Fire Devastates Downtown Bancroft; Volunteers join massive containment effort
One drawback to a weekly paper is that often the largest news for that week can happen early on, which is the case this week. The fires that devastated the downtown area of Bancroft broke out a little after 2:00 p.m. on Friday, which, because of the Juneteenth holiday, is the very day last week’s paper went out. By now, most readers are undoubtedly aware that the fire started at a residence—the Call home—and fairly rapidly moved down the street to two abandoned structures (those being the building that was once the theatre, and attached apartments).
A bit later, the house north of the Call home—belonging to Karen Koefed—began to smoke from the chimney.
When it was all said and done, many agencies, volunteers, neighbors, firefighters, EMS, police, and even local pilot Curtis Home had done his best to stop the town from going up in flames. While a significant part of town did exactly that, the buildings themselves can be rebuilt. What can’t be replaced is the overwhelming sense of community that drove the firefighting efforts and will be needed more than ever through the rebuilding process.
The most important line in this story is that the injuries sustained are not life-threatening. Mr. Call received burns to his face area, but he and his family managed to escape from the fire before it became
an inferno. Mrs. Koefed, across the street, was called and told that she needed to leave her house, which she was able to do safely. The Calls reported that several pets had perished in the fire.
As the afternoon wore on, the number of agencies involved kept expanding to fill the need: the Bancroft volunteer Fire Department (which is now a true icon of what a volunteer FD can be up against and still put up an amazing fight), Caribou County Fire, Caribou County Sheriff’s office, Soda Springs Fire, Soda Springs Police, and dozens of volunteers. Assistance also came from Lava Hot Springs, and the Bear Lake County Fire Department. It took the combined efforts of all of these agencies—plus a cropduster— to fully extinguish the flames.
If that wasn’t enough, a second fire was reported the next evening around ten in a residential chimney. That fire was also put out, but certainly added to the overwhelming sense of just how precarious the seemingly safe and routine world can all of a sudden become.
The fire itself is only the first part of dealing with this town-changing event, though. As the recovery phase of the fire starts, questions about resources and manpower have already been raised. The water system that was used to battle the blaze might also deserve a look, as it invoked a call for residents to turn off
their water in order to save pressure through the lines. Ordinances about burning material at residential property, as well as property maintenance have also been raised. While some of those issues are touchy subjects in some ways, they will surely need to be part of the city’s vision for disaster preparedness and mitigation moving forward.
Alana Burns lives in Bancroft, and was the person who alerted me to the fire, essentially as it was first breaking out. Her access and knowledge of the town are much more insightful than mine. For that reason, you can find her report on the timeline of the fire and the aftermath on pages 3 and 10. As a newspaper, we sometimes strain against social media, but Facebook has been a very effective means of disseminating information and images, and we will continue to follow this story on our Facebook page, under “The Idaho Enterprise Caribou County News”.
Alana has also agreed to update readers about what is happening in Bancroft as the long recovery process gets underway. Stay tuned, and our sincere prayers go out to members of the North Gem community.
A GoFundMe effort was started for the Calls, and a link to it can be found on our Facebook page. There will undoubtedly be other ways to contribute to the rebuilding efforts in the future, and we will keep you informed of them as they emerge.
Parades, cookouts, games and more in store as summer events are finalized
As we look forward to the busy summer, much of the schedule information for the big events in Caribou County is finalized. The 4th of July parade in Soda Springs will proceed as usual—the map of the route and schedule of event can be found on Page 2 of the paper. This year’s parade Grand Marshals are Frank and Jo Ann Chadwick, who we will feature in next week’s edition.
Events in Bancroft for the 24th of July are unchanged, as far as has been decided at this point. We spoke with McKayla McLain of the Rodeo Committee, who stated that the
breakfast at the Lions Den would still be held in that location unless a decision was made later to change locations. The building is immediately next to two of the structures that burned in last week’s fire. Otherwise, though, the rodeo is celebrating its 127th year as the most entertaining rodeo in the area, and event should have an extra level of emotion to them this year. Kareen Crockett has been named the Grand Marshal, and you can read more about her on Page 4. We will preview specifics for the rodeo event schedule in July the week before the events.
The Caribou County Fair is also proceeding according to schedule, with Emma Christensen having been named the Grand Marshal. You can also read about her on Page 4, and we will be providing much more detailed previews of the Fair as it approaches. Don’t forget about your chance to open for the Fair Concert by submitting a video of your music to the judges at ccfairconcert@ gmail.com. If there are any events you would like to make sure get included in upcoming event previews, please send an email or call 208-766-4773.
US enters conflict between Iran and Israel
It’s too early to say what the effect of U.S. bomb strikes on Iran will be, but the Trump administration announced over the weekend that it had conducted bomb strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, after calling for a two week period to explore negotiations. The announcement was greeted with a mix of responses, with the Israeli government and some members of the president’s party celebrating the news, and other Republicans and most Democrats decrying the act as bypassing congress’ responsibility for authorizing military strikes on foreign soil. Iran’s Supreme Leader denounced both the U.S. and Israel and vowed to retaliate. Missile were fired from Iran toward U.S. bases in Qatar and Iraq, which is still a developing situation as of press time. On Monday evening, defenses in the two countries stated that they had intercepted missiles, and no damage or injury had occurred. Russia’s Vladimir Putin has cautioned against strikes affecting the area, noting that there are millions of Russian speakers in Gaza and Israel. The Iranian attacks on U.S. bases signify a bilateral escalation of military action between the U.S. and Iran, though at press time a tentative cease fire had been announced between the parties involved.
Heatwave covers eastern half of US
An extremely dangerous heat wave is underway for the eastern half of the United States as a potent heat dome reaches its peak, bringing the hottest temperatures of the year so far – the hottest in years for some cities – and putting tens of millions at risk. Over 250 daily temperature records could be broken during the peak of the heat on Monday and Tuesday, including both record highs and record warm lows. Temperatures in some locations from Philadelphia to Boston could be the hottest in any month in over a decade. Additional records could fall Wednesday and Thursday. Around 150 million people are under heat alerts Monday, according to the National Weather Service. In many areas, it will be 15 to 20 degrees above normal.
Lloyd’s Nitro Nationals this weekend!
The 2025 AMA Pro Racing Event in the American Hillclimb West series will be in Caribou County June 27-29 at the course on 1612 Oregon Trail Road just outside Soda Springs. From electric bikes up to 1200cc machines, riders will take off from a jump then climb up the steep hill as far as they can. Friday will include amateur racing, and Saturday the best of the best will face off for a chance at Nationals. Vendors, campsites, and all kinds of activities will be on site!
Last Friday the town of Bancroft was confronted by a quickly escalating fire that started around 2 p.m. The volunteer firefighters joined with residents to battle the blaze as more emergency responders raced to town to join the fight, which lasted hours.
“Oregon Trail Oasis” Traditional county-wide Independence Day Celebration
In Soda Springs & Caribou County, Idaho
Sponsored by the Soda Springs Rotary Club
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – 2025
Wednesday, July 2nd, Thursday, July 3rd & Friday, July 4th
July 2nd & 3rd - 9 AM-7 PM - Soda Springs Library, Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale and plant sale. This will be located inside the Soda Springs Library. July 4th 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Thursday, July 3rd
3-5 PM - City Park, FOAM PARTY, Soda Springs Fire Dept. sprays foam that is fun for everyone. You may want to bring a swimsuit, towels, lawn chairs, etc. Clean Water available to wash off. Watermelon donated by Lallatin’s Food Town.
Friday, July 4th
6:30 AM - Octagon Park, Rotary Club’s 5K FUN RUN/WALK, and registration 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM, Run starts at 7:30; fee $20. Race day shirts will be first come, first served sizes (5-XL), and snacks will be available after the race ends.
7-9:30 AM - City Park, Lions Club Breakfast, $8.00 adults, $5.00 children 6-12, under 6 free.
