Caribou County | November 6, 2025

Enterprise The Idaho

Harvest Bazaar feeds the flock

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 take-out 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 annual event is conceived of as an ecumenical celebration, which is to say that while it is sponsored and hosted by the Presbyterian church, it is designed with the entire community involved. In fact, members of the local Catholic church, Latter-day Saints wards, unaffiliated community volunteers, and many others were present.

“Out there you’re going to see Mormons, and Baptists, and Catholics, and Presbyterians all sitting down together over a meal, just fellowshipping—just hanging out and being together,” said Pastor Nathan Sobers. “And that to me is one of the

biggest gifts of this event now.”

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.

“Oh, I just love this every year!” one diner noted, to the nodding of her companions. Much of the overheard conversation focused on the same subject. While some years had been a little different due to external conditions (such as COVID, most recently), for the most part the Harvest Bazaar, with its attendant joys, is a predictable celebration in the most comforting way.

But as an event open to everyone, there are also those who are visiting for their first time. Toni Werk, who worships at the Presbyterian Church in Malad (which was built first but who’s counting? she teases) made her way over to Caribou County to see what the fuss was about.

Election Update

Find the results of the elections in Caribou County on a print sheet inside this paper! Due to our production schedule, which requires us to send the print contents of the paper to the printer on Tuesday afternoon, we are not able to include the official results of the 2025 municipal elections in the main, “fixed” sections of the paper. However, we do want to make sure that those results are available as soon as possible to readers. There are a variety of ways to locate election returns, the most universal being the website https://results.voteidaho. gov/results/public/caribou-county-id/ elections/nov2025, which tracks election results for the county. The time between the closing of the polls and the results is variable, of course, but given that this is an off-year municipal election the results should be widely available on Wednesday morning. While this is being written ahead of time, barring any unforeseen

calamities this paper should contain a print sheet with the results of the mayoral elections in Bancroft, Grace, and Soda Springs, as well as the city council and special district/levy results. The changes resulting from any and all of those elections will be significant on the county as a whole, and we will bring you analysis of the potential impacts as the picture takes clearer shape. In past off-year elections, the number of total voters out of the possible registered number has been fairly low, with around 30 percent or so on average. This is partly due to the number of residences which are in the county, but not within city limits for the municipal elections. The fact that all three major towns in the county are holding mayoral elections is predicted to increase the percentage of voters a bit, but we should know by Wednesday morning. Another story related to this election is that it represents an unoffi-

“Well, this is wonderful,” Werk said.

“I’m glad I had room for all of it!”

In addition to food, a silent auction was held concurrent with the lunch, featuring a number of items, largely but nor exclusively holiday themed. Handcrafted items, artwork, crafts, and other great present ideas were arrayed near the entrance.

A craft and creation table, along with Pastor Nathan Sobers, greeted visitors as they entered the church. Both provided a warm welcome!

While the number of meals made, packaged, eaten, and delivered was not available at the time, the activity inside the dining area (and especially the kitchen) indicated that it was a substantial number. The full turkey dinner spread was absolutely the right thing for a brisk but not cold early November morning, as the event season begins its shift to the more devotional.

“To me, I’m really big on ecumenicalism anyway, as a pastor, and this is a primary example of what that can mean,” Sobers said. “Again, a lot of these people have known each other all their lives. But there have been times where some sectarian difference wouldn’t not have allowed for something like this. For me, it’s not just about the food or raising the money. For me, it’s about bringing the BAZAAR

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cial kickoff to the county’s use of the Event Center for civic events. The Event Center meeting area was used during construction for some of the events held during the Caribou County Fair this summer, and while the edifice was not completed at the time the space served the purposes of the county quite well for fair week. By Wednesday afternoon we should have a decent sense of the how the same space functioned for an official, governmental function of the type the Event Center was partially greenlit to accommodate. In addition to functions like voting and emergency sheltering, the building will house the county’s Extension Office and EMS facilities, as well as rentable space for public and private events.

As of Tuesday morning, there are no reports of major problems or issues with either the voting across the county itself or the Event Center location.

Teacher Shot by 6-Year-Old Testifies in $40 Million Lawsuit

Former first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner delivered emotional testimony this week in her $40 million lawsuit against former assistant principal Ebony Parker, describing the horrifying moment she was shot by a six-year-old student in January 2023. “I thought I was dying. I thought I had died,” Zwerner told jurors, recalling how the bullet tore through her hand and chest. She has since undergone six surgeries and continues to suffer physical pain and psychological trauma. Zwerner’s lawsuit accuses Parker and school administrators of gross negligence, claiming they ignored multiple warnings from staff that the young student had brought a gun to school that day. The incident, which shocked the nation, reignited debate over school safety and accountability. Parker, who resigned shortly after the shooting, also faces separate criminal child neglect charges related to her alleged failure to act on the warnings.

