Idaho
Woman crashed ambulance into building housing DHS, prosecutors say
What the DHS shutdown could mean for you
The Department of Homeland Security shutdown could cause issues with different parts of the agency.
An Idaho woman was arrested after prosecutors said she stole an ambulance and crashed it into a building that houses U.S. Department of Homeland Security offices, later pouring gasoline inside the property.
Sarah Elizabeth George, 43, is accused of stealing a Canyon County Paramedics ambulance from St. Luke’s Hospital Emergency Center in Meridian, a suburb of Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, Feb. 18, according to police. George then allegedly drove into a nearby office building and poured gasoline in and around the vehicle before fleeing on foot.
Investigators believe that George intentionally crashed into the building and attempted to “ignite the ambulance and potentially the building,” the Meridian Police Department said in a statement on Feb. 24. No injuries were reported in the incident.
During a news conference, Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea said George was arrested on Monday, Feb. 23, after a five-day investigation. The Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted in the investigation.
“It was good old-fashioned police work that got us to where we are at tonight,” Basterrechea said on Feb. 23. “These investigators literally went door-to-door, looking for possible camera footage, possible witnesses and other information and evidence.”
George has been charged with attempted destruction of federal property by fire and malicious destruction of property used or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, according to police. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
Police noted that the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be filed in the case.
Court records: Suspect’s social media contained ‘adverse political positions against ICE/DHS’
A person, later identified as George, allegedly stole a parked Canyon County Paramedics ambulance outside the St. Luke’s Hospital Emergency Center in Meridian at around 11 p.m. local time on Feb. 18, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY.
Shortly after, surveillance footage showed George had briefly stopped at a nearby parking lot and loaded the ambulance with at least two gas jugs and a plastic bag, court documents state. George then drove the ambulance through the south entrance doors of an office building and began pouring gasoline around the lobby floor.
When officers from the Meridian Police Department arrived at the scene, George fled from the building on foot, according to court documents.
Investigators later learned that the U.S. General Services Administration had leased offices in the building for the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to court documents. The Idaho Capital Sun reported that the building is owned by St. Luke’s Health System, the largest health system in Idaho, and the space was being used as an administrative office for Homeland Security.
Surveillance footage also showed George purchasing gasoline at a local gas station, and investigators were able to identify George after reviewing the footage and receipts from stores in the area, according to court documents.
“Additionally, law enforcement found what appears to be George’s Facebook page,” court documents state. “It apparently contains adverse political positions against ICE/DHS.”
George’s Facebook page included a post that states, “If it can be destroyed by the truth then it should be destroyed; it was built in lies anyways,” according to court documents. The post also included an image depicting the White House in flames and smoke.
Idaho
One person shot and killed by police in Twin Falls, officials confirm
UPDATE: According to the Twin Falls Police Department, at approximately 1:07 p.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Hospital to meet with the victim of a stabbing.
A suspect in the stabbing was identified by police and located at a residence in the 600 block of Washington Street North in Twin Falls. At approximately 4:49 p.m., officers set a perimeter and closed off Washington Street North.
The SWAT Team, consisting of TFPD and Twin Falls County Sheriff’s officers, responded to the scene to apprehend the suspect.
Police say that during the response, the suspect was shot by law enforcement.
Medical personnel were staged nearby and responded immediately to the incident, but police say life-saving efforts were unsuccessful and the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
—
The Cassia County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating after a shooting leaves one person dead, according to officials with the Twin Falls Police Department. Police are referring to the incident as an “officer-involved shooting”.
Twin Falls Neighborhood Reporter Joey Martin was at the scene on Washington Street North speaking with law enforcement.
According to Twin Falls police, law enforcement attempted to perform a felony search warrant on an unidentified residence along Washington Street North between Filer and Falls Avenue when shots were fired.
“While attempting to execute that search warrant, it did result in an officer-involved shooting… we do have one subject deceased,” Lt. Steven Gassert with the Twin Falls Police Department said.
Officials say that the Magic Valley Critical Incident Task Force has been activated, with control of the investigation going to the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office.
Washington Street North between Falls Avenue and Filer Avenue is temporarily closed as police investigate the shooting, TFPD said.
“We’ll be opening it up as the situation allows us to,” Lt. Gassert said.
Police say the shooting was an isolated incident and there is no current threat to the community.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as officers work to safely resolve the incident,” the Twin Falls Police Department said in a Facebook post.
