Local History

Taylor’s Toll Bridge in Idaho Falls - What’s Underneath?

Posted by Guest Writer

August 26, 2008

If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to the newsletter or RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!We’re new-ish to the area, and stopped by the Green Belt / Riverside area for the first time today. We followed some trails and ended up under the Taylor’s Toll Bridge. There were all of these funny […]

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How you can help solve the 1996 Angie Dodge murder

Posted by Joe Vandal

March 24, 2008

We are going to solve Idaho Falls’ 1996 Angie Raye Dodge murder. This is an extremely ambitious goal, but solving this murder is vital for a local family to get closure, for our community to finally know what happened, and possibly to expose official misdeeds at that time. The stakes are high to solve the […]

Should We Rebuild the Teton Dam?

Posted by Joe Vandal

March 21, 2008

I could not believe the news that our Idaho legislature has appropriated $400,000 to study whether the infamous Teton Dam should be rebuilt. The Teton Dam collapse and subsequent flood was the worst disaster ever in southeast Idaho’s modern recorded history. Five southeast Idaho counties were declared federal disaster areas by President Gerald Ford. I’m […]

Japanese Temple/Shrine in Idaho Falls

Posted by dnix0112

July 13, 2007

Much how other cities in the country have a China Town, Idaho Falls could have a Japanese themed area with the centerpiece being a Japanese temple.
Most know that Idaho Falls is the sister city to Tokai-Mura, Japan. Most also know that Idaho Falls and East Idaho were home to concentration camps for Japanese citizens during […]

Idaho Water: History, Players, Conflicts, and Potential Shutdowns

Posted by Joe Vandal

May 24, 2007

It’s probably long overdue to start a discussion on Idaho water issues. Concerns over Idaho water have prevalent my entire life in Idaho, and it’s not something many people understand completely. We barely dodged a widespread water shutdown here in the upper Snake River valley today, but future shutdowns are possible and probable if solutions […]

Why the angst between Ammon and Idaho Falls?

Posted by Joe Vandal

April 19, 2007

It seems there is some underlying angst between residents and city governments of Idaho Falls and Ammon. For outsiders or those new to the area, Ammon historically was pretty much a suburb of Idaho Falls, tucked into our southeast corner. When you cross over from the Grand Teton Mall to say the Target store area, […]

How You Can Help Find Idaho’s Missing Persons

Posted by Joe Vandal

September 14, 2006

I read in this morning’s Post Register that today is Missing Persons Day. I can only imagine how difficult these cases are for the families involved, not having closure. The rest of us are left with creepy feelings and speculating what might have happened.
There is actually a way you can help solve missing persons cases! […]

Taylor Crossing Unveils Largest Bronze Eagles

Posted by Joe Vandal

August 27, 2006

I enjoyed the (hopefully first annual?) Taylor Crossing Summer Days yesterday.
It was nice that they not only did an public art enveiling, they also had a full day’s free festivities for the public. My kid really enjoyed the blow-up castles and activity centers.
The girl that sang the star-spangled banner was one of the […]

Free Yellow Bikes

Posted by Joe Vandal

August 16, 2006

I recall in 1997 a group in Idaho Falls introduced a free bicycle program.
The idea was if you saw one, you were free to ride around Idaho Falls on it, and you just left it unlocked for someone else to pick up and use also. I recall local bike shops were willing to do […]

Is there a good ol’ boy network controlling Idaho Falls?

Posted by Joe Vandal

July 24, 2006

I’ve heard the phrase all my life in television, movies, print, and around town. The phrase has come up quite a few times recently in conversations on IdahoFallz.com and around Idaho Falls. We may as well bring it out to the light:
Is there a good ol’ boy network controlling Idaho Falls?
I found a Wikipedia entry […]

Teton Dam Flood Brought Best Out of Idaho Falls Residents

Posted by Joe Vandal

May 25, 2006

There is plenty of great media coverage lately on the thirtieth-anniversary of the Teton Dam collapse and flood.

I want to just focus on the Idaho Falls aspect of the Teton Dam flood. I always heard Idaho Falls was somehow spared major damage, but Local News 8 had a great quote from T.J. Wadsworth who […]

Watch 4th of July Fireworks from Keefer Island, Idaho Falls

Posted by Joe Vandal

May 10, 2006

Poor Keefer Island sits unused and seemingly unwanted in Idaho Falls’ Snake River stretch. The city used to shoot our fireworks off from the north end of the island. When Frank took over with with the awesome Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, he deployed so many fireworks as to outgrow the island space and they have been […]

Idaho Falls Live Chat

Last Message 4 hours, 34 minutes ago

3333 and 2 guests are online.

