🌱 Man Gets 14 Years For Drug Trafficking + Civic Center Renaming

Hey, Idaho Falls. I'm back with your new copy of the Idaho Falls Patch newsletter. Let's get this Thursday started off right, with a quick review of the most important things happening these days in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Cooler with periods of rain. High: 57 Low: 46.
• Friday: Cloudy, a shower and t-storm. High: 57 Low: 43.

Here are the top three stories in Idaho Falls today:

1. An Idaho Falls man named Bruno Del Rosario Soto-Valenzuela, 38, has been sentenced to a minimum of five years in prison, with an additional nine years indeterminate, for trafficking cocaine after a plea agreement with the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office. Soto-Valenzuela was arrested in November with over a pound of cocaine, along with methamphetamine and marijuana, when stopped by Idaho State Police troopers. Despite his claim of being unaware of the package's contents, the judge sentenced him to prison and ordered him to pay a $15,000 fine along with court and DNA collection fees. (East Idaho News)
2. The City of Idaho Falls is considering a partnership with Frontier Credit Union to rename the Civic Auditorium to the "Frontier Center for the Performing Arts." A special meeting of the Idaho Falls City Council was called on Monday to discuss the agreement, which would grant Frontier Credit Union naming and advertising rights in exchange for a "Rights Fee" to the city. This proposed 40-year agreement aims to fund improvements to the Civic Auditorium, including enhancing its exterior, while minimizing the impact on taxpayers. (LocalNews8.com)
3. The man who tragically lost his life while riding his horse in nearby Hamer has been identified as Pedro Puente Nunez. The incident occurred around 8:23 p.m. when a 1998 Peterbilt semi-truck struck the horse's rear end while Nunez was riding in the northbound lane of Old Butte Highway. Both Nunez and the horse succumbed to their injuries as a result of the collision. (East Idaho News)

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Today and tomorrow in Idaho Falls:

Thursday, September 21

• Business After Hours At Bank of Commerce (5:00 PM)

Friday, September 22

• Poolates At Club Apple (8:15 AM)

From our partner:

Do you know a teacher making a difference in Idaho Falls? Nominate them here for a Teacher Spotlight on Patch.

From my notebook:

• Salon h.davis is hosting its 10th annual "Cut-A-Thon" event on Saturday, Sep. 23, offering $15 haircuts to raise funds in support of families with ill or injured children staying at the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. The event aims to provide assistance to local families by offering snacks, warm meals, clothing, and other essentials for parents staying with their children. (East Idaho News)
• New homes have been listed for sale in the Idaho Falls area! Get all the property details at the link. (Idaho Falls Patch)
• The southbound lanes of West Sunnyside Road/I-15 Business Loop in Idaho Falls will be closed for the next two days to allow for repairs to a broken water line under U.S. Highway 91. Traffic detours will be in place, and left turns from northbound US-91 to westbound I-15 will not be allowed, along with no right-hand turns from I-15 Business Loop to southbound US-91 during the closure. (East Idaho News)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you soon with a new 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.