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.

2015

Voters in North Gem and Grace school districts will decide the fate of consolidating their school districts at the Tuesday, May 19 election in Caribou County.  In addition, one trustee candidate position in Zone 5 is available for write-in on the ballot for North Gem.  Voters in the two school districts that also encompass a small portion of Franklin and Bannock counties will vote on consolidating Grace School District 148 and North Gem School District 149 to form a new consolidated district named the North Gem-Grace Joint School District 147.  The question on the ballot will be yes or no and both districts have to approve the consolidation.  North Gem has had bond elections for a new school fail by only couple of votes from the two-thirds majority needed for a new school bond.  Some residents of the two districts have supported the idea of a consolidation of the two rural school districts into one and proposed that to the state.  Hearings have been held and the end result is the May election on the question of bringing the two districts together.  The state gives the districts some incentives to consolidate, like setting a funding floor even if they have fewer students, and giving incentives for teacher retirements.   

Sheriff Ric Anderson announced that after reviewing his department’s policy and procedures manual regarding when vacations begin was not as clear as it could be.  County Attorney Doug Wood stated that he felt the manual was clear on the vacation issue, in his opinion.  The discrepancy was attributed to the unique way in which pay periods are treated within the Sheriff’s Department, which are different than throughout other county agencies.  The sheriff also wanted the commissioners to look into increasing detention officers hours to 12-hour shifts and not hire the 11th man so they could increase wages for the officers.  Chief Deputy Haderlie is concerned that a 12-hour shift may become a safety issue.  The commissioners asked the sheriff’s office to bring in a schedule for examination before they felt comfortable making any decisions on the matter.

Caribou County will discuss the possible county regional landfill with Lincoln County, Wyoming officials, but generally they support the idea.  Landfill Supervisor Jason Lower will use Dave War, a consultant, to look at the proposed landfill site.  He felt the consultant would be able to help with the EPA approval and getting some grant money to help with the development.  

The county courthouse was scheduled for updates, including replacing the front steps and a canopy.  There were also plans to resurface the bricks, replace some of the windows, and paint the trim.  

2010

On April 20, Bear Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Montpelier Police Department received a report of a stolen vehicle from the Montpelier area.  It was reported that an unknown suspect took a Ford Ranger pickup from the Bear Lake High School.  The vehicle was recovered later that day in Soda Springs, where two additional vehicles were reported stolen.  A Chevrolet pickup pulling a flatbed trailer was reported stolen from the Soda Springs area.  This vehicle was later recovered in Bear Lake County, where yet another vehicle was stolen.  A Buick sedan was also stolen from Bennington.  On the morning of April 21, an off-duty Bear Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy observed the vehicle at a gas station in Lava Hot Springs while awaiting assistance from the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office.  The Bear Lake County Deputy followed the vehicle from the gas station to a private lane.  The occupant of the stolen vehicle was confronted by a woman who resided on the lane and held at gun point by a citizen until law enforcement arrived.  

Joanie Wind, Ann Hamm, and Sandy Rawlings recently joined the local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, a service organization that works within the community.  Members volunteer routinely with their time, money, and support at the Food Bank and the highway litter pickup.  The sorority also contributes to other worthy causes as they arise.  They gather socially each month for programs to enlighten and enhance their understanding of the world around them.

Due to the new waterline project in Grace, now is a good time to consider replacing your small or worn out waterlines to your homes, the Grace Mayor and City Council suggested.

2005

“For the first time in our history, a female physical therapist will be available at Caribou Memorial Hospital,” CEO John Hoopes said.  Stacy Regan, who will have a doctorate of Physical Therapy, has joined the staff at Caribou Memorial.  Regan who husband Josh has worked at Soda Springs Agrium plant as a superintendent for the past three years, has been attending Idaho State University’s physical therapy school for the past three years.  She has a bachelors degree from Montana Tech in occupational and safety health.  Regan will be joining Doug Ball, who has a masters of physical therapy, and is athletic trainer certified.  Ball graduated from ISU’s program in 1998, so he has had seven years of experience as a physical therapist.  Although not required for licensure as a physical therapist, he attends continuing education courses on a regular basis to keep up with new modalities of treatment.

Idaho State University has selected its new 2005-06 cheerleading squad.  New members of the squad include Kristi Mazza of Soda Springs.  “We have a high level of talent at tryouts this year, especially in the area of tumbling,” said Spirit Squad Director Hilary Hofmaier.  The squad will have the summer off and report back in August for camp.  The ISU cheerleaders and Bengal dancers plan to attend the National Cheerleading Association and the National Dance Alliance this summer in Anaheim.

The Grace Invitational track meet scheduled for Wednesday, April 27 was cancelled due to weather conditions.  Grace competed at the meet at Bear Lake High School with Marsh Valley, Star Valley, Malad, Rockland, Sho-Ban, and the host Bears on Friday, April 29 but were few in numbers because of the springs musical slated on the same night.  Placing at Bear Lake were: Keegan Neibaur 3rd in the 800m; Nick Torres 3rd in the shot put; Caleb Hansen 2nd in the long jump (his first time in the event), Chamae Kimball 2nd in shot put, and Hailee Kimball 1st in the 100m and 1st in the 200m.

