Looking Back at Pages from the Past
5 Years ago, 2019
There were sword fights and armed combatants, belly dancers, kids’ quests, food, arts and crafts, and a variety of entertainment at the annual Faire in Hooper Springs over the 4th weekend. Even the Mermaids of the Great Salt Lake were in attendance. The Queen was present, and she took out a warrant and ordered the arrest of a young man for “witchery and not cleaning his room.” He was arrested, paraded around by an armed member of the Queen’s court, and locked up in the pillory and stocks for public humiliation and a few good laughs.
The annual Grace Chamber of Commerce Concert in the Park featured Don Sibbert, a local singer songwriter, and entertainer who performed a variety of music including old country, and Hawaiian, as well as songs and stories. Don was born and raised in Grays Lake, and returns often in his off-time from acting and playing music in Tennessee. Funds raised from the concert will be donated to the renovation of the Legion Hut in town, as it was in need of several urgent repairs, as well as ADA bathroom accommodations.
The Idaho Uniform Crime Report for 2018 showed that Caribou County’s total offenses were down 22 percent from the year prior, with a total of 179 crimes in the major crime category, and 75 percent of those having been cleared. The figures include the combined totals from the Soda Springs Police Department as well as the Caribou County Sheriff’s Office. There were 16 juvenile arrests and 227 adult arrests over the year. Soda Springs had 34 drug violations, and the county had 11. SSPD reported 16 simple assaults and 14 thefts. The SO had 3 assaults and 3 thefts. Both departments had 19 DUIs over the time period. There were 5 sexual assaults in Soda Springs and none reported by the county.
A Ranch tour presented by Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers was scheduled at Crandall Farms in Chesterfield. The public was invited to view the management intensive grazing practices with a head of 1,200 yearlings. Presentations by Adam Carter, Robin Cattle and Consulting, and Les Nunn of the University of Idaho Extension Office were planned as well.
The BLM released a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Fuel Breaks in the Great Basin for a 45-day comment period. The EIS analyzes a system of up to 11,000 miles of fuel breaks to control wildfires within a 223 million acre area that includes portions of Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington, California, and Nevada. Public input was sought on the portions of the system that will include local areas, and would be heard at scheduled meetings.
10 Years ago, 2014
The Presbyterian Church in Soda Springs scheduled a presentation following worship service during which Dr. Frederick Partey planned to report on his trip to Ghana financed by the church and members of the community. The church is proud to be part of the bringing clean water to a village in Ghana. Prior to the well becoming available, the women and children of the village would have to walk two to three miles daily to bring fresh water to the village. The original well was drilled by the Japanese government in collaboration with the community and water sanitation in Ghana in 1999. It was abandoned in 2010 due to a broken pump and non-functioning iron-infiltration system. The church decided to rehabilitate the well after being made aware of the situation by Frederick Partey. The Partey family, three of whom are from Ghana, traveled to the country on vacation in 2014 to work on the water project. The village expressed great thanks for the efforts on behalf of their water needs, and the friendship of a community thousands of miles away.
The Chesterfield LDS ward is 130 years old. A celebration will be held on July 25 to commemorate the milestone. Books collecting stories and memories from residents both past and present over that time have been compiled into a two volume set and will be available for purchase to those interested during the events of the celebration, which will include a potluck, dance, and program.
15 Years ago, 2009
After four and a half years of planning and remodeling, Keith and Shelly Keetch have opened Grandmas Kitchen on Main Street in Grace. “This business has been in the making for some time. We purchased the building from Barbara Peterson and have been remodeling it as time and money allow,” Shelly said.
On Sunday, ISP responded to a three vehicle crash on State Highway 34 at milepost 39, five miles south of Grace. Tyson Jenkins of Freedom, WY, was traveling northbound in a Ford van when the vehicle crossed into the southbound lane striking an Oldsmobile driven by Blaine Priestly of Bancroft, who then struck Robert Johnson of Logan, Utah. Jenkins was transported to Caribou Memorial Hospital in Soda Springs and then released. His passenger was airlifted to Salt Lake with serious injuries. Priestley’s passenger was taken to CMH, where he passed away. Priestly was taken to EIRMC in Idaho Falls.
The Grace Chamber of Commerce and many locals celebrated Good Ol’ Days at the Caribou County Fairgrounds. The function was reported to be a blooming success. The weather could not have been better, and all other conditions were just as perfect. If not for all the sponsors the celebration would not have been nearly the cusses it was. A special thanks was given to all the volunteers, local talent vendors, and everyone who brought their tractors, engines, and antique vehicles.
20 Years ago, 2004
Gem Community Coordinator with the Idaho Dept of Commerce Hank Ebert presented Dallas Murdoch of the Grace Gem Team and Grace Mayor Ronald Coombs with a certificate designating the city of Grace as an active Gem Community. The is evidence of the dedication of community volunteers who form a productive partnership with the State of Idaho. Governor Dirk Kempthorne congratulated the city through an official letter.
The Bancroft Rodeo Committee with Kevin McLain as chairman held the Bancroft Rodeo Queen contest on Wednesday. A total of 14 girls competed for the titles of senior queen, Kylie Nicole Freestone, Junior Queen, Shandel Smith, and Junior Princess, McKayla McLain. The girls were 13, 10, and 8, respectively.
