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
Road and Bridge Supervisor Kim Spencer reported that there had been a significant slide on the Fish Hatchery Road south of Niter. Spencer was given approval to rent a long reach track hoe for a week at a cost of $3,300 to clear the slide area.
Changes were announced for the 2019 Caribou County Fair. Starting this year, the divisions and categories for entry have been simplified and made more streamlined. In the past, the large number of categories had been necessary to account for a large number of entries, however, in more recent years many of the categories had ended up empty or with one entry each. The theme for this year’s fair is “Caribou County Fair; What a Gem!” As a companion to the theme, each division will feature a special division which revolves around a specific gem. As an example, the Quilting division might feature the theme “diamond” which would allow for a special prize for any entry using the gem in its design. Classes and activities were announced, as well as entertainment. A “Kids Market” was planned, where young people from 5-15 could be entrepreneurs for the day, selling baked goods, creating games, selling products of whatever sort their creativity could come up with. CarubouCountyFair.com would also be hosting digital copies of the exhibit booklet.
Idaho Governor Brad Little approved an Emergency Management Assistance Compact agreement with Kansas to assist with recovery efforts following flooding and tornados. Be Rober, the Preparendenss and Protection Chief for the Idaho Office of Emergency Management, left for Kansas last week to provide support and subject matter expertise in the Kansas State Emergency Operations Center after the last week’s tornados. The EMAC is an all-hazards mutual aid agreement between states . Through EMAS, states can share any resource available with another state following a governors declaration or a disaster or emergency. The Kansas Emergency remains at a Level I Full Activation in response to flooding that was part of a wether system that caused widespread destruction across the state.
Intermountain Gas announced that it received the 2019 Energy Star Market Leader Award for its effort to promote energy efficient construction practices. The energy star logo has become ubiquitous over the last several years, as companies seek to develop higher efficiency energy resources for consumers.
The BLM Wild Horse program scheduled its wild horse project selection for the beginning of June. 4-H members from Bear Lake, Custer, Caribou, and a number of other coun ties planned to participate in the exciting program designed to lead to the adoption of rescue of wild horses captured on BLM land. Since 2009, over 300 wild horses have been adopted out by the program, and more than 500 4-H members have participated in the training program. In that time, more than $43,000 has been raised for the 4-H clubs involved.
The Grizzly Summer Slam selected Pocatello High School’s Adi Spillet as Allie’s All-Star for the tournament in honor of Allie Christensen. Adi was selected for her outstanding hustle, never-give-up attitude, and being an all-around outstanding athlete. In the tournament’s free throw contest, Amber Mansfield made nine of ten to win the JV division and Breanna Hill and Maniah Clegg tied in the Varsity division with seven out of ten. In the three point contest, Pocatello and Lyman High School fielded the winners. Grace was the ultimate winner of the team tournament, taking out Cokeville, Pocatello, Tabiona, and Lyman.
Free Fishing Day was held on June 8 at Kelly Park and the Grace Fish Hatchery. The day is a chance for young people to try out fishing without the need for a license. Thoughout the state, hundreds of kids participate.
Soda Springs Police responded to a domestic violence call involving a gun and a potentially suicidal male last week on 770 East. The two adults, were both arrested and charged with felony drug possession and misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia. A firearm was recovered from the scene, according to Chief of Police Scott Shaw.
10 Years ago, 2014
In what Monsanto called “an abundance of caution” letters were sent out from the EPA to the majority of property owners in Soda Springs regarding a study being done south of Monsanto and the former Tonox/Kerr-McGee faciility in a door to door survey regarding wells on the properties. An EPA ad in the Sun noted contaminated groundwater from these sites may go further south than previously determined. The EPA noted that the City of Soda Springs drinking water is safe for use and none of the city’s domestic drinking water supply sources are affected.
The USDA released a figure stating that a family could expect to spend $241,000 to raise a newborn born in 2014 until the age of 18, not including college or prenatal health care. The figures had been arrived at after a longterm survey of spending and census data. The article encouraged saving, as well as purchasing insurance to avoid catastrophic medicalnexpenses.
U.S. Seantor Mike Crapo encouraged state residents to utilize their local trails to participate in outdoor activities for both exercise and fun. He suggested following the Oregon Trail in across parts of Idaho, as well as venturing to Idaho’s many national forest areas. The Recreational Trails Program is a federal program championed by Crapo to keep the country’s trails open and passable during the summer months.
Mill Iron S Ranch in Bancroft was named a new members of the American Angus Association, according the Bryce Schuumann, CEO of the national breed organization headquartered in Saint Louis, MO. The association keeps prdocition and ancerstry information on the stock of members’ angus herds.
20 Years ago, 2004
Bancroft City’s Junk Ordinance requires all unlicensed and junk cars to be removed from city streets or be towed away at the owners expense. The city announced that it was happy to help with the removal of vehicles for anyone who needed assistance.
Steven Toone of the Grace FFA Chapter placed second in the Richmond Black and White Days dairy judging contest. The contest is the biggest Holstein show west of the Mississippi, according to some sources. Steven Toone, Michael Toone, and Jake Wright of the Grace FFA chapter attended the contest, in which Steve Toone placed second overall. The students were required to judge eight classes of cattle and then give oral responses to questions for a supervising judge. The contest involved teams from California, Utah, and Idaho. Grace’s FFA team will be traveling to the state FFA competition in Moscow.
Soda Springs firefighters trained Saturday with practical rescues, searches, and fire containment at a residence on the high school property that was used for the controlled burn. The training involved a simulated extraction of a fire victim for the burning structure.
