Caribou County | February 12, 2026

Enterprise The Idaho

N.A. Degerstrom leaves a legacy of giving back to the community

It was recently announced by N.A. Degerstrom that the company will be leaving the Soda Springs area after more than half a century as strong community members.

According to a recent release from company representatives, “N.A. Degerstrom has been a part of the Soda Springs, Idaho, community for 55 years, providing contract mining services. We have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know so many who worked for and with us over the years. As we conclude our services in Southeast Idaho, we wanted to express our appreciation and gratitude to so many who have been with us along that journey. In addition to just saying thanks, NAD has donated funds and partnered up with other local organizations in the area to support non-profit organizations in the surrounding communities that we feel will continue to help so many.”

These groups include:

The City of Soda Springs – Ledger Creek Trail System. Land donated by Nutrien. At the meeting of the County Commissioners on Monday, mayor Paul Gritton and Director Dan Squires established a Memorandum of Understanding with the County to begin planning for the sand to be hauled to

the trail system, which should become another amazing asset to aid in the health of the community, and bring people outside to enjoy it.

The Soda Springs Parent Teacher Organization at Thirkill Elementary. A recent donation to the PTO from N.A. Degerstrom will allow them to maintain and even add to the annual events that the PTO finds add a lot of excitement to the lives of students at Thirkill. The recent Neon Nights event was able to be more ambitious than usual as a result, and PTO president Amanda Larsen expressed a great deal of gratitude for the planning cushion that the donation has given the organization.

Caribou County Sheriff’s Office – Funds for a new Drug Dog, in partnership with Nutrien. The County will begin training a new K-9 officer soon for use in a range of law enforcement applications. The K-9 will be training throughout the next months with the city (who enlisted a new K-9 officer last year), and will be out on the beat before you know it.

Friends of the Soda Springs Park. N.A. Degerstrom recently donated $7,000 toward the rebuilding of the basketball court at the City Park in Soda Springs. Their donation allowed

It was reported over the weekend that Soda Springs resident Mitch Peterson had been the winner of a 1 million dollar jackpot from a $50 lottery scratch ticket.

The ticket was purchased in early January, and not a completely under the radar secret, though it was not official until it had been verified by lottery officials.

“People were definitely talking about it,” store manager Kevin Sorensen said. “And a lot of people definitely came in to get scratch tickets after it got out.”

Sorensen himself was contacted by Maverik representatives later in January, and in the meantime he has observed nothing by good will and

the Friends of the Park and the City to split the remainder of the construction costs for a re-do of the basketball courts, which should add to the Fourth of July festivities, among other things, dramatically this year. See accompanying article for more information on this donation.

N.A. Degerstrom has also partnered with and donated to a number of other groups and causes, including Get Outside And Live (GOAL), Caribou Field Archers, Bear Lake Education Foundation – FFA program, the City of Bancroft – Partnered with LCR Crane and Transport/Morco Construction, and more.

As representatives of N.A. Degerstrom said in a public facing post, “In our departure, we hope you enjoy the contributions, and we hope everyone remains safe and prospers well. N.A. Degerstrom has a bright future, and we invite you to follow us on Facebook to see the other amazing things we are doing and other job opportunities.”

Representatives also expressed a hope to return to the area again sometime in the future, and advised that they would keep an eye out for future opportunities to do so.

kind words for the winners.

Mitch and Tasha Peterson are reportedly not particularly frequent lottery ticket buyers, which makes the win especially out of the blue. While the Powerball and Megamillions Jackpots tend to lead to spikes in ticket sales, the odds against winning one of them is astronomical. The odds of winning a million dollar scratch prize are not quite as long, but still an amazingly rare feat.

Congratulations to the Petersons, and may their luck continue to be amazing whatever they have in mind for the future!

Team USA Shines — and Struggles — at the 2026 Winter Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games continue to deliver dramatic results for the United States as athletes compete across multiple disciplines in the early days of competition. Team USA secured a mixed doubles curling final berth after Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse upset the Italian reigning champions 9-8 in a tense semifinal, guaranteeing at least a silver medal and a shot at gold against Sweden. In figure skating, U.S. competitors delivered standout performances, with Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea playing a key role in helping the American squad capture the Olympic team event gold. The spotlight also remained on alpine skiing, where Breezy Johnson captured Team USA’s first gold of the Games in the women’s downhill, narrowly edging out Germany’s Emma Aicher. The emotional triumph came amid a harrowing moment when skiing legend Lindsey Vonn suffered a severe leg injury in her own downhill run, underscoring the high stakes and risks of elite winter sport.

Seahawks Claim Super Bowl LX Title in Dominant Fashion Sports & Culture — U.S. — In one of the nation’s biggest non-Olympic sports headlines, the Seattle Seahawks clinched their second Super Bowl title, defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX. The Seahawks’ victory was highlighted by a powerful defensive performance that stifled New England’s offense and an MVP showing from running back Kenneth Walker III, who amassed 135 yards on the ground. Quarterback Sam Darnold also delivered a milestone performance with over 200 passing yards and a touchdown, capping a season of resilience and high expectations. It was a great day for Seahawks fans, and people who can’t get enough complaining about halftime shows, as there were at least three to complain about, including the Puppy Bowl (which seemed staged).

Guthrie kidnap drama continues Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing from her Tucson, Arizona home on January 31 and authorities believe she was taken against her will. Evidence at the residence — including blood matching her DNA — has strengthened that assessment. A multi-agency investigation is underway, led by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI, which has established a 24/7 command post and is offering a $50,000 reward for information. Despite alleged ransom demands reported in the media, the FBI says it has not confirmed continued communication between the family and suspected kidnappers and no suspects or persons of interest have been identified.

The Guthrie family has made emotional public pleas, saying they are willing to pay and urging anyone with information to come forward. One individual was arrested for sending a fake ransom note, but authorities caution that the legitimacy of other messages remains under review.

Lions efforts looms large in Caribou County

Lions Clubs are extremely important civic organizations across the country, and indeed internationally. Caribou County is fortunate enough to have at least three chapters, with Grace, Bancroft and Soda Springs all being represented. We are hoping to speak with the representatives from Bancroft and Grace very soon, but had the pleasure of meeting with the Soda Springs Lions last week.

According to President Ted Young, the Lions typically meet at one of the outdoor locations which has been created, worked on, or maintained by the Lions outdoors. The pavilion/banquet area at Hooper Springs is probably the most visible of those places, though certainly not the only one.

Being winter, however, the Lions opt for a warmer den. Last week, they held the first meeting of its type at the new Grumpy Guy’s Pizza location on Main Street in downtown Soda Springs. The executive members of the Club—Ted Young, Greg Torgesen, Gary Warren, Marilyn Warren and Randy Johnson (mysteriously not pictured, though we promise he was present)—all came together to discuss the Club’s business and begin preparing for the year’s many events.

During the meeting, it was determined that the chapter dates back to July 13, 1949.

The Lions Club is involved in a lot

of events throughout the year, with the most high profile probably being the Distinguished Young Women event held in the spring, grilling food for the Fourth of July and other community holidays, Trunk r’ Treat, Patriotic Essay contests, and a range of ongoing charitable work. The Lions also donate, support, or fundraise for various high school clubs, the Food Bank, the Library, the hospital,

The Distinguished Young Women just held their initial orientation meeting at the end of January, under the direction of Myra Leatherman. The program allows high school juniors to compete for academic scholarships and hone their interpersonal skills and talents in the course of the competition. The result is a good head start for the women as they head into their senior years and start looking at college and post-high school programs. The scholarships that create that headstart are provided through the fundraising efforts of the Lions Club, who are one of the program’s most critical sponsors.

The Lions are currently coordinating donations to the DYW program, with an eye toward a March 28 donation deadline for sponsors, in order for them to be fully included in the DYW program and materials.

While DYW is the flashiest of the events the Lions are involved with, a walk around most communities in Car-

ibou County will bring the Lions Logo to your eye more than you might at first think. Donation boxes for eyeglasses (one of the things the Lions are most noted for internationally) greet you just as you enter Caribou Medical Center, for instance. Plaques affixed to out-

door recreation building proudly attest to the work and legacy of the Lions. Perfect Fourth of July food after the parade comes courtesy of a friendly Lion. And so on. As the year rolls on, we’ll check in with the Lions in the various Dens and keep you posted!

Grumpy Guys Pizza brings the neighbor to the neighborhood

Grumpy Guys Pizza has been operating in Soda Springs for over a year, with their original location in the orange building on the highway into town. Near the first of the year, they officially moved downtown, more or less across from courthouse and library.

The move has been a good one, and so has the word of mouth about their food. “I like it a lot over here. It’s a lot more roomy,” Manager Jeremy Banks said. “A lot more room in the kitchen, a lot more room to move around. A lot more room to place people.”

Since the move at the end of last year, anecdotal reports are that business has effectively doubled, especially since the Grand Opening on January 30. “We were making twenty-five to thirty orders a day,” Banks said. “Now we do more the seventy on average.”

Diner Bill McClusky echoed praise

for the move, and the food. “This location is a lot easier to get to. But either way, this is the best pizza in town! Large variety—good menu.”

That sentiment is widely shared, it would seem, as the phone rings nearly nonstop, and Jeremy’s trips from the counter to the kitchen are a full pedometer’s worth.

The expanded size also allows for groups to meet and eat in a central downtown location. Last Thursday, for instance, the members of the Lions Club met for their monthly meeting, and a number of other groups have similar plans in the future.