Truck Driver Airlifted After Crashing Into Bridge Pillar on I15; Section of Interstate Closed

A truck driver was flown to a hospital Thursday night after crashing into a bridge pillar along Interstate 15, prompting the closure of a section of the highway. The crash occurred around 8:45 p.m. near milepost 92, where a white Kenworth truck hauling an empty milk tanker veered off the left side of the road and struck a support pillar of the Riverton Road overpass. Authorities say the impact caused structural damage to the bridge, forcing officials to close both northbound and southbound lanes. Emergency crews responded quickly, and the 46-year-old driver was airlifted to a nearby hospital. His condition has not been released. Traffic was rerouted via local exits while crews assessed the bridge and worked to clear the scene. Idaho State Police, Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho Transportation Department assisted at the site. No other vehicles were reported involved.

‘I Feel Guilty Eating a Meal’: Low-Income Families Brace for Loss of Federal Aid

Millions of low-income Americans are bracing for potential cuts to billions in federal food assistance as Congress struggles to pass a budget, putting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at risk. For recipients like Annemarie King, the uncertainty is overwhelming. “I feel guilty eating,” she said, describing how she skips meals to stretch her benefits. Nearly 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, and experts warn a funding lapse could deepen food insecurity. Food banks across the country are preparing for surging demand as families face impossible choices between food, rent, and healthcare.

Community Notes

Christmas Concert still looking for singers

The Community Christmas Concert is continuing its lead up to the Sunday, December 14 performance. The theme for the year is “Oh Come, He is Born!”

If you are interested in joining, or have misplaced your calendar, please see the following dates and information for upcoming rehearsals and the performance.

REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Please come to every rehearsal. Put reminders on your phone and just come!

Orchestra NOTE: Choir members are welcome to attend orchestra rehearsals Thursdays at 7 to sing vocals on their own. Their numbers will be rehearsed first.

Rehearsals Thursday October 16 7-9 P.M. Tigert Middle School Music Room

• Thursday November 6 7-9 TMS

• Thursday November 13 7-9 TMS

• Thursday November 20 7-9 TMS

• Sunday November 23 6-8 Presb Church

• Sunday November 30 6-8 Presb Church

• Thursday December 4 7-9 TMS

• Sunday December 7 6-8 Presbyterian Church

• Saturday December 13 8:30 A.M until done SSHS Auditorium

• Sunday December 14 3 P.M.call time SSHS Auditorium

• Performance Sunday December 14 4 P.M. concert time SSHS Auditorium

Choir NOTE: Choir members are welcome to also attend orchestra rehearsals

Thursdays at 7 to sing vocals on their own. Those numbers will be rehearsed first.

Rehearsals Sunday October 19 6-8 P.M. Presbyterian Church

• Sunday November 9 6-8 Presb Church

• Sunday November 16 6-8 Presb Church

• Sunday November 23 6-8 Presb Church

• Sunday November 30 6-8 Presb Church

• Sunday December 7 6-8 Presb Church

• Saturday December 13 9 A.M until done Soda Springs HS Auditorium

• Sunday December 14 3:00 P.M. call time SSHS Auditorium

Performance Sunday December 14 4 P.M. concert time SSHS Auditorium

CONCERT ATTIRE

Orchestra

Women: all black

SS Performing Arts Band will entertain at Light The World event

The LIGHT THE WORLD GIVING MACHINE

community together, and I wouldn’t be upset if we only got five bucks or whatever. For me, it’s the sense of community that is most important about this.”

Sobers finds that gatherings of people can go a long way toward alleviating some of the distance that many feel in their lives today. “In small towns where divisions and things that separate can sometimes get blown out of proportion, it can be easy to divide up. And so things like the ecumenical Thanksgiving service and the Christmas service and some of the other things that we, and others do, are designed to break down some of those barriers. This church has worked hard in general to build bridges throughout the different communities in town. I would make a guess, looking at the dining room, that probably eighty percent of the people in there are not Presbyterians,

sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is finally coming to Southeast Idaho, and the Soda Springs Performing Arts Band will be on hand to welcome it!

The band has been invited to entertain patrons of the machine at noon on it’s opening day. They will play from 12-12:30 on Saturday, November 15, as patrons from all over the area come and provide help for people all over the world.

The machine will be located at the Idaho Central Credit Union Headquarters in Pocatello, Idaho. This wonderful experience is free to the public, and all are welcome and invited to come and give!

Winter Coat Exchange

Cohlee Winward and Bonnie Speas have been collecting gently used winter coats and clothing from the community as a part of their community schools outreach. The project is a way for those in need of winter clothing for the upcoming year to obtain needed warm gear from those who no longer need it. The project is available to anyone in the community, and certainly makes a lot of sense for the younger set, whose changes in size while growing lead to a high turnover in seasonal clothing.

If you have coats, gloves, scarves, hats, or other cold weather items that you’d like to donate, that can still be done up until 9 a.m. on the morning of the 7th at Tigert Middle School.

The official coat exchange will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on November 7 at Tigert.

Clothing that you may have been saving to donate to locations out of town can be put to good use right here in the county for those who need it, or would just like to look into an exchange of size or style.

