Looking Back at pages from the past
The following is a brief summary of stories covered in the Caribou County Sun for the first week of February from the last 45 years.
5 Years Ago, 2019
A power outage in Soda Springs left half the town without power from around 9 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. the next morning. A shorted out transformer behind the Ponderosa Trailer Park was blamed for the outage. Crews had to open up around 200 feet of snow to access the pole. City Director Alan Skinner said that a number of people had seen arcing at the location. The pole caught fire and then broke.
On January 25, a herd of elk was hit by a train traveling through Soda Springs from Montpelier. Fish and Game arrived on the scene and ultimately dispatched 31 elk. 10 were salvageable and distributed to members of the community. A local citizen donated his front end loader to the effort.
A celebration for the 100th year of Caribou County was planned for Feburary 11. GHS History students were scheduled to give a centennial performance in the courtroom as part of the celebration, and a Caribou County Book was announced for summer with historic pictures.
JoAnna Ashley, of Planning and Zoning, reported that the planning and zoning codifcation was nearing completion, and a draft would soon be ready for review. Caribou Village was adopted as a recreational subdivision.
The Lady Cardinals advanced to the championship round of the district tournament, and secured a slot in the state tournament after defeating West Side 68-22, and Malad 53-34. Sadie Gronning led all scorers with 26, Reagan Yamauchi had 15, Jocelynn Balls and Nelly Pelayo had 4, and Jori Balls and Kate White both had 2 in the game against Malad.
The Lady Grizzlies also advanced to the District Championship game after defeating Challis 45-37. Zoeigh Walker led the scoring with 13, Maniah Clegg and Brooklyn Rigby combimed for 17. Kayci Younger and Brooklyn Rigby were highlighted for their lockdown defense in the win.
The North Gem Cowboys advanced to the Rocky Mountain District Tournament in Firth after beating the Warriors of Watersprings 56-52. James Bodily put up 16, Logan Corta had 10, Bronx Holbrook and Bennett Cooper had 8, Toby Parker 6, Jacob Neese had 3, and Garrett Leavitt, Jayce Bagley had 2.
Senator Mark Harris was honored at the NWACC/FFA Cenarrusa Day on the Hill event in Boise, as a “Friend of the [Ag] Industry”.
15 years ago, 2009
Mark Steele refuted the claims in a then-recent USA Today story about high pediatric cancer rates in Caribou County with the input of an epidemiologist from the Cancer Data Registry of Idaho who explained that the county’s high ranking for cancer rates was the result of a small sample size coinciding with larger than average occurrence during the small study window. Overall, it was concluded that the county’s incident rate, based on a more longitudinal study, was actually below average among Idaho counties.
Also reported as below average were buck to doe ratios in much of Southeast Idaho, as reported to Caribou County hunters by Fish and Game officials. Unit 76 in diamond Creek was specifically mentioned in the report. Diamond Creek tallied a ratio of 8 bucks per 100 does, which was below the management objective of 15 does per 100 bucks. Elk harvest was also down, with 1,205 counted against an objective of between 1,300 and 1,900. Archery hunt harvest were slightly higher than gun hunts. Four bears were taken, down from 16 at the last count 2 years earlier.
It was reported that the New Year’s Baby been born near the end of January. Avery Alexis Watson was born to Tim and Natalie Watson at 1:50 a.m. on January 20 while Tim was home on leave from deployment to Afghanistan. She was presented with a collection of gifts from the Chamber of Commerce President Linda Anderson.
The Soda Springs Lady Cardinal basketball team finished the regular season with a perfect 20-0 record with a win over Malad 68-30. Maddie Kimball put up 16, Shelby johnson had 13, Kayla McMurray and Rachel Bowman each had 9.
The North Gem Junior High 7th and 8th grade girls took first place in the January Thaw Basketball Tournament in Aberdeen, beating Aberdeen, South Fremont, and Malad. Coach Melonie Williams thanked the North Gem boosters for supporting the trip to the tournament.
