Idaho
The Idaho Center for Outdoor Education has a new yurt and it was a community effort
Idaho Center for Outdoor Education sits on 87 acres owned by the Basin School District in Idaho City, where they bring students for a variety of learning activities in the fall, winter, and spring.
The vision of the ICOE is to encourage students to care about the environment by using a beautiful setting and several partners in a hands-on learning style. Junior Kennedy Smith has never missed an ICOE day during her time in the Basin School District.
“There are so many activities and things you learn from being in the mountains,” said Smith. “It’s awesome.”
On Thursday, the community had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to introduce a brand new yurt that will be used as a classroom at the Idaho Center for Outdoor Education. It will come in handy, especially during the winter.
This new 30-foot yurt was paid for through a $30,000 grant from the Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation.
“We are just grateful because it would have never happened without that support,” said Jaime Pilkerton of the Basin School District. “Once we had the yurt, we had to figure out how we were going to get it up, do the ground prep, and the pad. It has been a community-wide effort.”
A number of donors came together to help raise funds for the project. Elite Builders and the Callahan family volunteered their time to build the foundation, and then they went to work constructing the yurt with the help of students in the district’s construction and trades class taught by Tom Standerwick.
“My class and I were drilling holes in the concrete, and after that we were putting up the walls,” said Smith. “The tarp was the hardest part because we had to have scaffolding inside and outside. Putting it up was hard work, but it paid off.”
The yurt will add to the educational experience in the Basin School District, but districts outside of Idaho City can also use the IOEC. The public can also access this area, which features a disc golf course, an ADA hiking trail, a zipline, and a 3D archery range.
“I can’t wait to see where future schools and our school goes with it,” said Smith. “I think it is awesome.”
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Three people overdosed from suspected fentanyl on Tuesday.
The Idaho Falls Police Department reports three people on the 500 block of Ridge Avenue and the 200 block of Short Street overdosed on fentanyl on Tuesday. Two of the overdoses were deadly.
East Idaho News reports police say the deceased individuals were identified as two women, a 24-year-old and a 63-year-old.
Police say they do not believe that the overdoses were connected to a “bad batch” of fentanyl, but rather that the users believed the substance to be a different drug.
It is not clear what drug the fentanyl was mistaken for or made to look like.
According to the release, fentanyl can be found in several forms, including powder, and may appear in different colors and consistencies, making it difficult to identify.
“Because of this, individuals may unknowingly ingest fentanyl while believing they are using a different substance,” according to the release. “These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers fentanyl poses within our community.”
Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid that is often mixed into other narcotics, sometimes without the user’s knowledge, says police. Even a very small amount can be deadly.
The Idaho Falls Police Department, along with community partners, is continuing to investigate these incidents and work to identify and disrupt the distribution of dangerous narcotics in our area.
“We encourage anyone struggling with substance abuse to seek help immediately and urge friends and family members to check in on loved ones who may be at risk,” says the release.
Important safety reminders:
Never take pills or substances that are not prescribed directly to you.
Be aware that counterfeit pills may contain fentanyl.
Call 911 immediately if someone is experiencing signs of an overdose, including slowed breathing, unconsciousness, or blue or gray skin coloration.
Carrying and administering Narcan (naloxone) can save lives during an opioid overdose emergency.
Anyone with information related to narcotics distribution in the Idaho Falls area is encouraged to contact the Idaho Falls Police Department at (208) 529-1200 or submit anonymous tips through East Idaho Crime Stoppers.
BOISE COUNTY, Idaho (CBS2) — A traffic stop along the Highway 21 corridor in Boise County led to the arrest of an Idaho City woman on methamphetamine and other drug-related charges, according to the Boise County Sheriff’s Office.
On May 21, 2026, at about 6:40 p.m., a Boise County Sheriff’s Office deputy conducting traffic safety enforcement saw a gray car traveling at a high rate of speed and initiated a traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, the deputy recognized behaviors associated with drug activity.
K9 Sage was deployed for a free open-air sniff and alerted on the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.
Rochelle Kinney, 46, of Idaho City, was arrested on charges of felony possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
“This arrest demonstrates our commitment to traffic safety enforcement and addressing drug possession that endangers public safety within Boise County,” the Boise County Sheriff’s Office said.
Concertgoers heading to see Bailey Zimmerman at the Ford Idaho Center on June 5 will be able to kick off the venue’s amphitheater season early with a tailgate-style pre-show party featuring a live DJ, food and drinks, prizes and giveaways, and photo opportunities.
The Ford Idaho Center is hosting its first-ever amphitheater season kickoff party ahead of Zimmerman’s show, partnering with CBH Homes.
Arielle McCormick, CBH Homes’ Director of brand and vision, said the company has long focused on making people feel welcome at community events.
“As Idaho’s number one home builder, we’ve been welcoming Idahoans home for 34 years,” McCormick said. “Making people feel welcomed and ready for fun at whatever event they are here for.”
Organizers said the pre-show party will include a live DJ to keep the energy up before the concert, along with food, drinks, prizes, giveaways and photo ops. Gypsy Tattoo will also be on site offering free flash tattoos inspired by live music.
“I’ve heard they are real tattoos, real flash tattoos, first come, first serve,” McCormick said. “So get here at four-thirty on June 5th.”
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The kickoff party starts at 4:30 p.m., hours before showtime. The event is only for Bailey Zimmerman ticket holders. Tickets have not sold out, but organizers say supplies are limited.
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