Enterprise The Idaho
Caribou County
Caribou County's Newspaper Since 2024
Caribou County, Idaho
February 19, 2026 | Vol. 3 No. 8
$1.50
NEWS IN BRIEF Jesse Jackson dies at 84
The upcoming fire season was one of the topics discussed at the last County Commission. While overall water levels have been okay, snowpack has been very low. Image above from Tuesday outside of Grace.
Snowpack among issues at County Commission meeting Last week’s meeting of the Board of County Commissioners was busy, with several public hearings on zoning issues, additional work at the Event Center, a look forward to fire season, and a number of other topics.
Road and Bridge Road and Bridge is working on a number of projects throughout the community. They are putting a new culvert in on Fish Hatchery road to fix a hole that had appeared. Kevin McLain noted that there may be some “sticker shock” on preventative maintenance on vehicles. Commissioner Somsen stated that he would rather spend the money that way than on emergency repairs. McLain noted that potholes along the flats are filling up with water. The year end financial report shows that the department has excess funds accumulated through the state, but that they should not expect that to be the case going forward as the state budget contracts. Somsen stated that the governor was looking to eliminate 3% from the budget that would potentially come in for infrastructure excess. The funds that have already been received by the county are secure, but McLain and the commissioners discussed the best ways to maximize those funds. Re-graveling, oiling, and packing in the roadways were discussed as priorities, including oiling roads outside of Grace along the mountain.
up to $5,000 of their time writing and processing it. If the grant falls through, the fee would still be owed to Sicog, but it has been a great cost-savings value to the county in the past. Kya Simmons is putting in another request for a grant with the STATE EMS grant. That goes toward $230K for the ambulance, and $40K toward a gurney. The county would end up paying $60K in the difference, but would acquire a needed, $350K ambulance and gurney. Hobson discussed the outlook for the upcoming fire season. “With our weird winter, we’ll see,” he said. There are multiple factors involved in determining water supplies for the upcoming fire season. While the snowpack is historically low, the aquifers are in good shape, he noted. Hobson showed the commissioners the Starlink phones they been had acquired. They have been testing them in trucks, and they have been working well. “You plug it in, it does its thing, and it takes about a minute.” Even in the low speed mode, the phone is able to perform emergency tasks and maintain service. This is critical for communications across the county in emergency situations that need to be responded to in the field. The unit for the device was around $200, with around a $50/month charge for full use access. Using unlimited data would increase the cost to around double on monthly billing.
Emergency Services Hobson presented a fire mitigation MOU with Sicog. They are up to 70 treatable acres. Phase 2 will be starting at Bailey Creek soon. Other areas will be included in the project scope. The grant will pay management costs, through the Idaho Department of Lands. “Luckily with Sicog, they’ll come in and manage it for us,” Hobson said. They will write the grant for the county,
Building and Maintenance “I feel like I’m getting to where nobody wants to see me, because of what I bring you,” Rowdy Larkins laughed. The Event Center is mostly up and running, but various minor issues still occur as the building is being fully utilized. An estimate from Rocky Mountain Fencing for the Event Center to install fencing to protect the area around the side between the two doors was dis-
cussed. A bid for a 6 foot chainlink fence around the HVAC system for $4,540 was approved. Scott’s Lock and Key has also bid on a system for the Event Center exterior doors in a similar setup to the courthouse. As the traffic flow and access to the building becomes more familiar, there are some changes to the keying that have been requested. The commissioners agreed that changes were needed, but wanted to look at the most affordable options. Ultimately, it would be the case of being able to separate out the various parts of the center to their own discrete security, so that event access could be controlled more efficiently and easily. A bid for welding ($21,205) to build stairs from the fire station to the attic was discussed. Valances were another item that remains to be completed for the Event Center, and bids were being sought. The orientation of the location of an additional cleaning/supply room that would be created at the end of the hallway where the public restrooms are located was discussed. Hobson and Larkins discussed the relative trade-offs between the different potential locations. Dally Smith—Event Center Smith, who handles scheduling for the Event Center, brought up the issue of the county employee policy for building rentals. The Sheriff’s Office has also reached out about holding training in the building. Smith thought that an agreement should be written. Clerk Stoor and Commissioner Somsen felt that county agencies or departments should be able to use the building as needed, since the county owns the building. As far as the employees (outside of COUNTY COMMISSION On Page 8
Lincoln Day Event Planned for Caribou County
There is no statutory requirement for a Lincoln Day event, as it is typically an at-will event put on by county and state Republican Party organizations. The gatherings typically acknowledge the first Republican President in U.S. history, Mr. Lincoln, and give party officials and interested citizens and voters a chance to meet up and discuss their visions. Often times, the event is something of a launch or precursor to the upcoming election season. The timing fills both of those roles this year, as the February 28 date is less than two weeks out from the March 13 deadline for can-
didate filings for the 2026 election. On even years, elections for state, national, and county offices are held. According to event planners, speakers are being secured for the event, though the primary purpose is to provide a public gathering and increase participation in the process. The event will include breakfast, and candidates running for public office at many levels of government. It will take place at the Caribou county Event Center in Grace, at 117 W 1st N, right next to the Fairgrounds. Alana Burns, recently appointed as a party outreach representative, noted
Alien confirmation?
Over the weekend, former President Barack Obama peaked the interest of podcast listeners when he appeared to confirm the existence of alien life forms, something which every president in the twenty-first century has so far promised to come clean on. “They’re real but I haven’t seen them. And they’re not being kept in…what is it? Area 51. There’s no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States,” he said on Brian Tyler Cohen’s podcast. Later, Obama clarified that he had meant, “statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there. But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low.” Obviously, that put the entire controversy right to bed, right?
Pebble Creek closed for weather
Things may have already changed (again) by the time this paper is out, but early in the week officials at Pebble Creek Ski Area chose to “suspend operations” due to the lack of snowfall and unseasonably warm temperatures. The season, which has been difficult for everyone in the winter recreation field, began later than usual as a result of late snowfall. Some of the larger resorts in the region— Pomerelle, Grand Targhee, and Jackson Hole—are still in full operation, but Kelly Canyon and others remain only partially open, and on a day-to-day basis. Pebble plans to open back up on Wednesday, and Tuesday’s storm should help somewhat, but the calendar for the rest of the season remains unclear.
SUP Event Feb 26
that “I would love to see some of my cohort—the millennials and younger—come out and make themselves a part of the process!”
IN THIS EDITION Community...........................................Pg. 2 Legislative Updates..............................Pg. 3 Rich Summers Interview......................Pg. 4
It was reported on Tuesday that famed politician and civil rights leader Jesse Jackson had passed away on Tuesday. Over the last several months, Jackson had been hospitalized for a condition called “progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). A statement from his family read, in part: “His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity. A tireless change agent, he elevated the voices of the voiceless – from his Presidential campaigns in the 1980s to mobilizing millions to register to vote – leaving an indelible mark on history.” Jackson was a close aide to Martin Luther King, Jr. and formed the Rainbow Coalition after the King assassination, ultimately running for president twice on the ticket.
Puzzles................................................Pg. 5 Obituaries............................................Pg. 9 Sports...........................................Pg. 10-12
Sons of Utah Pioneers are holding a pot luck dinner and program featuring Dr. James “Byrd” Yizar and Erica Barrus at the Caldwell Park LDS Church building at 135 South 7th in Pocatello, starting at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.