Caribou County Caribou County, Idaho
August 22, 2024 | Vol. 1 No. 29
$1.50
NEWS IN BRIEF Phil Donahue dies at 88
Legendary talk show host, Phil Donahue, passed away after battling a long illness, his family announced on Monday. His family said in their statement, “Donahue died at his home surrounded by his family, including his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, his sister, his children, grandchildren and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie”. For nearly three decades, Donahue hosted “The Phil Donahue Show”. In May, Donahue received the Medal of Freedom award from President Joe Biden. The award is the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Krew Hemmert, flanked by members of the Soda Springs High School Student Council and advisor Sherlene Kirby.
A Cruise for Krew
Krew Hemmert has been through a lot, and there’s undoubtedly a lot more to come at him down the road, but as he goes down it he’ll have support from an entire community. In recent months cross the valley, the young man from Grace has become a well-known figure. Last week, it was the Soda Springs Student Council, Cheerleaders, and Main Street Cruisers’ turn to pitch in. The event was spearheaded by Degan Stoor and the Student Council, and quickly taken up by the Cruisers. “It started as a cruise to benefit somebody in town who needed it, and every year it’s happened since. Student Council spearheaded this one,” said Jennifer Squires, who along with her husband Dan are longtime members of the Main Street Cruisers. “There are so many people to support—It’s always turned out really awesome. I hope tonight is amazing.” The SSHS Student Council set up a donation table near the Firetruck parked in between Soda Sip and Point S Tire, which saw a steady stream of foot and car traffic throughout the evening. The Soda Springs Cheerleaders set up a bake sale table a bit further west in the parking lot. As the cruise of vehicles—some classic, some newly minted— drove through the lot, they received a smile and a wave from the Hemmert family, the student council, and the SSHS Cheer team, as well as Krew himself. The Student Council has been active in the weeks before school starts, as the new officers start getting familiar with their positions. This is their first major event of the school year. Advisor Sherlene Kirby was thrilled to be at the cruise in support of Krew, and has been a strong motivator for SSHS students and the student council over
Krew Hemmert
the years. “This council got the idea and just took it from there,” she said. Student Council president Degan Stoor explained, “Ever since we heard he got diagnosed we wanted to do something. Although he doesn’t go to Soda for school, he’s still part of our community and we just wanted to do something special for him. Both of his siblings go to school in Soda Springs, and all the money we raise from this and personal donations all go to the Hemmert family for travel and medical expenses. Soda Sip stayed open late, and all their proceeds from this are going to the family as well. We just wanted to do it so he's not alone, and he knows he has a
Krew and his dad Kevin, speaking with Sherlene Kirby.
According to East Idaho News, Community members gathered at Sandy Downs in Idaho Falls on Saturday to raise awareness and money towards ending child abuse. The Greater of Idaho Falls Chamber hosted and organized the festival, and also celebrated the history of the tater tot. Leslie Grigg and his cousin Steve Grigg recently formed the nonprofit Protect Your Tots Foundation. “Protect your tots” was the theme for the day, with all proceeds going to a new Family Justice Center, a central location for the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Center to process cases. Steve and Leslie’s fathers, F. Nephi and Golden Grigg, founded OreIda, the company that invented the tater tot. According to Steve, F. Nephi and Golden Grigg were victims of child abuse, and their family is using their platform to stand up for all victims.
1 dead and 7 injured in Baltimore shooting
Brynlee and Becky Hemmert at A Cruise for Krew on Friday.
IN THIS EDITION Open Class Results.....................................Pg. 2 Community Notes........................................Pg. 3 Cozy B Quilts................................................Pg. 4
The 650-acre fire started around 4:30 p.m. in the Michaud Creek area. Both lanes of I-86 were initially closed but reopened around 6:20 p.m. The fire briefly jumped the interstate, but the firefighters were able to push it back. The fire is believed to have been caused by lightning. Strong winds blowing through the area caused the fire to quickly spread, which led to evacuations in the area. Around 50 homes were originally evacuated. According to authorities, the fire was fully contained around 10:00 p.m. and people were allowed to return to their homes. No homes or structures were damaged and there were no reported injuries.
First Tater Tot Festival celebrates the history of Idaho snacks while raising money for child abuse prevention
KREW On Page 9
Degan Stoor presented Krew with a number of gifts on behalf of the Student Council at SSHS
650-acre wildfire west of Pocatello is contained
Puzzles..........................................................Pg. 5 Obituary.........................................................Pg. 9 Fall Sports Preview............................. Pg. 11-12
Police said, one man was killed and seven people were hospitalized in a shooting in Baltimore on Sunday. Richard Worley, the Baltimore Police Commissioner, described the deceased as a 36-year-old man. Six of the injured were also men and one woman, ages 22-45. Worley said some of the victims were in critical condition, and others were stabilized. The shooting was reported just after 8:00 p.m. “At some point it looks like multiple people opened fire,” Worley said. Police quickly arrived on scene and were able to mark evidence. Worley said, “We’ve got a lot of evidence…and we’re looking for a lot of video.”