Idaho
Idaho paused the execution of a 73-year-old serial killer because it couldn't find his veins for a lethal injection, leaving time for his death warrant to expire
Idaho officials stopped the execution of a 73-year-old convicted serial killer after the medical team couldn’t find his veins for a lethal injection.
Thomas Creech, who was imprisoned in 1974 and has been convicted of five murders in three states, was to be executed in Idaho Maximum Security Institution at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, per the state’s corrections department.
But at around 11 a.m., Corrections Director Josh Tewalt announced that the execution could not proceed because the medical team was unable to establish an IV line.
Creech was returned to his cell, and his death warrant was set to expire that day at 11:59 p.m., per the department.
At a press conference held on Wednesday at noon, Tewalt said three medical professionals made a combined eight attempts to find Creech’s veins for an IV line.
They tried his right arm, then his right leg, then his left arm, then his left leg, but were ultimately unsuccessful, Tewalt said.
“We are planning to allow the death warrant to expire because we don’t anticipate a change in status or circumstance that would allow us to continue with the execution today,” Tewalt said.
Executions in Idaho are rare. The state has eight inmates on death row, a small fraction of the some 2,300 people with death sentences in the US.
Creech’s defense attorneys, from the Federal Defender Services of Idaho, criticized the corrections department for what they called a “botched” execution, per the local paper the Idaho Statesman.
“This is precisely the kind of mishap we warned the state and the courts would happen when attempting to execute one of the country’s oldest death-row inmates in circumstances completely shielded in secrecy despite a well-known history of getting drugs from shady sources,” said Deborah A. Czuba, a lawyer on the Federal Defender Services of Idaho’s unit concerning death-row cases, per the outlet.
But Tewalt said the halting of Creech’s execution showed that the system works.
“Some are characterizing today’s events as a failure, but the opposite is true. The process worked to prevent a failure, and I think that’s an important distinction,” he said in a statement on his department’s website.
Tewalt said authorities are discussing an execution by firing squad, but are struggling to find units or contractors willing to carry out such a task.
Creech’s history with murder — and what he says is a life reversal
Creech grew up in Ohio but has been serving his sentences in Idaho after he was arrested there in 1974. He has been convicted of three murders in Idaho, one in California, and one in Oregon, per the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office.
His death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, but he was put on death row again in 1983 after beating a 22-year-old inmate to death. Prosecutors said he killed his fellow prisoner so he would be moved to a preferred housing unit.
Creech has also admitted to killing at least 40 other people, and officials say they have strong evidence that can link him to six more murders.
Supporters for Creech’s death sentence commutation say that he has changed from his serial killer days and renewed his faith as a Christian in 1993, per The Wall Street Journal.
In 1998, he married the mother of a corrections officer who was working at his detention facility, per the WSJ.
He has been on death row for 43 years, and told WSJ that he has tried to help mentor others in prison since undergoing a 1993 transformation.
Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Jill Longhurst in January said that Creech could be “charming” and “likable” but that he was still the “sociopath he’s always been.”
Creech is not the only US inmate to be saved from death row — at least temporarily — by an unsuccessful IV.
Alva Campbell, a terminally ill patient, had his execution in Ohio stopped in 2017 because medical officers couldn’t find a vein. He was 69 at the time and died a year later because of his illness.
Idaho
Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work
The Idaho Transportation Department has quite a few large projects happening around the state. One of those is the replacement of the I84 interchange to Burley and Heyburn. The work began in 2024, and a new step in the progress begins this week.
There will be a number of bridge and ramp closures that will affect traffic on Interstate 84 this week while crews work. The closures will also impact access and traffic on State Highway 24, Centennial Drive, Highway 30, and State Highway 25 in the area.
Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work
The Idaho Transportation Department shared an update and the details of the closures today on social media. Drivers should be cautious and pay attention to signs regarding traffic changes during the closures, which are expected to last through Friday, May 15th.
Beginning on Monday evening, at 6 PM, crews closed Interstate 84 at exit 211 to work on the new bridge. Traffic in the area should use exit 211 to bypass the closure. Work should be finished by 7 AM on Tuesday, but it could still affect the morning drive for some travelers.
READ ALSO: 5 Injured in Southern Idaho Head-on Collision
On Tuesday, the Exit 211 on and off ramps will close intermittently while crews repave SH24. Centennial Drive will also close at some point during this work. The ramps will alternate closures for 6 to 8 hours, and work is expected to continue through Friday. The social media post shares suggestions on alternate routes for drivers during the closures.
Lane reductions are expected to last through June on State Highway 24. Details on the project can be found on the ITD website.
36 of the Worst Idaho License Plate Rejections From 2025
We have to admit that we don’t understand all of these, but the ones that we do really make us question why someone would want these on their car. This isn’t even all of them – we were sent 28 pages with 25 to 30 submissions on each page of rejected personalized plates from 2025.
Gallery Credit: Credit N8 Bird
Idaho
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.
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
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!
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:
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
Idaho
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.
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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