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
The BLM announced its strategy to implement Secretary’s Order 3376, Increasing Recreational Opportunities Through the Use of Electric Bikes, a recently signed order by the Secretary of the Interior David Berhardt that is designed to make it easier for more Americans to recreate on and experience their public lands. The order directs Dept of Interior bureaus to begin the longer term process of obtaining public input on new regulations that will clarify that low speed e-bikes should enjoy the same access as conventional bicycles, consistent with other federal and state laws. Public land managers will have the ability in the short term to utilize the flexibility they have under current regulations to accommodate this new technology that assists riders as they pedal in a way that allows them to enjoy the bicycling experience. The BLM will now permit visitors to use low-speed e-bikes on BLM roads, trails, and designated areas where traditional bikes are allowed.
The Cardinal cross country teams were back in Pocatello at the Portneuf Wellness Complex for the 2019 State Cross Country Meet. Despite the cool temps, the sun was out and the wind was minimal, giving the Cardinal XC team a bit of an advantage as they had been training in temps below 25 degrees earlier in the week, and the balmy 30 degree temps were a bit of a heat wave for them. Both teams were eyeing state championships. At the end of the day, Brynlee Simmons continued to lead the Lady Cardinals and finished the day as the 4th fastest 2A girl in the state, helping to secure a team championship. On the boys side, the duo of Carter McCullough and Keslon Smith led the charge against a tough Salmon team, and helped the Cardinal harriers earn a runner-up finish for the second year in a row.
2009
Jordan Naef, a third grader in Dana Crowther’s class at Thirkill Elementary, was honored last week with an award for her poster that was one of 14 used for the 2010 Highway Safety Kids Calendar. Others honored with certificates of appreciation were Mrs. Crowther, and Principal Robert Daniel. Jordyn’s poster was one of 14 chosen out of 884 entries for use on the calendar. Her message was “Drive and text…you’ll be next!!”
Grace High School announced it upcoming performance of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Thursday and Friday at the Gem Valley Performing Arts Center and directed by Blair Findlay. The play tells the story of six children who are poorly behaved, delinquent and violent. They go to church for the first time merely because they believe snacks are handed out at Sunday School. Instead, they find themselves involved in the annual Christmas play. Everyone thinks the pageant will turn out to be a disaster, but they are pleasantly surprised.
2004
Caribou County residents can expect their property tax notices to reflect substantial increases in all areas other than Grace, according to county treasurer Dian Crawford. Crawford explained that there are 28 tax codes areas in the county that make up the total property tax bill. They range from county and city governments to school and fire districts. The county treasurer had the county broken down into three geographic areas, roughly representing the three school districts in the county. In the area of the Soda Springs School District, city residents will have about a 12 percent property tax increase and those living the rural areas will see an increase of about 17 percent. In Grace, the total tax actually reduced slightly due the school bonds being paid off during the year.
The Caribou County Community Food Bank clients are warned that the shelves are almost bare. One reason for the empty shelves is the huge increase in the number of families using food bank services most weeks. Last year there were three to six families being served. This year the number has risen up to 15 families. Also donations have not been as bountiful as previous years. The hope is that the Scouting for Food drive later in the month will help to restock some of the supplies needed to support local families, though in the meantime the Food Bank reports that almost every type of item usually stocked by the Bank is either out of stock or in very short supply.
As the nation pauses to honor the 25 million men and women who have answered the call to protect their country, it is also time to honor and support those who are still protecting this nation in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, South Korea and other areas around the world. They have given much and have asked for little in return. They are friends, neighbors, and loved ones. The Grace American Legion Auxiliary will honor all veterans and their partners at a banquet at the Legion building. The public is invited to come and honor those who have served.
