Penelope Anderson

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — The Twin Falls Animal Shelter began Monday with seven additional stray dogs in its kennels following a busy holiday weekend, and shelter staff said phones had not stopped ringing since the doors opened at 10 a.m. Shelter Manager Rebecca Rodriguez said the facility tracks stray intake numbers and over the past three years, an average of 35 dogs have come through the shelter’s doors between July 1 and July 6. This year, that number is 21.

JEROME, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — The city of Jerome held its annual Freedom Fest, a Fourth of July tradition that has brought the community together for years. The event, organized by the Jerome Spirit Committee, featured dozens of vendors, food trucks, live music and a free watermelon eating contest. Organizers moved the festival from its originally scheduled date after weather forced a change. Despite the shift, Spirit Committee board member Laura Lee McKee said turnout remained strong.

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Fourteen middle school students from Blaine County got the chance to spend a few days living on a college campus, making new friends and taking on new challenges as part of a first-of-its-kind enrichment program. The students are participating in Far and Wise’s first-ever middle school summer enrichment program.