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
A one-vehicle rollover involving a commercial truck at the Smoky Canyon Mine claimed the life of Brandon Astle, 39, of Rigby. Caribou County Sheriff’s Office, Caribou and Lincoln County Fire and EMS, Smoky Canyon Mine emergency personnel, and Air 5 air ambulance all responded to the vehicle, which had left the roadway and overturned down an embankment. The accident also resulted in a HazMat spill, which was soon contained. The accident was blamed on the steep gradient which the refueling truck attempted to navigate.
A total fire ban was in place for the county, according to Caribou County Fire Chief Brad Hemmert. Exceptions to the ban included small residential grills and backyard barbecues. Residents were urged to use caution operating trailers, the dragging chains of which can cause sparks that can cause quickly spreading fires.
The Tincup Fire was discovered 30 miles northeast of Soda Springs near the Grays Lake Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. The lightning-caused fire is approximately a half acre in size and creeping in dead and down fuel with minimal fire activity observed. The fire is slowly spreading towards the northeast. Due to the location of the fires and the observed fire behavior, officials feel it is important to let the Tincup Fire play its natural role in the ecosystem. The mixed confer and aspen ecosystem found in Southeast Idaho has evolved with and depends on fire. This does not mean the fire will burn without human intervention. Active measures will occur to create fuel breaks on Forest Service lands between public and private lands to prevent fire spread onto private lands.
Justin Urban was born and raised in Soda Springs. His mom is Julie Lakey of Lakey Farms and his dad is Mike Urban, who owns and operates MSS Trailers and Trucks. He was announced as one of the finalists for the SEMA Automotive Design competition, to be held in Las Vegas. Justin has developed a new flatbed that can fit together from pieces, and be shipped pre-fab to dealers or customers to be installed without a welder.
15 Years ago, 2009
On Saturday Aug 1 at approximately 2:13 p.m. Idaho State Police responded to a motorcycle crash on State Highway 34 at mile marker 72, near Henry. Orlo Jensen, 67, of Preston, was west bound on a 1984 Honda Goldwing motorcycle, when for unknown reasons he failed to negotiate a curve causing his motorcycle to leave the roadway. Jensen was transported to Caribou Memorial Hospital in Soda Springs where he dies from his injuries. Jensen was wearing a helmet. The crash is still under investigation by the Idaho State Police.
Gaye Gunnell volunteered her sculpturing talents to restore the monument of a bedded ewe and lamb, which currently sits north of the geyser, with the encouragement of Marjean Duren. The monument was given to local stockmen 80 years ago as a memento to the importance of livestock in Caribou County.
Thursday, July 30, the Soda Springs junior golfers converged at the Oregon Trail Country Club to finish the season with a golf tournament and luncheon. The season began July 2 when 27 young people signed up to play. The boys and girls met every Thursday for a golf clinic given by Michael Erickson. After the clinic they were grouped by age to go out and play the course. Four weeks later their handicaps were calculated for tournament play. This program would not be possible without the parents, grandparents, brothers, and sister who helped with the score keeping each week. The continued support from the Oregon Trail Country Cllub board of directors, club members, course maintenance staff, and Michael Erickson are also instrumental in keeping the program alive.
Lunch Express in Grace has been in business for 6 months now at their location on North Main Street. The business began by preparing lunches to take to plant workers and other businesses long before that. The Lunch Express is located in the former Blue Bell building. They serve breakfast and lunch from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are open Tuesday through Saturday.
Caribou County’s equestrian drill team, the Highlander Hoofbeats, recently competed in the ISRA south district meet in Burley. They competed against five other drill teams from Pocatello, Burley, and Blackfoot. The meet consists of games on horseback as well. The Hoofbeats took 1st place in parade, and 1st place in drill. This is the first year they have earned these
top honors.
Members and guests of the Soda Springs High School Class of 1974 met Saturday, July 28 for their 35th high school reunion. Reunion activities included a dinner catered by Judy Geddes, a DVD slide show arranged by Anna Olorenshaw, and visiting. A guessing game was played when pictures of family members, brought by classmates, were displayed for others to try and guess who they were.
