Ice Fishing tournament returns to Devil Creek
After a brief pause, the winter Ice Fishing tournament was back in action at Devil Creek reservoir, where dozens of tents and huts dotted the frozen landscape, and scores of anglers did their level best to secure one of the hourly $200 prizes for the largest fish, as well as the event-wide prizes that topped out at $1,500. All things considered, it was a nice day for ice fishing, with a reasonable breeze and light snowfall throughout the afternoon.
In the past, the tournament was under the guidance of Bret Felter, who oversaw the the many fervent ice fishermen who flocked to Devil Creek in the winter.
Pinnacle Recreation and Sunrise Summit Resort are excited to bring the event back, and want to make it an ongoing part of their year-round efforts to make Devil Creek and Oneida County destination spots for recreation during the summer heat and the winter chill. New facilities have been added to the site, making it a more fully outfitted destination for recreators.
Cris Schulz, Trevor Schulz, and Robert Packard were stationed on site as representatives of Sunrise Summit. Acknowledging the legacy built by Felter, Cris Schulz explained that “we’re just trying to continue on the fantastic success and loyalty that Bret has built over the years. He’s been a great friend and mentor to us.” His son Trevor agreed. “We’re excited to be continuing this tradition,” he stated.
Brett Jones served as the official judge for the event. His company, Jones Sportfishing, is based in American Falls, and runs ice fishing events all throughout the state in the winter months. “We wanted to get the biggest hammer we could to come be the judge,” Cris laughs.
Schulz stated that registration had been great. “We had a lot of early registration, then momentum built and
we ended up with even more. It’s fair to say it exceeded our expectations.”
There were right around 160 registered participants. Many family members and friends were also in attendance for the event, so the number of people on the ice was much higher. The reservoir itself contains rainbow and cutthroat trout, bass, and kokanee, though the tournament itself was a limited to rainbow.
“In the future, in the summertime we plan to have a bass tournament or two. Malad High School is one of the only high schools in the state that has a bass fishing team. We want to encourage new people to come into the sport, and
FISHING On Page 2
A Prime Education at Oxford Packing
Like many businesses, Oxford Packing arose from the fundamental notion that “instead of paying someone else to do this, I could pay myself!” Although the process was obviously a lot more involved than that, the Maddox family has taken the Oxford Packing facility in Downey to phenomenal heights of quality and attention to detail. While Thomas Maddox couldn’t explain who as a result of an NDA (non disclosure agreement), he mentioned that the facility was now a supplier to a “wellknown” celebrity chef’s restaurants. Part of the that is due to Oxford’s awareness of trends in the meat packing industry, and its willingness to provide cuts currently popular as a result of TikTok and other social media. During a tour last week in conjunction with the University of Idaho Agricultural Extension Office’s Sawyer Fonnesbeck and the January “Beef Class,” Maddox explained the current trend of the “Thor’s Hammer,” which is a massive and lean bone-in beef shank that requires a long, slow cook to come out right. But internet eaters love it.
To start from the beginning, though—the Extension Office is committed to outreach and education, and all throughout the year hosts a number of lectures, hands-on classes and demonstrations, and discussion forums on all kinds of topics relevant to the Ag industry in the region. Extension educators throughout the state—affiliated through the Extension Office in Moscow—either visit Malad in person or host online courses which are broad-
cast to the facility at the Event Center. Classes on pesticides, feed growing, canning, weed abatement, and so on are offered by extremely qualified professionals from around the state, most of whom have done their post-graduate work and field work in a particular area of interest.
Fonnesbeck is go-to consultant on matters related to livestock, and ar-
NEWS IN BRIEF
Pause on tariffs with neighbors
It’s been a bit of a whirlwind from the first of the month, when announced tariffs on imported trade goods from Canada and Mexico (briefly) went into effect. As soon as the tariffs went into effect, the stock market reacted very negatively, and the weekend news interview shows were filled with economists predicting the potential effect on the price of many consumer goods. A now somewhat famous scrolling list on Fox News displayed a seemingly endless series of products that would be affected negatively, leading to higher prices on staples and commodities for American consumers. The pause was announced on Monday morning with regard to Mexican imports, and later in the day for Canadian products. Both of the North American trade partners had vowed to fight back against the tariffs, and begun seeking alternative markets to the U.S. Tariffs are paid on imports, so the cost usually becomes a part of the consumer price, rather than the producer price. However, resulting lower sales in the market country can make alternatives more attractive. One of the stated reasons for the implementation of the tariffs was drug trafficking and migration at the borders. Mexico has committed to working with the Trump administration on those issues, but the inclusion of Canada has been puzzling to some observers, as there is no evidence of significant fentanyl trafficking across the northern border.
Beyonce’s
“Cowboy Carter”
wins Best Album Grammy
ranged for a tour of the Oxford plant with Malad’s Maddox, who owns and runs Oxford just off the interstate in Downey. The location is one that came about when it was put up for sale in Downey. Starting the permitting process for a meat packing plant from the
On Page 2
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Beyonce’s country-twinged album “Cowboy Carter” won the Best Album of 2025 Award at this year’s ceremony. The Award for Best Pop Vocal Album went to “Short N’ Sweet” by Sabrina Carpenter. Song of the Year was “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar, which also won “Record of the Year” (which is short for “recording, and usually refers to a song), Best Rap Song, Rap Performance and Music Video. The Best New Artist was Chappell Roan. Comedy Album was won by “The Dreamer” by Dave Chappelle. Best Pop Duo/Group Performance was “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga, ft. Bruno Mars. Country Album in this case also went to Beyonce for “Cowboy Carter.” Beyonce won “Best Country Duo/Group” with Miley Cyrus on “II Most Wanted.” Country Solo Performance went to “It Takes a Woman” by Chris Stapleton. Country Song was “The Architect” by Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, and Josh Osborne. Best Dance/Electronic Album was “Brat” by Charli XCX. Best Dance Pop Recording was “Von Dutch” by Charli XCX. Best Latin Pop Album was “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” by Shakira. The Best Rap Album was “Alligator Bites Never Heal” by Doechii. Best R&B Song was “Saturn” by Rob Bisel, Carter Lang, Solana Rowe, Jared Solomon, and Scott Zhang. R&B Performance was “Made for Me” by Muni Long. Best Pop Solo Performance was “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter. Best Rock Performance was “Now and Then” by the Beatles. Best Rock album was “Hackney Diamonds” by Rolling Stones. Best R&B Album was “11:11” by Chris Brown.
OXFORD PACKING
Thomas Maddox discusses beef grading with Extension Office visitors, as the USDA inspector looks on.
Devil Creek Reservoir is once again the site for the Ice Fishing Tournament in Oneida County. Sunrise Summit Resorts hosted over 160 participants at this year’s tournament.
Jaxon Woodward with one of his catches on Saturday.
ICE
Ice fishing
then maintain their interest. There are schools in Utah that offer scholarships to bass fishermen. Fishing is a great family pastime.”
In addition to the bringing in outdoor enthusiasts to the area, Cris Schulz stated that “We want to encourage and help the fishing groups here in southeast Idaho in their central mission, which is conservation, to help preserve and sustain the asset that brings us all together in the outdoors.”
Sunrise Summit works with Fish and Game on a daily basis. “Shout out to Patrick Kennedy of Fish and Game,” Schulz said. “He’s been a huge supporter of Devil Creek and Sunrise Summit as a fishery.” Over the year, Fish and Game has stocked Devil Creek, as well as other bodies of water in the area, with thousands of fish. According to Schulz, the number is around 12,000 over the last eight months. “Nine to twelve inchers,” he added. “And they’re interested in doing so because anglers are seeing a lot of success here.”
“We’re not only planning to preserve the numbers, but even work with Fish
and Game to enhance those numbers and bring in even larger, healthier fish,” Schulz continued. “We’ve been fortunate enough to partner with the Malad Valley Irrigation company, who is committed to the recreational mission of the reservoir. We have a relationship that allows us to invest in the longterm infrastructure up here. We’ve put in a new camp and marina store, as you probably saw, and we can now provide supplies to people who are entering into this great recreation state. We honestly
Oxford Packing
ground up in Oneida County was a relatively more cumbersome process that adding on to one already in existence in Bannock, and so there it is.
The Oxford plant is continuing to expand, but is already an impressive facility. With much of the interior having been designed and constructed by Maddox, his family, and local contractors, there are a lot of optimized elements for the process, which has been expanding its output consistently since it opened.
As a USDA butcher shop, the plant has a fulltime USDA inspector, who keeps two scrupulous eyes on the proceedings. The crew that handles the processing from the kill floor to the packing process is largely composed of workers from Peru, who Maddox describes as “the hardest working guys you can possibly imagine.” The day begins a bit after six, as the crew come in early to prepare their knives and gear for the mandatory USDA inspection at 7:00 a.m. The inspector, Jared, holds to a rigid schedule so the entire day has to be planned out like clockwork in order
to avoid leaving meat hanging for too long before it is processed, or delaying an order due to switching between meat types. When the day’s production switches from beef to pigs, for instance, the entire operation has to be sanitized and prepped for the switch. In addition to the obvious elements of the operation that need to be inspected, things like knife sharpness, a host of temperature requirements, and literally hundreds of small points of observation are also under the constant watch of the inspector, who will issue violation notices if necessary. The kill floor has its own host of procedures that need to be monitored, and the inspector’s job involves both ensuring that the meat that exits the facility is safe for consumption, as well as properly graded. Maddox has a lot of stories about that part of the process. Many small-scale ranchers have their meat processed by Oxford, and sometimes what looks like a perfect specimen to those who haven’t been through the process can quickly become a lot more bone, viscera, and other parts they hadn’t thought about. A number of the ranchers on the tour
feel that Malad is the doorway to outdoor adventure as you come into Idaho. We really do.”
“We are excited to be able to expand our paddle sports here. We actually offer a whole fleet of kayaks, paddle boats, paddle boards, for people to enjoy so they don’t have to pack their own stuff around. We also have motorized rental boats for pontoons and fishing here, and those are right on the water, so you don’t have to have a truck to bring it. You can just come in here
also laughed that sometimes people wonder why they can’t have the whole packaged carcass in Tri-tips.
Oxford Packing is at 22993 South Race Track Road in Downey, and is open 9-5 Monday through Friday, and by appointment on Saturdays. As a USDA inspected facility, it can sell meat to retailers for commercial use, as well as to individuals for their own use. They can be reached at 208-897-5179.
After a tour of the plant, the Beef Class moved back to Malad for a series of presentations at the event center.
Dr. J Benton Glaze, Jr. from out of Twin Falls discussed carcass traits, and how they are most importantly the result of sire selection. According to Glaze, “90 percent of calf makeup is due to the last three sires in the line.”
Glaze discussed the history of meat grading, going back to its initiation in the 1920s. Grading is designed to account for greater consistency in the way beef products are sold and marketed. Quality is determined by a number of factors, but most important are maturity of the animal, and fat marbling
and do the paperwork—we are a state sponsored and certified livery, which allows us to give training to those who want to use watercraft at the reservoir and experience life on the water safely with their family.”
“All of which is to say, we’re trying to provide as much access as possible to the recreation here as possible,” Trevor added.
