Enterprise The Idaho
Caribou County
Caribou County's Newspaper Since 2024
Caribou County, Idaho
January 1, 2026 | Vol. 3 No. 1
Happy New Year!
It seems like every year ends with a certain exhausted amazement that we have finally come through on the other side. This is generally accompanied by a faint sense of optimism for the new year that last until at least…part way through January. Here’s hoping that 2026 is one of those rare years when things go better than we feared, when seemingly eternal problems get solved, and at the very least we have personal victories as the months roll on. That’s probably a naïve hope, but hope is one of the most important assets that we have in this world, and one that functions better with practice. A bit of work to back it up is also very helpful. Because this paper is scheduled for composition during a time when our staff is hoping to spend time with loved ones, and there are fewer than usual public events, we bring you a mix of the traditional “end of year reflection” issue that is customary for early January, as well as ongoing stories that take place regardless of the time of year or seasonal vacation calendar. We hope that you are also in a position to gather with your friends and family to see the old year out, and welcome the new one in. In Sports coverage, you’ll see a feature we’re trying out this year, where we’ll give you a chance to choose the Sports story of the year
And you were worried there would be no snow before the year ended? Ye of little faith...
for 2025. Jody Reeves has narrowed down a list of his top picks of the most exciting, impressive, and outstanding sports moments of the year, and an accompanying poll will be up on our Facebook page. Add your opinion to the mix, and we’ll see which moment takes the crown after the results are tallied. There is of course a lot to look back on from a busy year in 2025, and of course we don’t have the space to
take another look at everything. So consider this a curated presentation of some of the stories that we think helped to defined the year as what it was. Some of those event were serious and profound, some whimsical, and some were reflective of the type of daily effort that keeps things moving along in Caribou County. We will be back to regularly scheduled content next week, but Happy New Year one and all!
2025 Story of the Year—Bancroft Fires One drawback to a weekly paper is that often the largest news for that week can happen early on in that week, which is what happened during what was arguably the biggest story of the year for Caribou County—the structure fires that changed the cityscape of downtown Bancroft on the 20th of June. The fires that devastated the downtown area of Bancroft broke out a little after 2:00 p.m. on Friday, which, because of the Juneteenth holiday, is the very day our paper went out. By the time we were able to publish again, most readers were well aware that the fire started at a residence and fairly rapidly moved down the street to two abandoned structures (those being the building that was once the theatre, and attached apartments). A bit later, the house north of the Call home—belonging to Karen Koefed—began to smoke from the chimney. When it was all said and done, many agencies, volunteers, neighbors, firefighters, EMS, police, and even a local pilot had done their best to stop the town from going up in flames. While a significant part of town did exactly that, the buildings themselves can be rebuilt. What can’t be replaced is the overwhelming sense of community that drove the firefighting efforts and will be needed more than ever through the rebuilding process. The most important line in this story is that the injuries sustained are not life-threatening. Mr. Call received burns to his face area, but he and his family managed to escape from the fire before it became an inferno. Mrs. Koefed, across the street, was called and told that she needed to leave her house, which she was able to do safely.
The scenes in Bancroft were extraordinary as the fire that started in the center of town quickly spread to several surrounding buildings, like the Koefed house.
The Calls reported that several pets had perished in the fire. As the afternoon wore on, the number of agencies involved kept expanding to fill the need: the Bancroft volunteer Fire Department (which is now a true icon of what a volunteer FD can be up against and still put up an amazing fight), Caribou County Fire, Caribou County Sheriff’s office, Soda Springs Fire, Soda Springs Police, and dozens of volunteers. Assistance also came from Lava Hot Springs, and the Bear Lake County Fire Department. It took the combined efforts of all of these agencies—plus a cropduster— to fully extinguish the flames. If that wasn’t enough, a second fire was reported the next evening around ten in a residential chimney. That fire was also put out, but certainly added to the overwhelming sense of just how precarious the seemingly safe
and routine world can all of a sudden become. For us, it was an interesting moment in that while we were not able to print an edition that was in real-time, we were able to provide information on our Facebook page that was quickly distributed. This led to KIFI and EastIdahoNews picking up the story, and changing the way we gathered information. Alana Burns, who lives in Bancroft and has written for the paper, alerted me to the fire as it was first breaking out. Her access and knowledge of the town are much more insightful than mine, which was enormously helpful in getting the story right. As a newspaper, we sometimes strain against social media, but Facebook has been a very effective means of disseminating information and images, and I’m glad we were able to use it for this impactful story.
Construction Meeting A public meeting open house has been scheduled to discuss the planned reconstruction, safety improvements, and utility work on US-30 in Soda Springs. The meeting will take place at Tigert Middle School on Monday, January 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Idaho Transportation De-
partment is preparing to reconstruct US-30 in Soda Springs form the west city limits to the east city limits. Work is scheduled to begin April 6 to May 18, 2026 and be completed by August 18, 2026. The project team will be available to speak with residents during the open house meeting.
IN THIS EDITION County Year in Review.........................Pg. 2 Year in Review, Events.........................Pg. 3 Puzzles.................................................Pg. 5
Looking Back at National News...........Pg. 7 Sports................................................ Pg. 11 Sports Poll.........................................Pg. 12
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NEWS IN BRIEF Missing couple found dead near Logan River
Police have confirmed that a missing couple has been found dead near the Logan River, bringing a tragic end to a days-long search. Officers said emergency services located the pair after receiving information from the public, with specialist units assisting in the recovery. The couple had been reported missing earlier in the week, prompting widespread concern and coordinated searches involving police, volunteers, and local agencies. Authorities said initial findings do not indicate an ongoing threat to the community, but the circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation. A crime scene has been established near the river while forensic examinations are conducted. Police are working to notify family members and have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward locally today.
Trump declared new federal holidays
Former President Donald Trump announced plans to designate new federal holidays, framing the move to honor American history and shared national values. In public remarks, Trump said the proposed holidays would recognize events and figures he believes have been overlooked, arguing they could strengthen patriotism and unity. Supporters welcomed the idea, saying additional holidays would provide time for reflection and civic pride. Critics, however, questioned the cost and noted that creating permanent federal holidays ultimately requires congressional approval. Legal experts emphasized that presidents can declare temporary observances, but lasting changes must be enacted by lawmakers. The announcement quickly sparked debate in Washington and on social media, highlighting broader political divisions over how history is remembered and celebrated in the United States.
Ogden Christmas Village ranked second-best display in the nation
Ogden’s beloved Christmas Village will welcome visitors for longer hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, giving families more time to enjoy one of the nation’s top holiday attractions. City officials announced the extended schedule following increased attendance and national recognition from USA Today, which recently ranked the village as the No. 2 “Best Public Holiday Lights Display (2025).” Located at the Ogden Municipal Gardens, the Christmas Village features hundreds of thousands of lights, festive displays, and charming holiday scenes that draw visitors from across Utah and beyond. Organizers say the expanded hours are meant to accommodate holiday travelers and residents looking to create lasting traditions. Local leaders praised volunteers and staff for helping make the display a seasonal highlight. Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly and arrive early to fully experience the award-winning celebration of holiday spirit. Ogden Christmas Village is open through Jan. 1, 2026.
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Idaho Enterprise|Caribou County
Caribou County officials meet with engineers to discuss the potential future of the Alexander reservoir campground area.
January 1, 2026
At long last, the Event Center was officially opened last month.
Year in Review: Caribou County News Bright and early on Monday January 13, 2025, a number of Caribou County officials were sworn in in the second-floor courtroom of District Judge Cody Brower. Newly elected County Coroner Casey Batterton was not available during the morning session, but was sworn in later in the afternoon. In the presence of family and co-workers, Judge Brower administered the oath of office to Chairman of the Caribou County Board of Commissioners Mark Mathews, County Commissioner Marty McCullough, Caribou County Sheriff J. Adam Mabey, and County Attorney S. Doug Wood. The newly sworn in officials are not new to the positions, having won re-election in November. The primary challenges to successful candidates came in the form of primary opponents earlier in the spring, leaving continuity from the last governmental session relatively seamless. The Board of County Commissioners meets every second and fourth Monday throughout the year at 9:00 a.m. at the Caribou County Courthouse. Members of the public are always invited to attend the meetings and find out what is happening in their county. As a newspaper, we try to make the proceedings of those meetings available to the public the same week they occur by way of the County Commission report, but the sessions really do deal with a large agenda of items, and being in attendance is by far the best way to keep a line on issues going on throughout the county. Alexander Reservoir at center of Water Use Discussion During a special meeting of the board of county commissioners last January, Commissioners Mark Mathews, Marty McCullough, and Bryce Somsen were joined by Emergency Services Director Eric Hobson, Road and Bridge Supervisor Kevin McLain, Planning and Zoning Administrator Helen Barker, and Building Supervisor Rowdy Larkins for a site tour of the Oregon Trail picnic spot and boat launch on Alexander reservoir. JUB Engineer met with the group to discuss creating a master plan for the county’s planned campground/RV site on the location. The campground plan came about as the result of the grant which will be used for that purpose, though there are other compelling reasons for the move. For one thing, it was noted by both the commissioners as well as the engineer
that having people in the area on a more consistent basis would prevent some of the vandalism that occurs with the floating docks and restroom facilities on site. A wrinkle to the plan emerged as a result of Rocky Mountain Power determining that it was the entity with authority to set boating policy for the reservoir, as a result of its not being classified as a “navigable waterway” under state code. The legal and historical situation was raised with the county commissioners several weeks ago, when RMP announced their plans to look into boat regulation. Obviously, changes to how the reservoir is allowed to operate, and what kind of watercraft will be permitted on it may have a big impact on the planning of the camp and RV facility. The commissioners are in discussions in an ongoing way on the matter, and County Attorney Doug Wood is examining the relevant state codes governing the waterway. There was a flurry of reactions after Rocky Mountain Power initially announced new boating restrictions on Alexander Reservoir. The initial announcement was received by many as indicating that boating would be restricted on the reservoir entirely. Members of Rocky Mountain Power met with the public at the second bridge launch site to take questions and address some of the concerns that had been raised, as well as attempt to provide some clarity. Despite the efforts, there was a certain amount of resistance to the idea of watercraft restrictions on the part of many members of the public, and some of the public officials on hand. At heart was the issue of bank erosion throughout the reservoir, and the “wake enhanced craft” that RMP believes to be a major contributor to that erosion. There is erosion on the banks—that much seemed to have been a point of universal agreement. However, the cause and extent of the erosion, as well as the best methods for remediating it, became a back and forth discussion that revolved around questions of how data about the erosion had been gathered and how it should be interpreted. During the course of the meeting, spokesperson Mark Stenburg noted that the initial announcement had been revised, and that the nature and scope of restrictions was still to be fully determined. He also noted that until signs were posted the policy was not officially set. The final form of the restrictions
