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.

2024

Reigning Miss Idaho Reagan Yamauichi stopped by the County Commission meeting in February to extend her thanks to the commissioners for their support of her national Miss America bid.  A public viewing of her competing in the pageant was held at the Enders, and watched at home by countless Caribou County residents.

Updates to the Soda Springs Library brought a Freeze Drier to its lower floor.  While early on the device seemed like a bit of a niche novelty, it is reported to be in near constant use.  From those who use it for home food preservation to freeze dried candy production, it's a solid hit.

2020

The Lady Grizzlies faced the Butte County Pirates February 7 at Blackfoot High School for the district championship.  Grace played Butte in the first round of the districts and narrowly escaped a loss, beating Butte, 38-35. The stakes were a lot higher this time around with Butte facing elimination.  A loss would force the Grizzlies to return to Blackfoot the following day to face the Pirates for a third time in the tournament.  The first quarter was a battle with Butte topping Grace 8-7, but both teams struggled offensively.  The Grizz shot the ball better in the second quarter, making 43 percent of their shots, while Butte’s offense continued to struggle shooting only 13 percent from the field.  Grace went into halftime with a 18-16 lead.  At the end of the second half, Grace emerged with the 46-38 victory.  Maniah Clegg led the team with 16 points and 15 rebounds, while Breanna Hill contributed 14 points, and Madison Windley added 9 for the Grizzlies.

A citizens’ input session during a City Council meeting in Soda Springs focused on the need for a community recreation center.  The issue emerged after the LDS stake president announced that the city would no longer be able to use church facilities for its little league program.  Stake President Wade Clark said that although locally the churches have allowed city leagues to use their gyms for the last 10 or 15 years, technically it was against church policy.  “We were operating under the assumption once Tigert Middle School gym was finished, it would take the pressure off,” he said.  “We fully support city leagues, but perhaps it is time for a different option.”  Council member Scott Gambles pointed out the use has increased at the church facilities from the city programs, which were used heavily during the construction of the new school gym and demolition of the old one.  Council President Mitch Hart thanked Clark and the LDS Church for being accommodating to the community all these years.  It is expected the churches will continue to be used through the end of basketball tournaments in April.  Many members of the community spoke afterward.  Katy Bergholm said her biggest concern was losing programs and what they do for the kids in the area.  She noted that there was potentially a building in the Industrial Park for sale that could be used for recreation without too much work and at a lower cost than a new center.  Council President Hart said the building did have possibilities for a half court and maybe a full court basketball area, but would probably run around $400,000.  “It’s a funding issue and recreation is important and we want to continue that,” Hart said.  “It will cost money, though.  There is no magic bullet.”  Councilmember Robert Lau mentioned the potential to rise funds through a recreation district.  “I love the idea. We can pay for the things that we value.”  Melissa Thompson thanked the church leaders and noted her concerns for what kids would do without the current city recreation program and a safe place to go.  She suggested raising fees to increase some revenue.

The National High School Coaches Association announced that Jeff Horsley of Soda Springs High School would be named the National High School Girls’ Cross Country Coach of the Year.  He is the first Idaho coach to be named to that honor.  This past season, Horsley, who helped establish the bedrock of the Soda Springs cross country program as an athlete during his high school career in the 90s, has led the Cardinals to their 14th straight Idaho Class 2A state championship.  It was the eleventh time that the school has won the state championship without an individual champ.  However, this year’s squad placed five girls in the Top 24, led by Brynlee Simmons, who took 4th place.  Horsley’s 2013 team became the first-ever to win the girls’ state championship with a perfect team score.  Over the last 14 seasons, Horsley has been named Idaho’s Coach of the Year every year.  He has also won the Boys’ Coach of the Year award eight times.  

2000

The highly acclaimed vocal-dance group, Ricks College Showtime Company, will be appearing in Grace and the Gem Valley Performing Arts Center.  “Exceptional talent, non-stop energy, and professional polish” are said to be the ingredients that have established Showtime Company as one of the finest college performing groups in the United States.  Showtime musical revues have captivated audiences throughout the United States, Canada, South Africa, and the British Isles since 1979.   This year’s musical revue is titled “Lessons of Love” and will appear in 14 states from Wisconsin and Minnesota to New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.  

Lee Bules, D.O., was elected the chief of the medical staff at Caribou Memorial Hospital for the year 2000, hospital CEO John Hoopes announced.  Dr. Bules was elected by his peers on the medical staff to fill the position, which includes being an ex-officio member of the hospital’s board of directors.  Dr. Bules moved to Soda Springs with his wife, Tonnie, a registered nurse, and established his practice at the Lakeview Clinic, adjacent to the hospital.  He is a board eligible family practice physician, who practices a full range of obstetrics, including deliveries in the hospital’s new birthing rooms.