Sunrise Summit also works closely with the State Boat check station to combat the invasive mussels (quagga and zebra) that can wreak havoc on waterways. Director Cole Morrison invited the staff of Sunrise Summit to invasive species training to make sure they are up to speed on the issue. Vessels will be inspected and certified on site.
The Fire Department was on hand during the event to assist with measuring the catches, and provide any medical expense that might be needed, and everyone involved in the event was clear to credit them for their support and amazing help.
As the seasons change over, we’ll check back in with Sunrise Summit and bring you further updates.
throughout the carcass. As Glaze noted, sire selection can heavily influence the marbling of an animal, along with feeding and ranching practices.
Extension Educator Sawyer Fonnesbeck provided even more information on the topic. Fonnesbeck has a lot of experience in livestock judging. He presented research showing that the average American eats around 220 of meat a year, with roughly 57 of those pounds coming specifically from beef sources. As Fonnesbeck pointed out (and everyone present immediately agreed) in many places people eat considerably more than 57 pounds of beef, which is really just over 200 smallish burgers!
Those interested in learning more about how the USDA grades meat certainly found a lot to chew on over the course of the morning and afternoon. It was a great example of the kinds of things that can be learned, often for free as in this case, from a great resource like the Extension Office. Lunch was sponsored by the IFA. It was indeed roast beef.
The clean, modern store front at Oxford also holds honey, hot sauce, hats, shirts, and other items. Plans are underway to expand even more.
The freezer is an impressive storage facility, and has an equally impressive redundant set of cooling fans.
Inspection is a fulltime concern during the meat packing process, which is how Oxford is a USDA certified butcher.
Brett Jones, Cris Schulz, Trevor Schulz and Robert Packard were the Derby crew at Sunrise Summit over the weekend along with the fire department.
Risch: Idahoans deserve more freedom, not less.
U.S. SENATOR JIM RISCH (R-IDAHO)
The will of the people is clear: we want more freedom, not less. The federal government ought to keep up. Idahoans, not the federal government, are best suited to direct the needs of our state, and, more importantly, determine the course of our lives.
For far too long, liberal activists and D.C. bureaucrats have attempted to impose one-size-fits-all-mandates that are completely out of touch with Idaho. The last four years of Democrat leadership have been defined by heavy-handed federal actions and a Green New Deal that prioritized radical ideology over the voices of Idahoans. Thankfully, our nation is correcting its course, starting with terminating Lava Ridge.
One would be hard-pressed to find someone in Idaho who is unfamiliar with the disastrous Lava Ridge wind project pushed by Biden’s Department of Interior. Idahoans took every possible action to demonstrate how universally opposed this project was in our state. Despite legislation, letters, meetings, protests, Congressional hearings and more, President Biden and his band of bureaucrats refused to listen. Ignoring the will of the American people was an inexcusable hallmark of the Biden administration. It won’t be under President Trump.
Before he even took the oath of office, President Trump and I were in lockstep.
I met with President Trump in early January and explained the Biden administration’s blatant disregard for local input and opinion. We discussed how Lava Ridge would destroy public lands, defile the Minidoka National Historic Site, and provide no benefit to Idahoans. He agreed to work with me to draft an executive order to stop Lava Ridge, and the President signed it on day one.
I thank the members of Idaho’s Congressional Delegation, Idaho Constitutional Officers, the Idaho Legislature, and every Idahoan who fought to make this victory a reality.
The first two weeks of President Trump’s second term have shown us that we are entering a new era. The revolution of commonsense
has begun.
However, the battle to undo the unprecedented intervention in our lives is not over.
Overreaching federal regulations have held our nation back. After years of unelected bureaucrats trying to strangle our freedoms, we must be vigilant in unwinding the red tape tying up everything from the cars we buy to how we run our businesses. We must get the federal government out of the way and restore the freedoms guaranteed to Americans by the Constitution.
I am already working with President Trump to restore a government that works for the people. As a member of the Senate Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, our goal is to cut unconstitutional federal rules and make sure any that remain are more efficient, transparent, and responsive to Americans’ needs. We need to restore accountability and trust to leave a better nation for our children and grandchildren.
With President Trump working alongside a Republican control of the Senate and House of Representatives, there is more opportunity than ever to get it done. As your Senator, I will continue fighting for the rights of Idahoans to keep the federal government out of our lives.
The great American comeback is here.
##
United States Senator Jim Risch proudly represents the people of Idaho in Congress and is a senior member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Republican Rap
On January 3-4, 2025 Republican voting members from all around Idaho assembled in Boise for the annual Winter Meeting. Numerous state party rules and resolutions were submitted, presented, debated, amended and ultimately voted on accepting or rejecting them. The proposed rule changes affect the party only but the resolutions are strong statements of grassroots legislation with hopes a legislator will sponsor and carry them as “Bills” in the statehouse.
Among the resolutions were topics including legislators salaries, property tax increase limits, increased penalties for drug offenses involving the youth, opposition to reintroduction of grizzly bears in certain Idaho locations, and my favorite- the return of each county having its own Senator. Up until the mid 1960’s each county had their own. Even though it modeled itself after the US Congress, a US Supreme Court case brought that to an end, deeming it “unconstitutional”.
Presently, the 44 Idaho counties are divided up into 35 legislative Districts. Some districts are only the size of a city like Pocatello while other districts include numerous counties. Oneida is currently in Legislative District 27 which includes Minidoka and Cassia counties(all three of our district legislators reside in Cassia County). Previously Oneida was included in Legislative District 32 which included Franklin, Bear Lake, Caribou, Teton and part of Bonneville counties. This conversation about returning to a Senator from each county is not a new one. Every few years, Republicans bring this issue to discuss in official meetings. Is it worth continuing? It would mean 9 more senators in Idaho at $25,000 each per year for a total of $225,000 more spending. Is better representation worth the cost?
Dear Friends and Neighbors in Oneida County:
This week in Boise, I was happy to have the Oneida County elected officials in the Capitol. Each year they do an excellent job representing our community advocating on matters important to local government and rural communities. We were able to coordinate time with other District 27 County officials from Minidoka and Cassia Counties. We are fortunate that the counties in our district share a common agricultural heritage, economy, and set of goals.
In particular, we discussed ways that we can preserve our water resources and prevent the continuing urban growth in other places in Idaho from negatively impacting our irrigation and stock water needs. I am currently working on a piece of legislation with the Idaho Water Users Association that will create more accountability for domestic water usage outside of municipal areas. This new focus on water use accountability will help Idaho manage our aquifer health and maintain a healthy agriculture economy for generations to come.
I am also working this week on legislation to protect our military veterans. In recent years, unscrupulous companies and fraudster ‘consultants’ have preyed on these veterans offering to ‘help’ them obtain their military and/or disability benefits. They first get the veterans to sign one-sided
Word Worries
BY BRANDON HALL
contracts and then, once the veteran benefits are granted, the ‘consultant’ walks away with most of the payments. We will outlaw this terrible practice in Idaho this year. Finally, I continue to work on more tax relief. Income tax, property tax, and grocery sales tax relief are my priorities. More money in the hands of Idaho families is better than in the Idaho government’s budget.
Very Truly Yours,
Senator Kelly Anthon District 27
One topic that jumps to my mind is the current delimma Oneida faces after the Bond Equalization Program was repealed and replaced. When this bill was brought about it was asked if any school districts would be negatively affected. The answer was “only one, Oneida”. There was no targeting or malicious intent to harm Oneida but rather it just happened to be the only district that was involved with the current Bond Equalization Program. Had other districts passed their bonds on the same election day as Oneida, they would have been harmed as well.
The Bill proceeded and was passed with a heavy majority, in fact- Oneida’s two Representatives and one Senator all voted in favor it. It is good legislation but what about Oneida? Who was there to speak up for us? Did Oneida slip through the cracks? I’m convinced had Oneida had its own resident Senator, we would have had a fighter for us. Now, we find ourself in quite the predicament.
Back to the Winter Meeting- The resolution passed and all four of Oneida County Republican Committee representatives voted in favor of it. I personally spoke to the main body in favor of this.
The US Supreme Court would need to overturn the previous ruling and with the current, more conservative court, it’s possible. Until then the conversation continues.
Idaho Attorney General, Raul Labrador will be keynote speaker at Oneida County Lincoln Day Event on March 15th, 6:30 pm at the Event Center, Malad Idaho. Perhaps we can ask him about this issue and others we are involved with here in Oneida.
Ray Hubbard Republican State Committeeman for Oneida County.
My father Brad is fairly recently retired after an estimable career in the legal world. Yes, he has heard every lawyer joke you know. But it turns out that lawyers, like doctors, IT folks, investment bankers, plumbers, and English teachers (and so on…) also hear a lot of unsolicited questions about their otherwise paid advice. Many are the football games I’ve spent with him where someone he casually knows has segued a seemingly normal conversation into something like “So I was putting together my will the other day…”. Anyway, turnabout IS fair play, so the other day when he asked me one of those kinds of questions I was happy to help…except that I was at a loss. At first I thought I knew the answer, but quickly realized I had no idea. His question was “why do some words use ‘in’ and some words use ‘un’ to mean the same thing?” At first I just launched into “well, that’s because…” and then I got stuck. Why is it “invisible” and not “unvisible”? Why does the word “intrained” rather than “untrained” not even seem possible (and it isn’t—it’s non-existent, to add another prefix into the mix).
It turns out that the answer is another one of those pieces of evidence that English is a frustrating mess of a language, and furthermore that the “rules” that govern it can be inconsistent, unpredictable, incoherent, and unruly—though not uninteresting.
A word that gets at the reason is the word “heuristic,” which is derived from a Greek word that means “to find.” A heuristic is a way of finding a solution to a problem through applying a loose, but pragmatic series of tests. In other words, it’s a fancy way of describing a trial and error method. At the University of Idaho, they only required one math course for humanities majors, and during my time it was called “The Spirit of Math,” which sounds very lofty but could have been called “Math for the Hopeless.” As I recall, all of our topics were related to hourly wage based fields, and involved figuring out the quickest delivery routes for pizza or price per unit costs for t-shirt silk screening.
The concept of the heuristic is to start the process by bluntly working toward a solution through a “not fully optimized or perfect” set of steps, according to Websters. And this gets us back to “in” and “un.” The answer to which one to use requires the application of a heuristic, but one based on imperfect (not “un” or “in” -perfect) information. As it turns out, “un” is applied to root words that come from Germanic origins, while “in” applies to words that
come from Latin origins. This is obviously not a perfect system in many ways. The first problem is that if you already know which language origin applies to, say, “transigent,” then you probably already know that the companion word is “intransigent” and that “untransigent” isn’t a word—perish the thought! So, all you need now is a keen sense of word origins, or a dictionary to look up etymology. But wait—over time most people haven’t had those things, so how have they solved this problem? Why, by making things up or forcing the issue, as pizza delivery and tee shirt makers have always done. That’s why there are a lot of words that have recorded uses of both prefixes. “Insubstantial” and “unsubtantial” both get their own, redundant entries in most dictionaries.