Idaho News 6 will continue to provide updates as more information is released.
Send tips to Magic Valley neighborhood reporters Lorien Nettleton and Joey Martin
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Idaho
Idaho Steelheads | STEELHEADS ELIMINATED IN 6-3 LOSS TO AMERICANS
BOISE, ID – The Idaho Steelheads (1) fell 6-3 in Game 5 of the Mountain Division Semifinals to the Allen Americans (4) Tuesday night at Idaho Central Arena to end their season with a 4-1 series defeat to Allen.
Idaho found the icebreaker just under nine minutes into the first period as Brendan Hoffmann sprung Kaleb Pearson for a breakaway tally by Marco Costantini to give the Steelheads a 1-0 lead in Game 5.
Ten minutes later, Allen responded, as the Americans got a power play goal from Danny Katic, who corralled a loose puck at the top of the crease and beat Jake Barczewski to tie the game 1-1.
The response came quickly for the Steelheads in the middle frame, as just 44 seconds into the frame Jade Miller wired a puck by Costantini from the high slot to put Idaho back ahead 2-1.
Seven minutes later, the Americans tied the game 2-2 as Brayden Watts took advantage of a broken play in front and threw in his fourth goal of the series.
In the back half of the second period, Ty Pelton-Byce struck for Idaho to notch a power play goal for his fourth straight game and put the Steelheads back in front for a 3-2 edge.
In the final seconds of the second period, Allen tied the contest 3-3 as Spencer Asuchak tipped a slot shot through traffic and by Barczewski to bring the teams even heading into the final frame.
Eight minutes into the third period, the Americans took their first lead of the contest, as Mark Duarte ripped a shot into the net from the right circle for a 4-3 Americans lead.
Despite an Idaho push, Allen extended their advantage to 5-3 with just under six minutes left in regulation on a power play goal by Danny Katic.
Two minutes later, the Americans secured the series with an empty net goal by Katic, who netted his fifth goal of the series and sealed a 6-3 Allen win.
Idaho’s Jake Barczewski made 27 saves in the loss, while Allen’s Marco Constantini turned aside 25 shots in the win.
BOX SCORE
ICCU THREE STARS
1) Danny Katic (ALN, 3-1-4, +2, 7 shots)
2) Kaleb Pearson (IDH, 1-1-2, +1, 6 shots)
3) Sam Sedley (ALN, 0-3-3, +1, 3 shots)
Stay up to date with all things Steelheads on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Watch all Steelheads home games on FloHockey and KTVB 24/7 (Channel 7.2) and listen on the Steelheads flagship station 95.3 FM/ 1350 AM KTIK “The Ticket”.
Idaho
RANKED: The 18 Best Private Schools in Idaho
As we get close to the end of the 2025-2026 school year, you might be more interested in your summer plans than the next school year. But with recent changes in the options parents and students have with their type of schooling and funding, many are looking at their future options.
While public school remains a solid choice in Idaho, homeschooling, private, and charter schools are becoming more popular. Some are turning away from public schools due to a loss of faith in the type and quality of education kids might be receiving, and others may choose a charter school, or a private school, for a focus on the arts or STEM.
These Are the 18 Best Private Schools in Idaho
Private schools often have selective admission processes to carefully choose the students allowed to attend. The process could include an exam or an interview. Private schools also charge tuition, at an average of $11,000 per year in Idaho, and are allowed to make up their own accredited curriculum and accountability based on input from a board, parents, or donors, making them different than public schools or charter schools, which are held to a state-based accountability for performance and aren’t allowed to charge tuition.
There are only around 158 private schools in Idaho, serving less than 6 percent of Idaho students, based on data from the 2012-2022 school year. 58 of those schools are nonsectarian (not church, religion, or politically affiliated). We used data from Stacker and Niche to determine the best private schools in the Gem State. Most of the schools on this list have fewer than 500 students, and a few have less than 100 kids enrolled.
Best private high schools in Idaho
Gallery Credit: Stacker
Home schooling is another option for parents and students in Idaho that allows the home to create the curriculum and pace of the education, but requires extensive dedication from a parent at home. The Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit allows some families to receive money to help pay for home school expenses.
READ ALSO: What Are The Best Schools For Student Athletes In Idaho
There are a lot of great public schools in Idaho, too. These are the best school districts.
LOOK: Best public high schools in Idaho
Gallery Credit: Stacker
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