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
SSHS class of 1969 expressed their thanks to principal Jess McMurray for letting them hold their 50th reunion in the school cafeteria. Ann Poulsen was also thanked for all of her help, as was Austin Robinson. Jeff and Julie Godfrey set up the sound equipment. Brent Krebs and Sam’s Market catered the event. The committee was made up of Garth Balls, Randy Budge, Jill Rhead, Sally Johnston, Jeannie Kuhn, Bob and Karin Johnson, Ron Petersen, Shelly Seamons, and Scott Shuler.
Soda Springs High School FCCLA chapter has had a very productive and successful year. At district competition they had three individuals and two teams compete in five different events. Two teams and two individuals qualified to compete at the state level. Carter Smith, Nicole Fryar, and Kami Inskeep competed in the Food Innovations event. Kamree Kent competed in the Interior Design event, Laramie competed in the Fashion Design event, and Tyesha Harrison and Danielle Smith competed in the Hospitality and Tourism event. Tyesha and Danielle qualified for nationals and Carter, Nicole, and Kami qualified as alternates. The two traveled to Anaheim with the advisor, Rebecca Fryar, and both of their mothers, Jerrilyn Harrison and Tiffany Smith, where they attended classes and many meetings as part of the National Leadership Conference.
10 Years ago, 2014
Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter has reappointed Jerry Brown of Soda Springs to the Idaho Wheat Commission. Brown represented wheat producers of District Five, which includes Bannock, Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, and Power County. Brown and his family own and operate dry land and irrigated farmland where they raise winter and spring wheat and barley. Brown is currently serving as a member of the US Wheat Associates board of directors , and is actively involved in the Caribou County Grain Growers, the Idaho Grain Producers Association, and a board member of the Caribou Memorial Hospital.
Grace Fire Chief Curtis Peck reported that controlled burn activities in the area had been successful. The department had recorded an eight-minute response time to a house fire. The Fire department was also gifted a map of the county for the fire station from the Caribou County Sheriff’s Office. A discussion with the city attorney determined that it was not necessary for the mayor to sign compliance letters that were sent out concerning ordinance violations.
The Caribou County Democrats announced a grand opening celebration of their new office in downtown Soda Springs. Dubbed the “Southeast Idaho Democratic Command Center,” the office will be available for use by Idaho statewide Democratic candidates as well as local Democratic candidates. Ashlee Stalcup, candidate for Seat 32 B, and other statewide officials will be on hand for the celebration. The office is on 81 South Main Street. Caribou County Democrats “believe it is clear that Idaho’s current leadership is not doing enough to invest in our state’s future.” The party announced a plan to increase and expand the number of candidates from the party on Idaho ballots, in order to create a “choice in local elections and an end to the primaries deciding the general election.”
Ryan Weaver of Soda Springs and Josh Wallin of Grace both competed and demonstrated their medieval combat skills at the Renaissance Faire in Kelly Park, which featured a constructed “lake” filled with “mermaids,” who hopefully remembered to wear a lot of sunscreen.
The Idaho FG sought public comments on a change to allow the FG Commission to designate specific unlimited controlled hunts as “first choice only” during the controlled hunt application process. Fish and Game has used unlimited controlled hunts to provide special hunting opportunities without restricting the number of hunters. This hunt framework is more restrictive than a general season hunt, but less restrictive than a controlled hunt with a limited number of tags.
Paris Hills Agricom requested an air quality permit to construct an underground phosphate mine in Bear Lake County. The permit will regulate emissions from the mine located in the foothills of the Bear River range two miles west of Paris.
Grace High School principal Stephen Brady informed the school board that currently the high school doesn’t have many local scholarships to offer students compared to surrounding districts. He asked for direction from the board on approaching locals, as well as alumni, to help provide more scholarship opportunities for students at the school. Superintendent Holyoak discussed the professional development plans underway within the district, as well as the creation of a cross country team.
15 Years ago, 2009
A search for a 5 year old missing girl occurred on July 9, in what is known as the Cow Camp near Chesterfield. Sidnee Edwards reported her daughter Payeton was missing for an hour and a half. Payeton had been playing hide and seek with other children, who couldn’t find her and went home. Deputy Gary Oberlin found her at 1:12 a.m. “She was it, and went and hid,” the sheriff said about playing hide and seek. When Deputy Oberlin found her, she reportedly said “I winned!” Payeton was in good shape and uninjured. She is from Seattle and was camping at a family gathering.