Since we can’t have that, a second heuristic step can be applied, which is even less useful than the first: if a word comes from an adjectival phrase or a participle, it usually takes an “un”; if the word comes from a noun phrase, it might be an “in”…unless it’s a “new” word, in which case it might take an “un”…unless the practical phonology (sound) makes it hard to say, and then it could be “in”…unless it’s “non”! And so on. That’s the mess of heuristics, and the mess of English’s piled on history of language families and evolutionary changes over time.
The real answer here is to just look the word up, or ask Siri. That’s what my dad does!
Word of the Week: nonplussed
We’ll keep this short. “Nonplussed” is one of those words that has been used incorrectly so many times that now the incorrect meaning has its own entry. The same thing happened to “literally,” which is a cherished word of those of us who value order in the universe. It means “literally.” Usage, especially among Gen Z (sorry, but it’s true) content creators on Youtube, has added the meaning “not literally” to its definition. I don’t want to get wound up, so I’ll leave it there.
“Nonplussed” isn’t as provocative, but it has a similar evolution. In 2025, the majority of people I hear use this term use it to mean “unbothered” (not “inbothered”—“bother” is actually an Irish word, so all bets are off). But it doesn’t mean that. It’s from a latin phrase “non plus” that mean “no more” or “no further.” The intended meaning is “a state of perplexity or confusion from which further progress is not possible.” So, to be “nonplussed” is not to be “unbothered,” it’s to be “unsure of how to proceed, and incapable of making sense of the moment.”
It’s literally the opposite.
Search for District Superintendent underway
The search for a new Superintendent for Oneida School District #351 is underway. When Jon Abrams came to Oneida County as School District Superintendent in 2020, he clearly stated that he would serve as Superintendent for five years. That time is up in June of this year, and so the School Board is conducting a search for a replacement.
Recognizing that the superintendent pool throughout Idaho is shallow this year, the District is fortunate to have had three persons apply for the position. The application period closed on January 20.
The three applicants are Brady Garner, Dallan Rupp, and Gary Tucker, all of whom are familiar with Oneida School District.
Brady Garner is the current Assistant Superintendent and Director of Special Education and Federal Programs for Preston School District. He grew up in Preston and attended California State-Bakersfield on a wrestling scholarship. After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, he worked in California schools as a behavioral management specialist in special education. He earned his educational specialist certificate from Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho.
Dallan Rupp, a native of New Plym-
outh, Idaho, is the current Principal of Malad High School and served last year as the High School Assistant Principal and District Athletic Director. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Boise State University, master’s degrees from Walden University and Grand Canyon University, and educational specialist certificate from Northwest Nazarene University. He was the athletic director, PE teacher, and football coach at New Plymouth before moving to Malad.
Gary Tucker is the current Superintendent of Marsh Valley School District although he lives in Malad. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University, a master’s degree from the University of Idaho, and educational specialist certificate from Northwest Nazarene University. He worked as a science teacher and principal at Summit Academy in Utah and as a science teacher at Rigby High School and Rocky Mountain Middle School.
The Board conducted interviews with all three candidates during the afternoon of Wednesday, February 5, and the public was invited to meet the candidates that evening. The Board plans to make the final decision about the next Oneida School District Superintendent soon.
A Big Thank You to the Shepherd Family!
Gary & Sherma and dedicated employees, a sincere shout out to you!
Whatever event that was special to us was special to you.
Each dinner was fixed with your excellent touch.
Thank you – We thank you so very much. Hour after Hour – Day after Day
You welcomed us in – in such a kind way.
You helped us with sorrows – You joined us in joy
With each delicious meal, memories grow.
In gratitude of 80 years of Delicious Pies and Wonderful Meals, We have found – All Roads Lead to “The Dude” Because they have amazing food!
Thanks for being such a Big part of our lives!
The Horsley’s
Malad City Newsletter February 2025
At the first meeting of the Malad City Council on January 8, the mayor and council set some long- and short-term goals to work towards for this and coming years.
1. Playground at Malad City Park. In our January meeting we met with Amanda Collins from Southeast Idaho Council of Governments (SICOG). Malad City has qualified in the past for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the Splash Pad and for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. After five years, it is required that cities requalify, and it is time for Malad City to requalify. These grants are specifically for low-income communities.
It will be necessary to conduct a survey of households in Malad City to see if we still qualify as low-income. SICOG will conduct the survey for our city. Within the next two months, random households will be sent a mailer with a simple survey. All information is kept confidential. If you are one of the households chosen, please fill out the survey and send it back! If we qualify, we will start the process to apply for a grant to upgrade the playground at Malad City Park. We will also be on the lookout for other grant funds that may come available.
2. City Community Center. It was noted that the Oneida County Event Center is very busy. They cannot accommodate inside sports activities. The city would like to see a building that could accommodate inside recreation for our citizens.
3. Cemetery Roads and building. Plans are already made for resurfacing the outside roads at the cemetery. There are other roads in the cemetery that need to be paved. The building has needed new siding for some time.
4. Pave the rest of Bush Avenue past the Pickle Ball Courts. As the park expands, this road will become busier and needs to be paved.
5. Raise Water/Sewer fee. This is a difficult decision. We do not want to add a financial burden to city residents. Water rates have not been raised for many years.
Before the Wastewater project was started, the city had an audit of their sewer fees. At that time sewer fees were raised to cover the cost for the new Wastewater project. We were advised at that time to raise sewer rates by at least $.50 per year. We have not done that because we felt we should wait until the project was completed.
Since that time, city engineers have conducted a water and wastewater study. Our water infrastructure is very old, some of our city wells need to be upgraded. Pipes in some areas of the city have been repaired so many times that further repairs are impossible. Some council members are reluctant to raise rates. Others would rather raise rates gradually rather than a big raise all at once. Let your City Council members know how you feel about this. We will always try to get grants, but we are seeing under a new federal administration that these grants may not be available. Would you rather have small rate adjustments yearly, or a big raise when a project is planned?
6. Fire hydrants. The city has contracted with a company to replace or repair any fire hydrants that are not working. In addition, we want to reintroduce having our local fire department open the hydrants yearly and flush our water system to keep it clean.
7. New water meters. This has been discussed in almost every meeting during the past year. There is a concern that the old water meters are not working properly. Malad City Superintendent, Tyler Webster, obtained five new meters, which have been installed in the mayor’s and city council member’s homes. Those meters are going to be monitored for a few months to see if they can tell if the old meters are reading water usage correctly. We have some old meters in the city that have been installed since the 1960s. The old meters need be read manually, which means we can only read meters from about April through September. The new meters can be read electronically throughout the year.
8. Impact fees. Again, this issue has been discussed during the past year. Impact fees are paid by contractors to cover the cost of new infrastructure.
Of course, the Bannock Street project is an on-going goal. Bids are supposed to go out within the next week. We will keep citizens aware of the progress of this and other projects.
We would love your input. If you feel strongly about any of these goals, please let your mayor and council members know how you feel. It will help them to serve you better and help them to make an informed decision that is the best for our city and our citizens.
Grandparents Only
Not recommended for parents or kids...
By Gramma Dot
President Sperry’s comment in Stake Conference about his Boulder, Colorado, cousins thinking Malad was the frontier made me laugh. All my cousins grew up in the Big City and Malad was their frontier, too. That meant I lived on the frontier without a horse, chickens or a cow. We did have a dog, but so did some of my Big City cousins.
One thing the “frontier” did allow for was “free range”, not just for chickens but for kids. During the summer, we got up in the morning, did our chores, practiced piano and then beat it out the door to roam until the noon whistle blew. That was time to check in with mom, have a baloney sandwich and then meet up with friends again for the afternoon. We really didn’t travel far, but backyards had no fences and neighborhoods included a few blocks so there was space. My boys grew up on the same frontier. That frontier living has made a “space addict” out of me. We, along with our son Brandon, built a home in St. George about five years ago. I remember looking over the plans and picturing the home and yard in my mind before construction began. Once the building started and I could “see” with my own eyes the backyard, I was shocked. “Backyard” had always meant space, room to move, a place for kids to
run and tumble. This backyard had room for a patio table, a grill, a few plants around the perimeter and a strip of grass you could cut with scissors. Cinder block walls kept us and our neighbors in our own space, making for a private backyard. This was not the frontier.
I shiver when I see all these town houses, apartments, and stacked condos popping up everywhere… even some here on the frontier. Friend Rebecca and I were talking about choices the other day. If you could buy an older, single-family house with a yard or a new apartment with all the modern conveniences but no yard, which would you take?
Being a space-addict raised on the frontier it was a no-brainer for me, but then I don’t do the yardwork. That’s Brent’s department. Here’s my concern: Folks from the Big City are moving to the frontier to build their own single-family home with a yard. Maybe they are feeling the pinch of people back in the Big City. But, if you consider all those new-construction town houses and apartments in the Big City, and fast forward ten years when the people in them start to feel the pinch, where are they all going to go? The frontier?? I don’t think we have room. Hopefully, all those people won’t want to deal with yardwork and will stay in the Big City. The Good Life depends on it!