In addition to pizzas, which owners Camille and Shane Petersen are continually working on perfecting, Grumpy Guys’ menu includes Calzones, pasta, “Pizza Bowls” (or “Crustless Pizza”), and a variety of

sandwiches (from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), with the chance the more items will be added down the road.

As it is, the offerings are pretty extensive, and include gluten-free options, as well as accommodations for other dietary restrictions. On the other hand, Grumpy Guys also offers a 28 inch pizza “Big Guy” pizza starting at $43. It’s a lot of pizza. Talk of a food challenge has been floated, but the details have not been locked in yet.

Along with the other eateries on Main Street, Grump Guys brings a nice neighborhood feel to the downtown blocks, and adds to the options that hungry eaters, and even families full of them have while spending time in the area.

Grumpy Guys hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. They did offer to-go

orders for the Superbowl, which was good news to a lot of people.

The Petersens also run the Idan-ha Theatre just down the road from the pizzeria, and the two are obviously well suited to the locations. “After a movie, you get a pizza—what could be better?” first-time Grump Guys diner Erin Gray said. “I was just driving through and looking for somewhere to get a bite. This is really cool!”

The Petersens were recognized for their contributions to Main Street over the summer when the geyser was officially re-opened, and they were invited as guests of honor for the re-unveiling. At the time, City Councilman Paul Gritton noted that it was business owners like the Petersens who will lead the way to maintaining and expanding the charms of downtown Soda Springs. So far, so good, as they say.

Office Manager for The Idaho Enterprise!

Do you know & love our community? We are looking for an organized & reliable person with great interpersonal skills. You would be the face & voice of our paper in Caribou County!

Daily responsibilities:

• Talking to Our Community: Be the main point of contact for local businesses who advertise with us; and reach out to those not advertising with us.

• Subscriptions: Maintaining current & new subscriptions.

• Running the Office: Files, invoices, deposits, paper runs, mail, etc. Computer Skills: GSuite, Docs, spreadsheets (a love of writing would be a plus)

Email your resume & pay requirements to: People@TheCityJournals.com

Legislative Updates - Week Four

Senator Mark Harris, LD35 Rep. Josh Wheeler

Both the House and the Senate passed the Tax Conformity Bill, House Bill 559 (HB559), this week and is now headed to the Governor’s desk. This bill adopts personal and corporate tax changes implemented by the One Big Beautiful Bill enacted by Congress last summer. It includes deductions for tips and overtime income among other things. By passing this legislation, Idaho will see a reduction of around $155 million for this fiscal year and $175 million for next fiscal year. Governor Little has recommended not making the tax retroactive to 2025 but rather start in 2026. However, H559 is retroactive and will affect 2025 tax deductions. H559 also restricts Idaho businesses from using research and development expenses for the state’s tax credit and federal deductions. Passage of this Bill will now allow the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) to have a good idea of what the budget will be and enable them to begin their work proposing legislation. Passing H559 will enable our accountants across the state to be able to complete the tax preparation process before the April deadline.

As for the state budget, there are still concerns regarding potential

cuts in Medicaid and other state revenues. JFAC this week proposed another one to two percent cut across the board over what the Governor proposed. We are told, however, that further cuts to Medicaid and Education will not be considered for now. We will see how this progresses as the session moves forward.

The current cuts to Medicaid and declining insurance reimbursements have contributed somewhat to one of our hospitals in our district facing possible closure. Teton Valley Health Care in Driggs has laid off 26 employees and has closed its infusion clinic. This is troubling because if the hospital closes, people in Teton County will have to travel up to an hour and half away to get health care. It is also troubling to lose those 26 people who are needed in their community. There are other small rural hospitals in Idaho facing the same dilemma.

To help with this problem, Idaho was awarded $960 million over 5 years or $186 million per year from the Rural Health Transformation Program from Congress. This week, legislation was introduced to help the legislature set up a method of disbursing these funds across Idaho to those rural hospitals that need this assistance. I have been involved in this effort, and I am hopeful we can begin to implement this program sooner rather than later. Our small rural hospitals are critical to our communities.

Representative Mike Veile

A critical vote occurred Friday, February 6th on the HCR 25 which is the Convention of States Article 5 for a federal balanced budget amendment. This vote passed 36/34 so it was as close as it gets. While there was significant concern about potential negatives from a Convention, my reasoning for my support for this is our existential federal deficit. The potential risks from a bad convention are overshadowed by the clear and present danger to our country from an unrestrained federal deficit. This message needs to be sent to congress to fix our deficit and that

guided my vote.

The Senate now takes up this vote. It takes both the Senate and the House to affirm this convention for Idaho to join the call of states for a convention. Also, the Governor does not play a role in this.

Also, this week the conformity bill passed. This makes Idaho tax policy with regards to items such as taxing overtime or tips, for example, conform to that of federal tax policy established from the One Big Beautiful Bill. This is a $155 M additional tax cut to many individual Idahoans, and it is retroactive to 2025. This makes the current tax year which we are in even more challenging to close the budget gaps. However, I supported this bill as it would be confusing to have differing tax policies for state and

Picture the ranch

BY ALLISON ELIASON

When most people think about managing a ranch, they picture tractors, horses, and sturdy fences. Rarely do they imagine the device already sitting in their pocket—the one used to check messages or scroll social media—as a serious ranching tool. Yet over the past few years, I’ve learned that a simple phone camera can be one of the most powerful allies on the range.

Turning my phone camera into a digital assistant, filing system, and archive wasn’t intentional. It happened almost by accident. We realized one day that snapping a picture of an old cow on the range was the easiest way to remember her tag number later when we wanted to make notes. We didn’t delete the photo, and soon we found ourselves going back to it—not just to check her number, but to assess her body condition, the available forage, and even the weather at that time of year. It quickly became a quiet gold mine of information, useful in ways we never expected. As we scrolled back through photos, we could identify dates, locations, and conditions of our cattle throughout the year— details that proved valuable for future management decisions. Many of the photos were never taken with

Week four of the legislative session brought a noticeable shift from preparation to action. Several of my bills moved through committee this week, including legislation dealing with epinephrine dosing in schools and cardiac arrest emergency response plans. These are practical, common-sense measures focused on student safety and emergency preparedness, and I was encouraged by the thoughtful discussion around them.

Looking ahead, the budget conversation will begin to move into high gear next week. As those discussions ramp up, I’ve grown increasingly concerned about some proposed cuts that, in my view, are ill-advised—one example being the Bear Lake Regional Commission. My goal will be to approach budget decisions with a steady hand, protecting programs that provide real value while still being fiscally responsible.

This week also featured some fascinating and wide-ranging debates on the House floor, including discussions around a balanced budget amendment, public lands man -

agement, and broader governance questions. It was encouraging to see a bill dealing with bullying move forward—an issue that deserves continued attention and thoughtful policy responses.

I also want to highlight the good work being done by Idaho’s mining industry. Responsible resource development continues to play an important role in our state’s economy, particularly in rural communities. At the same time, I remain hopeful that we can make progress on attainable housing solutions by removing unnecessary regulatory burdens that slow down building and increase costs across Idaho.

Next week is shaping up to be another intense one. We’re expecting heavy debate on short-term rental policy, as well as several immigration-related bills. While immigration is largely a federal issue, these discussions often generate strong opinions, and I’ll be watching closely how proposed state actions intersect with that broader framework.

As always, I appreciate the engagement and feedback from constituents, and I’ll continue to keep you updated as the session moves forward.

Sincerely, Josh Wheeler

Idaho State Representative

federal and a departure from historical precedent with Idaho conforming. Certainly, Idahoans would feel cheated if they were not able to participate in these tax cuts.

We in District 35 continue to talk about the challenges for Teton Valley Hospital. If you are not familiar, they have had to lay off staff as they do not have enough revenue and cash on hand. One approach we have talked about and legislation I am proposing is to establish a Rural Hospital Emergency Fund. Ideally, this would be funded from the federal Rural Health Transformation funds that were granted also under the One Big Beautiful Bill. This would be a very low interest loan so that a revolving fund could be perpetually established. I am seeking input from the Hospital Association

and if we can utilize the funds for this purpose. Additionally, I am seeking support for this legislation from other legislators and the relevant committee.

Education remains one of my highest priorities. We have not had a lot of legislation in the education committee as of yet. We also are not aware of if and where any education funding cuts will come from. While we know that some funding cuts to online programs are proposed, that has not been drafted in a bill yet. I will be diligent in following this. Again, please communicate with your email and not through email click services. I need to know if you are in my district and how to respond. Automated emails go into our junk email and we can’t reply to them.

data collection in mind. They were pictures of the kids working, a good set of cattle, or a beautiful day on the ranch. That’s when it clicked: my phone wasn’t just capturing memories. It was capturing data, patterns, and insights that could improve decision-making across the operation.

One of the simplest ways a phone camera becomes a ranching tool is by documenting pasture conditions. A photo taken in early spring might reveal forage growth that’s slower than usual. Another taken midseason can show how different areas respond to grazing pressure or rainfall. Over time, these images create a visual timeline of each pasture’s performance—something you can reference year after year.

Similarly, photos of the herd, a pair, or even a single animal can be used to document body condition or health concerns. Comparing later photos helps determine whether condition has improved or if new management tactics are needed.

What makes these photos even more valuable is the data embedded in them. Most phones automatically tag images with the date, time, and location, allowing you to pinpoint exactly where a pasture struggled or when a water source was leaking. Taking it a step further, you can manually add notes or keywords—

such as herd ID, pasture name, or weather conditions—turning a simple snapshot into a complete data point. Together, the image and its metadata become a digital record of the ranch, capturing details that are easy to overlook in the rush of daily work.