Reed Findlay, Bannock County Extension agent of Pocatello, and his brother Russell returned recently to the United States after spending two weeks in Europe on an ACDIVOCA program under the direction of the US government aid program. The men, both former Soda Springs residents and graduates of SSHS, and sons of Sandra Findlay. They joined a group of agents and farmers doing international agricultural programs, Reed as a member of the National Steering Committee and Russell as a farmer. Reed taught about wheat and barley production and Russell, as an aide, also taught about bee keeping. They spend two weeks working directly with farmers, living and eating with them in Southern Yusseukhan/Kazakhatan, near the border of Pakistan. Reed explained that the basically keyed in on checking and testing the soil for fertility, and teaching how to prune their orchards which were mostly apples. They reported they had an interpreter with them the entire time and found very few people who spoke any English.
1999
Alexander Company, a barley processing business in Bancroft, received $750,000 in damage last Thursday morning in a fire that began at about 4:15 a.m. Daren Schwartz, Caribou County Fire Department Division Chief, said they believed the fire began in the top of the grain bins from an electrical problem that ignited the grain dust, causing an explosion and fire. He said three other explosions followed the initial one within the first 30 minutes and spread throughout the facility. Schwartz reported there was one person in the building at the time of the fire who feared a noise and thought maybe a train had hit the building. He went outside and saw the fire and called it in. The grain processing company owned by Wade Clark, was totally destroyed except for the load-out area, the county fire spokesman said.
Bernie Crawford was born in September 11, 1901 and recently turned 98. She was raised in Blackfoot, migrating every summer with the sheep to Grays Lake. She married Lee Crawford and had two children, Jim and Phyllis. Bernie, along with Mary Nilesen, started the library in Soda Springs with donated books and worked for one year with no pay just to get it started. The library was located above the old city hall, where the city fire station is now. Bernie enjoyed the ranch they lived on in the summer, raising cows out to Williamsburg. She is residing in the nursing home and doing well.
The Soda Springs Women’s Civic Club met Tuesday afternoon at the Trail for their no-host luncheon meeting, with Lytha Ellis and Wilda Phelps as co-hostesses. Meeting was conducted by President Helen Kingsford. The door prize was won by Glenys Hawker. There was no special program for the afternoon.
1994
Navy Seaman Apprentice Dustin Welker, son of Sheila and Myron of Grace, recently graduated from the Electronic Warfare Operator Technician School. During the course at the Naval Technical Training Center, Corry Station, Pensacola, Florida, students are taught to operate air, surface and sub-surface electronic countermeasure systems used on board Navy ships. They also learn to use equipment which will deceive and jam enemy electronic sensors.
Grace’s Grizzlies football team had its undefeated season come to an end as they went down to perennial side-thorn Teton 14-8 at the Fifth District playoff game in Holt arena. The Grizzly defense gave up two early touchdowns, from which they were not able to recover, despite two fumble recoveries that nearly resulted in touchdowns. Teton will be playing Glenns Ferry for the championship game next week.
Valley Dart League results: Office I beat Hy’s II 9-6; Mom and Dad’s II beat Stockmans’ 9-5; Mom and Dad’s I beat Office II 9-5; Grace II beat Bluemoon 10-9. Grace I and Hy’s I postponed till later date. Wagon Wheel had a bye.
1984
A heavy turnout of 78.5 percent of the registered voters in Caribou County cast ballots in what became essentially a Republican sweep of the county. In the two closest voting contests, Republican County Commission candidate Ariel Larson edged out Democratic candidate Williams Brent Maughan 1,781 to 1,602. The other close contest was the retail sale of wine in the county. After changing leads as the precincts came in, the wine issue finally failed by 77 votes, with 1,834 votes against it and 1,757 votes in favor. Generally, the issue was defeated in the Grace and Bancroft precincts, while being favored in the Soda Springs precincts. Another race that many people felt may be clse was the election of sheriff. It turned out to be a walk-away for Republican incumbent sheriff Richard Weaver, who received 55 percent of the vote. He got 1,942 votes, to Carl Toupin’s 1,048 and write-in Glen Armstrong’s 529. Ronals Reagan received 85 percent of the vote in the county. Senator Jim McClure also easily won the election for Senate. George Hansen carried the county over Richard Stallings.
