Looking Back at Pages from the Past
5 Years ago, 2019
37 year old Kevin M. Martinez of Salt Lake City was arraigned at the Caribou County Courthouse on one count of felony robbery before Judge David Kress. Martinez was arrested on April 3 by the Unified Police Department in Salt Lake City on an arrest warrant issued by the Soda Springs Police Department for the robbery of Ireland Bank on March 25. The robber entered the bank around noon and left with an undisclosed amount of cash. No firearm was used during the commission of the robbery. The suspect was described as wearing a disguise by witnesses, and seen running from the bank to a white SUV, in white he fled the scene. Soda Springs attorney Criss James represented Martinez in his first court appearance. The felony robbery charge carries a sentence of five years to life, and a fine of up to $50,000. Bond was set at $500,000. The suspect was escorted from the courtroom by SSPD Chief Scott Shaw and CCSO Sheriff
Kelly Wells.
A session was planned to train those interested to become weather spotters for the National Weather Service. The training will include definitions and training in climatology related to severe weather, cloud and storm recognition, storm hazards, safety tips, weather reporting procedures, and a review of past weather events. Kevin Smith of the NWS will be the presenter. It was reported that the Eastern Idaho area had over 850 volunteer weather spotters and observers, who provide valuable assistance to the federal
weather service.
The 2019 Mr. Soda High winner was announced to be Drew Moldenhauer. 10 boys from the high school were involved in the competition during the evening in which they performed for the assembled audience. Connor Veile won the opening number; Thomas Nielsen won the Physical Fitness award; Darren Michelsen won the Talent portion; Justin Harris Karson Steiner, and Ethan Seyfried won the Mr. Dedication award; Drew Moldenhauer won the Demeanor and Confidence prize; Connor Veile took the Crowd Pleaser award. The Spirit of Mr. Soda High went to Karson Steiner and Payton Lish. Runner up for Mr. Soda was Thomas Nielsen.
Caribou County’s Distinguished Young Woman Raegan Yamauchi invited girls between the ages of 4 and 12 to participate in a short self-expression routine that will be performed at the DYW Program.
The DUP held its monthly meeting, with Captain Dorothy Ackerman conducting. Anna Schwartz gave the history on David Ward, who lived in the Oxford area. Marianne Josephsen gave the lesson on the Lost River area of Central Idaho.
It was announced that changes would be coming to the Caribou County Fair Exhibit Building. Division and categories will be simplified, and premium awards will be doubled. The year’s theme will be “Caribou County Fair, What a Gem!” A new quilting category, Diamonds, was announced. Another new development will be the Kids’ Market. Kids from 5-15 are invited to be entrepreneurs and sell any idea they can come up with.
10 Years ago, 2014
Public meetings were scheduled to discuss the potential consolidation between Grace School District 148 and North Gem School District 149. Because the petitions for the consolidation had been presented at the school board meetings in both districts, public hearings had been made mandatory under state law, which requires the signatures of 5 percent of registered voters in a district. The consolidation process was started by a petition from district residents, rather than either of the two school boards themselves. Following the hearings, the proposed plan of consolidation will be submitted to the State Board for Approval, after which the county commissioners will be notified and an election will be scheduled. The consolidation would not require the combining of school building facilities, and would lead to the potential for larger funding amounts in the aggregate. The proposed name for the consolidated district was the North Gem-Grace Joint School District #147. Severance payment could be offered to up to ten percent of employees.
Lisa Ayers was given the oath of office to serve another term on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Teresa Watkins and Suzie Nelson discussed Geyser Pride Days, would be holding its third annual event. It would include a fun run, ceremony, salmon dinner, kids’ parade, kids’ train rides and activities, the UPRR mini-train, and a 10 piece band and street dance. It was reported that 750 pounds of salmon had been used the year before. Dennis Peck, president of the Field Archers, asked to use Kelly Park for the club’s annual outdoor shoot, during which time disc golf would be closed.
The City of Grace heard from Sheldon Mansfield of the Sheriff’s Office explained the program called Nixle, which would alert citizens of Caribou County through phone or text messages of possible emergencies, school closures, and events within the community. As a result of a report by Fire Chief Curtis Peck on a burn that had spread from an un-permitted fire, it was decided to put a notice in utility bills to makes citizens aware that burn permits are required by the city.
The St. Mary’s Catholic Women’s Organization thanked the community for its support of their April lasagna dinner, held in the church hall. Donations raised during the event will be used to purchase new kneelers for
the church.
The Soda Springs Lions Club met at the Geyser View Restaurant with Club President Doug Wood conducting. The business mainly involved the discussion of the 2014 County Distinguished Young Women scholarship program. Tracie Erickson is the chairman of this year’s program, which will involve the participation of 10 girls. Another item for discussion was what the club planned to do to celebrate the club’s 65th
anniversary.
The School District 150 Board of Trustees celebrated the undefeated 7th and 8th grade Quiz Bowl teams from Tigert Middle School. The students spoke to the board and explained how the competition worked. Emergency Levy Funds for the district were scheduled to be used on technology, and improved
curriculum.
