Enterprise The Idaho
Caribou County
Caribou County's Newspaper Since 2024
Caribou County, Idaho
April 23, 2026 | Vol. 3 No. 17
$1.50
NEWS IN BRIEF
Gas prices likely to stay above $4
Rep. Mike Veile, Sen. Mark Harris, and Judge Cody Brower spoke to the assembled audience at 3C in Grace.
Candidates speak to voters in Caribou County Last week, several candidates met with members of the community at the 3C Grill in Grace. Senator Mark Harris, Representative Mike Veile, and District Judge Cody Brower took turns introducing themselves to the crowd that had gathered at the familiar Grace location, and then answered a number of questions on a range of topics. The event was hosted and catered by 3C, and moderated by Jim McCulloch. Current Sixth District Judge Cody Brower went first. Brower, who has officially moved to Grace, was appointed by Governor Little to replace the recently retired Judge Mitchell Brown. The Sixth Judicial District encompasses Bannock, Bear Lake, Caribous, Franklin, Oneida, and Power Counties. Brower served as the Oneida County Prosecuting Attorney from 2016 until 2023. “Ultimately, this election is going to be decided in the primary, since there are only two of us running. Your district judge will be determined on May 19,” Brower said. He grew up in Liberty, near Bear Lake. “My dad Lynn Brower was the magistrate judge over there, so I kind of followed in the family footsteps. I was appointed two and half years ago by Governor Little to complete Judge
Brown’s term after he retired, and now I’m running for re-election.” He met his wife in Rexburg, and they have 3 kids that go to school in Grace, where they now live. “It’s been a real pleasure to start to raise a family here—we really love it so far.” Brower states that he has “been in public service almost my whole adult life. When I was seventeen I joined the Idaho National Guard and drilled south of here in Preston.” He deployed to Iraq in 2007, where “I raised my right hand and swore to uphold the Constitution. As a prosecuting attorney I again had that opportunity. And now as a judge I had that opportunity again. As a judge, I have a unique chance to truly protect people’s constitutional rights. Sometimes, it involves supporting outcomes that I might not want, but they are outcomes that must happen because the Constitution demands it. It’s my obligation to make sure that those rights are upheld at all times.” Brower concluded his introduction by saying, “As a judicial philosophy, I believe that people who come before my court should be treated with respect, dignity, and kindness. Many times it’s the worst day of their lives. And the courtroom changes lives. So I hope when they’re there, no matter
the outcome they leave feeling that they were listened to, treated fairly, and that I listened to all of the facts and circumstances before I made a decision. I believe that I should be unbiased in my courtroom. Everyone should know they’ll get their day in court. It is a pleasure to serve as your district court judge. Senator Mark Harris is not being challenged with a Republican primary opponent. Harris is a rancher who lives in the area, and is in his fifth term as a State Senator. His wife Cheryl teaches at Thirkill. “I got to work with Judge Brower a bit before we re-districted, and he’s a good man. We’re lucky to have him here,” Senator Harris said. Harris also has a connection to Grace, as he explained. “As many of you know, my mom grew up here, my dad went to school here before they got married and moved to Eight Mile.” “It’s an honor to represent you in the Idaho state senate,” he continued. “It’s something I can’t really express in words, but it’s a real treat for me. I currently serve on the state Senate Affairs Committee, the Health and Welfare Committee, and the ResourcCANDIDATES On Page 2
Distinguished Young Women scheduled for May 2 This year’s Caribou County Distinguished Young Women program will be held Saturday, May 2 at 7:00 pm at the Soda Springs High School auditorium. Program tickets will only be available at the door and can be purchased for $10. There will be a dress rehearsal open to the public on Friday, May 1 at 7:00 pm. Tickets for the dress rehearsal are general seating and can be purchased for $5. Tickets are free for Freshman and Sophomore girls. They will only be available at the door. Join the young ladies as they celebrate this year’s theme, “Bloom”. The hosts for the evening will be Dr. Matthew Kunz along with the 2025 Distinguished Young Woman, Kallie Stoddard. The stars of the night will be eight extremely talented young women from our own Caribou County. Please plan on attending. It will be a night to remember.
DYW participants are hard at work on their Fitness routine. The event itself is set for May 2.
The 2026 Caribou County Distinguished Young Women program is graciously sponsored by the Soda Springs Lions Club. Begun in 1958, Distinguished Young Women has impacted the lives of more than 782,000 young women. Our mission is to empower high school young women by providing scholarship opportunities, developing self-confidence and teaching life skills needed for success in college and beyond. National sponsors include Mo-
bile County, City of Mobile, Alabama Power Foundation, Encore Rehabilitation, Wintzell’s Oyster House, Master Boat Builders, Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Evonik, Regions Financial Corporation, Jostens and Alabama Media Group. For more information about Distinguished Young Women, visit www. DistinguishedYW.org. The bios and contestant information can be found in full on page 3 inside the paper.
IN THIS EDITION CMC Health Fair...................................Pg. 2 DYW.....................................................Pg. 3 Grace Senior Projects..........................Pg. 4
Puzzles................................................Pg. 5 Guardian Realty................................Pg. 10 Sports......................................... Pgs. 11-12
Gas prices in the U.S. remain elevated following recent geopolitical tensions, and experts say they may stay higher than pre-war levels for some time. The national average recently hovered around $4 per gallon—well above prices earlier in the year. In Southeast Idaho, the average price per gallon to start the week is $4.29. While relief may come eventually, the lack of a clear path to the resolution of middle east conflict prevents prices from stabilizing. Joining fuel loyalty programs or using discount cards can also lower per-gallon costs, and avoiding unnecessary travel is recommended when possible. Relief at the price per barrel level is also likely to be offset by generally higher prices during the “summer driving season,” usually seen as the time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when demand and costs are higher. Fuel costs, along with higher than predicted inflation are mitigating tax return increases, according to anecdotal reports from area residents including almost anyone you might choose to ask about it.
Mass shooting in Louisiana A mass shooting in Shreveport left eight children dead in what authorities describe as a domestic violence incident. Police say the victims, ranging in age from about 1 to 14, were killed across multiple homes early Sunday. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, was the father of seven of the children. He allegedly shot two women—one believed to be the children’s mother—before targeting the children. After the attacks, he fled the scene by carjacking a vehicle, leading police on a chase into a neighboring parish, where officers shot and killed him. At least one child survived by escaping and was injured. Authorities say the motive remains unclear but appears to be domestic in nature. The tragedy is the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since 2024 and adds to over 100 such incidents recorded nationwide in 2026.
Protest at Beagle facility About 1,000 animal rights activists gathered at a Blue Mounds, Wisconsin beagle breeding and research facility, attempting to enter the property and free roughly 2,000 dogs. The protest, organized by a coalition advocating for the animals, escalated when hundreds of participants tried to breach fences and barriers, prompting law enforcement to respond with rubber bullets and pepper spray. Authorities said the demonstration turned violent, with protesters blocking roads and ignoring designated protest areas, while activists argued they were carrying out a rescue mission. Several people were arrested, including the group’s leader. No dogs were successfully removed during this attempt. The protest followed a similar incident weeks earlier in which activists had taken dozens of beagles. The facility denies allegations of mistreatment but has agreed to stop breeding dogs by July under a legal settlement, highlighting ongoing tensions between animal rights groups and research operations.