will be arrived at in part as a result of a committee that RMP plans to assemble to gather input and information on the reservoir’s usage, the needs and interests of the community, and protection of the natural resources involved. According to officials on site for the tour, the committee will be composed of community members, policymakers, company officials, and other stakeholders. Rep. Andrus takes USDA position; Veile appointed District 35A Representative Kevin Andrus (Lava Hot Springs) announced that he has been appointed to a position within the Trump Administration’s USDA. Andrus has been appointed as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Idaho. He previously served in the Idaho House of Representatives, where he chaired the House Agriculture Committee. Kevin has hands-on experience in agricultural production, including raising cattle and horses, and has also worked as a loan officer for Ireland Bank. Andrus had previously planned to run for his seat again in 2026. The vacancy was filled by appointment through the party until a special election can be called, according to sources familiar with the process. After a meeting of committeemen from District 35 in which they selected a slate of three names to be submitted to the governor, Governor Brad Little announced his appointment of Michael Veile to the District 35 House Seat A vacated by Kevin Andrus. Veile is the owner of Process Improvement Engineering, an engineering, procurement, and construction management company based in Soda Springs. He worked for Monsanto from 1998 to 2025. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Utah State University and is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Idaho. Veile was a school board trustee for the Soda Springs School District, past president of the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and a past board member of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry and Idaho Business for Education. Veile and his wife, Shelly, have been married for more than 30 years and have four children. Veile will complete the remainder of Andrus’ term, which ends Nov. 30, 2026. The Trump administration appointed Andrus to serve as the state executive director for the Farm Service Agency at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in June of 2025. Election sees a changed landscape November’s election brought significant changes to the political ground in Caribou County, with all three major cities seeing changes at the mayoral level, and the others seeing some changes in the council makeup. According to County Clerk Jill Stoor, the number of voters participating in the election was a bit higher than average for off-year elections. Whether this is due to the sheer number of contested elections or enthusiasm for the candidates, the result is the same— more citizen voices were heard in the weighty decision-making process that elects our governments. Another inescapable reality of this election specifically is the importance of any one individual vote. While it is often said that “one vote really can make a difference,” some of these results make a powerful demonstration of that case. There have not been any suggestions from any of the locations about potential recounts, but there certainly were
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some very close races. The closest race was that for Bancroft City Council seats. The race is interesting for its razor-thin closeness, but also for the fact that all of the candidates participating were write-in candidates. It’s not unprecedented, but it certainly is uncommon. The race for two positions between Mike Ackerman, Raquel Reed, and Jessica Thurman was separated by a total of 5 votes. Thurman received 45, Ackerman received 43, and Reed received 40, which means the total spread was 12.5% of the total votes. It does go to illustrate how important votes can be in deciding races. In the mayoral race for Bancroft, the spread was larger, but still a quite close result, all things considered. Joe Perry was elected to the position with 75 votes to Eric Christensen’s 58. The Cemetery levy and North Gem supplemental levies also comfortably passed. In the North Gem Trustee race, Philip Knox received 45 votes to Brandi Wakley’s 18. In Grace, Mayor Jackie Barthlome received 86 votes to challenger Dave Pristupa’s 142. Barthlome finishes a tenure which saw a lot of changes in Grace, and we hope to sit down with her, as well as mayors Austin Robinson in Soda Springs and LuCus Spencer in Bancroft for an exit interview when they have the time. Grace and Thatcher’s cemetery override levies also passed. In Soda Springs, Paul Gritton was elected mayor, earning 343 votes to Brock Byram’s 237 and Robert Lau’s 142. In the City Council race, the top two were Ryan Carpenter, with 612, Paige Byram with 439, and Rod Worthington with 337. Gritton’s seat will need to be filled by appointment, which will involve the approval of the council and will take place next year when Gritton becomes mayor. Event Center holds ribbon cutting, open house The new-as-it-can-get Caribou County Event Center at the County Fairgrounds in Grace held its ribbon cutting in December, giving the public a chance to tour the facility and see what the community space is like. The Event Center is designed as a community resource, which will now permanently house the county’s Ag Extension Office, Fair board, and County emergency vehicle bays. It also boasts a large event space, with the capacity to hold hundreds of visitors. The night was kicked off with Serendipity, the Grace High School Choir group, who honored the attendees with a fantastic rendition of the National Anthem. A video of the performance can be found on our Facebook page, by searching “Idaho Enterprise Caribou County.” Following the performance, Board of County Commissioners Chair Mark Mathews and County Commissioner Bryce Somsen cut the ribbon at the entrance, officially opening the building. The two gave some brief remarks. Afterward, the commissioners took their places on the server side of the line and dished out food to the guests, along with members of the clerk’s office. It was an early chance to use the kitchen, which is situated between the event area and the smaller conference room area of the building. “It will allow us to hold programs and activities that would have been impossible without it,” Extension Educator Justin Hatch said. “It’ll completely change everything we do, I think. Give us a lot more opportunities. Provide more opportunities to kids and the community that just weren’t possible before.” C Y
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Idaho Enterprise|Caribou County
January 1, 2026
Winter fireworks in Bancroft for the lighting.
The shade structure at Soda’s City Park was made official.
Year in Review: Events across the County
Soda Springs Main Street businesses air concerns over construction charges As a part of the 2024 Main Street construction, businesses were billed for connections to water and sewer as part of the new system. While some businesses were excluded as a result of having replaced the lines independently of the city, most were affected by the move, which cost an average of $6,000, based on a per foot cost, plus additional associated charges. The city gave businesses the option to pay to amount back without interest over the next 3 years, as part of the city utility billing process. In a session that at times became emotional on both sides of the council table, Main Street merchants expressed their frustration with the effects the construction had had on their businesses, as well as the additional strain of the recently issued construction bill. City Council members acknowledged that the communication process between themselves and downtown businesses could have been better, and promised to learn from the experience moving forward.
resentatives of many of the sponsors, such as the Idaho Real Estate Association, Advantage Plus Federal Credit Union, the city of Soda Springs, Broulims, and others. The majority of the crowd was made up of parents and their children, who waited eagerly to get back to playing, this time in the shade. Alana Burns, member of the Friends of the Park, welcomed attendees to the ribbon cutting. “It’s going to be a little bit noisy,” Burns said, “but we’re in a playground, so I’m sure you understand.” Friend of the Park member Laura Lind also thanked everyone for coming out to the event, and mentioned how many of the people on hand at the ribbon cutting were people she knew from spending time at the park, and appreciated the accessible nature of it. “It has been so fun to see this playground used from the vision we originally had when we wanted to establish an all-abilities park.” “One of the visions we had was not just inclusive play, but also bringing business to our downtown, which we are also seeing,” Lind said.
New Enders Proposal gains support In Ender’s news, it was a proposal that had not previously been broached at all that gained the most interest for the future of the building. Councilmember Paul Gritton proposed that the city look into working with the State of Idaho to have Enders, and potentially the geyser facility itself, become an official state park. The arrangement would give the bulk of the financial burden of maintaining and operating the building and the associated assets. The geyser itself was not a part of the initial discussion, but the concept of a larger park designated area began to intrigue those in the audience, as well as the potential for increased tourism, retail acceleration, and preservation possibilities. Members of the council seemed both surprised and delighted by the idea, and other stakeholders were also pleasantly surprised, having dreaded the potential of selling the building commercially. Bill Horsley, of the Caribou Historical Society, though the idea was excellent. “It’s a win-win!” he noted, echoing a sentiment shared by many. Horsley and the Historical Society had been willing to do whatever it took to house and preserve the museum artifacts, but if this proposal goes forward, it might obviate that need.
Chesterfield brings the past to life As is tradition, the townsite of Chesterfield opened to visitors on Memorial Day in epic fashion. A full day of food, family, history, and more greeted those who made their way to Chesterfield for the kickoff of the summer season. While no official count was taken, hundreds of visitors throughout the day toured the town’s historic cabins and buildings, shopped at the Holbrook store, and got a good dose of history from the volunteer tour guides who were excited to talk about Chesterfield’s history. “Wagon” rides took guests around the streets that are among the main concessions to the modern world. As they did so, visitors caught just a tip of the iceberg of the long and storied history of the small, but very important town.
The Ribbon has been cut— let there be shade! After a year of planning, fundraising, meeting with officials, and keeping momentum up, the Friends of the City Park were thrilled to finally host the official ribbon cutting for the shade structures at City Park in Soda Springs. Among those in attendance were rep-
Drowning at the Flume in Grace On May 31, 2025 at about 1:56pm, the Caribou County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communication Center received a report of a possible drowning at the Last Chance Flume. The Caribou County Coroner confirmed the identity of the victim as Kameron Aden Bowers, 18, of Pocatello. In the wake of this tragedy, swimmers and others are reminded to be extremely cautious of un-monitored bodies of water. The flume has been a spot of concern for a number of years. After a summer off, Soda’s Geyser is back in action! A crowd assembled in front of the until-recently dormant geyser in Soda Springs for the “re-starting” of the town’s iconic landmark. The geyser has had a few stops and starts since it
The Grace clinic hosted its official groundbreaking this fall. C Y
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was initially discovered in 1937, but in recent memory there has not been a gap as lengthy as the summer hiatus. The event was officiated by City Councilman Paull Gritton, who began by thanking the city crew and Dan Squires. Squires “played a big role in getting this thing done in a timely fashion. His crew got it done as fast as possible getting this thing up and running again. It’s not as simple as going down to the geyser store and getting parts for it.” The geyser is one of the iconic features of the town, and one of the main stops for tourists who come through on their way to the national parks and other areas. Informal observation of the number of visitors coming through was added to with a guest registry book that now sits inside the restroom at the geyser. Dan Squires, who was instrumental in the geyser repair project, spoke about some of the technical aspects involved. “Earlier this spring, I’m sure a lot of you knew that the geyser was not working right. It didn’t work well all through the winter. We weren’t exactly sure what was wrong with it—myself, Justin Hansen, Mike Veile, and Trevin Barfuss—we got together one day and decided to come look at it and see if it was a control issue or a valve issue, or what we had going on. We came to the conclusion that it probably wasn’t a control issue, but a valve issue. The valve itself was buried under the buildup from the geyser.” Following his remarks, Squires was given the reward of retiring the “closed” sign that has been in front of the geyser for months.