Eulalie Langford, announcing her candidacy for Idaho State Representative from District 32 at the Caribou County Lincoln Day breakfast, spoke of her admiration for the hardy pioneers who came to this area in the late 1800s, struggled against seemingly impossible odds, and, after a series of disappointment, finally succeeded in bringing the Bear River water to their crops via the Last Chance Canal.  “Water is out most precious natural resource,” Langford said, “and is needed to sustain every living thing—plant or animal.  Both my husband and I grew up in a farm/ranch environment.  Agriculture is the backbone of Idaho’s economy, and water is the lifeblood of agriculture.  As your state representative, I will protect diligently all water rights.  I am the irrigator’s best friend.”  Langford lives in Bear Lake County, and explained that her father, and early-day Caribou County cowboy, instilled in her the love of the cattle business.   As your state representative, I will work diligently to remedy those problems.  I will resist every attempt by the federal government to impose its will on the West.”

The Soda Springs JV Dance Team competed in the 5th District drill team competition at Snake River High School last weekend.  They entered into the prop division in the A-2 category, and placed first.  Jesse Kunz performed a solo and was chosen as a member of the 5th District honorary Drill Team.  Their Extravadance will be held on Feb 28.  Competing were Laura Sprague, Teah Landon, Amy Pugmire, Brandi Wyler, Alica Molenhauer, Melissa Humble, Leah Pearson, Anna Torgesen, Candace Hillaker, BreAnn Farnsworth, Heidi Smuin, Tiffany Hopkins, Jennie Thompson, Sheena Toupin, Hailey Hill, Jesse Kunz, and Dawn Worthington.  

Senator Larry Craig was in Idaho attending a number of Lincoln Day events, during which time he stopped in Soda Springs.  Craig stated that he was upset with the 4-3 Idaho Supreme Court decision that gave the federal government water rights in designated federal preserves, which he believed jeopardized Idaho’s land standing right of “first in time, first in right” regarding water use.  He said that it would be a severe erosion of the western doctrine on water.  Craig also took issue with President Bill Clinton’s announcement of more lands set aside under the Antiquities Act and moratorium on roads in much of the forest areas.  Craig said the states needed to “stand up and invest in the fight for state rights.”  He further said that “locking up much of the federal land in the West was not just a mining, timber, or grazing issue.  Eastern states fail to realize it is integral to rural communities, and that includes access to federal lands for tourism.”

North Gem Ag Instructor Kevin Wells gave an update on the projects taking place at the school.  The students are currently working on a storage shed, flat bed, and will be working on the installing of welding booths.  A silent auction will be help for the selling of surplus items, including the Xerox machine.  The second annual Academic Fair will be held in April.  It will not be a judging competition, however, all students were encouraged to participate.  Pearl Mickelsen was thanked for volunteering time to the Reed Library.  With her help, the library has been able to stay opne until 6 p.m.  Patrons have been using the facility and are encouraged to continue to use the available resources.

City Attorney Clyde Nelson met with the Grace City Council in their regular meeting on Feb 1 to review proper procedures for a city-wide cleanup.  Property owners who have abandoned vehicles, junk cars, and other debris will be contacted and asked to remove these items in an effort to clean up and beautify the city area.  The city dump truck will be available to assist citizens in this effort.  Mayor Kelly Holt commented, “We would like to encourage all property owners within the city to survey their property for abandoned vehicles and debris and take action to remove them.”

1995

Nine teens of the “Future of America” 4-H Club in Caribou County were selected to attend the 8th annual 4-H “Know Your Government” Conference in Boise.  The 4-H’ers include Eric Hubbard, Melissa Young, Mindy Hubbard, Kari Brown, Angie Hubbard, Brianna Strupp, Emily Geddes, Melanie Hart, and Emily Hubbard.  The teens are among 160 delegates who will learn about Idaho’s state government decision-making process and judicial system, according to Darlene Moss, Caribou County Extension office.  Delegates who attend the legislative workshop will take part in a mock legislative session and will tour the Capitol.  Melissa Young will serve as Speaker of the House for this session.  The judicial session will include a mock trial and a tour of the Idaho Supreme Court building.  All delegates will attend a breakfast with legislators and judges from the Boise area on Monday morning and be able to observe the legislature in session.  Governor Phil Batt, Attorney General Al Lance, Speaker of the House Mike Simpson and Chief Justice Charles McDevitt will speak on legal and political topics and how the delegates can get involved in government.  David R. Lineback, Dean of the University of Idaho College of Agriculture, will also address delegates.

The Idaho Reining Horse Association held their year-end awards banquet at the  Star Dust in Idaho Falls in November.  Carl and Royce Hatch of Chesterfield are members of this association.  They along with their family, traveled to Idaho Falls to attend the banquet.  Royce was presented a belt buckle for winning first place in the Youth 13 and under division.  Carl won 2nd place in the Green Horse non-Pro Division and was presented splint boots.  Carl also won 3rd place in the Limited Non-Pro Division and received silver belt conchos.  They were presented these awards by Shane Wagner, president of the association at that time.