Photos are also invaluable for equipment maintenance and repairs. They create a digital trail— documenting parts needed, recording how complex machinery comes apart, or even noting measurements before cuts are made—making breakdowns easier and repairs more efficient.

No rancher carries important contracts, acreage records, or herd counts in their back pocket. Accessing that information often means heading back to the office and digging through paperwork, costing valuable time. Having photos of those documents on your phone allows you to reference them instantly, right there in the corral where decisions are being made.

Photos also improve communication. When the entire crew isn’t present, visual documentation keeps everyone on the same page. Images speed up problem-solving and help clarify conversations about grazing rotations, herd management, or infrastructure priorities.

Taking photos is a good first step, but organizing them is what truly unlocks their value. Start by creating folders—by herd, pasture, or purpose—so information is easy to find. Locating one specific cow among a few dozen photos is far easier than searching through months of scattered images.

Next, add context. While a photo alone can jog your memory, even a brief note makes a big difference. Include details about the cattle drive, concerns about an animal, or the weather conditions that day. Finally, consistency matters. Taking a few extra moments to snap photos and organize them is the difference between an archive full of meaningful information and a collection that offers only limited insight.

Ranching is full of moments that don’t feel flashy but matter more than we often realize. Just like monitoring pasture rotations, tracking herd health, or staying ahead of maintenance, taking a few photos quietly builds a foundation for better decisions. Sometimes the smallest, simplest actions—like snapping a photo—end up being the most impactful. And the best part? That tool— your phone camera—is already in your pocket.

Literacy Month at Thirkill Elementary

One of the N.A. Degerstrom donations that had an immediate impact was its $10,000 donation to the Thirkill PTO. The funds will help to supplement those raised throughout the year, and which are used to help purchase in-class activities and supplies, support teacher programs and classroom needs, provide for teacher and staff snacks, and bring in exciting programming throughout the year. Last week, the PTO was able to bring in the Jorgesens with SRD Reptiles to give an educational presentation on reptiles. After ward, the snakes and turtles stuck around for a Literacy night program where students were able to read with animals. In addition to the reptiles, service dogs, and even a pony were available to hear a nice story!

Following a courageous battle for more than 20 years with chronic myelocytic leukemia, Heavenly Father called Lionel Ray Kelley (68, Ogden, Utah) home on February 3, 2026.

He was born in Ogden, Utah to Clarence and Iris Call Kelley March 11,1957. He attended schools in Ogden and Huntsville, graduating from Weber High in 1975. He lived in Ogden Utah, Grace Idaho, and Seattle Washington. He worked for Utah Power and Light (Idaho), Union Pacific Railroad (Utah), and IRS (Utah). He enjoyed skiing, especially at Snow Basin and Powder Mountain in Ogden Canyon. Lionel married Tamra Lee Clark on May 7, 2021, who survives him. He was preceded in death by his parents and Stepmother Eloise “Cookie” Kelley; his brothers: Keith (Marilyn) Kelley, Jerry Kelley, David (Patty) Hainline, Steven Hainline; his sisters: Edith Graham, Verlyn (Jeff) Imes, Lori (Robert) Thompson; and several nieces and nephews. Survivors include siblings William “Bill” (Nancy) Kelley, Cora (William “Bill”, deceased)

Bosley, Shirley (Bourke, deceased) Tarbet, Allan Kelley, Barry Kelley, Clarence Jr (VaDawn) Kelley, Leslie (Danny) Harger, Lanell (Shane) Kay, Mother-in-Law Maxine (David, deceased) Clark, and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside Services will be held on February 14, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Fairview Cemetery in Soda Springs, Idaho where he will then be interred next to his mother Iris.

Arrangements will be provided by Sims Funeral Home.

HEALTHY TIP FOR KIDS Stand Up for What You Believe

Hi kids this is Cowboy Ted with the Healthy Tip for Kids. Today’s topic is stand up for what you believe.

Kid’s personalities are individual and unique and also shaped by your personal belief system.

The opinions and beliefs of your parents, friends and people you admire contribute to your belief system. But, what you decide to make part of your own personality and belief system is entirely up to you.

Many people strongly believe in the rights and freedoms we enjoy in America. They show this belief by flying the American flag on holidays on the 4th of July and Sept. 11th Some fly the flag everyday

Some kids think it is important to stand up for smaller kids and stand up against bullies. Others want to protect the earth or value their religion or spirituality.

I encourage you to Decide what’s important to you and stand up for what you believe.

Healthy kids are no accident. Stand up for what you believe.

For more healthy tips for kids visit my web site at cowboy ted.com

e Idaho Enterprise - Caribou County Edition P.O. Box 331 Soda Springs, Idaho 83276 (U.S.P.S. -- 090-560) ISSN: 2997-1004

The Idaho Enterprise - Caribou County Edition is published weekly at 76 South Main Street, Ste. 207, Soda Springs, Idaho. Postmaster, please mail address corrections to: The Idaho Enterprise, P.O. Box 331, Soda Springs, Idaho 83276. Entered as “periodicals” at the Soda Springs, Idaho Post Office. Subscription rates are strictly in advance -- $55.00 per

Itafos is the new Summer Reading sponsor Renewal Notice

The Summer reading program at the Soda Springs library is one of if not the most successful programs of the calendar year, bringing in a veritable mob of enthusiastic kids every year to participate in a range of activities throughout the summer months.

“Every year, it seems like it gets bigger than ever,” Library Director Hope Hansen stated to the city council during a recent meeting. With that growth comes expanded costs and an deep-seated desire to make sure that every year is as amazing as it can possibly be.

Monsanto/Bayer has been a longtime sponsor of the program, but the summer reading torch has now been passed to Itafos, who recently presented the library with a check for $5,000 to be used toward keeping the program up and going. The funds help to provide for the costs of the programming, which includes materials, activities, and everything else that it takes to put on a successful event over the course of several months.

“We are very excited to be doing this,” Itafos’ Ben Goode stated at a

check presentation last week. Children’s librarian Dorajo Messerly was possibly even more excited. “This is just truly outstanding,” she told representatives. “Thank you so much!”

“Dorajo is a literal magician when it comes to summer reading,” Director Hansen said, a sentiment everyone agrees with.

Due to continued support from companies like Itafos and community groups of all kinds, Caribou County continues to be an amazing place to have a childhood, and ultimately, a child.

While summer is as yet a ways off, the library currently has copies of “The Anxious Generation,” which is the main adult book on the shelf for the community reading program. A discussion will take place in April to discuss the contents and issues raised. A presentation on children and the internet was held last week at the Idan-ha Theatre to introduce the overall topic.

Coming up even sooner is the Stuffed Animal Sleepover. Kids can drop off of animals for the sleepover on February 26 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the library.

BRAIN TEASERS

The following day, a breakfast and storytime session will be held at 9:30 a.m. and also at 11:00 a.m. to make sure everyone who wants to is able to attend the party and find out just exactly what their stuffed animals got up to over the night. The event is sponsored by Guardian Realty and Soda Smiles.

We are extremely grateful to all of our subscribers as we approach our second anniversary of serving Caribou County. As that time draws closer, many of you should be receiving a white mail envelope containing a renewal notice. The envelope is sent out by a third party, and is labeled “Newspaper Management Services” rather than “Idaho Enterprise,” but inside should contain accurate address and subscription information for your account. Before you toss any incoming mail out, take a second to check for our renewal notice (which can get mistaken for mass mailing). If you think you should have received a renewal and haven’t, don’t hesitate to call 208-766-4773 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and ask about your subscription status. If you would like to start a new subscription, the same number at the same times will work!

EVENT CALENDARS

SODA SPRINGS

February 15 – Sunday Presbyterian Services

February 16 – Monday No School - Presidents Day

February 17 – Tuesday

GSSCDC

BBB Districts

February 18 – Wednesday

City Council

MS BBB vs Malad

February 19 – Thursday

MS BBB @ American Falls

BBB Districts

GBB State Tournament @ Kuna Wrestling Districts @ Grace

February 13 – Friday

BBB vs Butte *Senior Night*

February 14 – Saturday

GBB District (If Needed)

February 15 – Sunday

LDS Services

Caribou Bible Church (2pm)

February 16 – Monday No School - Presidents Day

February 17 – Tuesday

BBB District

February 18 – Wednesday JH BBB Vs West Side

February 19 – Thursday

GBB State @ Nampa

Wrestling Boys District @ Grace JH BBB @ Bear Lake

BANCROFT

February 13 – Friday

BBB Districts

February 14 – Saturday

BBB Districts

February 15 – Sunday

LDS Services

February 16 – Monday No School - Presidents Day

MSBBB vs AHCS

February 18 – Wednesday

BBB Districts

February 19 – Thursday

Wrestling Districts @ Grace MSBBB vs Clark

CARIBOU COUNTY SENIOR CITIZENS' MENU

Every meal served with Juice/Milk/Coffee

Feb 13 - BBQ Chicken, Church Potatoes, Cauliflower, Peaches, Sourdough Bread, Red Velvet Cake

BIRTHDAYS

Valerie Bolton, Feb.1

Mark Tompson, Feb. 3

Roger Moore, Feb. 4

Amelia Mae Crump, Feb. 6

LaRae Rasmussen, Feb. 7

Betty Moore, Feb. 7

JoAnn Rhodes, Feb. 11

Ulla Soderman, Feb. 12

Greg Elam, Feb. 13

Jan Barnes, Feb. 14

Dawn Briggs, Feb. 14

Margaret Barker, Feb. 15

Charley Davis, Feb. 19

Feb 18 - Roast Beef, Mashed Potato w/Gravy, Bananas, Nutella Cheesecake

LUNCH MENUS

SODA SPRINGS LUNCH MENU

Lunches served with Fruit, Veggies & Milk

Monday, February 16

NO SCHOOL! - Presidents Day!

