Looking Back at Pages from the Past
The following stories are summarized from past issues of the Caribou County Sun over the last fifty plus years. The Enterprise thanks Mark Steele for permission to use the contents, and the Grace Public Library for access to the archives.
5 Years ago, 2019
USA Track and Field Coach Jeremy Smith planned to lead young athletes, ages 7-14, at the Soda Flyers summer track club. Coach Smith previously directed the popular Idaho Falls Flyers summer track club, coaching thousands of of athletes over the course of his 16 year career. Practices are planned at Soda Springs High school for Mondays and Tuesdays during June, for all athletes who want to increase their skills in a fun and positive, safe environment.
Colton Fetzer, the son of Roy Fetzer and Terah Jones, was nominated as a delegate to Boys State this year, which will be held the first week of June in Nampa. Colton will have the opportunity to participate, learn, and be a part of the legislative process that goes on in the government, both on the state and federal levels. This is sponsored by the American Legion and its affiliates every year for the improvement of and advancement of the youth and community.
Soda Smiles and Dr, Matt Kunz planned to hold their fourth annual 3 on 3 basketball tournament on May 24 and 25 at Soda Springs High School. The tournament will feature 5th through 9th grade boys and girls, in a fun and competitive environment.
North Gem superintendent Rustan Bradshaw accepted a $500 check from Representative Marc Gibbs. Gibbs is a state representative in District 32 Seat A. As a part of his endorsement with the high Five program, which is a children’s health collaborative, he also donated a High Five bundle with sports equipment.
The Cardinal track teams headed west for the 2019 State Track Meet with nineteen athletes who qualified from districts. The Cards hit Middleton High School for a pre-meet practice to get a feel for the facilities they would be competing on. Rain showers and wind greeted the athletes, as they had for much of the track season. Despite the weather, the meet went on and set the stage for great performances. Scott Hunsaker set a PR in pole vault, and Jori Balls claimed the first medal for the Cards finishing in 5th place in the girls shot put with a toss of 32’ 6.5”. Isaac Cunningham was state runner-up in the triple jump with a jump of 42’ 7.5” to take the silver. Other highlights included Tom Nielsen finishing fourth in the long jump with a jump of 20’ 4.5”, the boys 4x200 meter relay team of Scott Hunsaker, Isaac Cunningham, Will Torman and Hayden Obray finishing 5th, and a 6th place finish for the girls team of Leilani Finlayson, Hayley Naef, Reagan Yamauchi, and Kate White. Coach Jeff Horsley congratulated his team on their excellent performance, and thanked Dr. Matt at Soda Smiles for their donation to the team.
The Grizzly boys and girls teams made the trip to Burley for the 2A Golf tournament at Rivers Edge golf course. Last year, both teams finished as runners up and were determined to bring home some hardware this time. At the end of the second round, the girls team, led by Lindsey Lloyd, Zoeigh Walker, Amber Mansfield, Britton Lloyd and Katelyn Anderson once again ended up in second place, but after a great showing on the links. On the boys side of things, Cole Valley, Jacob Smith, Camm Jorgensen, Stockton Lloyd, and Ryan McCurdy led the team to a state title.
North Gem students grades 6 to 8 went to Lagoon as a reward for an exceptional AR Reading year, with everyone meeting their expectations. Students read 770 books and earned 6,112 points. ITAFOS provided travel money for the bus.
Caribou County Assessor Aaron Cook stated that “everything is up. I’ve never seen a market quite like this,” in reference to property value notices going out at the beginning of June. The notices inform homeowners of the appraised value of their homes. Cook reported that the taxable value of the homes in the county was up by about 5 percent, or 35 million dollars, to 740 million. Overall, the total value is up to over a billion dollars, including non-taxable properties.
20 Years ago, 2004
Kimberly Banks of North Gem High School was recently presented with the highest agricultural award presented by the school, the Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award, sponsored by the Monsanto company. Banks is the daughter of John and Rhonda Banks, and received the award for excellence in academics, leadership, and agricultural work experience. Banks has served as the 2003-2004 North Gem FFA President, earned her state FFA degree, and owned her own herd of cattle. Over the past 57 years, more than 150,000 high school seniors from across the country received the Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award, which has become a symbol for excellence.
First Lady of Idaho Patricia Kempthorne sponsored a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to provide leadership to keep children alcohol free at Grace Elementary. The school has been planning for the week for two months. Students learned about addition by having one group stay off sugar for a week, while the rest of the groups tried to influence them to try it. Their responses were used to suggest a corollary reaction to alcohol, and the effects of peer pressure and addiction.
Derek Smith of Soda Springs High School placed third in the Rocky Mountain Shootout for Welders, sponsored by ISU College of Technology Welding program. Students from Blackfoot, Bonneville, Gooding, Highland, Marsh Valley, Skyline, Snake River, Soda Springs, and Canyon-Owyhee competed in the shootout.