After a break, the geyser is back in action.
Looking for “another 9/12” There had not been a specifically planned 9/11 commemoration event last week, but after the shocking murder of Charlie Kirk by a 22 year old Utah man earlier in the week, an event was put together to try to go some way toward providing a public way to express the grief and anger of many residents, as well as to try to seek some measure of hope. The event was a mixture of patriotic national commemoration and devotional discussion. The event included a number of participants from around the county, including John Beer, Alana Burns, Naconna Gentry, Kate Lauck, Daniel Larsen, Rick Hatch, Ryan Carpenter, Carrie Yost, and Jared Hunsaker. In addition to the prayers, comments, devotional readings, and thoughts shared, the evening ended with a group candle lighting ceremony and moment of reflection.
Large Crowd turns out for Grace Clinic groundbreaking The ground was finally broken on the construction part of the new Grace Clinic in October. CEO Kent Loosle welcomed the crowd to a temporary pavilion set up in the Grace City Park. He acknowledged the members of the board, city and county officials, Hospital Ambassadors, the Grace HS Band, and CMC employees. Mayor Jackie Barthlome gave an overview of the history of Grace’s doctors, after which Brett Smith spoke, followed by Kent Loosle, who noted “In the last two years, we have seventeen new providers in the network. Today, we’re builders, and tomorrow we’ll be builders. Our goal is not just to build the clinic, but to build a whole new hospital. And to build a new hospital, we’ll need the support of the community.” Following the remarks, city and county officials, hospital employees from Grace, and others joined in the ceremonial turning of the shovel. Afterward, the crowd mingled and ate burgers while the Grace High School Band played through the evening. New Skating Rink ready for the weather! Volunteers and hockey enthusiasts helped members of the City Recreation Department lay out the rink and the undersurface of what the city hopes will be a gem for winter activities for those who love to get out on the ice, or those who have been waiting to try it out. While there has been a skateable surface at the west side of Kelly Park for many years, which has been maintained by the hockey faithful, this new structure improves both the quality and longevity of the rink. Jessica Thurman and Amber Torgesen were joined by a group of helpers throughout the day on Friday as they laid out the materials for the perimeter, gridded out the area beneath the mat surface, and then rolled out the polyvinyl 120 feet by 80 feet that will constitute the base layer for the ice. The new structure is certainly impressive, and worth a drive to Kelly Park in Soda to see firsthand. Congratulations to the Rec Department and a host of amazing volunteers who helped make it happen. “The Community is what makes it happen!” Mayor LuCus Spencer spent his last December presiding over the Teuscher Square Lighting as mayor, but it’s not a tradition he has any plans of missing in the future. “Oh, I’ll be here next year! My kids come down here every year. We’ve been doing this ever since we moved here…seventeen years ago. It’s a great thing for the community that everyone looks forward to.” City Clerk Debbie Swensen added that “our volunteers who stepped in made all the difference in keeping the hot cocoa running and things moving.” The Lighting of the Square is one of the singular events of the year in Bancroft, and also the surrounding county. This year volunteers came from Soda Springs, Grace, and other parts throughout the county. The hotdogs and hamburgers were donated by CMC and the Grace groups and cooked “for donations.” According to city officials, they were able to raise more than they even expected, and will be using those funds to help rebuild the Volunteer Fire Department in Bancroft. As a result of the summer fires in town, there was significant damage to some of the equipment, which will need to be repaired or replaced. C Y
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Idaho Enterprise|Caribou County
“The Major” took the field.
Community Christmas Concert.
Year in Review: Fun and Games Fireman’s Dance has a great first year In what is hoped will become a yearly tradition, the Soda Springs Fire Department sponsored a Valentines Dance for adults at TIgert Middle School. The dance, which was the only public semi-formal Valentines event on the calendar for the county, let couples come out to mingle, dance, catch up with friends, enjoy some dessert, and spend a rare night out away from the hustle and bustle of the week. The idea came about as a recognition of the need for some sort of community-wide occasion for couples to spend time with each other and other couples in a fun setting. It might be noted that while those do exist, they are often focused on the couples’ kids. After discussions of some kind of event started, the Fire Department was seen as a logical sponsor for the event. The event was well-attended and a hit with those who were there, so there’s a strong chance it will be returning next year, bigger and better! Brain Games The second “Brain Games” night was held early in the year at Tigert Middle School. The event was designed as a way for students to have a chance to compete against one another in events beyond the traditionally athletic. Scrabble, Chess, Checkers, Trivia, Lego building, and other games filled the activity room throughout the evening, as students and adults alike gathered for friendly competition and a chance to win prizes. Presbyterian Soup Luncheon celebrates tradition of giving The Luncheon tradition at the Presbyterian Church in Soda Springs is an annual one, with members of the community coming together in the spirit of the season to anticipate the coming of spring and the rebirth of the year. Over past years, the church, due to its connections with a member from Africa, has donated funds toward various aquaculture and well projects on that continent. Marilyn Kukuchka explained that the money raised “will go toward developing another well in Ghana in the near future.” Donkey Basketball in North Gem It hasn’t quite made its way into the Olympics yet, but Donkey Basketball is a sport that is certainly entertaining enough for it. As a fundraiser for the senior class at North Gem High School, a four team donkey basketball tournament was put on in the gym, featuring faculty and staff, North Gem alumni, and two student teams. At the end of the night, the students came out on top of the on court action, but no one went home without having been entertained! In addition to the event tickets, funds for seniors were raised through an auction of desserts contributed by members of the community. While three figures for two loaves of bread would be a bit exorbitant under normal circumstances, in this case the generosity of the students’ supporters will go a long way toward their senior trip fund. Easter Walk returns
The Easter Walk returned.
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Stake President Rich Evans of the Soda Springs stake was excited to bring the Easter Walk event back for its second year. The event, which allows visitors to walk through a series of rooms devoted to presenting thoughtful examinations of the days of Easter story, was a big success last year, bringing in visitors from around the area as well as surrounding areas. “We’ve made a few adjustments to smooth the flow out a little bit. We’ve gotten a lot of visitors from all over, whether Bancroft and Grace, or Montpelier area, or even farther out. It’s been really wonderful, and peaceful,” Evans said, summing up the experience of the Easter walk.
Resources for Veterans and First Responders A Fair to provide information about the various services available to Caribou County’s veterans, as well as the sometimes overlooked first responders, was held at Tigert Middle School over the weekend. Jacob Hirsbrunner, of the VFW Post 9141 in Soda Springs, was one of the organizers of the event. “This is kind of a place where we hope people can come and find out about some of the things they didn’t know about before,” he said. Little Bang Town rocks the park As the culmination of months of blood, sweat, and tears, the North Gem music class, in the form of “Little Bang Town,” gave their end of year concert at the bandshell outside the school. Student members of Little Bag Town include Rusty Hatch, Indyanna Hatch, Kimberlie Jensen, Jack Curtis, Jackson Welker, Kaly Foster, Myken Rindlisbaker, Mercedez Mabey, Daly Frandsen, and Keegin Moreland. Most of the students took turns at the microphone, and while some stayed more or less with one instrument, others switched between several over the course of the afternoon. Car Show highlights Father’s Day Weekend The 27th annual Pizza’s Run Car Show filled the City Park in Soda Springs over the warm Father’s Day weekend with hundreds of visitors and seemingly endless rows of vehicles. There are few things dads love more than dragging their kids to car shows, unless it’s telling those kids about how if they would have held onto that car they had in high school it would be worth a fortune now or diving into a detailed explanation of the function of a carburetor. Luckily for the dads and kids in question, there were plenty of other dads on hand to have those conversations with, and plenty of activities to keep the kids busy in the meantime! The Main Street Cruisers’ annual car show has become one of the premier events of its type in southeast Idaho, with people from all over the region making their way into town to show off their own vehicle projects and check out those of their fellow car enthusiasts. Bancroft hosts Pioneer Day Fun! The tradition of Pioneer Day festivities in Bancroft continued as scheduled this year, with a full slate of events including the busy Pioneer Day parade,
Donkey Basketball in Bancroft.
