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Plan To Demolish House Where Idaho Students Were Killed Is Paused After Outrage

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Plan To Demolish House Where Idaho Students Were Killed Is Paused After Outrage


The house where four college students were brutally stabbed to death last November will remain standing until October, the University of Idaho announced Wednesday, following outrage from some of the victims’ family members over its planned demolition.

In an email to students and employees, President Scott Green said that the university had reversed course on its decision to demolish the rental house on King Road in Moscow, Idaho, where Madison “Maddie” Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, were killed on Nov. 13. Bryan Kohberger, a former criminology student at Washington State University, in nearby Pullman, has been charged with four counts of murder and is facing the death penalty if convicted.

“We will revisit this decision in October,” said Green, who noted that the university still “fully” expected to demolish it.

The Moscow, Idaho, residence where students Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves were found dead on Nov. 13 is roped off amid investigations in January.

“Thank you to the University of Idaho for honoring the wishes of the families by not demoing the King Rd. house,” the Goncalves family said in a statement provided to HuffPost by their attorney, Shanon Gray.

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The owner of the house donated it to the university earlier this year. The university had initially planned to tear it down this spring, long before the murder trial was set to begin, with the permission of both the prosecution and defense teams, which Green noted in his email. That did not sit well with some of the victims’ family members, specifically the Goncalveses, who were vocal in their objections.

“The university asked for the families’ opinions on the demolition and then proceeded to ignore those opinions and pursue their own self-interests,” Gray said in an early July email to The Idaho Statesman.

Gray told the Statesman that members of the Mogen and Kernodle families also opposed the demolition of the property until after the trial, which is scheduled to start Oct. 2. The trial could be delayed, however, after a judge on Monday granted the defense’s request to stay the proceedings.

“The home itself has enormous evidentiary value as well as being the largest, and one of the most important, pieces of evidence in the case,” Gray told the Statesman.

Prosecutors have disputed that the house would play a role in the trial; unlike other high-profile cases, they did not plan for the jury to tour the scene of the killings.

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“The scene has been substantially altered from its condition at the time of the homicides including removal of relevant property and furnishings, removal of some structural items such as wallboard and flooring, and subjected to extensive chemical application creating a potential health hazard,” Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said in an email to the university that was viewed by CNN. “These are some of the reasons that we have concluded that a ‘jury view’ would not be appropriate.”

In his original Feb. 24 announcement, Green had called the proposed demotion a “healing step” that would counter “efforts to further sensationalize the crime scene.”

He echoed that sentiment Wednesday, saying, “It is a constant reminder of the heinous acts that went on inside it. It is also a place that continues to draw unwanted attention from media, YouTubers and others.”

Still, Green acknowledged Wednesday that the house “elicits deep emotional responses from those who are working through grief and who fear that its destruction could impact the court case.”

“We hear all these arguments, take them seriously and weigh them against the greater good for our university. … This is why the decision about what to do with the King Road house is so difficult,” he said.

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Following the removal of hazardous asbestos and lead, Green said, “personal items from the residents will be removed and families will soon be able to retrieve their loved ones’ possessions to the extent they wish to do so. We will continue to work discretely and respectfully with the families on this.”





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Idaho

When and Where is Baby Animal Days Happening Near Southern Idaho?

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When and Where is Baby Animal Days Happening Near Southern Idaho?


Many people are animal lovers, especially in Idaho. It is rare to find someone in the Magic Valley who doesn’t have a dog, isn’t at least feeding a stray cat, or doesn’t have a horse, goat, chicken, cow, or pig. It seems like everyone has pets in the Gem State, and when it comes to animals in the area, most want to help and take care of them. When it comes to having a pet, the most enjoyable time is when they are babies, but sadly, this time doesn’t last long enough. Puppies and kittens grow up too fast, and you blink and miss it and your baby pig or goat is fully grown. This spring you have the chance to be surrounded by baby animals and interact with some of the cutest creatures on the planet.

Baby Animal Days in Utah

If you enjoy adorable baby animals, then make sure to make the short drive down to Northern Utah and enjoy Baby Animal Days when it happens the first and second week of April. It will be taking place at the American West Heritage Center, located at 4025 HWY 89-91 in Wellsville, Utah. The first week will be April 2 through April 5 and the second week will be April 10 through April 12. The cost is $12 per guest, and each week will offer something a little bit different.

