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.

2020

In a first for the city of Soda Springs, a telephone conference call was held for the entire council, mayor, staff, plus a public hearing.  The conference call was needed because of the closures, social distancing, and state orders to stay at home during the COVID-19 epidemic.  Business when on by phone for two hours, in part to make up for a missed meeting at the beginning of April when state rules went into effect.  During the meeting, there was a wide-ranging discussion about what constituted “essential business” within the city.  The Farmer’s Market’s Suzanne Weeks, for instance, made a case that the market constituted just such essential business.  President Mitch Hart suggested allowing the market to go forward while the required exemption process for essential businesses was finalized at the state level.  

As part of the city’s response to the pandemic, the library and city hall are on soft shutdown, with restricted access to the public.  Some high school students are planning to use the library computers for online learning.  Business at city hall is being conducted through the drop-off window, and by phone and email.  Mayor Austin Robinson suggested that he supported the city covering wages for any city workers who were affected by COVID.  “The community has done a pretty good job,” President Hart said.  “We are really blessed to live where we are.”

Grace City adopted an infectious disease policy at their second March meeting.  Due to the spreading epidemic, the council will enact similar policies to other cities and states for a period of eight weeks, after which the need for the measures would be re-evaluated.  Dave Pristupa presented Planning ad Zoning’s snow and ice ordinances that had been under creation, as well as those covering storage containers.  Mayor Barthlome and Leadman Riley Crookston gave an update on the subdivision that will be developed on the new property recently annexed by the city.  

2010

Grace High School FFA earned 3rd place in 2010 Idaho State FFA Horse Evaluation Career Development in Twin Falls.  Kylee Jensen, Lacy Kendall, Miranda Tibbitts, and Leann Fox were the team members who participated in the event.  Kylee Jensen from Grace was the Idaho FFA State Champion Horse Judger.  She easily dominated the event by scoring 426 points out of 450 in the overall individual score.  Lacey Kendall followed closely in the individual scores by receiving 408 points and securing fourth place.

The North Gem Middle School recently held student body elections.  The student body president for the 2010-11 year is Mathew Barfuss, with Dallin Lloyd as vice-president, and Trevor Barfuss, secretary.  Cheerleaders are Kambrie Christensen, Jenny Magana, Megan Melor, Grace Maxwell, and Rylee Clayson.

The Grand Teton Council has announced that 32 adult scouters will be recognized with the prestigious Silver Beaver Award.  A recipient must be a registered adult member of the BSA.  Among the Silver Beaver recipients in Laurie Dooley of Soda Springs.  Commitment and dedication are two words that repeatedly come up when you mention the name Laurie Dooley.  She has faithfully served scouting for 12 years.  During that time, Laurie has been involved in the Cub Scout program from being a Den Leader, Pack Committee Chairman, District Roundtable Staff, Cub Scout Pow Wow Staff, Unit Commissioner and Family Camp.  She has received the District Award of Merit, Webelos and Cub Scouter Training Award, the On My Honor Award and her Wood Badge beads.

State budget cuts are hitting close to home as the Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare announced the closing of nine offices, including Soda Springs in May.  The Soda Springs office at 184 S Main handles clients from Bear Lake, as well as Caribou County, through the four employees it has.  Other office closures included American Falls, Bellevue, Bonners Ferry, Emmett, Jerome, McCall, Orofino, and Rupert.  

The Caribou County LDS Jail Branch Relief Society presidency and Humanitarian Committee, under the direction of Pres. Gordon Aland, have been busy helping inmates at the Caribou County Detention Center make numerous different items, which will go to Guatemala’s relief effort.  Branch Relief Society Pres. Merlyn Painter and her 1st counselor Maxine Taggart, have led several evening sessions in which the inmates at the Detention Center made four quilts and approximately four dozen stuffed teddy bears.  The materials to make these items were donated by Caribou County and Bear Lake County LDS Stake Relief Societies.  

The Grizzly Growl, by Jordan Brady—As the year begins to wind down, the competition heats up as the student body elections start up this week.  There is competition in all four positions this year.  Brandon Mickelson and Patrick Harrison are running for reporter.  Tayler Schvanaveldt and Damian Martinez are running for secretary, Alyssa Kimball and Kendall Bitton are running for vice-president, while Kylee Jensen and Jordan Brady are competing for the president position this year.  It will be a fun week this week as both sets of competitors campaign, with voting on Thursday.  The winners will be announced on Friday at the Inaugural Ball. 

At the County Commission meeting, Public Safety Director Eric Hobson stated that the Portneuf Medical Center had asked ambulance personnel to ensure that all transferred patients are wearing masks while at the medical center.  The Caribou Memorial Hospital is requiring masks only if symptoms are present or the patient has failed the screening questions during admittance.  Hobson further reported that supplies are holding out so far, and the grocery stores are doing their best to keep up with items most in demand.  They expect things to level off eventually.   

2000

Soda Springs Rotarians, spouses and volunteers were busy Saturday at the Caribou County Fire Station where they were making frames for ground and aerial fireworks displays for July 4.  The local club is seeking donations from corporations, businesses, and individuals to help defray the cost for the fireworks that will last 20 to 30 minutes in Soda Springs as a culmination of the day’s celebration.  If it is successful, it will become and annual event.

Women’s Life members met at the Enders Thursday afternoon, with LaRae Rasmussen and Jennie Nelson as co-hostesses.  Guests for the evening were Gwen Budge and Marty Scheffel.  President Virginia Hamp presided.  A flower in a bud vase was presented to LaRae Rasmussen, as a new member.

