(City of Pocatello Press Release, October 2, 2026)
Pocatello Animal Services, in partnership with Phil Meador Subaru, is excited to announce its annual Subaru Loves Pets adoption event Saturday, October 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Pocatello Animal Services, 3100 Avenue of the Chiefs.
Thanks to Subaru’s support, adopters can choose their own adoption fee, with a minimum fee of $25. This year, Phil Meador Subaru will match the adopter’s selected adoption fee with a donation to Pocatello Animal Services. The promotion applies to all available dogs over six months of age and weighing more than 25 lbs., as well as cats and small critters.
“We love seeing the community come together for our biggest adoption event of the year and help find our shelter pets loving homes,” said Sarah Moore, Management Assistant. “With Subaru’s generosity, families can focus less on adoption fees and more on opening their homes and hearts to a new best friend. It’s the perfect way to kick off the cozy season!”
In addition to adoptions, visitors can meet with a Phil Meador Subaru representative and learn more about how Subaru supports animal welfare nationwide through its Subaru Loves Pets initiative.
Pocatello Animal Services encourages anyone considering adding a pet to their family to stop by, meet the wonderful animals available for adoption, and take advantage of this special opportunity. All cats and dogs adopted from Pocatello Animal Services are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccinations before heading to their new homes.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the policy of the City of Pocatello to offer its public programs, services, and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. If you are disabled and require an accommodation, please contact Skyler Beebe with two (2) business days’ advance notice at sbeebe@pocatello.gov; 208.234.6248; or 5815 South 5th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho. Advance notification within this guideline will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility.
Remember when the back of the cereal box was our morning entertainment as we inhaled spoonfuls of milk-covered breakfast? There were puzzles, trivia, colorful pictures, and always something that kept you reading until it was time to head out the door.
This year, as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we brought a little of that spirit to Idaho’s Voter Pamphlet. Along with the official information on the measures appearing on November’s ballot, you’ll find important election dates and useful voting information, mixed in with historical trivia, fun facts, and a few other things to keep you turning the page.
There is a lot packed into those 20 pages, and even more happening behind the scenes.
Producing 850,000 copies for households across Idaho is a months-long undertaking that begins as soon as we know what measures will appear on the November ballot.
Idaho law dictates much of what we include. For ballot propositions, that means the short title you’ll see on your ballot, a longer title explaining the measure, the fiscal impact, and arguments for and against, along with rebuttals. For constitutional amendments, we include the proposed constitutional language, a statement of purpose from Legislative Council, the question you’ll see on your ballot, arguments for and against, and the full text of the legislation.
This year we also have something different: an advisory question. November’s question involves the selection of a state gun, and the pamphlet includes pictures of the choices (which won’t appear on your ballot). Unlike an initiative or constitutional amendment, an advisory question is non-binding. It gives Idaho voters an opportunity to express their preference to the Legislature as lawmakers consider possible future legislation.
Then comes the printing.
Eight hundred and fifty thousand 20-page pamphlets require a LOT of paper. Our printer has to order that much paper well in advance, and the presses run at full capacity to get everything printed and mailed on time.
After months of work, all 850,000 pamphlets have begun making their way across Idaho and arriving quietly in your mailbox.
When yours does, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to look through it. There is a lot of work behind those pages, but more importantly, there is a lot of useful information inside them.
And I still think we can do more.
Since taking office, I’ve worked with legislative partners on legislation to create a full voter guide with everything in the pamphlet, plus information from the candidates themselves. We haven’t gotten it across the finish line yet, but I’m not giving up. I believe having more information in one place helps all of us be better prepared to vote.
In the meantime, watch your mailbox. And when the pamphlet arrives, give it a read.
Yes, even the back.
Phil McGrane
ABOUT SECRETARY PHIL McGRANE
Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022.McGrane holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.
(City of Pocatello Press Release, October 5, 2026)
Utility work related to the construction of the new Connections Credit Union Clubhouse at Riverside Golf Course will impact traffic on Bannock Highway October 7–8, 2026.
Crews will be making utility connections for the new clubhouse, requiring work across Bannock Highway near the intersection of Johnny Creek Road. Contractors will have traffic control measures in place throughout the work.
