By Joelyn Hansen Today we wear denim. Not because it's casual Thursday. Not because it's comfortable. Not because we had nothing else to wear. But because today our fashion statement is making a statement. We’re protesting sexual assault. Why denim? In the 1990s, an 18-year old Italian girl is picked up by her married 45-year old driving instructor for her very first lesson. He takes

Guess what?! This Boy Scout turned Police Chief is celebrating a birthday today!!! Happy Birthday Steve!!! By the way.....this is an unathorized blog po

One of our most dedicated Citizen’s Watch Patrol volunteers has retired into a new job.  The good news is that the new job is with us.  Harvey “Ed” Gord has joined us as a front desk officer.  Normally, we use retired cops to fill this role, but Harvey pretty much knows the ins and outs of the department. Harvey retired from Atlas Mechanical in May 1999 as the Plumbing Foreman and

Is it okay to handcuff a 6-year-old kindergarten student as reportedly happened yesterday in Georgia following a temper tantrum?I don’t have the facts needed to pass judgment on this particular case, but handcuffing 6-year-olds is not standard procedure.  Can I imagine a scenario where this might be appropriate?  It’s hard to envision, but I’d hate to say, never.  I checked with our

Wells Fargo Bank on First Street got hit a few hours ago.  The suspect is described as being approximately six feet tall, medium build and in his early 40s wearing a black jacket, khaki pants, black H&K ball cap and a neck brace.  He flashed a note saying he had a bomb.  Our website and Facebook has more photos and information. By the way, don’t get too caught up in the exterior

I’ve received two calls from two personal friends in the last 24 hours concerning their grandsons being in trouble with the law and needing cash.  It’s a scam.In one case, the grandson was stopped at the Canadian border and the person he was with tested positive for drugs, but the grandson didn’t.  Since he was with the person, he was headed to a Canadian jail unless the grandparent could

With all the discussion about school bullying and concern over the appropriateness of watching the movie “Bully” because of its rough language, our own Ali and Christina Christensen (finalist in America’s Got Talent) played lead roles in an awesome video that sends a powerful message with no swear words.  After watching the video, three things come to mind. 1.     

You may have seen news reports that some local bar owners have asked the City Council to ban smoking in all Idaho Falls bars.  The council is taking up the discussion this coming Tuesday morning at 8:30 in the council chambers with a draft ordinance that provides an exemption for private clubs. Even though this ordinance comes through the public safety committee, it’s more of a public health

I’m amazed at the rush to judgment following the Trayvon Martin shooting.  I’ve had a number of people ask for my opinion.  Was it a racially motivated homicide?  Was Zimmerman an out-of-control vigilante?  Since my only source of information is the news media and since they lack basic facts, I have too many unanswered questions to hazard a guess. Whether a person is guilty or