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.
(2025) Diane and Scott Brown before the Brown's induction into the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame last year.
2021
The Idaho National Guard announced the preliminary results of the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center’s investigation into the February UH-60 Black Hawk mishap that resulted in the death of three Idaho Army National Guard aviators. The Safety Investigation Board, from Fort Rucker, AL, found that although played a significant role, the primary cause of the accident was the crew’s inability to successfully complete an emergency procedure before impacting the ground. The crew, consisting of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jesse Anderson, Chief Warrant Officer 3 George “Geoff” Laubhan and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Peltzer, was conducting a routine training flight south of Lucky Peak near Boise. As the crew was returning to Gowen Field, the weather degraded rapidly and they inadvertently lost visual references ti the ground and surrounding terrain. As a result, the crew immediately initiated inadvertent instrument meteorological condition procedures, attempting to transition from relying primarily on visual references outside the aircraft to relying solely on the instruments inside the aircraft to maintain control. The crew had only 14 seconds from the time they initiated the procedure to the time the aircraft impacted the ground. “As helicopter pilots, one of the most difficult and dangerous emergency procedures that we can be exposed to is IIMC,” said Col. Chris Burt, the Idaho Army National Guard’s state aviation officer. “The crew initiated the procedure appropriately while maintaining excellent crew coordination, however, the crew was unable to successfully establish a rate of climb that would allow the aircraft to clear the rising terrain and the ridgeline.” As a result, the aircraft impacted the mountainside, destroying the aircraft and fatally injuring all crew members.
A broad coalition of Caribou County residents have agreed to step forward to form a “Citizens Corps Council” for emergency preparedness, as well as a Community Crime Watch to assist Caribou County and local city law enforcement, according to a news release issued this week. The network of participating individuals calls themselves the “Caribou Highlanders”. According to Dave Patterson, who participated in recruiting volunteers for the network, the need for citizen involvement has been increasingly apparent. With the American Red Cross no longer having a permanent presence in the county, and with this being one of the more seismically active areas of North America, it would be short-sighted for county residents to assume preparedness will be someone else’s responsibility. Patterson noted, “This group is comprised of entirely local people willing to lend a hand in case of an emergency.” The Federal Emergency Management Agency defines citizens’ corps council as the best practice in “grass roots strategies ro bring together government and community leaders to involve citizens in all-hazards emergency preparedness and resilience. According to FEMA, “citizen corps” ask individuals to embrace the personal responsibility to be prepared; to get training in first aid and emergency skills; and to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety. Coupled with this function is the role of a community crime watch. “Neighborhood Watch” is one of the oldest and best-known crime prevention concepts in North America. In the late 1960s, an increase in crime heightened the need for a crime prevention initiative focused on where people live, involving local citizens.
1991
More than 15 percent of the adults in Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and Montana cannot perform basic reading, writing, or math skills sufficiently to function in today’s changing world. In April, Coors Brewing Company and its distributors in those states are sponsoring the “Need to Read” program to bring attention to the problem of illiteracy and to raise funds to wipe it out. The program is an outgrowth of Coors’ national commitment to family literacy, as announced last year. This national effort is for five years, with $40 million directed to helping teach half a million adults across the country to read.
Jason Grosland Reports that “the Soda Springs National Junior Honor Society held yet another recycling drive. The turnout was very good with 5,380 pounds of recyclables. Even though so much was collected, only about $70 was yielded. Most of the recyclables were newspaper – more than 60 percent. They also collected glass, cardboard, and the highest paying one, aluminum. The Junior Honor Society would like to thank everyone who dropped off recyclables, and keep on recycling.
Members and a guest came March 18 to the home of Mardean I. Pack for their monthly Mount Sherman DUP meeting. Fifteen members, including the guests, enjoyed the history read and the monthly lesson. President Irene Young conducted and reminded all fo the Caribou County Convention to be held in Soda Spring at the Senior Center on April 4. A free lunch will be served. Irene read a history of her husband Howard’s grandfather, William Lowe Young. Williams and hie wife emigrated from England after they joined the LDS Church. Their families disowned them and were very bitter against them for this. When they arrived in America they made their way west, where they joined a company of handcart saints traveling to Salt Lake City. There were 399 people in the group. On the way, William became very ill with kidney stoppage. He was unconscious and very little hope for his life was given. He was brought back to health with the help of a Native American member of the camp, and recovered fully. He was a talented craftsman and helped build many homes and buildings among with was the Oneida Stake Academy and the Logan LDS Temple when living in Preston. His life was one of diligent service and help to others. Everyone loved this pleasant caring neighbor.