Flu Shots available at SIPH

It is well and truly flu season, and the Southeastern Idaho Public Health Department has flue shots available for those who would like them. The shots are recommended for those in high risk categories, which includes: older people over age 65, young children, under age 2, people with chronic lung disease (such as asthma and COPD), diabetes (type 1 and 2), heart disease, neurologic conditions, and certain other long-term health conditions, pregnant women, health care workers.

SIPH reminds the community that the flu shot is the single best way to prevent the flu, and that even if you got a flu shot last year, you will still need the flu shot this year to be protected this flu season. The best time to get your flu shot is before flu activity is high in your community.

Call the SIPH office in Soda Springs with any questions, and to check for availability. 1 (208) 547-4375.

Thirkill PTO Christmas Market

This weekend on November 7th and 8th, Thirkill

which is great.”

Ecumenicism is essentially a belief in a shared project to expand the community of the faithful of all different stripes. Sobers is gratified to see that trend in general, but of course specifically glad to see the continued health of his home congregation. “I’ve been here for about four years, and we’ve grown quite a bit in that time. A lot of the folks grew up in this church and were away for a variety of reasons. But now a lot of them are coming back, and that’s been great.”

In a related note, a Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Thanksgiving, November 27 at the Caribou County Senior Center from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Organizers ask that those requesting takeout meals contact Jim McCulloch at (208) 681-1832 for more information. Those interested in volunteering or donating to the cause can use the same contact number.

Elementary will host a Christmas Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the school building at 60 E 4th St S in Soda. Last year, the event included a wide variety of vendors and potential gifts for the upcoming holidays. Crafts, food, craft foods, and more will be available from your favorite local merchants as well as those from the surrounding areas. A full list of planned vendors is not available at present, but find your way to the school this weekend and see what surprises might be in store for you as you look for that perfect gift!

Soda Sip Cereal Drop

Soda Sip reminds residents that the 6th ANNUAL PROJECT CEREAL DROP is currently underway. According to organizers: “This is a PROJECT that has been put together to donate 1 box of cereal to each elementary school student in CARIBOU COUNTY. The kids will get to take it home during CHRISTMAS BREAK to make sure each child does not go hungry over the holidays! We want to invite you to help us! Please drop off any unopened, not expired BOXES of CEREAL(12oz or more please) to SODA SIP. We will also be collecting wrapping paper and tape this year to wrap each box of cereal. And if you find any good deals on cereal please let us know so we can let others know as well!

If you are unable to drop off cereal but still want to participate please Venmo @Mersade-Wells Thank You! -Soda Sip

From the Crow’s Nest

BRANDON HALL, EDITOR

I decided to call these occasional editorial remarks “the Crow’s Nest” because it gives me a chance to “crow” about the good things I come across on my daily rounds, and it also gives me a chance to “eat crow” about things I, or we, or anyone really, gets wrong.

Luckily, I don’t think there are any urgent issues of the latter type for the moment, but I’m not done typing this yet so we’ll see how it goes…

This time of year is one of my favorites. In addition to the great weather and cluster of holidays and events, there’s also just something about the anticipation of impending winter. It’s a dirty word, of course, for a lot of the people I spend time around. Words associated with the predominant form of precipitation during the first and last quarters of the year (if that’s appropriately vague enough) are often informally forbidden from city council chambers, emergency responder bays, senior centers, and many other places. It makes everything more difficult. It’s cold. It costs more just to stay alive from November to February or so. Everything gets wet and dirty. Things break. On a windy day, there’s every chance you may just get picked up by a gust and never seen again.

Still, there’s something about the bite in the air, the lower angles of light during the day. The smell of wood smoke. The sight of steam rising from a mug.

It’s book reading season, and football watching season, and finally retiring the yard tools you still haven’t gotten around to trying to figure out how to use season.

But it’s also the season of musical choirs, and holiday plays, and harvest festivals, and gift fairs, and craft events, and so many other activities that bring communities together.

Last week was a widespread example of that, as there were few corners of the county where something—or a lot of somethings!—wasn’t happening during the week. While each community had its own specific events, one of the unique and interesting things I’ve come to really appreciate about Caribou County is how intertwined the communities are at a deep level. There are countless people who, say, live in Bancroft but work in Grace or Soda, or vice versa, or have

kids in school in one town but work in another, or have a husband or wife that works for the county or another city, and so on through dozens of permutations.

It makes for a nicely expanded sense of what a community can really be, and the types of events that fill the fall and winter tend to bring that out better than any others. Halloween is always a joyful holiday, where some of the last energies of the summer find their expression in the excitement of kids and the creativity of their parents.

Once October ends, though, there is often a clear mood shift to the more somber an meditative part of the season. Veterans Day is one of the pre-eminent days of observance in this area, and as the shadows grow longer it’s a fitting time of year to honor the sacrifices of those who have committed themselves to serving this country. We will bring you veterans event coverage from around the valley as it transpires.