9:40 AM - Chevron station start, KID’S MILE a fun run for ages 12 and under, no registration or fee required, those under 6 must be accompanied by an adult. More Information at the City Hall. Sponsored by Ireland Bank
10:00 AM - Highway 30, Traditional JULY 4th PARADE, Theme: “Oregon Trail Oasis”
Grand Marshals: Frank and Jo Ann Chadwick. Parade starts by Dave’s Tackle, lineup at Presbyterian Church. Registration forms at City Hall or contact Amanda Larsen 307-679-6193, Katie Muir 208-650-1150 OR sodaspringsparade@gmail.com
Road Apple Roulette- Parade course marked off in grids, tickets have corresponding numbers, winners based 90 where horses drop “apples”. Don’t need to be present to win. Winners will be announced before fireworks. Buy tickets from any Rotarian, Caribou Memorial Hospital and Clinics, and various local businesses. 1 ticket for $5 or 5 for $20. Big prizes include $1,000 cash from ITAFOS; $350 worth of garden products from Bayer and Caribou Jack’s; five $200 gift certificates from Lallatin Food Town; $350 Fishing Fun gift box from Ireland Bank; three $50 gift certificate from Patterson Quick Stop, and a Blackstone Griddle from Caribou Medical Center. After the Parade- City Park, Free Carnival, bounce houses, 4/4 volleyball, 3/3 basketball, and Corn Hole Tournament; $20 per team. Call City Hall for team entries- 208-547-2600.
Concessions and booths. To register for a concession or booth ($25 fee), first-come, first-served, call Debbie Dumont at 208563-4821. Form can be picked up at city Hall
6 PM - Kelly Park playing fields. Come hang out and relax; may want to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and bug spray.
8 PM - Kelly Park, Listen to free, live music entertainment by Cherry Peak Resort!! Food trucks will be available!!
10 PM - Kelly Park, SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS, free entrance to Kelly Park, donations gratefully accepted Sponsored by: CARIBOU MEDICAL CENTER, ITAFOS, BAYER, CARIBOU FORD, LIBERTY CDJR
The Soda Springs Rotary Club appreciates your support and wishes you a safe Holiday!
Fun Run fundraiser
The annual Fun Run fundraiser hosted by the Soda Springs Rotary Club will kick off the Fourth of July festivities in Soda Springs once again! Runners & walkers of all ages are welcome. The event will begin promptly at 7:30 am on Friday, July 4th.
Entry fee is $20, which includes a T-shirt (adult S-XL) and post-run snacks; Venmo or exact change cash only. T-shirt pickup will be at the Octagon Park from 6:30 am- 7:15 am on a first come, first serve basis. Leftover shirts, if any, will be available for purchase following the run.
The fun run will be untimed; however, the first 3 male & first 3 female finishers will receive prizes. A sheet will be available for those self- tim-
ers wishing to record their run/walk times. A photo of the completed sheet will be posted to Facebook following the run.
The 5K of course will be consistent with prior years; it will begin at the northeast corner of Hooper School heading east on 1st North, turning left on 3rd East heading north to the walking/running path which parallels 3rd East. Then following the trail south next to Soda Creek and finishing at Octagon Park.
The Rotary Club greatly appreciates your support of the Fun Run; it is an important fundraiser for this year’s Fourth of July celebration and those to come. Come join us for a run (or walk) around the Oregon Trail Oasis!
Caribou Quilt Guild Sale
July 4th
The Caribou Quilt Guild will have a “Destashing Sale” on July 4th, in the Fellowship Hall of the Presbyterian Church.
There will be fabric and other quilting related items for sale.
There will also be a table with ‘free stuff’!
Doors will open just after the parade at 10:45 a.m. and close at 2pm. If you are a quilter, please come and check it out.
Devastating Fires in Bancroft Destroy and Awaken
BY ALANA BURNS
APOCALYPTIC
SCENES
ON MAIN STREET
Bancroft residents and volunteer firefighters were called to action in emergency fire response last Friday and Saturday, as flames tore through the town unexpectedly.
The fire that started the somewhat apocalyptic scene in Bancroft began at the home of Ellis and Elizabeth Call. According to Elizabeth, she and her husband were burning cardboard in a fire pit behind their home, in response to requests/orders from the City of Bancroft to clean up their property. Unfortunately, that day came with a wind advisory with gusts blowing up to 45 miles per hour.
At around 2 PM, the Calls finished burning their cardboard, put the fire out and stepped away briefly, during which time the fire reignited and spread to the entire back porch. The flames quickly engulfed their home as area residents worked to assist the Calls in exiting safely, calling in area fire departments for support, and anxiously working to establish water defenses themselves. Propane tanks and artillery exploded, the house collapsed in on itself, power lines were being burned, and the flames grew in size and ferocity. It was a somber and humbling scene.
3 PM: About an hour after the Call’s house fire began, a commercial building north of their home and across the street, started burning as fire debris flew to the property in the windy weather conditions.
That building belongs to James Ackerman and is filled with vehicles, tires, fuel and other random items. The flames grew in intensity as locals scrambled to split their firefighting resources between the two ongoing fires, and the scene grew more intense. The fire at the commercial building spread toxic black smoke from the chemicals of the rubber, fuel and car parts, that made fighting the fire even more complicated as it burned your eyes and made breathing and seeing more difficult. The flames spread to the lot next door to engulf more vehicles and debris. Those flames eventually burned the back porch of an apartment building under renovation.
4 PM: As crews worked to get both fires under control onlookers notified firefighters that yet another home was beginning to emit smoke out of its roof, this time due to the ongoing extreme temperatures hitting it for the past 2 hours, as it is located directly downwind from the Call’s home. This second home ablaze is owned by Karen Koefed.
Yet again, fire crews were spread out to fight the three ongoing blazes. Thankfully more firetrucks and area fire departments arrived on scene to handle the growing spread of flames and eventually established a perimeter to the emergency efforts, having onlookers removed from areas of danger. Caribou County, Soda Springs, Grace, Lava Hot Springs, Bear Lake and Bancroft crews and area residents were all battling the fires shoulder to shoulder.
By 6:30 PM the fires were mostly extinguished with fire crews dousing the scenes to ensure the melee would finally come to an end.
During the ordeal residents were encouraged to stop using water in
order to preserve all water resources for firefighting. Power to the city was turned off due to the fact that power lines and power poles nearby the fires were being burned as well. Rocky Mountain Power arrived on scene amongst firefighters to address dangers presented by flames on or near power lines.
Farmers descended onto the scene with their water storage tank trucks and brought resources to the area to extinguish additional spot fires that started periodically, defensively protecting surrounding buildings and properties from fire danger. A crop dusting airplane also joined the tumult, dropping water over the fires that seemed to evaporate in the wind before it was able to make a real impact in fire suppression.
During the craziness of fires spreading throughout town, wind gusts snapped off the top of a large tree at City Hall which fell in front of the building, obstructing access to the inside from the front entrance. In response, volunteers were instructed to remove technology and paper files from City Hall, for safekeeping in the event the fires jumped to that building as well, as it was downwind and one building away from the commercial building that was on fire.
Neighbors immediately began gathering clothing donations for people who lost their homes, have been caring for pets and farm animals of those affected families, donated cases of water and drinks to sustain fire crews during the fiasco, and fought fires themselves for 4+ hours. The Grace, ID LDS stake presidency provided pizzas for volunteers and firefighters to replenish themselves with. Since Friday, a GoFundMe page was set up to collect financial donations in support of the Call family in their time of need.
On her Facebook page, Elizabeth Call shared these words of thanks on Monday, June 23rd: “ I cannot thank those that have kept us safely in their prayers, enough. Thank you for your support, there are too many to mention. Unsung heroes bearing each other’s burdens. God lives and loves us all. Thank you.”
Several of the properties were uninsured, and all of the ones engulfed in flames were a total loss.
This is especially impactful because all three structures had historic significance to the area: the Call’s home and Koefed’s home were some of the first homes to be built in Bancroft, and the Ackerman’s building was used as a movie theater decades ago.
SATURDAY’S HOUSE FIRE
Much to the community’s surprise, another house fire occurred the following evening around 9:30 PM on Saturday, June 21st. Billy Chacon was reportedly burning some papers in his wood burning stove when the chimney in his home caught fire and spread through the top level of the house. Again, area volunteers and neighboring fire departments responded to the call for help and eventually extinguished the flames, with the help of some heavy equipment that was brought in to literally raise the roof off the side walls supporting the home, in an effort to get water directly onto the flames inside.
CITY & LOCAL RESPONSE
According to Mayor LuCus Spencer, “It is a tragedy that we lost three homes and a commercial building, but to me the key component to all of this is how the community came together to help each other. Fire departments from surrounding communities came to our assistance in our hour of need, and Bancroft residents are especially grateful for the relationships we have with our neighbors in Caribou, Bear Lake and Bannock Counties.”
