The children’s section in the Marshall Public Library. | Logan Ramsey, EastIdahoNews.com POCATELLO — After a controversial bill passed last month, Idaho librarians have had to figure out how to adapt to its requirements and potential consequences. Libraries have until July 1 to comply with House Bill 710, which became law on April 10. The new legislation requires libraries and public schools to “take reasonable steps” in protecting kids from harmful material. Under the law, parents can submit a written request to have certain material removed from the library if they deem it inappropriate. Th ..read more

Jesus Perez-Yepez | Power County Jail POWER COUNTY — A man police say sexually assaulted a 9-year-old girl faces a felony charge. Jesus Perez-Yepez, 37, has been charged with one count of lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16, court records show. Nov. 22, 2023 Power County deputies spoke with a father and mother at the Power County Sheriff’s Office about a reported sexual battery, according to an affidavit of probable cause. The couple said their 15-year-old daughter had recently opened up to them about sexual assaults that occurred when she was around 9 years old. The victim told the ..read more

Benjamin Ray Frasure | Bannock County Jail POCATELLO — A man who pleaded guilty to four felonies has been sentenced to prison. Benjamin Ray Frasure, 39, entered guilty pleas to injuring a child and destruction of evidence, along with two counts of possessing child pornography as part of a plea agreement, court records show. In exchange, the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office dismissed three counts of possessing child pornography and a persistent violator enhancement. Also part of the agreement, a charge of lewd conduct with a minor was amended to the injury to a child charge included in the p ..read more

The Corndog Company is located in Idaho Falls in the Best Buy Parking lot. | Kaitlyn Hart, EastIdahoNews.com IDAHO FALLS – A local food truck is gearing up for a summer full of tasty treats, including its famous honey dogs and fried Oreos. The Corndog Company is well-known to locals in Idaho Falls as a great place to stop for a delicious lunch to satisfy your sweet and savory cravings. I got to swing by the truck and try three of their most delicious menu offerings. All three items we tried at The Corndog Company. | Kaitlyn Hart, EastIdahoNews.com. Logan Anderson, one of the business partner ..read more

Lance Robert Peck | Bannock County Jail POCATELLO — District Judge Javier Gabiola has issued orders on two motions filed in cases involving a defunct Pocatello funeral home and its former owner. According to court records obtained by EastIdahoNews.com, Gabiola ordered two separate cases against Lance Robert Peck — one featuring 22 felony charges and the other 63 misdemeanor charges — be joined into a single case. Gabiola has also ruled against a motion filed on behalf of Peck requesting his attorney fees be covered at the expense of the public. RELATED | Charges against former funeral home ow ..read more

(From left) Richard Cheatum, James Lamborn and Mike Saville | Courtesy photos BANNOCK COUNTY — Incumbent Richard Cheatum has two challengers for his seat in the Idaho House of Representatives. Cheatum, a longtime Pocatello City Councilmember, is completing his first term in the seat and is running for a second. He will be challenged in the Republican Primary by James Lamborn and Mike Saville. To learn more about the candidate’s platform, EastIdahoNews.com asked the candidates to answer the same eight questions. Their unedited responses, listed below, were required to be 250 words or less — so ..read more

Bannock County Courthouse | Kalama Hines, EastIdahoNews.com POCATELLO — A man who hit a nurse in the head during treatment in the Behavioral Healthcare Unit at Portneuf Medical Center has been sentenced to probation. Jerry Bardell Huber, 41, pleaded guilty to one felony count of battery on a healthcare worker after reaching a plea deal with the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office, court records show. A felony battery charge, as well as a misdemeanor battery charge and two persistent violator enhancements, were dismissed as part of the deal. During a March 25 hearing, District Judge Javier Gabi ..read more

Adobe Stock image BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — Idaho home prices have remained relatively steady over the last couple of years — and even dropped significantly in Boise — but a new study shows we could be in for an increase in 2024 and into early 2025. Online real estate marketplace Zillow recently released its home prices forecast for the next 12 months. The forecast predicts a 1.9% increase in housing prices nationwide throughout 2024, but it notes that the jump in price will be slower than long-term norms. The United States has seen a 4.6% increase in home prices since March 2023 and a 1.1% i ..read more

Jersey Mike’s opened on May 1 in Pocatello. | Logan Ramsey, EastIdahoNews.com POCATELLO — A long-awaited sandwich shop chain has opened its doors. Jersey Mike’s is now open for business in Pocatello at 544 East Benton Street next to Starbucks. It opened on Wednesday, and customers filled up the parking lot and store as they waited to try its sandwiches. “We buy the best meats available to us, and they’re prepared fresh daily,” said Charlie Gerard, president of the Jersey Mike’s franchise in east Idaho. “I would say our product that we provide is far and above any of the competitors’.” RELATED ..read more

The following is a news release and photo from the city of Pocatello. POCATELLO – City officials are monitoring the area of the North Main Extension near Kraft Road and the Portneuf River in Pocatello. The two outside lanes on the North Main Extension have been closed due to rising water in the area. Please use caution while driving in this area. If there is another route to get to your destination you are encouraged to take the alternative route. The Pocatello Police Department will continue to monitor the area through the night. As Pocatello continues to see more rain with additional foreca ..read more