Tuesday, February 17

Crispitos, Tortilla Chips, Fruit, Veggies

Wednesday, February 18

Taco, Refried Beans, Fruit, Veggies

Thursday, February 19

Uncrustable, Chips, Fruit, Veggies

NORTH GEM LUNCH MENU

Milk and Choice of Bar Each Day

Monday, February 16

No School! Presidents Day

Tuesday, February 17

Mini Corndogs, Smothered Burritos, Deli Bar, Broccoli/Cauliflower Bake, Fruit Jello Cups

Blair Smith, Feb. 19

Clay Gentry, Feb. 22

Richard Hansen, Feb. 22

Barbara Hamilton, Feb. 23

Patsy Tarbet, Feb. 26

Mike Cannon, Feb. 28

If you would like to add yourself, your kids, loved one, friend or family member to our weekly birthday list, contact Sherrie at 208-766-4773 or email sherrie.w@idahoenterprise.com

Wednesday, February 18

Super Nachos, Deli Bar, Seasoned Black Beans, Mixed Fruit

Thursday, February 19

Pizza Rippers, Deli Bar, Tossed Caesar Salad, Aloha Smoothie

GRACE LUNCH MENU

Lunches served with Milk

Monday, February 16

No School! Presidents Day

Tuesday, February 17

Soft Shell Taco, Churro, Food Choices - Refried Beans, Corn, Mandarin Oranges

Wednesday, February 18

Breakfast, Food Choices - Fresh Veggies, Peaches

Thursday, February 19

Corn Dog, Mac & Cheese, Food Choices - Green Beans, Pears

ON THIS DAY

1870 Utah becomes the second territory in the United States to pass a law allowing women to vote, after Wyoming in 1869

1879 First artificial ice rink in North America at Madison Square Garden, NYC

1909 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) forms

1941 First injection of penicillin into a patient by British physician Charles Fletcher at Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford, England

1959 The Lincoln Memorial design on the U.S. penny goes into circulation. It replaces the “sheaves of wheat’ design

1981 Pete Squires of Yonkers, New York, sets record for running 1575 steps up to 86th floor of the Empire State Building, in 10 minutes 59 seconds

1993 Comedy film “Groundhog Day” opens across the US starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, directed by Harold Ramis

1994 “The Scream” by Norwegian painter Evard Munch (1893 pastel version) is stolen in Oslo

2001 NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft land in the “saddle” region of 433 Eros, becoming the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid

2007 A gunman opens fire in a mall in Salt Lake City, killing five people in the Trolly Square shooting

2016 Marvel superhero film “Deadpool” starring Ryan Reynolds is released

2019 Rare black panthers are spotted for the first time in nearly 100 years in Laikipia County Kenya

LOOKING BACK AT PAGES FROM THE PAST

The following stories are summarized from past issues of the Caribou County Sun over the last fifty plus years. The Enterprise thanks Mark Steele for permission to use the contents, and the Grace Public Library for access to the archives.

2011

In what may have been a surprise to some in District 31, Republican Precinct Committee met and chose John Tippets, Neal Larson, and Mark Harris as the three names to be sent to Gov. Butch Otter as a replacement to fill the vacated seat of Sen. Bob Geddes for the next two years. There were 37 precinct committeemen present out of the 48 precincts in the district, which includes Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin, Teton, and Bonneville Counties. Geddes resigned his senate position after he was appointed two weeks ago by the governor to chair the Idaho State Tax Commission. Rep. Marc Gibbs of Grace immediately announced his intentions of seeking the senate appointment and was thought by many to have the inside track if he made the list of three that is sent to the governor, who then selects one of those for the appointments within the 15 days.

John Tippets, 59, of Bennington in Bear Lake County served in the House for some 12 years before not seeking re-election after his term in 2000. He works for Agrium in Conda.

Neal Larson, 56, is from Preston and is a former mayor of that city. Preston is in Franklin County.

Mark Harris is a cattle rancher from Eight Mile in Bear Lake County and has been involved in Republican activities at a local level.

The meeting for the District 31 Republican Committee was held in Pocatello Friday night. Others nominated by not successful were Roy Bunderson, Bloomington, Tony Goe, Teton Valley, Jim McCulloch of Soda Springs, Chick Heileson, Iona, and Marc Gibbs of Grace. Whoever receives the appointment by the governor will serve the nearly two-year unexpired term of Geddes and would presumably stand for election in the primary in 2012.

The Soda Springs Veterans Honor Guard achieved certification on Jan 22 from the Department of Defense, as an authorized provider in the military funeral honors program.

The Soda Springs Veterans Honor Guard is an all volunteer group of VFW Post 9141 and American Legion Post 62 members, who conduct local miliary graveside honors for veterans’ funerals. As directed by Congress, the Authorized Provider Partnership Program allows members of veteran’s organizations to participate with the Armed Forces in providing military funeral honors. According to Cpt. (Ret) Bob Falen, Soda Springs Veterans Honor Guard officer in charge, “This partnership of veterans groups together with the Armed Forces members at graveside allows us to provide more funeral honors elements than we could by ourselves. That, and our additional training and practice has clearly enhanced the quality of continuity of honor and respect shown for our deceased veterans.” Prior to the AP3 certification of the Honor Guard, members received training in military funeral honors, firing party procedures, and flag presentation ceremonies. In addition to demonstrating proficiency in these areas, they also demonstrated compliance with Dept. of Defense standards for all funeral ceremonies.

At their Jan 19 city meeting, Grace Mayor Charles Titcomb and the city council and employees presented outgoing zoning chair Bruce Silvermail with a plaque in appreciation for his many years of service. Mayor Titcomb than administered the oath of office to Wayne Alder as the newly appointed chairman of the Zoning Commission.

Every year the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare sends the hospital the latest book of vital statistics. The 2009 figures were as follows: population was 6,914,

which was up 1.3 percent from 2008. Soda Springs’ population was 3,101, which was up 1 percent from 2008. Grace’s population was 956, up 1.8 percent, and Bancroft’s population was 349, up 1.4 percent from 2008. The county’s population by race and ethnicity were 99.3 percent white in 2009. The white-hispanic population increased 18.8 percent over the year in question. Caribou County had 124 residents age 85 and older; 37 men and 87 women, which was 1.8 percent of the population. Statewide, the percentage is the same. Fifteen percent of Caribou Coun ty residents were 65 years of older, whereas 12 percent of Idaho residents were in that age range. There were a total of 96 births in 2009, a 9.3 percent decrease over the year. (Idaho has an agreement with other states, including Utah, so all babies born to Caribou County residents, even out of state, are included in the above number.). We had a 13.9 birth rate per 1,000 population, compared with 15.3 statewide. The adequacy of pre-natal care is reported with the birth certificate information sent to the state. During 2009, only 8.4 percent of Caribou County mothers had inadequate pre-natal care, compared with 14.6 percent of mothers in Idaho. No Caribou County babies were listed as having no pre-natal care at all. Thirty five percent of Caribou County mothers had at least a high school diploma or GED in 2009, whereas statewide it was 25 percent.

From birth certificates, the top ten names given to Idaho girls were Olivia, Emma, Isabella, Sophia, Addison, Elizabeth, Abigail, Emily, Ava, and Madison and for boys Logan, Jacob, Wyatt, William, Noah, Aiden, Mason, Alexander, and Jackson. Also listed as names from the year were Byrkli, Clarixxa, Daquiri, Fayte, Gyzzelle, and Tottie. For boys, unusual names included Evol, Jaxxon, Noall, Oz, Sabyr, and Zebedee.

During 2009, there were a total of 70 deaths for Caribou County residents, a 10.1 rate, compared with a 7.2 rate for all of Idaho. The state statistics also recorded 44 marriages and 26 divorces for Caribou County. Idaho residents who are married in other states are not included in Idaho statistics, unlike births.

During 2009, in Caribou County there were 21 deaths from heart disease and 15 deaths due to cancers. Accidents claimed the lives of 10 residents, two from Alzheimer’s and one from a stroke.

Saturday evening at the Gem Valley Performing Arts Center was the perfect blend of a pre-show Valentine dessert bar hosted by GVPAC Committee members and friends and the professional talents of the Perfect Gentlemen. According to Mary Obray, “Selecting performers to appeal to a varied age-spectrum audience as well as keeping the material family-friendly are universal criteria for every presentation comprising the six show concert seasons. The Perfect Gentlemen were considered a perfect fit when this writer viewed their showcase at the Northwest Arts Alliance booking conference in Boise…The Perfect Gentlemen’s performance was unanimously first rate!”

1976

An armed robbery was reported to the Caribou County Sheriff’s Office Sunday night at the E-Z Way in Grace. According to Sheriff Ralph Marriott a man wearing green coveralls and a green baseball cap entered the store about 6:45 p.m. He pulled a pistol on Mr. and Mrs. Kent Corbett, managers of the store, and walked away with approximately $1,200 in cash, currency, and checks. Marriott said the robber told them to stay there for five minutes and not come out. “He told them he hadn’t killed anyone but would.” The sheriff said there were two deputies at the scene within minutes of the call. Attempts by the law enforcement officers in Southeast Idaho to set up roadblocks

failed in the apprehension of any suspects the night of the robbery, The Sheriff’s Office is continuing the investigation.