hometown cooking at the Trading Post, Kids and Family Races at the football field, the iconic Bancroft Rodeo, a street dance featuring the Hatch Band and an impressive collection of line dancers, and nighttime fireworks that ended a great day celebrating the legacy and heritage of the Gem Valley in style. Just past the halfway point of the year, the City of Bancroft has already been through a lot, with changes on the city council (due to the relocation of Nate Eiman out of the area and Rick Hatch out of the city limits), as well as the fires that dramatically impacted everyone in the Bancroft area, and Caribou County as a whole. In the same way that agencies, residents, and volunteers from all around the county came together to help in the immediate emergency of the fires, people poured into Bancroft to celebrate the pioneering spirit and grit of the town. The parade was led by Grand Marshal Kareen Crockett of Chesterfield, and saw an assortment of floats and participants that included county and city officials, local and area businesses, and some entertaining surprises. As always, there was more candy than is probably healthy, although who’s counting sugar calories on a holiday other than dentists? A fundraiser and sale of donated items took place as well during the afternoon for the Kofoed family. Karen Kofoed’s home—the oldest remaining home in the Bancroft townsite—was badly damaged during the June fires. She is currently living with her family in Lava Hot Springs. Her son Tommy is beginning the daunting work of serving as the general contractor on a restoration/rebuilding project which is in its early stages. The extent to which it might be necessary to completely gut the upper levels of the house are not fully clear yet, but the combination of smoke and fire damage and then countless gallons of water pouring into the attic during fire suppression mean that it is primarily the “bones” of the house that can be saved to restore the house from. The afternoon saw the action move over to the North Gem field, where first up were the standard kids races, with coin payouts for the winners. Kids of increasingly advanced years crawled, toddled, ran, and then sprinted through increasing lengths of field until the contests turned more…unique. Races of four family members at once, six family members at once, races done backwards, piggyback races, wheelbarrow races, and more kept everyone laughing until right up to the start of the Rodeo. For many people, the end of the rodeo was the perfect time to head home for a quick nap while the hottest part of the day burned itself out. By the time the street dance got underway at Teuscher Square, the weather was just about perfect. The Hatch band, truly a family endeavor, played a mix of country and rock tunes for those who wanted to dance, or just enjoy a nice sit and visit. It was a nice image to behold as the town came together out in front of the east side buildings that had also
Presbyterian Soup Luncheon
January 1, 2026
been damaged by the fire and danced the evening away. Everyone got in on the act, from 8 months to, well, more than 80 years old, and one of the largest street dance line dances going spontaneously picked up every few songs. As the sun fell below the mountains to the west, foot traffic headed down the street to the field for an impressive fireworks display that lit up the night sky and brought smiles to the faces of all the kids and kids at heart that made their way down to celebrate Pioneer Day, Bancroft, Caribou County, and living life in the best places to be! Search and Rescue Salmon Feed Members of the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, as well as their supporters held the fort at the City Park in Soda Springs, where they cooked up Alaskan Salmon to raise money for equipment and supplies. Caribou County Search and Rescue is a volunteer organization that helps out with emergencies on a quick-response basis throughout Caribou and surrounding counties. In addition to the wildland search contained in its name, the group can be mobilized to support other agencies in a variety of life-saving efforts. Some of the equipment that has been purchased in the past as a result of donations and fundraising were on display at the park, including motorcycles, an ATV trailer, mobile radio equipment to increase communication around the valley at remote locations, and more. Main Street Cruises for a Friend Sheri Allen Rider is someone many people know by voice, if not in person. If you only know her by voice, then she is someone you have relied upon in your life, just as she is for the hundreds of people who turned out at the Liberty dealership on Saturday to support her battle against cancer. Rider is a dispatcher, and has been at least as long as Dan Squires has been the Chief of Police. The Main Street Cruisers have been putting on a Cruise for a Cause event annually, to honor one of their own, or one who quickly becomes their own, who is dealing with a serious medical situation. This is the fourth year that the group has held the event, and each time for those facing cancer. Sheri joins Tyson, Marty, and Krew on the esteemed list. One of the organizers, Ryan Carpenter, explained that the Cruise for a Cause had started pretty organically. “We did it for Ty and we were like ‘Man, that was cool. We need to do it again.’” Another member of the Main Street Cruisers, Dan Squires, was also involved in making this year’s event for Sheri. “Squires, when he started as the Fire Chief, Sheri was the dispatcher on his very first fire, and they’ve been together ever since. One day he told me that Sheri had cancer, and I asked what we could do. So he said, ‘Cruise?’ and I said ‘Absolutely—why not!’” Before too long, shy or not, Ryan Carpenter brought Sheri up to the microphone. Sheri said, “Let me tell you a little FUN AND GAMES On Page 9
Festival of Trees at Enders.
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Word Worries BY BRANDON HALL
My mother (who is a reader of the paper as a byproduct of using between her rows to keep the weeds down in her garden) has often suggested that setting good habits early leads to better results. Since January is officially the season to at least put on a big show of starting new, better habits, I will demonstrate this principle here by getting back into the Word Worries habit. Thinking about my mom is relevant to the topic I want to look at this week for a few reasons. For one, as January sets in I’ve been thinking about just how “real” the boundary between one year and the next is. On the one hand, the jokes about “I’ll see you next year” that start sometime at the end of December, and turn into “I haven’t seen you since last year” in January, underline the artificial nature of designating a whole different categorical reality at the tick of a second hand on New Year’s Eve. One the other hand, recognizing the cyclical nature of the annual calendar is what allowed humanity to crawl out of the primordial muck and take up many of the activities that make us “advanced”— like agriculture, navigation, seventh grade algebra classes, digital watches, and QR Codes for fifty cents off any purchase at World O’Stuff. It would be exhausting for everyone to put up with me going through how reliable means of measuring and predicting both seasonal and daily time created our human world. It’s a fundamental sense, and one that we don’t always actively acknowledge. Over the past few decades, the concept of the “five senses” has come to be seen as antiquated, with researchers from many fields noting that we actually perceive many things that don’t fit into one of those five cat-
egories, but are not ESP or telekinesis. Some examples include nausea, equilibrioception (balance), nociception (pain awareness), interoception (hunger and thirst), scopaesthesia (the sense that you are being looked at), echolocation, and many more, including “chronoception”. If you are one of those people who are convinced that you always know what time it is before you consult a watch or clock and then congratulate yourself when you prove yourself right, we should start a very obnoxious club—a club of chonocepters. Of course, if you only congratulate yourself when you’re right and ignore the others, you’re exhibiting a different, false sense called “apophenia” (which is selective perception that confirms an underlying bias). In any case, the real words I want to consider in the context of the New Year are the ones (I’m returning to discussing my mother out of what is called “Presque vu” in French—the sense that something has been forgotten just out of sight) are the ones related to Baby New Year. Since there is no immediate distinction between December 31 and January 1 other than the numbers used to describe them and the tax liabilities that define them, we have for centuries used the concept of a year that is born wherever we set the “beginning” of the year, and then ages until it expires and starts the process all over again. People older than 50 probably associate the term “Baby New Year” with the mildly unsettling Rankin-Bass stop motion animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV short from the 70s, but the baby image exists in newspapers from as far back as the eighteenth century, and has prior echoes in classical Greek and Latin writing. Latin is the immediate source of a cluster of words we use that are
BRAIN TEASERS
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derived from the terms “natal” and “nasci” and their associated forms, all of which mean “birth.” We just experienced the Nativity season, for instance, which refers to a scene depicting the birth of Jesus and the circumstances of his natality. The same roots are responsible for the words “native,” which links the concepts of birth to location, as well as “innate,” which refers to everything a person is “born with.” Clinical usages such as “neo-natal,” “pre-natal” and so on are familiar to most people, and that’s where the metaphor and the reality of the year intersect. Like a newborn babe in its mother’s arms, the year is usually welcomed with a sense of optimism and goodwill, even if the circumstances of the birth were difficult or more turbulent than anticipated. The first moments of both can be described as “nascent,” which is a participle form of the Latin verb that emphasizes the “in progress” *nature (*also a related term, for bonus points) of the new entity. To be “nascent” is to be “being born, or having just been born.” “Nascent” is often used to describe emerging ideas, trends, industries, groups, technologies, and whatever else we choose to identify at the moment of its birth. The trick is, that the word “nascent” has uniformly positive connotations. There are other words that express anxiety about the same things, but this word strikes the right tone, in my opinion. Of course we want the best for it. Of course we have high hopes for it. We know it is perfect and blameless. We know it can be whatever it wants. Like my mom, we will try to hold out that hope as long as possible with our fingers crossed. We’ll give the year some allowances for growing pains in its youth, and try not to compare it to its siblings.
We’ll start to roll our eyes a bit in its middle age, as its complaints become routines. We’ll consider giving up on it as it goes through its late mid-life crisis, but we’ll come back around to mourn its decline and passage, all while secretly biding our time to see that fresh new baby set to take its place. And then we’ll memorialize it with these kinds of media funerals. For today though, we’ll accept it openly. We’ll wait until tomorrow to start wondering about our parenting skills.
IDAN-HA THEATRE -INDOOR-
Thursday, January 1 Friday, January 2 Saturday, January 3
Wicked For Good (PG) Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. The second of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
Thursday, Friday & Saturday 6:00 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Saturday Matinee 2:00 p.m. (All seats $5) Wednesday, January 7 6:00 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
208-547-3282
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EVENT CALENDARS SODA SPRINGS CARIBOU COUNTY
LUNCH MENUS
GRACE
SODA SPRINGS LUNCH MENU
Friday, January 2nd HS WR @ Rollie Lane (Nampa)
Friday, January 2nd IDAN-HA Movie Caribou County Senior Dinner Christmas Break- No School
Saturday, January 3rd HS WR @ Rollie Lane (Nampa) HS GBB Home vs Aberdeen HS BBB Home vs Aberdeen HS GBB “C” Home vs Marsh Valley
Saturday, January 3rd IDAN-HA Movie Christmas Break- No School BBB @ Salmon GBB @ Marsh Valley WR @ Bear Lake Tournament
Tuesday, January 6th Football Banquet
Tuesday, January 6th BBB vs American Falls School Resumes
Cheeseburger, chips, fruit, veggies, and milk
Chicken pasta bake, fruit, veggies, and milk
Thursday, January 8
Crispito, refried beans, fruit, veggies, and milk
NORTH GEM LUNCH MENU Meatball Sub, Deli Bar, Layered Lettuce Salad, Strawberries
Tuesday, January 6
Mini Corndogs, Smothered Burritos, Deli Bar, Roasted Baby Carrots, Applesauce/Pudding Cups
Wednesday, January 7
3rd Grade Lunch Pick, Mac n Cheese W/ Nuggets, Deli Bar, Green Beans, Banana Splits
Thursday, January 8
Pizza Rippers, Deli Bar, Brocc. / Caul. Bake, Tropical Fruit Salad
GRACE LUNCH MENU Wednesday, January 7
Thursday, January 8th HS BBB @ Bear Lake
Tuesday, January 6
Thursday, January 8
Lunches served with Milk
Chicken fries, scalloped potatoes, green beans, pears, and milk Pepperoni cheese bread, green salad, cinnamon applesauce, and milk
Chili, cinnamon roll, corn, mandarin oranges, and milk Breakfast (hashbrowns), fresh veggies, peaches, and milk
ON THIS DAY
Sunday, January 4th LDS Services
337 Glassblower Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit proposes system for making thermometers and the Fahrenheit temperature scale in a paper to the Royal Society of London and is elected a fellow on its basis
Monday, January 5th Board Meeting @6:30 Thursday, January 8th GBB/BBB @ Mackay
1742 French explorers Louis-Joseph and François de La Vérendrye are the first Europeans to reach the foot of the Rocky Mountains at the Yellow River, having crossed the Great Plains
CARIBOU COUNTY SENIOR CITIZENS' MENU Every meal served with Juice/Milk/Coffee
1805 World’s first iron bridge opens to the public, crossing the Severn River at Coalbrookdale, England. Regarded as the symbol of the Industrial Revolution
Jan 2 - CENTER CLOSED