Thanksgiving is another reflective time, where not only families but communities come together to celebrate the passage of another trip around the sun. A community Thanksgiving will be held at the Caribou Senior Center in Soda Springs, and we will bring you more information as it is settled. This year’s Festival of Trees in Soda will also be a Thanksgiving adjacent event, pulling together members of the community and local business for a day of mutual celebration.

The Community Christmas Concert on December 14 is another event that will pull from the amazing human resources across the valley. The dozens of talented musicians who will converge on that day to ring in the holiday are part of what makes this time of year something to look forward to with such relish.

One of the things that the young and…less than young share is an acute awareness of how the weather and the time of year profoundly affects our daily experience. While there are obviously some folks who would prefer not to have to dress in five layers to head outside to start the car warming up before stripping down to a comfortable four layers for the drive to work, there are also those of use for whom the weather and the time of year could not be more perfect! …although not even people like us are fans of the upcoming February, of course.

Thank you!

As a mayor candidate in the Soda Springs Municipal election, I wanted to thank all the voters who came to the polls and cast their ballots. Participation in local elections and the political process is an important part of our city’s future. Going forward, I encourage everyone to be as involved as possible in local issues and government. An involved community is a community that is growing and progressing.

Next, thank you to all the election workers. Your dedication and hard work is appreciated.

To all the candidates, thank you! I know it is not always easy to step up and be involved. I appreciate the hard work and willingness to serve that each of you have shown.

To everyone who supported me in this election, thank you. I am humbled by your support. Whatever the outcome of the election (unknown as this letter was written), I will continue working hard for our community, doing my best to represent each of you as I try to make Soda Springs an even better place to call home.

Thank you!

Paul Gritton

Veterans

On Veteran’s Day, we fly the flag, At full sta , proud and free. A symbol of our countr y, For all the world to see.

We fly it high, for those who serve, And for those, who have served before. To protect our nation and way of life, In peace time and in war They come from every walk of life, Every gende r, race and creed. And they put their private lives on hold, To serve our country’s need.

They put their bodies and lives at risk, So that we might be protected. They deserve much more than just our thanks, They deserve to be respected.

Most veterans served our nation well, Then returned, as they expected. But some came home, with special needs, Which must not be neglected.

Some came home, in co ins draped, With the flag that they had served. To a military funeral, And the honors they deserved. Some never made it home again, Their bodies never found. But wherever it is their body lies, That place, is hallowed ground. Give thanks to every veteran, For the Freedoms we hold dear. And God Bless Every Veteran, Every day of every year

Don Merrell

The Ground Observer Corps in Caribou County

GALEN WILSON, CARIBOU COUNTY HISTORI-

We had a good meeting last Monday, Vicki Dahms told some history about the Ground Observer Corp (GOC), a program created from World War II when 1.5 million civilian volunteers were enrolled by the Army Air Forces to man 14,000 observation posts to identify enemy aircraft attempting to penetrate American airspace.

With the declining threat to American from German and Japanese air forces, the Air Force disestablished the GOC in 1944. In February 1950, Continental Air Command Commander General Ennis C Whitehead proposed the formation of a 160,000 GOC to operate 8,000 observation posts scattered in gaps between the proposed radar network sites because of the possible Soviet attacks.

The State of Idaho was assigned to establish observer posts at every 10 or so miles. At each post the trained volunteers consisted of a supervisor, a chief supervisor and 20-30 observers. Two people were on duty at each post with a shift of two hours. East post to be equipped with a telephone within fifteen seconds walking distance of the observer on duty. Between November 1951 and January 1955 there were several recruitment meetings in Soda Springs, Bancroft, Grace and Lago and training sessions were conducted realizing the more observers were needed. At this time there was still no observer post in Soda Springs. By January 20, 1955, Monsanto was urging people to attend meetings and get involved. In February, the GOC had support from Monsanto and Kiwanis, and a post was assured. Monsanto guards would operate the post until more observers were trained and a post building was constructed. Lula Barnard was appointed post supervisor and L. A. Richards accepted the post of Chief Observer. October 1955 Caribou County appropriated funds of $300.00 and the City Council approved the Post and accepted a bid of $856.00 from Horsley Brothers to build the GOC Outlook Post on Soda Mound. In January1956, the Post building was completed. Mayor Allen Tigert spoke to the citizens and dedicated it in honor of the late Mayor Aaron L. Ozburn. The Goc officially started at the local post for a 12 hour / day operation on Wednesday, January 25. Monsanto would operate a 12 hour night shift. The operator had a book in the post that identified the many different types of planes. It was their job to watch the skies with binoculars for planes and report any possible enemy planes, In February, 32 planes were reported over the post. In June, the observers were awarded certificates and wings. Two years later, in September of 1958, one hundred and sixty members in the post retired as a new radar network retired the Ground Observer Corps.

