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.
2019
A crowd gathered at the Grace Gem Valley Performing Arts Center for Governor Brad Little’s Capital for a Day visit, with discussions ranging from marijuana legalization to student scholarships and education. Grace Mayor Jackie Barthlome welcomed the governor and numerous department and division heads who had accompanied him. Governor Little said that while former governor C.L. Otter was credited for the Capital for a Day program, it was actually started by former governor Cecil Andrus. District 32 Senator Mark Harris and Representative Marc Gibbs, along with the City of Grace, were unofficial hosts of the event, including a noon luncheon they provided in the city park. Governor Little talked about the need to ensure that no group was discriminated against, responding to a question about LGBT community members in Idaho. He also noted that Idaho “has always been a welcoming state.” Many county residents, including high school students, were on hand to ask the governor about a number of issues affecting the state and country.
Mike Demick, Idaho Fish and Game Biologist, alerted local hunters to exercise caution when harvesting animals in late summer hunts when the weather was still warm. According to Demick, allowing a game animal to spoil will not only result in losing all the meat, but hunters can be cited for wasting game. “It’s better to have a plan in place to ensure you end up with a freezer full of quality meat rather than heartache from meat spoiling and possibly a citation. The key to preserving meat in hot weather is to begin the cooling process as quick as possible. Animals should be immediately skinned, reduced to quarters in most cases, and quickly transported to cold storage.
The Soda Springs Police Department has concluded several drug investigations that have been ongoing for the past several months, Chief Scott Shaw said. The investigations led to numerous arrests and multiple charges. Several of the drug charges came from a series of investigations previously initiated, the chief said. Others came from traffic stops and other calls for service. The arrests included several local residents, as well as others from out of town. Several of those arrested conspired to bring methamphetamine into Soda Springs, which has also been seeing an increase in heroin and marijuana, according to Shaw.
Staff from Hunzeker Ford presented Chris Ledbetter and Jess McMurray with a check for $4,200 for SSHS. The money came from the Ford Drive 4 UR School fundraising event that took place in the high school parking lot. Hunzeker Ford brought over vehicles for the general public to test drive with Soda Springs High School faculty and staff riding along with each test drive. For each test drive, the school was able to earn $20. Hunzeker Ford provided door prizes, doughnuts, and other goodies throughout the day.
2004
Farmers and ranchers from Soda Springs area recently had the opportunity to compare methods and practices with 26 Australians in the agricultural field. The group had lunch at Hooper Park, then visited the Ozburn Farms, Inc., and learned of agricultural production methods used by Harry Dean Ozburn and sons. The Australian group included cattle ranchers, sheep men, as well as those involved with growing crops. “One farmer grew both cotton and grapes for wine in Australia,” noted Vicki Lozier, who arranged the dinner. There were about 25 people from the area in attendance. Local people were reported to be happy to exchange information with people from Australia. It was observed that while there were some similarities in methods, there were a number of differences between the two countries. Ozburn has always liked research and says he would like to go organic some day, but probably won’t because his sons, who manage most things now, aren’t too enthused about the idea.
In a City Council meeting last week, SSHS student body president Katie Hansen requested permission to hold a homecoming dummy burn at Kelly Park, along with a rally. She said safety precautions had been discussed with the Fire Department chief. The council approved the event.
In a split vote, with Ryan Anderson opposing, the city council voted to allow Councilwoman Lynda Lee to attend the Clerk’s Conference in Boise, along with the city staff. She made the request to attend the annual meeting with the city clerk to gain a better understanding of the city budget and finance requirements. “The office [city clerk] runs well,” Councilman Anderson said, and added that he wasn’t sure that attendance at the clerk’s conference was needed by a council person.
