Caribou County Caribou County, Idaho
October 10, 2024 | Vol. 1 No. 36
$1.50
NEWS IN BRIEF Hurricane Milton follows Helene
Randy'L Teton spoke to a rapt audience at the Soda Springs library about her experience, and the life of Sacajawea.
Author and Model Randy’L Teton speaks at Library Around 25 years ago, Randy’L Teton was a student at the University of New Mexico in Santa Fe. She was also on the precipice of becoming a familiar face to millions of people as the artist’s model for the Sacajawea gold dollar that was minted right at the turn of the millennium in the year 2000. Teton spoke about that experience, as well as her recent book in which she tells the full, less often told story of her fellow Shoshoni forebear. The book, a graphic novel written by Teton and illustrated by Aly McKnight, uses the framing device of a grandmother telling the story of Sacajawea’s journey to her granddaughter, who becomes inspired by her bravery. The library children’s room was filled with an audience of interested listeners, many of whom stayed after the presentation to speak with Teton and get signed copies of her book, as well as other books connected to the Sacajawea story. Teton noted that it was great to be in Soda Springs, which was at one time part of the tribal territory of her ancestors. Over time, much of the land that was officially “given” to tribal members was sold off or otherwise lost to the tribes through other means, including the Soda Springs area. The area had been a fertile and active hunting ground. During her presentation, Teton explained that the spelling used in this article “Sacajawea” is the preferred Shoshoni spelling. The use of that spelling in the title of her book is not a mistake. The “Sacagawea” spelling, she explained, was an attempt by the U.S. Mint and other officials toward historical accuracy. However, the spelling attempts to capture the harder “k” sound common to the Mandan language. The Madan kidnapped Sacajawea from the Shoshoni at the age of ten and enslaved her until the age of thirteen, when she was “won” by a French fur trapper (who already had another Shoshoni “wife”) whom Teton declined to name, halfway joking that she “didn’t care about what happened to him.” Those familiar with any of the many volumes written on the Lewis and Clark expedition (with Stephen Ambrose’s “Undaunted Courage” being perhaps the most widely read) will understand that the trapper was not held in much esteem
Israel and Hamas continue war into second year
Teton was introduced by Mayor Austin Robinson, who happens to be interested in coin collecting.
by the members of the party at the time, or historians in the time since. Sacajawea herself, however, was honored at the time by the expedition whose lives she saved countless times, and she has been embraced as a symbol of strength by many groups over the centuries. Teton explained that part of her motivation was the sometimes low regard Sacajawea RANDY'L TETON On Page 2
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month The Pink Ribbon that has promoted awareness of breast cancer since 1992 is one of the most effective and indelible public campaigns in recent memory. Inspired by the yellow ribbon campaign for hostages held by Iran in 1979 and the Red ribbon campaign for HIV/AIDS awareness in the early 90s, the pink ribbon was first promoted by the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and made national with the publication of a Self magazine issue in 1992 that used the iconic image. Over time, the sign of a pink ribbon has become inextricably linked with the prevalence of both breast cancer and the search for a cure. Along with prostate cancer, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers found in people every year. According to the Cancer Data Registry of Idaho, on average 220 male and female Idahoans die of breast cancer each year from 2017-2021, though in the ten years prior to 2020 9,600 Idahoans are living after having received a breast cancer diagnosis. From 2016-2020 6,687 malignant breast cancers were diagnosed among female Idahoans, and 59 among males. According to the same research, 11 in 100 female Idahoans will die from their cancer within five years of diagnosis, and 82 of 100 will still be alive within the same five years. 7 in 100 female Idahoans will die of something CANCER AWARENESS On Page 2
Hamas struck Israel in a surprise attack one year ago, on October 7, 2023. The anniversary of the beginning of the conflict arrives without any hope of the conflict winding down or finding resolution any time soon. Israel hit targets in Gaza’s north, and launched a ground operation encircling the Jabalya refugee camp, where Hamas has been reported to be regrouping. Earlier in the year, Israel claimed to have defeated Hamas in northern Israel, though that was obviously premature. So far the war has killed at least 41,000 people, more than a third of whom are reported to be children. Hundreds of aid workers have been killed as well, including 220 members of the UN Palestinian refugee agency. One of the largest fears of international observers at the outset of the war was the broadening of the conflict, which is at a potential tipping point now as Iran and Israel contemplate their next moves. Both countries, as well as the international community, have stated that they don’t want to escalate the direct conflict between the two.
Younger Voters outpacing others in ID for registration
The Secretary of State’s Office in Idaho has released data showing the age breakdown of voter registration over the last month, which includes data from the period following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he would not be running for office again. Voters under 30 constituted a large plurality of new voter registrations in the last month, at 38%. Of course, the cause may partly be attributable the low number of previously registered voters in that demographic, which generally vote in smaller numbers. The largest group of registered voters overall is the group aged 60 to 74.
Police Chief Shaw to take new job
The womens health team in Caribou County at CMC.
IN THIS EDITION Community notes.........................................Pg. 2 Dixon Hamilton.............................................Pg. 3 Thirkill Fun Run............................................Pg. 4
Hurricane Milton has intensified to a Category 5 by Tuesday, as it gathers size and strength over the warm Gulf of Mexico, which has broken records for its water temperature. Milton is forecast to make landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida sometime on Wednesday, and may center on the heavily-populated Tampa area. Category 4 hurricane Helene devasted the area less than two weeks ago, and Milton presents a much larger threat to the Florida area. Evacuations have been issued up and down the coast, but are especially urgent in Hillsborough County, where Tampa Mayor Jane Castor predicts the effects will be “literally catastrophic.” Air travel at many airports in the area will be suspended beginning Tuesday. 7,000 Federal personnel have been mobilized, and FEMA has stated that it has enough resources on hand to respond to emergency needs. At least 235 people across six states have been declared dead as a result of Helene, and responses by local, state, and federal agencies have been variously praised and criticized.
Puzzles..........................................................Pg. 5 SSHS Homecoming Schedule...................Pg. 9 Sports......................................................Pg. 9-12
In something of a breaking story, Police Chief Scott Shaw has announced that he will be taking a job with Kiewit driving truck. A hiring process to fill the position will become immediately, and more inforamtion will be made available soon, as well as a farewell to Chief Shaw.