The history of the GOC post that was built on Soda Mound continues. It was later moved to Corri -

gan, (Soda Springs City Park). At one point its windows were broken. Ice skaters used the building for a warming hut. It later went to the Oregon Trail Country Club, Hole #6. Some residents claim it was placed on stilts and used as a radio announcing booth for football games for a few years.while it was in the City Park and then to the Sno-Drifters racing course in 1970. This was just off of the Blackfoot River Road .In 1991 Mike McEntire and Wes Rice rescued the post building from the site of the retired Sno-Drifters race track and put it in Mike’s backyard. In 1991, Ron Nichols proposed that the GOC Skywatch Post building be restored and placed in its original location on the Geyser Springs Mound.Mike donated the building for restoration. He recalled, as a child, being with his mother when she was attending her duties in the GOC Post in the 1950’s. On MArch 18, 2003, Mullen Crane Company moved the building from Mike’s yard to the City of Soda Springs Maintenance Yard, then in April 2009, the building was moved to Bassett Building and restored. On July 5, 2010, 54 1/2 years after it was built, it was moved to the Geyser Mound location where it was originally built and a rededication held.. A.G. Stevens, who was a staff sergeant for the GOC in Soda Springs, daughter Cheryl, had attended grade school here between 1954-57 while her dad was serving, was living in Texas and traveled to Soda to attend the rededication ceremony.

The Ground Observer Corp was another interesting part of our history and may not be well known. We appreciate Vicki and her report on the GOC. The GOC observation post building still sits at its original location for all to view. It remains locked to help prevent vandalism as we have lost the binoculars that were there but you can check it out and see the phone that

was used, the book with the planes for identification and a list of those locals that participated as observers.Those that served as a GOC observer felt it was an honor to be able to help out. We invite you to stop by the geyser and check out the GOC Observer Post.

We also would like to thank Vicki for this information that she provided. It is great to learn more about the history of our county and we hope to continue this. We will

have a little history of Morristown and the Morrisites, the first community and permanent settlers in the Soda Springs area. If there is something that you would like to learn about please contact Galen Wilson at 208-221-3181, Bill Horsley at 208-604-0524 or Jerry Stoor at 208-317-5148 and we will research it and present it at one of our monthly meetings that are help at the museum at 6pm on the 4th Monday of the month.

War on Weeds—weeds are everybody’s problem

THE ISSUE: Common Yarrow Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a native perennial forb found throughout the United States. Found in lawn areas, around planting beds, in mildly disturbed soils of grasslands and open forests. Common Yarrow has been used by several tribes of the Plain region of the United States including the Pawnee and Chippewa tribes in medicines. The Pawnee used the stalk in treatment for pain relief. The Chippewa used the leaves in a steam inhalant for headaches. They also chewed the roots and applied the saliva to their appendages as a stimulant. The Cherokee drank a tea of common yarrow to reduce fever and aid in restful sleep. For all the benefits of Common Yarrow, it can become invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not responsibly managed. Common yarrow produces one to several 8- to 16-inch-tall stems. Leaves are evenly distributed along the stem, with the leaves near the middle and bottom being the largest. The feather-shaped leaves have varying degrees of hairiness. Leaf blades are lance-shaped in outline but are finely divided. Overall leaf dimensions range from ¼ to 1 ¼ inch wide by 1 ¼ to 6 inches long. Flower heads have a flattened dome shape with 10-20 ray flowers. Flowers are white to yellowish white. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Options:

• Prevention – Learn to identify this plant. Never transport unknown plant material. Maintain maximum turfgrass vigor and density through appropriate management practices.

• Mechanical – Effective control must target both aboveground and underground plant structures.

Hand-pull plants in lawn areas prior to flowering. Mow or cut plants to prevent developing seed heads. Mechanical removal of aboveground foliage will not kill underground plant parts; manually remove underground structures to prevent re-sprouting.

• Chemical – Spot treatments with appropriate post-emergent herbicides when the plant is actively growing with follow-up treatments when plants re-sprout may be necessary to prevent spreading structures. Many restricted and non-restricted use herbicide are available, for more information visit https://pnwhandbooks.org/ then search “Common Yarrow” in the weed section. Always read and follow herbicide label directions! Tom Jacobsen, University of Idaho Extension Educator in Fremont County. (208) 624-3102 tjacobsen@uidaho.edu

Tips from a Rancher’s Wife (Who’s Learned the Hard Way)

BY ALLISON ELIASON

The fall ranch work has always been my favorite. From gathering the cattle off the summer mountain range to working the calves through the chute, I love it all. With all the kids in school now, I get to spend far more minutes as one of the guys this year. I never complain, because I beg and plead for the chance to spend the day horseback or chuteside, but there are a few things that I have learned working by the side of my rancher husband that I wish I would have known earlier.

Some things I learned the hard way, some a more funny way, some maybe with a little red in my cheeks from embarrassment, and all of them worth passing along to any other ranch wife brave enough to climb in the pickup when he says, “We’ll just be gone a couple hours.”

So here’s a few tips from one muddy-booted, windblown ranch wife to another.