At the end of the school year last year, Mrs. Walters’ class planted a tree in her memory. The tree grows in the outdoor classroom at Thirkill Elementary School where Mrs. Walters spent most, if not all of her free time. It was through her extensive efforts that the outdoor classroom was made possible. Ron Walters came to help the class plant the tree and he told memorable stories about Mrs. Walters. The tree was donated by Kerr-McGee and Ann Paulson and Dayna Dursteler helped plant the tree. At the ceremony were: Ann Paulsen, Kaitlyn Perkins, Morgan Duncan, Ron Walters, and Maria Martin.
The Gem Valley Performing Arts Committee will present the Utah Hispanic Dance Alliance at the Gem Valley Performing Arts Center in Grace. The UHDA, under the direction of Jessica R. Salazar, is composed of dance experts, choreographers, and teachers from local Hispanic folk dance groups, representing the ethnic dance traditions of Mexico, Central America, and South America. By combining authentic folk dance, native music, and colorful costumes, the UHDA is able to celebrate the customs, history, traditions—and ultimately the feelings, which are reflected from our diverse Latin American cultures. This evening will be chocked full of energy and fun with their lightning fast steps and strong legs.
1994
A fishing trip on Blackfoot Reservoir turned into an unplanned overnight stay on the north side of Sheep Island for Grace resident Rock E. Phillips and his two companions. At 1:30 a.m. Evan Wilson called Caribou County Sheriff’s Office to report the three men late for their expected return at 10 p.m. The county search boat, with a deputy and a marine deputy on board, traveled just one hundred yards in the shallow water before the jets were filled with moss and the rescue attempt was aborted. At daybreak, Eldon Peck flew his plane over the reservoir, quickly locating the Phillips party on Sheep Island. Improved visibility allowed the search boat to respond to the island and tow the Phillips boat back to the dock at Dyke Lake. Phillips told Sheriff Ray Van Vleet that they had run into a mud bank, possibly plugging the lower unit of the boat motor, causing it to overheat, then ran the battery down trying to restart it. The Sheriff praised Eldon and his son Dennis for volunteering their plane and time to the search.
A bus load of Republican candidates for state office were greeted by about 100 people at an old-fashioned rally, complete with political speeches, homemade ice cream, cake, and a band. Phill Batt, making a bus tour around the state as part of his campaign for governor, said it was one of the best welcomes he had seen. Congressman mike Crapo said he was running for re-election, but he was in Idaho to help campaign for Batt. He pointed out there were notable differences between Barr and his Democratic opponent Larry EchoHawk. Dr. Anne Fox, who is running for Superintendent of Public Instruction, said she was in a race for a new direction for education in the state. Fox said discipline has to be increased in the classroom and she supports smart, new dynamic ideas for education. She pointed out that the teachers’ union doesn’t endorse her and they had put a lot of money into her opponent’s campaign. Ralph Gines, candidate for State Auditor running against J.D. Williams, said that the slate of Republican candidates this year is firmly rooted in constitutional principles.
Amity Kirby is an All-Star Cheerleader for 1994, who recently returned to Soda Springs from a 16 day trip to New Zealand, Australia, the Cook Islands, and Hawaii. She traveled with 31 high school football players, eight coaches, and a number of other cheerleaders who represented the State of Idaho at the Sixth Annual Down Under Bowl in Innsvail and Cairns, Australia. The cheerleaders were busy performing at schools, shopping malls, rugby games, and so on. Cheerleaders are celebrities in Australia, apparently, and they spent much of their time signing autographs for their thousands of fans. They enjoyed excursions to the beach, the Great Barrier Reef, the Crocodile Farm, and the Rain Forest. They were entertained by the Pamagirri and learned to throw spears and boomerangs. Amity especially enjoyed seeing kangaroos, and was able to see a mother hold a baby in its pouch.
Barry Reiswig, the new refuge manager for four national wildlife refuges in southeastern Idaho, has received the Wilderness Society’s Olaus and Margaret Murie Award for outstanding leadership while managing the Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon. Reiswig completed a comprehensive refuge management plan for Hart Mountain Refuge during his tenure there from 1989 to 1994. The plan resulted in the elimination of livestock grazing on the refuge and a shift to ecosystem management. A native of North Dakota, he moved to Idaho last month to assume management of the Southeast Idaho Refuge Complex, which includes Camas, Bear Lake, Grays Lake, and Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge.
