BYU-Idaho Radio

The LaBelle Lake Ice Palace is a wintry attraction located in Rigby, Idaho. This unique handmade ice structure ranges from one to two stories tall. Ice Palace builders continue making additions to the structure throughout the winter season, resulting in a different ice palace experience each time you go. The Palace also features acoustic rooms, embedded lighting, and an ice slide.

Pocatello Fire Chief David Gates is set to retire from the fire department at the end of the month after a 28-year-long career in firefighting. In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, Chief Gates shared that after retirement, he plans to manage his rental properties including an Airbnb, go fly fishing, play competitive handball, read books, garden and travel with his wife.

Rexburg Community Theater’s production of the classic tale “A Christmas Carol” opens at the Romance Theater on Friday.

The controversy surrounding the replacement of the new Idaho Falls water tower may have a solution, one that came with the help of local people giving their input to the city council.

For the Christmas season, The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho is hosting an Elves Workshop for kids ages 7–9 on December 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. According to the Art Museum website, the goal of the workshop is to give kids the opportunity to “create unique artistic gifts for their two favorite adults.” Alexa Stanger, the education director for the Art Museum, will oversee the Elves Workshop activity.

Christmas is a perfect season to showcase beautiful choral arrangements. The Upper Valley Women’s Choir, a local non-audition choir, is holding a free Christmas concert in the Rexburg Tabernacle Civic Center this evening at 7:30. According to lead choir director Heidi Pyper, the choir is especially excited to perform this season as they reconvene in a spirit of music after a COVID-19 recess.

At the start of the new year, The Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls is opening its first Asia-focused exhibit called “Genghis Khan: Culture and Conquest.” Genghis Khan is historically significant because he conquered the largest land empire in history and introduced many lasting scientific and cultural advances.

The holidays are traditionally a time of celebration and gathering with loved ones, but the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus has also made this a time of caution as people travel and gather in close quarters.

The holiday season reignites the spirit of giving in the hearts of many. The Family Crisis Center (FCC) in Rexburg offers year-round volunteer opportunities to help supply food, clothes and recovery services to individuals and families in need. In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, FCC Service and Shelter Coordinator Marie Harris expressed gratitude for community support especially during the holidays.