1. Always put your horse in last.

It’s not just about trailer order — it’s survival strategy. Because when your husband says, “We’ll all ride out together,” what he really means is, “I’ll saddle up and go check that far fence while you’re still cinching your saddle.” If you load your horse last, you’re guaranteed to be the first one off when that trailer door drops. Otherwise, you’ll be watching the dust of the crew disappearing over the hill while you’re still tightening your cinch.

2. “We’ll be done by lunchtime” means nothing.

It’s not a lie exactly — it’s just ranch time. Lunchtime could mean 2 p.m. if things go well, or 9 p.m. if someone leaves a gate open, the calves make a break for it, or a neighbor calls need-

ing “just a quick hand.” The only way to counter such a ranching curse is to pack snacks, water, and patience. You’re not coming home when you think you are.

3. Don’t ask where you’re going until you’re already in the pickup.

Because if you ask beforehand, you might find a reason to suddenly “have things to do in the house.” It’s best to just climb in, smile, and find out halfway down the road that you’re doctoring a cow two pastures over — the one that hates everyone. And don’t be surprised that even if he did tell you where you are headed, there will always be more stops to make along the way.

4. Know when to hold the flashlight and when to hold your tongue.

There’s a delicate art to being helpful without being too helpful. When the tractor won’t start or the wire patch for the fence is a little short, sometimes silence is the only safe option. Just shine the light, nod, and say, “Looks good to me.”

5. Marital communication tip:

“Go left” doesn’t mean what you think it means. It might mean your left, his left, or the other left depending on which way the cattle are running. And if he says, “Just circle around and head them off,” prepare to interpret that in real time as you gallop through sagebrush trying to look like you know what you’re doing. Remember he is never yelling AT you, it is always TO you.

6. Never wear new clothes to the corral.

You are probably just checking when he will be in for dinner or just turning the cows down the road, but your new town clothes are like waving a red flag at a muddy calf. That crisp new shirt will be ruined within minutes — and there won’t be any

BRAIN TEASERS

sympathy from the man that invited you out.

7. Don’t take gate duty lightly. You might think running the gate on sorting day is the easy job. It’s not. There’s more pressure swinging that one gate than in most high-level negotiations. All you hear is “in” or “by” and you might not actually know which black one he meant. but by golly, if you get it wrong, you will hear about it. There is no time to decide or double check what you heard, just go with your gut, you’re probably right. Don’t try to tell him to talk louder, it’s always your hearing that’s going bad.

8. A good ranch wife always has everything on hand.

A long time ago I quit dragging a purse around. After trying to anticipate what I would need for every potential problem, I just started stashing every possible emergency item in the truck. Need chapstick? There’s probably 5 rolling around. Wire cutters or pliers- in the door pocket. There’s vet wrap, bungies,cotton gloves, toilet paper, snacks, water, and sometimes even an extra pair of clothes. Because out here, “running to town” is an event that requires preparation worthy of the Oregon Trail.

9. Learn to celebrate the small wins. It’s simple but it’s worth saying.

It’s for those days when the cattle load without anyone yelling. Or when you get through a whole day without losing a glove, a tool, or your sense of humor. Just like in horse shoes, being close on the cattle count is good enough.

10. Don’t be afraid to remind him who really runs the place.

Sure, he’s the one in the tractor, but you’re the one making breakfast, closing gates, running the shots, and putting supper on the table even if it’s at 10 p.m. The ranch might not carry your name, but it certainly doesn’t carry on without you.

The truth is, ranch life with your husband isn’t for the faint of heart — or the faint of nose, for that matter. You’ll freeze, sweat, swear, laugh, and sometimes wonder why in the world you ever agreed to “just check fences.” But when the day ends there’s no better feeling than knowing you did it together — side by side, dust-covered and dead tired, but proud of the life you’ve built.

So here’s a final tip- When he says, “Hop in, we’re just going for a bit,” take a deep breath, grab your gloves, and go. You’ll have stories to tell, memories to laugh over, and maybe — just maybe — one more reason to love this crazy life.

EVENT CALENDARS

SODA SPRINGS CARIBOU COUNTY

Friday, November 9th

Caribou County Senior Dinner

Thirkill PTO Christmas Craft Fair

Saturday, November 8th

IDAN-HA Movie

Thirkill PTO Christmas Craft Fair

Sunday, November 9th

Presbyterian Services

Caribou Bible Church Services

Catholic Mass (8:30am)

Open Arms Church Services

LDS Services

Hope Lutheran Church

Monday, November 10th

Catholic Daily Mass (9am)

Tuesday, November 11th

Veterans Day

GBB Jamboree @ Snake River

HS

Wednesday, November 12th

IDAN-HA Movie

Caribou County Senior Dinner

GBB @ Grace

Thirkill Book Fair 4-6

Wrestling @ Marsh Valley

Thursday, November 13th

Catholic Daily Mass (6:30pm)

