Idaho
Pro-ICE and Anti-ICE demonstrations take place across the Treasure Valley
BOISE, Idaho — A few hundred people came out for the ‘Idaho Stands with ICE’ rally at the Idaho Statehouse in Boise, while around 100 showed up in Caldwell to protest ICE.
The ‘Idaho Stands with ICE’ rally was organized by the Idaho Liberty Dogs, and the rally started with Vanilla Ice’s famous song before speakers took to the podium.
“Let me be clear, ICE is carrying out the will of we the people,” said one of the organizers. “Violence and demonizing heroes that protect us is and always will be unacceptable.”
WATCH | See the turnout for both protests—
A pro-ICE rally and an anti-ICE protest happened in different cities in the Treasure Valley
The central theme of the rally centered on legal immigration. Several migrants who became American citizens spoke at the podium, and some of the people Idaho News 6 talked to echoed this sentiment.
“I wanted to come out because we want refugees to come as long as they come legally, said one of the demonstrators. “We want them to come as long as they come and don’t abuse our welfare system.”
The Anti-ICE protest in Caldwell had around 100 people, with a large demographic of Latino supporters. Caroline Carillo wanted to come out and speak for the people who live in fear, and she says ICE has been terrorizing her community.
“It’s not just scary for them, but it is scary for us,” said Carillo. “I have very dark skin, and now it is legal to racially profile me and others because of the color of our skin.”
Carillo also called out Governor Brad Little and other Idaho politicians, asking for help when it comes to ICE.
“Idaho used to be too great for hate,” said Carillo. “All of you Idahoans out there that worry about your state, Governor Brad Little, if you are worried about your state, you might want to stand up for us.”
Neighborhood Reporter Steve Dent also talked to a pair of veterans at the anti-ICE protest who told me the rhetoric has been ramped up following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota. They said that ICE has to do better.
“We have been here before, haven’t we?” said army veteran Richard Jensen. “They are undisciplined people out making mass arrests; we have had citizens arrested, and two citizens shot dead in the process.”
The demonstrators at the ‘Idaho Stands with ICE’ rally have a different view as they support ICE, and they told us the harassment of these agents needs to stop, and that is adding to the problem.
“There are a lot of people that are interfering with them right now, and that is making their jobs harder,” said a demonstrator. “Thank you, ICE, we appreciate all that you do.”
There was a police presence at both rallies on Saturday. At the ‘Idaho Stands with ICE’ rally, there were also counter-protesters across the street. Both rallies remained peaceful.
AMMON – Two fires in the Ammon area have been extinguished, thanks to the massive response of multiple fire agencies.
Two fires started in separate neighborhoods Friday night as a result of people lighting fireworks. The first one started around 5:45 p.m. on Delaware Avenue near the St. Clair Estates subdivision. Idaho Falls Fire Department spokeswoman Hayli Egbert tells EastIdahoNews.com it started in a field next to a house in the area.
Although the blaze was only about half an acre in size, firefighters battled it for about four and a half hours.
“We were able to catch it before any homes were affected,” Egbert says. “We were also able to avoid injuries.”
As firefighters were wrapping up, another fire started on Comish and High Willow Lane in the Comore Loma subdivision about four miles southwest.
The blaze quickly grew to about eight acres. John Tren posted several videos of the fire on the Life in Idaho Falls Facebook page.
“It got very, very close to several homes, but thankfully we had enough agencies out there that prevented the fire from reaching any houses,” says Egbert. “No civilians or firefighters were injured.”
The fire was out by about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, but firefighters had a brush truck on scene overnight to ensure there were no hot spots to start it up again.
It’s not clear whether anyone is being charged in connection with the fire. EastIdahoNews.com is awaiting additional information from Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.
Six fire agencies were involved, including Idaho Falls Fire Department, Central Fire District in Jefferson County, Ucon Fire Department, Bonneville County Fire District 1, Shelley Fire Department and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and Bonneville County Emergency Management Services were there as supporting agencies.
“It was all hands on deck,” Egbert says. “We had pretty much all resources expended trying to cover the fires that were going on.”