The Western Auto Store in Soda Springs was burglarized during the early morning hours Tuesday, Feb 3, and lost approximately $460 according to initial estimate. The loss was mainly in merchandise and a small amount of cash. Police Chief Blynn Wilcox said his office was contacted about 5:30 a.m. when someone noticed the rear door of the store open. Entry had been gained by gained by breaking a rear window and crawling through. The person or persons then exited out the rear door. According to the police department, other tools, rifles, and merchandise had been set aside but apparently the burglar or burglars were scared away. Items taken included a 20 gauge shotgun, rifle scopes, pocket knives, a CB radio, fishing supplies, a bicycle, and shelves.

The Artic Circle in Soda Springs was also broken into on Sunday and Monday nights. The door had been kicked in, according to Wilcox. A calculator was taken Sunday night and it appeared the burglar had helped themselves to something to eat both Sunday and Monday.

Completion of the sale of Bob’s Café last week ended a long history for the business. First

National Bank of Grace purchased the building and plans are being finalized to include the space into the bank facilities for their bookkeeping department. Owned by Bob and Mona Hill the business has served people of Grace for 29 years—30 years next November. Main Street won’t seem the same for those who have supported this fine business over the years and enjoyed the friendly meeting place for good food and sociability.

Construction is nearing completion of the third addition to the Mountain View Shopping Center, the Brass Lantern Pizza Parlor. According to Jerry Stoor, manager of the restaurant, scheduled opening will be later this month. The menu of the house will include, in addition to 15 varieties of pizza and eight sandwiches, Italian foods, such as lasagna, ravioli, and spaghetti. The menu will be extended in the near future to include tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and taco burgers. The inviting decor features a colonial brick wall and round open fireplace, highlighted by brass lanterns hung throughout the eating area. A multipurpose room, which can be closed off from the front area will be able to cater to groups and parties of about 50 persons. The remaining area will accommodate approximately 100 in booths and tables.

1965

Mr. Percy Beins and Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Williams of Grand Island, Nebraska, are visiting the Stuart Beins family.

May Miles, of Ogden, Utah, visited Wednesday at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hyram Miles.

A family dinner honoring Kim Barfuss on his 8th birthday anniversary, was enjoyed Sunday at his home. Guests we Mr. and Mrs. Lester Barfuss, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Griffith of Franklin, and Mr. and

Bruce Alder

1954

Skiing is getting better by the day at the course in Trail Canyon, members of the Soda Springs ski club reported this week.

Dinner guests of the Glenn Yosts Thursday were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Christopherson, their daughter Joan and son Joe, Jr. who will leave in the near future for Okinawa.

The David, Vince, and DeVerl Williams families visited in Logan and Clarkston, Utah, over the weekend with relatives and friends.

Mrs. Myrtle Hymas of Preston is visiting at the home of her daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Vince Wright.

1930

The St. Valentine’s day program, which was given by the school, was enjoyed by a large crowd. After the program a delicious luncheon was served by the Primary.

E. Largilliere motored to Montpelier on Sunday. While there, he took in a talkie.

Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Gates spent the weekend at Bailey Creek visiting Mrs. Gates’ mother, Mrs. Laura Moore. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkerson and little daughter Jean spent a pleasant day with the Grant Cummins family last week.

1905

Salt Lake paper are complaining of the cold when it is only seven degrees above zero. Wonder what they would do if they got a dose of forty-four below at 8:30 in the morning like we have here last Sunday.

A surprise party was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Largilliere last Saturday evening in honor of their son Edgar. Notwithstanding the extremely cold weather a sleigh load of people attended and were treated to a good time, consisting of music, games, a spider web and a good lunch.

IDAN-HA THEATRE

-INDOOR-

Thursday, February 12

Friday, February 13

Saturday, February 14

Solo Mio (PG)

A wedding disaster leaves a groom stranded in Rome, heartbroken in the world’s happiest city. However, with help from a determined local and a few meddling couples, his ruined honeymoon becomes an adventure that he never expected.

Thursday & Friday

6:00 p.m. & 8:15 p.m.

Saturday Matinee 2:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. (All seats $5)

Wednesday, February 18

6:00 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. (All seats $5)

LEGAL NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that IDAWY Solid Waste District (District) has submitted to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) a Final Design Application and Groundwater Monitoring Plan for the IDAWY Regional Landfill Facility (Facility) located at 348 Diamond Gulch, Georgetown, ID 83239 (42° 34' 59.6" N, 111° 28' 43.8'' W). The purpose of this application and plan is to provide final design information and a groundwater monitoring plan for the construction of a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Facility. This public notice is made pursuant to IDAPA 58.01.06.013, and as determined in Section 31-819 of Idaho Code. This application may be reviewed at the District office located at 241 S Main, Suite #3 Lower Left, Soda Springs, ID 83276, (208) 417-1625. Office hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, except holidays. An electronic copy can also be downloaded at: https://swti.org/regional. The public is invited to comment on the design application and the groundwater monitoring plan. The 30-day comment period commences with the first publication of this announcement starting the week of January 19, 2026. Written comments will be accepted during the public comment period and should be directed to DEQ at: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Pocatello Regional Office, Attn: Dustyn Walker, 444 Hospital Way #300 Pocatello, ID 83201.

#1197-01-22-29-02-05-12-1926-T5

Public / Legal NoticeRequest for Proposals

Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership (EICAP), the designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) serving Eastern Idaho, announces its intent to accept Requests for Proposals (RFP) from interested Providers as part of the merger of Area V and Area VI. This RFP is being issued to support a coordinated approach to service delivery across the region and to ensure continuity and consistency of services Eastern Idaho.

Request for proposals will be accepted for the following services in various locations within Bannock, Bingham, Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, and Power Counties: Congregate Meal Services, Home Delivered Meal Services, Homemaker, Chore and Respite Services

The RFP is intended to identify qualified providers with experience and capacity to support services under the merged structure. This process will help establish a pool of providers prepared to operate within a unified planning and oversight framework, while maintaining service continuity, quality, and local responsiveness. Issuing this RFP allows for thoughtful alignment of providers with future program needs and supports a smooth transition without disruption to individuals currently receiving services.

The Request for Proposal Guide and application materials are available on the AAA’s website at: https://www.eicap.org/ senior-services/. Providers may submit a proposal for one or more services in any or all of the designated communities/ counties. Contracts will be issued for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030.

Providers with questions

regarding the application packet should contact the AAA Contracts Manager, Erica Giles by telephone at (208) 5428179 or by e-mail at egiles@ eicap.org. An informational Provider’s Conference will be held at SICOG and via Teams on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 from 10 am-12 Noon.

After the Providers’ Conference is concluded, the AAA will not answer any questions or provide any additional information to a Provider. Providers must submit applications to the Eastern Idaho Area Agency on Aging, 935 E. Lincoln Rd., Idaho Falls, ID 83405 by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026.

Award announcements will be made on Friday, April 28, 2026. There will be a mandatory Provider’s Conference at EICAP on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 10:00 am to finalize awarded contracts.

EICAP/AAA provides programs, services, and employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, English proficiency, disability, sex, age, or marital status. Program eligibility requirements may apply where required by law or funding guidelines.

#1199-02-05-12-26-T2

CITY OF SODA SPRINGS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Mayor and City Council of the City of Soda Springs, Caribou County, Idaho, will hear comments from the public concerning the Wastewater Improvement Project –Threatened/Endangered Species and Fish Habitat at the City of Soda Springs at 5:10 PM on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Soda Springs City Hall, 9 West 2nd South, Soda Springs, Idaho.

The proposed project for the City of Soda Springs, located in Caribou County, aims to improve its wastewater system. The project consists of the following:

Trenchless pipe repair at pipe joints and Service Line Connections

• Install Ground water drainage system with discharge to surface water Seal manhole joints

• Construct a manhole at pipe intersections

• Update lift station#2 with high suction lift, dialer, and water level sensors

Trenchless pipe repair at lift station #3

Construct City-owned sewer lines

Remove and replace the pipe with 8” PVC

Copies of the proposed project are available at City Hall. All interested persons are invited to attend the hearing to express their views regarding this proposal. All people present shall be given the opportunity to be heard. Written comments may be submitted to the City Clerk, 9 West 2nd South, Soda Springs, Idaho, 83276.

Andrea Haderlie, Clerk-Treasurer

Any person needing special accommodations to participate in the above-noticed meeting should contact Soda Springs City Hall seven (7) days prior to the meeting by calling 547-2600.

Publish: February 5, 2026 & February 12, 2026 #1200

NEWS OF RECORD

CARIBOU COUNTY SHERIFF

Rylee Blatter, Ammon, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

Alfonso Centeno Perez, Salt Lake City, fail to register annually, $10.50, costs $56.50

Martin Antonio Guevara, Azusa, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

Faizal Khoja, Las Vegas, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs

$56.50

Ian Joseph McArthur, Wellsville, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

Travis R Mitchell, Shelley, fail to use safety restraint, $10.00

William Otto Peterson, Salt Lake City, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

Soda Springs City Council 2/4

The City Council of Soda Springs met for a regular meeting on Feb 4. The meeting included an agreement regarding the basketball courts at the City Park, a discussion of proposed work for the library building, citizen input on recent city actions, and department reports.

Library Remodel

Hope Hansen spoke on behalf of the Library, and noted that Friends of the Library president Beth Cheirett could not make it to the meeting. Hansen presented plans for a library remodel to the council. With the money the Friends have raised through their various endeavors, including the Festival of Trees, the group has been discussing the best ways to use it. Some of the primary ideas involved creating a conference room or meeting room area upstairs, and expanding accessibility. Cheirett had created a proposal for an “upper floor refresh,” which Hansen presented to the council.