SCHOOL MENU
Malad Elementary Breakfast
Monday, February 10 - Cereal Assortment, Breakfast on a Stick
Tuesday, February 11 - Cereal Assortment, Morning Round
Wednesday, February 12 - Cereal Assortment, Mini Pancakes
Thursday, February 13 - Cereal Assortment, Breakfast Burrito
Malad Middle & High School
Breakfast Monday, February 10 - Cereal Assortment, French Toast Sticks Tuesday, February 11 - Cereal Assortment, Muffins/Yogurt Wednesday, February 12 - Cereal Assortment, Breakfast Pizza Thursday, February 13 - Cereal Assortment, Oatmeal w/Fixins
Choices of Milk, Fresh Fruit & Veggies Served Daily in all Schools
Malad Elementary Lunch
Monday, February 10 – PBJ, Cheese Stick, Chips, Chex Mix, Food Choice – Carrot Sticks or Applesauce
Curlew Senior Citizens’ Menu
Every meal served with Juice/ Milk/Coffee & Salad Bar
Feb. 6 - Smash Tacos, Carrot Sticks, Fruit, Dessert
Feb. 11 - Pulled Pork Sandwich, Roll, Fruit, Veggie, Dessert
Tuesday, February 11 – Quesadilla, Spanish Rice, Food Choice – Corn or Orange
Wednesday, February 12 – Hamburger Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Roll, Food Choice – Green Beans or Peaches
Thursday, February 13 – Meatball Sub w/Cheese, Baked Fries, Food Choice – Sliced Cucumbers or Pears
Malad Middle & High School
Lunch
Monday, February 10 – Pizza Ripper, Garlic Bread, Salad Bar, Food Choice – Corn or Applesauce
Tuesday, February 11 – Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potato, Roll, Salad Bar, Food Choice – Green Beans or Peaches
Wednesday, February 12 – Chicken Salad Sandwich, Chips, Salad Bar, Food Choice – Carrot Sticks or Orange
Thursday, February 13 – Biscuits Sausage Gravy, Eggs, Salad Bar, Food Choice – Celery Sticks or Pears
Malad Senior Citizens’ Menu
Every meal served with Juice/ Milk/Coffee
Feb. 7 - Chicken Sandwiches, Carrot & Raisin Salad, Applesauce, Dessert
Feb. 12 - Birthday Dinner, Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls, Dessert
Pinpoppers – 1/27/25
BIRTHDAYS
Euarda Daniels, Feb. 7
Cathie Jones, Feb. 7
Rocky Jones, Feb. 7
Bracken Lloyd, Feb. 7
William Smith, Feb. 7
Barbara Williams, Feb. 7
Isaac Pettis, Feb. 7
Jamie Blaisdell, Feb. 7
Christine Bowen, Feb. 8
Kayla Harrison, Feb. 8
Linda Hess, Feb. 8
Traslen Hill, Feb. 8
Hallye Green, Feb. 8
McKay Maxfield, Feb. 8
Terrill Schwartz, Feb. 8
Margaret Barker, Feb. 9
Benita Colton, Feb. 9
Daniel Daniels, Feb. 9
Melanie Oyler, Feb. 9
Jeff Semrad, Feb. 9
Ronald Tubbs, Feb. 9
Janice Vaughan, Feb. 9
Leland Hess, Feb. 10
Steven Stayner, Feb. 10
Janie Blaisdell, Feb. 11
Heather Christensen, Feb. 11
Dylan Estep, Feb. 11
Hailee Hanks, Feb. 11
Ty Kleeb, Feb. 11
Brooklyn Coburn, Feb. 12
Bernice Frederick, Feb. 12
Ryan Gilgen, Feb. 12
Cory Thomas, Feb. 12
Irene Alder, Feb. 13
Elaine Bohn, Feb. 13
Sid Clark, Feb. 13
Chloe Deschamps, Feb. 13
Edward Williams, Feb. 13
NEWS OF RECORD
IDAHO STATE POLICE
Emily Rose Anderson, Drapper, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
Chloe Noel Barrick, fail to secure registration, $10.50, costs $56.50 Alfredo Francisco De Francisco, Portland, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50 Megan Rene Mendenhall, Midvale, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50 Francisco Padilla Coronado, Farmington, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
MAGISTRATE COURT
Lesley Jeane Smith, Portage, fail to provide information in an accident involving damage, $92.50, costs $157.50 – Agency: OCSO
DISTRICT COURT
Jennifer Beckstead, Preston, grand theft - value of the property taken exceeds $1,000 (Felony), $200.00, costs $395.60, 3 years penitentiary, 3 years penitentiary suspended, 4 years felony probation – Agency: MCPD
High Game – Julie Green 237, Marty Hill 268 High Series – Kenna Roco 600, Marty Hill 683
ON THIS DAY
1869 Harper’s Weekly publishes first picture of Uncle Sam with chin whiskers
1891 First great train robbery by the Dalton Gang: Southern Pacific #17, near Alila (now Earlimart), California
1894 Bottle opener patented by American inventor William Painter
1921 Charlie Chaplin releases his first full- length feature - “The Kid”, a silent film starring Charlie Chaplin & 6-year-old Jackie Coogan
1932 First Olympic dog sled race at Lake Placid, New York (demonstration sport)
1935 “Monopoly” board game goes on sale for first time
1948 First radio-controlled airplane flown
1980 John Wayne Gacy goes on trial for the murder of 33 young men in Cook County, Illinois
1998 Washington National Airport is renamed Ronald Reagan National Airport
2014 Jay Leno hosts “The Tonight Show” for the final time (NBC)
2018 Elon Musk’s company SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy, world’s most powerful rocket
2019 Honeybees are able to add and subtract and understand concept of zero according to research from RMIT University in Australia
BRAIN TEASERS
LOOKING BACK
5 YEARS AGO (2020)
On Friday, January 31, Nell J. Redfield Memorial Hospital conducted an open house that featured the newly remodeled lobby, with a rock wall of Creatives Mines stone and displaying art by Malad photographers Lloyd Bush, Ken Timothy, Bob Crowther and Lisa Willie and an original painting by Dianne Adams.
The Malad High School wrestling team honored their senior members prior to their last home match held on Thursday, January 31, against Bear River.
Senior members honored along with their parents were Conner McClain with parents Tony and Jennie McClain, Tucker Palmer with parents Tobin Palmer and Shondell Palmer, J.D. Atkinson with parents Doug and Kathy Atkinson, and Gavin Reel with parents Kristy and Jeremy Abueta.
Tucker Palmer has reached a milestone few wrestlers ever reach. He has over 100 wins in his high school career.
Palmer reached this goal at one of the rare home match-ups for the Dragons. He defeated his Bear River opponent on Thursday, January 30, to earn his 100th high school career win. Palmer hopes to add to his win total as he finishes off his senior season this next month.
The Malad High School Cheerleaders competed in their first competition of the 2019-2020 season. The Cheerleaders competed in the Cupid Challenge at Highland High School on Saturday, February 1.
Malad’s cheer team competed in Show, Pom and Stunt Group at this competition. Malad received second place in the Show Division and in Stunt Group. They earned fifth place in Pom. Malad also received a Judges’ Choice award.
Team members. this season are Captains Hannah Brown (junior) and Clayton Howard (senior). Other senior team members are Conner McClain, Savanah Poulson, Hailey Williams and Abbie Hoskins. Dex Schow is a junior team member. Sophomore members are Callie Jensen, Breanna Lloyd, Carina McCullough and Kristal Ford. Freshmen team members include Journie Tovey, Rylie Walton, Kayanna Kunz, Shyanne Cherry, Berkley Oglesbee and Tate Johnson. The team is coached by Jennifer Hill and Bailey Hill-Waite.
10 YEARS AGO (2015)
Dale Ward is promoted to Chief Deputy in Box Elder County. Ward, who is currently over the detective division and the Strike Force, comes to the chief deputy position with 38 years of law enforcement under his belt, 29 of those with Box Elder. He started his long-running career in his hometown of Malad, Idaho. “It was supposed to be part-time,” Ward remembered. He said he and his brother owned a mechanic shop for winter “toys” in Logan but a bad snowless season left business a little on the lean side. “When I applied, I told the sheriff it was just until my business got back on its feet. He hired me anyway,” Ward said. “Then I got into it (law enforcement), seeing the good I was doing and it got in my blood. I couldn’t turn my back on it.” He hasn’t. Ward spent over eight years with the Malad department, nearly two of those as the chief deputy under Sheriff Ken Wharton.
15 YEARS AGO (2010)
A third round of layoffs at ATK saw 420 more jobs lost from the company’s plants in Promontory and Magna, UT. At least seven of those workers were from Oneida County.
In recognition of the month of February being National Heart Month, Oneida County Hospital sponsored a “Wear Red Day.’ They also offered a free class to give the community information regarding coronary heart disease and to encourage prevention.
The Malad Eighth Grade A boys’ basketball team continued with their undefeated season with a win over Grace and West Side.
The Malad High School Junior Varsity and C boys’ teams defeated district opponents West Side and Aberdeen at home.
The senior members of the Malad High School Pep Band were honored prior to the final home girls’ basketball game of the season. Those honored were Caleb Bennett, son of Ralph and
Lamona Bennett, directors of the Pep Band; Sara Christiansen, daughter of Jeff and Lori Christiansen; and Amy Evans, daughter of John Evans and Bonnie Spencer.
Pictured in the February 4, 2010, edition of The Idaho Enterprise was Shancee Smith where she sent the ball sailing through the hoop as she helped the Lady Dragons end their regular season with a final district win at home.
Malad High School was well represented at the 5th District Solo/ Ensemble Music Competition. Representing Malad were Cassie Morley, Carrie Christiansen, Anthony Atkinson, Janalie Jensen, Amy Evans, Heather Origer, Crystal Beck, Spencer Redmond, Chris Austin, Lauren Clark, Kristen Jones, and Josh Stevens.
Joshua Stevens, son of Jeff and Emily Stevens, was named student of the Month for January.
The Malad High School BPA had 19 students compete in the Region 8 competition with 11 of them qualifying for state. Competitors included Ciara Ward, Janalie Jensen, Carlie Stewart, Mechelle Hill, Cameron Watkins, Chris Austin, Moriah Ihler, Ashlee Waddoups, Cassie Morley, Kye Martin, Jacob Stevens, Matt Williams, Madi Jones, Katrina Martin, Robbie Dorius, Lauren Clark, Skyla Detwiler, Laci Lavaka, and Ayana Tsuruta.
20 YEAR AGO (2005)
Margaret Barker took over at the helm of the Senior Citizens’ Center. Barker replaces BelvaLene Baker, who had managed the local Senior Center for the prior three years.
The Thomas Family was recognized for the ‘Good Deeds Done Daily.’ Dennis, Brenda and Jerry treat the Long Term Care residents to donuts every week.
The senior members of the Lady Dragons were honored along with their parents at the final home regular season game of the year. Those honored were Kaylie Neal, daughter of Vard and Ginny Neal; Whitnee Wakely, daughter of Suzie and Gary Wakely; Ashlee Alder, daughter of Jeff and Wendy Alder; and manager of the team, Josh Blaisdell, son of Sharee and Scott Blaisdell.
Mary Peden celebrated her 85th birthday, and Carl Willie celebrated his 80th birthday.
Malad High School wrestlers chalked up wins against American Falls, Bear Lake and West Jefferson.
Emily Treasure, daughter of Darrell and Traci Treasure, was named student of the month at Malad High School.
The Malad Middle School Boys’ teams started their 2005 basketball seasons off with wins, defeating Soda Springs and Grace.
Captain Erik Knutsen, on active duty in Iraq, wrote a letter to the editor regarding Iraq’s election day. He was also pictured in the paper in his full military attire.
25 YEARS AGO (2000)
Shirlee Jones has been notified of her appointment as a Page for the 2000 Idaho Legislature. The 17-year old Malad High School Senior is being sponsored by Representative Robert Geddes of Preston.
Dallas Thomas, a junior at Malad High School, was named runner-up in the Idaho Farm Bureau Speech competition. He is junior class president and also President of the local FFA chapter.
The annual Heritage Club Dinner was held on Friday, in the Malad Middle School Commons. At this year’s dinner, three couples were inducted into the Heritage Club and recognized for their contributions to the O.E.F.
The new Heritage Club members are Robert and JoAnne Green of the Kwik Stop, Rex and Sarah Robbins, and Robert and Terri Sorenson.
Pictured in The Idaho Enterprise are the Malad High School Cheerleaders who will be competing in a regional cheerleading competition. Members of the Cheer Squad are Candice Winward, Stephanie Cockrell, Kelli Thomas, Allison Jones, Jeannie Plowman, Candis Atkinson, Ashlee Sperry and Richoll Roper.
40 YEARS AGO (1985)
The American Legion invited everyone to the annual Oratorical Contest scheduled for February 6 at the American Legion Building. The students participating were Shawn Steed, Deron Scott, Craig Jensen, Cindy Howard, Michelle Ward, Lara Knutsen, Travis Atkinson and Heidi Broadhead.
Competing in the Miss Junior Drill Team Pageant at Pocatello were Kisty Couch in the 0 to kindergarten division. She was fourth runner-up. Kimberly Colton competed in the third grade division. She received runner-up. In the fifth and sixth grade division Annabel Ipsen was first runner-up and Kathleen Davis was second runner-up. Any girl receiving a trophy will be eligible for the National Competition June 29 at Logan, Utah.