NEWS OF RECORD Pillalamarri Koushik, San Jose, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50 Scott R Smith, Fairport, operate vehicle when unsafe or improperly equipped, $10.50, costs $56.50 Ziteng Yang, China, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50; operate vehicle when unsafe or improperly equipped, $10.50, costs $56.50 IDAHO STATE POLICE Braxton Lee Combe, Shelley, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50 Tristan Corry, South Salt Lake City, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50 Graham Bruce Lippsmith, Los Angeles, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50 Delbert Trion, Pocatello, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50 Jason Jeremy Vargas, Fort Liberty, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50
CARIBOU COUNTY SHERIFF Brandon Allen Doyle, Lava Hot Springs, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50 McKartie D Green, Soda Springs, speeding, $33.50, cost $56.50 Wilfred O Idemudia, Pocatello, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50 Kamri June Sant, Lava Hot Springs, fail to register vehicle annually, $10.50, costs $56.50 SODA SPRINGS POLICE Renae N Area, Pocatello, operate vehicle without a current or valid class d/operators license, $150,00, costs $157.50 Veil Rae Foreman, Etna, fail to provide proof of insurance, $75.00, costs $56.50; fail to register vehicle annually, $10.50, costs $56.50 Colton Richard Hall, Rigby, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50 Matthew Dillion Kallgren, Aften, speeding, $33.50, cost $56.50
Tuesday, January 6
Wednesday, January 7
Monday, January 5
Friday, January 2nd HS GBB Practice Cheer- Gym MS BBB Practice HS BBB Practice
Jan 1 - CENTER CLOSED
No School, Teacher work day
Wednesday, January 7th HS GBB Home vs Soda Springs/ Senior Night PAC Meeting
BANCROFT
Wednesday, January 7th IDAN-HA Movie Caribou County Senior Dinner GBB @ Grave Thursday, January 8th – IDAN-HA Movie Catholic Daily Mass (6:30pm) BBB vs West Side
Monday, January 5
Monday, January 5
Monday, January 5th Preschool Story Hour @ Library 10:30am School Resumes
Monday, January 5th Catholic Daily Mass (9am) Christmas Break- No School Teacher Work Day
Lunches served with Fruit, Veggies & Milk
Milk and Choice of Bar Each Day
Sunday, January 4th LDS Services
Sunday, January 4th Presbyterian Services Caribou Bible Church Services Catholic Mass (8:30am) Open Arms Church Services LDS Services Hope Lutheran Church Christmas Break- No School
January 1, 2026
1818 Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus” is published anonymously by the small London publishing house of Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones 1853 First practical fire engine (horse-drawn) in US enters service
1863 Emancipation Proclamation is issued by Abraham Lincoln to free slaves in Confederate states 1892 Ellis Island opens as a US immigration station, becomes the gateway to the US for more than 12 million people 1896 German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of x-rays 1916 First blood transfusion using stored and cooled blood is performed
1939 Hewlett-Packard is founded by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard in a garage in Palo Alto, California “the birthplace of Silicon Valley” 1966 Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence” reaches #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 1976 Liberty Bell moves to new home across the street from Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
BIRTHDAYS
Darlene Meads, Jan. 1 Jerry Lakey, Jan. 2 Virginia Hamp, Jan. 3 Shari Robison, Jan. 5 Fred Peck, Jan. 13 Jessie Dunn, Jan. 13 Wade Cordell Crump, Jan. 13 Tom Matthews, Jan. 16 Starla Kingsford, Jan. 18
Gladys Greer, Jan. 18 Dee Farnsworth, Jan. 30 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
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• AUTO • HOME • LIFE
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Idaho Enterprise|Caribou County
January 1, 2026
LOOKING BACK AT NATIONAL NEWS Out of Town As readers will know, we run a column on our front page called “News in Brief”. These are stories of national interest that we present in order to provide some context to the national, state, and regional environments in which we all live. While the selections are not always the ones that turn out to be the biggest stories of that week over the long term, they are the ones that catch our attention most on Monday when we prepare the paper contents. Here is a look at some of those we sampled over 2025, many of which have ongoing significance for 2026.
January Former President Carter dies at 100 James Earl Carter the 39th president of the United States passed away on Sunday at 100 years of age, making him the longest lived president by a good margin. Carter was elected in the election of 1976, defeating incumbent Gerald Ford and then losing to challenger Ronald Reagan in 1980. The “new oldest living president” is now Joe Biden, at 83, followed by 79 year old Donald Trump, who is just a bit older than Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Barack Obama is 64. Two Oregonians die in search for Bigfoot The AP is reporting that two men from Oregon were found dead in a Washington forest after going missing on a hunt for Sasquatch. The two men, 59 and 37 years old, were believed to have died from exposure, according to Skamania County Sheriffs. The weather has been cold and wet, and the two men were reportedly not well outfitted for an extended outdoor trek. Apparently, they had headed out into Gifford Pinchot National Forest north of Portland on Christmas Eve on a Bigfoot hunting trip and family contacted authorities when they had not returned as planned.
February Death toll rises in multi-state floods as rivers rise and rescues continue After the initial blast of the weekend’s massive winter storm, the next phase of danger quickly set in. Water levels are still rising on some waterways in Kentucky and other portions of Ohio and the mid-Atlantic, which is now flooded by a fatal coast-to-coast winter storm. Even worse, more snow and extreme cold is on its way. At least 13 people across Georgia, West Virginia and Kentucky have been reported to have died in the initial storm.
March Utah to ban municipal fluoridation Fluoridation is a process whereby the element is added to drinking water supplies to help prevent cavities and strengthen teeth. Since the process was introduced, it has greatly improved the dental health of Americans across the board. A recent episode in Utah where a malfunctioning fluoride pump released excess fluoride into the water supply led to medical issues for hundreds of people. The bill does not ban fluoride, but it does prohibit municipalities from choosing to add it into their water supplies. At present, only 66 of the state’s 484 municipalities choose to fluoridate their water. Those 66 will lose the option to choose to do so after passage. New Thermal Vent in Yellowstone The AP reports that “a new thermal vent spewing steam in the air at Yellowstone National Park is gaining attention, mainly because it’s visible from a road rather than any significant change in the park famous for its thousands of geysers, hot springs and bubbling mud pots.” The report goes on to explain that in April when car tourism is opened, tourists will be able to view the new steam column from a pullout as long as it remains active. It’s located in an area about a mile north of the Norris Geyser Basin. The vent was noticed by scientists last summer, who measured the steam at 171-degrees venting from the base of a hill. “
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Well-known actor Val Kilmer, famous for a range of roles including Jim Morrison, Batman, Doc Holliday, and many others. The official stated cause of death was pneumonia, which Other notable celebrity deaths over the last week or so include Richard Chamberlain (90), Jay North (TV’s Dennis the Menace) (73), and Heavyweight champion George Forman (76). Sgt Joe Harris, believed to be the oldest surviving World War II paratrooper and member of the first all-Black parachute infantry battalion, died at the impressive age of 108. One World Trade Center designer David Childs died at 83. Former Utah Representative Mia Love, the first Black Republican elected to the US House, died at 43 of brain cancer. Kitty Dukakis died at 88 two weeks ago.
Pocatello youth shot by police dies Victor Perez has died after being taken off life support. Perez, a 17-yearold with autism and cerebral palsy, was determined by doctors to be braindead on Friday, and removed from life support systems. Perez was shot nine times by Pocatello police officers during a domestic incident on April 5 and had since been in a medically induced coma, connected to life-support machines. On Saturday morning, two hundred members of the Pocatello community gathered to support the Perez family in their time of grief. A candlelight vigil, initially planned for Saturday night, was held at 9 a.m. to show solidarity with the injured teen and his family. Pope Francis dies the day after Easter The highest profile religious figure in the Western world, Pope Francis, passed away Monday at the age of 88 following a long illness that culminated in a stroke. Pope Francis is being celebrated around the world, including by religious communities from a variety of faith traditions, as a “man of peace” and an advocate for many of the world’s vulnerable communities.
May Plans to reopen Alcatraz? President Donald Trump floated the idea of reopening the country’s most famous prison—Alcatraz island in the Golden Gate harbor—which has been closed for prisoners since 1963. While the symbolic nature of the location is undeniable and has entered into pop culture in an indelible way, there are a number of practical problems that might prevent the idea from going very far. For one thing, as a prison that has only been operating as a tourist destination for over half a century there are many structural upgrades that will need to be undertaken to the make the location safe and functional enough to serve as a modern detention center. Those updates are estimated to cost far more than the construction of a new prison on dry land. The funds it would require would be compounded by the loss of tourism revenue reliably generated by the popular park.
June Phase out of Penny Announced The US Treasury Department announced Thursday it will gradually cease production of the one-cent coin it has been minting for more than 230 years. But the penny will still remain legal tender, and will still be in use at thousands of retailers around the country for some time to come. The National Retail Federation, which represents most major US store chains as well as thousands of small retailers, also said it anticipates its members will use pennies even after production stops at some point early next year, although it does anticipate that many will round cash transactions to the nearest nickel once the supply of pennies at banks starts to run short. According to experts, there are an estimated 114 billion pennies currently in circulation, but they are “severely underutilized” according to the Treasury department. Digital transactions will still be calculated to the penny, but cash transactions will have to be rounded to the nearest nickel. There is no prediction for how long the process will take. Mall comes down Last weekend, the last of the Pine Ridge Mall merchants moved out,
leaving behind the empty shell of a once vibrant mall. On Monday, full demolition of the Pine Ridge mall was underway, and the walls coming down. A Target is the major announcement for stores eventually moving into the space, which should revitalize what had been a moribund, if beloved shopping area.
July Suspect identified in CDA shootings On Sunday, members of the Couer d’alene Fire department were fired upon by a shooter who had potentially started the blaze in order to ambush first responders. A suspect in the shooting has been identified as 20 year old Wess Roley. Two firefighters were killed as a result of the attack, and another was injured. Governor Brad Little ordered Idaho flags to be lowered to half-staff in remembrance of the slain firefighters. The fire, which has been named the Nettleton Gulch Fire, grew to more than 26 acres overnight, as the scene was being secured and investigated. The transport of the slain firefighters from Kootenai Health to facilities in Spokane drew a spontaneous honor guard of residents who lined the roadways to pay their respects in the midst of this unimaginable tragedy. Epstein Drama Despite pressure from some GOP members of Congress, Speaker Mike Johnson is not planning to schedule a vote calling for the release of additional files in the Jeffrey Epstein case before the August recess. Last week, however, Johnson became the highest-ranking Republican to say he, too, wanted to see more details from the DOJ’s investigation of the late, disgraced financier and accused sex trafficker. Earlier this month, the DOJ issued a memo that said Epstein had not been murdered in prison, nor did he leave a client list. That memo contradicted some of the conspiracy theories previously promoted by Trump and his top lieutenants. Now, a bipartisan group of House members is seeking to circumvent Johnson and force a floor vote. However, even if the group succeeds, the measure won’t be considered by the full House until after Labor Day at the earliest. Bryan Kohberger Sentenced in Idaho College Murders Bryan Kohberger was sentenced on July 23, 2025, to four consecutive life sentences plus 10 years for burglary after pleading guilty to the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. As part of a plea deal, the death penalty was removed. During sentencing, victims’ families and a surviving roommate gave emotional statements directly addressing Kohberger. The victims Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, were brutally stabbed in their off-campus home on November 13, 2022. Judge Steven Hippler condemned Kohberger’s actions, calling him a “coward.” Former police chief James Fry suggested more information may emerge as case documents are unsealed
August Six people rescued from water after jumping off burning boat in Bear Lake Six people, including two children, were rescued by nearby boaters after their 22-foot Malibu boat caught fire on Bear Lake near the Bear Lake State Park Marina. ] All six occupants jumped into the water and were safely brought to shore. Garden City Fire crews arrived to assist but were hindered by a high-pressure hose failure, which limited firefighting capabilities. The burning boat was pushed toward shore and fully extinguished by a fire engine. The boat was deemed a total loss.
September Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot at Utah Valley University; Suspect in Custody Authorities confirmed conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10. He was 31. Police identified the suspect as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who was arrested late Thursday night near St. George, roughly 250 miles
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from the campus. Investigators say Robinson allegedly confessed to his father, who immediately contacted authorities and secured his son until law enforcement arrived. A high-powered bolt-action rifle believed to have been used in the attack was recovered. Officials say Robinson acted alone and will face capital charges, potentially including the death penalty. Federal and state agencies are treating the killing as a political assassination. Investigators are still working to determine Robinson’s motive. Kirk, a prominent conservative voice, founded Turning Point USA in 2012 and was a frequent speaker on college campuses nationwide.
October President Russell M. Nelson, Leader of the LDS Church, Dies at 101 President Russell M. Nelson, the 17th President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2025, at his home in Salt Lake City. He was 101. A world-renowned heart surgeon before his call as an apostle in 1984, Nelson became Church president in January 2018. His tenure was marked by sweeping global ministry, historic reforms, and the announcement of more than 200 temples worldwide. Beloved for his compassion and devotion, Nelson urged members to embrace faith in Jesus Christ. The Church now enters a period of mourning and will sustain a new prophet in coming days.
November Government Shutdown Ends After 40 Days After a 40-day stalemate, Congress has voted to end the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. Lawmakers approved a bipartisan funding bill that reopens federal agencies and provides funding through late January 2026. The deal restores pay for hundreds of thousands of federal workers and reverses recent furloughs and terminations that had disrupted essential services nationwide. The shutdown had severely impacted air travel, food assistance programs, and state operations. While deep policy divisions remain particularly over healthcare and tax credits the breakthrough marks a significant moment of relief for federal employees, contractors, and families across the country. Leaders from both parties expressed cautious optimism that the compromise will prevent future shutdowns. Millions Witness Unexpected Northern Lights as Solar Storm Dazzles the World Millions of people across the globe were treated to a rare spectacle as vibrant northern lights illuminated skies far beyond their usual range. The dazzling display came from a powerful solar storm that unexpectedly intensified, sending charged particles from the sun crashing into Earth’s magnetic field. Spectators from Europe, North America, and even parts of Asia and Australia reported glowing ribbons of green, purple, and red light dancing across the night sky.
December Wyoming Highway Patrol Tracks Down Missing Wisconsin Teen, Arrests Alleged Kidnappers En Route to Utah A missing Wisconsin teenager was safely recovered after the Wyoming Highway Patrol intercepted a vehicle carrying the girl and two alleged kidnappers along Interstate 80. A regional alert had been issued for the teen, who authorities believed was traveling with a 20-year-old man wanted on drug charges. Using cellular data, dispatchers traced the suspects’ movement between Laramie and Rawlins, allowing troopers to locate the vehicle near Sinclair. During the traffic stop, officers found the teen in the back seat and detained the two men, who claimed they had been “hired” to take her to Utah. Investigators are reviewing that claim, but both suspects now face kidnapping and custody interference charges. Highway Patrol officials praised the coordinated response, crediting communication among agencies for the girl’s safe recovery and swift resolution. C Y
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Idaho Enterprise|Caribou County
NOTICES
FROM KING FEATURES SYNDICATE, 300 W.
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10019 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Directors CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT. of then last Chance Canal Company, Grace, Caribou County, Idaho,236 have levied FROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, an assessment of $15.00 per 300 W. 57th STREET, 15th FLOOR, NEW share upon theDONNA outstanding ERICKSON'S BEST BITES stock of said company, said Good Fortune (Cookies) YORK, NY 10019 assessment being due and DEC. 29, 2025 FOR RELEASE Ahead payable on the 1st day of April. Don’t put away holidayEXT. baking CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800)your 708-7311 2026 By Donna Erickson supplies yet. Start 2026 with your own Notice is further given that homemade fortune cookies complete said assessment must be paid 257 with a special message or predicPHOTO CREDIT: Photo by Amy Anderson before the water master can tion hidden inside. They’re fun party deliver any irrigation water for NOW HERE’Sfavors A TIPfor#12345_20251229 a New Year’s celebration or the 2026 irrigation season. a unique dessert for a weekend meal. Dated the 3rd day of November FOR RELEASE DEC. 29, 2025 2025. For 6-8 cookies, you will need: LAST CHANCE CANAL 1/4 cup flour By JoAnn Derson COMPANY 1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 tablespoons sugar Jodi Mathews, Secretary 1/8 tsp. salt P.O. BOX 93 2 tablespoons cooking oil Grace, Idaho 83241 1 egg white at room temperature 1/2 tsp. vanilla #1190-12-18-25-25-01-01-261 teaspoon water T2
January 1, 2026
cookie turns a light brown color. While you wait, let your kids be “writers” and compose lines for 21/2 by 1/2-inch strips of paper. When the cookie is done, an adult should remove it from the oven. Quickly loosen cookie with a spatula and place on a clean kitchen towel. Set a fortune strip across the center with an end hanging out the side. Wearing potholders, fold the cookie in half to make a semi circle with the curved edge upward. Press edge together for a few seconds until it seals. While the cookie is still pliable, immediately grasp the pointed ends of cookie with both hands and pull them together to crease. At this point it should be cool enough for your child to hold in place for about 20-30 sec-
• “Want to keep your pants from creasing on the hanger? Grab an empty paper towel tube, and slit it down the side. When you slip it over the bottom of the hanger, it creates a curve for the pants to lie across, and no more crease!” — M.U. in Colorado • To prevent candle wax from sticking to a candleholder, swipe the inside with a little olive oil. It’ll do the trick! • Just in time for soup season (and my new year’s resolutions), here’s a great fat swap: Drain and rinse two cups of white beans and puree with a cup of no-sodium vegetable broth. You can use this as a thickener in place of heavy cream for soups and stews. • Experts say that those who write down or journal their nutrition and exercise are more likely to keep it up. This can be as simple as a pencil and notebook paired with a calorie guideonds until the cookie is crisp and keeps book or one of the many great apps its final “fortune cookie” shape. for your smartphone. In any case, set Set cookies in mini muffin tins to yourself up for success this year. You Preheat oven to 300 degrees. hold their shape until completely cool. deserve it! In medium bowl, combine sifted Store in airtight container. • “Cutting corn off the kernel can be flour, cornstarch, sugar and salt. Stir in TIPS: Use 1/3 cup batter for each tricky business, but you only need to oil. Add egg white, vanilla and water cookie and bake for 2-3 minutes lonFROM KING FEATURES WEEKLY SERVICE, 300 W. 57th STREET, 15th YORK, recruitFLOOR, the right NEW equipment. The NY next and stir until smooth. ger to create giant fortune cookies. time you’re making corn for dinner, Pour 1 tablespoon of the batter onto grab a Bundt pan. The corn gets set *** a10019 greased baking sheet. Spread with an upright in the center and you cut down. Donna Erickson creates relationships offset spatula or the back of a spoon to The corn falls right into the pan on all and community through food and fun. form a 3-4 inch SERVICE: circle. Make (800) 2 more708-7311 EXT. 257 sides.” — A.S. in Texas CUSTOMER Find more to nourish and delight you at rounds of dough on the sheet, although • A can opener’s crevices can be www.donnaerickson.com. I suggest you bake one at a time at first cleaned by “opening” a length of DIVAS A DIME #12345_20251229 until you ON get the hang of the folding © 2025 Donna Erickson waxed paper. Kitchen scissors can be Distributed by King Features Synd. technique which follows. sharpened by folding a piece of alumiBake RELEASE about 10-12 DEC. minutes until FOR 29,or2025 num foil and cutting it with the scissors. Send your tips to Now Here’s a By Patti Diamond Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
PHOTO CREDIT: www.JasonCoblentz.com
© 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
PHOTO CAPTION: The salad that turns leftovers into something fit for a queen. Shred or cut the chicken into small, evenly sized pieces (about 1/2-inch). Toast the almonds. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream or yogurt, curry powder, ginger, lemon juice and sugar. Add celery, onions, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Fold in the chicken, almonds and dried fruit. Add a little more mayo if it looks dry. CORONATION CHICKEN Season and adjust flavors to your likSALAD The Regal Recipe to ing: with additional salt and pepper, more curry for warmth, more lemon Carry You from Christmas Yield: 8 servings Total Time: 50 minutes for zing. to the New Year 1 1/4 pounds (4 cups) cooked chicken, Allow the salad to rest in the fridge diced (all breasts or a mix) at least 30 minutes before serving. After the whirlwind of Christmas The flavors bloom over time, and it cooking, I like to glide into the last 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted week of the year with recipes that 3/4 cup mayonnaise, plus more as keeps beautifully for up to four days. needed Serving Ideas: practically make themselves. This is • Spoon onto crackers for an instant the stretch when time feels wobbly, 1/2 cup sour cream or plain unsweetened Greek yogurt snack. leftovers rule the fridge and we’re • Serve over mixed greens for a all leaning toward lighter meals 1 tablespoon curry powder, plus more to taste lighter lunch. that don’t require much effort. Let • Serve with basmati rice. me introduce you to an old classic: 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger • Make tea sandwiches or mini Coronation Chicken Salad, the make- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar croissants for a New Year’s brunch ahead marvel we all need right now. board. If you’ve ever enjoyed English tea 3/4 cup diced celery • Roll into lettuce cups to balance sandwiches, you’ve likely met this 1/2 cup finely sliced shallots, green onions or scallions (I used a mix) out a month of cookies. jewel of a recipe. Created in 1953 for As we wrap up one year and step Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation lun- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, to taste (thankfully) into the next, here’s a cheon, it has been gracing tea tables 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, to taste and ladies’ luncheons ever since. 1/2 cup diced dried apricots and/or recipe that makes it all feel easier. A dried mango (I used half of each) little sweet, a little savory and a whole Think of it as chicken salad that went lot of comfort. And that, my friends, to finishing school but still knows 1/4 cup golden raisins Optional - 2 tablespoons mango chutney feels like the right way to start 2026. how to have fun. Happy New Year from Divas On This is an ideal “between holiA Dime! days” dish. It can be made ahead, improves overnight and waits *** patiently in the fridge until hunger Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond strikes. is the penny-pinching, party-planThe magic comes from a creamy ning, recipe developer and condressing kissed with curry, a bit of tent creator of the website Divas fruit for sweetness, a squeeze of On A Dime — Where Frugal, lemon for brightness and toasted Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at almonds for crunch. It’s comfortwww.divasonadime.com and join ing yet fresh, transforming humble the conversation on Facebook at chicken into something fit for a DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email celebration. Patti at divapatti@divasonadime. Below is the classic version, www.JasonCoblentz.com com made from scratch. But here’s a © 2025 King Features Synd., Inc. The salad that turns leftovers into something secret: This recipe is wonderfully forgiving. Leftover roast chicken fit for a queen. works beautifully, and a rotisserie chicken is a perfectly acceptable shortcut. A note on mango chutney: Many traditional recipes call for Major Grey’s mango chutney. It does add subtle depth, but not enough to justify buying a whole jar for just a few tablespoons, unless you plan to make this often or already enjoy chutney.