IDAN-HA Movie

GBB @ Home

Thirkill Book Fair 4-6

BIRTHDAYS

Lezlie Dunn, Nov. 1

Teri Elam, Nov. 3

Sandra Batterton, Nov. 5

Ann Poulsen, Nov. 5

Milo T Crump, Nov. 6

Jim Russell, Nov. 6

Sheldon Mayne, Nov. 9

Lee Redepenning, Nov. 11

LaDene Hume, Nov. 12

Eileen Farnsworth, Nov. 12

Jay Perry, Nov. 13

Bill Hamilton, Nov. 14

Connie Farmer, Nov. 14

Chris Gentry, Nov. 15

Christine Gentry, Nov. 15

Kenna Ainzley Crump, Nov. 16

Libby Hubbard, Nov. 16

Michael Robinson, Nov. 16

GRACE

Friday, November 9th

HS FB Playoffs

Make- Up Day if needed

Sunday, November 9th

LDS Services

Monday, November 10th

Preschool Story Hour @ Library 10:30am Grace School District Meeting

Tuesday, November 11th

Veterans Day Veterans Day Assembly

Thursday, November 13th

Bell Photo Re-takes Dead Poet

BANCROFT

Sunday, November 9th

LDS Services

Monday, November 10th

MS GBB @ American Heritage

Tuesday, November 11th

Veterans Day

North Gem Veterans Day Breakfast

Veterans Day Assembly

Wednesday, November 12th

MS GBB w/Rockland

LUNCH MENUS

SODA SPRINGS LUNCH MENU

Lunches served with Fruit, Veggies & Milk

Monday, November 10

Corn dog, chips, fruit, veggies, and milk

Tuesday, November 11

Thankful Feast! Ham, mashed potatoes, corn, roll, fruit, veggie, milk

Wednesday, November 12

Dutch waffle, sausage patty, fruit, veggies, and milk

Thursday, November 13

Cheeseburger, pork and beans, fruit, veggies, and milk

NORTH GEM LUNCH MENU

Milk and Choice of Bar Each Day

Monday, November 10

Cereal Fun Lunch (Elem.), Tator Tot Breakfast Wrap, Deli Bar, Fresh Carrots / Applesauce

Tuesday, November 11

BBQ Pork Sliders, Burritos, Deli Bar, Broccoli w/ Cheese / Peaches

Wednesday, November 12

Pizza Rippers, Deli Bar, Green Beans / Oranges

Thursday, November 13

Walking Tacos, Deli Bar, Cheesy Refried Beans / Tropical Fruit Salad

GRACE LUNCH MENU

Lunches served with Milk

Monday, November 10

ALFREDO, Bread Stick, FOOD

CHOICES: Crisp Garden Salad, Peaches, Milk

Tuesday, November 11

PIZZA, FOOD CHOICES: Relish Tray, Salad, Pears, Milk

Doyle Dekay, Nov. 17

Barbara Lloyd, Nov. 17

Jay Hook, Nov. 19

MarJean Petersen, Nov. 20

Heidi Rigby, Nov. 22

Heather Robinson, Nov. 22

Linda J Anderson, Nov. 24

Bob Bolton, Nov. 26

Vicki Kaly, Nov. 29

Sherry Neal, Nov. 29

Shirley Carver, Nov. 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

Wednesday, November 12

CHILI, Cinnamon Roll, FOOD

CHOICES: Fresh Veggies, Mandarin Oranges, Milk

Thursday, November 13

CHICKEN NUGGETS, Scalloped Potatoes, FOOD CHOICES: Green Beans, Cinnamon Applesauce, Milk

CARIBOU COUNTY SENIOR CITIZENS' MENU

Every meal served with Juice/Milk/Coffee

Nov 7 - Lasagna, Green Salad, Bananas, Bread Sticks, Birthday Cake and Ice Cream*

Nov 12 - Tamale Pie, Green Salad, Mandarins, Mexican Wedding Cake

*Birthday Cake and Ice Cream is served in-house only!

ON THIS DAY

1860 Republican Abraham Lincoln of Illinois is elected the 16th President of the United States of America

1917 New York adopts a constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote in state elections

1928 Colonel Jacob Schick patents first electric razor

1945 The first landing of a jet on a carrier takes place on USS Wake Island when an FR-1 Fireball touches down

1961 US government issues a stamp honoring the 100th birthday of James Naismith, who invented the game of basketball and is actually Canadian

1984 Incumbent Republican President Ronald Reagan re-elected President of the United States in a landslide; wins 49 states, and defeats Democrat Walter Mondale

1990 Arsenio Hall gets a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame

1996 “The English Patient” based on the novel by Michael Ondaatje, directed by Anthony Minghella and starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche and Kristen Scott Thomas premieres in Lost Angeles (Best Picture 1997)

2001 TV drama series “24” starring Kiefer Sutherland premieres on Fox

2005 “Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire”, the 4th film based on the books by J.K. Rowling, premieres in London. Goes on the become the most successful film of the year, earning almost US $900 million

2018 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York) is the youngest person ever elected to the US House of representatives at 29 years