Sister Ruth V. Robbins has been called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to the Dallas Texas Mission.
The United States Achievement Academy announced that Ron Eliason was named a 1985 United States National Award winner in agriculture. This award is a prestigious honor very few students can ever hope to attain. In fact, the Academy recognizes less than 10% of all American high school students.
More than 200 people gathered in
the multi-purpose room in the Stone School to witness the ribbon cutting and dedication of the structure. The building, in use since about November 1, 1984, was used for the annual Christmas program.
60 YEARS AGO (1965)
A petite and pretty Malad High School senior, Rosalind Jones, will represent Malad at the Idaho State Junior Miss contest to be held at Pocatello.
Pictured in The Idaho Enterprise is the Malad High School 1964-1965 wrestling squad. Members are Roy Brown, Tom Deschamps, Dan Bastian, Ken Price, Denton Waldron, Duwayne Carter, Jim Gibbs, Sherman Barker, Coach Earl Gillies, Loyd Briggs, Thayne Barker, Milton Robbins, Vance Ward, Russell Price, Dick Dudley, Dean Hughes, Roger Atkinson, Boyd Brown, Kent Smith, Steven Barker, David Thomas, Ron Blaisdell, Duwyane John, Wayne Nielsen, Neal Brinkerhoff. Members not present for the picture are Gene Carter, Alan Isaacson, Don Gibbs, Dale Price, Jerry Jones, Blaine Blaisdell, Kleal Price and Jerry Blaisdell.
Mr. and Mrs. Rollie Jones received word that their son and daughter-inlaw S/Sgt. and Mrs. Lyle T. Jones and children, Linda Ann, Tommie and Wayne arrived in Spain on a TWA jet AF plane. S/Sgt. Jones will serve three years in Spain with the Air Force. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Ward, lifelong residents of Malad, will be honored at an open house February 6, at the Cherry Creek Ward recreation hall in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary.
The Fourth Ward Lihoma classes held their “Daddy-Daughter date” at the Stake Building under the direction of Mrs. Delane Archibald, Mrs. Jane Williams and Mrs. Anna Gillies. After a lovely supper they enjoyed a program where Pam Facer gave a Tribute to Daddy and Lyde Facer responded; Heidi Evans played a piano solo; a clarinet solo by Julie Ann Kent, accompanied by Cynthia Archibald; Sindy Wharton explained the Gaynote awards, and Debbie Price explained the Firelight and Merrihand awards. 70 YEARS AGO (1955)
Half of last year’s potato crop still is stored in Idaho and is available for sale, the Department of Agriculture reported this week. It estimated the merchantable potato stocks at 21,000,000 bushels, down 7 percent from January 1, 1954, but 14 percent above average. The 22,500,000 bushels stored at the start of last year represented 48 percent of the 1953 crop.
New officers of the Malad Masonic Lodge, elected at a recent meeting are the following: Cliff Wheeler, worshipful master; Bob Davis, senior warden; H. O. Scott, Junior warden; James J. W. Evans, chaplain; Wally Allen, secretary.
There were 17 Malad Junior high school pupils receiving all “A” grades in all their subjects during the semester which ended January 20, Principal George Bush reports.
The students included Keren Jones, Kathleen Dives, Karen Thorpe, Paul Richard Evans, RaLene Waldron, Wilma Waldron, Grace Thomas, Helen Waldron, Gwen Waldron, Mont Alan Swenson, David South, Lloyd Bush, Sandra Price, Judith Hughes, Louis Dredge, Gordon Lewis and Ronley Jones.
15 YEARS AGO (2010) The Malad High School BPA had 19 students compete in the recent Region 8 competitions, with 11 of them qualifying for state. Competitors included the following: (front, left to right) Ciara Ward, Janalie Jensen, Carlie Stewart, Mechelle Hill, Cameron Watkins, Chris Austin, Moriah Ihler, (back) Ashlee Waddoups, Cassie Morley, Kye Martin, Jacob Stevens and Matt Williams. Not pictured are Madi Jones, Katrina Martin, Robbie Dorius, Lauren Clark, Skyla Detwiler, Laci Lavaka and Ayana Tsuruta.
60 YEARS AGO (1965) Pictured is the Malad High School 1964-65 wrestling squad. Front row, left to right, are Roger Brown, Tom Deschamps, Dan Bastian, Ken Price, Denton Waldron, Duwayne Carter, Jim Gibbs, Sherman Barker; back row, Coach Earl Gillies, Lloyd Briggs, Thayne Barker, Milton Robbins, Vance Ward, Russel Price, Dick Dudley, Dean Hughes, Roger Atkinson, Boyd Brown, Kent Smith, Steven Barker, David Thomas, Ron Blaisdell, DuWayne John, Wayne Nielsen, Neal Brinkerhoff, Squad members not present when the picture was taken were Gene Carter, Alan Isaacson, Don Gibbs, Dale Price, Jerry Jones, Blaine Blaisdell, Kleal Price, Jerry Blaisdell.
LEGAL NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that IDAWY Solid Waste District (District) has submitted to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) a Siting Application for the IDAWY Oneida Landfill Facility (Landfill) located at 1750 N Old Hwy 191, Malad City, ID 83252. The purpose of this application is to provide siting suitability information for the construction of a Municipal Solid Waste Transfer Station at the Facility. This public notice is made pursuant to IDAPA 58.01.06.032.03.b, and as determined in Section 31-819 of Idaho Code. This application may be reviewed at the District office located at 241 S Main, Suite #3 Lower Left, Soda Springs, ID 83276, (208) 4171625 or an electronic copy can be downloaded at: http://swti.org/ oneida2. Office hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, except holidays. The public is invited to comment on this Transfer Station siting application. The 30-day comment period commences with the first publication of this announcement starting the week of January 6, 2025. Written comments will be accepted during the public comment
period and should be directed to: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Pocatello Regional Office, Attn: Dustyn Walker, 444 Hospital Way #300 Pocatello, ID 83201.
#5684_T5_01-9-16-23-30_026-25
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The Idaho Transportation Department, Consultant Services Group, is soliciting proposals for CE&I Services for the following project: Bannock St & Sidewalks Tap Grant, Key No. 19622. Proposals are due on February 12, 2025, no later than 4:00 pm MST.
By Mick Harper
Steven R. Fuller - 2995
FULLER & FULLER, PLLC
24 North State P.O. Box 191 Preston, ID 83263
Telephone: (208) 852-2680
Facsimile: (208) 852-2683
Email: SFuller@fullerlawonline. com
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE SIXTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF THE STATE OF IDAHO, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF ONEIDA
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF
RICHARD BRYAN POTTER
The solicitation is available for viewing and printing on the following web site: http://itd.idaho.gov/ business/?target=consultantagreements.
#5688-1-30-2-6-25-T2
SHERIFF'S DISPATCH
Following are recent calls received by dispatchers at the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. During the month of January the Sheriff’s Office investigated a number of new cases. This report includes only new investigations and does not include regular investigations, civil services, and the other responsibilities of the Sheriff’s Office.
Sunday, January 5, 2025
• 01:49 Disturbance Reported at Hotel Malad
• 09:49 Fire Reported, Shed on Fire
Monday, Jan 6, 2025
• 06:14 Traffic Accident, Elk Struck By Vehicle, No Injuries Reported
• 08:29 Missing Person Reported, Individual Found Safe
• 10:42 Traffic Accident, Vehicle Struck Telephone Pole
• 17:04 Missing Person Reported Individual Found Safe
Tuesday, Jan 7, 2025
• 00:06 Three Horses Out
• 05:59 Disturbance
• 12:40 Citizen Assist
• 13:02 Traffic Accident
• 14:39 Fraud Reported
• 19:31 Medical Emergency
Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025
• 11:16 Suspicious Person/ Circumstance
• 15:15 Civil Call
• 18:26 Citizen Dispute
• 19:36 911 Call, Situation Unknown
Thursday, Jan 9, 2025
• 11:13 Traffic Complaint
• 15:31 Juvenile Problem
Friday, Jan 10, 2025
• 14:10 Welfare Check
• 15:54 Civil
Saturday Jan 11, 2025
• Slide Off
• 08:30 Prisoner Transport
• 21:57 Suspicious Person/ Circumstance
• 22:09 Traffic Complaint
• 23:47 Medical Emergency
Sunday Jan 12, 2025
• 05:18 Ambulance Assist, Individual slipped while trying to sit, needs help getting back in chair, not injured
• 10:53 Animal Welfare Call
Monday, Jan 13, 2025
• 10:45 Citizen Dispute
• 11:50 Civil
• 12:25 Citizen Dispute
• 13:50 Child Protection
Tuesday, Jan 14, 2025
• 17:12 Traffic Complaint
• 18:40 Traffic Accident
• 19:13 Citizen Dispute
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025
• 16:10 Traffic Accident
• 20:06 Child Abuse or Neglect
• 21:03 Ambulance Call
• 23:44 Battery
Thursday, Jan 16, 2025
• 07:19 Traffic Accident
• 10:42 Civil
• 17:07 Ambulance Call
Friday, Jan 17, 2025
• 06:55 Prisoner Transport
• 07:43 Welfare Check
• 10:35 VIN Inspection
• 15:05 Traffic Complaint
Saturday, Jan 18, 2025
• 15:36 Smoke Reported
• 17:14 Animal Welfare Call
• 19:07 Fraud Reported
• 22:04 Citizen Dispute
• 23:13 Medical Emergency Sunday, Jan 19, 2025
• 04:07 911 Call, Situation Unknown
Monday, Jan 20, 2025
• 09:40 Citizen Assist
• 12:26 Animal Call. Dog fight reported
• 12:34 Medical Emergency
• 20:05 Traffic Complaint
Tuesday, Jan 21, 2025
• 04:09 Alarm Reported Hess Lumber
• 15:30 Civil
• 17:02 Fraud Reported Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025
• 03:36 Motorist Assist
• 11:30 Civil
Thursday, Jan 23, 2025
• 09:09 Child Protection
A.K.A. RICHARD POTTER, DECEASED.
CASE NO. CV36-25-0010
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned
• 13:07 Civil
• 13:14 Gun Threat
• 17:11 Agency Assistance
• 19:07 Welfare Check
Friday, Jan 24, 2025
• 12:59 VIN Inspection
• 13:20 Alarm Reported
• 13:54 Medical Emergency
• 22:13 Traffic Accident. Car vs deer, no injuries
Saturday, Jan 25, 2025
• 16:48 Welfare Check
• 23:52 Agency Assistance
Sunday, Jan 26, 2025
• 00:23 Traffic Complaint
• 02:12 Suspicious Person/ Circumstance
• 04:30 Motorist Assist
• 20:36 Traffic Complaint Monday, Jan 27, 2025
• 00:18 Welfare Check
• 09:24 Ordinance Violation, Individual pushing snow across road leaving berm Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025
• 06:59 Medical Emergency
• 15:29 VIN Inspection
• 15:45 Citizen Assist Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025
• 08:48 Medical Emergency
• 12:32 Harassment
• 13:55 Juvenile Problem
• 14:05 VIN Inspection
• 16:47 VIN Inspection
• 17:04 Suspicious Person/ Circumstance
• 18:42 VIN Inspection
• 21:07 Suspicious Person/ Circumstance. Spotlighting and Shooting from Road Behind RPS House Thursday, Jan 30, 2025
• 00:32 Citizen Assist
• 09:04 Juvenile Problem
• 12:58 Civil
• 13:55 Traffic Accident
• 15:01 Juvenile Problem Friday, Jan 31, 2025
• 11:39 Civil
• 19:12 Suspicious Person/ Circumstance Saturday, Feb 1, 2025
• 18:27 Domestic
• 19:25 Prisoner Transport
• 20:30 Theft
OBITUARY SUBMISSION INFO
has been appointed personal representative of the abovenamed decedent. All persons having claims against the said decedent or the estate are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented to the undersigned at the address indicated, and filed with the Clerk of the Court.