The refresh would involve a phased plan, which would start with the purchase of quality, long-lasting furniture. From there, a wall off a corner upstairs to use as a meeting room for test takers and groups that need to meet quietly would be pursued. From that point forward, bookshelves, windows, accessibility, and other upgrades would be sought.

Councilman Larsen asked whether the library will have any problems with asbestos once they get around to remodeling, but it was not believed likely.

Council president Hart advised the library to look for any energy efficiency grants that could offset costs for windows and other items.

Friend of the Library member Kate Lauck noted that “We have enough money in the account to pay outright, so we’re not anticipating using city funds or library funds. The funds have been approved for use by the board.”

Paige Byram is the new library representative from the council and will keep in contact as the process moves forward.

The Library also announced that they will be holding Mini Golf night again, sponsored by Ireland Bank, March 9, from 3-7. Last year’s event was a fun day on which residents made their way through nine sponsored holes inside the library, with admission by donation. “It was really fun last year—really successful,” Hansen said. Sponsorships are still being taken and the library can be contacted by interested parties.

Friends of the Park

The Friends of the Library were followed by the Friends of the Park, who discussed a cost-sharing improvement to the Park’s basketball courts.

As a result of a donation from N.A. Degerstrom, the Friends were in a position of being close to initiating a project to restore the basketball court surfaces, provided the city would be willing to contribute along with them.

A report on the process and successful result of the meeting can be read in this edition.

The city suggested that it would be ready to start when the weather broke by pulling up the poles and backboards for work, and as of Monday, the poles had been pulled.

Public Input

During the public input session of the meeting, Kristen Skinner spoke on behalf of herself and her family. Her husband Alan Skinner served for nearly two decades in various capacities with the city of Soda Springs, up until the beginning of this year.

Kristen read from prepared remarks when she spoke to the council, expressing concerns about the way in which Alan’s tenure with the city was ended. She expressed the opinion that Alan had not resigned, but essentially been forced out by the new city administration. “He would have shook everyone’s hand and said goodbye,” Kristen said.

She listed the many projects and facets of the city that Alan had been involved with over the years, and reiterated his and her family’s love for the city.

Thomas Christophe Robert, Fort Collins, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50; fail to register annually, $10.50, costs $56.50

William Benjamin Rogers, Mercer Island, speeding, $33.50, costs

$56.50

Hayden Sidney Stoor, Cokeville, speeding, $33.50, cost $56.50

David Henry Thomson, Fruit Heights, speeding, $33.50, costs

$56.50

Gabriel J Vance, Rexburg, fail to register annually, $10.50, costs

$56.50

SODA SPRINGS POLICE

Arvin Lee Black, Draper, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

“To the many citizens who reached out to him, thank you,” Kristen Skinner said. She expressed frustration, on the other hand, with many of the negative complaints about city projects that she felt had been unwarranted and perhaps influenced the decision to end Skinner’s service with the city.

“Councilmembers should not give ear to that kind of talk…To all of you, may your leadership show more oversight and integrity. Your actions were dishonorable,” she said. “As I told you, my family loves Soda Springs. We love it here. We know that change is good. There are going to be people tear you apart when you’re doing nothing but trying your hardest and best. I want Soda Springs to blossom and bloom. But don’t ever forget to say thank you to those who got us to where we are today.”

Department Reports

The Employee Handbook revision was approved and adopted. A n updated version of the document has been in the works by city staff.

Newly appointed councilmember Daniel Larsen noted with a smile that he “was impressed with the breadth and depth of the emp handbook.”

PG: The roadside safety audit is coming up. Concerns were brought by a citizen about being hit at a crosswalk by Subway. ITD is going to do a roadside safety audit.

911 texts do go through

Recreation

Director Thurman noted that there are “a lot of awesome things going on,” including the last games for boys and girls basketball for the season. “It felt like Basketball went on for a very long time,” she laughed.

Less awesome was the announcement that the ice rink has been closed due to weather. Thurman and her team were concerned about safety and cutting up the liner below during warm weather. “For now, it is closed. That’s not something we wanted to do, close it right after it opened,” she said.

Back to awesome, they filled 40 of 44 chairs at the most recent open mic night at Enders. “Everyone loves the venue—we had people coming from Thatcher and Bancroft.” The next one will be on February 13 rather than 12, due to scheduling.

They are still trying to figure out adult NERF league,but will keep the public notified of its progress.

Chief Dan Squires

Fire turnouts have been ordered. They are on their way.

Bearing for the mixer shipped today. One went out on a second mixer.

Melissa McDowell—Permit Fees

Clerk McDowell spoke to the council about the city’s building permit fees. There was some concern that they were out of step with the county fees.

She proposed separate fees for residential and commercial permitting.

The city fees are higher than Grace or Bancroft. Most counties follow the state regulations.

“From my research, we are far below.”

“The only other city that doesn’t go by valuation is Preston. “I’ve noticed a lot of inconsistencies with the building permit process,” McDowell said.

She noted that 21 permits were issued last year. 3 were sign permits.

President Hart said, “From a philosophy perspective, counties use high fees and lot size to prohibit growth. That may be one reason why the county fees are higher. Bigger cities will use a higher permit fee to rein in accelerated growth. Smaller cities keep them lower to encourage growth—that’s what we’ve done in the past. What Melissa presents is acceptable and not a huge jump. I would support her proposal.”

The council will need a resolution in order to pass such a thing, and will begin working on it.

Braxton Romero Davis, McCammon, driving without privileges, $150.00, costs $172.50; improper left turn, $33.50, costs $56.50

William Ferguson, Pocatello, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

Brian Paul Harris, Mason City, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

Kristinia Brooke Schall, Chubbuck, fail to provide proof of insurance, $75.00, costs $56.50

Camon Ray Schneider, Lehi, improper changing of lanes, $33.50, costs $56.50; speeding, $33.50, costs

$56.50

IDAHO STATE POLICE

Cornisa Marie Abeyta, Rigby, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50,

costs $56.50

Raudel Gomez Hernandez, Lehigh Acres, lenses or globes colored blue restricted for police vehicles only, $10.50, costs $56.50

Seth J Harris, Soda Springs, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50

Gary Scott Kuhn, Murtaugh, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

Larry Clinton Nichols, Logan, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50

MAGISTRATE COURT

Craig M Shaw, Portland, possess drug paraphernalia with intent to use, $400.00, costs $247.50, 6 months probation – Agency: CCSO

North Gem Seniors

The Commissioning Committee of the USS Idaho recently announced gratitude for its sponsoring entities.

“We would like to sincerely thank all of our supporters that are making the goals of the Commissioning Committee a reality.

The USS IDAHO Commissioning Foundation has dedicated itself with raising funds to cover the costs of Commissioning activities, events leading up to and including Commissioning Week as well as habitability improvements, memorials and support programs for the crew and families.

Sports

Basketball Courts at Soda Springs City Park Being Revamped! Soda supports USS Idaho

BY ALANA BURNS - MEMBER OF THE FOTSSCP

City crews have begun demolition of the basketball courts at the Soda Springs City Park, in preparation for a complete overhaul of the area that is scheduled to take place this Spring. Three groups have come together to bring this project to life, blending efforts between the non-profit sector, municipal government and the private sector.

The Friends of the Soda Springs City Park, a local non-profit organization known for its focus on improving play time at the City Park in Soda Springs by fundraising for and constructing the Caribou CommUNITY playground, shade covers project at the playground, and vending machine project, have recently proposed a joint venture with the City of Soda Springs and N.A. Degerstrom.

The group first approached Councilman Ryan Carpenter and Recreation Director Jessica Thurman a few months ago about the possibility of undertaking this new project, and both people were enthusiastic about a possible partnership as long as the numbers were affordable on behalf of the City. N.A. Degerstrom joined the conversation shortly thereafter and generously contributed $7,000 towards the Friends’ maintenance fund with the hope that their donation could be contributed towards a basketball court revitalization project.

This covers incurred expenses which are customary of the commissioning of a US Navy warship. The funds raised ensure various commissioning events, community outreach

At the February 4th City Council meeting the project was formally proposed to the council and received unanimous support after finalizing some terms of the agreement. Details for the project are as follows:

The total cost to demolish the existing blacktop, complete necessary groundwork, and install 2.5 inch-thick asphalt across the span of the courts area is $25,886. Degerstrom’s donation of $7,000 brings the total down to $18,886. The Friends and City will be splitting this bill equally, each contributing $9,443.

In addition to the City paying $9,443 towards the construction of this project, the city will be removing the existing basketball poles, scraping them and repainting them, painting the court lines on the new asphalt, and replacing the majority of the backboards, basketball hoops and nets with all new products.

The city voted to support a total project cost of up to $12,000 towards the bill for construction and other expenses associated with completing the basketball courts area.

The groups are anxious to get this project completed as soon as weather permits; especially prior to the 4th of July holiday so the area is ready to welcome competitors in the City’s annual basketball tournament each Independence Day, and during the county’s America250 celebrations!

When the basketball court revamp

Grizzlies Look Ahead For Senior Night Win

BY JODY REEVES

The Grace Grizzlies have had a somewhat tumultuous season. While they have been very competitive in several of their games, wins have been hard to come by. The Grizzlies have also had to deal with several injuries throughout the season. Some of those injuries have been season ending for players while other players have had to gut it out and play with nagging injuries for much of the season. Even with a record of 7-12 the Grizzlies still have a real shot at making the state tournament and right now are on a two game winning streak with just one game left in the regular season.