Students in Mrs. LaRae Hatche’s first grade class at North Gem Elementary School had a very educational experience on April 14.  Devin Fullmer’s parents, Doug and Camille Fullmer, participated in the first grade’s traditional “Parents Teach and Tell” program.  They taught the students about the nutritional value of potatoes.  They were able to learn first hand about the many ways potatoes are used.  The Fullmers serves doughnuts, made with potatoes to the children as well as French fries and potato chips.  They also gave them an Idaho Spud candy bar.  Camille displayed pictures of machinery used in the potato production as she taught the children.  

The Soda Springs High School INEEL Scholastic Team competed against 12 teams at the regional tournament and placed second to qualify for the state tournament.  Soda Springs competed against seven teams.  Later the team competed and won their way to the championship defeating Gooding and Wallace.  In the championship round, Soda Springs met Marsh Valley for a repeat of the regional championship.  Soda Springs took second place.  Members of the team are Matt Batterton, Zach Tigert, Ben Goode, Kara Nally, Jennifer Coziah, Peter Settles and Matt Osbourne.  Matt Batterton and Zach Tigert received All-State Honors and Ben Goode won a computer.

Astronaut Col. Mike Mullane kept students at the edge of their seats Friday when the mission specialist told of space adventures, plus his own personal motivation to spend 365 hours aboard space shuttles on three missions.  Col. Mullane was brought to Caribou County by Solutia as part of its ongoing emphasis on education.  He visited several classes in the county during his stay last week. 

Two junior class girls have been chosen to represent the Soda Springs High School at Syringa Girls State Session at the Northwest Nazarene College in Caldwell.  Shae Winward, daughter of Blair and Jackie Winward and Kara Nally, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Nally will join delegates from the area for the bus ride from Pocatello, to spend a week campaigning, presenting bills, voting on city and state officers, attending mock legislative sessions and experiencing government in action. 

1970

Club honored the graduating Senior girls of Soda Springs High School with a tea.  Chairmen for the occasion were Mrs. Ralph Dunn and Mrs. Orval Beus.  General theme for the formal event was “April Showers.”  Punch was served from a silver punch bowl and accompanied by open face sandwiches and an array of homemade mints.  The girls were given several favors, one of which was a handkerchief fashioned into a spring parasol.  A quartet honored the seniors by singing several entertaining numbers.  Members of the local quartet were Mrs. Dewey Anderson, Mrs. Clifford Schvaneveldt, Mrs. James Robinson and Mrs. Kent V. Lott.  Hostesses were Mrs. Gary Greer, Mrs. Lynn Barnes, and Mrs. Richard Sharp.  Each hostess wore a parasol name tag fashioned by Mrs. Orval Beus.  Every senior girl was in attendance and the Service Club reports a lovely afternoon was enjoyed by all.

Golden Rod Past Matrons Club met at the home of Frances Bassett April 18.  Rita Burgin gave the history of the Rev. Sabine Baring Gould who wrote the now famous processional hymn, “Onward Christian Soldiers.”  Charlotte D. Salser thanks all members for their support and co-operation during her term as president.  Dessert was served to the above and to Viola Lauritson, Jessie Gagon, Caroline Merriam, Winifred Alldaffer, Mary Aylett, Judy Crouser, Helen Traeger, Mable Ruud, Louise Lloyd, Winnie Rompel, Mabel Finch, Rose Maxwell, Alice Schufeldt, and Gertrude Freeman.

All of the Boy Scouts of Caribou County, including the Guide patrol, Cubs, and Cleveland and Thatcher troops of Franklin County who are in the Bannock Stake, will observe Clean-Up Day Saturday.  They will “get both sides” of Highway 34 and 40.  Pop bottles, and cans and garbage will be picked up and put into trucks.  The Scouts will be assisted by Jeep Posse, State Police, and Caribou County Sheriff Officers.  It is hoped that motorists will drive with care and all will quit throwing rubbish out of car windows.

Here is the list of young people who are working in the Caribou County Sun subscription campaign.  Every boy and girl working has some specific purpose in mind for which they intend to spend the money they make.  Give them your support—Soda Springs—Janice Johnson, Jeanne Prescott, Robin Hudsonpillar, Kelly Rice, David Lansberry, Karen Nalder, Debra Nalder, Raelene Parker, Betty Hirsbrunner, Cindy Stoddard, John Seamons, Patty Peterson, Kathy Gentry, Helen Moyer, Julie Watkins, Rodney L. Harris, Thonda Kay Moyer, Coralee Bolton, Debra Phelps, Derek Turman, Darby Turman, David Hirsbrunner, Susie Eggleston, Debbie Eggleston, Lynda Averett, Kent Allen, Ricky Hoffman, James Stephens, Debbie Goodenough, Tammie Bright, Kelly Christensen, Lorri Panting, Doug Horsley, Randy Nelson, Kerry Clegg, Larry Nelson, Sharon Fisher, Vicki Fisher, Pamela Lesley, Rick Davis, Rod Davos, Marlys Rush.  Grace—Carol Hadley, Randy Bowles, Lorri Bowles, Cheryl Turner.  Bancroft—Marth Ann Call, Scott Modersitzki, John Banks, David Banks.

The traffic light at the corner of Main and Second South in Soda Springs is temporarily out of order.  The computer element which times the light from red to green and vice-versa has not been working and has been removed and sent back to the factory.  Until it is returned, the light will be flashing.

The Ricks College Vikings, champions of the Intermountain Collegiate Athletic Conference for the past two years, had a home meet April 15 against Boise State College.  Merlin Ringel of Soda Springs is competing in two events, the pole vault and the sprints.  Ringel recently had a time of 9.8 in the 100.  He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Robert Ringel of Soda Springs.