DATED this 22nd day of January, 2025.
/s/Geraldine Potter
Geraldine Potter
80 N. 300 E. Malad, ID 83252
INSTRUCTIONS TO NEWSPAPER: This notice should be published once each week for three successive weeks. Thank You.
#5689-1-30-2-6-13-25-T3
1. Which Bob Seger song was written as a result of an incident in a truck stop?
2. What was the first hit by the Del Vikings?
3. Who released “Return to Me?”
4. The Doors had two No. 1 hits, one with “Light My Fire.” What was the other one?
5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “Baby saw that when they pulled that big top down, They left behind her dreams among the litter.”
Answers
1. “Turn the Page,” in 1973. Seger and his band had stopped for gas and the locals weren’t too kind to all the band members with their long hair. Seger turned it into a song.
2. “Come Go With Me,” in 1957. The song was used in several films, including “American Graffiti” in 1973 and “Stand by Me” in 1986. 3. Dean Martin, in 1958. Bob Dylan recorded a version for the television series “The Sopranos” in 2001.
ONEIDA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
January 13, 2025 - Topics discussed and decisions made: Claims for payment and meeting minutes were approved. Newly elected officers were sworn in. The 2025 Commissioner Chair was selected. Commissioners accepted their 2025 assignments. Wages for the Chief Deputy and a detective position were set. A quote for a new fingerprinting computer and software was approved. The Treasurer presented the quarterly financial report and discussed solid waste charges for property tax reduction participants. District obligations related to the Idaho Power Judgment. The Malad Mountain Communications (known locally as the West Hills Communication site) Building contract was reviewed. The Extension Office is received approval for a new lease for a copy machine and shared updates on the 4-H department. Veteran Service Officer Bob Stokes resigned, and a replacement is being sought. An update on county emergency communications was provided. SHSP funds will be used to purchase a portable water filtration system. A community emergency preparedness fair is being planned. Oneida County’s status with the Idaho Public Alerts and Warning System will be restored. Road and Bridge purchased a replacement truck and a flooring quote for their building was accepted. The first two LHTAC Rumble Strip invoices were approved for payment. Excess county property in the R&B department was approved for sale. A BLM re-
imbursement request for weed spraying was discussed, and commissioners signed thank you cards for outgoing board members. An executive session was held.
January 24, 2025 - Topics discussed and decisions made: Claims for payment and meeting minutes were approved. No Board of Equalization was needed. A grant for a reconnaissance (survey) of downtown Malad was approved for the Historical Preservation Committee. Autopsy travel reimbursement for the County Coroner will follow per diem guidelines. The Deputy Coroner position and Robyn Gamble property in St. John were discussed. The Malad Mountain Communications Building lease with the RACOON Club was signed. The Ben Naylor Rezone hearing request was withdrawn. The new Veterans Service Officer was ratified, and a thank-you card was signed for the outgoing officer. Excess county property was approved for sale, and the purchase of a storage rack for court books was approved.
Expenditures by fund: General Fund/Current expense, $ 78,592.64; Road & Bridge, $ 177,590.33; Airport, $ 517.37; Ambulance, $ 14,893.44; District Court, $ 844.22; Fair, County, $ 803.41; Justice, $ 63,325.36; Health District, $ 15,442.50; Parks & Rec., $15,328.75; Revaluation, $ 623.12; Tort, $ 2,736.80; Weeds, $ 736.18; Consolidated Elections, $ 127.60; E-911, $5,262.06; Drug Court/Specialty Court Coordinator, $ 525.40 -Total - $377,349.18
e Idaho Enterprise P.O Box 205 Malad City, Idaho 83252-0205 (U.S.P.S. -- 255-800)
The Idaho Enterprise is published weekly at 100 East 90 South, Malad City, Idaho. Postmaster, please mail address corrections to: The Idaho Enterprise, P.O. Box 205, Malad City, Idaho 83252-0205.
Entered as “periodicals” at the Malad City, Idaho Post Office. Subscription rates are strictly in advance -- $55.00 per year delivered in Oneida County, and $67.00 per year delivered outside of Oneida County within the United States. The Idaho Enterprise reserves the right to refuse publication of any or all materials. Brandon Hall
Les Thompson, one of a kind Oneida County Veteran
According to newly appointed VSO and Senior Center director Dave Colton, Les Thompson is the oldest veteran in Oneida County. I was lucky enough to visit with Les recently on one of Dave’s Sunday visits to his home in Malad City, which just happened to be Les’ birthday. On Saturday, January 12, 1926 Les came into this world, 99 short years ago.
As Les cautioned that he might not remember my name, (“I’m not the greatest with names, sometimes”), Dave Colton cut in--
“Yeah, but you can still remember who you worked for back in the 30s. This guy’s got a mind like a trap!” he laughed.
Thompson is an easy laugher— friendly and sincere in his happiness. Unlike some folks in their tenth decade, to say nothing of those who have seen some of the most intense fighting in the last 100 years, Les has nothing but good things to say about his time in the service, and his time on this earth.
“Well, it has been a great time!” he said. “I’ve seen and done a lot, and I’ve liked most all of it.” It’s an amazing attitude to encounter at any age, but there’s something extra charming about it in the form of Les Thompson.
While not quite as active as he used to be, he’s still a busy man, with projects to attend to, including continuing to learn new things. Now that Thompson’s eyesight has made it hard for him to read, he enjoys listening to recorded books on all sorts of topics. His book during the week I met with him was a “spy, mystery sort of thing.” Dave visits Les every week to check in on him and spend some time with him, and both enjoy historically based writing.
“He likes to watch westerns, but he gets sick and tired of the commercials,” Dave said. Les laughed. “That’s true, but I watch them anyway. I missed a lot of the shows that were first on while I was working, so they’re all new to me. I like Gunsmoke—those shows are pretty down to earth.”
That work started young, and to put it in perspective, Les started “serious work” at the outbreak of WWII, working at jobs for compressor stations to help create the infrastructure to support the war effort. “A lot of us bigger boys started up with them. Before that we’d done work for farmers and that, but here came these companies that were paying us sixty-nine cents an hour, and man, we were getting filthy rich! We’d never had that kind of money—we’d been through a depression, you know.”
Thompson is one of the few Americans around today who lived through Black October, the Depression and WWII, all by the time he turned 20! At the time, he was living in Greensburg, Kansas. He was born in Pleasant Plains, Arkansas, which “was even smaller than Malad,” he says. “There was a barber shop, a general store, a fertilizer shed, post office, doctor, and a blacksmith. There was one street with anything on it.”
His father was a mechanic in Pleasant Plains and made his way to Kansas eventually because he found that his services repairing steam machinery in Kansas paid more than in Arkansas. He remembers being a teenager in Kansas during the height of Bonnie and Clyde and John Dillinger, somewhere around ten years old. He remembers when a “those guys that brought the newspapers into town from Newport showed up in a brand new 1936 Ford, and the whole town went out there and just gaped at them drive by in that new car! $650 and you could by one, though that was a fortune in those days.”
When he turned eighteen in 1944, he joined the marines.
“I asked him why he didn’t join the army,” Dave Colton said. “And he told me it was because they didn’t look disciplined enough. That’s why he joined the marines— they looked disciplined and they looked sharp.”
“Well,” Les laughed, “I guess I am pretty partial to the corps. I did spend a bit of time with them. I’ve seen a lot of things that happened that convinced me that I made the right choice.”
Les spent his time in the service in the infantry. Dave asked him why he didn’t try to transfer into some -
thing safer. “That Sergeant Major I was talking to there on Saipan in the Marianas when I was thinking I could transfer into Moblie Transport or something said ‘what did you fire for qualification on the rifle range,’ and I told him. He started shaking his head and said ‘You’ll never get transferred out of the line company, son.’”
It turns out he shot a 237 out of a possible 240, or almost perfect. “Anyway, sure enough he was right. I never did get out—I was a gravel cruncher from the day I went in until the day I got out. It sounds funny now, but it sure wasn’t then.”
As Les puts it, “I was 18 in the Marianas, and then 19 when we invaded Okinawa. Later, when the war ended I ended up in the 6th marine division and they sent us all into north China. Mao Zedong was trying to take over China and him and Chiang Kai-Shek were having a bit of difficulty with each other and they sent us in there to keep those railroads coming out of Manchuria down into Peking and Shanghai with all the coal. The communists were blowing up the bridges, so we guarded them for over a year.”
In an ironic turn of events, the bridges were also guarded by the newly-allied Japanese, who had already been posted to the area during WWII. “So we’d been fighting them on Okinawa and now here they were our buddies working together. They come for Christmas and they waved at us. It was nice
to see them as friends instead of shooting at them!”
Les spent the year “at bridge 54, which was pretty wide. We lived in a tar paper shack. We were pretty tough.”
In his time oversees, Les learned a lot. He learned enough Chinese and Japanese to get by. “One reason I had to learn so many numbers was that the exchange rate was something like 3000 to one!” he laughed.
At another point, he and some of the other marines who were also just barely twenty put together money to purchase a pony. They spent time running up and down the great wall with it, and “playing cowboys.”
The fun, of course, belies the incredibly dangerous nature of his service. Les was involved in firefights throughout a number of campaigns, and has stories for all of them. After his service at the end of WWII, he took a brief “break” before heading back for the Korean war, where he was involved in the tail end of the Chosin Reservoir among many, many operations.
Most of his activities in the mountains of Korea were “at the company level.” “We’d take the hill we were supposed to take, and we’d hear them fighting on the hill next to us, and wonder who they were.”
Some of his stories about firefights in the Korea are harrowing, but he tells them all with a chuckle as you might expect.
His friend Dave Colton was recently appointed to the position of the County VSO (Veterans Service Officer), which likely means he’ll be spending even more time with Les in the future. The VSO is responsible for helping coordinate services and keep veterans informed about what resources are available to them through various federal programs. It can be a lot to keep on top of for many veterans, and the VSO is a vital part of that process. Bob Stokes was the previous VSO, who was thanked and praised by the county commissioners during January’s meeting for his work in updating and getting the position into shape.
Regardless of his official duties, Dave and Les have become friends during their time together, and there’s no doubt they’d spend time together in any case. It’s easy to see why, as they’re both joyful and good natured, and they both have an awful lot to say.
It’s Max and Noreen Park’s 60th Wedding Anniversary!
for us! Happy Anniversary! We love you!
