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Chukars end slide behind Grosjean, timely offense – East Idaho News

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Chukars end slide behind Grosjean, timely offense – East Idaho News


IDAHO FALLS — Nothing is coming easy to the Idaho Falls Chukars right now.

They entered Friday night’s showdown with the Ogden Raptors at Melaleuca Field having lost four straight and six out of eight, and fell into a second-inning 3-0 hole. Even after answering the early deficit and taking an advantage into the middle innings, Idaho Falls watched as sudden gusts of wind carried what looked off the bat to be a routine flyout over the wall for a Raptors two-run seventh-inning homer.

But the worm began to turn, as that same wind helped drive an insurance homer (3) from Anthony Mata out of the park. Then in the ninth, after a lengthy on-field delay, which included two separate umpire huddles, the home club was ruled to have turned a double play, snuffing out an Ogden rally. And by a final of 10-6, the Chukars (18-9) knocked off the Raptors (14-14) to end their first losing streak of 2025.

There is no better medicine for the team the in the throes of a losing streak than having its ace on the hill. That was one thing the Chukars had going for them Friday, with Gary Grosjean (W, 6-0) getting the nod.

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Second baseman Garret Ostrander spoke to the boost his offense gets when Grosjean is on the bump.

“You just know he’s going to give us a chance,” Ostrander said. “Offensively as a whole, we’ve had a great year — it’s been a little slow recently, but when you know (Grosjean) is going to give you a chance to win, you go out there with confidence.”

Manager Troy Percival agreed.

It wasn’t all flowery for the right-hander though, as he was touched for three runs on four hits and a hit batsman in the third.

The suddenly confident Idaho Falls offense, which had scored just 13 runs in the first three games of the series, answered right back in the bottom half. Jacob Shanks got things started with a two-run blast (4) off the scoreboard in left-center, and Spencer Rich added a two-run single to give the Chukars their first lead in 13 innings.

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Jacob Shanks rounds third after hitting a two-run homer in the second inning, Friday. | Kalama Hines, EastIdahoSports.com

Like an ace, Grosjean repaid his offense for its answer with a pair of zeroes, sending the game into the fifth with the Chukars leading, 5-3.

The Raptors broke through again in the top of the fifth, on a solo homer from Cole Jordan. But Idaho Falls again returned serve, on an RBI single from Shanks.

In the sixth, Ogden set the table with runners on second and third and no outs. But Grosjean worked out of the jam without surrendering another run.

Idaho Falls nearly did the same in the bottom half, putting two in scoring position before an out was recorded only to see the next two batters go down with out knocking in either. It was Trevor Rogers who made sure the Chukars would not waste the scoring chance though, knocking a two-strike, two-run double into the gap in right-center.

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The Chukars, Ostrander explained, have been searching for ways to get those big at-bats. The powder-keg offense scored in bunches early on and seemed to get used to putting massive numbers on the board. He joked that it is often easier to scored 20, or even 30, than it is to score five when you need all five.

“We hadn’t gotten tested, necessarily, in those close games. Just recently, you know, we’ve needed to find a way to move a guy from second to third … when you have a guy in scoring position, you need to find a way to get them in,” he said, adding that his team is capable of playing big ball or small ball. “Tonight, we did just that.”

Ogden cut the Chukars’ 8-4 lead to 8-6 on a seventh-inning two-run homer from Christopher Sargent Jr., but Mata answered right back with his own solo blast.

Every time the Raptors scored Friday, the Chukars bounced right back with tallies of their own the very next half-inning. Only once — in the seventh — did Ogden do the same.

Sargent’s homer knocked Grosjean from the game after 6-plus innings with six runs allowed — far from his best start of the season, but enough to get his team back on the winning track.

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Luke Hempel retired the three batters he faced to end the seventh, and Nicolo Pinazzi went the rest of the way — through some confusion in the ninth.

With a runner on first and no outs, Connor Bagnieksi sent a fly ball to deep left. Shanks made a backwards lunging catch, which was ruled a catch by the third base umpire. But the Raptors did not believe the umpire’s out call was clear, and that Shanks had dropped the ball, so the base runner advanced to second without tagging up.

The Chukars sent the ball to first for what they believed was a double play, but no ruling was made by the first base ump.

After discussion with both managers, the umps gathered near the middle of the infield for an extended discussion. Their determination was that the catch was made and the batter was out, but they did not offer a ruling on the runner who had moved from first to second.

The Chukars appealed at first, but once again the the umpire did not offer a ruling.

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Again, the umpires gathered near the pitchers mound for a discussion. When that second meeting was complete, they ruled that the runner was, in fact, out.

“To me, it was cut-and-dry,” Percival said, adding that he would not have argued had the runner been put back at first.

The game ended on a strikeout, with the third strike coming on a ball challenged by catcher Johnny Pappas and overturned by the in-stadium trackman.

Percival and the Chukars will hand the ball to new addition Jorge Romero with a chance to make it two wins in a row against the Raptors, Saturday. But given their current injury situation, the skipper cautions fans not to expect a massive win streak — not now, at least.

“We’re not set up to have a momentum streak right now. We have to grind out every win we can get until we can solidify this pitching staff,” he said, adding that he sees his team being back to “80- or 90%” in the next two weeks. “Then we’re tough to beat.”