Public sentiment following the Friday fire catastrophe has been complicated. Concern and care for their neighbors after such a dangerous and devastating loss is coupled with frustration and anger about the occurrence of the fires to begin with.
City officials have reportedly been in a consistent back-and-forth legal tug-o-war with the Calls for years in an effort to have the family clean up what they deemed a health and safety risk to the community; a collection of materials that the family has over time accumulated and stored inside the house and throughout the property. A few years ago the Calls received a formal judgement in an area court requiring them to remove some of the of debris and collectibles from their property to comply with city ordinances, which they did. However, the accumulation resumed and over time the house and yard were filled once again.
“This has been something that the community has anticipated for decades. There needs to be some accountability for the parties who started these fires because this emergency was totally preventable. Their (the Calls) home was basically a matchbox. With an excessive amount of fuel sources in the house and around
the property, including propane, ammunition, wood, and a hoard of stuff, this was bound to happen eventually. The fact that the fire spread to other peoples’ property shows the risk this type of lifestyle poses to the community at large,” said Katie Hatch, a Bancroft local.
City officials are working to amend existing city ordinances in order to grant the City more influence and enforcement authority regarding property maintenance standards, all in an effort to uphold better cleanliness conditions throughout Bancroft. These measures are intended to avoid these types of fire emergencies in the future, with the City having the ability to issue citations and fines to those who refuse to comply with the ordinances.
In addition to the tragedy and loss, these recent fire emergencies have been a wake-up call for area residents. Mayor Spencer said an unexpected outcome of the recent fire emergencies has been increased recruitment for volunteers of the Bancroft fire department. At the time of the fires there were only six people volunteering. Since the fires, four new volunteers will be joining the force and undergoing trainings soon. However, four new recruits isn’t enough to meet the obvious demand.
“If you’re going to respond to fire emergencies anyways, please just sign up to be a volunteer firefighter. Let us get you fitted for the proper protective equipment, teach you where the hydrants are and how to connect hoses to them, and educate you on how to operate the fire truck. We love the community’s generous help; let’s just train better as a group so we can respond more swiftly and coordinate our efforts better should another emergency like this occur.” To join the department please contact City Hall at 208-648-7648.
A final reminder from the Mayor was for residents to clean up their yards. “Remove weeds and garbage from your properties, move flammables away from your home, make sure your smoke alarms are working and that you have adequate insurance coverage on your property. Lastly, create an emergency evacuation plan with your loved ones so people know what to do and where to go in case of an emergency.”
It seems the moral of the story is this: residents are bound to repeat this tragedy if they don’t learn from it, and make positive changes that protect their town, their own homes, and their neighbors.
Firefighters work to extinguish flames on Karen Koefed’s home
A local crop dusting plane drops water on the flames as onlookers marvel at the scene
Local volunteers douse flames as the roof of the Calls home collapses in.
Shad Rindlisbaker operates his telehandler to raise the roof Billy Chacon’s home
Bancroft Rodeo schedule unchanged by fire; Kareen Crockett named Grand Marshal
As of press time, Bancroft Rodeo and Pioneer Day Parade organizers say that there will not be any changes to the schedule, listed below. Despite the fires in downtown Bancroft, the Lions Den (where the breakfast is scheduled to be held) was largely undamaged, and none of the structures involved in the day’s events were affected. In what will surely be an emotional day, the community is invited to come show their support for the city of Bancroft and its residents on July 24!
McKayla McLain of the Bancroft Rodeo Committee notes: “This is the 127th Consecutive Year of the Bancroft Pioneer Day Rodeo. We even rodeoed through Covid. Our stock contractor is Wayne Hebdon with Diamond H Stock. Wayne’s grandfather was raised and farmed in Chesterfield. The Rodeo is put on by 100% donations and 100% volunteers. We couldn’t put on this rodeo without all our help and sponsors. Some of the Rodeo Members have even been on the committee since 1961. It’s a home of lots of reunions, family and school. People plan on coming back years in advance and we hope to always be able to put on this memorable event.”
July 24 Schedule of Events Lions Club Breakfast from 6am10am at the Lions Den on Main Street.
5k Fun Run/Walk at 7:30am Rodeo Slack 9am Parade 10am 2025 Theme “They Also Serve” Vendor Booths at the Bancroft
Trading Post. Kids Races at 1pm Rodeo starts at 2pm (full event schedule to come)
Hatch Band and Dance 8pm Middle of Main Street Fireworks at Dark
Rodeo Books open July 13th at 6pm Call (208)339-6475 Due to high call volume and a one woman show, call until you reach someone. No texts or voicemails.
Grand Marshal Kareen Crockett
Kareen was born in Chesterfield, Idaho, to Ammon Paul and Phyllis Hatch. Her brothers and sisters are Ammon Paul Hatch, Jr., Gaylie (Bradley), LaPreal (Perkins), and Gary Hatch.
She went to first grade in the Chesterfield School House, which had grades 1 - 6. After one year in school in Chesterfield the school was consolidated with Bancroft. She graduated from High School and went to Ricks College, then Utah State Agricultural College, and on to LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, graduating with a Stenographer’s Degree.
She married Armond Lee Crockett on December 18, 1953, in the Logan Temple, Logan, Utah. They have six children: Ryan, Kyle, Brett, Teresa, Von, and Callie. After finishing school in Salt Lake City, Utah, She joined her husband, Lee, as he was in the Army and stationed at Wolters Air Force Base, Mineral Wells, Texas. She worked for Civil Service on base in the Inspector General’s Office.
Caribou County Fair Grand Marshal is Emma Christensen
The Caribou County Fair Board announced that the Grand Marshal for this year’s parade has been named. The announcement reads:
Meet our GRAND MARSHAL!
Emma Renee Ellis Christensen was born June 21, 1937, in Blackfoot, Idaho. She was raised mostly in Caribou County, with a short time in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Renee attended Grace Elementary and later moved to Soda Springs, where she joined the cheer squad and met her future husband, Douglas Jack Christensen.
After Lee was discharged they came home to Chesterfield and started farming where they raised their family.
Along with helping on the farm, she went to work at First Bank and Trust in Bancroft, ID, as a teller and then as manager. After the bank closed she went to night school at Idaho State University and applied for a job at the FBI in Pocatello, Idaho, and was hired on where she worked until she retired.
After retirement Lee and Kareen decided to spend their winters in St. George, Utah, which they both enjoyed.
Lee passed away in December 2006. Kareen later married Nephi Anderson and he passed away in 2019.
She has always enjoyed coming
home in the summertime and working in her garden and flowers. She has spent many years volunteering at the Chesterfield Town site, which she enjoyed very much. She enjoys spending time with family and grandchildren and looks forward to their visits.
She has always loved celebrating the 24th of July in Bancroft, Idaho, from the time her parents bought her a pair of cowboy boots to the time she was a teenager and was part of the Royalty for the July 24th rodeo and celebration. She says she especially enjoys the rodeos in Bancroft and never misses going.
She says “I love the people here! Chesterfield is my roots and I love it here.”
2025 CHS Field Trip Well Attended
BY BILL HORSLEY, CARIBOU HISTORICAL SOCIETY
On the morning of June 21st an enthusiastic group started to gather at the Caribou Historical Society Museum around 9:15 and by 10:00 the group of about 40 were on the road to the old Alexander townsite. Former residents of the area Russ and Reed Findley shared some stories about the last residents of the old railroad hotel which is the last remaining structure in the old townsite.
From there we drove the old Oregon Trail Road towards Ivins and noted the Oregon/ California Trail markers that were placed along sections of the trail where wagon ruts are still evident. Between the years from
1841 to the mid 1880’s three to five hundred thousand emigrants made the trek from Independence Missouri to Oregon and California and relevant landmarks that they used in this area were pointed out and after the group looped back on the old “Y” section of the highway the group got to investigate some of the old trail ruts. Then on to the Sheep Rock Interpretive site where the group had a chance to investigate the numerous informative plaques and learn a bit about a favorite individual of mine C.B. Wilson. We finished up with a picnic lunch at the Alexander Dam Park.
Last year, the Society led a tour to many of the town’s historic springs.