From your family:
John and Polly Hoyt – their children - Zack and Eddie Hoyt, and Ben and Ally Christensen (Mason/Casey).
Brian and Jenny Bailey -their children- Madi and Kyler Brooksby; Abbi and Austin Henstra (Hadley/Weston); Emma and Kam Skow, and Lucy. Tony and Jamie Park – their children - Riley and Becca Park (Paisley), Jenna Park and Crystal Park.
Max and Noreen are the parents of 3 kids and the grandparents of 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. We would all like to tell them how much we love and appreciate all they do
Veterans Les Thompson and new VSO Dave Colton.
Les Thompson spent some time talking about his time in the Korean War on his 99th birthday.
ONEIDA COUNTY WEEKLY EVENTS
February 6 - 12, 2025
OBITUARY
Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, Renelle Harris Skidmore, 85, passed away on February 3, 2025. Renelle was born October 12, 1939, on a warm, fall day in Tremonton, Utah to Harvey Jesse Harris and Amelia Mary Hubsmith Harris. She was welcomed into the world by her two older siblings, Marilyn and Don.
Renelle grew up in Stone, Idaho, where she attended school through the 8th grade, with the special privilege of having her Aunt Edith as one of her teachers. She then went on to Bear River High School for three years before finishing her senior year at Malad High School, graduating in 1957. After graduating high school, she attended one year of college at BYU in Provo, Utah. An admirer she had known her whole life, followed her to Provo even though she had told him not to. His tenacity soon paid off and she married Ronald Skidmore on September 19, 1958, in the Logan temple. They started their married life living in Logan, Utah where she attended USU studying Elementary Education. While in Logan, they welcomed their first child RonDell. A short time later Mom and Dad moved back to the Curlew Valley, where they continued to grow their family adding Tammy, Val, Randy and Rhonda.
Throughout her life, Renelle was passionate about learning. In her early years, she developed a love for English and diagramming sentences, and later in life, she became fascinated by historical
October 12, 1939 ~ February 3, 2025
events, particularly genealogy and the history of the pioneers. She dedicated countless hours to researching and writing a history of the Curlew Valley. During her lifetime, Renelle worked waiting tables, cleaning the Stone Elementary School and was custodian for the Curlew Ward for 17 years. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Snowville School where she assisted the students with their studies. She spent the next 58 years living in Stone and the last six years she called Tremonton, Utah her home.
Renelle was a lover of simple things including plain potato chips, black licorice (especially Wiley Wallaby licorice beans), nuts, (hold the almonds please!) chocolate milk, growing flowers, cross-
Be an Agvocate!
BY ALLISON ELIASON
In an era where there is more potential for connection, it is mindblowing the disconnect people have with the necessities of life. Stories of ignorant consumers asking, “Does chocolate milk come from a brown cow?” or “Why do people have to eat cows; can’t they just get their meat from the grocery store?” are pretty funny until we realize how terrifying it is to have a society clueless of where their food comes from.
Not long ago, my husband was perusing Facebook when he saw a post of a woman seriously concerned about the “crop circles” she was seeing on her cross country flight. Maybe she has no way of knowing that it’s not aliens in spaceships but rather farmers with pivots that make those green circles dotting the country, but since we live in a day and age where she could have just asked Siri, I’m a little concerned.
In the day of our pioneer ancestors, nearly everyone had a milk cow and grew crops as a part of their livelihood. Even those that ran the country store or the telegraph had their own garden at the back of their house. They knew that if they didn’t grow it, they might not
have food to make it through the winter. They knew what it took to plant a seed, nourish and tend it for weeks on end so they could put food on the table. 99% of the population had a hand in farming. Advancements in science and technology have enabled a few to feed millions, and that’s a good thing. The grain elevator, the refrigerated railcar, and the modern engine are just a few of the advancements that catapulted farming capabilities to what we have today. And now instead of 99% of people working to feed the country, only 1% take on that role. That statistic is both exciting and unnerving; exciting that we can see how so few can produce so much but unnerving to realize that so many are so disconnected to the origins of their food.
For most, I do believe that common sense wins out and they know chocolate milk doesn’t come from a brown cow and that groceries don’t magically appear on the store shelves. But I’m sure there are so many parts of agriculture they don’t grasp because they have no experience to speak of.
While we won’t ever go back to everyone plowing a field to fill their winter stores, I don’t think that we have to remain in such a divided state between the
word puzzles and taking a little “rest” also known as a well-earned nap. However, her greatest love was her family. She considered raising her five children to be her greatest accomplishment and found joy in watching them grow, excel in school and show respect to others.
Her kids were her pride and joy until the grandkids came along, and then she found an all-new pride and joy. She was an avid supporter of her grandkids and enjoyed watching them participate in various activities and was proud of their accomplishments. She was a fantastic grandmother and was always willing to entertain the grandkids when asked. When you were at grandma’s, she would always ask if there was anything she could fix you to eat. She created a concoction of marshmallows and chocolate chips for the grandkids to cook on a little green turtle stove. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and a beautiful soul willing to help anyone.
She was a sentimental collector and if you wrote her a letter or card of any kind, chances are she still has it! During her time with us, she made it a point to always help anyone with whatever she could even when she had little to spare. Her selfless nature was a testament to her belief that it was more blessed to give than to receive. Her kindness knew no bounds.
She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served in several callings but loved being a primary president and prima-
producers and consumers. But to have a productive conversation that actually enlightens and connects is going to take genuine effort on both sides of the aisle. Anyone and everyone involved in any aspect of agriculture needs to find a way to share their story. This isn’t a new idea, but now more than ever it is the people doing the growing, cultivating, and harvesting that need to explain how the work is done. Farmers and ranchers have assumed for too long that people know what they know.
I can understand some hesitation or apprehension to sharing farming or ranching practices in a world that is quick to critique and condemn. Those loudest voices aren’t many and they are drowning out the valid questions of those that want to understand how things work.
Sharing about agriculture, putting a family and a face to the industry is easier than you might think. Posting pictures, videos, and stories on social media can be done with just a few clicks of a button. Even if your circle only includes your friends and family, it’s likely that not everyone there knows what it takes to raise your crops. Connecting just one person back to ag will make a difference.
ry teacher. She also served as a nursery leader in her 70s and found great fulfillment in that role. Additionally, Renelle enjoyed serving in the Logan and Brigham temples, where she made lifelong friendships. She will be remembered for her contagious smile, flutter wave, little hug pats, happy attitude, loving nature, her playfulness, and occasional, endearing stubbornness. She will be fiercely missed by her family and all who were lucky enough to know her.
Renelle is survived by her husband of 66 years, Ronald Skidmore; her children: RonDell (Diane), Tammy (Brad) Hoskins, Val (Janette), and Rhonda (Tod) Daniels; 12 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and one brother, Don (Rena) Harris. She was preceded in death by her son Randy, her parents, her sister and brother-in-law, and several nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to Atlas Home Health and Hospice especially Savana and Brooke for their care and support the past few weeks.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 11 A.M. Viewings will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025, from 6-8 P.M. and prior to the service from 10-10:45 A.M. All services will be held at Rudd Funeral Home- Tremonton (111 N 100 E- Tremonton). Interment to follow in the Snowville Cemetery. Online condolences and the link to the livestream of the service can be found at www.ruddfuneralhome.com.
For consumers that have never set foot on a farm, seen a tractor or laid eyes on a cow, you have work to do too. First, go to the source for questions! Google may have an answer for everything, but that doesn’t make it accurate. Sift through the myriad of answers on the internet to find a producer that you can connect with.
Second, if you hear something about agriculture and it doesn’t come directly from a producer, question it. Is what you are hearing a marketing gimmick or a current fad meant to sway you one way?
Third, be an agvocate yourself. As you start to learn more about agriculture, tell other people. Help them realize where their food comes from and all the hard work farmers and ranchers do to provide for them.
Even though I do get a good chuckle at all the naive or ignorant remarks made about agriculture, it’s time for those jokes to be a thing of the past. For as much as society has learned over decades of accomplishment and advancement, our understanding of life necessities seems to be regressing at an alarming rate. Let’s reconnect the disconnect about farming and ranching.
Renelle Harris Skidmore
Renelle Harris Skidmore
Lady Dragons end season with wins; prepare for playoffs
BY ALLISON ELIASON
The Lady Dragons ended their season on a winning streak. A winning streak of 20 consecutive wins, 11 at home and 9 on the road. In 17 of the 20 victories, Malad held teams to under 40 and in 14 of those games, beat their opponent by more than 15 points. Such success has come from hard work, effort, and consistent dedication even beyond this season alone.
The MHS girls basketball team came into the season with a number of goals in mind. As their regular season officially came to a close, they ticked off their first goal- to be the 3A 5th district season champs. Going undefeated against the other five teams of the 5th, Aberdeen, Declo, Soda Springs, Wendell, and West Side, put Malad squarely at the top district.
Accomplishing this goal was no easy feat for the Lady Dragons. With talented teams in the district, it meant that they had to play their very best in every moment of every game. To the end the season, Malad had to face their toughest district opponent- the Soda Springs Cardinals.
Having already claimed one win over the Cardinals, the Lady Dragons had the confidence that they could win out once again. But having played a fast paced, scrappy game in Soda Springs, the MHS team also knew that it would be a battle.
Despite an intense and aggressive start to the game, the scoring for both teams started off slowly. The Lady Dragons trailed 6-7 as they went into the final minute of the first quarter before the Cardinals scored 2 points off of an MHS turnover and then went up 3 more points as the period closed, making the score 6-12.
Unshaken by the 6 point deficit, Malad began chipping away at the Soda Spring’s lead through the second quarter. Izzy Haycock took the lead for
the Lady Dragons at the free throw line, hitting both bonus shots as a result of being fouled on a fast court break following an MHS steal made possible by Mikell Keetch.
Soda Springs hit 2 free throws of their own to momentarily take the lead back, 16-17. On the next Malad possession, Haycock connected with Keetch high above the elbow with the pass. Keetch turned to the middle to drive down the key. As the defense went to cut off her drive, Paityn Ward slipped in from the opposite. Seeing the open backdoor play, Keetch bounced the pass to Ward for the easy score to take the lead, 18-17.
Returning from the halftime break, the Lady Dragons hardly looked back as they put their foot on the gas, turning up both their offense and defense. Going up against the Cardinal extended zone defense, Malad worked to overwhelm with quick passes, penetrating drives, and quick overloads.
In one instance, the Lady Dragons moved their 5 players all to the right side of the court, forcing the defense to shift over with them. On the block, Liv Nelson worked to position her defender above her to leave her backside completely open. Brynnlee Jones on the deep wing, saw the opening and lobbed the pass in just under the basket for Nelson to score 2 points.
A little off of their usual shooting, Malad struggled to hit anything from the outside. While this might have been concerning, the Lady Dragons instead capitalized on the rebounds of those missed shots, repeatedly scoring on rebound putbacks.
Nelson and Keetch in particular did well at the rebound and put back game, Nelson snagging 11 rebounds and Keetch 6. As a team, Malad grabbed an impressive 16 offensive rebounds and another 20 defensive rebounds in contrast to Soda Springs 24 total rebounds.
