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.
5 Years ago, 2019
Kay Bergholm presented an update from the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee to the Soda Springs City council regarding the short, mid, and long range goals the committee was tasked with developing for the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The CP is a document that lay outs plans for growth, infrastructure, and development within the city limits. Bergholm explains that the goals would be presented by the end of September and incorporate the input gained from interviews and surveys with members of the community. A survey was planned for the first week in July to begin collecting opinions about priorities and interests. The potential of selling city property at the industrial park was also raised, and community input on the prospect was largely negative.
Myrna McCullough, chair of the city advisory committee regarding recommendations for the future of the Enders Hotel reported to the Soda Springs City Council. The committee advised that the city not sell the building. McCullough stated that the committee believed that the restaurant, museum, gift shop, and hotel room portions of the building be leased to manager and advertised. “We would like to keep it intact. It is the gift of a lifetime and we may regret it if we let it go,” she said about the building. The committee believed that the lease would allow the building to be maintained and generate some revenue while other options were being explored by the city.
State Arborist Gerry Bates honored the City of Soda Springs for the 18th year as a part of the city’s Arbor Day celebration. Bates mentioned that of the 62 Tree Cities in Idaho, 50 of them were in southern Idaho. Arbor Day was begun in 1872. In 2019, there were a total of 3,800 Tree Cities in the country committed to public stewardship of trees. The per capita expense on trees by residents of Caribou County was estimated at $4.52, which was well above the national average.
The potential reduction of the effervescence of Hooper Spring was noted by residents.
The Caribou Historical Society noted the impending 100th anniversary of the county, and suggested the placement of large vinyl signs inside local businesses which could be seen from the outside, featuring historic photos of the town. The images will be 4.5 by 3 foot, and would cost under $200 a piece.
A second suspect in the March 25 bank robbery in Soda Springs was arrested in Utah. SSPD Chief Scott Shaw announced that Maria Eason, 42, was in custody in the Washington County Jail on a charge of vehicle theft and other charges in that state. An Idaho warrant has been issued for her in connection with the bank robbery. Eason is suspected of being the getaway driver for the robbery, for which Kevin Martinez was charged. Martinez trial was scheduled to start in August.
A Ladies Only handgun class was scheduled for June 18 at the Soda Springs Shooting range.
Congressman Mike Simpson stated that the problem of immigration needed the input of both parties in order to reach an effective bipartisan solution, but that the issue had become one of “playing politics.”
Rotary president Dillon Liechty announced that the Rotary Club was close to finalizing its plans for this year’s 4th of July events. The Culpepper and Merriweather Circus had been scheduled, and the events of the holiday celebration had been designed with the “100 Years of Caribou County” in mind. In addition to the parade, fireworks, foam, circus events, and games, Skeeter the Clown was announced to be in town.
Southeastern Idaho Public Health and the Idaho State Police announced that they would be conducting a free Drug Education Impairment Training for Educational Professionals at Idaho Central Credit Union. The goal of the training is to “equip educational professionals with the skills to identify alcohol or drug impaired students and ensure a safe learning environment.”
District 5 Engineer Ed Bala announced his retirement after 34 years in service to the Idao Transportation Department. Todd Hubbard, son of Alma and Libby Hubbard of Grace was announced as the replacement, leaving his then-current position at District 4.
10 Years ago, 2014
Federal Judge Ronald Bush granted a partial summary judgement that placed a new ATV trail on nearly 8 miles on hold on the east side of Caribou Mountain because the Forest Service had acted in an “arbitrary and capricious manner” regarding the impact the trail could have on a proposed wilderness area. The ruling included elements that were both for and against the Forest Service with regard to the trail. The agency had been sued by the Greater Yellwostone Coalition and others on the proposed Winschell Dugway ATV Trail project. The project had stated that its goal was to “provide visitors with the unique opportunity to experience mining history within the Soda Springs Ranger District of the Caribou National Forest.” The trail would go from the old Winschell Dugway north of Tincup aLong Jacknife and north to Caribou Mountain, a historic goldmine. The Forest Service and EPA had released a report finding no significant likely wildlife impact to the area. The judge ordered the Forest Service to more fully evaluate the impact before proceeding any further.
Cardinal Rush 2014 was held at Soda Springs High school on Saturday. Kids, adults, babies, and even dogs dressed in white or costumes ran through a three mile course, got splashed with color as they went, and then celebrated at a finish party. The course, mapped out by Jeff Horsley, included four color zones—purple, yellow, pink, and red. The color areas were sponsored by local businesses: MedEx, SSSD 150, Arctic Circle, US Bank, Monsanto, Soda Springs Phosphate, and Idaho Sporting Goods.
On Monday, a young black bear made its way into town and caused quite a commotion. The bear was estimated to be a two and a half year old of around 100 pounds, and came through the Fairview Cemetery, past the Caribou County Sun office, and over to the Caribou Lodge before heading back to take a nap in the cemetery. City and county law enforcement officers blocked off the cemetery and along Center Street to keep the young bear from going south. Eventually, hounds were turned on the bear and it was treed near Main Street and Highway 30. Fish and Game officers tranquilized the bear and caught it in a tarp when it fell to the ground at around 3:30 in the afternoon. The bear was located to a wilderness area. It was noted that the events had taken place almost exactly 20 years after a similar incident when a bear nicknamed Boo Boo had made its way to the Alexander dam power plant.
