🌱 Eastern Idaho Visitors Center Rebrands + Falls Water Rate Increase

Welcome back, Idaho Falls! I'm here in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Plenty of sunshine. High: 82 Low: 40.
• Sunday: Plenty of sunshine. High: 84 Low: 45.

From our partner:

Apple announced some big news at Tuesday's "Wonderlust" event! Click here for all the details.

Here are the top three stories in Idaho Falls today:

1. AlphaGraphics Idaho Falls has achieved the second position on WhatTheyThink's prestigious Top 100 Small Commercial Printer List for 2023, solidifying its status as one of North America's top 100 small commercial printing establishments. This recognition highlights the company's dedication to excellence in the printing industry and reflects their significant revenue growth, with more than 10 percent increase in revenues in 2022 compared to the previous year, outperforming the industry's 5.8 percent overall revenue growth in 2022. (East Idaho News)
2. The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber has announced the rebranding of the Eastern Idaho Visitors Center as the "Visit Idaho Falls Experience," shifting its focus from being a "Gateway City" to a "Destination Location." This revamped center will serve as the central hub for tourism in the Greater Idaho Falls area, offering year-round physical space for tourist partners to engage with the 30,000 in-person visitors. Recent statistics indicate that visitor centers are increasingly becoming destinations in themselves, with tourists who visit such centers being 40 percent more likely to explore additional locations and, in 10 percent of cases, extend their stay by a day or more. (LocalNews8.com)
3. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has scheduled a customer hearing on Oct. 23 to consider Falls Water's application for a rate increase, aiming to boost revenue by 47 percent or about $1.1 million. Falls Water, which serves around 6,500 residential and commercial customers in Bonneville County, cites the need to cover rising operational expenses and plant-related costs. Attendees can provide testimony in person at the Idaho Falls Public Library Conference Room. Written comments on the application are being accepted until Oct. 12 through the commission's website or via email at secretary@puc.idaho.gov. (Idaho Capital Sun)

Interested in reaching our local readers with targeted messaging that drives traffic to your business? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Today and tomorrow in Idaho Falls:

Saturday, September 16

• Idaho Falls Farmers' Market At Memorial Drive Between A Street And D Street (9:00 AM)

Sunday, September 17

• Teton Overland Show At The Waterfront At Snake River Landing (8:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) has experienced an impressive 11.1 percent increase in credit student enrollment for the fall 2023 semester compared to the previous year. This growth is part of CEI's consistent expansion since transitioning to a community college in 2017, witnessing a remarkable 244 percent increase in total credit student headcount over seven years. (LocalNews8.com)
• Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center has earned the American Heart Association's "Get With The Guidelines" Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for the fourth consecutive year, underscoring its ongoing dedication to providing stroke patients with the best possible treatment in accordance with national guidelines. (KPVI News 6)
• Twenty-two years ago, Amber Hoopes went missing in Bonneville County, leading to the proclamation of Sep. 14 as Idaho Missing Persons Day. At an event outside the Bonneville County courthouse, her case and those of eight others were remembered, emphasizing the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and the community to solve these mysteries and encouraging public support in these investigations. (East Idaho News)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (September 19)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll catch up with you soon with your next update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.