Idaho
Black History Month: The lost legacy of Joseph R. Mitchem Jr.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —We all stand on the shoulders of giants even if we don’t even know who they are, and that is the case of Joseph R. Mitchem Jr.
“In 1908, the Times News reports that he’s the first young, black male to pass the bar in Idaho,” Local Historian Justin Vipperman said.
Joseph Mitchem was a man of many firsts, not only was he the first African American to pass the bar exam in Idaho, but he was also the first African American to graduate from Dozier High School in Michigan.
In the year 1908, the Idaho Legislature repealed a section of code that forbade African Americans from taking the bar exam in the state. “…The Fact that there were a lot of barriers that appeared to be coming down…The word white has been removed from the legal statement.” Dr. Jim Gentry, Professor Emeritus of History at the College of Southern Idaho said.
While working at the Hotel Perrine Mr. Mitchem was able to take advantage of systemic barriers that had been coming down around the country and become the first African American to be eligible to practice law in the state, but records of him ever practicing law are near impossible to find.
“I haven’t been able to find any records in Twin Falls County. A lot of that stuff is now gone…If he was practicing, he would have been from 1908 till 1913…And so there’s a very brief period of time during that time.” Mr. Vipperman explained.
It’s possible that Joseph Mitchem wasn’t ever able to practice law thanks to established stereotypes of the time.
“We have to keep in mind in 1908 that the distance from the Civil War was still not great…” Dr. Gentry said.
However, it should be noted that it appears that Joseph Mitchem never wanted to practice law in the state of Idaho.
“It appears that he was here just because his brother was here and he was staying with them while preparing (for the bar exam),” Dr. Gentry explained.
This story has fallen to the footnotes of History, but what Dr. Gentry finds intriguing about this story is that it was told at all.
“I was surprised that he got any recognition…I think he is reflecting an attempt to try to put the best face forward in terms of this guy’s ability or maybe in terms of the Twin Fall’s ability to appreciate him in spite of his race,” Dr. Gentry said.
Another first for a growing Twin Falls that Justin Vipperman hopes will tell a story you may have never heard before and will remember how complex even your local history can be.
“I think it’s important to kind of explain these stories and bring them back out of obscurity because this is something that this is something that we all should be looking towards as a great accomplishment, maybe not even just an African-American accomplishment, just a great accomplishment for Idaho, that we repeal this statue, that bars people of color from being able to ab attorneys in Idaho.” Mr. Vipperman explained.
Copyright 2024 KMVT. All rights reserved.
Idaho
Grocery Outlets to close in Idaho Falls, Pocatello after company announces poor earnings – East Idaho News
IDAHO FALLS — Two local grocery stores are closing their doors, along with 34 others across the country, after their CEO announced last quarter that sales were unacceptable.
On Friday, the Grocery Outlets in Idaho Falls and Pocatello announced on Facebook that they’ll be closing their doors by March 21.
The Idaho Falls Grocery Outlet first opened its doors in July 2022, and the one in Pocatello opened in April 2023.
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EastIdahoNews.com contacted the operators of the Idaho Falls Grocery Outlet and was referred to corporate. They did not respond to a request for comment.
However, on March 4, Grocery Outlet CEO James Potter spoke during an earnings call with investors, on the closure of the stores in Idaho and across the country. Potter told investors during the call that the company’s fourth-quarter results were “unacceptable.”
“Our outlook for 2026 reflects a business with more work to do than we expected,” Potter said. “I own this, and I own fixing these issues.”
Potter said 36 stores were identified as lacking a viable path to sustained profitability despite the company’s support. The majority of the identified stores were located on the East Coast.
“However, it’s clear that we expanded too quickly and that these closures are a direct correction,” Potter said.
According to a list on Gordon Brothers’ website, a third store in Idaho will also close in Smelterville, located in Idaho’s panhandle. The investment firm’s website shows that all 36 locations are available for sublease.
With these closers, Potter said the company hopes to bring back $12 million and free up resources to assist other stores in different markets.
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IDAHO FALLS — A local event can be your one-stop shop if you are looking for a Mother’s Day gift, Easter basket fillers, and spring or summer decor.
The Spring Bazaar is returning to Bonneville High School this year on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s free to enter. You can “shop, eat, mingle, and repeat” at the craft fair, according to the flyer.
The first 100 people through the door will get a free cinnamon roll from Mrs. Powell’s.
“It’s a great opportunity to get out of the house because the weather is getting nice and spend some time with your girlfriends and your family,” said Haylie Rowberry, the event coordinator.
A fun giveaway will be happening during the day, and it will be a scavenger hunt.
“We did something similar last year, and it was a big hit, so we thought we would try it again,” Rowberry told EastIdahoNews.com.
Here’s how the scavenger hunt works. DJ Guido — who runs the music at the event — is giving away an item from a vendor every hour. Participants have to find the booth selling the item, get a claim ticket to win and bring it back to him.
There will be 120 vendors at the Spring Bazaar. New this year is a business called Cow Friend Soap, which is a bath and body booth. Another one is Turtle Tea, which sells boba drinks. Then there’s Beau & Bows, which sells matching hairbows and neckties for the whole family.
See the list below of all the vendors that will be there.
“I love that it’s an opportunity to support the local community and support small businesses and local entrepreneurs,” Rowberry said.
There are junior vendors, who are under 18, like Brysens Ball Claws. It’s 3D printed golf accessories.