Lourene Walters of Soda Springs has been chosen as the Grand Marshal of the Children’s Parade at the Caribou County Fair. Lourene and her husband have lived in Soda Springs for the past 21 years. Lourene is the mother of 10 children but has also been very involved in many school, community, and youth organizations. She has been part of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Science Teacher Association, and the Parents are Teachers Too, where she coordinated parents who volunteered at the school. She received a grant to help fund the Hands-On integrated science teaching, where she developed a science lab for the use of the school and community, She has been the area secretary, advancement chair, and merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts of America, and has been a 4-H leader, along with many other great things. Parents and citizens appreciate people like Mrs. Walters and all they do for the schools and community because they are helping teach and mold the youth.
The Montpelier Ranger District of the Caribou National Forest is proposing to harvest a small amount of blown-down timber in Eight-Mile Canyon, across from and in the Eight-Mile Campground. Approximately 20,000 board feet would be removed on two acres, all within approximately 250 feet of the road. The decision to be made is whether to harvest these trees, and if so, what mitigation measures will be necessary.
20 Years ago, 2004
Senator Mike Crapo was in Soda Springs Monday, campaigning for his re-election. At a fundraising luncheon, hosted by local industry officials, he was presented an award on behalf of Caribou County sportsmen for his leadership in wildlife interests. The award follows up on an earlier award from the Safari Club International, as their outstanding U.S. Senator this year for his conservation and hunting related efforts. Crap said that this year’s presidential race between John Kerry and President George W. Bush would be as close as the race between Bush and Gore in 2000 [editor’s note—it was not].
Fire danger is very high and expected to get even higher as August wears on. The City of Soda Springs requested that residents and businesses mow vacant lots and other areas where property could be in danger of fire.
Blake Anderson of Grace, and Lee Johnson from Soda Springs brought home medals for their participation, but more importantly, a renewed gratitude for their organ transplants which allowed them this second chance at life. Anderson received silver in golf, bronze in basketball, and bronze in bowling. Johnson received bronze in the long jump and third in the discus.
25 Years ago, 1999
Studio Connection of Grace, under the direction of Andrea Holyoak and Jana Mathews recently took some of their students to Salt Lake City to train with New York’s ‘Manhattan Dance Project.’ Over the course of the two day training, Studio Connection dancers were able to have intense training form some of the finest dancers in the world. These dancers included Bill Vernon and Chet Walker. They were able to attend classes in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, swing, and theater dance. Each student was able to have a lot of individual attention from each instructor, and advance their training to the next level.
The Cheerleaders of America cheer instructors selected Sherlene Kirby, Soda Springs High School coach, as ‘Coach of the Year’ at the cheer camp held at Thirkill School July 21-24. The cheer instructors said Sherlene received the first Coach of the Year honor they had awarded. Coach of the Year requires great balance of patience, carrying fun and high expectations. Sherlene works well with the other girls she coaches and has earned their respect over and over again. She values the friendship between the girls and she has the ability to push them to be their best without sacrificing those friendships and memories formed through cheering. The instructors came from California as part of the COA organization and commented on how much they enjoyed the Soda Springs area and would like the opportunity to return.
Crew from the City of Soda Springs were busy Friday and Saturday doing chip and seal. The city hires county employees on their days off and pays for the oil, using county equipment. Portions of six or seven streets were completed, including Third East from the state highways to the south city limits.
30 Years ago, 1994
Six juvenile mails from Soda Springs and Bear Lake County will be charged for malicious injury to property for damaging between 40 and 60 mailboxes in Bear Lake and Caribou Counties. Bear Lake County Sheriff Brent Bunn, Caribou County Sheriff’s Deputies Dan Argyle and Gary Etchison, and Soda Springs City Police Lt. Jerry Bavaro conducted the investigation that included cases in Bennington, Georgetown, Wood Canyon, Trail Canyon, Bailey Creek, the Cedar View Subdivision and Soda Springs. Lt. Bavaro said the six juveniles will be charges with malicious injury to property and will be taken before the proper juvenile authorities. “The boys, in different combinations and locations, have been involved in damaging mailboxes for approximately the past year, with the latest incidents this past weekend in Soda Springs and Bear Lake,” Lt. Bavaro said. In the first six months of last year, the Soda Springs Police Dept. handled 52 juvenile arrests and warnings.