CLASS OF 1975
July 12th at Octagon Springs Pavilion
Meet and greet starts at 11:30 am
Dinner will be at 1:00 pm
Contact Scott Peterson 530-812-4378
She is honored to be the 2025 Grand Marshal of the Caribou County Fair & Rodeo—a tradition she and Jack supported for many years.
We can’t wait to see Emma at this year’s Fair, starting the first week in August.
Renee and Jack had four children—Karyn, Kim, Kelly, and Kasey—and were blessed with 29 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren. Over the years, they owned and operated several businesses including the Arctic Circle in Soda Springs for 47 years, hardware stores, a laundromat, a cattle ranch, and more. Renee also worked in local stores, the gas station, and cared for children in her home. She fondly remembers time spent with family in Grace, working on a ranch, and watching Jack, known as “Bareback Jack,” ride at rodeos. Renee is proud of the rodeo legacy passed down through her family.
Registration underway for soccer, paddleboarding
The Recreation Department of Soda Springs is currently enrolling for Soccer team play, as well as Paddleboarding classes. Both are open to residents anywhere in Caribou County. For soccer, the divisions are K-1st grade (No referees); 2-3 Grade; 4-5 grade; and 6-8 grade (no referees, or shirts). The grades refer to the start of the next school year. Volunteers, sponsors, and referees are still being sought. Applications are due by July 11, and can be completed with the QR code on this page, or through a physical form, available at the City offices in Soda Springs. The cost for registration is $20. Bancroft and Grace kids are welcome!
Paddleboarding classes are planned for Tuesdays throughout July, and will be taught by Recreation Director Jessica Thurman. Forms can be found and completed at the City offices.
This years Rodeo Grand Marshal Kareen Crockett with her family.
The large tour group that made its way to Alexander area over the weekend with the Caribou Historical Society.
SENIOR CITIZENS’ CORNER JULY 2025
July 2025 Nutrition Article
National Hot Dog month is in July! Hot dogs offer anywhere from 9-15 grams of protein (depending on the brand). They can be prepared via grilling, boiling, or steaming. This affordable summer staple can be very versatile in the kitchen, used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They can be dressed up to offer us a variety of nutrients, let’s get creative!
Menu item ideas:
• Diced with scrambled eggs, onion, &tomato
• Wrapped in a tortilla served with salsa
• Served over bean or meat chili, cheese, &onion
Possible hot dog toppings:
• Finely diced red onion, tomato, peppers, and relish
• Crumbled bacon and shredded cheese
• Mayonnaise, teriyaki sauce, sesame seeds, and shredded seaweed
• * There are now vegetarian options also, plant based dogs
Seasonal foods in July
• Mangos
• Avocados
• Blueberries
• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes (early harvest)
FREE NUTRITION COUNSELING
● Free MNT (Medical Nutrition Therapy) services available in person, or via telephone with our registered dietitian Vanessa (habla español), services also available in Spanish.
Ask your center staff for details today!
○ Please reach out to our site for help with the following:
■ New medical diagnosis i.e. cancer, diabetes, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, altered taste, fatigue, etc.
■ Food resources - Food banks, pantries, programs, etc.
■ Menu planning, budgeting, and recipe ideas
BRAIN TEASERS
Ingredients
Potato or Macaroni Salad
2 cups cooked pasta of choice OR boiled potatoes, diced
1⁄3 cup mayonnaise
1⁄4 cup sour cream
2 hard boiled eggs, peeled and diced
1⁄2 cup celery, diced
1⁄3 cup black olives, diced
1⁄3 cup green onion, finely sliced
1⁄3cup pickle, diced
2 Tbsp mustard
2 Tsp dried dill
Pepper to taste
Directions
In a large bowl add in all listed ingredients, stir well. Garnish with paprika. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours so flavors can settle. Garnish with paprika, enjoy as a side or main dish!
Caribou County Senior Citizens' Menu
Every meal served with Juice/Milk/ Coffee *Birthday Cake and Ice Cream is served in-house only!
July 2 - Chicken Salad Sandwich, Green Salad, Potato Chips, Jell-O Cake
4th of July- CENTER CLOSED
July 9 - Chicken Teriyaki w/Rice, Asian Veggies, Pineapple, Oatmeal Bread, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
July 11 - Hamburger Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Peaches, Dilly Bread, Cooks Choice Dessert
July 16 - BBQ Pork Ribs, Dutch Oven Potatoes, Coleslaw, Bananas, Sourdough Bread, Rhubarb Crisp
July 18 - Creamy Chicken Fettuccine, Broccoli, Mandarins, French Bread, *B-Day Cake and Ice Cream
July 23 - Beef Enchilada, Green Salad, Pears, Green Rice, Pecan Pie Bars
July 25 - Hot Dogs, Calico Beans, Sauerkraut, Apples, Potato Chips, Coconut Cream Dessert
July 30 - Spaghetti, Green Salad, Melon, Breadsticks, Lemon Bars
EVENT CALENDARS
SODA SPRINGS/ CARIBOU COUNTY
June 27, Friday Catholic Daily Mass (9am)
IDAN-HA Movie
June 28, Saturday
IDAN-HA Movie
June 22, Sunday Presbyterian Services
Caribou Bible Church Services Catholic Mass (8:30am) Open Arms Church Services LDS Services Hope Lutheran Church
June 30, Monday Catholic Daily Mass (9am)
July 1, Tuesday
Free Kids IDAN-HA Summer Movie
July 2, Wednesday Catholic Daily Mass (9am)
IDAN-HA Movie City Council
July 3, Thursday
Library Story Time (10am) Catholic Daily Mass (6:30pm) Addition Recovery Program (7pm)
IDAN-HA Movie
GRACE
June 29, Sunday LDS Services Caribou Bible Church (2 pm)
June 30, Monday Library Story Time (10 am) @ The Legion Hall
July 2, Wednesday School Board Meeting (7:00 pm) City Council (6:00 pm)
July 3, Thursday Library Story Time (10am)
BANCROFT
June 29, Sunday LDS Services
June 30, Monday Library Story Time (10 am) Board Meeting (6:30 pm)
July 2, Wednesday School Board Meeting
NEWS OF RECORD
CARIBOU COUNTY SHERIFF
Matthew Sanford Alexander, Wayzata, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Jesse A Aular, Salt Lake City, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Ryan John Bronson, Soda Springs, fail to use safety restraint, $10.00
Brandon Lee Christensen, Herriman, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Pamela Jean Fleischmann, Pocatello, fail to use safety restraint, $10.00 Yunhao Ge, Sunnyvale, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Jonathan Raymond Grffith, Desert Hot Springs, fail to use safety restraint, $10.00
Elizabeth Jolyn Grijalva, Rigby, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Sarah Ann Harmon, Paris, fail to use safety restraint, $10.00 Xiaobin Huang, Berkeley, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50
Marinell Iliuc, Meridian, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Ashishkumar Kachhadiya, Northridge, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50
Talia Lee Kendall, Preston, fail to resister vehicle annually, $10.50, costs $56.50
Ha E Kim, Fort Lee, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Sarah Melissa Knight, Olalla, rail to
use safety restraint, $10.00
Andrew Lewis Kofoed, Grace, violation of dog regulations-failure to pay fines, $10.00, costs $157.50
Laura A Lincoln, Belleplain, fail to use safety restraint, $10.00
Georgiy P Lyashchuk, auburn, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50
Kayd Wayne Mumford, Soda Springs, speeding, $33.50, costs
$56.50
Rodney Loftus Pearson, Pocatello, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Bryant Clayton Robison, Montpelier, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Abigail Jessica Sanchez Gibson, Ammon, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Elliot Temaat, Indianapolis, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs
$56.50
Kelly John Thomas, Grace, fail to use safety restraint, $10.00
Isaias Villasano, Melrose Park, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Matthew John Walsh, Jamaica Plain, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Ilhyuk Yang, Walnut Creek, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
SODA SPRINGS POLICE
Qiwei Chen, Salt Lake City, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Keaton Carl Cook, Idaho Falls,
BIRTHDAYS
Bill Horsley, July 1
Lori Williams, July 2
Kaylene Troseth, July 3
Karine Olsen, July 5
Denise Horsley, July 6
Rosin Jo Crump, July 7
Linda Woolsey, July 12
Sherry McBride, July 12
Karen Thomas, July 14
Gus Greene, July 15
Karyn Thompson, July 19
Sherrie Beckstead, July 20
Anne Rasmussen, July 24
Bruce Gould, July 25
Jenay Hodges, July 26
Linda Anderson, July 28
Sam Humphreys, July 29
If you would like to add yourself, your kids, loved one, friend or family member to our weekly birthday list, contact Sherrie at 208-766-4773 or email sherrie.w@idahoenterprise.com
ON THIS DAY
1721 Dr. Zabdiel Boylston gives first smallpox inoculations in America
1797 Charles Newbold patents first cast-iron plow, though farmers fear effects of iron on soil
