Local News 9/21

Just before 11 last night Jerome police issued a endangered missing person alert. Authorities are asking the public’s help in locating Michael Underwood, a 78 year old male with severe dementia. He was last seen at Mr. Gas in Jerome around 7:30 pm. He was walking officials say.

Authorities have arrested two people following the death of 84 year old Bill Eakin at his home along Bob Barton Road in Jerome. The Jerome sheriff’s department arrested 42 year old Erika Nichole Brock of Heyburn and 32 year old Kevin Kuinytzle of Twin Falls. He has been charged with first degree murder, burglary and grand theft. The woman faces charges of receiving stolen goods, concealment of evidence and withholding knowledge.

The Twin Falls Sheriff’s office says access to the boat ramp and docks at Murtaugh Lake will be closed. The Twin Falls County Commissioners and Twin Falls Canal Company have made this decision following the discovery of quagga mussel larvae in the Snake River. Access to this area will be closed for the next 30 days, and will be revisited at that time. All parks, picnic and camping areas remain open to the public and will not be affected.

Meanwhile, the City of Twin Falls has closed Shoshone Falls Park Boat Ramp and Dierkes Lake Park to all watercraft including kayaks, paddle boards, canoes and inflatable craft to help contain the spread of invasive Quagga Mussels.

The Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners approved a 4.7% increase in the budget request for the Idaho Department of Lands’ fiscal year 2025 budget. Overall, the land board approved a budget request totaling $90.3 million from all funding sources, including state and federal funding. The state general fund share of the total budget would be just over $11 million in the proposed new budget, for an increase of 6.4% over the current budget.

The BLM in Shoshone will begin construction on the Dempsey Meadows Road north of King Hill in the Bennett Hills beginning this week. Travel delays are to be expected. The construction, which will replace four culverts and add gravel, is expected to last until Oct. 20. The culvert replacement will be the most disruptive to travelers through this Saturday. This road is heavily used by hunters in the area.