Enterprise The Idaho
ECRWSS Local Postal Customer
Periodical U.S. Postage PAID Malad, ID 83252
Caribou County's Newspaper Since 2024
Caribou County, Idaho
February 8, 2024 | Vol. 1 No. 1
Soda Spring Chamber of Commerce “Revitalization” underway
It has been several years since the Soda Springs Chamber of Commerce was a strong and active institution, but over the last few weeks a number of community and business leaders have come together to try to change that. Representatives from businesses including Lallatin’s Food Town, Bayer, the Cobblestone, Enders Hotel, the Hospital, and other orgnizations were brought together by School Superintendent Scott Muir, City Councilmember Paul Gritton and Development Council Representative Debbie Dumont in an effort to “revitalize” the Chamber. “It’s not a reorganization, exactly,” Dumont said, “because it still exists, it’s just…dormant. So let’s go with revitalization.” Muir and Gritton have been involved with getting the ball rolling, but don’t plan to become members of the board themselves. In fact, Gritton stresses that he feels it is important to keep the city administration separate from the chamber. “It’s a business organization, and that’w who should make the decisisons—businesses.” Like many chambers across the country over the last decade or so, a number of issues have led to a reduced presence in the community. “COVID affected everything,” Dumont stated during the first revitalization meeting, and many of those assembled agreed. As a result of restrictions put in place during the pandemic, many public gatherings were cancelled, and even those that weren’t saw attendance greatly reduced. As a result of people becoming less routinized to being out and active in the community, the second major factor affecting chamber businesses became even more pronounced—the internet as a primary source of advertising and commerce. The group of interested business
Debbie Dumont discusses the revitalization of the Chamber of Commerce at Enders Hotel, which will be the site of the next meeting on February 22.
Superintendent Scott Muir keeps notes on a familiar white board during the second planning meeting for the evolving Chamber organization.
leaders have already held two productive meetings toward the Chamber’s renewal. During the first meeting, those in attendance introduced themselves and expressed their hopes for what a chamber could do. They also set up a bi-weekly meeting schedule. During the second meeting, the group took nominations for the board, and established a subcommittee to begin developing the Chamber’s makeup. “We’re trying to restructure the membership and levels,” Dumont explained. “It’s hard to meet everyone’s needs, from the bigger companies down to the one-person operations.” In order to accommodate various needs for the organizations involved, the subcommittee is planning to establish levels of membership that are open to all the interested parties based on their desired level of engagement with the chamber going forward. The higher levels members join, the more promotional benefits they will receive.
The subcommittee consists of Kaylee Peck Bayer, Kent Loosle, Dylan Liechty, Debbie, Afton Marowelli, Alan Skinner, and Debbie Dumont. “We haven’t completely decided yet, but we’re thinking Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum levels. We haven’t quite ironed it down yet, but we’ll meet next Monday.” The committee did discuss possible annual events, such as a BBQ, Golf Scramble, Ribbon cuttings, monthly meetings, 4th of July Parade. They also talked about website design and a quarterly newsletter and social events.” Fund raising activities and member dues are the sources of funding for the chamber. Currently, the Rotary Club handles the parade, but the Chamber is planning to discuss taking it over or contributing significantly to the effort REVITALIZATION On Page 3
The Sun has set, but we can not live in darkness
A note from the publisher Bryan Scott
Over three months ago, Mark Steele published his last edition of the Caribou County Sun. Today I am pleased to present the community with their new local newspaper, The Idaho Enterprise - Caribou County Edition. Launching this paper has been an undertaking and I could have not done it without a great team and support for some great individuals. I want to thank Mark Steele and his daughter Amanda for helping us and supporting us. Individuals like the Steele’s who care so much about their community, seem to hand sew the fabric of their communities. I have enjoyed getting to know Mark and see what he has accomplished with Caribou County Sun over the last ___ year. Being in the newspaper
business, meeting individuals like Mark is uplifting and inspiring. What should you expect from the Idaho Enterprise? • The Newspaper will be in print each week and mailed out to subscribers. We hope to put it in the mail each Wednesday and should be in your mailboxes with the Thursday mail. • We are mailing copies of this first edition to every mailbox in Caribou County. • All past-subscribers of the Caribou County Sun (as of its last edition) will receive 4 free weeks of the new paper. • Each edition is between 8-16 pages. • We will cover all of your favorites including County Commissioner Meeting, City Council
meetings, school events and news, local events. • We will accept letters to the editor. • We have launched a new website. www. cariboucountynews. com, which will be updated weekly. It will have a business directory that will allow local businesses to have offers for the community. • We have launched a new facebook page as well that will be kept updated. Brandon Hall will serve as your new Editor for the newspaper. He has been working tirelessly in the community learning the community. We will not be able to do this alone. We are looking to hire an office manager who can help run the office, if you are interested or know someone who may be interested please
email us at Caribou@thecityjournals.com or call us at 208.766.4773. We are also looking for individuals who may be interested in writing with us, we love to see your byline in the coming papers. We hope that you enjoy the paper. We hope that you will continue to read. Please remember that the best way to support this new paper is to subscribe. We have tried to make it as easy as possible to subscribe, you can go to our website, our facebook page, use the QR code below, or call us at 208.766.4773.
INSIDE Community New...................................Pg.3 Soda Springs City News....................................Pg.5 Community New...................................Pg.3 Obituaries.................................................................Pg.9 Soda Springs City News......................Pg.5 Sports................................................................Pg.10-12
$1.50
NEWS IN BRIEF US and UK Strike targets in Yemen
After stating two weeks ago that the U.S. had plans to retaliate against a drone attack that resulted in the loss of three servicemembers, the plan became apparent when it was revealed that U.S. and U.K. forces had struck a number of sites in Yemen linked to the attack. Since Friday’s U.S. response, 3 more attacks have been launched on western forces, believed to have been coordinated by Iranian military forces and affiliated militia groups. The State Department has been in talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about regional coordination to bring about a cessation of military hostilities in the area, and methods for providing humanitarian relief in Gaza and Israel.
King Charles III announces cancer diagnosis
Less than a year after his official coronation in May of 2023, the United Kingdom’s King Charles III, 75, revealed that he had been undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate. As a result of his medical recovery, the King will be stepping back from outward facing, in-person duties for the next few months. “His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer,” a palace spokesperson stated on Monday.
Reminders from the City of Bancroft
The City reminds residents to please remove vehicles from city streets to allow for snow removal after heavy storms so that roadways can be kept clear for emergency vehicles and traffic. The City would also like to remind residents to remove their trash cans from the streetside as soon as possible after they have been emptied on Thursday to assist with maintenance and cleanup of the streets during winter.
Senior Center donations closed for now
Due to the generosity of Caribou County residents, the Senior Center on Main Street in downtown Soda Springs is not currently accepting donations. The facility only has so much room for incoming inventory, and will be sorting and placing the material it already has before opening up for donations again. The community will be notified when the Center is ready to once again receive donations.
Idan-ha Indoor Theater Showtimes Mean Girls (2024) PG-13 112 min Thursday 8th 6:00, 8:15 Saturday 10th 2:00 (matinee $5), 6:00, 8:15 Wednesday 14th 6:00, 8:15— All Wed. Shows $5 Pricing: 12+ $7.00 Seniors 65+ $5.50 Kids 3-11 $5.50 Under 3 Free