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.
Jacob Hirsbrunner was one of the organizers of the Veterans Services Fair at Tigert Middle School last year.
2021
Students of the North Gem Greenhouse class are very excited to show off a couple of hanging baskets they have planted, grown, and are now looking forward to marketing and selling. The greenhouse is overflowing with 12 inch hanging baskets, basket stuffers, annual flowers and vegetables for your garden. They have started the plants from seeds and plugs and have learned how to grow and care for them. They have even spent weekends coming in to water and check on their plants. They have worked really hard and can’t wait to show them off to you!
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Caribou County Assessor Aaron Cook said property values in the county are all trending up – often about 15 percent from a strong market that is partly due to COVID. But because the market value of your home goes up 15 percent, that doesn’t mean your property tax bill will increase by 15 percent.
Cook explained the increase in values throughout the county raises the total market value amount. That increased total figure then lowers the levy used to raise the same amount of dollars if budgets are roughly kept to a slight increase or the same as last year.
Levies are set based on the total budget dollars. If there is a larger total property value figure, to raise the same budget money as last year, the levy would be lower because of more money, making it about the same amount you owe as the previous year. That’s all contingent upon the budget remaining the same.
Cook said the legislature was still in session and several changes are being discussed in Boise to make significant changes in taxation in the state, including property tax.
“At this time, we will go with what we have and if they make changes, we will have to adjust to them,” Cook said. He also explained that property reappraisal for the various types in the county is on a five-year rotation. That means every year a portion of the county’s property – like residential – is evaluated.
Megan McCurdy, Tasha Dailey and Kirsten Iverson from US Bank were there to explain services offered to veterans last year.
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Grace students enjoyed an unexpected holiday when school was called off Monday and Tuesday, April 26-27, due to flooding in the high school.
The main water line into the school broke sometime over the weekend and water had made its way into spaces underneath the school and began filling the boiler room on the west side of the building. The walls of the room are 17 to 18 feet tall and the water had made its way up to within just a few stairs before it would begin creeping across the gym floor.
The problem was discovered by Martin Read, a maintenance worker for the district, on Sunday afternoon and the cleanup effort began soon afterward as farmers and ranchers and others who owned pumps came to the rescue.
The administration cancelled schools that evening and by Monday morning the water level was down to just 3 feet remaining in the boiler room. Because of the underground electrical panels that needed to be dry before turning the power back on, the system was thoroughly checked out and finally power was resumed Tuesday afternoon.
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A short city council meeting was held April 21 by Soda Springs officials last week. Chris Gonzalez, who has volunteered to help with a bike park at the entrance to Kelly Park, gave an update on their plans for the bike area.
Saturday they will be doing maintenance and cleanup. Scout and senior projects are involved in the effort.
The group is hoping for a July 4th Grand Opening, Gonzalez said. He thanked Justin Hansen with the city for helping the group out whenever he can with equipment and personnel.
The volunteers will have a pit loader available to them for about a month and will use it to make headway on the project. Signing and benches are also planned.
Council Pres. Mitch Hart reported on project updates and said everything was on track. Planning was underway on priority projects for the summer.
Mayor Austin Robinson said that while he was sounding like a broken record, he was promoting local businesses. The city will be highlighting them on its website.
The mayor said that many of the volunteers in the community come from local businesses. “We need to support places where our volunteers work,” he said.
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The Grand Opening of the Til Then Boutique, a handcrafted artisan market and gift shop, is planned at 182 South Main Street in Soda Springs. “Til Then” is a cooperative of local artisans and gift shops.
Some of the vendors include: Finer Than Frog’s Fur tumblers and unique gourd art by Robbie Lemarr; Twisted Wire Shop beautiful beaded and wire-wrapped jewelry and Tuscarora CBD by Jessica Elgan; LMB handmade kitchen products by Linda Barthlome; Mandy Jane Williams Art religious prints, books, and framed art, Fine Art by Daf Allen, unique decorative art; and Nairn’s Knotty Wood shop distinctive handmade wood products by Nairn Moore. Other vendors include Canyon Wood Custom wood products by Jason Ashley; EC Creations by Elizabeth Christian; creative crochet by Shari Robinson; wreaths by Cori-Ann Crockett; Juniper Cedar Wood Work by Corey Smedley; and Holistic Fine Art by Annalisa Moses.
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Senate Republican Majority Caucus Chair Mark Harris wrote: “The governor has chosen to take a narrow and negative interpretation of the recently passed legislation in order to justify his veto of S1136aa and expected veto of H135aa. The legislation recognizes the role of the executive and was careful to ensure a Governor has the ability to declare a state of extreme peril, access federal funds, and activate the National Guard when the safety of citizens s in jeopardy.
The purpose of the legislation is, and remains, to rebalance power so the will of Idaho’s citizens in stewarded by their elected representatives and our citizens have recourse and remedy in times of emergency when their rights or freedoms are impacted.
As Senate Majority Leader Kelly Anthon shared previously, ‘This ensures Idahoans maintain their sovereign and local control…and prevents the formation of a dangerous precedent where a Governor could unilaterally restrict individuals’ liberties by suspending Idaho code with no input from citizens or their legislature.’
We still firmly believe that no single individual should gave unlimited power to restrict citizens without appeal – to shutter businesses, limit citizens’ movements, or stop them from attending school or church. Government must be representative and responsive to its citizens.
