Caribou County Caribou County, Idaho
August 29, 2024 | Vol. 1 No. 30
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NEWS IN BRIEF Wildfire near Stanley almost doubled in size over the weekend
The location of the clinic scheduled to begin construction in Grace next year. The location is just south of the City Park.
New clinic coming to Grace At last week’s City Council meeting, the council was joined by Kent Loosle, CEO of the Caribou Medical Center, members of the CMC team, and a number of doctors living in Grace to announce the acquisition of land for a planned clinic coming to town sometime in the near future. “We’ve met with the architects. We want to design the facility through the winter, then begin construction when the weather changes in the spring,” Loosle said. According to a press release, as well as comments made during the meeting, CMC anticipates holding a groundbreaking ceremony in early 2025. The current plan is to give the health-care providers living in Grace the spotlight at the groundbreaking. Loosle called attention to the benefits of having local residents provide the health care to patients. “I’ve been a lot of different places, and it’s not often that you get a chance to have your neighbors be the ones taking care of you. It’s also great that people will be able to stay here in town and have access to health care—to all the services that people need,” he said. The clinic will be located just south of the city park in Grace,
where the old Blue Bell/Lunch Express restaurant was in the past. The press release states: “The announcement of the new Grace Clinic comes at a time during which CMC is making positive changes to its organization and culture, which changes are reflected in the care of its patients and commitment to the communities of Caribou County as well as neighboring counties. As always, CMC is committed to providing healthcare and improving access to healthcare wherever possible. CMC proudly offers care in the following service lines: 24/7 Emergency Room Services; Primary Care; Surgical Services including Orthopedic, Pain and Spine, Urology, Women’s Services, Inpatient Care, Swing Bed, Chemotherapy, Imaging, and Laboratory. We hope to expand these service lines in the future as the needs of Caribou County residents grow and change. CMC is working hand in hand with local leaders, including Grace Mayor Jackie Barthlome, to make sure the building plans best encompass the needs of the community, including ensuring the walkways
and parking lots are safe for residents. Mayor Barthlome wants to keep Grace citizens’ best interest in mind throughout the project and has said she is ‘so excited to see the clinic brought to our community so we can bring care closer to home for our citizens.’ The entire team at CMC is excited to continue to serve the community of Grace with this new facility.” During the meeting, Mayor Barthlome noted that there were at least 33 people living in the Grace area who worked at the hospital. Some of them would presumably be moving to the clinic, depending on how employee resources were allocated. Firm plans for the staffing and administration of the clinic have not been finalized or released at present. Councilmember Curtis Toone, who also serves on the CMC board, stated that “the best thing we did as a board was to bring Kent Loosle on board. As many as 700 hospitals in towns our size have been shut down, but he is doing wonderful things here.” NEW CLINIC On Page 2
Galen Wilson becomes licensed apprentice with Sims
Brad Horsley, Sims Funeral Home
We at Sims Funeral Home are happy to announce that after a year of working along side the other caring staff of the funeral home, Galen Wilson is now a licensed apprentice with us. Galen has been such a great addition to Sims Funeral Home. We are grateful to have such a wonderful person to help take care of the people of Caribou County and surrounding areas. Anyone that knows Galen knows that he loves his community and is always willing to serve. Galen Wilson was born and raised in Soda Springs. He attended Soda Springs High School graduating in 1973. Galen was active in sports and enjoyed participating in student government. Galen began working at Monsanto in 1974 after a year of college at BYU. Galen was able to work in many positions and redesign teams during his 42 1/2 year career retiring in December 2016. Galen met his eternal companion, Joy Ellen Godfrey and was married in the Logan Temple in June 1976. They have lived in Soda Springs since then. Galen has enjoyed his opportunity to help Joy's
Evacuation orders remain in place as the Wapiti Fire in Custer County nearly doubled in size over the weekend. According to the National Interagency Fire Center and East Idaho News, the fire grew from 35,000 acres on Friday to 68,457 on Sunday with 0% containment. The fire started on July 24th when a lightning strike created sparks near Grandjean. Highway 21 was closed by county officials to allow for fire management. The Custer County Sheriff's Office evacuated residents near Stanley Lake on Friday, and encouraged other residents to prepare to leave if the conditions worsened.
At least 170 dead from weeks of flooding in Nigeria
After weeks of flooding in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, at least 170 are dead and more than 200,000 are displaced. According to the National Emergency Management Authority, Northern Nigeria has been hit the hardest by the floods. Other parts of the country are still at risk as the two largest rivers, the Niger and the Benue continue to rise. Nigeria is prone to floods during the rainy season, but this year floods have been reported in areas where flooding is considered rare. Poor drainage infrastructure has been partially blamed by environmentalists for causing the flooding. The recent flooding has injured 2,000 people and destroyed 100,000 hectares of farmland.
World’s oldest man celebrates 112th birthday
John Alfred Tinniswood, who was born the same year the Titanic Sank and Arizona and New Mexico became U.S. States, celebrates his 112th birthday. Tinniswood is now the world’s oldest living man. According to Guinness World Records, Tinniswood is celebrating with friends and family at his care home in the Western English seaside town of Southport. According to a news release Tinniswood said, “I don’t feel that age, I don’t get excited over it. That’s probably why I’ve reached it. I just take it in my stride like anything else”. He is also the world’s oldest surviving World War II veteran. Tinniswood is four years away from being the oldest man ever.
14,000 trout being released by Fish and Game in Southeastern Idaho
Galen Wilson and his family. Wilson is working with Sims Funeral Home as a licensed apprentice.
father and brother on their farm, driving trucks and taking Joy on some of the long hauls. They have four beautiful daughters that have given them 15 grandchildren with three granddaughters recently married. Galen is actively participating in the Caribou Historical Society, the Caribou Medical Center Foundation, the Caribou Development Foundation and is active in church. He has enjoyed following his grandchildren as they have
participated in sports and dance. Galen enjoys being outside, especially camping and helping his son-in-law with his Cross Country activities. It has given him the opportunity to be involved with a lot of great kids. “I never thought that I would have the opportunity to work at a mortuary helping members of our community. It has been a wonderful experience and I have enjoyed helping wherever possible,” Wilson said.
IN THIS EDITION SEICCA Project Warmth Tournment.........Pg. 3 Senior Citizens Corner................................Pg. 4 Puzzles..........................................................Pg. 5
Looking Back................................................Pg. 7 News of Record............................................Pg. 9 Sports.................................................... Pg. 11-12
According to East Idaho News, personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s hatcheries will be releasing over 14,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at various locations in September. Some of these locations include: Bannock Reservoir - 1,000 rainbow trout, Bear River below Oneida dam - 1,500 rainbow trout, Crowthers Reservoir - 1,100 rainbow trout, Crystal Springs Pond- 1,000 rainbow trout, Devil Creek Reservoir - 5,150 rainbow trout, Deep Creek Reservoir - 500 rainbow trout, Edson Fisher Pond - 1,000 rainbow trout, Montpelier Reservoir - 1,200 rainbow trout.