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The 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 year delivered in Caribou County, and $67.00 per year delivered outside of Caribou County within the United States. The Idaho Enterprise reserves the right to refuse publication of any or all materials. Brandon Hall
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First annual Valentine’s Dance.
Little Bang Town in Bancroft.
Fun and Games continued from page 4
story. The day of the Car Show, Dan walked up to my brother and said ‘we need to talk.’ And Mike’s like, ‘oh no, what did the boys do?’ But no, he said ‘about your sister. What can we do to help her?’ And Mike said, ‘don’t ask her what you can do, and don’t piss her off.’ So Dan says, ‘we want to help you because you were my dispatcher when I first joined twenty-five years ago. Dan and I have been together twenty-five years. This is a tough road, and I just want to thank Dan and everyone for all of your support and coming out here tonight.” “We love to do this for people who don’t want help. Sheri said, just put a gift basket together or something,” Ryan Carpenter said. “But we’re not gift basket people. You’re pretty important to a lot of people here, and some of them don’t even know it yet.” Project Warmth has a great day on the links The annual fundraiser for SEICAA’s energy assistance program landed at the Oregon Trail Country Club on Friday. The annual Project Warmth Classic, a five-person golf scramble tournament held at the Oregon Trail Country Club, is SEICAA’s largest and longest-running effort to build an energy assistance fund and assist impoverished individuals with outstanding heating costs. While the tournament was not held during COVID, it has otherwise been a yearly event since its inception in 1993. Project Warmth is an initiative that has been a part of the local SEICAA effort for many years, and provides a considerable amount of the funding necessary to maintain the energy assistance program. The program allows those with limited financial means to apply for energy assistance to help with home heating costs, especially during Idaho’s long winters. The program has been enormously successful in the area, and has contributed to the quality of life for many Caribou County residents. Renae Lynch was hired as the SEICAA director for the Caribou County area in February, and this is her first time with the tournament. “People have been amazing,” Lynch said. “This is a great community for people being involved and helping out.” Art in the Garden hopes to start a tradition Both the Caribou arts community and the Community Garden in Soda Springs love to see things grow, and they are both hopeful that an annual “Art in the Garden” event will do exactly that. Jeannine Robinett has been the heart of the community garden project since it officially launched in 2022. She was on site for the kickoff of the new tradition, along with Naconna Gentry, who took on the leadership position this year. From its beginning, the Community Garden has been a true community effort. The Presbyterian Church has been host of the garden’s location, and continues to support the project. Grants from Bayer and Nutrien have been critical at getting the garden up and going, and countless hours and immeasurable effort have been spent making building the garden up. “Our first three years we relied almost completely on donations from garden members,” Robinett said. “We have also gotten a lot of donations from seed companies, and donations of plants from the high school greenhouse.” There is not a city or county dimension to funding for the garden at present., and the garden is trying out different ideas like the Art in Garden one. “This is our first time doing anything like Art in the Garden, but we’re hoping to make this an every year fundraiser.” C Y
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January 1, 2026
As the garden grows and the spreads its leaves, it can’t help but to be nourished by the attention of the many who will treasure it.
Phelps and “The Lieutenant” among Soda Springs Homecoming Week highlights It was a busy Homecoming week for Soda Springs, coming in between Homecoming for North Gem several weeks ago and Grace next week. While the results of the Homecoming Football game against the visiting Malad Dragons didn’t end with the result the team was hoping for, all the other elements of Homecoming provided a great start to the seniors’ last year, and a good atmosphere for the underclassmen. Beyond the game, the week held all kinds of student-led activities during the week, the traditional Homecoming parade, the naming of the royalty, and a Homecoming dance inside the Enders Hotel. As to the game itself, while the end result was a loss the team had some bright spots, and was treated to the deployment of the 60’ by 30’ flag, “The Lieutenant,” which was overseen by 101 year old veteran Tom Phelps. On Monday, SSHS along with the fire department, veterans, and members of the community, gathered at Kelly Park for the traditional bonfire. As reported last week, veterans brought pizza for everyone, including the fire department who was on hand to make sure the fire stayed where it was supposed to. Retired flags were given their last salute, overseen by the veterans. Immediately before the game, a first of its kind ceremony to “deploy” a 30 foot by 60 foot flag nicknamed “The Lieutenant” was held. Involving dozens of helpers who gathered on the field prior to the game (including community members, students, and even some of the Malad JV team), the flag was displayed on the field under the alert eye of flag captain, Second Class Radio Man Thom Phelps, who turned 101 on September 22. Harvest Bazaar feeds the hungry The annual Harvest Bazaar hosted by the Presbyterian church in Soda Springs was held over the weekend on its traditional early November spot on the calendar, with a busy morning and afternoon devoted to providing a full turkey meal for the community. Both the in-person dining as well as the takeout operations at the church saw meal after meal being served up to a group that was hungry for delicious food as well as the company and support offered by those involved. Dinner itself consisted of turkey, beans, mashed and sweet potatoes, dressing, pumpkin pie, and more. Dinner was served “at-will” and those who donated very generously and those who donated their company all broke the same bread as they sat down to enjoy the convivial meal. The event has a long history that goes right to the heart of the community, and one that is well-situated in its spot the week before Veterans Day. “This is the 80th year they’ve done it,” Pastor Sobers said. “They started it in ‘45 as a way of giving soldiers going off to war a taste of home before they left. And over the years, it has really become woven into the life and the fabric of the community.” Newspaper articles in the Caribou County Sun dutifully anticipate and then recount the yearly bazaar going back generations, and many of those who help volunteer for the morning also have fond memories of making their way to the church. Giving Machine Opens in SE Idaho On Saturday, the ICCU Campus in Chubbuck officially welcomed the Light the World Giving Machine
Pioneer Day parade.
to town. The “Machine” is really a concept, which is why the individual units are not referred to as “giving machines” plural, according to volunteer Kris Mullen. “Music is about coming together and giving to the world and so this is a perfect opportunity for us to come together as a team and help make someone else’s life more enjoyable,” Soda Springs Performing Arts director Kimberly Mumford said. The SSPA was one of the acts that performed for the crowd on the machine’s very first day—just over an hour after the official opening. Festival of Trees comes to Enders After an extremely successful Festival of Trees last year, the Friends of the Soda Springs Library (the Friends, from here on out) decided to expand the event for this year at the Enders Hotel just down the street. With around a year in planning behind the event, and an incalculable amount of effort from countless volunteers, the event was once again exciting and full of holiday spirit. Friends President Beth Cheirrett said “Last year was great—we just want this year to be even better!” From all outward appearances, the Friends seemed to have more than exceeded that goal. The event was a massive undertaking in terms of volunteer support and donations. The Presenting Sponsors for the event were Caribou Medical
OBITUARY
Center, Gritton’s, Soda Smiles, and Lookout Credit Union, who sponsored the “O Holy Night” tree. The remaining entries were each amazing in their own rights, and designed by a fantastic group of volunteers and in many cases the sponsors themselves. Congratulations to the Friends of the Soda Springs Library and all the other sponsors and volunteers for putting on an event that did the City of Soda Springs proud! The Music of the Season On Sunday, the Soda Springs High School Auditorium was host to the 38th annual Caribou Community Choir and Orchestra Candle Light Christmas Concert. The orchestra and choir practiced separately for the most part in the lead up to the performance, other than two weekend rehearsals, so this was their first chance to hear what the combined force of the two parts was. Following the candlelight processional and a welcome and invocation, the performance began with the full group, and a stirring rendition of “Oh Holy Night.” The Choir then performed “White is the Winter Night.” It was an amazing concert and the musicians and directors deserve all the credit in the world. They are listed below for that purpose. There was an improv set after the performance as guests left, featuring Morgan Hill, Garrett Hill, Ralph Peterson, Tanner Davis, and Vince Burgoyne.