The Grizzlies most recent win came last Saturday in Oakley against the Hornets. Unfortunately this was a game that I was not able to watch so I don’t have a breakdown on how things went. What we do know is that the Grizzlies did just what they were expected to do and what they needed to do by earning a dominant

and host functions are in place to celebrate the commissioning of our state’s namesake ship.

win. The final score saw the Grizzlies win by thirty-four points with a running clock.

The Grizzlies are now facing their final game of the regular season and it will be full of emotion. Not only will it be a chance for the seniors to play their final game on their home court but the game will be against their biggest rival the Butte County Pirates. The game does have district tournament implications. In their first matchup in Arco the Pirates got the best of the Grizzlies earning a seven point win. The Grizzlies did not have their best performance in that game and will be looking for redemption on Friday night in Grace. In order for the Grizzlies to earn the top seed in the upcoming tournament the Grizzlies not only need to win but will have to win by a larger margin than the Pirates did on their home court. This should be a very exciting game to watch so get out and support the seniors and the team as a whole as they try to secure the number one seed in their district.

The USS Idaho is set to be commissioned on April 25, 2026 in Groton, CT. The sub was christened in March of 2024, and the commission has tirelessly visited many communities across the state.

Soda Springs is the only municipality in the top tier of Civic donors.

Our fundraising goals include funding scholarships for the USS IDAHO Crew and their families via the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation. Additionally our goals include funding other support programs through the Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs and Family Service Center Programs.”

project is completed, it will mark the 4th successfully completed project that the Friends have undertaken. Laura Lind, the FOTSSCP President said, “This project will improve the safety of this well-loved community asset while increasing the amount of time we spend outdoors exercising and building relationships with each other.”

This endeavor falls in line with Mayor Paul Gritton’s vision of beautifying Soda Springs. Mayor Gritton said, “It is community members like the Friends of the S.S. City Park who spark change and bring improvements to our hometown. I am particularly thankful for all the hard work done by the Friends of the Park. The Soda Springs City Park Basketball Court reconditioning project is another example of the incredible things this great group does for all of us. Partners like Degerstrom make these projects even more successful. On behalf of the City of Soda Springs I want to personally thank Degerstrom and the Friends of the Park for making Soda Springs an

even better place to live!”

Casey Lee, General Manager for N.A. Degerstrom said about the project, “For the past several years we have been contributing to programs we have felt would benefit the community and build pride in it. It was very gratifying for N.A.D. to participate in local parades, sponsor rodeos, host entries in area trunk-or-treat events, donating gifts to the sheriff’s Toys-forTots program, donating funds towards the all-abilities playground and separate shade covers project, as well as donating time from our skilled workforce who helped construct the playground 8 years ago.” He added, “With N.A.D. leaving the area this year, we took the opportunity to make another donation to the F.O.T.S.S.C.P. since we know how well they put those funds to use. We hope new basketball courts will inspire many people to get outside and have fun, and think it will look beautiful alongside the rest of the park. We love our neighbors and friends in Soda Springs!”

Lady Grizzlies Continue In District Tournament

BY JODY REEVES

The Lady Grizzlies began their district tournament last week. Grace entered the tournament as the second seeded team in the three team district. The Lady Grizzlies fell to the second seed from the top spot by virtue of just a single point. Grace and Butte County were virtually mirror images of each other in the regular season. In their two matchups of the regular season they each won on their home court. The Lady Pirates won their home game by just one point more than the Lady Grizzlies won theirs giving Butte County the one seed and Grace the two seed. The third team in the district are the upstarts from Alturas Prep. The Lady Pumas have not had a program for very many years and are not yet at the level of play of Grace and Butte County. As the district tournament got underway the first round saw the Lady Grizzlies face off with the Lady Pumas. That game went just how everyone expected it to go. Grace easily breezed to the win moving them to the next round where they would face Butte County. That game took place last Wednesday in Aberdeen. All of the district tournament games have been scheduled to be played on the neutral court in Aberdeen. As mentioned above, the first two meetings of the Lady Grizzlies and Lady Pirates were instant classics with Grace winning one game by three and Butte County winning the other by four. Last Wednesday everyone expected that game to be just as thrilling as the first two had been but things did not go as planned for Grace. The Lady Grizzlies struggled right out of the gates. Grace just could not find a

rhythm on offense and did very little to slow down the Lady Pirates. As the first quarter came to a close Grace already found themselves down by fourteen points as they were only able to muster three points of their own. In the second quarter the Lady Grizzlies showed some signs of life as they put up some numbers that Grizzly fans have become accustomed to. Even after the big second quarter the Lady Grizzlies still trailed by eleven at the half. As the Lady Grizzlies came out of the locker room they returned to their first quarter form. The entire second half was disastrous for the Lady Grizzlies. Nothing seemed to go right and they progressively fell further behind eventually falling by blowout proportions.

The loss sent the Lady Grizzlies to the elimination game once again against the struggling Alturas Prep Pumas. That game took place on Monday night. Once again the Lady Grizzlies made quick work of the Lady Pumas. Grace once again cruised to the win and the Lady Pumas were eliminated. The win keeps the Lady Grizzlies state hopes alive for now. Grace now heads back to Aberdeen to once again take on Butte County. The Lady Grizzlies will now have to beat the Lady Pirates in back to back games to earn a state berth. Not an easy task but one the Lady Grizzlies are up for. Check next week’s edition to see how the Lady Grizzlies fared in the rest of the tournament and to see if they are state bound.

Grizzlies 3 16 5 2 Pirates 17 15 24 4 K. Stoddard 3, K. Mansfield 4, P. Steadman 4, C. Yost 6, A. Cooper 2, T. Jorgensen 4, P. Hatch 3

Soda Springs Competes In Malad Quad

JODY REEVES

The Soda Springs boys and girls wrestling teams traveled to Malad to take part in a quad meet with Malad, South Fremont and Sugar Salem. Neither team was able to pick up a team win during the meet but several individuals were able to get wins.

The Lady Cardinals were limited on their numbers at this meet as they were missing several girls. Against some very tough competition the Lady Cardinals struggled to pick up any wins. The only win posted by any of the girls was in an exhibition match where Kaylin Richards earned a victory over a wrestler from South Fremont.

The boys team saw a few more wins than the girls did. Against South Fremont Kellan Garbett, Jace Garbett, Troy Krupp and Elijah Dilworth all picked up wins. Against a tough Sugar Salem team JT Cutler, Kellan Garbett, Troy Krupp, Elijah Dilworth, and Carson Cook all earned victories.

Several of the Cardinal wrestlers are performing well as they head towards districts that will take place next week in Grace.

Grizzly Wrestlers Compete In Two Events

BY JODY REEVES

Last week the Grizzly wrestlers competed in two separate events. They started the week at home wrestling in a quad meet with Declo, West Jefferson, and Kemmerer Wyoming. The Grizzlies performed well in the quad meet with several wrestlers picking up wins in their individual bouts. The Lady Grizzlies were able to pick up team wins over West Jefferson and Declo but fell short to Kemmerer. Meanwhile the boys team was able to tie with Declo on team points but due to the number of wrestlers came up short against West Jefferson and Kemmerer.

Following the home quad meet the Grizzlies traveled to Challis to wrestle in the Mario D’ Orazio tournament. This tournament was full of drama. For the boys team Jayden Lunt was able to finish in fifth place while freshman Tate Stoddard had to wrestle an incredible eight matches going 7-1 to claim third place. CJ Newby had a strong performance going 3-1 and claiming second place. Carter Kimball won his first two matches making it to the semi finals where he would face Hunter Gamble from Clearwater Valley. This was possibly one of the best matches of the year in 3A wrestling. The match ended up going to an ultimate tie breaker that unfortunately Kimball lost by the score of 3-2. Kimball went on to claim third the best place he could get after the loss. The big winner of the day however came from Mack Jorgensen who was a perfect 3-0 on the day winning the championship. Jor-

gensen has consistently improved as the season has progressed. He really impressed me when I got to watch him in the Grizzlies home meet last week. Jorgensen showed real poise and patience in his matches which he won all of.

The Lady Grizzlies also were very impressive at the tournament in Challis. With just four girls competing the Lady Grizzlies were able to walk away with the top spot as a team. Individually all four girls placed in the top three in their brackets. Hayden Ball finished in third with Skyla Cloud coming in second place. Adeline Clark went 2-0 finishing in first and the ever impressive Bella Eddins was a perfect 4-0 also claiming the top spot.

The Grizzlies are looking strong with just one week to go before the district tournament.

The Lady Cardinals Season Comes To A Shocking Conclusion

BY JODY REEVES

The Lady Cardinals lost a pair of games in the regular season to Aberdeen. One by three points and one by two points. Those five total points came back to haunt the Lady Cardinals in last week’s district tournament games. If those two games against Aberdeen would have fell their way Soda Springs would have earned a first round bye and set them up on a good path to the championship game but as it was they ended up falling to fourth place and hosting five seed West Side. The Lady Pirates are a big physical team. In both regular season meetings with the Lady Pirates the Lady Cardinals were able to come away with wins in competitive games. In those two regular season matchups the Lady Cardinals were able to use their speed to get the bigs from West Side

in foul trouble. As it goes you never know what you will get from one officiating crew to another. In the first round game last week the officials seemed content to allow a more physical game that favored the Lady Pirates. Despite being undersized the Lady Cardinals did not back down but there was only so much they could do against the size and strength of the Lady Pirates. At the end of the first half of play the game was still in reach with the Lady Cardinals trailing by seven points. Through the second half of play the Lady Cardinals just could not make up any ground as they watched the Lady Pirates slowly pull away minute by minute. By the end of the game the Lady Cardinals had conceded the loss sending them to the consolation bracket.