The Soda Springs Cardettes attended the 15th Minidome Drill competition last month. It is the only football drill tournament in Idaho and the surrounding area. Team division were decided by school and team sizes. The Cardettes were placed in the minidivision, competing against Malad, Vallivue, Aberdeen, and Shelley High schools. Appearance, routine, execution, and showmanship were the four areas judged. A unique drill was performed by the Cardettes. The 6-8 minutes drill tells a story of an evil force taking over all dancers. This force or spirit has overpowered all but 11 individuals. These individuals must then combine and work together to overcome and defeat the evil power. This type of dance requires expression and has taken hard work from the team. The Cardettes were excited to wear their new uniforms. The results in the division were Soda Springs first, followed by Shelley and then Vallivue. The girls sent a special thanks to Debbie Linder and Helen Thomas. The performers were Bonnie Cellan, Debbie Olney, Jodie Johnson, Teresa Nielsen, Tracie Maughan, Dawn Christensen, Branda Schvaneveldt, Tina Lester, Janis Davis, Valee Beins, Jill Rindliskbaker, Valerie Thompson, Jodi Weaver, Kelly Hoggan, Tammie Nielsen, Alesha Williams, Anjie Burnham, Kristi Walters, and
Lisa Crossley.
Attorney General Jim Jones warned a group of Idaho Law Enforcement Officers in Pocatello last week to “expect some negative reaction from time to time when you are dealing with enforcement of economic and white collar crime laws.” Jones made the remarks at a dinner meeting of an economic and white collar crime seminar sponsored by the Idaho Attorney General’s office. An investigative division of the AG’s office has recently been formed to deal with increasing instances of white collar crime across the state and country. The crimes in question included price fixing, bid rigging, computer crime, and corporate fraud. The AG noted that there was generally less public support or interest in these types of crimes, which nevertheless had significant effects on the economy.
Readers are reminded that the Buddy Poppy sale is currently underway. Across America, tens of thousands of men and women volunteer poppy sellers are offering a once-a-year opportunity to personally thank the uniformed men and women who have made the supreme sacrifice and those countless veterans in hospitals who may never again be physically fit. The government does give money to their survivors and the disabled are given free hospitalizations, but the help you can five them through the Buddy Poppy Sale comes from the heart—not through what you are forced to pay in taxes. Buddy Poppies are sold by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Ladies Auxiliary volunteers.
The federal Low Income Energy Assistance Program helps to provide assistance to qualifying local families to pay their heating bills during the winter months. The program is administered by SEICAA. Income guidelines and further information can be found through the agency or at the Caribou County Courthouse.
1969
A heavy turnout of voters Tuesday elected Dr. Allen Tigert Mayor of Soda Springs. Max Hughes and Arthur Kelly to a 4-year council term, and T.E. Thompson to a 2-year term. Dr. Tigert is a former mayor, Max Hughes is presently serving on the council, and Art Kelly is a former councilman. Mr. Thompson has not held any city office. A total of 756 votes were cast out of 920 registered.
The excitement at Grace High is the victory over Declo. On Friday, the Grace High student body traveled to Marsh Valley for the Fifth District B football championship game. It was an action-packed game to the end with a score of 18-14. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hill told the football team at the beginning of the season that if they would win the league championship they would give them a steak fry. With Grace finishing first without a loss, this caused Bob and Mona to start cooking the steaks. The coaches and the team enjoyed and appreciated the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Hill. The steak dinner was held Thursday night at Bob’s Café.
There are two one-act plays being put on by Soda Springs High. The first is “The Taming of the Shrew” with the following cast: Jim Sibbett as Petruchio, Linda Lloyd as Kathrina, Zane Arvidson as Baptista, Karen Davis as Bianca, Guy Crawford as Bonedello, Andy Miller as Lucentio, Carolie Meccico as servant lady. The second play is “The Jewelled Hand” with Cindy Matthews, Anna Williams, Karlene Wallin, Rodney Spackman, Rick Williams, Kirk Nelson, Annette Shuler.
