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

Governor Brad Little held a press conference at the Idaho Foodbank in Voise last week to highlight the importance of supporting foodbanks and food assistance programs during the pandemic, and to provide Idahoans an update on statewide COVID-19 metrics.  “Many Idahoans have experienced a job loss or loss in income since the spring, making it harder to afford the most basic of human needs—food,” Governor Little said.  “As a result, more and more Idaho families are turning to their local food banks and food assistance programs during the coronavirus pandemic.”  The State of Idaho just approved $2.56 million in coronavirus relief funds to help the Idaho Foodbank and its 400-plus partners in all 44 counties meet the growing need for food assistance during the pandemic.  Almost half of the Idaho Foodbank’s partner organizations are schools, where backpack food programs and school pantries feed children during the school week as well as on the weekends when they are at home. 

Southeastern Idaho Public Health has 29 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on August 19 (15 in Bannock, 10 in Bingham, one in Butte, one in Caribou, one in Franklin, and one in Power counties).  This brings the total number of confirmed and probable cases in SE Idaho to 1194.  Out of the cases, 1030 have recovered.

According to Ellen Carney’s reporting, Idaho is the sixth most seismically active state in the United States.  Idaho lies along the northern edge of a geologically active region called the Basin and Range Providence.  The region, with spans eastern California to Uth and into Sonora, Mexico, has been stretched taut over the past 20 million years, creating a series of wide valleys and vast mountain ranges.  It is also chock full of old seismic faults—just like the one that sprang to life on March 31, when a 6.5 magnitude quake rolled through Idaho’s Sawtooth mountain range near Boise.  It was the second largest shake in Idaho history, with the 1983 quake at Borah Peak measured as a 6.9.  Geologists are puzzling over what exactly caused the earthquake event, but feel reasonably confident that a quake closer to our area will not precipitate the eruption of the recently much-discussed supervolcano in the Yellowstone area.

Congratulations to Sam Hix of Bellaire, Texas on setting a new catch-and-release state record Yellowstone cutthroat trout at 30.5 inches long.  Hix was fishing the Snake River on Aug.7 when he hooked the monster cutthroat.  After measuring the fish and taking a quick picture, Hix released it to swim another day.  His fish tops the long-standing record set by Nate Ivy in 2016 (28.5 inches) and will set a very high bar for future Yellowstone cutthroat trout records.  Yellowstone cutthroat trout are mainly found in Eastern Idaho and are native to the Snake River from Shoshone Falls upstream to its headwaters, and they are one of the four subspecies found in Idaho.  Idaho Fish and Game keeps state records for all game fish including Yellowstone, Bonneville, Westslope, and Lahontan cutthroat subspecies.  The catch and release record program began in 2016 as a way to recognize anglers that wanted to release the trophy fish they caught.  

2000

Warrants for formal charges of burglary are being sought by the Soda Springs Police Dept for two suspects in a break-in at the high school during a football game and vehicle burglaries at Soda Mobile Homes trailer park.  SSPD Chief Joe Rice said on Friday the visiting team locker room that West Side football players were using was burglarized during the game and multiple items were taken, including clothing, shoes, jewelry, cash, and other personal items valued in excess of $600.  In a related case, in the early morning hours of Aug 27 city officers were alerted to attempted auto burglaries at Soda Mobile Homes.  Witnesses reported suspects entering vehicles and then fleeing the scene when confronted.  Chief Rice said investigating officers were able to develop possible suspects.  “During the course of a three-day investigation, along with assistance by the Caribou County Probation Dept., a search was conducted of a male juvenile’s residence which yielded numerous reported stolen items for the high school and Soda Mobile Homes burglaries,” the Chief said.  The investigation resulted in the apprehension of two suspects and recovery of nearly all the reported stolen property.  When contact was made with the suspects at the rear of Enders Hotel, a male juvenile suspect fled on foot and after an intensive search, including the use of K-9 Officer Jon Bunderson’s tracking bloodhound, the suspect was captured on S Hill without further incident.  The other suspect is an adult male, also of Soda Springs.  Chief Rice said the case is under continued investigation as to additional suspects and accomplices.  Warrants for the two suspects are being obtained for formal charges of the burglaries.  

The Falcons battled a much bigger Fort Hall team to a 0-0 tie at the end of regulation.  Going into overtime, the Falcons won the toss and deferred to go on defense first.  The Fort Hall team got nine yards on first down and then punched it in a couple plays later for a 6-0 lead.  The Falcons then got the ball at the 10-yeard line and couldn’t quite get it across the goal line and lost 6-0 in overtime.  The Falcons play the Bear Lake Bulldogs on Sept. 9 at 5:30 at Archer Field.  The 6th grade Jaguars opened their season playing the Bear Lake Marauders.  The Jaguars scored on their first two possessions for a 12-0 lead at half-time, then scored three more touchdowns in the second half to go on to a 32-0 shutout of the marauders.