20 Years ago, 2004
Health officials announced that they were testing for West Nile Virus, which can be spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the seven Idaho Health Districts will join forces to collect data on the mosquito and bird populations in the state. Idaho is one of the few states that has not yret discovered West Nile its its native animal popualations. The virus has spread rapidly since it was first discovered in New York state in 1999. West Nile does not have serious effects on most people, though it can lead to illness and even death in some cases. 262 deaths were reported as a result of the over 10,000 infections in 2003.
Free Fishing Day was held at Kelly Park in Soda Springs from 8 to noon on Saturday. Free Fishing Day is a statewide event that allows everyone, regardless of whether or not they hold a fishing license, to try out the sport. The event featured a lunch and numerous prizes, in addition to the recently stocked lake, brimming with trout. The free fishing lasts all day, and is in effect throughout the entire state.
A Saferty Expo and Bike Rally was planned by the SSPD and SAFEKIDS Southeastern Idaho. The 4th Annual Patricia Sorensen Bicycle Rally was scheduled to coincide with the Community Safety Expo and Car Seat Check at the City Park. Safety stations included helmet safety, home fire safety with Chubbuck Fire Department Smoke Trailer, Defensible Urban Fire Protection by Caribou County EMS, State Farm’s 911 Simulator, ISU Pharmacy Poison Control, Children ID Fingerprinting, Smoky Bear and Puppet Show from the BLM, SSPD Booster Buddy Club, Portneuf Medical Center Life Flight and ATV Safety, Fish and Game Firearm Safety and free gun locks, 4-H Shooting Club, and their Shooting Trailer, Monsanto’s Farm Safety hydration and free blood pressure, and Operation
30 Years ago, 1994
State Attorney General Larry EchoHawk visited Soda Springs in support of his bid for the governorship. EcoHawk is running against Republican Phil Batt in the election. Caribou County Prosecuting Attorney Clyde Nelson introduced the candidate as an excellent supporter of prosecutors in the state, and praised the work he had done in that position in Bannock County. EcoHawk’s major campaign theme was keeping Idaho “the last best place to raise a family.” He spoke to workers at a number of local plants and locations throughout town.
Thirkill Elementary received its Iowa Basic Skills test results, and as a school found that they placed in the 92nd percentile, which means that they performed better than 92 percent of the schools across the country. Some individual skills, such as capitalization, punctuation, and spelling were closer to or at the 99 percentile mark.
It was reported that a number of scams had been noted in the area. The SSPD urged residents to use caution when dealing with contractors they did not know. Annual scams such as those related to roofing, siding, driveway repairs, septic tanks, and tree trimming had been reported across southern Idaho. A newer scam involving callers asking for card numbers over the phone in order to deposit fake proceeds from contests were also reported.
Superintendent Rigby clarified that students within the school district can be disciplined by the school itself for violations of school rules, but that violations of criminal law require the involvement of law enforcement, which is why the SSPD has been involved in some recent incidents with students. Rigby stated that the city police had “been super” in working with the schools this year, but wanted to clarify that the actions taken for discipline are independent of any law enforcement actions that are required in response to criminal violations.
Three burglaries were reported by the Soda Springs Police Department on Tuesday. Soda Springs Auto Parts, Tsoiba Lanes, and Brad Ragan Tires all reported having been the targets of burglars over the night. Property valued at an undisclosed amount was taken, with damage in excess of $1,600 to property also reported.
At the recent graduation, it was announced that Soda Springs High school students had received over $500,500 in scholarships, with forty-six percent of graduates having been offered some form of scholarship. Most of the dollar value was in the form of tuition scholarships to universities, including ISU, CSI, USU, Colorado State, Ricks College, and many others. Other scholarships came from local businesses and organizations.
As of July 1, a new law in Idaho called the Administrative License Suspension Law will result in arresting officers seizing driver’s licenses on the sport for BACs determined to be in excess of .10. A temporary 30 day license is issued at the time of the arrest, and automatically expires at the end of that time. The first offense results in a license loss of 90 days. The second leads to a one year suspension. The law was reported to have led to considerable decreases in the rates of drunk driving in states where it has been applied.
40 Years ago, 1984
North Gem School District announced plans to open the school’s library to serve community members and students throughout the summer. Aileen Larsen, elementary librarian for the district, will open the library each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
This year’s production of the Fourth of July Community Theatre production of “My Fair Lady” informed the Sun’s readers that it was seeking prop donations for the play. The production was looking to borrow a silver tea set, a white ceramic coffee serving set, white wicker lawn furniture, crystal wine decanter and glass set, a small sofa and chair, a hat tree, historical hats of the 1912 style (derbies, boaters, and top hats), and an umbrella stand.
In the race for U.S. Congress, Richard Stallings and George Hansen both hit the trail to talk about high interest rates, which Stallings said were having a “devastating effect on agriculture”. Stalling had lost the recent election for the spot to Hansen by a narrow margin, and hoped to overcome it during the 1984 race. Stallings visited Soda Springs, and spoke of the strength of its small businesses and farm families.
Two workers injured in a recent Beker Indistries Conda fertilizer plant accident were reported to be recovering. Victor Lishenko and Jerry West received second and third degree burns over 40 and 50 percent of their bodies as a result of the accident, which occurred inside a rotating drum at the granulation plant. The two men were receiving skin grafts at a burn center in Salt Lake City.
A large crowd turned out to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Chesterfield Ward. A musical performance “the Sound of Zion” from Logan was on hand for the festivities, as were hundreds of people from all across the west. Speeches, a film, celebration dinner, dances, and other events helped to commemorate the milestone.
