Looking back at pages from the past
5 Years ago, 2019
Governor Brad Little laid out his plan to ensure existing administrative rules remain in effect following the Idaho Legislature’s decision not to reauthorize the rules during the 2019 session. The Idaho Legislature in the past has ended its session by reauthorizing all existing rules, but did not do so in 2019. As a result, Governor Little needed to use an executive administrative action to ensure the rules remained in effect past July 1. All rules reauthorized through the executive process (which involves publication by individual agencies in a special edition of the Idaho Administrative Bulletin in June) are subject to review during the 2020 legislative session. The governor and many legislative watchers noted that the upside to the unusual process was that many laws which were no longer relevant or necessary could be allowed to expire, creating a better set of laws in the longrun.
Accused bank robber Kevin Martinez entered a not guilty pleas on charges that he had robbed the Ireland Bank branch in Soda Springs on March 25. Judge Mitchell Brown set a jury trial for August on the charges. Martinez had been extradited from Utah, where he was apprehended on a warrant. Jedge Brown explained that felony robbery carried a maximum sentence of life in prison. Prosecutor Doug Wood explained that the minimum sentence was five years. Martinez was returned to the custody of the Caribou County Sheriff’s Office, where he will be remanded excepting a $500,000 bond.
The Lady Cardinals split games during a snow-filled week, losing to Malad 15-3, but beating Bear Lake 13-2. Hailey Downs, Sydnee Linstrom, and Michalea Skinner were honored for Senior night during the game with Malad, and all had hits during the game. After dominating Bear Lake, the Cardinals held the second seed in the impending district tournament, where they would once again face Bear Lake.
High School rodeo was held in Grace, and saw first place results from Dally Mendenhall in Barrel Racing, Will Cutler in Tie Down Roping, Dustin Thompson in Ster Wrestling, and Cassidy and Shelby Higgins in Team Roping. In the Junior High results, Hayden Corta took first in barrel racing, Wyatt Cutler in Goat Tying, Hanna Mendenhall in Girls Goat tying, and HAtden Corta in Pole Bending.
11 Years ago, 2013 (Don’t Ask)
A 4.2 magnitude earthquake hit just over the Fish Creek Divide on the west side of the valley shortly after 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 5. The official report listed the time of the quake as 9:14 p.m., with a second 3.6 quake shortly after at 9:21 p.m. The origin point of the quake was approximately even miles below the ground, and was felt as far away as Pocatello for around a minute. Some reports of objects falling over were received from Bancroft. The Caribou County Sheriff’s department announced that Superintendent Jamie Holyoak had inspected the North Gem School building and not discovered any damage there or at the Grace school building.
The City of Soda Springs asked for any civic group who wished to support the community and raise money to assist with organizing and running the 4th of July Kids Carnival. The carnival was planned to involve three large inflatable toys, a mini-train, and a four-wheeler giving rides. The event was planned to last eight hours.
Caribou County’s SEICAA was awarded a $3,181 grant to supplement emergency food shelter programs in the county. The selection was made by a national board chaired by FEMA, and consisting of representatives from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, United Jewish Charities, National Council of Churches of Christ, and the United Way. The board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high needs areas around the country.
Information provided the Idaho drivers on the heels of recent dust storms which had caused the closure of both directions of traffic for several hours between Idaho Falls and Roberts. Also during the month, I-86 west of Pocatello was closed for more than five and a half hours due to near zero visibility. Over two dozen vehicles were involved in a pileup as a result, and nine people were transported to the hospital. The ISP and ITD advised drivers not to attempt to drive into dust storms or outrun them. It was suggested that drivers pull over when visibility becomes severely restricted, though not in emergency or lefthand lanes, and to pull as far onto the shoulder as possible.
The Caribou Community Theater Guild introduced new members Jerry Bean, Riley Dixon, Dave Summers, Steve Stalcup, and Ashlee Stalcup. The Guild decided in its theme for the Fourth of July Parade, which was “50 Years of Theater”. The group celebrated its 50th year of live theatrical productions (by it and its predecessor) in 2019. The first play was a melodrama directed by Owen Nelson.
Dustin Raymond was named the “Boss of Soda High” in the annual contest of seniors at the high school, featuring a “Battle of the Sexes.” In a good showing for Tylers, runner-up was a tie between Tyler Goff and Tyler Fetzer. Other category winners included Brooke Hegemann and Nick Pugmire for the Opening Number, Tyler Goff for Physical Fitness, Dustin Raymond in Talent, as well as Confidence and Demeanor, Emily Clegg for Judges Question, Nick Pugmire for Mr. Dedication, and Tyler Balls and Dustin Raymond for the Spirit of Boss. The event was put on by BPA (Business Professionals of America) at SSHS.
20 Years ago, 2004
Calvin Smith, Grace Idaho class of 1953 graduate, completed the Music City Marathon in Nashville, TN at the age of 69. At the time, Smith is a retired Eastern Illinois University professor. He has been jogging since the 1970s, but had never tried running as far as 26.2 miles in a race before. Commenting that “it was a great experience,” Smith planned to run the race again the next year.
The North American Moose Foundation, along with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Monsanto, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Soda Springs School District hosted a willow-planting project the restore moose habitat in the Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Adrea, specifically in Angus Creek at Stocking Ranch. Mike Mathew and Marty Orwig of the Moose Foundation, Tom Maeder of Fish and Game, and Trent Clark of Monsanto led the group through a discussion of moose habitat, and the project itself.
An old-fashioned funeral procession led by a four-span mule pack from the Hope Lutheran Church to the Fairview Cemetery for 91 year old Elton Sorensen was held through town, bringing out a large crowd.