Several people passed through Soda Springs on ride to draw awareness of America’s food insecure. The group traveled from Seattle to Denver and were on their return trip when they stopped. The group was promoting programs such as Head Start and WIC, as well as free school lunch and breakfast initiatives. The group of six riders stated that they had been robbed in Saratoga, WY and Arco, ID, but had recovered most of the stolen resources.
No summer fires had been reported so far, according to Fire Chief Norm Bjorkman. The chief attributed this to the conscientious efforts on the part of citizens during the dry and dangerous fire season. The chief advised continued vigilance with regard to things like barbecues, cookouts, and outdoor grilling. It was also suggested that residents cut down tall dry grasses on their property to minimize the risk posed by accidental ignitions.
40 Years ago, 1984
Caribou County Republican candidates presented an “old-time Dutch-oven chicken dinner” at Hooper Springs on Tuesday. The following candidates have been invited and those attending will be serving the dinner—Senator Jim McClure, Senator Steve Symns, Rep. George Hansen, Rusty Barlow, Mark Duffin, Myron Jones, Senator Reed Budge, Rep. Robert Geddes, Rep. Eugene Stucki, Commissioner Lafe Holbrook, Ariel “Swede” Larson, Sheriff Richard Weaver, and F. Duayne Sims.
The 1984 field trip for the Historical Society will be to the site of the Old Oneida Salt Works. Travel will be done by school bus.
The current infestation of Idaho farmland by grasshoppers is described by Governor John Evans as “a natural disaster made in Washington, D.C.” Estimates are that grasshoppers, moving into irrigated areas from federal rangeland, could cause as much as $1 billion in damage to farm crops. Evans said the federal Bureau of Land Management and the US Dept of Agriculture failed to respond promptly when the problem developed. The governor asked for assistance from federal agencies in July, and a declaration of emergency to expediate the aid.
A fatality was reported at the Conda plant. An operator on the switch engine, Doug Taylor, was killed as the result of an accident involving railroad cars at the switching yard. The accident was under investigation by OSHA and Beker Industries.
50 Years ago, 1969
The famous Eh-Capa Riders, who made such a hit at the Caribou County Fair and Rodeo last year, are back again for a return performance. The Eh-Capa Riders do not ordinarily do a repeat performance, but were so pleased with their reception last year at Grace that they agreed to return in 1969. The riders will present a special performance, featuring some of their younger performers at the Little Buckaroo Rodeo on Thursday night, and will present a complete performance, featuring some of their younger performers at the Little Buckaroo Rodeo on Thursday night, and will present a complete performance at the ICA Rodeo Friday and Saturday nights.
Carl Hayes of Soda Springs was the winner of the cycle given away by the Snow Drifters July 24. The Hayes’ have two children, Patty, 17, and Landon, 13. Rauhn Panting won a helmet and Norm Bjorkman won a set of truck tie downs. The club wishes to thank everyone who bought tickets and supported them in the project.
On July 21 a 1964 auto was damaged to an extent of $240 when the hood latch came unhooked causing loss of vision. The accident occurred five-and-a-half miles north of Soda Springs on Highway 34. Sheriff Ralph Marriott investigated.
New books in the Soda Springs library include: Freedom Summer, The Third Half, Repairing Small Electrical Appliances, Teachery Trail, Choose Life, the Dowager, All-Around-The-House Art and Craft Book, The Passenger On the U, The Cowboy in Art, Metello, The Land of the Golden, and Mountain.
A 16-year old boy has been petitioned in Probate Court on an alleged charge of cattle rustling. The minor is charged with rustling of a calf from Dell Sant’s pasture south of Grace. The calf was taken to the auction in Smithfield, Utah, and sold to a party of Tremonton and the calf was identified as the one stolen from the Sant pasture. The calf still had the metal ear tag of Dell Sant, Grace, Idaho.
On July 20 at 7:30 a.m. a 1965 van truck operated by Jessie Wilson, Lava Hot Springs, struck and killed a calf on a county road. The calf was valued at $90 and damage to the truck was estimated at $90. Sheriff Ralph Marriott investigated.
