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‘Catastrophic landslide’ closes critical mountain highway between Wyoming and Idaho

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‘Catastrophic landslide’ closes critical mountain highway between Wyoming and Idaho


A critical highway linking Idaho and Wyoming has closed indefinitely after a portion of the road cracked and then collapsed in a “catastrophic landslide” Saturday, officials said.

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon said in a post on Facebook there is no estimated timeline for reopening Teton Pass, which links Victor, Idaho, and Jackson, Wyoming.

The initial crack appeared Thursday morning across both lanes of travel, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) said in a post on Facebook at the time.

The crack across lanes dropped vertically roughly 8 inches in some places, causing unsafe driving conditions. A patch was put in place and traffic resumed until a mudslide in a different location on Friday closed the road.

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Saturday morning, the roadway where the initial crack happened collapsed, WYDOT said, adding that the roadway had “catastrophically failed, and a long term closure is expected.”

“WYDOT crews, along with contract crews from Evans Construction, were working in the area to construct a detour around the damage, but the landslide continued to move, taking out the whole road,” WYDOT added. “No crews were hurt in the process, and no equipment was damaged.”

Cracks in the roadway on Teton Pass are seen on Friday, June 7, 2024, the day before its

Cracks in the roadway on Teton Pass are seen on Friday, June 7, 2024, the day before its “catastrophic failure.” – Wyoming Department of Transportation

Gordon said Saturday that he had met with WYDOT and Wyoming Office of Homeland Security officials to coordinate a response to the “catastrophic landslide.”

“I am grateful for the efforts of WYDOT staff to protect public safety during this developing situation, and am thankful no one was injured during this incident,” the governor said.

A separate mudslide closed the road on June 7, 2024. - Wyoming Department of TransportationA separate mudslide closed the road on June 7, 2024. - Wyoming Department of Transportation

A separate mudslide closed the road on June 7, 2024. – Wyoming Department of Transportation

Work to repair the cracked roadway and mudslide had been anticipated to last into Saturday, according to the Department of Transportation, and then the cracked section of the roadway collapsed.

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“WYDOT engineers, surveyors and geologists mobilized quickly to try to maintain highway viability as long as possible, but catastrophic failure could not be avoided. WYDOT remains on site decisively engaged on fixing the road and restoring connectivity to the Teton Valley,” WYDOT Director Darin Westby said in a statement.

WYDOT says it is reviewing long term solutions and repairs to the highway and Westby urged the public to stay away from the site until it was stabilized.

The Teton Pass corridor “serves as a critical commuter route and facilitates the transport of goods and services that are lifelines to the growing regional economies in Wyoming and Idaho,” according to the US Department of Transportation.

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Idaho

Shari's restaurant abruptly closes in Idaho Falls – East Idaho News

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Shari's restaurant abruptly closes in Idaho Falls – East Idaho News


IDAHO FALLS — Shari’s in Idaho Falls abruptly closed this week with no plans of reopening.

The restaurant, located on Broadway Street right off the I-15 exits, served its final meals on Wednesday. Employees tell EastIdahoNews.com they were notified Sunday that the eatery would be closing.

Customers are now greeted with a sign taped on the doors that says, “To our Idaho Falls Guests: We appreciate your patronage. Please note that this location is permanently closed. We invite you to visit us at our other locations. Sincerely, Shari’s.”

It’s unknown why the Idaho Falls location suddenly shuttered but the last Shari’s in Tacoma, Washington also stopped operating this week. The Lewiston, Idaho restaurant went dark at the end of May and Shari’s in Boise closed in April after 30 years, according to the Idaho Statesman.

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Shari’s opened its first restaurant in 1978 and is the largest family-style brand in the Pacific Northwest, according to the company’s website. It’s headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon and has restaurants in California, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. The last four remaining Shari’s in Idaho are in Twin Falls, Garden City, Meridian and Nampa.

Messages left at Shari’s corporate office have not been returned.

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Hey Rocky, think you saw Bullwinkle? Idaho Fish and Game confirms 2 moose in Boise area

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Hey Rocky, think you saw Bullwinkle? Idaho Fish and Game confirms 2 moose in Boise area


A couple of moose have taken up residence in the greater Boise area this summer, Idaho Fish and Game told the Idaho Statesman on Thursday.

A young bull moose was spotted this week around Barber Park near the intersection of South Millbrook Way and East Warm Springs Avenue in Southeast Boise, and another moose has been living near Hidden Springs in the northwest Boise Foothills most of the summer.

Neither moose poses an immediate threat to those communities, a Fish and Game spokesperson said, but residents should still take precautions to avoid an encounter.

Idaho Fish and Game says a young bull moose, above, has been spotted in Southeast Boise recently. Another moose has been living in Hidden Springs this summer.

Idaho Fish and Game says a young bull moose, above, has been spotted in Southeast Boise recently. Another moose has been living in Hidden Springs this summer.

Here are some guidelines from Idaho Fish and Game regarding moose:

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Keep a distance of at least 50 yards.

Moose view dogs as predators and can react aggressively. Dog owners should avoid the areas where moose have been spotted, and homeowners should make sure their dogs are contained.

If a moose is seen on the roadway, slow down and avoid creating a traffic hazard.

Watch for body language that indicates a moose is stressed, such as ears down or hair on its neck standing up. They may also stomp their front hooves and grunt or snort.



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Gwen fire reaching 2000 acres in Latah County

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Gwen fire reaching 2000 acres in Latah County


LATAH COUNTY, Idaho — July 24th the Gwen fire was reported south of Juliaetta Idaho. The report came in just 30 miles outside of Lewiston near State Highway 3 in Latah County.

The Gwen fire has reached just over 2000 acres near the Clearwater River.

The agencies included in helping subdue the fire are, The Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho Department of Lands, area rural fire departments, and local landowners. Evacuations are in place with road closures, with some structure loss. The resources on hand are some fire crews, engines, dozers, water scoopers, air tankers, and helicopters.

IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF LANDS

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GWEN FIRE





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