The Soda Springs Public Library enjoyed great success this year with its annual program under the direction and planning of Jennifer Balls, children’s librarian. This year over 300 children were able to participate in the reding challenge and activities entitles “Be creative at Your Library.” The program was made possible by Monsanto.
Ray and Marilyn Welker were chosen as the 2009 Caribou County Fair Grand Marshals. They were raised in the Grace valley and have been active members of the community for many years. They are parents of three children: Ron, Debbie, and Corey. Ray was the timekeeper and kept the scorebook for both girls and boys basketball games for 30 years. He was an active member of the Caribou County Local Emergency Planning Committee, and he also served in the Lions Club for many years. Marilyn has been a Title I para educator with the Grace School District for the past 38 years.
20 Years ago, 2004
A group of several skateboard enthusiasts met with the city officials, partly to help change the image of skateboarders and also to present a plan for expansion and request help in financing some new equipment. They would like to hold competitions and bring people into the city for that. The group proposed adding an additional 10 feet in width of asphalt to allow them to expand and use some different equipment. Jeff Pearson asked for permission to build some new equipment at the site for his Eagle project. He is also seeking donations and would be involved in raffles and grants to purchase materials and funds. Bridgett Stewart, a mother with the group, said she would like to see money budgeted every year for five years to help purchase and upgrade equipment for the skateboarders. She noted about $21,000 had been spent at the site already, with only $2,000 coming from the city. The rest had come from donations and grants. Council President Randy Prescott expressed enthusiasm for the project, and suggested a 30 foot expansion, rather than 10.
Mark Steele reported that in total, District 31 Republicans had spent $28,487 in their primary contests. Tom Loertscher of Bone was the largest spender and receiver of campaign funds, in his run to unseat incumbent Eulalie Langford from House seat 31B. After raising and spending nearly double the money of Langford, he won the nomination by 120 votes. His fundraising was officially listed at $17,050, with his expenses totaling $16,821.
The Soda Springs Octagon Park Pavilion was the site of the Homemakers Club meeting, according to Club President Mae Phelps. Darrell Farnes “once again pleased the group with his Durch oven chicken and potatoes” to go with salads, relish plates, and cake provided by club officers Mae Phelps, Betty Ainsworth, and Bonnie Summers, as well as others. Elections for the 2004-2005 year were held, with Betty Ainsworth advancing to president, RaNae Christensen elected as vice president, and Bonnie Summers as secretary.
Senator Mike Crapo introduced a bill in the Senate aimed at ensuring the continued availability of an important risk management tool for dairy producers, which is a program that allows producers and processors to enter into voluntary long-term contracts for their milk supplies. Idaho Senator Larry Craig was a co-sponsor of the legislation. “This legislation creates another free-market tool for dairy farmers to manage risk,” he said.
Larry and Katrina Wood, former residents of Soda Springs opened a gunsmith facility in American Falls called Art of Arts, LLC. The Woods offer refinishing, repair, maintenance, customization, and embellishment of both sporting and law enforcement firearms. Larry Wood earned an associate degree in gunsmithing from Colorado School of Trades in 2000, and established Art of Arms in 2002. Wood said ensuring safety is his highest priority, and he would not send a firearm out the door of his shop unless he believes it functions properly
and safely.
The largest donation to the Soda Springs Public Library in 50 years was presented by Trent Clark to Library Director Cindy Erickson on behalf of Monsanto for $2,250. The money is used to run the summer reading Storytime program, as well as toward to purchase of a new computer for the children’s room. Over 300 kids were reported to have participated in the summer reading program this year.
25 Years ago, 1999
Members of the Soda Springs High School Class of 1979 met Saturday, July 3 at Kellly Park for their 20 year reunion, with Kellie and Steve Rhead, Darla Toupin and Jeff Anderson on the committee in charge, and Cindy Truchot giving special assistance. Class members rode a float in the parade Saturday morning, followed by a “bring your own meat” family picnic, with salads, cake, and lemonade catered by Lallatin Food Town.