Guest_7000 : That is funny!
Guest_5547 : What a hoot! its funny to see somebody complain about sock puppeting while they themselves are sock puppeting. lol
Guest_House : Looks like whats their name is whining again.
boomer : Your rules are very clear, and they're right above the response box. All you mods need to do is enforce them. There are lots of ways then can do it, and there should be nothing to prevent them from expressing their views as long as they follow the same rules. It's up to you to decide if a mod is off center or playing hanky-panky in some way, and you can fire 'em at will. This is your joint, and we are all here as your guests. You can stop any party that gets too rowdy anytime you want.
boomer : Hi, Joe...
Guest_me : hmmm, a matter of opinion...
0000 : Yeah, the difference is that now we're crabbing with good reason.
Guest_me : Not many posting lately, seems more like a bunch of crabbing. Hope to see more viewers posting instead of arguing.
Guest_me : I like the new format, several articles on the front home page. Makes it easier to go back over the last week or more of posts.
0000 : He has no interest in that 1234. That's been made quite clear.
Guest_1234 : Talk is cheap. So put your actions where you mouth is.
Guest_1234 : Joe, how can discussion be mind bending when only folks who agree with each other and you and the mods are welcome?
0000 : tks u2
Guest_1234 : k bey. nice chattin
Guest_1234 : slapping each other on the bak and eating each others fleas. a pretty aprop. comment i think
0000 : yeah I agree with that. I need to go to bed. You take care okay?
Guest_1234 : an out of town friend logged on the other day and reviewed some stuff. her comment was it felt really creepy to her ... like a bunch of monkey's who can only get their identity from
0000 : Well here comes the ultimate in "sigh"ers. You have a great night 1234
0000 : they'll get pretty bored amongst themselves with nobody to make fun of and everyone to agree with.
0000 : yep, it sure will.
Guest_1234 : and when that happens the site will die. too bad.
0000 : then they can keep the site one-sided complete with condescending and spiteful remarks by whoever wants to make them provided they agree with the majority.
0000 : I agree. But if Joe only listens to them, then the rest of us don't count I guess huh?
Guest_1234 : moderators evenhanded? yeah, sinc when. this sort of "spinning" the facts is really annoying
0000 : seems that way
0000 : they don't want drama, but they sure stir it up and then blatantly refuse to fix it.
Guest_1234 : he seems to want a community of stepford wives
0000 : quite the results huh?
Guest_1234 : ya, i've e-mailed too with the same result.
0000 : Amen to that. I am sure he umm...won't read this. He asked me to email him, but I did the other day and he didn't bother to acknowledge my email.
Guest_1234 : do a lot of us feel unwelcome here? yup! cause this is a very conservative town and many of you seem to feel that it we're not with you we're against you.
Guest_1234 : you said it was the worst ever? come on! anyone who can read can find all sorts of examples here of really rude and over the top behavior and they were'nt pulled.
Guest_1234 : whoever it was was upset, but then again i don't blamne the person. as a single mom (and the victim of a violent crime) i would have been very scared on bundy's threats. and the post was not what you're making it out to be imo.
Guest_1234 : just logged on and checked out the live chat. i did see hoagie's last post if you're referring to the one in opposable thumbs (if it was hoagie -- who know -- you seem to assume it was.
Guest_1234 : Hey Joe,
Guest_441 : Maybe I could tie it in to a "what I wish I knew back in high school" article. Who would of thought I'd see Poison as a senior in HS and as a mom! Ugh. Nite, headed to bed here too. Agreed on the drama. Feels like days of our lives sometimes.
Joe Eagle : I hope we can get off the drama over the past couple of days and get onto good thought bending discussions
Joe Eagle : Well, it's late better hit the sac. (yep, i'm getting older)
Joe Eagle : ha ha.
Joe Eagle : Nah, no need to attend all... Just a glimpse of a piece is all one needs... That's all the local papers do and they spit out articles like no tomorrow.
Guest_441 : At least I don't have the poufy bangs anymore.
Guest_441 : Ah, but then I'd have to attend all events to be fair. Want to sponsor us? Sagging, funny! Aren't we all!
Joe Eagle : and maybe sagging in a few places...
Joe Eagle : It can be on the quality of entertainment brought by the State Fair...
Guest_441 : I think it's still the same four. Hair probably not as high and teased though.
Joe Eagle : Youll have to let us know who the players are: Bobby Doll, Ricky Rocket, CC Davill, Brett Michaels... or others?
