Early Voting begins in Canyon County This Week

Caldwell, Idaho – Canyon County is gearing up for the upcoming general election, early voting begins October 19th, 2026, and runs through October 30, 2026.

Canyon County residents who would like to cast their in-person ballot prior to election day can visit the Canyon County Elections office at 5815 Graye Lane in Caldwell, or Nampa City Hall at 411 3rd Street S in Nampa from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until October 30th. Additionally, the Canyon County Elections office will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday October 24th.

Voters can check their voter registration status at voteidaho.gov. If voters have changed address since they last voted, they will need to update their voter registration.

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For more information, please contact the Canyon County Election Office at (208) 454-7562.

Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Sexually Abusing a Child

CANYON COUNTY, Idaho — Juan Cardoza, 24, was sentenced October 9, 2026, to 40 years in prison for sexually abusing a young child by Third District Judge Gabriel McCarthy. The Defendant was prosecuted by the Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office.

Beginning in 2022, Cardoza sexually abused a 9-year-old child on multiple occasions in Canyon County and photographed the abuse.

In July 2026, Cardoza pleaded guilty to one count of Lewd Conduct with a Minor under Sixteen. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child sexual abuse material in a separate case brought by the Idaho Attorney General’s Office.

At sentencing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kyra Venecia asked the Court to impose 25 years fixed followed by an indeterminate life term.

“The risk that this Defendant poses to our community is immeasurable,” Venecia told the Court. “It will be gambling the safety of any child the Defendant can have access to either in his life or online.”

Judge McCarthy imposed a total of 20 years fixed followed by 20 years indeterminate.

“I’m not going to take a long time to explain how truly evil your criminal conduct has been,” Judge McCarthy told Cardoza. “You have sick and deviant sexual impulses and desires. You are a continuing danger to young children.”

“The Court is familiar with the lifelong damage these crimes cause,” the judge added.

Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Boyd said, “No punishment is great enough for someone who abuses children in this way but I hope that this judge’s lengthy prison sentence brings some comfort to the victim and their family.” Boyd also thanked the Nampa Police Department and the Idaho Attorney General for their diligent work in bringing him to justice.

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World Mosquito Day Reminds us of the Importance of Protecting Ourselves from Mosquitoes and the Diseases They Carry

World Mosquito Day is observed annually on August 20th to commemorate Sir Ronald Ross’s
1897 discovery that female Anopheles mosquitoes transmitted Malaria between humans. This
discovery fundamentally changed our understanding of disease transmission and forever linked
mosquito control operations with public health.

Lessons learned in the wake of this discovery are still relevant today in Canyon County,
although we are dealing with West Nile virus instead of Malaria. “Artificial containers, water
troughs and other small back yard larval sites continue to be the most difficult for us to control
effectively,” said Jim Lunders, Director of Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District. Just as
it was in Ross’s Day “we need the public’s help in eliminating as many of these sites as possible
to limit the spread of mosquito borne diseases”.

Lunders explained that the Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District routinely sets gravid
traps and dry ice baited EVS traps at over 100 locations throughout Canyon County to monitor
adult mosquito populations and the presence of vector borne diseases. To date, the District
has tested over 2100 mosquito pools for West Nile virus. Despite relatively low mosquito
numbers the percentage of those mosquitoes which are infected has dramatically increased
and positive mosquito pools are being detected throughout the county. As of this week 22
total positive pools have been detected from 19 different locations. The District has performed
increased larval and adult control operations in these areas in response to the increased public
health threat.

Human and horse infections typically begin to be reported in August with Southwest District
Health reporting a human case earlier this week. Symptoms of West Nile virus vary depending
on the severity of the disease and are like many other viral infections. “Unfortunately, neither
humans or horses can be conclusively diagnosed with West Nile virus without being tested,”
said Lunders, “if a physician or veterinarian suspects a patient has West Nile virus a blood test
should be performed to confirm their diagnosis.” He offered the following suggestions to
reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile virus:

Eliminate or treat all sources of standing water that can be a breeding ground for biting
mosquitoes, such as:

• flooded fields
• birdbaths
• wading & swimming pools not in use
• clogged gutters
• old tires (If it holds water for 7 days, it can produce mosquitoes)
• Wear repellents while outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when in mosquito-infested areas.
• Use mosquito repellents containing DEET, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, Picaridin or 2 undecanone, making sure to follow the directions on the container.
• Make sure all screen doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly.
• Vaccinate horses for WNv, WEE, and other diseases.
• Use EPA registered residual insect sprays on horses, making sure to follow the directions
  on the container.
• Have your livestock watering troughs stocked with mosquitofish for free by submitting a
  service request to CCMAD.