Chesterfield Cook books were still available for Valentine’s presents from Pearl Mickelsen for $20. “Johnny Lingo” was featured at a Valentine’s Day movie night at the Bancroft LDS Church. Dates were encouraged, but not required.
The Soda Springs Library held “Puppet Playtime” on Friday for all ages. “Froggy’s First Kiss” was the featured drama, along with hands-on instruction for paper plate construction.
20 Years ago, 2004
Timothy Andrew Johnson, New Years Baby, was born on January 24 to Glenn and Christina Johnson at Caribou Memorial Hospital. He was also welcomed home by his brother Billy.
Robert and Mary Ann McDill, 72 and 70, perished in a tragic accidental home fire on January 30. SSPD Officer Scott Shaw and Fire Chief Norm Bjorkman were on the scene within eight minutes, and were soon joined by the Sheriff’s department and Caribou ambulances from Soda Springs and Grace. Robert was a former teacher who served as a medic in Korea. Smoke inhalation was believed to be the cause of the couples’ deaths, the first by fire in the county since the 1960s.
Agrium Conda Phosphate Operations’ Rasmussen Ridge Mine received notice from the Idaho Department of Lands that they had been selected as the recipient of the 2004 State of Idaho Inter-Agency Reclamation award, for “Excellence in Ongoing Operations, Soft rock Mines Over 75 Acres.” General manager Charles Ross expressed his pride in the workers at the mine who made the award possible.
Hooper Elementary school’s 5th grade classes announced that they would be presenting a program titled “America’s History Through Music” later in the month in the multi-purpose room at the school, featuring the work of students and teachers. Mr. Daniel would also be presenting a special PowerPoint.
Navy Ensign Jason M. Hill, son of Caren and John D. Hill of Soda Springs, graduated from the Navy’s Nuclear Power School at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in South Carolina. He was prepared to operate a reactor onboard a nuclear powered submarine or aircraft carrier.
The Soda Springs Rotary Club met throughout January under presiding Club President Criss James for a series of discussions and presentations on different topics, including mad cow disease, and the beef industry, as well as a report by Mark Andreason on his recent climb 18,000 feet up Mt. Everest.
North Gem students had more entries in the District Reflections program than any other participating school district. The program encourages students to pursue creative endeavors in art and musical expression. Among the students who placed in the competition were Maegen Christensen, Stephanie Chirstensen, Collen Christensen, Shantay Hall, Marshall Hall, Aubrey Banks, Samantha Call, Caleb Williams, Cheyanne Williams, and McKayla McLain.
30 Years Ago, 1994
A 5.9 magnitude earthquake shook residents awake in the middle of the night on February 3 throughout areas of southeast Idaho and western Wyoming, causing nearly 500 calls into 911 from callers who experienced the quake. The center of the quake was Afton, Wyoming, along the Webster Ridge area 25 miles northeast of Soda Springs. The Caribou County Sheriff’s Office reported no damage or injuries as a result, other than some cracked foundations in the Freedom area. Emergency Services Director Dennis Godfrey reported that none of the major industries in the area had experienced damage, and that it was ‘just a little rocking and rolling.’ The quake was strong enough to have awakened a prisoner in his jail cell, Lt. Jerry Bavaro of the SSPD reported.
In January, students from Soda Springs High School attended the Business Professionals of America Regional Conference in Pocatello, and won 14 first place awards in the 17 events that they entered. Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey reported that the ‘students represented their school and community in an exemplary manner.’ Among first place winners were Julianne Balls in Office Assistant, Jessica Woods in Office Specialist, Marc Young in Data Specialist, Julianna Balls in Information Processing Assistant, Laurie Conlin in Information Processing Specialist, Bill Lish in Data Asistant, Marie Westbrook in Keyboarding, and many more.