20 Years ago, 2004
The 2004 issue of Zion’s Bank’s Insight Economic News of Idaho and Nation reported that Idaho’s economic rebound was on track. Following several years of economic turbulence and decline, the state’s growth was viewed as showing evidence of marking a solidly upward trajectory.
Discussion on heritage designations and foundation grants were discussed by the mayor and City Council of Soda Springs. Mayor Kirk Hansen clarified the current status of the proposed jail project. The jail, he explained, was not a city jail but a county jail on county property within city limits, which met zoning requirements. A potential National Heritage Area for the Bear River region was discussed. Trent Clark, representing Monsanto, suggested caution before endorsing the area. At issue was the fact that the area designation would not be in effect for up to ten years, and the legislation surrounding it was subject to changes in the interim.
David Jessop and Kyle Yates have returned home briefly before military deployment. The Elders cut their missions a bit short in order to report to military training with their Preston National Guard units on April 12. The two will leave Caribou County for Bliss, Texas and then California for more intensive training. They will serve in Iraq for approximately one year. It was reported that Seth Smith had returned from a year’s service in Iraq with the Fourth Infantry. He and his wife Elizabeth will be able to spend time together in Fort Hood, Texas, where he arrived.
Numerous area residents have joined the newly formed Friends of the Library and are off and running with their first project. They are joining with the grace District Library and the American Legion in a countywide effort to supply paperback books of good quality and high interest to overseas U.S. Troops. The first meeting was attended by Kenneth Piippo, Trent Clark, Marilyn Kukachka, Julie Franson, Julie Smith, Melinda Woods, Parlene Davis, Caludia Piippo, Kaye Moore, Mary Sorensen, Cindy Erickson, Betty Loenshal, Mike Lauman, and Randy Johnson.
The Burgoyne School of Music launched its annual Community Birthday Calendar sales drive. Customers can have their birthdays and anniversaries added to the calendar by contacting Linda Hubbard or Eva Jean Simonson.
30 Years ago, 1994
Erin Humble was announced as the Junior Miss at the completion of the Soda Springs Lions Club competition. Jennifer Nelson was selected as the first runner-up. Humble performed a humorous reading and art presentation for her creative and performing arts number. Winners of the individual categories were Mariah Titcomb, Jamie Norman, Wendy Fowler and Stacie Anderson. Finalists were Humble, Nelson and Anderson, as well as Ashley Brown, and Darla Spencer.
An Open House for retiring Chief Deputy Claude Snooks was held on at the Courthouse.
Jon Hall, Chairman of the Soda Springs School District and Principal Wayne Waddoups were on hand at Thirkill Elementary as students demonstrated their reading skills to the two administrators. The “Every Child a Reader” program is in its second year, and has been very successful at bringing K-3 students up to grade level across the district.
Michelle Rasmussen will be the featured reader at the Grace Public Library’s Story hour. Michelle and her husband Scott live in Grace after living in the Minnedoka area.
Mark Heidelman, prosecutor in the Jaralee Underwood case, spoke to the Rotary Club about the case, the prosecution, and the background of the convicted murderer James Wood.
Utah State Danceworks toured Grace and Thatcher Elementary Schools as part of its traditional visit to schools in Utah and Southeast Idaho. Danceworks is the performing dance company for USU, and recently competed in the American College Dance Festival regionals in Albuquerque.
Justin Summers was awarded his Eagle Scout, with both grandparents as well as his 94 year old great-grandmother in attendance. His Eagle Scout project was the mailbox stand in the Wood Canyon subdivision.
40 Years ago, 1984
The Caribou County Sheriff’s office reported that $27,279 in property was reported stolen in March, with $25,330 of it recovered. Only $5 in Vandalism was reported in the same time period. 11 arrests were made, and 17 prisoners served 128 days.
The Caribou Historical Society announced an evening slide-tape presentation on Southeast Idaho history, which would be presented by visiting speaker Dr. Susan Hendricks Davis, assistant professor of English at ISU. She received grants from the Association for the Humanities in Idaho to support the creation of the presentation. President Elaine Johnson expressed her excitement at the upcoming visit.
The Sophomore Carnival for Bancroft community was reported to be even bigger and better at the North Gem gymnasium this year. There was something for everyone, including a child’s fishing pond, a dunking machine, and an adult Bingo game.
Eight Idaho State University students in the School of Vocational-Technical Education won first place gold medals in the Idaho State Skill Olympics, recently held at ISU. They included Terry Sorenson of Grace, in diesel mechanics.
Kimberly Johnson reported to work as the new soil scientist for the Soil Conservation Service in Soda Springs. She will be working on the Bear Lake-Caribou progressive soil survey. She and her husband Paul recently moved to the area. Michael Combs started work as the new soil conservation technician for the SCS as well.
The South Bannock County Historical Society announced that it would be opening a museum facility in Lava Hot Springs. The opening exhibit will feature “Trails, Trappers, Trains, and Travelers.” The museum will opened in a converted garage
building downtown.