Notify the District at 208-461-8633 if you have a site that is too large to be eliminated so
it can be properly treated.

Additional information on mosquitoes and the diseases they carry can be found at:
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare – https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/west-nile-virus

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html

Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District – https://www.2cmad.org/

CELEBRATION PARK BOAT RAMP AREA WILL BE CLOSED AUGUST 31, 2026 – NOVEMBER 2026

Melba, ID – Starting Monday, August 31st, 2026 the Celebration Park boat ramp will be closed to all access as part of a state-funded grant project to construct an armored rock barb and shoreline vegetation to protect the new boat ramp and dock improvements. Construction is expected to last until November 2026.

Boater Access: During the boat access closure at Celebration Park, we advise the public to use alternate access locations in the area including Swan Falls, Walters Ferry, Map Rock and Marsing (see map and GPS coordinates below):

Alternative Boat Access Locations: Coordinates

• Swan Falls River Access: 24599328258619, -116.3780289580175
• Walters Ferry Boat Ramp: 34147451078338, -116.6033094203061
• Map Rock Access: 405574052091836, -116.68230710272157
• Marsing, Idaho Boat Ramp: 54880894158129, -116.80143822214995

General Park Visitors: During this time, some sections of the parking lot as well as the boat launch will be closed to the public at various stages of construction. The public may access alternate Day Use parking areas throughout the park. We ask the public for their patience and cooperation while construction is underway. Visitors should be prepared to move their vehicles if requested to do so by park staff.  Staff will make every effort to keep trails, camping as well as the visitor center open.

“For over 3 decades, this boat ramp has functioned as a boater access for the Snake River downstream of Swam Falls Dam, including river access within the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey Conservation Area. This boater access spot has been used by local fishing guides, jet boat groups, law enforcement, and the public for decades” said Parks Director Nicki Schwend. “This final phase of the project will help us better meet the needs of all boat user groups. We’re excited to complete the final phase of this project and for all the continued improvements happening at Celebration Park.”

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For questions about this project or for construction updates, please contact Canyon County Parks at 208-454-6884, or call the Celebration Park visitor center at 208-455-6022.

Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Failure to Report Death of 12-Day-Old Son, Concealing Evidence

Caldwell, Idaho — Brian Lemke, 32, was sentenced today by Judge Thomas Whitney to a unified sentence of 15 years for Failure to Report a Death and Destruction or Concealment of Evidence in connection with the death of his 12-day-old son.

On December 16, 2025, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Lemke called 911 to request that a coroner be dispatched to a residence, where the infant was found deceased in a bassinet in the living room. The Canyon County Coroner’s Office determined that the infant had died sometime between 11:00 p.m. on December 15, 2025, and 2:00 a.m. on December 16, 2025, while co-sleeping in bed with the child’s mother, Allyssen Armenta, and Lemke, inside a travel trailer located in the backyard of the residence of a family associate.

Investigators determined that after discovering the infant deceased, Lemke moved the child’s body from the travel trailer to the primary residence, where he swaddled the infant and placed him in the bassinet. Lemke then called 911. Armenta hid in the travel trailer for approximately an hour and a half during this time before being located by law enforcement.

In the two days prior to the infant’s death, Child Protective Services had contacted the Nampa Polie Department to assist them in locating Lemke and Armenta, as well as the infant. Neither law enforcement nor CPS had been able to locate the couple because they would not disclose their location.

Judge Whitney sentenced Lemke on both charges to fifteen years unified. He will be eligible for parole after six.

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For more information, please contact the Director of Constituent Services, Steve Cushman at (208) 614-5011

Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sexually Abusing Multiple Children

Caldwell, Idaho — Jose Gutierrez-Bejar, 39, was sentenced on Wednesday to life in prison by Judge Randall Grove for Lewd Conduct with a Minor Under Sixteen. Gutierrez-Bejar must serve a minimum of 25 years before he is eligible for parole.

Gutierrez-Bejar pleaded guilty to one count of Lewd Conduct with a Minor Under Sixteen. Gutierrez-Bejar had consistently sexually abused four children ages 5 to 8 over a period of several years. The abuse involved coercion and force.

Deputy Prosecutor Virginia Bond had asked the court to impose a sentence of 40 years, with 20 years fixed before parole eligibility. Before imposing the sentence, Judge Grove addressed the defendant stating, “As long as you’re in prison, I know where you are. I know you can’t threaten or harm any young girls from there.”

Canyon County Prosecutor Christopher Boyd thanked his team and the judge. “This was horrific, ongoing abuse. It is good to see justice done and the courage of the victims recognized.” Boyd also thanked the Caldwell Police Department for their diligent work in bringing the defendant to justice.

