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.
2019
During a city council meeting, the city outlined the next five utility system projects in order of importance as: Main Street from the railroad to city hall; Main Street to Third West; City Hall to Fourth South; Second East from Fourth South to the end of the road, and Second West to Third South. Some of the projects involve water and sewer lines, as well as asphalt, while others are a mix of replacing the older utilities or just one of them. It was the consensus of the mayor and council to ado any work along the state highway while the state was doinfg work on the road at the same time. Christmas bonuses for city employees were put on hold for the year as a result of issues with the workers compensation insurance dividend schedule, which would be seeing rate increases of up to 25 percent, and no refunds for three to five years. Citizen Paul Gritton reported that the Rotary Club held a first responders appreciation dinner and had about 70 attendees. “I thought it was great and well received,” he said. President Hart updated the lease agreement with Diamond Heart Cattlemen’s Steak House for the lease of Enders. “They are moving forward and organizing the building for the first floor,” and anticipate being open by the end of the month or first of December, Hart noted. “They are excited to bring a restaurant to our community,” he said about the lease agreement on Enders that was gifted to the city and includes a gift shop, hotel, and museum.
Grace City Council held a discussion on shipping containers being used as storage units. Right now the city doesn’t have any regulations on using them for that purpose, as long as the resident can meet the set back requirements. She suggested that the city council issue a moratorium on them until some rules could be set. It was decided by the council to sdet such a moratorium for sixth months. The mayor said that she would ask the city Planning and Zoning commission to start writing an ordinance to regulate the use of shipping containers as storage units in the city. The city met with representatives of Bancorp Bank about some options for providing financing for a new garbage truck.
Soda Springs winners of the Voice of Democracy essay contest are Katrina Kristin Housley, Tyesha A. Harrison, and Colton Fetzer. In Grace, the winners are Jillian A. Smith, Amber L. Mansfield, and Lana J. Burrell. Winners of the Patriot Pen essay contest from Soda Springs are Rylee L. Torgesen, Jessica Ellen Housley, and Tristan Saige Pitcher. In Grace, the winners are Joslyn R. Newby, Brennan Keith Sorensen, and Natalie Lynn Andreason.
The GVPAC and CCTG presented a performance of “A Christmas Carol” at the SSHS auditorium featuring the following players: Jerry Bean as Ebeneezer Scrooge himself; Doug Wood as Bob Crachit; Anna Collins as the Narrator; Beck Beckstead as the Ghost of Christmas Future and Marley’s Ghost; Hudson Moore as the Ghost of Christmas Past; MicShaelia Beckstead as the Ghost of Christmas Present; Austin Robinson/Charles Fryar as a Nephew Fred; Rebecca Fryar as Belinda; Kelly Moore as Mrs. Cratchit; Nicole Fryar as Belle; Michael Fryar as Young Ebeneezer; Charles Fryar as Child Ebeneezer; Sara Fryar as Tiny Tim; Azium Chandler as Richard; Lincoln Moore as Boy. The Cratchit children are played by Shae Dover, SoPhee Kent, and Aspen Skinner. The director is Jeremy Banks.
2014
Mayor Jim Smith addressed those who had gathered at the city council meeting in Soda Springs to express their opposition to a utility rate increase of 35 percent, plus 5 percent for electrical power. A long hearing was held in which the mayor, residents, and the city council expressed their opinions on the topic. Ultimately, the mayor and council voted unanimously to approve the increase. Mayor Smith stated that the increase was needed in order to build up infrastructure “before the city crashed.” Those in opposition largely noted the difficulty in the increase to those on fixed and low incomes. The increase was estimated to result in approximately a $200 per year increase for residential utilities. Smith explained that by state law the city cannot use property tax funds for services, which have to be paid for by fees, other than streets which can receive general fund money. “We are required to collect fees to cover that area,” Smith said. A study by Councilman Jon Goode had arrived at the rate for the increase—35 percent residential and 20 percent for small businesses, which use less water and sewer. The increases were predicted in total to net around $300,000, which would be used to begin replacement projects for water, sewer, and asphalt at a cost of around $450,000. In order to trim budgets, one full time position at the city police department, and even the coffee machine had been eliminated. Smith added that the city does have a program to help low income residents with energy expenses. The large increase was attributed to the city not having substantially raised rates for many years. During public comment, several residents noted that a gradual increase over several years would have been preferable.
