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.

2020

At a special meeting with the Soda Springs mayor and city council to work on the upcoming budget, an hour of it was spent discussing possibilities for a “Cruise Main” event on the evening of July 4th, and also possible fireworks that evening, sponsored by a local group.  Ryan Carpenter, representing the group trying to coordinate the events, said to get to the approval of the Idaho Transportation Department concerning using the state highway, the sponsoring entity would need to be under the city’s insurance.  The Rotary Club of Soda Springs previously said they would not be able to sponsor the July 4th activities this year, including the parade and fireworks, after lengthy discussions and deliberations.  Their concern was any impact Covid-19 could have on the local residents as a result of the large crowds.  The city officials said at their last meeting that they would not sponsor the events, but left the door open for a group to come forward with a compliance plan for social distancing and other Stage 4 requirements for the city to review.  Carpenter said cruising the city on July 4 in the evening between 6 pm and 8 pm would keep social distance, provide some limited form of patriotic event for the 4th, and help the community overall.  It could be followed by a firework display possibly at Kelly Park, with everyone staying in their vehicles for the 25-minute show.

Customers of Perkins restaurant in Pocatello may have been exposed to COVID 19 in early June, according to public health officials.  A server at the facility tested positive for the virus, and had been working during the active transmission phase of the disease.  Southeastern Idaho Public Health recommends that people who visited the restaurant on June 2 or 3 monitor themselves for fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell.  According to the officials, “Exposure to wait staff is more than casual contact like you would have at a grocery store or convenience store.  Because of the nature of the contact, we believe it is important to notify the public.”  Perkins has fully cooperated with the investigation.

Jori Johnson and Heidi Thompson of the Caribou Development Foundation presented Chris Gonzalez of the Caribou County Mountain Bikers with Idaho Community Foundation Grant Funds in the amount of $3,336 to use towards the construction of the mountain bike park on Kelly Road. 

At City Council, Grace officials discussed storage containers and snow and ice removal.  Council member Robyn Thomas suggested the city send out letters in the fall to remind the business owners they need to keep their sidewalks clear of snow.  In a discussion on storage containers most of the council expressed concerns about the containers in residential zones.  One council member felt they should be allowed.  Attorney Doug Wood will review the related ordinances.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service released the June Water Supply Outlook Report for 2020.  Widespread mountain snowmelt began in April and continued throughout May.  Complete snowmelt has occurred at all locations in the survey area.  The result was the prediction that most of Idaho should expect lower than normal runoff, at somewhere between 30 and 80 percent depending on the area.  

Paulette Jordan won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, and will run against incumbent senator Jim Risch, who ran unopposed.  Jordan would become Idaho’s first female Senator if elected in November.  Her Democratic gubernatorial run in 2018 brought national attention to the state as she was the first woman nominated to that position by a major party in Idaho, and the first Native American woman nominated for governor in U.S. history.  

Governor Brad Little announced his plan to offer up to $1,500 cash to Idahoans who return to work.  More than 60 percent of Americans who are out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic earn more with the enhanced unemployment benefits than their normal wages.  The enhanced benefits are set to expire next month, making it even more important to get Idahoans back to work.  “A strong economic rebound can not occur without workers returning to a job, and the new Return to Work cash bonuses incentivize our workforce to get back to work safely.  Like other states, Idaho went from record employment to record unemployment levels in a matter of weeks.  Our hearts go out to those who lost jobs or income due to the global pandemic,” Governor Little said.

The Idaho National Guard will provide approximately 400 personnel at the request of the National Guard Bureau to assist in guarding monuments, buildings, and other property throughout the National Capital Region.  Personnel being activated last week will travel via military aircraft and report to their duty stations on June 5.  The mission is expected to be approximately five days in duration, and personnel will serve in support of the United State Park Police and Metropolitan Police Department.  

2000

Bancroft Area News:

John and Rhonda Banks and family went to Boise to attend the State High School Track Meet with which their son Christopher participated in.  They were among several parents and family members of the students from North Gem that participated.  After the track meet, Thonda and children Dustin, Kimberly, Aubrey and Shawn continued on to Ontario, Oregon, where they spent a week visiting with her parents Vern and Joy Montgomery and other family members.  John and Chris returned home to Bancroft and work.  Rhonda helped with preparations for the 50th Wedding Anniversary open house for her parents.  She also attended the Boise Temple with her family and with a niece and nephew who are getting married and going on a mission.  

Chris Banks, a graduate of North Gem High School and a running back played in the 5th and 6th District All-Star Football Game at Snake River High School in Moreland.  Many family members and supports from the community attended the fame and cheered him on.

Gary and LaRae Hatch traveled to Utah on Tuesday, where they stayed at the home of Justin and JanaLee Hatch.  On Wednesday morning bright and early, they met their son Elder Brantly Hatch at the Salt Lake City Airport as he arrived from the MTC and was preparing to fly out to the Charlotte North Carolina LDS Mission Field.  