Even though their offense didn’t
come as easily as they had hoped, the Lady Dragon defense was as locked down as ever. From their high pressure man to man defense to their full court pressure defense, Malad forced Soda Springs into a number of errors. Those turnovers first reduced offensive possessions and scoring opportunities for the Cardinals as well as provided additional offensive looks for the Lady Dragons. To end the game, Malad’s defense only allowed 1 point throughout the entire fourth quarter.
Keetch led in steals for Malad with 5, followed by Kiley Miller with 3. With only two minutes left in the game, Miller, playing her signature lightning fast defense, batted the ball away from Soda Springs as they attempted to drive to the wing. Beating her opponent to the ball, Miller began racing down the court into MHS territory. Putting the brakes on as she gota to the hoop, Miller jump stopped and hit the block shot nearly uncontested by the Cardinal defense.
The Lady Dragons claimed their final victory of the season, 41-32.
Pausing before the game began, the Malad team and fans took a moment to celebrate the graduating seniors of the Lady Dragon basketball team and cheer squad- Teagan Daniels, daughter of Tyson and Jillene Daniels, and Brylee Barnes, daughter of Joey and Shenise Barnes. In addition to sharing their favorite moments, highlights and important lessons of their high school sports careers, the athletes also took a moment to thank their coaches, peers and teammates for the exciting final
season they experienced as seniors.
Throughout the season, the entire Malad girls basketball program found success as all three teams- Varsity, JV, and C-Team, boasted winning records. Winning their final game of the season as well, the Lady Dragons JV team accomplished a noteworthy achievement as they tallied their 50th win of the last three seasons.
“Every win is a team effort. From the bottom to the top, the girls push each other to be better and that shows on the court. We couldn’t be more proud of the improvement, progress and growth we have seen with all three teams this season,” shared Head Coach Trevor Jones.
He continued, “Now we are moving onto the next phase of our season. We don’t plan to overlook any game or any opponent. We have high goals to end this season and if we take care of business on the court every night, we will be able to accomplish great things.”
Moving into the postseason district tournament, the Lady Dragons will play the winner of the quarter final game between 4th seed West Side and 5th seed Declo. Malad will host the game Thursday, February 6 at 7 pm.
Dragons Split games with Wendell, Aberdeen on road
BY ALLISON ELIASON
Taking their game on the road, the Malad Dragon basketball team split their games against conference opponents, Wendell and Aberdeen. Dialing in as the season begins to wind down, the MHS team is proving it knows what it takes to change a close loss to a close win.
Thursday, January 30, the Dragons took the long trek to Wendell to play in their first contest against the Trojans. The day before, Wendell had squeaked by The Ambrose School, the defending state champions, by 1 point, leaving Malad very aware of the tough game they were about to play. They jumped out to take the lead in the first quarter, putting up 11 points to Wendell’s 6. But the Trojans came out in the second in a big way, scoring 16 points to end the half Malad 18, Wendell 22. Coming out fresh from the halftime break, both teams found success on offense as the Dragons scored 24 points and the Trojans 25. Despite their best efforts, Wendell expanded their 6 point lead to 11 to win the game.
Head Coach Zach Beutler shared, “Wendell is a disciplined team with great athletes. Our guys did a good job competing with them. We just came up short. We gave up a couple key offensive rebounds, turned the ball over unforced, and didn’t shoot well from the free throw line. The boys clean those things up a bit and the results of those close games will
change.”
Just two days later, Saturday, February 1, the Dragons took on the Aberdeen Tigers in their second matchup of the season. In their earlier game held in Malad, the MHS came up short, losing 44-46. This second contest had the potential to prove Coach Beutler right.
The Tigers started the scoring in the opening quarter, getting up 2-7. It wasn’t until halfway into the first quarter that Malad finally began getting into a rhythm offensively to not only put up shots but start hitting them. Zack Richardson made a dent in the small lead, hitting a 3 pointer off the quick pass from Easton Green at the top of the key.
Settling into their defense after the made shot, Malad baited Aberdeen into a long pass. Anticipating the ball, Green deflected the pass. Grabbing the loose ball, Green hit Richardson with the short pass who was then able to thread the ball through the defense into Carter Carey’s open hands down on the block for another Dragon score. With Aberdeen unable to score again in the quarter, Malad started the second period up 10-7. The Dragons continued to lead as they played through the
next 8 minutes, putting up 18 points, led by Richardson’s 3 outside shots. As the two teams paused for the half, Malad led 28-19.
Malad held on to their early lead, despite the fourth quarter run the Tigers attempted. Aberdeen began narrowing the gap on the scoreboard, scoring on 6 possessions compared to the Dragons 2. But instead of losing their composure and their lead, Malad dialed on both offense and defense to keep control of the game.
Up now 55-50 with only 55 seconds left in the game, the Tiger’s desperation was palpable as they looked for a big score. As Aberdeen moved the ball around the court, hoping for an opening, Malad forced rushed and hurried passes that eventually went wide and out of bounds. On their possession, the Tigers managed a quick shot off, but the Dragons beat them to
the rebound as Justin Toone held his position under the hoop and easily derailed any pickoff attempt.
20 seconds remained on the clock and the Tigers turned to fouling in hopes of forcing a possession change. First on the line for the Dragons, Brady Showell went 1 for 2 on his free throws, followed by Toone hitting both. The final seconds ticked off the clock as Malad claimed the win, 58-50.
“All 3 teams got the W on Saturday and that felt good,” Coach Beutler shared of their victory. He added, “We’re hoping we are on the tail end of the sickness and injuries that have plagued us.”
After a week on the road, the Dragons will have two games at home, first against the West Side Pirates Wednesday, February 5 before playing Soda Springs on Friday, February 7.
Brynnlee Jones looking to score on the lay in against Soda Springs.
Seniors Teagan Daniels and Brylee Barnes were recognized before the Lady Dragons basketball game.
A busy and impressive week for Dragon wrestling
BY ALLISON ELIASON
A strong and successful sports program doesn’t just happen overnight or even in a season. More important than time, a successful program takes coaches and athletes dedicated to a sport they love, teammates that support through the highs and lows, with parents and fans that encourage and cheer on through every competition.
The Malad wrestling program is one that over the years has proven its success. The most recent week was another clear demonstration as to why the MHS wrestling continues to make great achievements on the mats. Friday and Saturday alone, the Dragon wrestlers competed in three tournaments, with 50 wrestlers, led by 13 coaches, taking home countless trophies and medals.
The Malad wrestlers hosted their annual Cal Willie Memorial Duels as they competed against the Preston Indians on Thursday, January 30. As is done every year to honor the life of Calvin Willie and the great example he left, Jeff Richins read a poem written by Matt Wray, “A Real Cowboy.” Cal died in an unfortunate accident in the summer of 2019. His wrestling head coach, Devin Morrison, wanted to help his family keep Cal’s legacy alive by dedicating the final night of wrestling to him. Cal’s two younger brothers, Jack and Sam wrestle on the MHS Dragon team.
Tom Willie, Cal’s father, shared that Cal enjoyed wrestling but wasn’t necessarily anything special. He said with a grin, “Cal was famous for being unstoppable the first day matches and then just tanked the second. He
had a few runs at the state tournament but never placed at the top. It wasn’t until later that he made an impact with his wrestling.”
While serving his mission in the Arkansas, Bentonville Mission, Cal had an opportunity few missionaries ever have. His mission president had encouraged the missionaries to find ways to use their talents to serve the people around them. Humbly, Cal struggled to think of a talent he could use to help others, until he came across the MacDonald High School wrestling team. Somehow, Cal was granted permission to help coach the team, even getting down on the mats with wrestlers and traveling to some of the meets and matches.
Over the weeks that Cal worked with MacDonald wrestling team, he never once preached the gospel in so many words, but every day he showed those kids how important they were. Tom said, “Those kids loved him and you know that he made a big impact in their lives. He might not have taught them religion, but he prepared the way.”
Against Preston, Malad wrestled tough to take the win, 69-15. Friday and Saturday, January 31 and February 1, the Dragons competed at the Battle for the Buckle tournament held in Sugar Salem. Across the two day tournament, Malad had some exceptional wrestling to bring home the team champions belt with 15 placers. In an impressive way, the Dragons won the tournament 88 points ahead of 2nd place.
Champions 150lbs Drake Morrison
157lbs Oakley Maddox
215lbs Cam Bingham
285lbs Orrin Miller
Runner Ups
98lbs Jaxon Mills
106lbs Jack Willie
Ayden Potter
Wade Clark
Dutch Potter
3rd place
Gabe Hooste
Cael Seamons
place
Porter Mills
Cruz Carter 6th place 132lbs Parker Price 165lbs Trevor Allen
Before the Dragons jumped into their duels against Preston, the Lady Dragon wrestlers first hit the mats as they hosted a number of wrestlers from Mountain Crest and West Side. As the Thursday night matchup was the last home wrestling match, the coaches, team, and fans honored the graduating senior Lady Dragon wrestlers- Rylee Neilson and Dezirae Haven, the first 4 year Lady Dragon wrestler.
In the 6 matches against the Mountain Crest wrestlers, the Lady Dragons went 6-0 as Braylee Price, Bentley Oglesbee, Karsen Thornock, Rylee Neilson, Dezirae Haven, Jenetta Jacaway, Cale Carter, Bella Smith all wrestled and won their matches.
Final Score 46 - 0 Malad.
Braylee Price and Aubree Shulz wrestled West Side. Both were beat-
en, with a score of 0-12 Westside.
Over the weekend, the Lady Dragons competed at Burley in the 4th Annual Big Mountain Invitational tournament. At the tournament, the MHS wrestlers competed amongst 40 different teams, with over 250 female wrestlers, making this the largest tournament the Lady Dragons had attended this year.
The tournament allowed the lady wrestlers to compete against teams and athletes they hadn’t seen before, in addition to some of their usual competition. The team placed 2nd with 142 points behind a very solid, #1 ranked team, Rocky Mountain, which scored 172 points.
Wrestling results Bella Smith 2nd at 235 lbs.
Aubrey Shulz 3rd at 138 lbs.
Bella McCullough 4th at 120 lbs.
Rylee Neilson 5th at 126 lbs. Cale Carter 5th at 185 lbs.
Braylee Price 6th at 107 lbs.
Also wrestling but not placing were Stella Merja, 107 went 3-2; Laney Coatney 114, 0-2; Bentley Oglesbee 114, 2-2; Paysli Chournos 120, 3-2; Dezirae Haven 132, 3-2; Jenetta Jacaway 165, 3-2.
The Lady Dragon wrestling coaches are “very pleased with how the ladies wrestled and feel that the ladies are starting to peak at the right time to be ready for the regional tournament in Thunder Ridge on Feb 21-22.”
The Lady Dragons will be preparing this week for another tough tournament in Pocatello, the 1st annual Koral Sugiyama Invitational at Irving Middle school on February 7-8.
Battle for the Buckle Sugar Salem Tournament team champions.
Seniors Rylee Neilson and Dezirae Haven with their parents honored at the last home Lady Dragon wrestling matches.
Parker Price getting the pin.
The Lady Dragon wrestling team placed second at the Burley Big Mountain Girls Invitational tournament.
Carter Blaisdell facing off against Sugar Salem.