resigned Friday amid allegations of misappropriation of funds from a local podcast.
According to a social media post posted Friday from the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce, the board of directors accepted the resignation of Paul Baker as chief executive officer.
“We thank Paul for his years of service to the Chamber and wish him well in his future endeavors,” says the post.
The post says that Baker will continue assisting the chamber in a transitional capacity for the next few weeks “to facilitate an orderly leadership transition.”
We have reached out to Paul Baker for comment, and have not received a response. If we hear back, we will update this article.
The resignations come after weeks of scrutiny from a local podcast, IFAF, hosted by Mike Nelson and Karley Morgan. In multiple episodes, the podcasters read questions from an alleged whistleblower who claims that Baker may have misappropriated funds from the chamber, among other allegations.
RELATED | IFAF podcasters reflect on more than two years of rebellious recordings
EastIdahoNews.com has been watching this closely; some facts have been verified, others have not been or appear to be factually incorrect. We will continue investigating and update if we learn more.
“To date, the Board has not found any evidence that Chamber funds have been misappropriated. The Board remains committed to the Chamber’s mission of serving its members and supporting a strong business community,” says the post. “Chamber operations will continue uninterrupted as we move forward with a leadership transition and an independent audit.”
As of Friday, no criminal charges have been filed against Baker for any of the allegations.
The podcast has also linked Baker to Cristie Stone, the former President of the Portneuf Valley Soccer Club, who was recently charged with allegedly embezzling $219,000 from the club. Baker was previously the club’s executive director. Numerous social media posts also indicate that Baker and Stone have been in a romantic relationship.
Local authorities have not indicated Baker is involved in Stone’s embezzlement case.
RELATED | Former president of Portneuf Valley Soccer Club embezzled over $219K, police say
The board says it appreciates the continued support of its members, partners, and the community and will provide additional information “as appropriate.”
EastIdahoNews.com will update when we learn more.
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President Donald Trump approved Idaho’s disaster declaration for local counties this week in response to this past spring’s flooding and landslides.
According to the Idaho Office of Emergency Management, the counties covered in this disaster declaration include Nez Perce, Latah, Clearwater, Benewah, Bonner and Kootenai counties.
Idaho counties suffered nearly $6 million in damage from the severe flooding, landslides and wind gusts between March 11 and 15, according to the state. Thousands of people lost power and roads were heavily damaged. Wind gusts reached nearly 100 mph in some areas.
Eugene Merland Ricks, 82, of Idaho Falls, passed away Thursday, July 2, 2026, at his home. He was under the care of Brio Hospice.
Eugene was born July 7, 1943, to Eugene Felix Ricks and Minnie Clements Ricks in Idaho Falls. He grew up in Idaho Falls and graduated from Idaho Falls High School.
On January 2, 1970, he married Paula Ivie in Idaho Falls. Merland started Ricks Electric Motor Service in 1976 and continued to operate the business until 2022. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He coached YMCA youth basketball and soccer and was the Scout leader for Troop 127. He was a craftsman, gardener, mechanic, and painter. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and woodcraft.
He was dedicated to getting the job, done right and wasn’t willing to cut corners (Merland’s way). He was a dedicated family man who ensured no family event went unrecorded.
Merland is survived by his wife, Paula Ricks of Idaho Falls; his daughter, Barbara (Rob)Trolson of Mountain Home; his sons: Terry (Roxanne) Ricks of Ririe, Larry (Manuela) White of Menan, Travis Ricks of Idaho Falls, Jared (Christie) Ricks of Idaho Falls, and Christopher (Melissa McConnell) Ricks of Idaho Falls; his brothers: Alfred (Vicki) High of Shelley, Carl (Irene) High of Idaho Falls; his sister, Gloria (Wayne) Gardner of Idaho Falls; 15 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Minnie High, his father, Eugene Ricks, and his brother Danny High.
No services will be held. Cremation is under the care of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.coltrinmortuary.com.
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