Local News 3/1/24

An Idaho judge is weighing whether the Idaho Attorney General’s Office should pay $187,000 in attorney fees connected to a scrutinized child care grant program.  The lawsuits sought to block civil subpoenas issued in March 2023 by Attorney General Raúl Labrador. But the suits were closed late last year after those demands were withdrawn by a special prosecutor, who says there’s still an ongoing investigation of how $72 million of federal child care grants were spent in Idaho.

Payette police arrested a man after he led officers on a multi-state high speed chase and pointed a gun at officers.  Tuesday evening just after 7, police say they received a call about a man making threats at a home.  Michael Bullard was charged with multiple felonies after damaging a home and running from authorities.  Oregon and Idaho police were both

involved in the pursuit.

The Teton County Prosecutor is seeking the death penalty against Jeremy Best, a man accused of killing his wife, her unborn child and their toddler.  The 48 year old was indicted by a grand jury in December for three counts of first-degree murder and three enhancements for the use of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

No action was taken by the Buhl City Council this week after a police officer shot Eli Johnson with a stun Gun after forcing their way into a home.  Johnson was facing three felony charges, after he was pulled over in a routine traffic stop.  Those charges were later dropped and now Johnson is considering legal action against the city.

The Idaho Secretary of State’s Office unveiled a revamped version of the Vote Idaho website on Thursday as part of its effort to make official elections information easier to access.  The new Vote Idaho site is available at voteidaho.gov.

The United States Geological Survey in Idaho say earthquake activity continues in central Idaho.  In the last 36 hours, USGS recorded three events near Smiths Ferry, magnitude 3, 2.7 and 2.6, and a magnitude 2.7 northwest of Stanley.