Looking Back at pages from the past
The following are summaries of stories from this week in years past, originally published in the Caribou County Sun.
5 Years Ago, 2019
During a City Council meeting, Grace created designations for Animal Units for the purpose of drafting a resolution in accord with the zoning ordinance. It was decided that one animal unit equalled one cow or cow with calf, one heifer, steer, bull, one horse or mule/donkey, on alpaca, one llama, one deer, one swine, two sheep and two goats. Any animals beyond the number of units allowed under the zoning ordinance will require a conditional use permit/variance. During the same meeting, a small animal permit was agreed to
cost $25.
A public hearing was held during Soda Springs City Council for P4 Production, LLC, a local unit of Bayer. 60 acres south of their plant on property theu own south of Hooper Road was requested to be changed from A-2 Agricultural to M-1 Light industrial to allow for the installation of a selenium treatment facility. The rezone was approved. During the same meeting, the qualifying area for nominees to the Planning and Zoning board was discussed. At issue was the fact that some members of the community with homes just outside the impact zone were interested in serving on the board, but prohibited by its by-laws.
The Rotary Club of Soda Springs announced the theme for the 4th of July celebration, which was “100 years—Caribou County” in honor of the anniversary. In conjunction with the theme, the Rotarians were seeking citizens who were 100, or would turn 100 by December 31, to serve as special grand marshals for
the parade.
The Grace Grizzlies finished their wrestling season with an impressive showing at the State Tournamnet in Pocatello. Clayton Lunt placed third in the 120 lbs bracket, and Bray Skinner placed 6th in th 126 lbs bracket. In Soda Springs, four members of the Cardinals team wrestled in the tournament, with Caden Bailey and Cameron Bailey making it to the second day of the competition. Caden finished with a sixth place finish, and Cameron finished one point short of medalling.
The Soda Springs 6th grade girls basketball team won the West Side tournament, with the roster of Abby Goodin, Rachel Hansen, Aspen Davis, Gracie Moldenhauer, Mayli Whitworth, Aubry Holsten, Emily Thornock, and Cate Walker. They were coached by Tim Johnson.
10 Years Ago, 2014
Mayor Jim Smith recounted a conversation he had had with Mayor Jackie Barthlome about outdated city ordinances. It turned out the Grace still had an active city ordinance authorizing the city to pay a 50 cent bounty on each skunk tail brought into city hall. As a result of their discussion, the two mayors committed to working back through the ordinances on the books and getting rid of those that were not needed. Many skunks breathed easier as a result.
The Caribou Field Archers held their annual Field Archer’s Banquet, to elect new officers and discuss the purchase of new targets, upcoming archery shoots, and the Trail Canyon Outdoor Range.
Soda Springs Boys Basketball survived a scare against West Side to end the game 52-50. After defeating Malad 48-39, the team faced West Side again, this time dominating to a 60-35 final score and securing the trip to Boise for the state tournament. Hunter Belnap scored 14, Riley Yamauchi and Landon Hayes scored 12, and Hunter Goodenough scored 10.
Lesson Leader Linda Anderson presented information on Jean Rio Griffiths Baker at the monthly meeting of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Camp Meads. Jean Rio Griffiths was born in 1810, who traveled to the Salt Lake Valley in 1851 with the pioneers. Sharon Berg conducted the meeting, which was co-hosted by Alene Maughan and Ileen Lind.
Pam Eaton, President of the Idaho Retailers Association, argued in a guest opinion piece that it was time to implement online state sales tax for Idaho, which at the time was voluntarily reported for online purchases. In her opinion, failing to make sure sales taxes stayed in Idaho would negatively affect brick and mortar retailers and unfairly advantage out of state online operations in
the future.
Chicken Dinner Road, a favorite old time bluegrass act, performed the final show of the 2013-2014 season at the Gem Valley Performing Arts Center. The band won the Battle of the Bluegrass bands competitions in 2009 and 2011. GVPAC ended the season with a benefit quilt raffle, door prizes, and a season pass winner.
Louise Hotchkiss, RN, and Shannon Earl, RN, were named “Guardian Angels” for their professional and compassionate assistance with patients. The two were nominated by a patient at the hospital. In addition to the nomination for the Angels award, the patient also donated a generous sum to the CMH Foundation for scholarships and educational programs.
The film at the Idan-Ha for the week was the remake of Robocop, with a matinee of the animated film Epic.
20 Years Ago, 2004
Grace City Council discussed the problem of homes within the city being “egged.” Mayor Coombs was informed by the city attorney that the city’s ordinance against “malicious destruction of property” created a mechanism for charges to be brought against anyone discovered participating in said vandalism. The Soda Springs and Grace Chambers of Commerce met together to discuss shared strategies for economic development in the area.
The primary theme of the Caribou County Lincoln Day Banquet, held at the Senior Citizens Center in Soda Springs, was support for the re-election of President George W. Bush. Senator Mike Crapo spoke at the dinner, thanking former senator Reed Budge of Soda Springs for showing him the ropes. Crapo spoke about the necessity of continuing the course with regard to the War on Terror, and tax relief through the “Bush Tax Cuts.” Lt. Governor James Risch noted the large number of important senators who had come from the southeast Idaho area. The lunch was hosted by Monsanto and N.A. Degerstrom.
While in town for the Lincoln Day Dinner, Lt. Gov James Risch announced a program at Monsanto’s Soda Springs Plant for improving gun safety for long-haul truckers and other delivery personnel. The program resulted from the increased security requirements put in place following 9/11. The rules would require guns checked at the safety gate at the entrance to Monsanto property to have functional gun locks, or else they would be provided to the gun owner for free.