There’s also one vendor who is Deaf, and he’s an artist, Rowberry said. His name is Frankie Grant.
“He does drawings and postcards. He makes his own bookmarks and kids’ painting kits. He is very talented, and so I am excited to have him this year,” she said.
There will be Girl Scout cookies there, too and plenty of food vendors to choose from.
The Spring Bazaar has grown in popularity over the years. Rowberry said she’s created a slogan for the event, “Spring Bazaar: where shopping turns into traditions.”
“The Spring Bazaar has become a tradition for many. I have talked to several families that have been coming for years and years, and they look forward to it every year,” she added.
Rowberry puts on the Fall Bazaar, which will be happening in November.
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Weber State guard Lanae Billy (32) drives against Idaho’s Ana Pinheiro in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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Weber State’s Antoniette Emma-Nnopu (7) eyes an entry pass to Nicole Willardson (25) as Idaho’s Kyra Gardner (3) defends in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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Weber State guard Hannah Robbins, right, drives past Idaho’s Ana Pinheiro in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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Weber State guard Fui Niumeitolu (12) lofts a floater over Idaho’s Kyra Gardner (3) in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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Weber State guard Sydney White (22) tries to set up a play against Idaho’s Ella Uriarte (5) in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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Weber State guard Lanae Billy (32) shoots against Idaho’s Kyra Gardner (3) in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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Weber State guard Lanae Billy gets back on defense after making a 3-pointer against Idaho in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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Weber State forward Arizana Peaua (11) shoots over Idaho’s Debora dos Santos in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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- Weber State guard Lanae Billy (32) drives against Idaho’s Ana Pinheiro in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
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- Weber State’s Antoniette Emma-Nnopu (7) eyes an entry pass to Nicole Willardson (25) as Idaho’s Kyra Gardner (3) defends in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
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- Weber State guard Hannah Robbins, right, drives past Idaho’s Ana Pinheiro in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
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- Weber State guard Fui Niumeitolu (12) lofts a floater over Idaho’s Kyra Gardner (3) in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
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- Weber State guard Sydney White (22) tries to set up a play against Idaho’s Ella Uriarte (5) in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
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- Weber State guard Lanae Billy (32) shoots against Idaho’s Kyra Gardner (3) in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
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- Weber State guard Lanae Billy gets back on defense after making a 3-pointer against Idaho in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
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- Weber State forward Arizana Peaua (11) shoots over Idaho’s Debora dos Santos in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Weber State women’s basketball showed plenty of fight but Idaho showed why it’s the No. 1 team in the Big Sky on Sunday afternoon.
Using middle-quarter dominance, Idaho built a 21-point lead through three quarters and had enough cushion to withstand a big Weber State push on the way to a 66-52 victory in the Big Sky tournament quarterfinals at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Weber State (11-22) got 14 points apiece from its two seniors each putting a cap on their two-year stint in Ogden. Guard Lanae Billy and forward Antoniette Emma-Nnopu each tallied 14, with Emma-Nnopu adding seven rebounds and four assists.
Junior post Nicole Willardson totaled 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds for the Wildcats. Those three players combined to shoot 9 of 17 from the 3-point line.
A back-and-forth first quarter bled into the start of the second quarter when Willardson made a 3 to put WSU ahead 15-14. But Idaho’s pressure began to wear on Weber, with the Vandals (27-5) keeping the Wildcats from quality shots while beginning to dominate the post.
Idaho paint players Debora dos Santos and Lorena Barbosa combined for 12 points in the frame; the Vandals outscored WSU 22-6 after Willardson’s 3 and took a 36-21 lead into halftime when WSU left Barbosa open for a straightaway 3 at the horn.
“They were a lot more aggressive this go-round. They really cranked it up, they were denying up on us … they just really sped us up first half, is what it felt like,” WSU head coach Jenteal Jackson said. “We went into a little more iso ball, which is not typical of us. Just needed to slow down, take a breath, run our offense and run a bunch of our actions that we needed to make them guard.”
The third quarter was much of the same. Idaho guard Ana Beatriz Passos Alves da Silva knocked down a 3 to give the Vandals a 54-30 lead with 30 seconds left in the quarter.
Emma-Nnopu ended the quarter with one of her three 3s, though, and unknowingly began a 20-6 run for Weber State. WSU burst out of the final break with a pair of buckets to precede a Willardson 3, then a Sydney White steal leading to a Billy triple seven seconds later. That made it 56-43 with 7:30 left.
Later, White made a 3, then another steal led White to find a rolling Arizana Peaua for a layup to cut the score to 60-50 with 4:00 remaining.
WSU’s gas ran out there, though. Hope Hassmann drove for a bucket on one of Idaho’s 17 offensive rebounds to all but put the game away at 65-50 with 3:00 left on the clock.
Hassmann and Kyra Gardner each also scored 14 to lead Idaho, with Hassmann adding six assists and five rebounds. Ana Pinheiro and dos Santos each scored 12 points.
Idaho advances to play Tuesday, facing the winner of Monday’s game between Idaho State and Sacramento State.
After starting Big Sky play with nine straight losses, WSU finished by winning four of six before the defeat to Idaho, but finished in ninth place.
Weber turns to next season returning five scholarship juniors while replacing the two seniors. WSU lost three players before the season began with knee injuries.
“It’s always tough when kids who are really playing well and peaking are done. It’s been a joy to coach them,” Jackson said of the seniors. “We’re going to miss them a lot.”
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