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Current PBL standings
T1. Missoula PaddleHeads (19-9)
T1. Oakland Ballers (19-9)
T3. Idaho Falls Chukars (18-9)
T3. Rocky Mountain Vibes (18-9)
5. Yube-Sutter High Wheelers (17-10)
6. Boise Hawks (16-11)
7. Ogden Raptors (14-14)
8. Billings Mustangs (13-15)
9. Grand Junction Jackalopes (11-16)
10. Glacier Range Riders (11-17)
11. Northern Colorado Owlz (5-21)
12. Great Falls Voyagers (3-24)

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Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon

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Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon


There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.

Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.

Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.

Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.

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Idaho Costcos

Where to find Costcos in Idaho.

Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola

Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!

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Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!

Look at those chicken tenders:

 

 

 

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Costco Foodcourt’s New Item

It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!

Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola

Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts

Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?

Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM

 

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This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist

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This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist


You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people.  The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams.  Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.”  One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school.  His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus.  Some of our early leaders were devout Christians.  Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service.  They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.

They Mock Good People of Other Faiths

I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention.  Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke.  She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!”  Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people?  Or would God prefer a gentler approach?  For instance, you could pray for conversions.

Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?

Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument.  “We’re all going to be judged,” she said.  What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?

The Pot Calling the Kettle Black

A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates.  A group of liberal women demonstrated outside.  I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational.  They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event.  If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered.  Let me add a caveat.  Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple.  I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people.  Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.

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Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists.  Do we need to draw them some pictures?

Brad Little Through The Years

Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller





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Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho

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Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho


KUNA — A sister-duo is filling baskets with blankets, snacks and handwritten notes to spread some extra love to moms spending Mother’s Day in the hospital with their newborns.

The effort is led by “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” a nonprofit co-founded by sisters Tiffany and Alyssa Higbee. The organization was born from Alyssa’s own experience spending months in the NICU with her firstborn.

Alyssa’s son was initially in the NICU for about two weeks, then was put back in for about 3.5 months. During that time, several holidays passed, making it especially hard as a first-time mom.

“There was people in companies who would bring us stuff and try and cheer up your day, and it really helped, and so when my son was about 6 months old, we decided that it would be best to try and help moms in the NICU somehow,” Alyssa Higbee said.

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That inspiration led the sisters to create Mother’s Day gift baskets filled with items to bring comfort and encouragement to moms facing the same journey.

WATCH: Learn more about “Helping Hands for NICU Moms”

Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho

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The sisters have a 12-year age gap. Tiffany was fresh out of high school when they started the nonprofit in 2023, which meant she had more time to dedicate to the project. Alyssa noted that because of the age gap, they didn’t get to spend a lot of time together growing up, so the project has brought them closer.

“Hopefully, this can bring some hope that you can get out of it … that NICU period, that scary initial phase, it does get easier,” Alyssa Higbee said.

ALSO READ | Fragile beginnings to bright futures: NICU ‘Wall of Hope’ inspires families with stories of strength

Alyssa’s son, who was born in the NICU at St. Luke’s in Twin Falls, is now 3-years-old and healthy. Tiffany said watching her nephew go through the NICU was hard, but seeing him now — jumping, tackling her, and doing everything a little boy does — makes the work even more meaningful.

“It’s cool to see the difference because I know that some kids don’t make it to where he is when they’re in the NICU, and it’s just cool to see that he did,” Tiffany Higbee said.

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This year’s baskets are packed with items donated by nearly 25 local companies — up from just 5 donors in the first year. The baskets include soaps from Wild Highland Soaps, claw clips, bibs, hair bows, chapsticks, socks, lotions, hand sanitizers, coloring books, colored pencils, snacks, minky blankets, and stuffed puppies from Scheels.

Gift cards and coupons are also included from Dutch Bros, Flying M Coffee, a pizza company, Wendy’s (free meal coupons for breakfast and lunch), Albertsons, and a $10 coupon to a baby store.

Tiffany started collecting donations for this year’s baskets as early as November of last year, spending a few hours every week for the past 6 to 8 months to prepare — reaching out to companies, picking up donations, and organizing everything.

The assembly process includes last-minute tasks like ironing vinyl onto bags, opening boxes, and putting together gift card envelopes before the full baskets are assembled and delivered.

“We start putting the bags together, making sure we have everything in there, and then we deliver them on Mother’s Day,” Alyssa Higbee said.

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The baskets are delivered before noon on Mother’s Day to avoid missing moms who may be discharged after doctors do their rounds. Currently, the organization delivers to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in downtown Boise.

Tiffany said delivering the baskets is one of the most rewarding parts of the work.

“I love seeing the moms sometimes we get to watch them come out with their baskets, and they’ll be going through it, and they look really excited and happy,” Tiffany Higbee said.

“Seeing how happy they are or knowing how I cheered them up a little bit for their Mother’s Day because it’s a big holiday, it’s their first with that baby at least,” Tiffany Higbee said.

The first year, the project was funded mostly out of their own pockets. Three years later, as an official nonprofit, they said they no longer have to rely heavily on their own funds thanks to their new partnerships.

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The organization accepts both monetary donations via Venmo and their website, as well as in-kind donations of physical items like soaps, claw clips, and other basket items — year-round.

The organization’s future goal is to expand to all the different NICUs in the area, and potentially the PICUs (Pediatric Intensive Care Units) as well, since that was also part of Alyssa’s experience.

To learn how you can donate or get involved with “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” you can visit their website by clicking here.

Send tips to neighborhood reporter Brady Caskey

Have a story idea from South Boise, West Boise or Kuna? Share it with Brady below —

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