In the other opening round game the six seeded Lady Hornets upset the three seeded Lady Trojans. This

meant that the Lady Cardinals would have to hit the road to take on Wendell on their home court. This game would be a loser out game meaning that whomever lost would see their season come to an end. With the season on the line both teams gave it their all in this one. The game was tight and competitive throughout. Wendell struck first and held a slim lead through the first period of play. After one the Lady Trojans led the Lady Cardinals by just a single basket. As the second quarter got underway the Lady Cardinals had the momentum shift to them. Just ninety seconds into the second the Cardinals earned their first lead of the game. The Cardinals would hold the slim lead now as the two teams headed into the halftime break. As the third quarter got going the Lady Cardinals were able to build the lead to as much as seven points. A late run by the Lady Trojans cut the lead

to just four going into the final quarter of play. In the final three minutes of play there would be several lead changes as the game really tightened up. In the closing minute of play some tough fifty fifty calls went the way of the Lady Trojans. With just eighteen seconds left Davis fouled out of the game on a questionable call sending the Lady Trojans to the line. Wendell would make both foul shots taking a one point lead for the final time. A last second shot by Gronning was unsuccessful and the Lady Cardinals were eliminated and saw their season come to an end. Soda Springs had gone from just missing out on the number two seed to becoming the first team eliminated. It was a heartbreaking end to a terrific season. The Lady Cardinals say goodbye to a wonderful group of seniors and will now look to their younger girls to come back and compete again next season.

Sports

Cowboys Win On Senior Night

BY JODY REEVES

The North Gem Cowboys basketball team celebrated their seniors last Friday night in their final home game of the regular season. Each of the senior players as well as the senior cheerleaders were escorted onto the court with their parents. The loyal Cowboy fans showed their appreciation to each of the athletes’ years of dedication to the school and their sport. With the pomp and circumstance that comes with senior night all taken care of the game got underway.

Wins have been hard to come by for the Cowboys this season but on senior night this group of seniors would not be denied a win in their final home game. Their opponent for this game was the Pumas from Alturas Prep. It was fitting that the Cowboys would finish the season with the Pumas since that is how their season began. That’s right, their first game of the year was against Aluras Prep. A game that the Cowboys won by eighteen points. The Cowboys were thrilled with the prospect of earning another win over the Pumas on senior night and that is just what they were able to do. After a bit of a slow start senior Craig Yost got things really rolling for the Cowboys as they opened up with a big first quarter lead. Yost finished the opening period with ten of his team’s twenty points. The Cowboys were then able to follow up that first quarter performance with a twenty-four point second quarter performance. Six different Cowboys scored

in that quarter and the Cowboys took a huge lead of over thirty points into the halftime break. The scoring slowed dramatically in the third with both teams playing a little sloppy. Nevertheless the Cowboys still held a commanding lead going into the final quarter of the game. Having already hit the mercy rule the fourth quarter started with a running clock. This meant that once again the scoring would be limited in this quarter. The Cowboys were able to continue to pour it on as they easily cruised to victory on senior night. Several of the seniors were able to contribute and have great games. Once again it was Yost that led the way for the Cowboys as he put in twenty six points. Fellow senior Parker Hill also had a good showing with eight points. It will be difficult for the Cowboys to replace their senior players but they have a bunch of youth ready to prove their worth in the upcoming years.

The Cowboys will now wait to see where they fall in the conference standings to determine where and when they will play next. That game will likely be a play-in game that will be on the road at a yet to be determined location.

Egley 4

Lady Cowboys Fight To The End

BY JODY REEVES

The North Gem Lady Cowboys basketball team was eliminated from the district tournament last Saturday but showed plenty of grit in their three games last week.

The Lady Cowboys began the week hosting American Heritage in a playin game. The Lady Cowboys had just beaten the Lady Patriots the Friday before and needed to pull off the very difficult task of beating a team in back to back games to extend their season. The Lady Cowboys grabbed the early lead in this one and never looked back. They led by just three at the end of the first quarter and clung to that narrow margin at the halftime break. In the third quarter of the play-in game the Lady Cowboys opened it taking that three point lead and turning into a fourteen point lead. The big third quarter was enough to boost the Lady Cowboys to the victory and earn them a spot in the district tournament.

The Lady Cowboys and their fans were thrilled with the win and were excited for the opportunity to continue their season. The excitement however was short lived when the reality of their reward set in. The play-in win earned the Lady Cowboys a date with

top seeded Mackay in Mackay. The Lady Miners dominated the conference this season going undefeated in conference play. In fact the Lady Miners only lost two games all season both to a very good 2A Butte County team. Needless to say it would be nothing short of a miracle if the Lady Cowboys were able to pull off that win. Unfortunately no miracle came for the North Gem Ladies and they fell

to the Miners by a substantial margin. The loss to Mackay sent the Lady Cowboys to a win or go home game against Taylors Crossing. That game took place on Saturday at Taylors Crossing. In their one meeting during the regular season the Lady Eagles had easily defeated the Lady Cowboy in Bancroft. The Lady Cowboys were hoping that this time around would go differently but it was not to be. North

Gem had trouble scoring early on and quickly found themselves down by double digits at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Cowboys were able to start clicking a little after that but it was far too little too late. Despite their improved scoring in the subsequent quarters they could not make up the large early deficit. With the loss the Lady Cowboys were eliminated from the tournament and saw their season come to an end. The Lady Cowboys will lose some great leadership from their senior players but will retain some of their leading scorers for next season. The Lady Cowboys should be proud of their resilience as they continued to play hard and compete right to the very end.

Soda Springs Celebrates A Radiance Of Cardinals

BY JODY REEVES

I learned something new this week when working on this article. I researched what a group of Cardinals are called and I learned that they are sometimes referred to as a radiance due to their bright and vivid red color. I thought that was the perfect description of the group of seniors that were honored last Friday night. Prior to the game seven members of the boys basketball team were honored as they were escorted onto the floor by their parents in traditional fashion. Then due to the large number of seniors the nine cheerleaders took their turn taking the walk onto the court at halftime. It was quite impressive to see such a large group of seniors that have been involved in their athletic endeavors throughout their careers. As they each took that final walk onto the court they each shone bright and vivid and their parents did radiate with pride. Congratulations to the senior basketball team and cheerleaders. Before playing their senior night game last Friday the Cardinals had to travel to Wendell to take on the conference leading Trojans. If the Cardinals could have pulled off the win in that game it would have really shook things up going into the final week of the season. Unfortunately that is not how it played out. Right off the bat the Trojans took a ten point first quarter lead as the Cardinals were only able to put up five points to open the game. The second quarter was very similar in its results and the Cardinals went into the halftime break with one of their lowest scores of the season. In the third quarter Soda Springs was finally able to get a little scoring going. In the third quarter alone the Cardinals matched their entire first half scoring. However the Trojans were still able to outscore the Cardinals, building a substantial lead. In the final quarter of the game the Cardinals made a run and put up their best numbers of the game. The run brought the Cardinals closer to the Trojans to make the score

look more respectable but never really threatened to even things up. The Cardinals ended up losing that game by ten. The Cardinals were without one of their top players Gavin Hansen in that game.

After the tough loss on the road the Cardinals returned home to take on Malad on senior night. The Cardinals had beaten the Dragons earlier in the season in Malad coming away with a nine point win. To keep in the running for a top three spot in the district tournament the Cardinals desperately needed a win on senior night. Unfortunately the Dragons had other plans. The Dragons came out red hot shooting from outside the ark. In just the first half of play Malad hit seven three-point shots. Meanwhile the shooting woes continued for Soda Springs. They got plenty of good looks from outside but could only manage a single triple in the first half. Despite being outscored twenty-one to three from beyond the arch the Cardinals only trailed by ten overall at the half. To open up the third quarter the Cardinals applied some great defensive pressure and quickly cut the lead down to just three points. After a quick timeout Malad regained their composure and used quick passing to get more looks at some long distance shots. By the end of the third quarter the Dragons had built the lead back to eleven. Every time the Cardinals made a run the Dragons had an answer. Soda Springs failed to dig in to the lead and eventually fell by eleven. There is a ton of parody in the district this season. Several of the teams have split their regular season matchups. Heading into the final week of the season the Cardinals will travel to Aberdeen. This is a favorable matchup for the Cardinals. Currently riding a three game losing streak taking on a winless Aberdeen team is just what the Cardinals need to get back on track in time for the district tournament. The way the district has played out this season it will all come down to which team has the hot hand and can apply the

Thompson attempts to break through the Malad defense in last week’s senior night game.

most defensive pressure. Right now it feels like a state appearance is up for grabs. The upcoming district tournament should be full of exciting games. Get out and support the Cardinals as they make their argument for a state appearance.

Cardinals 5 8 13 24 50

Trojans 15 20 20 5 60

K. Peterson 1, M. Browning 9, C. Hansen 1, C. Thompson 21, K. McWilliams 6, L. Mellor 2, J. Horsley 6, L. Martinsen 2, P. Ozburn 2

Cardinals 6 13 15 12 46

Dragons 13 16 16 12 57

M. Browning 2, C. Thompson 19, G. Hansen 13 K. McWilliams 2, J. Horsley 5, L. Martinsen 5