Larry EchoHawk was joined by Attorneys General from 13 other states in reaching an agreement with Publishers Clearing House regarding its sweepstakes solicitations. Publishers Clearing House solicits the sale of magazines from consumers through materials mailed with its sweepstakes bulletins. Millions of households nationwide receive one or more solicitations from Publishers Clearing House each year. EchoHawk’s Consumer Protection Division joined the other states in negotiating the settlement with Publishers Clearing House to resolve allegations that certain of the materials sent to consumers by PCH violated Idaho’s consumer protection laws. Although PCH denied that its promotional materials violated the various states’ consumer protection laws, it nevertheless agreed in an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance which included provisions such as “PCH will not describe a person as a ‘finalist’ if that person has not previously taken some action to enter the sweepstakes.
Thatcher Elementary students spent the 1993-1994 school year working towards a goal that was finally realized as they began the new school year. The entire student body participated in a program called “Computers for Education” in which the school could earn a new Apple Computer by selling magazine subscriptions. Thatcher Elementary met their goal and received the new computer. Last year’s fourth grade class sold the most subscriptions, earning the right to have it kept in the fifth grade classroom for the year. Dianne Elsmore, Thatcher Head Teacher, stated that she appreciated the efforts of all the students and the support of the community.
Erin Humble will compete in the Idaho Junior Miss Program in Pocatello. “I would like to extend an invitation to everyone to come and enjoy the program. This is a great opportunity since this is the first time the Idaho Junior Miss program has been presented in Southern Idaho for 32 years,” Miss Humble said. Previously, the contest had been held in Moscow. “I have been preparing all summer for this competition to represent Caribou County to the best of my ability. I have made appearances in several parades and at several Junior Miss programs around the state. “I will not be permitted to visit with my parents for the week. I will be learning routines and meeting people from all over the state. I might ad that American’s 1995 Junior Miss, Amy Osmond, will co-MC the final night of the Junior Miss Program. May is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Osmond.
1984
Ellen Carney reported on the end of an era in Conda, which put up a sign this month declaring itself “Idaho’s Newest Ghost Town” against the backdrop of a rapidly falling population. Conda was established in 1920 by the Anaconda Copper Company, and was the only mining town in Caribou County, located on a spur of the Union pacific Railroad six miles northeast of Soda Springs. Fertilizer was crushed and dried, then shipped the Montana, where it was further processed for commercial use. In the early years, Conda had a carpenter, blacksmith, and machine shop, as well as a warehouse, community store, and elementary school. In 1959, the Simplot Company took over the mine and the townsite. Tunnel mining had been discontinued, but strip mining was still being done. Frank Bolton lived in Conda for 47 years, as the postmaster and manager of the general store. According to Bolton, there were about 250 people in town ten or fifteen years ago. Many former residents return every year for the Conda reunion. Bill Horsley and his family were among those who were in the position of needing to move after the utilities to the area were discontinued. “I guess I’m sort of an unofficial census taker,” Horsley said. He noted that the population was down to about 14 people, who would probably be there until the last day. He placed the population sign, which would reach zero by the time Simplot turned off the utilities in September.
Members of the Grays Lake LDS ward have been working to prepare the facilities for the eighth annual Grays Lake Ward Rodeo on Saturday at the Ralph Stoor Ranch. The amateur rodeo, which was started by the young people of the ward in 1976, has become an event that the whole community looks forward to. Events include bareback riding, bull riding, calf roping, junior and senior pole bending and some special children’s events. Bishop Bruce Dredge was in charge of the second year’s events, when the Men’s Youth Council was organized to help put on the rodeo. Stock was initially loaned to the rodeo, but recently it has been used from Crystal Brothers Stock Co., raised in Grays Lake and Lewisville.
