Idaho

Idaho murders: Victim’s family fundraise to attend Bryan Kohberger trial

Published

2 hours ago

October 1, 2024

Idaho murders: Victim’s family fundraise to attend Bryan Kohberger trial

The family of one of the four University of Idaho students who was fatally stabbed in 2022 have set up a fundraiser so relatives can attend the murder trial next year.

Bryan Kohberger, 29, is charged with four counts of murder in the deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20. They were killed in the early morning of November 13, 2022, at a rental home near the university’s campus in Moscow.

Kohberger, who was a graduate student at Washington State University in nearby Pullman, Washington, at the time, was arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania about six weeks after the killings.

Investigators said they had linked him to the crime using DNA found on a knife sheath at the scene, surveillance videos and cellphone data. Kohberger’s lawyers have provided details about his alibi in court documents, saying he was out driving alone the night of the killings. A judge entered not-guilty pleas on Kohberger’s behalf last year. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted.

Bryan Kohberger listens to arguments during a hearing to overturn his grand jury indictment on October 26, 2023 in Moscow, Idaho. The family of one of the four Idaho students fatally killed in 2022 are…

Kai Eiselein/Pool-Getty Images

Kohberger’s case was moved to Ada County last month. His trial is currently set to begin in Boise in June 2025—though that could change—and expected to last between three and four months.

Last month, a GoFundMe page was set up to collect donations to help Goncalves’ relatives attend the trial in Boise. The page has collected almost $50,000 in donations since it was set up on September 22.

According to a post on the page, the money raised will help pay for accommodation, meals, transportation as well as loss of income for the duration of the trial.

“Kaylee’s family has not missed one hearing or any court appointment since this has started and they would like to continue to attend all of them, even though it is now in Boise,” the post says.

“Now that the trial is looking like it will be in June of next year, the estimates are that it will last about three months. We are looking to find an Airbnb or a house for rent that will house all 10 Goncalves family members as well as their small pets for at least those three months. Since this will be a huge disruption to their work and life, we also would love to raise enough money for meals, loss of work, transportation, etc. Thank you so much for considering, many of you have been such a wonderful support for their family.”

The Goncalves family thanked donors in a message posted on the page on Sunday.

“We are in complete awe of all the love and support from everyone,” it said. “You all mean the World to us and I wish I could hug each and everyone of you. God bless you all. We will never forget what you all have done for us and we hope we can pay you back one day… Much love from the entire Goncalves Family.”

Newsweek has contacted the fundraiser’s organizer via a contact form on GoFundMe.

Kohberger’s trial was moved to a new venue after his lawyers successfully argued that the extensive media coverage in Moscow would make it difficult to find an impartial jury.

During a status conference on Thursday, the judge who is now overseeing the case expressed concerns that having the trial span the entire summer vacation could be challenging for jurors.

Judge Steven Hippler suggested either starting the trial earlier, in May, or pushing the start date to September, The Associated Press reported. After Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson said he preferred May, and Kohberger’s defense attorney Ann Taylor said she preferred September, Hippler decided to hold a closed hearing so the two sides could present their arguments. He has yet to issue a decision on a new trial date.

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Idaho

Local teens can win prizes, learn CPR at annual party in downtown Idaho Falls – East Idaho News

Published

9 hours ago

October 1, 2024

Press Room

Local teens can win prizes, learn CPR at annual party in downtown Idaho Falls – East Idaho News

IDAHO FALLS – Idaho Heart Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the education and awareness of cardiovascular health, is gearing up for its third annual youth event this Friday.

It’s hosting a 1980s-themed Youth Party Friday at the Downtown Event Center at 480 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls.

The youth-led event will include CPR and AED training and competitions, along with a live DJ, free food, games and raffle prizes.

Attendees are encouraged to dress up in their favorite 80s attire.

Jake Gilbert, the organization’s vice president, tells EastIdahoNews.com the purpose of it is to provide CPR training and demonstrate how to use an automated external defibrillator. It’s also a fundraiser for the organization.

“It’s geared to get the word out to the youth in our community how important and easy CPR training really is,” Gilbert says. “One of our slogans is ‘you’re never too old or too young to save a life,’ and we want to keep going with that.”

Leah Whitmer, a senior at Compass Academy who’s a member of the foundation, is helping to organize the event. She’s passionate about this subject and is encouraging people to attend.