The Soda Springs City Council agreed to place a foot bridge over Soda Creek as part of the gifting of property to the city at the old Octagon Springs by the landowner. A survey and legal description for the city id being prepared on the Nature Path along Soda Creek north of the city. That will be provided to Monsanto for a deed from them to the city. Donated silica will also be hauled for the path when the weather clears. Bassett was awarded the contract for the Geyser Park boardwalk. A request for a cellular phone tower near the city’s water storage tank above Ledge Creek by US Cellular was discussed. It would require a 100 foot tower and small building. Councilman Randy Prescott expressed concern about the tower’s affect on the park development. Mayor Kirk Hansen agreed, stating, “We do have a fairly fragile environment right there with our springs. In my opinion, we should encourage them to look at alternate sites. The council agreed.
The rural Telecommunications Education Project announced a series of meetings and workshops to help rural communities prepare for the “Information Superhighway” which will allow access to “almost anything” with “just a computer and a phone line”. The meetings were planned in American Falls, Driggs, Lava Hot Springs, Malad, Montpelier, Preston, Rexburg, Soda Springs, and St. Anthony.
Grace Elementary 6th graders presented “Midsummer Night’s Dream” to audiences at the school. The cast included Vern Hardy, Cassie Gibson, Stacey Christensen, Bobbi Mansfield, Rita Miller, Dusty Reno, Jared Sorensen, Jessica Mendenhall, Tori Mansfield, Leticia Cuevas, Brent Tibbits, and Jason Stoddard. The play was part of a Medieval Banquet night put on by the school faculty, and featuring a meal served without utensils, befitting the time period. Bibs, however, were provided. Many a toast was raised with many a milk goblet, and the “Lord of
Salt” was routinely petitioned for his eponymous delicacy.
In a letter to the editor, “Frustrated Parent” Mike Houseman expressed some dismay at the behavior of some attendees of girls basketball games, and encouraged them to allow the team, coaches, and refs to do their jobs.
40 Years ago, 1984
Acting mayor Phillip Merchen discussed the issue of paging city firemen by the Sheriff’s Office. Merchen, who is also a volunteer fireman, said that the fire department would be glad to ork with the Sheriff’s Office to work out a good dispatch system. It was reported that the process was time consuming, as it involved a conference phone to alert the firemen’s pagers as to the location of the fire. Councilman Carl Schneck believed that a proper electronic system may help with the problem and save time.
The Lions Club expressed interest in fixing the restroom at the city park as a club project, as a better restroom facility had ranked second in a public survey on community needs. The city intended to inform the Lions that the city would be doing the necessary work to correct or replace the sewer line from the city park restroom to the main line along the street.
A $1.1 million dollar bond election for the Soda Springs School District was on the table during this week in 1984, which would be used to build four new elementary school classrooms, replace worn out kitchen equipment, move the central kitchen out of the basement of the high school and relocate it to Thirkill Elementary, upgrade the science department and library at the high school, and enlarge the gym for more seating and to acoustically upgraded to accommodate music performances and plays. A bond for a new school had failed 18 months prior, and according to the letters to the editor and the editor himself, the improvements were a fair and necessary deal.
Caribou County boat racing regular Bill Faulkner of Provo passed away at the age of 49 due to lung cancer. He was reported to have participated in every Phosphate Cup since 1970, piloting the “Hot Canary” and “Wild Hare” to the delight of local fans.
45 Years Ago, 1979
Lorraine Greene of Soda Springs recorded her first Country Gospel album “Trust in Me” in Vancouver Washington. The records could be purchased at Lallatin’s Food Town or her residence in Soda Mobile Homes.
Snowmobilers Oliver Lloyd, Ray Nelson, and Lloyd Cook made a sleigh from a car top and used it to transport a horse from Corral Creek back to civilization. The horse had been lost by sheep ranchers the previous fall and they were unable to locate it. It had been discovered by a group of people who were not able to reach it on the ridge it had become stranded, surviving on sagebrush and small amounts of grass. The three men roped him, threw him down, tied his legs up and rolled him onto the sled, where they pulled him six miles to Ry Nelson’s, likely saving its life. The horse’s owner was contacted and the two were eventually reunited.