Motorists are encouraged to use extra caution, slow down, and expect delays while traveling through the area. Traffic lanes may be restricted at times, and access to the main golf course parking areas will be limited.
Golfers should plan to arrive early for their tee times and follow all posted traffic and parking signs. Visitors are also asked to be respectful of surrounding residential areas and avoid parking where it could impact neighborhood access.
Construction of the new Connections Credit Union Clubhouse at Riverside Golf Course is continuing. The approximately 3,700-square-foot, two-story clubhouse will include cart storage on the basement level, a golf simulator, restaurant, pro shop, and approximately 1,600 square feet of patio space for guests to enjoy.
A temporary parking map and additional information are available at:
Bannock County Assessor Anita Hymas (Official Photo)
I can hardly believe it’s already October! Halloween isn’t necessarily my favorite holiday, but it is my daughter’s, so I do my best to decorate and get into the Halloween spirit with her! We have already visited the Spirit Halloween store!!
Last month, I invited readers to send me topics or questions they would like me to address. I was so happy to receive a response from one reader with two questions! I hope this discussion, along with future topics, helps provide a little more insight into the assessment process and why property values can sometimes look different from what we see in the real estate market.
Why Is There a Difference Between the County’s Assessed Value and What a Realtor Says a Property Could Sell For?
This is a great question, and there are several reasons why the two numbers may be different.
To make this a little easier to understand, I’m going to break the discussion into two parts: bare land and homes. This month, we’ll take a closer look at bare land.
Bare Land
Especially in the rural areas of the county, we have a wide variety of land, including residential, agricultural, and recreational properties. How a property is classified and how it is being used can make a significant difference in how it is valued for property tax purposes.
1. Agricultural Land
Agricultural land that is more than five acres and is actively being used for agricultural purposes—such as grazing livestock, irrigated or non-irrigated cropland, or meadowland—is valued differently from other types of property.
One of the most important things to understand is that the County assesses property based on its use. When land qualifies for and is being assessed as agricultural property, its assessed value may be lower because of that agricultural use. Idaho code 63-604 directs us to value Ag land at a lesser value.
This can create a noticeable difference when comparing the County’s assessed value to a listing or sale price. For example, agricultural parcels may sell for considerably more than its assessed value because the sale reflects what a buyer is willing to pay in the current market, while the County’s assessment is used for property taxation purposes.
2. Recreational and Residential Land
Recreational and residential bare land are generally valued by looking at current market sales of comparable properties. Simply put, we look at what similar properties have sold for and use that information to help determine market value. Something to also be aware of is that we value property as of January 1 of the current year. So, in other words if a home sells in April of this year we can’t use that information until the next assessment cycle. Here is a clear way of describing it.
Idaho law and the Idaho State Tax Commission set strict rules for how property values are calculated. The Assessor must:
Establish market value as of January 1 of the current tax year
Use only valid property sales occurring between:
October 1, two years prior to the tax year, and
September 30, the year before the tax year
Adjust sales prices when necessary to reflect market conditions as of January 1
Use the previous year’s value as a starting point when determining new values
So be aware that based on these date guidelines, in and appreciating or depreciating market we could fall behind.
So, for this year (2027), we will be looking at data between October 1 of 2025 and September 30 of 2026.
In assessing the recreational land in the southern part of Bannock County it has experienced some higher sales. There are several factors that may contribute to those prices, including demand from out-of-state buyers who are interested in owning property in Idaho and may be willing to pay more for the opportunity to do so.
Another factor we consider is the value associated with a homesite. Some properties may have the opportunity or requirement for a one-acre home site. That homesite can add value to the property, even if there is not currently a home there. We look at comparable sales and current market activity to help determine that value.
Residential bare land can be a little more complicated as well.
For example, if a property owner has multiple parcels that are contiguous or otherwise related, we may consider those parcels together when determining value. Depending on the total acreage or square footage, this can result in an appraised value that looks different from what someone might expect based on a listing or a recent sale.
We also use land tables to help distinguish between larger parcels and smaller parcels within subdivisions. These tables help us account for differences in size and characteristics when determining value. Also, be aware that when a parcel increases in size it can also in some cases cause the price per square foot to go down.