1894 Karl Benz of Germany receives US patent for gasoline-driven auto
1927 The Cyclone roller coaster open on Coney Island
1959 Queen Elizabeth ll and US President Dwight D. Eisenhower open the St. Lawrence Seaway, allowing oceangoing vessels to travel from the Atlantis Ocean to the Great Lakes of North America
1968 Iwo Jima & Bonin Islands returned to Japan by US
1974 The Universal Product Code (UPC) is scanned for the first time, to sell a package of Wrigley’s chew-
ing gum at the Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio
1977 Elvis Presley appears in concert at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana; unknowingly the last performance of his career
1979 The Village People become the first disco act to play Madison Square Garden, NYC
1981 “Stripes” American military comedy film, directed and produced by Ivan Reitman, starring Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, and John Candy premieres
1997 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, first book in J.K. Rowling’s best-selling series, is published
2012 Animated film “Ice Age: Continental Drift”, directed by Steve Martino and Mike Thurmeier with voices by Ray Romano and John Leguizamo premieres in Buenos Aires
speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Andres Cuahtepitzi Saucedo, Niles, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Xiaobo Guo, Weehawken, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Carlos Huarcaya Osorio, Golden, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Jordan Michael Johnson, Paris, fail to use safety restraint, $10.00
Jaxon Ky Leavitt, Idaho Falls, speeding 16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50
Jaebum Park, Los Angeles, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50
Christian Dale Sorensen, Salt Lake City, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Yong Feng Wu, Glendale, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50
Zhangfu Yu, Cincinnati, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50
IDAHO STATE POLICE
Heriberto Alvarado Silva, Magna, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Trey Sie Dunford, Georgetown, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Peter Larkin Hedemark, Pasco, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Nathan Lee Robertson, Blackfoot, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Ashmi Sharma, California, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Sandon Marquis Sletten, Pinedale,
speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Dennis Cameron Smith, Boise, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Mylee Ruth White, Soda Springs, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
MAGISTRATE COURT
Dustin B Baker, Soda Springs, possession of marijuana, $300.00, costs $307.50, 30 days jail, 30 days jail suspended, 5 months probation, 100 hours community service – Agency: SSPD
Bryson Lee Calixto, Montpelier, driving under the influence, $500.00, costs $202.50 18 months probation; carry concealed weapon while under the influence, $200.00, costs $157.50, 18 months probation – Agency: CCSO Joseph Nathanial Jacobs, West Jordan, possession of marijuana, $300.00, costs $307.50, 14 days jail, 14 days jail suspended, 12 months probation, 100 hours community service – Agency: CCSO
Justin James Neuendorf, Soda Springs, reckless driving, 19 days jail 14 days jail suspended, 6 months probation – Agency: CCSO
Elizabeth A Tesch, Salt Lake City, possession of marijuana, 14 days jail, 14 days jail suspended, 12 months probation, 100 hours community service – Agency: CCSO
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.
2005
Gate City Real Estate Associate Lisa Ayers of Soda Springs recently sponsored Emmett Johnson from Soda Springs High School as one of three winners of the 2005 high school senior scholarships to Idaho State University. Each recipient received a $1,000 scholarship. Emmett, the son of Randy and April Johnson of Soda Springs, was active in BPA, Soda Pops, choir, football, wrestling and track in high school, and is currently employed at Lew and Dan’s grocery store. His future plans include entering the business program at ISU, with an emphasis in accounting.
The Grace Mustangs defeated Marsh Valley to win the title of Little League Baseball Champions. The Grace Mustangs were undefeated during the tournament playoffs. Other Little League teams that participated in the tournament included three teams from Soda Springs, two teams from Grace, one team from Inkom and a team from McCammon.
The College of Southern Idaho recently released their dean’s list for the 2005 spring semester. Two former Grace HS students, Brandice A. Beckstead and Hagen T. Beckstead, were included on the list.
2000
It will be a busy and fun time leading up to and including the July 4th celebration in Soda Springs this year. It will be capped with a fireworks display that will be the biggest within 150 miles, second only to the show in Idaho Falls, officials say. Rotary spokesman Kirk Hansen said Caribou County Senior citizens have volunteered to run a shuttle can from their center to the fireworks in Kelly Park, and will make sure that everyone gets a ride back. Call Blanche Lloyd for reservations. Hansen said the Rotary Club, who is sponsoring the event with help from volunteers and donations, is asking that no personal fireworks be brought into the show because they will detract from it. The 32-minute show is all synced to music and 11 ground show displays will range from the American Flag to an eagle and prairie schooner. It will be a first-come seating basis at Kelly Park, with the fireworks along the home run fences. People can sit in the stands of bring a blanket and sit on the infield. When parking fills up at Kelly Park, more room will be made available where the mud bogs are held and then spectators can walk in. Due to the size and cost of the show, a $2 admission is being charged at the park to help cover the $12,000 firework expenses, particularly the ground displays.
The J.R. Simplot Conda Pump Station was honored on June 22 when it received the Governor’s Idaho GEMStars pollution prevention award. The pump station, five miles north of Soda Springs, has 15 employees and received the award for the new environmentally friendly oil control vale system for the slurry pump that pushes phosphate ore slurry to the processing plan in Pocatello in a pipeline. Attending the presentation were 23 teachers from Afton, Soda Springs, Bear Lake and Idaho Falls who were studying the phosphate industry and business for a week this summer. The eight inch pipeline is under 3,350 pounds per square inch and the 87-mile slurry journey takes a little over 21 hours from the mine to Pocatello, Dave Tarbet who led the group on a tour, said. The slurry mix at the mine, along with crushing and other processes, also eliminated calciners at the Pocatello fertilizer plants, Tarbet added thus eliminating pollution sources and also saving the company money in the long run.
A Final Environmental Impact Statement has been issued by federal agencies in FMC Corporation’s proposal to extend their existing phosphate mining operations at the Dry Valley Mine northeast of Soda Springs. The South Extension Project would result in development of two new open pit mines and construction of three over-
burden dumps, haul roads, and other structures.
1995 Jeff and Shauna Bowen with the Chamber of Commerce Bingo Committee, along with Chamber President Daphne Allen, broke ground on Monday, June 12 in the city park for the construction of a new pavilion. Bingo proceeds will go towards the construction of the new pavilion for the public’s use. Contractor is Bassett Construction.
Chad J. Rawlins is a 1995 cum laude graduate of the University of Idaho. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Rex Rawlins, Soda Springs, he received his bachelor of science degree in zoology this springs and was designated a recipient of UI’s second highest honor for graduating seniors in commencement ceremonies May 20.
Scott Wilcox, son of Blynn and Karen Wilcox of Soda Springs graduated May 13 from the University of Wyoming at Laramie with a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling. He had previously earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1992 and an AA degree in 1992 from Western Wyoming College at Rock Springs. During his academic career, Wilcox was on the National President’s Honor Roll in 1988, 1989, and 1991, and the Dean’s Honor Roll in 1989 and 1990. Scott’s parents, his sister Tracy, sister Pam Brown, and her children Ashly, Brady, and Jackie, brother Keith, brother Neil, his wife Teresa and sons Ric and Craig, and many friends from Wyoming, Idaho and other states attended the graduation ceremonies. Wilcox is currently employed at South West Counseling Service, Rock Springs, WY as a psychotherapist.