The problem of unlicensed drivers driving motorcycles on public streets and public property was raised at Soda Springs City Council. In addition to liability and ordinance issues, noise and nuisance complaints had also been raised. The issue was weighed in on by Mitch Hart, Mayor Kirk Hansen, Randy Prescitt, Tony Varilone, Ryan Anderson, and many members of the public. No resolution was reached, though the mayor stated he would speak with the Chief of Police about solutions to the motorcycle issues.
The Grand Teton Council honored Barbara Gail Gibson of Soda Springs with the Silver Beaver Award for her above and beyond service in the community with the scouting programs. Barbara has served in all Cub Scout positions, including District Cub Scout Chair, and she has also seen each of her sons achieve the rank of Eagle. Gibson has also been the Varsity District Food Chair for the last seven years, and has developed and Arrow of Light ceremony that is requested around the region.
Grandparents Day at North Gem saw a program presented by students in the high school auditorium, and a welcome by Anson Christensen, EmiLee Simons, Ethan Wadsworth, Trieste Holbrook, Andrew Simonson, and Megan Christensen. The classes presented skits and songs, and presented the grandparents with pocket calculators as gifts. The grandparents joined their grandkids in a rousing “bunny hop” and “hokey pokey” in the gym.
An appreciation brunch for members of the Caribou Memorial Hopsital Auxiliary was held in the dining room of the Living Center. The event is held to recognize the “pink ladies,” as members of the auxiliary are known, according to CEO John Hoopes. The meeting was opened by social worker Sherie Alvari, and the meal was prepared by dietary director Karleen Gunnell. Tomato shrimp cocktail was the featured meal. Hospital Board Chairman Rulon Wistisen, from Bancroft, sand “The Impossible Dream,” accompanied by Jan Mumford. Those honored at the dinner were credited with a total of 42,792 hours of volunteer service.
30 Years ago, 1994
A two month investigation by Lt. V.J. Bavaro of the SSPD has solved eight vehicle burglaries, one attempted theft, once malicious injury to property, and two cases of receiving stolen goods. Property taken included money, cameras, cassette tapes, CDs, calculators, purses, wallets, and clothing. Fourteen juveniles and one adult, all of Soda Springs, will be charged for the crimes that have taken place over the past year. Over $2,300 was taken in total, and $1,500 recovered.
Soda Springs police investigated an attempted burglary at the new Tigert Middle School, The alleged burglary took place on May 2, in the early hours of the morning. According to police reports, scews were removed from the window, but the entry was unsuccessful. A window was broken and a handle on a door was also damaged in further attempts to gain entry, which were unsuccessful. It was estimated that between $500 to $1000 in damages were done during the break-in attempt.
A mutual aid fire agreement between Caribou County and the City of Grace was finalized after a lapse in the agreement had left the southwestern part of the county without the back-up protection of Grace’s Fire Department. Mayor Holt and Councilmember Charles Titcombhad attempted to reach a new agreement with the county commissioners, but been unsuccessful. Kit Larson served as a spokesperson for more than 20 county residents who assembled to petition the county commissioners some version of the fire agreement. They brought a petition signed by 450 county residents to that effect. Eventually, a mutually agreeable arrangement was arrived at by the parties.
Fish and Game officials clarified that even though all reptiles had been placed on Idaho’s list of protected animals, there were provisions in the law allowing for them to be dispatched in cases of health and safety concerns. This means that potentially venomous snakes on trails can still be killed, and up to four frogs and lizards can still be collected by kids.
A team sorting competition was held at Wilker Ranch in Grace. Participants from Tremonton, Rockland, Preston, Pocatello, Arbon, and many other locations participated. A tie for first was earned by the team of Tom Wade, Tad Arbon, Stan Groom, Curt Dagley, Autumn Wilker, and Craig Wilker. In the youth division, top place went to Brandon Mathews, Samantha Mathews, and Paige Seeholzer.
Brandon Schrand was awarded a summer fellowship to fund a research trip to Boston where he will work in the archives at the Society for the Preservation of New Enlgand Antiquities. Schrand will use the opportunity to research his ongoing work on a biolgraphy of Captain John Codman, a Nineteenth Century author who summered in Soda Springs in the 1880s and 1890s. Schrand is completing an MFA degree at the University of Idaho, where he is also at work on his memoir “The Enders Hotel.”
40 Years ago, 1984
The Galloping Goose railroad car in the Soda Springs City Park was reported to be in need of painting on the exterior body, and city officials are hoping alocal group, organization, or individuals will volunteer to do the work on the train car that was the only way to go between Conda and Soda Springs from 1922 to 1936.
Two Soda Springs High School students, Suzy Lott and Patti Clark, attended the National Office Education Association convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. A total of 2,100 students from across the country attended the event. The two competed in events including shorthand, accounting, business math, typing, and public speaking.
The D.H. Miles family gathered at the home of Sewell Miles of Pocatello to celebrate the birthdays of the two youngest members of the family, twins Sewell and Newell. A potluck dinner was served to 33 members of the family, including mother Ida Miles, of Grace, Dorothy Miles, of Pocatello, Joe and Verna Miles of Murtaugh, Dale Miles of Blackfoot, May Miles of Grace, Bob and Kathy Miles of Blackfoot, and Penny Slagowski of Soda Springs, among others.
William Tarbet graduated with a degree from the University of Idaho at the same time as his son Bruce. Tarbet, of Grace, left Utah State for the Army, and had always meant to go back to complete his bachelors degree. When his son’s enrollment in Moscow came around, he decided it was an opportune time for it. A daughter Ruth now also attends the university, making it a
family affair.
The Logan Temple, originally constructed in 1884 under the direction of Church president John Taylor, planned to celebrate its centennial over the course of the year. A number of events were planned to celebrate its history, which is central to the development of the Cache valley area.