Just like the real estate market, property values and market conditions change over time. Each year, we review our land tables and valuation methods and look for ways to improve them and provide the most equitable and accurate values possible.
Two Different Purposes
One of the most important things to remember is that the County’s assessed value and a property’s potential selling price serve two different purposes.
The County’s assessed value is determined for property taxation, while a real estate listing or sale price reflects what a buyer may be willing to pay in the current market.
Because of these different purposes, it is not unusual for the two values to be different.
I hope this helps explain some of the reasons you may see a difference between a property’s assessed value and what you hear it could sell for.
Next month, I’ll continue this discussion by taking a closer look at homes and some of the factors that can cause a difference between a county assessment and a property’s potential market value.
And, of course, if you have a question about property assessment, valuation, or something you would like me to explain in a future newsletter, please feel free to reach out. I really appreciate hearing from you and learning what topics would be helpful to explain!
Until next month, enjoy the beautiful fall weather—and maybe a little Halloween fun along the way!
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Press Release, October 5, 2026)
Washington, D.C.–The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), today announced that Americans will have access to more reliable, accessible, and actionable information about what their health coverage includes and what they are likely to pay before receiving care under new regulations that strengthen federal healthcare price transparency requirements. The actions taken today to create a more transparent healthcare marketplace also ensure employers can make more informed decisions; researchers can better understand healthcare markets; and innovators can build better tools.
“Americans should know what their healthcare will cost before they receive it,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “President Trump directed us to bring real price transparency to healthcare, and HHS is delivering. These rules give patients clearer, more reliable information to compare costs, understand their coverage, and make informed decisions before they receive care.”
“Greater transparency drives competition, reduces price disparities, and helps lower healthcare costs, a key priority for the Trump Administration,” saidCMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “At the heart of this rule is a simple idea: People should know what their health insurance will cover and what they will need to pay before receiving medical care, not after the bill arrives.”
Updates to the Transparency in Coverage (TiC) rules, finalized today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in partnership with the Departments of Labor and the Treasury (the Departments), build on the historic health care price transparency rules established during President Trump’s first term.
The final rules improve the underlying healthcare pricing data by reducing duplicative and unnecessary information, providing more context about in-network prices, increasing available out-of-network pricing information, and strengthening accountability for the completeness and accuracy of published data. Reporting frequency for pricing information will change from monthly to quarterly, maintaining meaningful transparency while lowering administrative burden.
The rules also require group health plans and health insurance issuers to provide consumers with personalized cost-sharing information by phone, in addition to existing online tools.
These improvements will help technology developers build better consumer tools, give consumers more reliable information when comparing costs before receiving care, and enable employers and researchers to better analyze healthcare markets, all of which will help drive competition across the healthcare industry.
“Transparency is a pillar of the Trump Administration’s efforts to drive better value in healthcare,” saidSecretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, “Today’s final rules will enhance the Transparency in Coverage (TiC) files already in existence, giving workers and employers alike a clearer view of their true healthcare costs.”
“Healthcare price transparency is common sense,” said FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson. “But only President Donald Trump, with assists from Secretary Kennedy, Secretary Sonderling and Dr. Oz, decided to actually make it happen. Today’s announcements follow a basic but important principle: Consumers should always have as much information as possible.”
“Under President Trump’s leadership, this Administration is delivering on its commitment to strengthen transparency and accountability across America’s healthcare system,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Francis Brooke. “This rule helps improve the standardization, accuracy, and accessibility of pricing disclosures to put Americans and their families in a better position to understand the cost of their health care coverage and make informed decisions about their own care.”
The Departments plan to begin development of the initial schema for the Prescription Drug File in November 2026 and will finalize it on or around May 2027. Plans and issuers will be expected to publish their Prescription Drug Files using this schema starting in December 2027 and monthly thereafter.
Today’s announcement builds on the original TiC regulations established during President Trump’s first term. This work allowed for continued refinement to TiC requirements that have improved the usability of pricing data, enabling developers to build more accurate tools for consumers, employers, researchers, and industry. Recent data have found that the top 25% of the most expensive healthcare service prices have dropped by 6.3% per year following the initial implementation of price transparency requirements on hospitals and health plans.