1975 Miss Chris Langdon, Miss Caribou of 1975, was selected as third runner-up at the Miss Idaho Pageant in Boise last weekend. As third runner-up she received a $400 scholarship. Miss Teri Harding of Twin Falls was chosen Miss Idaho, and Miss Gwen Anne Relyea of Boise, and Miss Louisa Anne Hanes, of Moscow, were first and second runners up. Miss Bear Lake County, Gay Sorensen of Ovid, was fourth runner-up. Chris is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Langdon of Soda Springs. At the conclusion of the pageant, Miss Langdon described her impressions as follows:
“The group of girls was an exceptional one…Not only were they beautiful and talented girls, they were warm, friendly people. We didn’t feel like we were competing with one another. The girls took a mature attitude about the whole pageant, realizing that once they had arrived in Boise, it was too late to make improvement on themselves of their talent, and so we all relaxed and enjoyed one another during the week. We stayed in a very nice motel, the ‘Ramada,’ two girls to each room in downtown Boise. Each girl had one of the Boise Lion’s Club member’s wives as a personal hostess. The week’s activities began Wednesday with newspaper interview. The rest of the week was filled with rehearsal, TV tapings, luncheons and dinners, and an individual judges’ interview. None of us got much sleep but we were so wound up that it didn’t matter. I would like to personally thank the Caribou County Lion’s Clubs for all their support.”
The Mt. Caribou Cowbelles awarded a $5 beef certificate to the parents of the first baby born closest to Fathers Day. The Michelsons had a baby boy on June 16.
Governor Cecil D. Andrus has appointed a Southeastern Idaho man, Earl Gunnell of Soda Springs as a member of the Development and Publicity Council for the Tourism and Industrial Development Division. Gunnell formerly served as a member of the State Parks Board, resigning that position to accept the new appointment. Andrus, in a letter to Gunnell, said that since the death of Jim Bedingfield the council “has been without representation from the Soda Springs region. Further,” Andrus said, “there is no representation from the agricultural community—the state’s largest economic block. You and I understand that much of the state’s future economic health will be directly related to agriculture and the development
and use of our recreational facilities; thus your service on the parks board becomes invaluable as you begin council.” Andrus told Gunnell that the latter’s “unmatched variety of interests including the legislative service would be impossible to duplicate. And now that the Parks Board has been operating for a number of years, a change could be made without great impact on its ability to function.”
Max McCammon, with a 3 lb 15 oz Cutthroat Trout, caught in the Blackfoot River, was the winner of the Big Fish Contest at Ern’s Sport Center for the week of June 15-21.
Idaho cattlemen were warned today of the possibility that the state may lose its “Brucellosis-Free” certification unless there is a dramatic change in the frequency of new infractions.
Dr. A.P. Schneider, Boise, chief of the Bureau of Animal Industries, said as many as 98 herds were found to be infected during the past year.
1963
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Stoddard and three children returned Sunday from a vacation trip to California. They visited in San Francisco and a Napa, California with Bob’s brother Ray and family.
Mrs. Walter Blackburn and daughter Amy Jo left last week on a vacation that will take them to the World’s Fair and surrounding area.
1965
Airman First Class Michael D. Wright, son of Mrs. Olive Wright of Pocatello, has arrived for duty at Wheeler AFB, Hawaii. Airman Wright, an administrative specialist, previously served at Scott AFB, Belleville, Ill. The airman is a graduate of North Gem HS. His wife Mabel is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilder Hatch of Bancroft.
Gerald Lee (Jerry) Young, Utah State University student, has been elected to the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. This honor is open to freshmen who maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or above. Jerry was also recognized as an excellent scholar at
the Awards and Honors Convocation. Jerry graduated from Soda Springs HS, where he was an honor student.
The family of George T. and La Vera Giles Jenkins will honor their parents at an open house on their Golden Wedding Anniversary, June 20, at the home of their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Anderson, in Spanish Fork. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins were married in 1915 in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Provo until 1917, then moved to Soda Springs where they were engaged in farming. Four years later they moved to Conda, where he was employed by the Anaconda Company. In 1955, they moved to Las Vegas where they were caretakers of a large estate for five years. After retirement they bought a home in Spanish Fork, where they reside.
1953
Jay Allen and family have moved to their new home in the Lakeview subdivision.
Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Grant of Scottsbluff, Nebraska are visiting with their daughter, Marie Hoke and husband Burdette.
Mayor A.L. Ozburn spent Monday in Fort Hall, Blackfoot and Chesterfield on a business trip.
The Merlin Anderson family have purchased the Parson home at 260 East Second North.
A good old-fashioned family reunion was held by the Willard Williams family last Thursday evening at the home of Willard and Emily Williams, near Grace, with forty-one participating.
-INDOORThursday, June 26 Friday, June 27 Saturday, June 28
Tina Marie Robison
P.O. Box 631
Grace, Idaho 83241
298-221-3926
trobison1@hotmail.com
IN THE DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SIXTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT FOR THE STATE OF IDAHO, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF CARIBOU
IN RE: TINA MARIE ROBISON
Case No. CV15-25-134
NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE
(Adult or Emancipated Minor)
A Petition to change the name of Tina Marie Robison, now residing in the City of Grace, State of Idaho, has been filed in the District Court in Caribou County, Idaho. The name will change to Tina F Robison. The reason for the change in name is: to align my name on all legal documents with my social security cars. My federal employment records are identified by my social security number, and currently, there is a discrepancy between my name on my social security card and my driver's license issued by the State of Idaho. The driver's license lists my middle name as Marie, which does not match the name on my social security card. This inconsistency has prevented me from obtaining a Star Card. Correcting my name will ensure consistency across all my legal documents and facilitate the acquisition of the Star Card.
A hearing on the petition is scheduled for 2:00 o'clock p.m. on (date) 07-18-2025 at the Caribou County Courthouse. Objections may be filed by any person who can show the court a good reason against the name change.
Date: June 6, 2025
CLERK OF THE DISTRICT COURT By:
Wendy Rasmussen Deputy Clerk
#1111-06-12-19-26-07-0325-T4
CITY OF BANCROFT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the city council of Bancroft, Idaho will hold a public hearing on July 14, 2025 at 7:30 P.M. for the consideration of increasing sewer rates. The hearing will be held at the Bancroft City Hall located at 95 S. Main St.
All persons desiring to be heard should appear at this hearing. Written testimony may be sent to the City of Bancroft at P.O. Box 39, Bancroft, ID 83217. Written testimony must be received no later than July 10, 2025. Written testimony after this date will not be entered into the record or read at the public hearing.
Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the city office 48 hours prior to the hearing (208)648-7648.
#1115-06-26-07-03-25-T2
City of Soda Springs, Idaho, on the 8th day of July 2025 at 6:25 P.M., at City Hall located at 9 West 2nd South, Soda Springs, Idaho, for the purpose to consider a City Municipal Code Amendment to the Zoning Definitions, the codes amended are as follows:
17.08.015 -Adult Day Care - amending and clarifying definition.
17.08.100 -Automobile sales lot- removing defmition and adding "See vehicle/ equipment sales & rental lot."
17.08.110 -Automobile service station- removing definition and adding "See Service Station & Repair."
17.08.150 - Boarding houseamending definition.
17.08.225 - Church or Place of Religious Worship- amending and clarifying definition.
17.08.262 - Daycareamending and clarifying definition.
17.08.263 - Daycare Center, Group Daycare Facility, Family Daycare Center, Preschool amending and clarifying definition.
17.08.320 - Dwelling, singlefamily- amending and clarifying de:finition.
17 .08.340 - Dwelling unitamending and clarifying definition.
17.08.415 - Group Daycare Facility- removing definition.
17.08.440 - Home occupationamending and clarifying definition.
17.08.445 - Hotel, Motel or Inn- amending and adding definition for "Motel or Inn".
17.08.485 - Long Term Care facilities- adding and clarifying definition.
17.08.560 - Motel- removing definition
17.08.590 - Nursery Schoolremoving defmition.
17.08.600 - Nursing home, convalescent home- removing definition and adding "see long term care facilities."
adding A. Schools, amending B. to Churches, amending C. to Boarding houses as defined in Section 17.08.150, removing G. Group Daycare Facilities.
17.24.020 - Permitted Uses:Re-Alphabet alignment, removing D. Group Daycare facility, adding D. Club or lodge of a service, fraternal, or community nature when not operated for profit, E. Group Daycare Facility for 7-12 children, as defined in Section 17.08.263 (B), and adding F. Adult Daycare Facility as defined in Section 17.08.015.
17.24.030- Conditional Uses:Re-Alphabet alignment, removing C. Boarding or rooming house, removing D. Convalescent home, nursing home, removing E. Home for ambulatory aged, rest home, elderly housing, adding C. Long Term Care Facilities as defined in Section 17.08.485 and D. Daycare Center for 13 or more children, as defined in Section 17.08.263 (A), removing I. Daycare Center.