Last week, the Soda Springs cross country teams opened the 2000 season at the Malad Invitational.  The meet featured several large Utah schools from Logan and Ogden areas, as well as A-1 schools Idaho Falls and Rigby.  Coach Jeff Horsley was impressed with the performance of all the runners.  “We had several people run well but we still have some work to do,” he said.  Meet highlights included Zach Togert’s third place medal finish.  “Zach will be our team leader again this year, and after a hard summer of training he is ready to break out the racing flats and run fast.”  Anna Torgesen also brought home a medal finishing 12th in the JV girls race.  “Anna is continuing to improve and will be a critical part of the varsity squad this year,” the coach continued.  Candace Hillaker and Wes Brown ran well in their first meet ever.  Adam Lott ran his fastest time by 5 minutes 3 seconds on the Malad course.  “I was really happy for Adam.  He is showing amazing improvement over last year.”  Varsity results included: Zach Tigert 3rd (15:51), Shannon Woods 34th (23:40), Merin Tigert 37th (23:43), Matt Lish 39th (18:29), Pat Hillaker 44th (18:36), TJ Avila 63rd (19:54), Pete Setlles 69th (20:30), Eric Grigg 74th (21:36).  JV results included: Adam Lott 24:01, Matt Cheramie 24:46, Wes Brown 25:24, Anna Torgesen 25:24, Candace Hilliker 30:32.  

The tradition continued with the Labor Day weekend playing of the UOBIRAC 2000 Golf Tournament at the Oregon Trail Golf Course. The torrential downpour on Friday night, during team selection, caused some concern but Saturday morning opened under blue skies.  Competition was fierce, but ultimately the team champions were Gary and Sharman Snow with Ken Seelos and Gayle Hufstetler in a close second. 

Penalties and mistakes cost the Grace Grizzlies their second win of the season as they dropped a 20-14 decision to the Challis Vikings in terrible weather conditions Friday night at Challis.  Following a Grizzly fumble the Vikings drove 70 yards for the only score of the first half, as penalties continually killed Grace drives.  The Grizzlies finally got on the scoreboard in the third quarter on a 5-yard Brnadon White run.  The conversion was missed and Dusty Bitton of Challis returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.  In the fourth quarter, Logan Schenk took a Rawlee Yamauchi pass 40 yards for the tying touchdown and Nathan Rasmussen’s conversion run put the Grizzlies ahead 14-12.  After punting the ball back to the Vikings with just over two minutes remaining, the Vikings drove 80 yards for the winning score with just over 30 seconds remaining.  “It seemed as though every time we got a drive going we would do something to shoot ourselves in the foot,” Coach Condie said.  “We need to learn to finish games and play hard to the end.  I didn’t think there was any way that Challis could drive the ball on us 80 yards in two minutes.  That’s what I mean by finishing a game.”   

Governor Dirk Kempthorne approved a measure that allows the Idaho Fish and Game Department to begin rescheduling hunts of processing refunds for both resident and non-resident tag holders who have been affected by the fire-related closure of Idaho back country areas.  The temporary rule approved by Kempthorne, which takes effect immediately, allows three options for hunters who hold general tags in elk or deer hunt areas that have been closed due to wildfires: a full an immediate license and tag refund, an option to apply their existing license and tag to next year’s hunting season, an exchange for a tag in another elk or deer hunt area, as long as tags for that area are still available.  “The closing of these backcountry areas in forcing many hunters to change their plans on fairly short notice,” Kempthorne said.  “They shouldn’t bear an undue financial burden because of these closures, and there should be an equitable way to deal with this situation.  We want to be as helpful and as flexible as possible, and given them the option of changing or delaying their hunts.”  Kempthorne’s action follows Friday’s unanimous agreement by the Fish and Game Commission to authorize the refunds and rescheduling.    

Lightning strikes kept fire fighters busy again this past week.  Caribou County Fire Captain Roger Rigby reported lightning started a fire off the Kelly-Toponce Road Thursday.  Fire fighters responded and contained it to an eighth of an acre.  A Friday lightning strike southwest of Grace burned 25 acres and threatened two homes.  Rigby said rain came in and helped them contain the fire.  While mopping it up, they were paged to Mabey Canyon near 10 mile.  BLM ordered air drops on the 30 acre fire when it threatened structures and one home.  That fire, too, was lightning related.  Smoke reports were checked out in North Canyon and Red House Road.  A spotter plane in the area was unable to locate any fire.  Rigby said the fire department wished to thank all those who have helped in the many fires this summer.  He said their help has been tremendously appreciated.  He urged reports of lightning strikes to be called in, even if it is raining.  “It is better to be safe than sorry and it gives us a jump on those lightning strikes that may sit and smolder for hours or days if we get them called in,” Rigby said.  He also asked anyone calling in a fire to let dispatch know if homes or other structures are threatened, within a mile of the fire.  That area has been extended from the usual half mile of concern because of the unusual fire patterns and winds this year.

Hunters and recreationists are being reminded by the East Idaho Intragency Fire Center that Stage 3 fire restrictions are in effect and they are especially concerned with travel off roads with the hunting season beginning.  David Howell, fire information officer, said motorized vehicles, including off road vehicles, are limited to travel on maintained roads and designated roads and trails.  He said that interpretation means roads that are free of vegetation, maintained, and designated.  “The general rule is, if vegetation is growing on the trail, don’t be back in there.”  Other stage 3 restrictions include no camp fires, but allows for cooking by propane or liquid fuel stoves, a 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. closure on chainsaws, and smoking only in vehicles or designated areas.