We acknowledge the need for restrictions during emergencies. Still, we see no place for a governor to restrict citizens beyond 60 days, truly without limit, and for our citizens to have no appeal process. If restrictions are needed, cities and counties can make those decisions for local areas. Unlimited and unchecked power is not the Idaho way.”
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Last Friday the Cardinal Track Teams traveled to Pocatello for the DirectCom Invitational held at Highland High School. The Cardinals used the tough competition from the 23 team meet to propel them to new levels and continue their push to District and hopefully State.
On the girls side, Freshman standout Jinettie Garbett continued to impress by winning the 400 meter dash. Her history making efforts earned her the school record in the event. Former speedster Shaylee Roberts set the mark at 59.77 in 2012, and Garbett lowered that time to 59.09 nine years later.
Garbett also grabbed a third place medal in the 200 meter dash and anchored the 4 x 400 meter relay to a 3rd place finish. Jenna Gaines, Macee Simmons, and Tayah Gaines rounded out the 4 x 400 team that finished with a season best time of 4:15:04.
Sydney Carpenter showed some great potential in the triple jump with a jump of 32’ 7.5” in her first ever attempts in the event. Her efforts earned her the 2nd place medal on the day and showed signs of great things to come in future meets.
The girls 4 x 2000 meter relay shocked the filed by winning the race with a time of 1:51.88. AS the race developed, the Lady Cardinal team was in first place on the last exchange with Sugar Salem and American Falls giving chase, Anchor Macee Simmons was game and found extra gears down the home stretch to secure the win. Hannah Evans, Aspen Christensen, and Brooklyn Kempe chipped in to help in the winning efforts.
Jenna Gaines earned the only other medal for the Lady Cardinals in the high jump with a season best jump of 4’10” to grab 3rd place.
1976
Wednesday in the Williams Ward Church recreation hall, winners of the Farm Bureau Talent Find met to test their abilities in a contest that included boys and girls from the Gem Valley preschool age to a girl of 17. Winners were named as follows by the judges, Mrs. Ronald Robinette, Mrs. Jane Michaelson, and Mrs. Marcia Rigby, all from Soda Springs: Preschool, 1st was Chad Kirby who sang a solo, and Doyle Peck who also sand a solo, winning 2nd place. In the 1 to 3 grade group, Duane Peck won 1st with a solo. 2nd place was awarded to Julie Alder for her violin solo. Winners in the 4th to 6th grade group were Ranae Harris winning 1st with a solo, and 2nd place winner was a trio of tap dancers, Cristyl Kirby, Shawna Kirby, and Lettie Sue Mickelson. The next group, 12 to 16 years of age, had a novelty number including Carla Andreasen, Erin Dalton, Kim Swensen, and Mark Cjristensen that won 1st. 2nd place was won by Relda Harris with a reading. Final winner was Mary Welker, 17, who sang a beautiful solo.
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Several replacements for teachers not returning to the Grace School District next year will be made. Those not returning include Loie Lott, who teachers English in Junior High School; Shana Keyes, Special Ed. Teacher on the secondary level; Julie Nelson, school secretary, Drill Instructor, and English teacher; Vera Young, Thatcher first grade teacher, who is retiring, and Gwen Stalker, who is retiring. She taught and English class.
Primary School Elections revealed the following candidates vying for the respective offices in the Student Body agenda: For President, Rick Haviland and Jim Burton; Vice President, Steven Clegg and Greg Mansfiled; for Secretary Lanae Mickelson and Pam Christensen.
1965
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Mrs. Alice Stoor of Soda visited out here Saturday and Sunday with her children, Mrs. Leith Somsen and family and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Stoor.
Mr. and Mrs. Horace Wright are moving into their new home this week, vacating their old one to be moved because of the new road.
Albert Lee Turner visited with his parents and sisters, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Turner in Soda Springs last weekend. He is presently employed in Shelley.
Sunday guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Transtrum and family were his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.O. Transtrum of Blackfoot.
1954
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Skinner will leave Friday in their new Oldsmobile on a two week vacation trip. They will go to Fort Bliss, Texas to visit their son Bert, and will stop in southern Utah and Arizona en-route.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Woyochowski and children, enroute from the state of Washinton to Long Island, NY, to make their home, visited their parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Rosdahl Sunday and Monday.
Annaleas Holbrook is spending a few days in Arizona and California with relatives and friends. Her sister, Hannah and her husband accompanied her.
1930
William Shelton, who is employed at the local Rexall Drug Store, went to Boise Monday to take a pharmacal examination.
Mrs. Helen Huff, Mrs. Burt Reece, and MR. and Mrs. Garrett Somsen took the Call children to see their father, who is in the hospital.
Mrs. JD Morgan and daughters Ida and Frances went to Soda Saturday.
Our old friends, John and Jean Holz of Aberdeen, ha e returned to Soda to look after their sheep interests.
1905
CT Woodall is now a full-fledged ranchman and can “talk” crops with the best of them.
WT Fields returned last Tuesday from an extended visit in the eastern part of Missouri and still thinks this part of the country is all right.
James Munroe has started the ball rolling for a farmers circuit on Eight Mile, by signing the first contract. It will take seven more subscribers to procure the line, and if put in, the farmers can talk to any of the users in Soda.
Hans Nelson is in from Draper for the summer.