17.28.020- Permitted Uses:Re-Alphabet alignment, adding D. Schools, adding E. Churches, adding F. Long Term Care Facilities, amending H. Boarding Houses as defined in Section 17.08.150, removing E. Convalescent home, nursing home, removing F. Home for ambulatory aged, rest home, elderly housing, adding I. Daycare Center for 13 or more children, as defined in Section 17.08.263 (A).
17.28.030- Conditional Uses:Re-Alphabet alignment, adding D. Public Parks and Playgrounds, removing I. Daycare Center.
UNCLAIMED PROPERTY NOTICE
Why would anyone have unclaimed money? Unclaimed money consists of forgotten bank accounts, refund checks, utility deposits, wages, tax refunds and more. The Idaho State Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Division acts as a consumer protection agency to ensure forgotten funds are returned to their rightful owners. Check online for your name at YourMoney. Idaho.gov.
#1117-06-26-25-T1
17.08.610 - Rest home, convalescent home- removing definition and adding "see long term care facilities."
17.08.633 - Preschoolremoving definition
17.08.655 - School- adding and clarifying definition.
17.08.668 - Service Station & Repair- adding and clarifying defmition.
17.08.761 -Vehicle/E quipment Sales & Rental Lot- adding and clarifying definition.
17.20.020 - Permitted Uses:Re-Alphabet alignment, amending B. adding C. Family Daycare Center for less than 6 Children, as defined in Section
A full copy of this Code Amendment is available at City Hall. All persons present at the public hearings shall be allowed to be heard. Written comments or objections may be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Secretary at 9 West 2nd South, Soda Springs, Idaho 83276, or email chelseyd@sodaspringsid. com. Any person needing special accommodations to participate in the above hearing should contact Soda Springs City Hall at 208-5472600 at least seven (7) days before the hearing. Dated this 11th day of June 2025.
Chelsey Davids, Planning & Zoning Secretary #1112-06-19-26-25-T2
LOBBY OF THE CARIBOU COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 159 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SODA SPRINGS, ID 83276, in the County of Caribou, SYDNEY K. LEAVITT, ESQ., a member of the State Bar of Idaho, of ALDRIDGE PITE, LLP as trustee, will sell at public auction, to the highest bidder, for cash, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, the following described real property, situated in the County of Caribou, State of Idaho, and described as follows, to wit: LOT 14, BLOCK 1, NEFF SUBDIVISION, CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO, ACCORDING TO THE OFFICIAL PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY RECORDER OF CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO, UNDER RECORDER'S INSTRUMENT NO. 54586. The Trustee has no knowledge of a more particular description of the above referenced real property, but for purposes of compliance with Idaho Code Section 60113, the Trustee has been informed that the address of: 421 GAGON DRIVE, SODA SPRINGS, ID 83276, is commonly associated with said real property. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession or encumbrances to satisfy the obligation secured by and pursuant to the power of sale conferred in the Deed of Trust executed by WILLIAM TYREL GOTFREDSON A SINGLE PERSON, as Grantor(s), to ALLIANCE TITLE & ESCROW, as Trustee, for the benefit and security of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS BENEFICIARY, AS NOMINEE FOR MERIDIAN TRUST FCU, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, as Beneficiary, dated 9/23/2020, recorded 9/23/2020, as Instrument No. 205613, official records of Caribou County, Idaho. Please note: The above named Grantors are named to comply with Idaho Code Section 451506(4)(a); no representation is made that they are, or are not, presently responsible for the obligation. The default for which this sale is to be made is the failure to make monthly payments when due from 3/1/2024 and all subsequent monthly payments thereafter, including installments of principal, interest, impounds, advances, plus any charges lawfully due under the note
and/or attorney fees and costs, and expenses actually incurred in enforcing the obligation thereunder or in this sale and to protect the security associated with the Deed of Trust, as authorized in the Note, Deed of Trust or as allowed under Idaho Law. Because interest, late charges, fees, costs and expenses continue to accrue, the total amount due varies from day to day. Hence, if you pay the amount shown above, an adjustment may be necessary after receipt of funds to satisfy the debt. For further information, write the Trustee at 4375 Jutland Drive, Ste. 200, San Diego, CA 92117, or call (866)931-0036 DATED: 6/5/2025 Signature/ By: SYDNEY K. LEAVITT, ESQ., a member of the State Bar of Idaho, of ALDRIDGE PITE, LLP
#1116-06-26-07-03-10-17-25T4
Farm Bureau names Wilder Hatch Ag Producer of the Year
Last week, the Farm Bureau hosted its annual cookout to celebrate local farmers and ranchers, and the agriculture community as a whole. The night was marked by food, games, a shooting gallery, petting zoo, and live music. A keynote speech was given by Farm Bureau President Bryan Searle, and North Gem’s Wilder Hatch was named the Ag Producer of the Year.
The event is designed to highlight the importance of agriculture as a cornerstone of the American and world economy, and after being introduced by Caribou County Farm Bureau Chair Chris Banks, Idaho Farm Bureau President Searle spoke to the crowd on the issue. Searle noted that the immediate impact of tariffs has put a strain on many farmers, but that it was a step toward correcting what he termed “unfair trade practices” that have been in place for American farmers.
Boyd Murdock was on hand with live music, and the event was supported by many representatives of the Ag community, including local Farm Bureau leaders, County Commissioners Marty McCullough and Bryce Somsen, the Ag Extension office (who brought a mobile target shooting trailer), Soda Sip, and more. The packed event was a great reminder of the strength of the Ag culture in Caribou County.
Wilder Hatch was not able to be in attendance, and so his award for Ag Producer of the Year was presented by Marty McCullough to neighbor Dave Richardson. The award presentation reads as follows:
“Wilder Hatch was born and raised on his family’s ranch. After graduating from North Gem High school, he joined the United States
Air Force, where he served for eight years. When his father became ill, Wilder returned home to the ranch and signed a one-year lease with his father. After a successful year he signed a second one year lease, which ultimately led him to purchase the ranch on his third year of operation. Wilder has been running the ranch ever since, and it has been a place where he and his wife have spent summers working to help put up the hay and move pipe. Wilders ranch has been a place where young people could come and learn the value of hard work.
Wilder has served in many position in his community, always working to ensure his friends and neighbors could have the best chance for success. Wilder has served on the Caribou Soil Conservation District Board for over 40 years, many of those years as Chairman of the Board. Wilder has always worked to protect natural resources and agriculture, not only through Caribou County, but throughout Idaho. He has always been willing to try new things, especially when they showed the ability to enhance natural resources and his fellow farmers
and ranchers’ bottom lines.
Wilder was instrumental in getting the Caribou SCD to host a soil health workshop in 2014. He asked the Caribou SCD board to consider purchasing a no-till drill to provide a service to the local farmers of Caribou County. However, he was not able to gain enough support on the board. Wilder determined to see how a no-till drill could improve his operation, so he went an purchased one on his own in the fall of 2015. Also, a neighbor who had attended the soil health workshop purchased one too. Because of Wilder’s example and leadership, now other neighbors are hiring him to plant their crops as they too are working toward improving soil health and planting cover crops to extend their grazing and crop rotations.
In 2017, Wilder was inducted in the Idaho Agricultural Hall of Fame.
This was a great honor for him to be selected. Wilder has always been a friend to everyone, a respected leader in the community, a leader in his church, and a great steward over the land where he works. Other landowners can learn from his experience and dedication in striving to do better, trying new things, and working to promote the health of the land he works. Wilder has always lived by the verse penned by Hugh Hammond Bennett, “Take care of the land, and it will take care of you.” If you were to drive by on a summer morning, you would most likely see Wilder out moving a handline at 85 years old. He can still outwork most anyone in the valley. It is with great honor that we recognize Wilder Hatch as the 2025 Caribou County Ag Producer of the Year.”
Livestock Daycamp helps prepare for the Fair
Extension Office 4-H personnel came together last week to offer a range of helpful advice to Caribou County (and other) members, geared toward the impending Fair season. The Daycamp was held in several locations, including both Caribou and Oneida counties.
