Carmen
Carmen, ID · Business
Idaho State Journal
Blackfoot farmer ramps up legal fight against water curtailment, sues groundwater district for defamation
BLACKFOOT — A Blackfoot-area farmer sued by the state in summer 2025 for refusing to stop irrigating his crops has shifted from defense to offense, filing a petition for judicial review of Idaho’s curtailment orders, a new lawsuit arguing the state owes him compensation for taking his water rights, and a defamation lawsuit against the Bingham Ground Water District — all while regulators continue ordering him to shut off his wells. Three active cases. One Blackfoot farmer. And no signs of either side backing down. Jerry Bingham and his wife, Valerie, filed a petition for judicial review in Bingham County District Court on Sept. 15, challenging a string of Idaho Department of Water Resources orders that have kept their roughly 1,000-acre farm largely without irrigation water since July 2025. They simultaneously filed a motion asking the court to stay enforcement of the curtailment while the case plays out — arguing that without immediate relief, the family faces bankruptcy. “Our farm is already facing the difficulty of surviving the harm caused by curtailment during the 2025 irrigation season,” Bingham said in a sworn declaration filed with the court. “A continuing curtailment through this fall and into the spring of 2027 would
Idaho State Journal
Swore Farms kicks off fall with corn maze, pumpkin patch and family fun
POCATELLO — A season of family-friendly events is underway at Swore Farms, kicking off fall with a 3.3-acre corn maze, a 12-acre pumpkin patch and the annual Pup or Treat on Halloween. Swore Farms officially opened for fall Sept. 28, and the family-focused farm continues to emphasize community-oriented fun and a connection to nature. Owners Wendy and Mike Swore bought the farm in the early 2000s while raising their five children. The farm planted about 24,000 pumpkin plants this year, including more than 30 varieties. Visitors can ride a tractor-pulled wagon to any of the farm's three pumpkin patches, choose their own pumpkins and carry them out in pumpkin wagons provided by the farm. Regular pumpkins are 40 cents per pound, mini pumpkins are $2 and small field trip-size pumpkins are $3. Specialty varieties, such as the gnarly-stemmed Wolf pumpkin, are priced individually. One of the farm's primary fall draws is its corn maze, which debuted in 2004. Wendy Swore said she has put about 200 hours into making this year's maze, which features Idaho agriculture trivia that guides visitors along the route. Visitors who answer correctly move on to the next question, and wrong answers send them looking for
KPVI Newschannel 6
Taking on the Swore Farms Corn Maze
With the arrival of fall, Swore Farms in Pocatello has officially opened its corn maze and pumpkin patch. Wendy Swore hand cuts the corn maze herself every year. "I freehand it with a weed whacker with no GPS and no map," she says. "My daughter says I'm a whimsical termite as I get in there and just cut it all out."
East Idaho News
Blackfoot farmers sue Idaho after state shuts off irrigation water
BLACKFOOT – A couple’s lawsuit against the Idaho Department of Water Resources alleges an arbitrary state law is denying them access to irrigation water and preventing them from watering crops. Jerry and Valerie Bingham own a 1,000-acre farm west of Blackfoot where they grow wheat, alfalfa and potatoes. The department shut off their water in May allegedly because they were not part of a state-approved mitigation plan. They filed a petition on Sept. 15 asking the court to review the department’s order. They also filed a motion to stay the order pending a review. The Binghams were not available ...
byuiscroll.org
BYUI alumna to open Rexburg bridal boutique
Ivory Lane Bridal, a BYU-Idaho alumna-owned business, will be hosting a grand opening celebration with a ribbon cutting at noon. on Friday, Sept. 25, the grand opening celebration will follow from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. As part of the celebration, the new bridal shop will provide free goodie bags...
KIFI Local News 8
Modern Home cuts the ribbon on new Pocatello location
A beloved furniture store from Idaho Falls has officially expanded to Pocatello. On September 23, members of the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce and employees and owners of Modern Home cut the ribbon on their new location.
Idaho State Journal
Idaho Farm Bureau insurer buys Wyoming-based Mountain West, expanding to multiple states
POCATELLO — Farm Bureau Insurance Company of Idaho has acquired Mountain West Farm Bureau Insurance Company and its affiliates following a closing date of Sept. 1, expanding the Pocatello-based insurer into a multistate company. The combined company will be headquartered in Pocatello. Mountain West's longtime base in Laramie, Wyoming, will continue as a service center. The acquisition will also provide a financial lifeline to the Wyoming-based company following a difficult 2024. Todd Argall, president and CEO of Farm Bureau Insurance Company of Idaho, said Mountain West policyholders will see little change on the surface. The Mountain West name will stay in Wyoming and Montana, where it is now used, and its agents and employees will remain in those states. Mountain West began looking for a partner in 2025. Inflation drove up costs in 2024, and years of severe weather strained property insurers across the industry, Argall said. Mountain West operated in several states, but its territory was relatively narrow, so repeated bad weather in the same region hit it especially hard. Its profit problems centered on homeowners and personal insurance lines, and FBIC of Idaho plans "corrective action" to restore its competitive position. Mountain West ultimately chose the Idaho company.
thenerdstash.com
Idaho Fun Center Owner Stays Just Minutes Longer and Ends Up Saving Business From Flood: ‘I Still Would’ve Clocked Out’
An Idaho fun center owner was just minutes away from leaving for the night when a violent storm caused a roof-drain pipe to break, sending water pouring into the building. Sidney “Sid” Davis had stayed behind to watch the storm outside Extreme Rush in Pocatello. That brief delay may have saved the business from significantly worse damage.
KPVI Newschannel 6
The Pocatello Amy's Kitchen Location is Laying Off Nearly 50 Employees
Amy's Kitchen is permanently laying off 49 employees at its Pocatello plant. That is expected to happen by the end of the year, but the facility is expected to remain a major part of the company’s operations. The company will be closing its original manufacturing facility in Santa Rosa,...
East Idaho News
Amy’s Kitchen to cut 49 local jobs as company restructures
POCATELLO — Amy’s Kitchen will permanently lay off 49 employees at its Pocatello plant by the end of the year, but the facility is expected to remain a major part of the company’s operations as it consolidates manufacturing in Idaho and Oregon. The Petaluma, California-based organic food company announced Thursday that it will close its original manufacturing facility in Santa Rosa, California, in phases and shift production to its plants in Pocatello and Medford, Oregon. Amy’s opened its 479,000-square-foot Pocatello plant in 2014, while its 350,000-square-foot Medford facility opened in 2005...