Guest_441 : What would a Poison article entail, besides those of us pushing 40 trying to revive our youth......
Joe Eagle : sounds like a blast!
Guest_441 : It will be our 3rd date in 2 months, we need a night out! Found a sitter too, yahoo!
Joe Eagle : Now, i've got the money for a concert, just not the time...
Guest_441 : Same here, but my babysitting money went for a few fun things. Best concert, Pink Floyd in 94. Or I can learn to use my current camera better!
Joe Eagle : WE'LL, now'd be a great time to get that new camera!
Joe Eagle : I grew up in humble circumstances... never much money in my pocket to buy concert tickets...
Guest_441 : My digital camera doesn't seem to work well at night, must be doing something wrong.
Joe Eagle :
Joe Eagle : Never really went to a concert....
Joe Eagle : 441, you'll have to take some pictures and write an article about the concert for us all.
Guest_441 : Or never bought a ticket b/c you snuck in?
Joe Eagle : Gnight, 0000. Thanks for your comments.
Guest_441 : You've never been to a concert?
Guest_441 : Just like when Def Lepard was here back in what, 2002?
Joe Eagle : If I was going to be in town when they play thursday, I might have actually bought my 1st concert ticket ever.
0000 : hey you two, have a great night, i'll wait for the next blowup here, it won't be long I'm sure
Guest_441 : I can't wait to see Poison, memories of high school come flooding back!
Guest_441 : could go
Joe Eagle : I can't believe they are featuring Poison! I remember them from way back in the 80's
Guest_441 : Good idea, this good go on all night. We are headed over but not sure when.
0000 : and view IPs
Joe Eagle : I'm heading to the fair tomorrow!
0000 : I think you need to read threads
Joe Eagle : If you could email me some examples of your concerns, that would help. Maybe there are some situations you are aware of that I am not.
0000 : Bluernote is another who seems to try to remain neutral in his comments, doesn't attack
Guest_441 : Sigh........So, who's headed to the fair next week?
0000 : not when they stire the fire joe
Guest_441 : I agree, it's thankless no matter how you look at it. Kind of like being a parent sometimes.
0000 : gato is one of few who usually tries to stay out of the mix when it's heated, but even at that, I think she should step in and try to calm it down
Joe Eagle : They are volunteers... they volunteered when there was a need. If anything I think we should be at least thankful to them for helping with the site.
Guest_441 : No, you read it wrong. I meant we all submit ideas for how to be a moderator, rules for moderators, etc. Then Joe drafts a "rules for moderators" guidelines based on input.
0000 : then Joe, you need to pick more responsible moderators
0000 : 441, another popularity contest
Joe Eagle : Moderators need to be able to comment. They are volunteers who help keep the site up and running and free of junk. They first came here to participate and give of their time to all.
0000 : we know who most are and we usually know when they are using a sock puppet, but one way or the other, some of them really stir the pot.
Guest_441 : Maybe we need to start a "what will make the best moderator" thread, let the readers post how they would like to see moderators act, see what ideas come out of it.
Joe Eagle : Well, that's why I've allowed all the moderators to remain anon. So they can participate as a regular user and still edit an objectionable post when necessary (vulgarity, attacks, spam, etc)
0000 : that might help 441
0000 : not even when they use sock puppets
Guest_441 : Maybe moderators could step in with a "hey, chill out, here's the rule you're violating here" comment, but refrain from giving their own opinion in the thread during the arguing.
0000 : when they start throwing in smart a-- commens, they don't look responsible
0000 : if they can't remain objective, yes
Joe Eagle : Do you think moderators should be restricted from posting their views?
0000 : some of the mods are great at stirring the pot. They should try to remain neutral instead of smart a** remarks
0000 : having moderators as opposed to little spies might be a start, people who will step in to calm things down instead of stirring the fire with unwarranted comments
Joe Eagle : I agree we want them to feel welcome...
Joe Eagle : What do you think would help people feel more welcome
0000 : That's why Joe Vandal quit allowing moderators, he did it.
Joe Eagle : I absolutly do not read all the posts. If only I had that much time on my hands... But I've asked the moderators to keep me informed as to what they do change, and I do read through some threads when I get the chance.
0000 : You are the only one who can change that.
0000 : Some don't exactly feel welcome
Joe Eagle : And as I said - everyone is welcome here, just lets please play a little nicer.
0000 : I thought you didn't read posts much?