Monsanto, a Southeast Idaho phosphate mining and processing company in Soda Springs, has won the Environmental Excellence Award presented by the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry at its annual conference in Sun Valley. Monsanto was nominated because of its innovative mining and reclamation practices which reduce and eliminate leaching of selenium from phosphate mining at their two mines, located about 19 miles northeast of Soda Springs. They have developed new mining techniques in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, Idaho Department of Lands, and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
25 Years ago, 1999
Kids had a cool and wet time of it Saturday at the July 4 celebration in Soda Springs City Park when they got into the pool to go fishing with their hands. The live fish pond was sponsored by FMC Credit Union, with all the proceeds going to the Soda Springs Little League. It was a big hit for kids and spectators alike.
Over 2,000 ducks were turned loose on Soda Creek Canal in the annual Development
Committee and Chamber Bingo Committee Duck Race. First place, a Polaris 325 Millennium 2000 four wheeler sponsored by Outwest Distributing was won by Colton Lakey. Second place, a La-Z-Boy recliner sponsored by Sanders Furniture, was won by Sharon Monk. Denny Lee won the Huffy mountain bike; Diane Daniels won a year supply of Roundup, and a dinner for two at Cedar View Supper Club was won by Nick Smith.
Several fireman were overcome with heat exhaustion while fighting a house fire on Friday at the Daryl Harrison residence on Kelly Park Road in Soda Springs. The home was nearly totalled on the interior and SSFD Chief Norm Bjorkman said that a heat lamp for an iguana or a dryer were the most likely culprits. Caribou County Firemen also responded to back up the city crew, and found flames engulfing three rooms on their arrival. The three foot long iguana was saved, and no one was injured in the fire. The fire chief urged caution on the part of residents as the dry season takes hold and fire conditions are ripe.
30 Years ago, 1994
Ellen Carney, a local author from Wayan, won honorable mention on her book “The Oregon Trail, Ruts, Rogues, and Reminiscences” at the National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest at the national conference for the organization at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas. The award earned by Carney was in the historical book category. “This book contains a wealth of information and is extremely interesting. The information on the ‘Ruts and Trail sites’ is particularly good. For anyone interested in the Oregon Trail this is a good place to start,” the committee said in its award presentation.
The Grace City Council met to discuss the Americans With Disabilities Act requirements for the city, as well as progress on the wastewater treatment facility, alley way cleanup, delinquent bills, and animal control issues. Access at a number of sites throughout the city was noted as needing to be updated in order to accommodate the requirements of the newly authorized ADA.
Scotch thistle has been found at the old stockyards near the railroad tracks in Soda Springs, and Caribou County Weed Superintendent Don Paul Jenkins expressed concern. He has found a dew of the thistles in Chesterfield and the north part of the county. The new thistle to the area can grow as high as 12 feet, and livestock avoid them because of the thorns from the stalk up. Jenkins urged people to stop by the old stockyard and see the thick patch of weeds several feet tall. He said anyone finding scotch thistle needs to spray them and keep them under control.
Crista Lu Madsen is the 21 year old daughter of Kenney and Judy Madsen of May. She served as Miss Rodeo Idaho 1994, traveling to many places throughout the state and country representing rodeo. She placed in the top ten at the national Miss Rodeo Pageant in Las Vegas. She is currently attending ISU and working toward her degree. She will beholding a clinic on the topics of public speaking, modeling, horsemanship, rodeo knowledge, and positive thinking.
55 Years ago, 1969
Joel Robinson of Blackfoot was injured at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jean Hunter when a truck, on which he was checking the lights, rolled back on him when the ignition was turned on. He was taken to CMH by ambulance and X-rayed. He suffered a badly bruised neck and chest, but no broken bones.
Tom Thomas of Soda Springs had a rare golf experience when he accomplished a hole in one. It happened on the number 7 hole at the Soda Springs golf course. Thomas had used a 9 iron, playing in a foursome with Norm Bjorkman, Dick Allred, and Wayne Bradshaw. This is only Tom’s third year of golfing.
The class of 1964 held its 5 year reunion at the Cedar View Supper Club. Fifty members, including their partners, attended the event. A short program followed dinner. Gifts were given to Kirby and Laura Benson for traveling the furthest distance. They came from California. Gifts were also given to Jim and Laura Benson for being married the longest, and to Sandee Dixon for changing the most.
60 Years ago, 1964
Kathleen Hunter of Grace, Miss Caribou of 1964, brought new laurels to herself and the county when she won fourth runner up in the Miss Idaho Contest in Boise. This was the first time Caribou County’s entrant has ever received a place among the five finalists in the state beauty-talent competition. Miss Hunter, 19, is a student at Idaho State University. At five foot three, her height had been considered a “handicap” in the contest until she made her talent appearance, where she danced away with the first place award in the category.
Monsanto has announced the establishment of a new staff department to be known as the Central Engineering Department, under the direction of John Depp. Mr. Depp will oversee the operations of design, construction, administration, control, international services, and engineering.
It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good, according to the old adage. And still wintry winds during April apparently were the reason for the number of arrests for fish and game violations were considerably less than the previous month. Most of the arrests were for fishing violations, and totalled just over $1,000, which is less than a quarter of the month before.