Grace High’s boys basketball team entered a competution last week at the First Security games held in Pocatello. Participating on the team were Seniors Jason Stoddard, Brent Tibbits, Casey Nelson, Jared Sorenson, Darrell Anderson, and Juniors Jason Kimball, Lance Welch, Rawlee Yamauchi, Kyle Hardy, Ryan Smith, and Nathan Rasmussen. The team took second and was coached by Greg Bergholm and Kevin Smith.
The Caribou County Royalty contest was held recently, with the interviews, modeling, and speeches at the Grace High School Cafeteria in the morning, and riding at the county fairgrounds in the afternoon. Chosen as royalty for the Caribou County Fair and Rodeo was Senior Queen Aaron Cheirett, 15, of Bancroft. Junior queen is Alesha Allen, 12, of Soda Springs. Attendant to the Junior queen is Judy Young, 13, of Grace. King is Nathan Thompson, 12, of Soda Springs. First attendant to the King is nick Spence, 11, of Grace. Kevin Young, 9, of Grace is the Second attendant to the King. This group of young people has ridden in the 4th of July parade in Soda Springs, will ride in the Pioneer Day parade in Bancroft, the Preston Night Rodeo parade in Preston, and the parades for the Caribou County Fair and Rodeo in Grace.
40 Years ago, 1984
Governor John Evans discussed the upcoming fifth anniversary of the creation of the Youth Commission, and its progress over that time. The efforts of the commission have been directed at removing juveniles from Idaho jails who had committed status offenses that would not have been crimes had they been committed by adults. The result had been legislation prohibiting the jailing of juvenile statis offenders. Evans asked the commission to broaden its scope. By executive order, he renamed the body the Idaho Commission for Children and Youth and asked for it to assist in the prevention of crime by and abuse of children of all ages up to 18. He noted an increase in the reported numbers of abuse and neglect cases throughout the state, which he said was correlated to the occurrence of suicide, substance abuse, and learning disabilities. Seven regional children and youth councils will be created by the State Commission to work on the issue.
The Soda Springs Chamber of Commerce Information Center in the park has been branded “the Center” by the Chamber, whose president Bryon Summers, along with Judy Stoor of the House of travel were assisted on June 11 in a ribbon cutting ceremony along with Phillip Merchen, Tommy Thomas, and Edie Tracy, along with Bobbie Brangham. The center will be open to the public from 1 to 5 Monday through Friday. The building in which the Center resides originally belonged to Margaret Peacock, who was a Morrisite who had settled with the original wave of settlers following Patrick Edward Connor from Camp Douglas. Mrs. Peacock was the daughter of George Washington Gorton and his wife Leah Maria Waylett Gorton, who are buried in the Fairview Cemetery along with many other members of the family.
A “saturation patrol” by the Idaho State Police had resulted in six arrests for DUI over the weekend, as the law enforcement agencies work to curtail the prevalence of dangerous impaired driving during the summer, especially in the weeks surrounding the Independence Day holiday. 82 stops were made total on Saturday night, with 31 warnings issued, 23 moving violation citations issued, and the six arrests. The time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day has been noted as the most dangerous driving quarter, statistically, of the year.
Beginning this month, Soda Springs Public Library will begin checking out toys, including Fisher Price, Sears, Childcraft, and Child Guidance. A Community Service Block Grant from Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency made possible the funding for the Toy Lending Library possible. The program has been set up to benefit all levels of economic groups but in particular those of lower income households who would not generally be able to afford many toys. In addition, many children in day care situations will be able to experience a braoder range of toys than would have normally been available.
The Soda Springs City Council met to discuss a $100,000 lawsuit filed against the city by Lois Kackley who lives in Boise and Williamsburg near Wayan, north of Soda Springs. The Kackleys and the city have several areas of disagreement, including canal access and right of way issues that have been under discussion for almost ten years.
55 Years ago, 1969
Terracor, a Utah company, has announced its plan for the completion of the 800 acre Bailey Creek recreational home-site development. Bailey Creek is four miles southwest of Soda Springs, adjoining Cache National Forest boundaries. “The most exciting concept for home site-buyers at Bailey Creek is our ‘Bailey Creek Recreation Association,’” said Mr. Jay Buzianis, Sales Manager for the development. “Each property owner at Bailey Creek becomes a member and the Association provides almost every piece of recreational equipment a family could want to use, all at a minimum maintenance fee.”