The Chesterfield LDS Ward celebrated its 120th year over the weekend. A potluck dinner was served in honor of the anniversary, and a stick-horse rodeo, petting zoo, and games were held as well. A CD slideshow and presentation of the last 120 years of history was presented by Jan Millward and LaAnn Fransden.
North Gem kindergarten held its annual end of year program and graduation at the high school auditorium on Tuesday. 17 students graduated from kindergarten, during a program featuring a musical performance of “The Little Red Hen” and a number of presentations highlighting some of the things the students had learned over the year. Superintendent Jospeh Kren and teacher Mary Lou Pearson presented awards and certificates to
the students.
New officers for the Soda Springs FFA Chapter were announced at the end of the year’s banquet. Nathan Thompson was named President Quinten Kunz was named Vice President; Randy Christensen was named secretary; Melissa Johnson was named treasurer; and Coulter Skinner the reported. Tony Brown was awarded the Star Chapter Farmer; Coulter Skinner was awarded the Star Greenhand; Nichole Harrison was given the DeKalb award; and Jeff Harris was awarded the Star Ag Placement.
Nathan Thompson was also awarded the title of 8th District All-Around Cowboy at the District Finals in Preston. The district includes Caribou, Bear Lake, Great Basin, Malad, and Marsh Valley areas. Nathan was presented with a saddle for being
the winner.
30 Years ago, 1994
Two local boys narrowly escaped death when a sprinkler pipe they were moving came in contact with a power line. They are currently recovering from serious burns at Utah State University’s Burn Center. The two were attempting to remove a rabbit from a water line before turning on the water when it touched a power line, sending over 14 thousands volts through the metal and severely injuring them. They were transported to Cassia County after miraculously driving to a phone to call emergency services.
Chaplain Staff Sgt Douglas E Robinson of Soda Springs was awarded the Army Achievement Medal by the Department of the Army. Robinson was recognized for his especially meritorious service in 1992-1993.
A Chicago truck driver was charged May 20 with possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor, and also for driving with suspended privileges. Marco Sarchioto was stopped by Officer Jon Bunderson of the Soda Springs Police Department for parking his semi and trailer in the middle of Highway 30 and Main Street. Bunderson’s K-9, Nitro, was used for detecting drugs during the incident.
The road between Hooper Springs and Clark’s elevator was filled with kids of all ages. Bike Rides Plus is an event sponsored by the American Diabetes Association and the Soda Springs Lions Club, and was held for the purpose of raising funds for the Diabetes Camp to further diabetes research. A 21-speed Raleigh mountain bike was won by Cody Muir, and donated by Scott’s Ski and Sports, Lifescan Inc and Eastman Drug. Second prize of a Sony Boom Box/CD player from Coast to Coast was won by Heath Muir. The Bike Ride Plus was helped out by the Sheriff’s Department, volunteers, and participants.
Alexandra Rosembaum, daughter of Kimber Rosenbaum of Soda Springs was crowned Miss Southeastern Idaho Beauty Queen for her age division of 2-4 year olds. She participated in an interview, open modeling, and formal wear modeling. The pageant was held at the Pine Ridge Mall. John and Delma Rosenbaum were there to cheer her on. There were six girls in
her division.
Monsanto awarded three school teachers in the Grace School District scholarships to attend the Minerals Education Teachers Course at Idaho state University over the summer. The scholarship recipients were Paula Kingston, Linda Simmons, and Linda Staley from Grace Elementary School. The course provides elementary and secondary school teachers with an opportunity to update themselves on the latest science, economics and history of mining and geology in southeast Idaho. The course includes sessions as well as field trips to local mining operations.
Doug Cartwright if Soda Springs was the winner of a Remington 700 .270 rifle, as the fund-raising winner for the Idaho Oddfellows Lodge 41. Ron Stiles, the Noble Grand for the Soda Springs Lodge, said about $500 was raised for community service through the fundraising effort.
The monthly meeting of the Caribou County Republican Central Committee was held at Ender’s Café, and re-elected Robert L. Geddes as the Chairman. Delegates to the state Convention in Lewiston were also selected.
The U.S. Postal employees and SEICAA are planning a personal hygiene drive for the beginning of June. Items needed include shampoo, deodorant, soap, cleaning agent s, toothpaste, dish detergent, paper products, laundry detergent, fabric softener, and bleach. The drive will help people purchase products which it is not possible to purchase with food stamps.
40 Years ago, 1984
The Idaho Hunger Action Council announced that it was supporting an initiative to remove sales tax from food sales throughout the state. The IHAC is a not for profit organization that attempts to alleviate the problems of hunger and malnutrition. According to the group, the sales tax on food is a regressive tax that disproportionately affects those in the greatest danger of food insecurity.
“On the Line” is a walk for peace, initiated by women. The walk follows the route of the nuclear White Train. The eight women involved in the march left from the Trident nuclear submarine base in Bangor, Washington to make the 5,400 mile walk. The trip was projected to take 13 months in totals, following the railroad tracks used to transport nuclear warheads from their assembly point in Amarillo, Texas to Washington and South Carolina. The walk was scheduled to pass through Soda Springs at the early part of June.
Bess Weaver of Grace has been appointed as the 1984 Arthritis Foundation House to House Camppaign for Grace. Janet Miller, president of the Idaho Chapter Arthritis Foundation, explained that the drive is designed to increase awareness of the disease, as well as to provide information about the resources that individuals can use to help.
Fourteen members of the Caribou Rollers R.V. Club met at the home of president Ray Cook to discuss plans for the State Samboree at Blackfoot in June, as well as several other cookouts and summer events. Present were Bill Moore, Harley and Edith Childs, Nelda Haggerty, Ray, and Melva Cook, Percy and Jennie Norcutt, Myron and Helen Isle, La Viel and Gladys Hildreth, and Claude and Mae Jeppsen.