2000

Between four and five pounds of marijuana was seized by Caribou County law enforcement officials on Sunday, at Chesterfield Reservoir.  Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Stokoe reported the Sheriff’s office and Fish and Game officers arrested five people at Chesterfield Reservoir who were camped in a no camping area.  Earlier, Fish and Grame officers had cited one of the five for a fishing violation and made observations that they believed warranted further investigation.

Forty pounds of antlers were seized recently by Idaho Fish and Game after an investigation by Officers Larry Hlavaty, Scott Wright, and Mark Sands.  They were collected before the May 1 horn hunting season begins in most of this region.  Most of the horns came from the 90 percent area and Soda Face.  It is unlawful to pick up antlers of all big game species from December to May 1 to protect wintering big game from additional stress.  Hlavaty said $300 fines and a year’s suspended license were handed out to the two persons involved, along with a year’s probation and suspensions of a 30-day jail sentence.

The Idaho Music Educators Association District Festival was held in Bancroft on March 21.  Three local string students were selected there to represent the district at the State Solo contest being held in Boise.  The students selected were E.J. Olorenshaw, son of Wade and Anne Olorenshaw, North Gem High School; Molly Kukachka, daughter of Bob and Marilyn Kukachka; and Trent Sorensen, son of Rodger and Mary Sorensen, both from Soda Springs High School.

1995

Caribou Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home is pleased to announce the Dr. Thomas Dorrell, family practice physician, will be setting up practice in Soda Springs in August.  Dr. Dorrell was born in Pasadena, Texas, and raised on his parents’ cattle ranch.  He did his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University, receiving a bachelor of science degree in biology.  He then went to the University of Texas in Galveston, Texas, for his MD.  He just finished his three-year residency program at Southern Colorado Family Medicine in Pueblo, Colorado.  His medical interests include family medicine, sports medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery.  Dr. Dorrell’s wife, Patti, is a registered nurse from Spring, Texas.  She also graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch with a bachelor of science in nursing.  Both Dr. Dorrell and his wife enjoy sports, hunting, fishing, skiing, steer roping, and back-country camping.

Groundbreaking for the Spring Creek Manor took place last week in Soda Springs along Fourth South.  The new home is being built specifically for the elderly.  It will have private and shared rooms, each with a half-bath, closet, private phone, and cable TV access.  The breaking of ground included: Doug Clegg (partner), Rep. Bob Geddes (partner), Will May (partner), Mayor Kirk Hansen, County Commissioner Edie Tracy, and Sharmon Snow.  Plans for a second elderly care unit in Montpelier are also under consideration.

The State Board of Education has named 25 outstanding high school seniors to receive State of Idaho Scholarships of $2,650.  The recipients, 19 academic and six vocational, were selected on the basis of academic achievement.  The Idaho Legislature established the State of Idaho Scholarship Program in 1974 to provide support for talented academic and vocational students who attend Idaho’s postsecondary education institutions.  The scholarships are renewable each year for four years if students maintain high academic standards.  The recipients of vocational scholarships include Kendall D. Kowallis, a student at Soda Springs High School, who plans to major in machine technology.  He is the son of Paul and Kay Kowallis.

1970

Ray Horner Co. Variety Inventory Reduction Sale:

23” Zenith Color TV--$501.77

Cassette Tape Recorder--$38.77

Transistor Radio--#13.66

Electric Radio--$14.00

Record Player--#12.42

Stereo Console--$297.00

Timex Watches--$4.77

7x35 Binoculars--$14.88

B&W Portable TV--$75.00

Cardinal Corner by Steve Lansberry:  Last Saturday night next year’s student body officers were announced.  For president, it was Fred Christense; vice president, Jim Finlayson; Secretary-Treasurer, Jan Loveless; Social Chairman, Jim Sibbett.  Who will be Miss Sweetheart of Soda high this year?  Come to the Sweetheart Dance and find out.  Please wear your best
dress clothes!

1965

Work started this week on wrecking the old Fryar Hotel in the heart of Soda Springs.  The Fryar Hotel, the old Coppard Garage, and the small building on the corner, will make way for a new business block to be erected soon.  At the present time, plans call for the remodeling of the Coppard building, rather than wrecking.  Plans for the new business block are not finalizes as yet.  It will be erected by Frank Christensen.

Election of student body officers of the Soda Springs Junior High School will be held this Friday.  Two candidates for each office were names in Wednesday’s primary election.  Results are as follows:  President, Lonnie Nichols and David Telford; Vice President, Mike Watts and Fred Christensen; Secretary-Treasurer, Lynne Tigert and Shana Weaver.  Candidates were names from the seventh and eighth grade only.

Master Sergeant Kenas Akers, local Air Force Recruiting Representative, announced today that a total of nine persons entered the Air Force in the month of April.  Enlisting from Soda Springs was Royal Munro, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Munro.