Enterprise The Idaho
Caribou County
Caribou County's Newspaper Since 2024
Caribou County, Idaho
December 25, 2025 | Vol. 2 No. 52
$1.50
NEWS IN BRIEF Woman charged with hiding razor blades in loaves of bread at Walmart
Merry Christmas, Caribou County!
It’s finally here—by the time this gets to you, it should be Christmas Eve. It’s amazing how no matter your age, there’s something about the anticipation of Christmas day that affects everyone in a similar way. Whether it’s the presents, the family togetherness, the message of the season, or just the inescapable sense that everyone is gathered to celebrate something profound and worthy of quiet reflection and public joy, Christmas is one of the best times of the year. All of us here at the Enterprise wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, and a wonderful holiday of any other sort that you may be celebrating as the year draws to a close. Like you, we are all excited to have a little extra time to be with our families over the holiday weeks coming up. We hope that you find the included information and entertainment helpful as you hopefully take a nice, relaxing holiday break yourself. Included, find Jody Reeves’ excellent coverage of local sports, an amazing donation to the Soda Springs Fire Department from Ireland Bank, a great story from the Caribou Historical Society, the un-
veiling of the Senior Center cookbook, and more. The coming year undoubtedly has a lot of surprises in store. No one believes that the weather is going to stay as relatively dry or warm as it has been, so whatever form it takes for its revenge should be something to behold. In Grace, Bancroft, and Soda Springs, new mayors and council members are the order of the day. The first meetings in January should see the swearing in of some new faces across the valley. How those new officials might affect city priorities also remains to be seen. The Highway 30 project through Soda Springs will likely come with its own share of headaches and unexpected issues, as will some of the other large infrastructure projects at the state and county level. The potential campground at the marina area of Alexander reservoir is one such project. It also remains to be seen how the Event Center will work as a county asset, and a public space. Impact zones, public ordinances, school policies, and all the rest will continue to be issues going forward. But for at least one day, if not the whole week, it’s okay to not worry
about any of that. As much as possible, we hope that you are able to take the day and spend it with your loved ones, relishing the pure goodness of being together and sharing memories and moments. From Bryan Scott, Brandon Hall, Hope Green, Stacey LaMont, Sherrie Wise, Dotty Evanson, Jody Reeves, Allison Eliason, and Jean Thomas— Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you!
Ireland Bank donates $18,000 to Soda Springs FD Each year at the company Christmas party, Ireland Bank employees choose a specific organization to donate funds to. The organizations are from all around Ireland Bank’s area of operation, and this year the beneficiary is the Soda Springs Fire Department. In presenting the case for making the SSFD the recipient of the funds, Soda Springs branch bank officials stated the following: “Soda Springs Fire Department is a group of 16 or so men from our community that give of their time to take classes, train on a regular basis, and show up when our community needs them the most. These men do what needs to be done no matter when the whistle blows. (Soda still has a whistle and it is awesome). The Soda Fire Crew is devoted to their community. They are asked to do many
things besides fight fire because our town knows how devoted they are. They do foam in the park and watermelon on the 4th of July, go to the fireworks just in case they are needed, and bring our local high school kids in and out of town with all the special treatment when they are doing great things. They educate the schools on fire safety and help our Police and EMS. Their current turnouts are near the end of their life expectancy per NFPA and need to be replaced. The cost for 1 set can exceed $2000.00.” Incredibly, bank employees raised a total of $18,000 by way of direct donation to the SSFD, and a match from the bank. The amount represents the most that has ever been donated by Ireland Bank through the program. The funds are much needed, and
will help the department update some of the equipment that is past its suggested expiry date. As was noted by many individuals throughout the day, the fire department seems to constantly be in the business of helping out all throughout the community. It is a rare time when a problem occurs somewhere in the city that the FD doesn’t get involved. Chief Dan Squires and his crew have been amazing to watch as active and essential parts of the community. Squires explained what the fund will be used for. “Turnouts have to be replaced per NFPA [National Fire Protection Association] every ten years, and we’re on year eleven,” Squires said. “Twelve on some IRELAND BANK On Page 2
Bruce Lowry from Ireland Bank joins members of the Soda Springs branch and the SS Fire Dept for the presentation of a check raised by employees and matched by Ireland Bank.
IN THIS EDITION Caribou Historical Society.....................Pg. 3 Senior Center Cookbook......................Pg. 4 Puzzles.................................................Pg. 5
Looking Back.......................................Pg. 7 Kid Scoop............................................Pg. 9 Sports...........................................Pg. 10-12
A woman has been charged after authorities say she hid razor blades inside loaves of bread at a Walmart store, prompting safety concerns and a swift police investigation. According to investigators, the incident came to light when customers discovered damaged packaging and alerted store employees. No serious injuries were reported, but officials say the act posed a significant risk to public safety. Law enforcement reviewed surveillance footage and worked with Walmart staff to identify a suspect. The woman was later arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including tampering with consumer products. Police have not disclosed a motive but emphasized that the case is being treated seriously due to the potential for harm.
80 mph winds, wicked weather sweeps across Eastern Idaho
Powerful winds and rapidly changing conditions battered Eastern Idaho as a strong storm system swept through the region, bringing gusts reaching up to 80 miles per hour. The wicked weather knocked down trees, damaged power lines, and caused scattered outages across several communities. Drivers faced hazardous travel conditions as blowing dust and debris reduced visibility on highways, while high-profile vehicles were especially vulnerable to sudden gusts. Emergency crews responded to reports of fallen branches, overturned trailers, and minor structural damage. Local officials urged residents to secure loose outdoor items and avoid unnecessary travel during peak wind periods. The storm also delivered brief bursts of rain and snow in higher elevations, adding to the challenging conditions. Meteorologists said the intense winds were driven by a strong pressure gradient moving across the state. Calmer weather is expected to return after the system moves east, allowing crews to begin cleanup efforts.
North Carolina crash of business jet connected to retired NASCAR driver
Multiple fatalities have been reported following the crash of a business jet in North Carolina that authorities say is connected to a retired NASCAR driver. The aircraft went down shortly after takeoff, according to emergency officials, prompting a large response from fire crews, law enforcement, and aviation investigators. The number of victims has not been officially confirmed, and officials have not yet released the identities of those on board. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash, examining weather conditions, flight data, and possible mechanical issues. Local officials said there was no threat to the public on the ground. The incident has drawn national attention due to the aircraft’s reported connection to the former racing figure.