For more information, please contact the Director of Constituent Services,
Steve Cushman at (208) 614-5011

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Boise Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Lewd and Lascivious Conduct

Caldwell, Idaho –Third Judicial District Judge Matthew Roker sentenced Nicky L. Delgado, a 41-year-old
Boise man, to 25 years in prison for the sexual abuse of two children July 16, 2026. Earlier this year,
Delgado was found guilty of two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct by a Canyon County jury. At
that jury trial, both victims testified that the abuse had lasted for years.

Deputy Prosecutor Stephanie Morse asked the court to impose a fifty-year sentence with eighteen years
before Delgado would be eligible for parole. “The sentence imposed by the Court today cannot erase
the past or undo the profound harm the Defendant inflicted upon these children. It cannot restore the
childhoods he took from them. But it can ensure that the Defendant—not his victims—bears the lasting
consequences of his choices.“ Morse said.

Delgado’s attorney asked the court to impose a sentence of probation, arguing that Delgado had lived a
mostly law-abiding life and owns his own business. Judge Roker disagreed that probation was an
appropriate sentence, however, Roker sentenced Defendant to a term of 25 years, with 7 years before
he will be eligible for parole.

“While we are disappointed with the sentence in this case, we applaud the bravery of the young
survivors in coming forward and testifying.” Canyon County Prosecutor Chris Boyd said. Boyd also
thanked the Caldwell Police Department for their investigation.

For more information, please contact the Director of Constituent Services,
Steve Cushman at (208) 614-5011

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GREENLEAF MAN SENTENCED TO THIRTY-FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR ABUSING TODDLER

Caldwell, Idaho – Gabriel McCarthy sentenced 40-year-old David Smith to a thirty-five-year unified prison sentence for abusing the toddler son of one of his friends. The two-year-old victim suffered extensive bruising all over his body from blunt force trauma; a hemorrhage in one eye; and injuries to his abdomen and genitals. At the time of the abuse, Smith was on probation for felony driving under the influence.

In court Tuesday, Deputy Prosecutor Virginia Bond asked Judge McCarthy to impose a thirty-five-year sentence, with fifteen years fixed before Smith would be eligible for parole. Smith’s attorney asked the Court to impose treatment court or a period of retained jurisdiction instead. Smith gave a statement to the court but never admitted responsibility for harming the child.

Judge McCarthy sided with the State, imposing the thirty-five-year unified sentence. Judge McCarthy also imposed an underlying ten-year prison sentence in the DUI case for which Smith had been on probation. The Court ordered that Smith serve his sentence on the DUI case before beginning the sentence on the child abuse case, meaning the two sentences will run consecutively.

“This predator brutally abused a young toddler. I hope that with this prison sentence, he never sees the light of day again,” Canyon County Prosecutor Chris Boyd said. “I would like to thank the Wilder Police Department for their diligent work in bringing him to justice.”

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For more information, please contact the Director of Constituent Services,
Steve Cushman at (208) 614-5011

NAMPA MAN DIES AFTER JUMPING INTO CANAL NEAR LAKE LOWELL LOWER DAM

Canyon County, ID – At approximately 5:00 p.m. on July 5, Canyon County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies responded to a report of a possible drowning at the Lake Lowell Lower Dam Spillway. The reporting party stated that a 49-year-old male dove into the canal near Hoadley Rd and had not resurfaced.

Multiple agencies, including the Caldwell Fire Department, Caldwell Police Department, Ada County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), and Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue, responded to assist. At approximately 8:30 p.m., the body of the male was recovered by the ACSO Dive Team. The male has been identified as Mark E. Steves, age 49, of Nampa.

The preliminary investigation indicates Steves jumped from the bridge on Hoadley Rd, landing headfirst in a shallow section of the canal with a concrete bottom and sustaining a significant head injury. Investigators believe the injury contributed to his inability to escape the water, resulting in drowning. At this time, no foul play is suspected.

“Our thoughts are with Steves’s family, friends, and all those who knew and loved him during this difficult time,” said Sheriff Kieran Donahue. “While the investigation remains ongoing, all available information indicates this was a tragic accident.”

CCSO wants to remind everyone to stay safe and exercise extra caution when in or around irrigation canals and waterways.

No additional information is available at this time.

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For questions, please contact Canyon County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Joe Decker at (208) 455-6090.

CORONER IDENTIFIES NAMPA WOMAN STRUCK BY VEHICLE IN NAMPA

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For more information, please contact Steve Cushman
at (208) 614-5011 or steve.cushman@canyoncounty.id.gov.