Edward (Ted) Waddoups Troseth May 31, 1941 ~ December 23, 2025
Edward (Ted) Waddoups Troseth returned to his Heavenly Father on December 23, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. Ted was born on May 31, 1941, in Cornish, Utah, to Lindon Troseth and Lucia Waddoups. After the tragic passing of his mother, Lucia, Ted was lovingly raised by his grandparents, Fenton and Jenny Waddoups, in Preston, Idaho. He graduated from Preston High School in 1959. Shortly after, he met the love of his life, Ida Kaylene Griffin. They were married on August 14, 1962, and later sealed in the Logan LDS Temple in 1965. Together, they made their home in Grace, Idaho, where they welcomed five daughters: Toni, Marie, Lauri, Heather, and Nikki. Throughout his life, Ted gained a wealth of skills and knowledge across many trades, including plumbing, auto mechanics, machine maintenance, and home construction. He built lifelong friendships during his many years working at the phosphate plant in Soda Springs, Idaho. Ted began his career at the El Paso plant in 1972, continuing through the Becker and Nu-West years, and retired from Agrium Phosphate in the fall of 2001. In addition to his career, Ted was a valued member of the Grace Community. He served on the Grace Zoning Board helping plan for the city’s future. He was also a Caribou County EMT, offering help and comfort to those in need. Ted was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ted served faithfully in numerous callings, including webelo scout leader. In retirement, Ted enjoyed learning new hobbies and refining his talents. He spent time tying fishing flies, building classic model cars, and painting oil landscapes. He was also an avid Utah Jazz fan, never missing a chance to cheer for his team. Ted is survived by his beloved wife, Ida Kaylene Griffin; his daughters Toni Lynn (Eugene) Christensen,
Lucia Marie (Jeff) Crane, Lauri K. (Chet) Creamer, Heather Ann Troseth Bergman, and Nikki Lee (Jim) Wilhelmi; his sisters Linda (David) Callahan and Katherine Myers; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lindon and Lucia Troseth; his grandparents, Fenton and Jenny Waddoups; and his brother, Norman George Troseth. Funeral services for Ted will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday January 3, 2026 at the Grace, ID Stake Center, 404 S. Main Street, Grace, ID. A visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM prior to the services also at the church. Burial will follow in the Cornish Utah Cemetery at 2:30 the same day. The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Enhabit Home Health & Hospice Care. And the staff of Heritage Senior Living center for the kindness, compassion, and support they provided to Ted and his family. To share a favorite memory of Ted or to offer condolences to the family, please leave a tribute at www. redrosefuneral.com C Y
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Picture Gallery
Idaho Enterprise|Caribou County
January 1, 2026
The production of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” in Grace.
New SEICAA director Renae Lynch.
First CMC baby of the year, Olivia Lahaye, with Genevra and Kellen.
Grace’s Shelley Reeves was named administrator of the year by IRWA.
The Fun Run was one of the many events hosted by Caribou Medical Center in 2025.
Officer Steele and Birka, following the swearing in.
Jake Reeves and his son, Liam, with the Black Canyon preschool staff.
SSHS production of Percy Jackson
Party at the Rock in Soda.
Parents Night in Bancroft.
Kallie Stoddard would go on to become State DYW!
The construction combine at Home Depot.
Scott Brown--SE Idaho Ag Hall of Fame
ShaLayne Bartschi and Fiona Benson.
Bancroft’s theatrical production of twisted Fairy Tales
Thirkill PTO Fun Run
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Trinity Corder with her senior project.
4-H hosted an Etiquette dinner at Thirkill.
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Idaho Enterprise|Caribou County
January 1, 2026
Sports
Jaxon Horsley pulls up to shoot the open thee points shot. Horsley hit a total of three 3’s in the game.
Gavin Hansen soars to the rim as he lays in a contested shot in last weeks home win over the Bears.
Cardinals Sweep The Bears In the only local game of the week last week the Soda Springs Cardinals boys basketball team hosted the Bears from Bear Lake. In their second meeting of the season the Cardinals were able to defeat the Bears completing the season sweep. Last week’s game was considerably closer than the first game between these two teams. In their first meeting the Cardinals were red hot shooting from the outside and walked away with a twenty-two point victory. This time around the Cardinals were without the strong post presence of McWilliams. McWilliams being out played into the Bears strengths whose underneath play is where they get a lot of their scoring. Missing one of their
best rebounders and scorers the Cardinals would rely heavily on the play of their other leading scorers Thompson and Hansen. Cooper Thompson got things started for the Cardinals as he was able to knock down a pair of three pointers on his way to eleven first quarter points. The Bears did their best to keep the game close in the first as they trailed by just six points as the quarter came to a close. The Cardinals were able to create some space in the second period of play by holding the Bears to six total points. Meanwhile the two headed monster of Hansen and Thompson combined for nine of the team’s twelve second quarter points. The Cardinals were able to take a comfortable twelve
point lead into the locker room at halftime. The third period was the most balanced stretch of the game for both teams. Between the two squads eleven total players would score in the quarter. Bear Lake made a little run but the Cardinals were able to respond. The third quarter ended with the teams matching each other in scoring during the quarter with the Cardinals holding on to their twelve point lead. Despite the earlier blowout loss and trailing by double digits the Bears did not back down. The Cardinals were not able to relax and had to continue to battle down the stretch. For the first time in the game the Bears were able to outscore the Cardinals in a single quarter but it
was not enough to overcome the Soda Springs lead. The Cardinals were able to add a win to their season with the nine point victory. Thompson and Hansen led the way for Soda Springs but a pleasant surprise was the play of Jaxson Horsley who finished with nine points and played some solid defense down the stretch. With the win the Cardinals move to 3-2 on the season. Saturday Soda Springs will travel to Salmon where they will try to collect another win. Cardinals 15 12 Bears 9 6
In 1923, when the Tournament of Roses annual football game in Pasadena, Calif., moved into a new, bowl-shaped stadium,
the game became known as the Rose Bowl. The term “bowl” has been used to describe championship games ever since.
12 15
55 46
M. Browning 2, C. Thompson 20, G. Hansen 18, K. Harrison 2, L. Mellor 2, J. Horsley 9, P. Ozburn 2
Blimps fly over football stadiums with onboard cameras providing spectacular overhead views of the crowd below. Follow these simple steps to draw a blimp of your own!
© 2025 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 42, No. 5
At this time of year, newspapers and TV trumpet the excitement of college football teams competing in bowl games!
16 16
One team earned a spot to play in 36 bowl games in 36 years, the longest consecutive bowl game record. Fill in the missing vowels to reveal this team.
Standards Links: Investigation: Find similarities and differences in common objects.
TOURNAMENT Find the words by looking up, down, backwards, forwards, FOOTBALL sideways and diagonally. COLLEGE E X J A N U A R Y F JANUARY T E M L E H O T O M STADIUM C I T L S S E O F U HELMET GAMES B I A N E A T N I I ROSES N O A S M B I A E D FIELD G F W G A W F M L A BOWL O O T L G B A E D T FANS C O L L E G E L L S TEAM GOAL T N E M A N R U O T NAME Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognize identical WIN words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.
College football fans are known for their intense team loyalty. How many differences can you find? Which college team has won the most Rose Bowl games? Cross out the word FOOTBALL each time it appears below. The remaining letters reveal the answer.
Which team has played in the most bowl games? The maze leads to the answer.
Teamwork in the News
Today, more than 30 college bowl games are played across the United States in December and January. Below are just some of them. Draw a line from each of the bowl games listed below to the state in which that game is played. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Boise, ID
Quick Lane Bowl Detroit, MI
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Alabama Crimson Tide
A successful football team works together to achieve victory. Find a news story about people who disagree about something. List ways they could work together to reach a solution. Standards Links: Behavioral Studies: Understand that different groups have different ways of meeting similar wants and needs.
Pinstripe Bowl Bronx, NY Military Bowl Annapolis, MD Music City Bowl Nashville, TN Peach Bowl Atlanta, GA
Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA Fiesta Bowl Glendale, AZ
Cotton Bowl Arlington, TX
Sugar Bowl New Orleans, LA
Standards Links: Geography: Use map skills to find the location of places.
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Gator Bowl Jacksonville, FL
Look through the newspaper to find these football-related words: DEFENSE GOAL GAME FIELD HELMET WIN PENALTY STADIUM Standards Links: Spelling: Spell grade-level appropriate words correctly.
Fitness Favorite
What is your favorite way to exercise? Why?
Go to kidscoop.com/how-to-draw/ to learn how to draw a football player, a cheerleader and a crazy football fan, too! Standards Links: Visual Arts: Know how different media and processes communicate ideas.
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Idaho Enterprise|Caribou County
January 1, 2026
Sports Who Had The Performance Of The Year In 2025? As 2025 comes to a close we thought that we would take a look back at some of the top performances of the year from our high school athletes. In this article we will give a brief description of our top performances from the past year in Caribou County sports. Then after you have had a chance to look back on these performances you can go to our facebook page, Idaho Enterprise Caribou County and vote on which was your favorite. Voting will be brief and conclude on January 4th. Following the voting we will have a more indepth look at the winners performance in next week’s edition of the paper. This year’s selections are a mix of state champions and great team victories. Not every performance had a
championship on the line or resulted in a top finish but every one had its own level of excitement and entertainment. As we looked back over the year we looked at impressive victories by both individuals and teams. We sought out those games or performances that were thrilling and impressive whether it was due to what those victories accomplished or who their competitors were. Although we did our best to come up with a balanced group of nominees it just so happened that most of the top performances came from our local male athletes this year. In fact we only have one female nominated this year while there are seven males or boys teams nominated. We will not drag this out any further so here are our nominees for performance of the year.
Cally Coleman (Grace) 2025 1600 meter 2A girls state champion. Cally also placed fourth in the 3200 meter race and third in the 800 meter race at the state championships.
Degan Stoor (Soda Springs) 2025 110 meter hurdle 3A boys state champion. Degan also placed second in the 300 meter hurdles at the state championships.
BY JODY REEVES
Soda Springs boys basketball defeats Declo. The Cardinals upset the undefeated Hornets in the district tournament semi finals earning them an automatic bid to state.
North Gem football defeats Rockland. The Cowboys took down rival Rockland in the season finale spoiling the Bulldogs chances of reaching the playoffs.
Grace boys basketball defeats Valley. The Grizzlies took down previously undefeated Valley in the first round of the state tournament on their way to claiming a third place trophy.
Cole Garbett (Soda Springs) 2025 215 lbs 3A wrestling state champion. Cole had a dominate season that culminated in a state championship.
Soda Springs Football ends drought. The Cardinals picked up their first win in over two seasons in a road game at Firth.
Grace Football defeats Rich County. The Grizzlies won a barn burner over Utah’s top eight man team.
Soda Springs Joint School District #150 250 E 2nd S Soda Springs, ID 83276 Phone: (208) 547-3371 Fax: (208) 547-4878 SSHS: (208)547-4308 Tigert: (208) 547-4922 Thirkill: (208) 547-4426 C Y
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There you have it, our picks for the top performances of 2025. Now head over to our facebook page, Idaho Enterprise Caribou County and find the
Grace School District #148 605 South 4th West PO Box 347 Grace, ID 83241 Phone/Black Canyon: (208) 425-3984 Grace HS (208) 425-3809 Fax: (208) 425-3809
poll to place your vote. Then stay tuned to see who the top vote getter was and read about their big win all over again.
North Gem School District #149 360 South Main St. Bancroft, Idaho 83217 Ph. (208) 648-7848 Fax. (208) 648-7895
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