(Bannock County Coroner’s Office Press Release, October 5, 2026)
The Bannock County Coroner’s Office, in cooperation with Idaho State Police, has confirmed the identity of the deceased following the two-vehicle fatality crash that occurred on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, on Interstate 15 near milepost 60 just north of Inkom.
Deceased: Ethan Anderson, 19, of Downey (m)
Next of kin has been notified.
The incident remains under investigation by Idaho State Police.
“My sincere condolences to Ethan’s family and friends as they grieve the sudden loss of their loved one,” said Coroner Torey Danner.
Tonight, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to immediately cut diesel costs for the truckers and farmers who keep America moving. The order temporarily opens highway use of tax-free dyed diesel, deferring the federal diesel tax on that fuel through the end of the year — no interest, no penalties.
With elevated diesel prices and tightened global supply driven by the Russia-Ukraine war and a lack of refining capacity around the world, this is President Trump’s affordability agenda in action.
The federal diesel tax is 24.4 cents per gallon, or about $60 on a 250-gallon fill. Where states match this federal action, savings will top $100 per fill — a real difference for the hardworking Americans who haul the freight and grow the food.
October 5, 2026 (Cover Photo Credit: City of Pocatello)
The City of Pocatello’s Road Construction & Traffic Report for the week of October 5, 2026, has been published and may be read here.
Highlights include:
Street sweepers are currently performing their regular sweeping schedule.
The Street Services crew will be patching potholes and curb lines throughout the City.
Traffic Operations crews are repainting crosswalks throughout the City.
Crews will be jetting and cleaning sewer mainlines throughout the City.
The Street Services crew will be performing shoulder work on S 5th Avenue near Cliffs Drive, beginning Monday, October 5, 2026. The work will require a southbound lane closure and is expected to continue for several weeks.
Street Services will be milling and paving the intersection of N Main St. and W Gould St.
The Water Department will be working on the water main on W Wyeth St.
New water service will be installed for the Riverside Clubhouse on Bannock Hwy.
Sturgeon Electric will be performing utility work on behalf of Idaho Power on Canyon Drive.
Demolition of the Monarch Building continues.
Work continues on the Benton Street Bridge, Johny Creek’s Expanded Sewer Project, the Center Street Underpass, and the safety improvements in the area of Hiline Rd. and El Rancho Blvd.
The 200 and 300 blocks of E Center Street will be closed from 2:00 PM on Friday, October 9, until 11:59 PM, for the Center Street Experience Block Party’s Battle of the Bands.
Idaho State University will be hosting its annual Homecoming Parade on Saturday, October 10, at 10:00 AM.
South Garfield Avenue between Center Street and West Lewis Street will be closed from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Saturday, October 10, for the Beaver Dam Jam-Idaho.
South Garfield Avenue between Center Street and West Lewis Street will be closed from 6 AM to 3 PM every Saturday for the Portneuf Valley Farmers Market.
(Idaho Department of Transportation Press Release, October 2, 2026)
POCATELLO – The Idaho Transportation Department will begin work to replace damaged concrete in Pocatello on Yellowstone Avenue (U.S. Highway 91) on Monday, Oct. 5. Work will begin Monday evening at the intersection of Yellowstone Avenue and Flandro Drive, with several detours near Costco necessary to create a safe work zone for crews.
What to expect:
No right turnsonto Yellowstone Avenue from eastbound Flandro Drive (leaving Costco). Motorists will instead use the parking lot exit to the south.
No left turnsonto Flandro Drive (heading toward Costco) from northbound Yellowstone Avenue. Motorists will use Quinn Road and Hiline Road to detour around the closure.
On the southwest side of the intersection (near Costco), the pedestrian crosswalk to cross Yellowstone Avenue will be closed. Pedestrians will detour to Pearl Street to reach their destination. Traffic is expected to remain in this pattern through October, and the overall project is anticipated to be complete in 2027.
Yellowstone Avenue is a main thoroughfare in the area, providing access to many businesses, residences and services. Several areas of Yellowstone Avenue have deteriorated after years of heavy use, and the new concrete is expected to serve the community for 20 years.