What is Baby Animal Days in Utah?

Which week you attend Baby Animal Days will dictate what animals you will see and what you can do. Many animals will be there both weeks, such as piglets, ducks, chicks, turtles, bunnies, and more. Both weeks will offer train rides, pony rides, and bison tours. The first week will offer a chance to see baby bears, while the second weekend will offer exotic animals. Depending on what works with your schedule, or which animals you rather see and potentially interact with, may determine which weekend you would prefer to go. If you get hungry while seeing all the cuteness, concessions will be open.

For more on Baby Animal Days or to get your tickets, make sure to click the link above. Make sure to check the calendar on what is offered during what week, and plan accordingly so you are not surprised that a certain animal is not available when you go. If you love adorable baby animals, this is an event you are not going to want to miss, and while a little bit of a drive, when you see those cute baby faces, it’ll be worth it.

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Animals You Can Legally Own In Idaho

Gallery Credit: Chris Cruise

3 Idaho Animals You Can Milk and 13 Animals That You Shouldn’t

Let’s take a look at the three animals Idaho law says you can milk and thirteen animals that you should never milk…

Gallery Credit: Chris Cardenas





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Idaho Fish and Game highlights quality Steelhead numbers on the Salmon this Spring

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Idaho Fish and Game highlights quality Steelhead numbers on the Salmon this Spring


SALMON, Idaho — An early spring report from Idaho Fish and Game shows that Steelhead fishing in the Upper Salmon River watershed is ramping up, with quality catch numbers reported these past two weeks of March.

Idaho Steelhead numbers reach a seven-year high along the Salmon River

Following the onset of warmer, spring-like temps in the mountains of central Idaho, fishing activity increased significantly, especially near Ellis, Idaho, and upstream of the East Fork. According to angler reports, “catch rates were good to excellent.”

River conditions are favorable, with clear visibility and stable flows.

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Water temperatures are moving upward but remain frigid near Stanley, where the water is in the 30s to the mid-40s. Expect those temps to rise slightly as runoff begins.

Idaho Fish and Game

Idaho Fish and Game also noted an increase in PIT-tagged steelhead detected near Salmon, Idaho. Hatchery operations are also kicking off their spawning operations. As of March 21, the Pahsimeroi Hatchery had trapped 527 adipose-clipped steelhead, and the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery trapped about 390 adult steelhead beginning March 24.





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Idaho donations through Love, Idaho support California wildfire victims

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Idaho donations through Love, Idaho support California wildfire victims


NAMPA, Idaho — To support Southern California homeowners still recovering from the devastating wildfires that plagued the state back in January, Nate Morris is working tirelessly to continue delivering crucial donations such as clothing, diapers, and even dog treats as part of the Love, Idaho charity campaign.

“The reception was very warm, and they were thankful. They thought it was amazing that the ‘State of Idaho’ would do something like this,” said Morris, the owner of Resto Clean, of the charitable effort. The donations were sent two months after the fires had been contained, thanks to a partnership with the LA Dream Center in Los Angeles.

Sid’s Garage is joining the mission to support those impacted by the Southern California Wildfires

Kelli Bradley, the executive director of programs at LA Dream Center, highlighted the ongoing challenges victims face as they begin the rebuilding process.

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“You’re looking at tens of thousands of people [who were] impacted by this [disaster]. Every story is just gut-wrenching,” explained Bradley. “Many of [the victims] not only lost their homes, but their kids lost their schools.”

Significant cleanup efforts are projected to last months if not years. “We’ve been doing ash-outs every day in the community— meaning that we’re going to the burned properties at the request of homeowners and helping them sift through the ashes to try to find anything of value or sentiment that they might be looking for,” Bradley said.

Nate Morris shared photos of ash and debris infiltrating homes that were not directly affected by the flames. In April, the LA Dream Center will host an event focusing on recovery and rebuilding, with Morris and his team from Resto Clean participating. “They want us to come down and do a smoke and ash cleanup class for them,” Morris added.

Looking ahead to the future of Love, Idaho, Nate Morris is optimistic. “We’ve already got a couple of other businesses that would like to use the branding and the name, and I’m all about it. I think they can still funnel the proceeds through the Grace Center and use it for whatever they would like to use it for,” Morris says.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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