Idaho
Angler shatters Idaho state record with unforgettable catch
An Idaho man made the catch of a lifetime when he caught a grass carp weighing nearly 70 pounds, Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) officials announced on Tuesday.
Riley Farden of New Plymouth caught the giant fish while bowfishing on the Snake River, a popular fishing site for anglers.
IDFG officials said Farden’s catch broke the state record for the species.
Weighing 67.65 pounds, the animal beat the previous grass carp archery record of 38.5 pounds, along with the grass carp rod/reel record of 46.7 pounds.
The record-breaking carp also measured about 49 inches long with a girth of nearly 33 inches, according to the IDFG.
Grass carp are a large member of the minnow family, and can grow up to nearly 5 feet in length, according to the Invasive Carp Regional Coordination Committee (ICRCC) of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
They noted that grass carp over 10 years old can weigh more than 80 pounds.
Grass carp are native to eastern Asia, the USGS said.
The animals were brought to the US in the 1970s for human food and as a way to control algal blooms in wastewater and treatment plants.
Since then, the animals have become an invasive species, spreading to 45 states, the USGS noted.
One of those states is Alabama, where the world record for the largest grass carp caught by a bowfisherman was set.
The Bowfishing Association of America said that, in May 2015, Bryan Hughes caught a grass carp measuring 51.5 inches long and a whopping 92 pounds.
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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