Curtis Peck reported on the loss of a home in the city limits of Grace, and noted that many of the firefighters who responded had been alerted by neighbors or other citizens before the dispatcher. He stressed the importance of citizens calling into the 911 system first, so that the entire department could be mobilized as quickly as possible. He noted that some of the practices of the department would be changed as a result of issues that came up during the response to the fire. Chief Peck also wanted to let citizens know that they will do an inspection of wood burning chimneys at no charge for any resident who requested one.
The Junior Cardette Half-Time Camp will perform on Friday, December 2. Ages 2-14 are invited to participates, and all proceeds go to new uniforms for the Cardettes. The performance night was scheduled for half-time of the boys basketball game, and those interested were advised to contact Samantha Daniels.
The Chamber of Commerce hosted a photo opportunity with Santa Claus this week at City Hall. The evet had been planned for the city park pavilion, but was moved indoors when a blizzard apparently followed St. Nick into town.
The boys 400 meter Freestyle Relay team placed 14th at the Association of Idaho High School Swimming 2014 State Championship meet held at the Boise City Aquatics Center. Aaron Torgesen also won points for the team when he placed 2nd in the preliminary race, and 4th in the finals, in the 100 Meter Butterfly. He also finished 12th in the 100 Meter Breast stoke. Points from these winnings combined to give Soda Springs High School the state championship for swim teams in 1A, 2A, and 3A high schools in Idaho. All of the boys on the relay team, with the exception of Torgesen, are freshmen and missed qualifying in individual events by as little as one second, so great things are expected from them in future years. Torgesen in s sophomore. Soda Springs swims with north Gem, Grace, and Marsh Valley high schools on a team called Caribou United HS Swim Team. Most of the swimmers practice and compete year round on the Lava HEAT Club Swim Team, improving their race times as they gain experience and skill. Also on the team from Soda were Shanny Moody and Adie Savage. On North Gem, the team consisted of Deseret Crandall, and Adrianna Savage. A total; of 50 teams competed at the meet.
2009
Mrs. Mason’s fourth grade class in Soda Springs is learning all about Idaho Wildlife from a monthly publication that is being distributed by the Idaho Fish and Game. It is called “Wildlife Express.” Last month they learned about “Wapiti,” meaning white rump, a name for elk.
Carly Skinner, daughter of Alan and Kristen Skinner of Soda Springs, recently participated in the USCAA Volleyball National Championship in Louisville, KY. Skinner, a freshman at Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA and her teammates took third place in the national championships.
A drawing for the Grace Chamber of Commerce fund raiser was held on Thursday, Nov 19 at the executive meeting of the chamber. Members of the chamber sold 250 tickets at $10 each in a collaborative fundraising effort with Heritage Safe. The wining ticket was drawn by Heritage Safe owner/president Greg London as the lucky winner of the gun safe.
The North Gem FFA Chapter traveled to Preston for the District Creed Speaking Career Development Event and Greenhand Degree Ceremony. Jean Maxwell won the chapter and got second in the District CDE. She competed in against schools such as West Side, Preston, and Bear Lake.
Starting this week, the Idaho Dept. Fish and Game will begin its final phase of boat ramp renovations at Chesterfield Reservoir. The 220 foot long boat ramp will be out of service until the second or third week of December, while a dilapidated section is replaced. While renovations take place, an old boat ramp located about 300 yards to the south of the current ramp can be used for launching small watercraft.
