Idaho
Local chamber helps replace weathered American flag at Idaho Falls business – East Idaho News
IDAHO FALLS — A local business was gifted a new large American flag thanks to the generosity of the community and a chamber of commerce.
Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Paul Baker saw a Facebook post recently with a member of the community voicing concerns about a weathered flag flying above the Shilo Inn.
“I just kind of said, ‘We would offer our services to the Shilo.’ We just want to lend a helping hand in any way that we can,” Baker said.
He reached out to Shilo Inn General Manager Kirk Hansen and asked if the chamber could donate a new flag.
Baker bought a 10-by-15-foot flag that cost about $160.
“I think it’s a blessing in disguise having the folks living around here and see the flag on a daily basis,” Hansen said.
Hansen said the hotel goes through a number of flags and has to regularly replace them. The Idaho winds and winters make it challenging and often wear out the flags quickly.
On Monday, members of the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber Ambassador group, along with chamber staff, were invited to the Shilo Inn, walked onto the roof, and assisted in raising a new flag.
“It was really heartwarming. They (hotel staff) were really grateful that the community got involved and showed some love and support to them,” Baker said.
Baker took the old flag and will hand it over to a local Scout group to retire it correctly.
“That is the best and only way to retire an American flag. We are very thankful for them,” Hansen said. “A big kudos to the chamber for supporting the community.”
Baker said it was a simple yet special event that helped remind them of what is important in life and what makes this country a great and wonderful place to live and work.
Baker told EastIdahoNews.com that after helping replace the flag at the Shilo Inn, a number of people in the community have told the chamber about other businesses that have flags that are a bit worn and tattered.
So, it sparked an idea.
“We put on a 4th of July Parade, and so one of the things that we want to do is a flag drive this year,” Baker said.
He says people in the community can either donate money or a flag to the cause.
“We are saying to (local businesses), ‘If you’ve got old, worn flags and could use some help getting a new one, please reach out and let us know about it, and we can see what we can do to help.’ We are working with the local scout troops to ensure that the flags are retired correctly,” Baker said.
Hansen added he was very appreciative of the support and receiving a new American flag for the hotel.
“It’s very nice to be in a city that is growing so much but still has the small-town mentality of proud to be American and help each other out,” he said.
=htmlentities(get_the_title())?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=get_permalink()?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=htmlentities(‘For more stories like this one, be sure to visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/ for all of the latest news, community events and more.’)?>&subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20EastIdahoNews” class=”fa-stack jDialog”>
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.
RELATED | Grocery store offering bargain prices opens in Idaho Falls
RELATED | New ‘bargain market’ to open in Pocatello next week
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.
=htmlentities(get_the_title())?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=get_permalink()?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=htmlentities(‘For more stories like this one, be sure to visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/ for all of the latest news, community events and more.’)?>&subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20EastIdahoNews” class=”fa-stack jDialog”>
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.
=htmlentities(get_the_title())?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=get_permalink()?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=htmlentities(‘For more stories like this one, be sure to visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/ for all of the latest news, community events and more.’)?>&subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20EastIdahoNews” class=”fa-stack jDialog”>
1 / 8
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
2 / 8
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
3 / 8
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
4 / 8
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
5 / 8
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
6 / 8
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
7 / 8
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
8 / 8
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
❮
❯
-
- 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.
-
- 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.
-
- 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.
-
- 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.
-
- 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.
-
- 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.
-
- 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.
-
- 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.”
Male fertility rates crash as doctors reveal health threats: ‘Something very wrong’
Brooke Slusser sparks liberal social media meltdown by speaking about SJSU transgender volleyball scandal
1 billion identity records exposed in ID verification data leak
Yamaha is leaving California after nearly 50 years
Essay: As American democracy is in peril, Brazilian films offer perspective
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Not ‘a litre of oil’ to pass Strait of Hormuz, expect $200 price tag: Iran
Tornadoes hit Illinois, Indiana and Texas as severe storms sweep US
EXCLUSIVE: ICE says El Paso detention facility will stay open under new contractor after $1.2B deal scrapped
Von der Leyen ‘acting outside of competence,’ Araud tells Euronews
Wheelchair curler Steve Emt’s path from drunk driver to three-time Paralympian
-
Wisconsin1 week agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Detroit, MI5 days agoU.S. Postal Service could run out of money within a year
-
Pennsylvania6 days agoPa. man found guilty of raping teen girl who he took to Mexico
-
Miami, FL7 days agoCity of Miami celebrates reopening of Flagler Street as part of beautification project
-
Sports7 days agoKeith Olbermann under fire for calling Lou Holtz a ‘scumbag’ after legendary coach’s death
-
Virginia1 week agoGiants will hold 2026 training camp in West Virginia
-
Michigan2 days agoOperation BBQ Relief helping with Southwest Michigan tornado recovery