The Soda Springs Lions Club once again sponsored the Junior Miss Scholarship program at the SSHS auditorium.  Following the theme of “A Century of Achievements” the 1999-2000 Junior Miss Jessica Ozburn and Emcee Clyde Nelson guided 12 contestants. Through five categories of competition before a selection was made.  Eleven girls representing Soda Springs High School and one from North Gem High School participated in the program that offers over $4,000 in scholarship money to participants.  From Soda Springs High School were Tesha Davis, Patricia Pearson, Rachel Call, Autumn Bolingbroke, Jill Squires, Shae Winward, Wendi Price, Michelle Harris, Melanie Balls, and Victoria Hoopes.  From North Gem was Sherydon Cambell.  Five judges selected Rachel Call as the 2000-2001 Junior Miss to represent Caribou County through the coming year.  Shae Winward was selected as the 1st runner-up.  Other winners of scholarship awards were Rebecca Rupp for Spirit of Junior Miss, Tesha Davis for Presence and Composure, Shae Winward for Creative and Performing Arts, and Patricia Pearson for Judges Interview.

1990

Samuel T. Winward, son of Blair and Jackie Winward, earned his Eagle Scout Award.  For his Eagle project, Sam named the campsites at Camp Ho-Nok and directed the making and posting of signs for each camp and a directory map of the camp.  Sam has just completed 8th grade at Soda Springs Junior High School where he was an honor student and a members of the National Junior Honor Society.  He participated in intramural sports and played in the band.  He attended the National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia last summer.  He is deacon quorum president in Soda Springs 3rd Ward.  He also has a paper route and mows lawns.

Tawny Walters Calder graduated from Idaho State University with a double major in Dental Hygiene and Health Education.  Tawny’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Walters, Bret, DeDE, Rosie, Camille, and Mrs. Greg Sparrow attended the commencement exercises at the Holt arena and were guests of Martin and Tawny for lunch following the graduation,  Also in attendance was the Calders’ three week old son, Taylor.  Martin’s  parents arrived that day also from Hump Tulip, Washington, to spend a few days with their son and see the baby for the first time. 

Tracy Deaton Lakey graduated from ISU with an associate degree of applied science in Marketing and Management.  Tracy is the daughter of Margaret Deaton and the late Doran Deaton.  Attending were Tracy’s husband David, her mother, her sister and family, Pat and Bret Hamblin, Valeri and Corey, Mrs. Dwight Lakey, and Merle Cellan.

Lance Gentry gave up only two hits, struck out nine, winning his fourth game against one loss as Soda Springs beat the Providence Yankees 8 to 3 in Pony League play.  Extra base hits by Forrest Humphreys, Wade Price, Ryan Hansen, and David Hopkins, supplied Soda with plenty of hitting power.  The defensive catch of the day came in the first inning after Providence had scored two runs on errors and had runners on second and third with two outs.  A hit to deep left field was caught, one-handed, by Mike Meccico.

Governor Cecil Andrus has proclaimed the week of June 10-17 as Basque Cultural Week in Idaho.  The proclamation coincides with the Jaialdi ’90 Festival celebration, set to take place at Idaho’s Old Penitentiary.  “Idaho’s Basque population are outstanding citizens of this state,” Andrus said.  “They have earned the respect and admiration of their fellow Idahoans by virtue of their exemplary industry, honesty, and courtesy, and I encourage everyone to join them in celebrating this year.”  Jaialdi means “celebration” in Basque, and displays the spirit and customs of the people and the breadth of the heritage of the Basque in Idaho.  Professional dance troupes, weight lifters, and woodchoppers, musicians and storytellers will celebrate the traditions of this European people during the event in Boise.

When Idaho became a state in 1890, trains pulled by steam locomotives were a common sight.  One hundred years later, as a tribute to Idaho’s Centennial, Union Pacific is bringing back steam train No.844 for a whistle-stop tour of southern Idaho.  With a dramatic show of smoke and steam, Union Pacific’s 844 will chuff into the U.P. Depot at 2:00 pm on Statehood Day after a tour that begins in Montpelier and includes stops in Soda Springs, Lava Hot Springs, Pocatello, American Falls, Shoshone, Gooding, Glenns Ferry, Mountain Home, Nampa, Parma, Payette, Weiser, Boise, and Bliss.  The massive steam locomotive will pull a dozen cars on the tour, including a museum car. On reaching Boise, Governor Andrus, Centennial Commission Chairman H.F. Magnuson, and invited guests of Union Pacific will step off the passenger cars to ride in an antique car motorcade to the steps of the Capitol where a special ceremony is scheduled.

Melissa Young, a fifth grade student at Hooper Elementary School, was recently chosen to have a poem of hers hung in the Capitol during the legislative session.  Her poem, “The Palouse of Idaho” will be included in a book of poetry featuring Idaho students.

“The Palouse of Idaho:

A beautiful animal with hooves of black,

The Nez Perce called her Palouse.

A superior animal with a coat of sunshine,

The Nez Perce called her Palouse.

A magnificent animal with a flowing mane,

The Nez Perce called her Palouse.

An elegant animal with glimmering patches,

The Nez Perce called her Palouse.

A majestic animal with a heart of gold,

Idaho calls her Appaloosa.”

Idan-Ha Theatre’s film of the week is Cadillac Man, starring Clint Eastwood.