1999
At a meeting of the Grace Chamber of Commerce held at the Last Chance Café on Nov. 18 and conducted by Chamber President Kent Corbett, Pete and Barbara Peterson were honored as the Grace Business Persons of the Year. They are owners of Pete’s Ag, a company that services customers in Southeast Idaho and also a number of neighboring states.
Thirkill Thunderbird School Report—Kindergarten: We are learning about the first Thanksgiving. We have been making fun Thanksgiving art projects and learning new songs. This week is Native American Week in kindergarten. We made drums, laced canoes, made headbands, and decorated vests. We also had a powwow and sang and danced. It was lots of fun.
The Grace High School Class of ’49 presented the Grace School District a beautiful painting to be displayed in the foyer of the new Gem Valley Performing Arts Center. This painting was dedicated to the memory of Homer D. Williams, who served as the principal and later superintendent of schools in Grace from 1947 to 1962.
Chemical Line Company last Thursday announced it will scale back and refocus its Bancroft operations. The company’s Ten Mile Pass facility will cease its manufacturing operations utilizing other lime deposits in the western regions.
The 174th Alco store will be holding its grand opening in Soda Springs on Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 280 West 2nd South. A ribbon cutting ceremony with local officials is planned for 9 a.m. and the 18,000 square foot store is basically a general merchandise discount store.
Grace High School Music Director KaeLyne Pendelton has announced their fall music concert to be held at the Grace Performing Arts Center on Thursday. Entertainment will include numbers from the high school choir, the junior high band, and featured solos and duets.
1969
Soda Springs Mayor Christopher Phelps, 52, and his companion James O. Walker, 76, a long-time rancher of the area, died Friday night when their car rolled into Lake Mead at Overton boat landing northeast of Las Vegas. It is believed that Phelps and Walker missed the turn in the road that led to their boat landing, and drove their car into the lake, where it came to rest in several feet of water.
Cowboy Roundup—Once more Thanksgiving is here. Some students are leaving, and some are staying to gorge themselves. The only students whose Thanksgiving will not include eating all that food are the wrestlers. Wrestling coach Tom Duce would say with a smile on his face, “RUN!” For the most part, North Gem’s student body will enjoy these holidays. North Gem’s hall will ring once more on Monday.
Grace School Lunch menu: Monday—Pronto pups, creamed frozen peas and potatoes, pickled beets, chocolate pudding and milk. Tuesday—Chili con carne, fruit salad, cinnamon rolls and milk. Wednesday—Roast beef, mashed potatoes and brown gravy, lemon jello with celery and apples, hot rolls and milk. Thursday—Porcupine meatballs, green beans, carrot sticks, prune bread and milk. Friday—Fish burger with tartar sauce, macaroni and tomatoes, cherry-vanilla pudding and milk.
The Grace Red Devils will open their basketball season on the road as they meet North Rich at Randolph, Utah, Monday. Coach George Moffitt, heading into his third year as basketball coach has six years as basketball coach from last year’s Fifth District A-3 championship team plus five other promising candidates who were among the 11 to survive the cuts. The returning veterans, all seniors, are John Anderson, forward; Jim Hubbard, guard; Brock Hurt, guard; and Ed Taylor, center. Other members of the squad are Juniors Phillip Carter, forward; Dave Johnson, forward; Blaine Smith, guard. Sohpmores, Nicky Smith, guard; and Wade Wilker, guard. Assisting Moffitt this year will be Daryl Nelson, football coach who will work with the junior varsity squad.
The Cardinals have started the new ’69-70 basketball season this week with practices after school. The team this year, under the direction of Coach Dave Hart, has a tough schedule ahead of them. The varsity roster of players are Brent Martinsen, center; Doug Johnson, center; Chet Hopkins, forward; Danny Jones, forward; Eddie Thomas, guard; Mack Tigert, guard; Kent Smith, center; Fred Christensen, forward; Curtis Hamp, forward; Reed Thomas, guard; Kevin Ringel, guard; Jim Sibett, guard.