She joined the foundation after meeting Dr. Blake Wachter, the organization’s president and founder, when she was 13.

RELATED | Cardiologist partners with local businesses to help save lives in eastern Idaho

“I was really inspired by her passion for teaching the public about CPR and AEDs and I wanted to be able to share that same passion with her,” Leah says.

Although she’s never had to perform CPR in real life, Leah’s interacted with a lot of people who’ve had heart issues and she’s grateful to have the knowledge and skills to help in a moment of crisis.

She started taking healthcare courses at College of Eastern Idaho as a high school student and is considering getting a Ph.D. in a healthcare-related field.

Gilbert had a heart transplant years ago while under the care of Dr. Wachter. After his surgery, he learned about Wachter’s nonprofit and wanted to be part of it.

RELATED | Idaho Heart Foundation gearing up for third annual Heart Ball

The Heart Ball and youth event are just two of the foundation’s fundraisers held every year. It’s thrilling for Gilbert to see the youth’s interest continue to increase.

“The youth really wanted to get involved, so we let them coordinate and set up their own event,” says Gilbert. “Youth learn better from … their peers. So we let them run with their ideas and train their peers.”

The youth event has been well-attended in year’s past, Gilbert says, and he’s hoping this year is the biggest one yet.

Leah hopes those who attend will feel inclined to join the organization.

“Being involved has a really positive impact on our community,” Leah says. “We want as many people as possible to come.”

The party starts at 7 p.m. and goes until 11 p.m. There will be adult supervision. Those who attend are encouraged to make a $5 donation.

Courtesy Idaho Heart Foundation

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Idaho

Moose Creek Reservoir drawdown to control Pondweed

Published

17 hours ago

September 30, 2024

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Moose Creek Reservoir drawdown to control Pondweed

Starting November 4th, 2024, Idaho Fish and Game will draw down Moose Creek Reservoir to control Pondweed. Pondweed has drastically limited fishing opportunities at the reservoir and drawing the water level down will help suppress this nuisance vegetation. Water levels will remain 8-10 feet below the full pool throughout the winter until spring runoff refills the reservoir. This technique was used at Moose Creek Reservoir in 2018 and was very successful.

The fishery will remain open with all fishing regulations still in effect. These efforts should provide better fishing opportunities for the next 5-7 years before Pondweed potentially becomes an issue again.

Fisheries biologists will be moving bass and bluegill to other fisheries to provide additional opportunities to anglers during the draw-down period. October’s trout stocking for Moose Creek Reservoir will be moved to Elk Creek Reservoir in anticipation of this effort. Idaho Fish and Game will resume stocking trout in Moose Creek Reservoir starting in the spring of 2025.

Please contact Joe Thiessen (Clearwater Regional Fisheries Biologist) at 208-750-4218 with any questions or comments about these efforts.

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Idaho

Name a Snowplow

Published

1 day ago

September 30, 2024

Press Room

For the first time ever, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is naming snowplows! Name A Snowplow is a fun way to spread awareness about snowplow safety, foster a sense of ownership among the community, and teach future drivers how to be safe when driving near snowplows. We are partnering with the Idaho Department of Education to collect name ideas from Idaho 8th graders. This age group was selected because they are about to attend driver’s education.

We are asking 8th grade classrooms to come up with names and submit them by October 31, 2024. Instructions for how to submit names will be distributed to teachers through the Idaho Department of Education. ITD will also distribute educational materials about snowplow safety.

Contest Rules:

Eligibility

Open to 8th grade classrooms.
Classrooms must be located in Idaho.

Submission Guidelines

One name per classroom.
Names must be appropriate | MAX 15 characters (including spaces).
Submit name via Microsoft Form. The submission link is only being provided to eighth grade teachers through the Idaho Department of Education.

*If the same name is submitted by multiple classrooms, only the first entry received will be considered.

Selection Process

Names must be submitted by October 31.
ITD employees will vote on submissions in November.
12 winning names will be selected—two from each of Idaho’s six regions—and winners announced by early January. Names will be featured on the plows’ blades.
Winning classrooms will receive recognition and a special visit from the snowplow bearing its chosen name. Media will be invited to cover the event.

Additional Information

Classrooms are free to conduct their own internal voting to select their submission.
Submissions that do not meet the criteria will be disqualified.
By submitting a snowplow name, you grant ITD all rights to use, display and publish the name for promotional purposes.