Cecil Andrus: “I think all American in the last ten years have come to dread the words—deficit spending. During the decade of the 1980s, through two administrations in Washington, the nation’s budget deficit has grown into an enormous problem with terrible consequences for our economy and the future of the entire nation. Now, as the Idaho Legislature winds down for another year, I see disturbing signs that the ‘deficit disease’ is starting to creep into our state budget. It is clear that the Legislature has significantly overspent its own estimates for revenue in the next fiscal year and left the state budget in a deficit condition. The Legislature’s recent actions will very likely force me to make some difficult decisions to reduce some of the spending approved during the recent session. Wisely, in my opinion, the founders of the state constitution insisted on a requirement that the state budget be balanced. It is a sound principle that absolutely must be adhered to. Unfortunately the Legislature, often with the best of motives, has overspent the available revenue at the same time it was approving a variety of proposals to further reduce revenue. Idaho has been fortunate over the last four years to enjoy a steadily strengthening economy and adequate revenue to properly fund the priority needs of state government, namely, education. I believe we simply must live within our means and not fall in the fiscal quicksand of spending beyond our means. I certainly don’t relish having to pare back the spending choices of the Legislature. Many of the projects and programs they have funded are valuable and worthwhile, but I will also not be party to spending decisions that ultimately will prove to be irresponsible. Idahoans have long prided themselves on their sense of genuine fiscal responsibility. It is a character trait that would serve us well in Washington, D.C. Now we must have the courage and the responsibility to keep Idaho’s fiscal house in order. I am determined to keep our budget balanced and our fiscal affairs in top shape.”
Caribou District Scouter Arnell Walker was presented with the first Distinguished Commissioner Service Award presented in the Tendoy Area Council on March 26 at the Council Recognition Dinner in Pocatello. Walker has been the council commissioner for six years and the council has had the distinction of being a Quality Council for five years. The requirements for the service award include the commissioners completing training as outlined by the local council, including the earning of the Scouter’s Key for Commissioners; serving as an active commissioner or an active exploring service team member for five consecutive years and be currently registered; recharter a minimum of 90 percent of units in the area of service of units in the area of service for a minimum of the past two consecutive years; and to assist units so that more than 50 percent achieve National Quality Unit Award in the area of service for a minimum of the past two consecutive years.
1977
Idaho’s U.S. Senator Jim McClure has joined 23 other Senators in sponsoring a Constitutional Amendment to put the Federal Government on a pay-as0you-go basis. “It will take a constitutional amendment to get this government back to a balanced budget,” McClure said. “Despite the best efforts of many of us, the Congress is apparently unwilling to balance the budget on its own. I think this proposed amendment will do the job, just as our Idaho State Constitution requires a balanced budget.”
Ryan Walz, State of Idaho Right of Way agent, is in the area and will be making personal contacts with the property owners involved with the Soda Springs Overpass project. A map showing the property owners and the affected areas may be viewed in the office of County Clerk Elaine S. Johnson.
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, many things from the old attic, gifts stored for years that didn’t fit, and food fit for a king added their bit to the annual Grace Legion Auxiliary rummage sale held Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Many sagging wardrobes were replenished, and closets cleaned giving everyone a sense of triumph and accomplishment. Once again the old adage that “one man’s prize is another man’s scrap” was proven as exchanges were made and everyone felt they had made a bargain. The cooperative effort was supported by hard-working Auxiliary members and managed beautifully by their officers. One such received a well-deserved reward when the quilt being drawn was won by Artie Rasmussen, one who worked hard and long. The funds from the quilt will be used for the Girl’s State program. The rummage sale funds will be used to buy a divider for the Legion Building.
4-H CLUB NEWS
Jan 1
Knifty Knitters – Reporter Mabel Smith:
This month we started our knitting club. Our leader is Mrs. Richard Kirby. In our club we picked out what we were going to make . Robyn Jensen is making a cover for a hanger. Patty Smith is doing a pillow and so is Donna Kirby. Gina and Ronda Millward are making sweaters. Amy Millward is doing a pair of slippers. Teresa Kirby is doing a baby outfit. Mabel Smith is doing a hat. And started knitting on them. This month was real fun.
Feb 1
Donna Kirby our president called the meeting to order at 4:10. We took care of all business. Ronda Millward our secretary read the minutes of our last meeting. Gina and Ronda Millward started on their sweaters. Our knitting is looking real good. Amy Millward had a few problems with her knitting. We knitted the rest of the meeting. The meeting was dismissed by Donna Kirby at 5:00.
Feb 8
Donna Kirby, our president, called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. We took care of all our business and started knitting on our 4-H projects. Patty Smith practiced making cables, which were to be used in her 4-H projects. Any Millward finished one of her slippers. The meeting was dismissed by Donna Kirby at 5:10 p.m.
Feb 15
Donna Kirby our president called the meeting to order and took care of all business. Patty Smith finished her pillow. Mabel Smith finished her hat. Robyn Jensen is doing better on her knitting. Amy Millward started on her other slipper. The meeting was dismissed by Donna Kirby at 3:00.
Feb 22
Donna Kirby, our president, called the meeting to order at 4:10 and took care of all business. Patty Smith finished hald of her hotpad. Donna Kirby has about half of her scarf done. Ronda Milward had to take out half of her sweater. Mabel Smith started on a snowman. We knitted the rest of the meeting.