Nancy Hydzik, RN, who teaches the nurse aid program at Soda Springs High School, won the raffle for the afghan handmade by Elizabeth Peck at Caribou Memorial Hospital’s Health Fair. Peck is the mother of Community Health Fair organizer Michael Peck, who is the assistant administrator at the local hospital. All of the proceeds were donated to the CMH Foundation. The foundation uses the money it raises to fund scholarships for local individuals to become nurses who will live and work in Caribou County, according the foundation president Lawrence Rigby. The foundation also encouraged attendees to make sure they came to the annual golf scramble at the Oregon Trail Golf Club in Soda Springs.
30 Years ago, 1994
In the County Commission primary race, Carol Davids was elected over incumbent Alton Hatch for the Democratic candidate. Davids earned 435 votes to Hatch’s 181. The Sun reported that Davids likely had the help of some crossover voters from the Republican side in her primary win. Moving forward to the general, Davids was slated to face David Clegg in November. Senator Hansen was edged out in Caribou County by Dale Wistisen, but was reported to be leading across the district with 58 percent of the vote, and faces no opposition in the general election. 30 percent turnout was reported in the election by County Clerk Edie Izatt.
Grace Superintendent Ray Weiker asked residents of Grace to conserve water, as the city water situation was “not good.” The water level in the city springs was reported to have peaked, and now beginning to drop, causing the well pump to kick on in order to provide the city with water. Mayor Kelly Holt did not believe that rationing was in order yet, though cautioned residents to take care when watering.
Stephen D. Nadauld, General Authority of the LDS Church, planned to stop in Chesterfield as part of the opening day activities. He announced that he would be visiting with people at the meeting house there at 6 p.m. Nadauld is from Idaho Falls, and has worked as an investment banker on Wall Street, and the president of a regional dairy cooperative, as well as a consultant to the government and President of Weber State University.
Nu-West donated $1,000 to assist in the replacement of the hospital’s current cardiac monitoring system. The hospital reported that it was currently pursuing several sources of funding to raise a needed $64,600 to replace the heart monitors. The equipment is utilized to monitor cardiac, surgical, trauma, and other related conditions. One hundred percent of the nurses on staff have completed courses in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
40 Years ago, 1984
Rich Condie, graduate of Grace High School and Idaho State University, has been named as a defensive backfield coach at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. Coach Condie has been doing his student teaching and assisting with the football and track program at Soda Springs High school over the last year. He has been teaching physical education under Mr. Beus and U.S. History under Coach Morgan. Condie has been a basketball official for several years, was congratulated and wished well in his new position by Coach Morgan, who wished wanted him to stay on
at SSHS.
Soda Springs High School students Sarah Lau and Aaron Dimitt earned National Merit Honors in the PSAT test, which is reserved for the top 4% of students tested across the country as part of the national aptitude test used in preparation for college
admissions.
The U.S. Achievement Academy announced that Jeannine Robinett was named a 1984 United States National Award winner in leadership. The award is a prestigious honor that few students obtain, according the Academy.
Grace High School elected the following officers for the upcoming 1984-1985 school year: Clark Bitton as president, Rodney Sanders as vice president, Collette Jensen as secretary, Stacy Gibson as reporter, and Jeff Jordan as the mascot.
Several local amateur beekeepers have decided to form an informational association to provide help and encouragement to those interested in the apiary hobby. Those with interest in started beekeeping, those who professionally keep bees, and those with a scientific interest in the insects are all invited to attend the organizational meeting, which will be held at the home of William Smith of Soda Springs. Topics covered will include procedures, wintering bees in Idaho, special tools and techniques, queen rearing and changing, splitting hives, and sources for supplies.
Joyce Fowler conducted proceedings of the May Tea of the GFWB Literary Club in May at Turner’s Café with a large attendance of members and guests. The local club received recognition at the state convention held in Nampa, including the first district certificate for Partners in Progress, the community improvement project. Third place was also awarded for this year’s scrapbook, and honorable mention for the club’s history. Ric Keele wone second place in the 4th division poetry contest, and Jodi Smith won third place. Sheydene Murdoch took first place in the first division. Valerie Sanders won third place in the 12 division with her short story. Juanita McCurdy entertained with three songs.
Monsanto reminded people to keep their cleaning products out of children’s sight, and to remain vigilant about their presence, and to take any products with them when going to answer the phone or otherwise leave them in an area that may contain a temporarily unattended child. Parents were also advised to keep the products in their original containers, and transfer the label to any new containers the product was moved to.
May was proclaimed Mental Health Month by Governor John Evans. It is also the period during which the Mental Health Association in Idaho has its Bell Ringer campaign. Seeking donations for the association in Soda Springs were Colleen Layland and Colleen Potter. Two goals of the group locally will be to establish an incoming watts line for persons needing help of communications, and a contact person in town.
The Caribou Soil Conservation District will join the nationwide celebration of Soil Stewardship Week to take place on May 27 through June 3, according to an announcement by Harry Dean Ozburn, chairman of the Caribou SCD. The theme of the celebration for 1984 was “Conservation: A Common Commitment.” The National Association of Conservation Districts published its 30th annual reference booklet, which highlights the reluctance of the human race to fully accept its role as caretakers of God’s earth.
Hans Mussler, commander in the United States Naval Reserve, received the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding service with the Military Sealift Command, Europe, during the past three years. Awarded by the President and Chief of Naval Operations, the citation lauds Commander Mussler for his “inspiring devotion” to duty.