The Soda Springs Women’s Civic Club met Tuesday afternoon at the Geyser View for a luncheon meeting. Husbands in attendance were Leonard Kingsford, Hans Sulik, and Lyle Peck. Kristie Godfrey and her 5 year old daughter McKinzi provided entertainement, with McKinzi singing and Kristie playing piano.
Jataya Harrison, Sam Shumway Holly Benson and Jaden Olson reported on Thirkill Thunderbird activities, including Valentine’s Day, Martin Luther King Junior Day, and the 100th Day of School celebration. They all played games because the got As on their spelling test.
30 Years Ago, 1994
Republican gubernatorial candidate Chuck Winder told the Caribou County Republican Committee at their luncheon that “Rights, reason, and renewal” were the issues facing Idaho voters in that year’s governor’s election. Winder called for the party to come together to make sure a Republican was elected to the state’s highest executive office following the decision of Cecil Andrus not to pursue re-election after a long career composed of two separate tenures on either side of John Evans’ governorship. The governorship had been in the hands of Democrats for the previous
24 years.
The Presbyterian Church will be holding its second annual soup luncheon in March. A nursery and light lunch were provided for pre-schoolers so that as many people as possible could attend the event, which was promoted as a great chance for members of the community to get together and catch up.
According to 4-H Assistant Diane Robbins, a group of 4-H “We the People” club students visited attended the annual “Know Your Government” Conference in Noise. Mazie Kukachka, Mindy Hubbard, Eric Hubbard, Kari Brown, and Melissa Young were among the Idaho 4-H members who learned how Idaho’s state legislative and judicial systems work, and how teens can participate locally to influence state government. Supreme Court Justice Cathy Silak, Attorney General Larry Ecohawk, and Mike Simpson were among the guest speakers at the event.
Students at Thatcher Elementary were working hard on a school play taking on the eponymous ponderable “How the West Was Really Won.” The humorous look at the western history will feature a meditation on the county’s 100th anniversary, and the impact of historical figures Eliza Spalding, Buffalo Bill Cody, and others.
In the 5th and 6th grade boys basketball tournament, Chemstar defeated Kerr-McGee 38-21. Brock Lopez had 12 as the top scorer from Chemstar, while Kerr-McGee was led by C;ayton Short with 7. FMC defeated Bowman Chiropractic, with Daniel Lakey (13 points) and Luke Bowman (23 points) the top scorers from the respective teams. Rocky Mountain Carvings led by Cade White (18) beat Artic Circle fronted by Brody Gibson (9). Monsanto beat West One Bank, with Brian Vranes and Cody Harris the
top scorers.
LaRae Rasmussen and Mary Ann Preece returned from a cruise out of Puerto Rico. They reported that the entertainment was excellent and the food was delicious.
40 Years Ago, 1984
Superintendent Lawrence Rigby stated that he was very pleased by the passage of the $1.1 million school bond, which passed 505-244, above the two-thirds majority required. The bond included a number of building projects and improvements, including additional classrooms and a central kitchen at Thirkill, and expanding the high school’s gym. Kent Lott was credited with organizing a telephone call effort to mobilize voters.
Caribou County approved a resolution to allow for the sale of wine on Sundays so that it could be sold by the glass with meals at restaurants in the county. County ordinances prohibited such sales on Sundays by default, and the issues had not really been raised until it was brought to the commission by Dean Checketts, David Mason, and Frank Chadwick. The change in law would not affect any businesses in the city, as city ordinances are separate from those that govern county properties
and businesses.
The Soda Springs City Council had been unable to find an insurance company to underwrite a policy covering the use of ultralight aircraft at the airport. City Administrator Roy Rainey conveyed that the city’s insurance carrier had suggested contacting Lloyd’s of London for such a policy. Ultimately, the city opted to forego allowing ultralight craft to use the airport rather than pursue the insurance policy.
It was reported that a potential still existed for spring flooding along the course of the Bear River. The snowpack was listed at 141 percent of normal, with warmer temperatures in the immediate forecast.
McGruff the Crime Dog visited classes in Grace to discuss issues such as vandalism and stranger danger with the students. In an accompanying picture we can’t reprint because we can’t verify who holds the rights to it, Letitia Wheeler, Ronett Perkins, and Tony Castro stand uncomfortably with the giant, be-trenchcoated
anthropomorphic canine.
50 Years Ago, 1974
Chris Langdon and Greg Torgensen of Soda Springs were among the outstanding students who spent a weekend on the campus of Utah State University with other students taking competitive examinations. They competed for five University Club Scholarships with $5,000 each. Langdon, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Langdon and torgensen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Torgesen discussed their future college and professional plans.
The Soda Springs Chamber of Commerce pushed the idea of promoting an Amtrak stop in Caribou County. A letter writing campaign to the Secretary of Transportation and Amtrak officials was discussed, and readers were encouraged to contact the two audiences to indicate their interest in the passenger line.
Hunter’s Safety (or “Gun Safety and Training”) courses coordinated by the Fish and Game Office were discussed. In school training was centered around two hours of informational class sessions and an additional hour of “gun familiarization” for students of junior high school aged students. The training covers such topics as accident avoidance, proper safe gun handling, hunter ethics, and responsibilities to landowners. An additional “hunter survival” course was optional but recommended for those who planned to use the training for hunting in the more remote areas of the state and region.