Justin Hatch, from Caribou County, led an interactive session on identifying the parts of livestock animals using scale models of carcasses. After the initial entertainment value of the model carcasses wore off, the kids quickly got down to business, and demonstrated an impressive knowledge of the parts of the livestock animals in question. A quiz after the
lesson proved the point. Identification of the parts of an animal is essential to both the showmanship and the market side of 4-H projects, as judges and buyers will be keenly aware of how the animal is put together.
Sawyer Fonnesbeck, from Oneida County, discussed the difficult and sometimes frustrating art of showing animals. Using the demonstration area to…well, demonstrate, Fonnesbeck led students through the basic elements of the showing process, and gave them a chance to run through the process and ask questions. With his experience as a livestock judge, Fonnesbeck was able to offer insightful pointers about how to improve what
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the judges saw in the ring. Caribou County extension office summer intern Alexis Carroll discussed the function and composition of livestock digestive systems, as well as the basics of animal nutrition. A bag of organic material in a bag and solution was passed around to let students feel what the material feels like in a cow’s stomach. To much shock and some disgust, Carroll explained that in her school work, she observes cannulated, or fistulated cows, which have an access port in their sides to allow researchers to examine the stomach contents.
Anthony Simerlink, from Power County, led a discussion on some of
the products that are made from animal byproducts, many of which are not commonly thought of in that context. Glue, felt, dog food, plastics, beauty products, and others made his list, and the kids were full of questions about other things that might possibly fit the bill.
As Fair season approaches, the 4-H offices and leaders are kicking into high gear to get ready for the upcoming county fairs. You can contact the Oneida County Extension office at (208) 766-2243, the Caribou County Extension Office at (208) 547-3205, and the Power County Extension Office at (208) 226-7621 for more information or to enroll in 4-H.
A fun optical illusion created by the Farm Bureau classroom trailer parked at the City Park last week.
Extension educators Justin Hatch and Sawyer Fonnesbeck discuss the parts of livestock animals at 4-H Daycamp
Fonnesbeck conducts a mock showmanship round.
Images from the Bancroft Fire
There were many, many pictures of the fire--by Alana Burns, myself, and then many people who sent them in. Because our weekly paper is limited to its one day schedule, we only have so much print room for the images, but you can find many more on our Facebook page. We will also endeavor to provide updates during the week on our page as we get them. In selecting the pictures for this page, we looked for a few things--images that show the intensity and scope of the peak moments of the fire, and those that showcase the community involvement in the firefighting. Our Facebook page contains more pictures of some of the individuals at the scene during the day, images of the aftermath of the fire, images of Saturday’s smaller housefire, and more. We have had people ask through Messenger how to subscribe to the print paper, and the easiest way is to fill out and send in the form on the bottom of page 11. Calling
The Kirk Hansen Caribou Crusher Classic
BY JODY REEVES
The fields at Kelly Park were the main focus for 9U, 10U, and 12U club baseball teams in our region last weekend. In just its fourth year of existence the Kirk Hansen Caribou Crusher Classic has quickly become a desired tournament to attend for teams from Southeast Idaho and Northern Utah. The facilities and quality of play are among the best in the region. Caribou County was represented by three teams in two divisions. All three teams go by the name of the Caribou Crushers. Both the 9U and 10U teams competed in the 10U division with the 12U team playing in the 12U division. The tournament took place over a three day period. The first two days were pool type play where teams were matched up randomly. Following those two days the teams were then seeded and placed in a bracket for championship play on Saturday. The three Crusher teams fared very well in the first two days of play. Both the 10U and 12U Crushers emerged from pool play unscathed earning each team a number two seed in the brackets. The 9U Crushers also played very well picking up a pair of wins on Thursday and taking down the 10U team from Bear Lake on Friday. The 9U team started tournament play with another win this time over the 9U Bear Lake team. This put the youngest Crushers in the semi-finals. Meanwhile the 10U Crushers also took care of business in their opening game of the bracket, easily running over the 9U team from Malad. This also put the 10U Crushers in the semi-finals. The bad news for Crusher fans was that the two teams were placed on the same side of the bracket meaning they would have to face each other for the right to play in the championship. It did not take long for the older of the two squads to impose their will on
their younger counterparts. The 10U team quickly jumped out to a 6-1 lead after the first inning. From there the younger Crushers met the challenge but were never able to overcome the early hole they were put in. The 9U Crushers were eventually eliminated from the tournament by the 10U Crusher team by a score of 11-3. With the win the 10U Crushers were in the championship game. Their opponents in that game were the GC Wolfpack out of Cache Valley Utah. The Wolfpack were a formidable team that had outscored their opponents 90-9 up to that point in the tournament. After giving up four runs in the first inning the Crushers got on the board in the second inning but still trailed by three. Unfortunately that would be as close as the Crushers would get. The Wolfpack went on to out score the Crushers by twelve runs through the remainder of the game winning 16-1. The Crushers would have to settle for second place in this year’s tournament.
The 12U Crushers opened up bracket play with a win over the Storm from Clinton Utah. That win advanced the Crushers to the semi-final game against the Titans out of Cache Valley. This game was one of the most entertaining games of the whole tournament. The Titans struck first taking a two run lead in the first inning. The Titans went on to add one additional run in the second. The Crushers were finally able to answer back in the bottom of the third inning. After cutting into the lead with a single RBI a big three run homer gave the Crushers their first lead in the game. The Titans would regain the lead in the top of the fifth going up by a single run but were quickly matched by the Crushers in the bottom of the inning tying the game up at five runs a piece. Each team would keep the pace by scoring two more runs in the sixth inning. The seventh inning is where things went
wrong for the Crushers. The Crushers gave up a whopping twelve runs in the inning and only managed to score a pair of runs in return. Unfortunately that eliminated the Crushers from contention. Even with the loss the Crushers had an excellent tournament going 4-1 overall.
Despite all three Crushers teams
coming up a little short the tournament was a roaring success and will hopefully continue for years to come. The tournament organizers were very pleased with the City of Soda Springs and their rec department for all of their hard work to help pull off such a successful event.
Beau Merrill brings the heat from the mound during his stint as pitcher for the Crushers.
Coach Parker has a meeting on the mound with members of the 12U Crusher team during their semi-final game.
The throw beats the runner to first base in the 9U vs 10U Crusher semi-final.
SPORTS
Grace Little League Celebrates Season With A Community Tailgate
BY JODY REEVES
The Grace little league program celebrated another successful year with an end of season tailgate party. Players and fans from the smallest t-ballers to the 12U softball and baseball teams all gathered at the diamonds on the Grace High school fields to play one final game each while enjoying some food, music and camaraderie.
Dinner was sponsored by Caribou Medical Center and was free for players and their families. Other spectators were encouraged to give a donation for their meal. Dozens were on hand to take advantage of the good food while enjoying some great entertainment watching the youth run, bat, throw and catch. In all there were ten different teams involved in the event. The evening started with some 10U baseball on the sandlot diamond and coach pitch on the grass field. Following the coach pitch game the night’s smallest athletes took to the field for some t-ball action. Not many players were thrown out as they rounded the bases but it was clear on the smiling faces of the youngest players that runs and outs were not the goal of the night. Fun was the top priority and it was clear from the laughter and squeals of joy that fun was had by the players and their fans.
Halfway through the event the teams that were still there took a quick break to take a quick group picture backdropped by the Grace fire trucks. Immediately following the group picture the 10U and 12U softball teams took center stage. With this being an only Grace event the two teams faced each other in a friendly scrimmage. This was a chance for the girls to work on their skills without having the added stress about earning a win. Like all of the other games there was fun had by all involved in this competition.
The final game of the event featured the 12U baseball team. With no other team to face, the young men on this team were challenged by their parents. The young men were able to showcase their youth and energy while attempting to razz their older counterparts. The parents were able to show their sons that they still had a sliver of athleticism left while doing their best not to let their age show. To the best of this reporter’s knowledge no injuries were reported but there were no doubt some sore muscles the following day.
The event was a huge success that was enjoyed by all those involved. This event is one that we will look forward to taking place again next year.
Grace teams from t-ball all the way up to 12U softball and baseball gather together for a group picture during Thursday night’s event.
12U baseball players rally their team prior to their game against their parents.
Even some mom’s got in the action. The 10U and 12U softball teams had a competitive game.
The t-ball players were a crowd favorite.
The parents did their best to match the intensity of the young players.
One of the 10U baseball teams get a team cheer prior to their game.
The coach pitch players had fun while showing some real competitiveness.