RELATED | Idaho Falls Fire Department urges fireworks safety after two vegetation fires
Earlier Saturday, the IFFD issued a joint news release on behalf of everyone involved to remind the public that “current conditions are dangerously dry” and that a single spark has the potential to cause major damage. Law enforcement and fire officials are urging the public to avoid using illegal fireworks until further notice and to attend professionally-managed fireworks shows, rather than light them off at home.
“Individuals found in violation of local fireworks ordinances are subject to citation and fines under local ordinances and may be held liable for the costs of any fire suppression efforts and property damage resulting from unlawful fireworks use,” the city of Idaho Falls says in a Saturday morning news release.
RELATED | Officials: Stop using illegal aerial fireworks before more fires ignite
Egbert reiterates the importance of being safe with fireworks this Fourth of July.
“With last night’s incident, if something of the same size had occurred across town, we may not have had the resources to handle it all,” she says. “It really took all hands on deck to (put it out) and keep everyone safe.”
=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”>
Courtesy Zach Zaugg
AMMON — As the community celebrates the Fourth of July with numerous aerial fireworks ringing through the night, a fire has broken out near the Ammon foothills.
According to WatchDuty, a wildfire mapping application, a fire has been reported near South High Willow Lane, and another near East Comish Drive and East 65th South.
WatchDuty watchers report that forward movement of both fires has been stopped, and crews are working on containment.
EastIdahoNews.com has reached out to Bonneville County Fire District 1 and is waiting for more information about the fire.
EastIdahoNews.com will update this story once more information becomes available.
=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 — The CEO of the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber resigned Friday amid allegations of misappropriation of funds from a local podcast.
According to a social media post posted Friday from the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce, the board of directors accepted the resignation of Paul Baker as chief executive officer.
“We thank Paul for his years of service to the Chamber and wish him well in his future endeavors,” says the post.
The post says that Baker will continue assisting the chamber in a transitional capacity for the next few weeks “to facilitate an orderly leadership transition.”
We have reached out to Paul Baker for comment, and have not received a response. If we hear back, we will update this article.
The resignations come after weeks of scrutiny from a local podcast, IFAF, hosted by Mike Nelson and Karley Morgan. In multiple episodes, the podcasters read questions from an alleged whistleblower who claims that Baker may have misappropriated funds from the chamber, among other allegations.
RELATED | IFAF podcasters reflect on more than two years of rebellious recordings
EastIdahoNews.com has been watching this closely; some facts have been verified, others have not been or appear to be factually incorrect. We will continue investigating and update if we learn more.
“To date, the Board has not found any evidence that Chamber funds have been misappropriated. The Board remains committed to the Chamber’s mission of serving its members and supporting a strong business community,” says the post. “Chamber operations will continue uninterrupted as we move forward with a leadership transition and an independent audit.”
As of Friday, no criminal charges have been filed against Baker for any of the allegations.
The podcast has also linked Baker to Cristie Stone, the former President of the Portneuf Valley Soccer Club, who was recently charged with allegedly embezzling $219,000 from the club. Baker was previously the club’s executive director. Numerous social media posts also indicate that Baker and Stone have been in a romantic relationship.
Local authorities have not indicated Baker is involved in Stone’s embezzlement case.
RELATED | Former president of Portneuf Valley Soccer Club embezzled over $219K, police say
The board says it appreciates the continued support of its members, partners, and the community and will provide additional information “as appropriate.”
EastIdahoNews.com will update when we learn more.
=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”>
-
Pennsylvania5 minutes agoPHOTOS: Storm damage across central Pennsylvania
-
Rhode Island8 minutes agoWill Taylor Swift hold a post-wedding bash in Rhode Island?
-
South-Carolina13 minutes agoSummer offer leads to EDGE Jayden Broadie’s commitment to South Carolina
-
South Dakota20 minutes ago
SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for July 4, 2026
-
Tennessee23 minutes agoTennessee troopers investigating deadly crash involving UTV, train
-
Texas28 minutes agoThousands gather in Arlington for the annual Independence Day Parade
-
Utah35 minutes agoDarryn Peterson lights up Salt Lake City Summer League in Utah Jazz debut – KSL Sports
-
Vermont38 minutes ago
VT Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for July 4, 2026