2022 US Powerball jackpot rises to a world record of $1.9 billion after no winners for more than three months

LOOKING BACK AT PAGES FROM THE PAST

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

2020 By the middle of last week, over half of the Caribou County voters requesting mail-out ballots had voted, Jill Stoor of the county clerk’s office reported. They had issued 1,486 ballots to those requesting them and 757 had already been returned. Stoor said those numbers do include the small precincts of Wayan and Freedom, which are mail-out precincts. With the elections on Nov 3, voters an still vote in person if they have not voted by mail. If they choose to vote at the polls they will have to follow the social distancing guidelines and masks are recommended but not required, the clerk’s office said. One Constitutional Amendment on the ballot would change the state policy to mandate the number of legislative districts in the state of Idaho remain at a fixed 35. Currently, the number required can be between 30 and 35. Those in favor believe that the change will provide a path toward equal representation between rural and urban areas, while opponents claim that the change will make future redistricting efforts more complicated.

Governor Brad Little signed a statewide public health order Monday moving Idaho back into a modified Stage 3 of the Idaho Rebounds plan as healthcare facilities throughout the state face alarming demand and capacity constraints due to increasing COVID-19 spread. “Hospitals throughout the state are quickly filling up or are already full with COVID-19 patients and other patients, and way too many healthcare workers are out sick with COVID-19,” Gov. Little said. Under the new Stage 3: Indoor gathering are limited to 50 people or less. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 percent capacity. Physical distancing requirements are in place for gatherings of all types. Long-term care facilities will not be allowed to operate without requiring masks on their premises. There will be seating only at bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Nightclubs can only operate as bars. Employers should continue to protect at-risk employees by allowing telework or by making special accommodations for these individuals in the workplace.

According to Idaho Fish and Game, hunters traveling out of state need to be aware of Idaho’s rules on importing carcasses back into the state so they can help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. Fish and Game has not detected chronic wasting disease in Idaho, and your help is essential to keeping the state CWD free. If you are traveling out of state, remember that it is illegal to import the whole carcass of a deer, elk, moose, and caribou into Idaho from any state, province, or country that has CWD, which includes Wyoming, Utah, Montana, and 23 other states. Deer, elk, caribou and moose transported into Idaho from sates or provinces with CWD must be butchered with meat cut and wrapped, or cut into quarters, or deboned with no brain matter or spinal tissue remaining. Whole heads cannot be imported from states with CWD. Antlers should be removed and skulls dried.

The harsh and untamed landscape of the Salmon River wilderness provided many challenges for any who attempted to forge a living in the mountains of central Idaho. This was especially true for the Chinese woman, Polly Bemis, who had been smuggled into the United States in 1872 and sold into slavery in Portland, Oregon. The story of this remarkable woman’s journey to Idaho, and eventually into Idaho’s Hall of Fame, is one that has been fictionalized in film and which has become the stuff of legend. The newly published book, “Polly Bemis: The Life and Times of a Chinese American Pioneer” tells this story. Author and director of the University of Idaho’s Asian American Comparative Collection, Priscilla Wegars believes that it is time to set the record straight on this important Idaho story. “Polly Bemis, the mistakenly names ‘Lalu Nathoy of

books and film, was forcibly brought to the United States, and to Idaho Territory in 1872 when she was just 18. In 1894 she married a Euro-American man Charlie Bemis, and they moved to a mining claim on the remote Salmon River. Charlie died in 1922 and Polly died in 1933,” Wegars said. Soda Springs Mayor Austin Robinsons swore in Mike Nally as a new library board member by teleconference at last Wednesday’s city council meeting as the first order of business. The mayor and council then revisited a request to help with making the old Hooper School lunch room facility a half-court gym for city recreation use. It was previously requested they consider donating half the estimated $20,000 cost for a new floor. The group trying to find more gym time for younger basketball programs reviewed that initial request and City Engineer Alan Skinner said they have changed the request and asked the city to install a basketball backboard if the group purchases it. “They felt purring in a new floor was a temporary solution to the problem and the cost is quite a lot,” Skinner said. “They will buy it (the backboard) and we’ll set it up at a very minimal cost,” he said. Council member Jon Goode said that was a very reasonable cost for temporary use. The council agreed with the request for the old Hooper School. Goode said the Planning and Zoning Commission is evaluating storage containers in commercial and ag zones, as well as other zones. The criteria they are discussing for permitting as a conditional use permit includes appearance, safety, whether it is occupied, and the number of units.

In Soda Springs, City Clerk Tausha Vorwaller asked about moving forward with a project to scan old files the city has stored in some 35 or so boxes. “We have to go digital sometime and thought about starting a historic database with things like old agreements and deeds,” she said. Her concern was what to do with the old documents after they had been scanned and put into a digital system. “It scares the daylights out of me to shred deeds and such,” Jon Goode said. Vorwaller noted that the city can save the original documents, but use the digital system for convenience and in the future would expect it to save time by being searchable. The documents include zoning, agreements, deeds, grants, conditional uses, workers comp, and other related city subjects. “Deeds are critical,” Goode said. “Old zoning laws can be in litigation on the amendments.”

People who have had close contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19 infection and who took hydroxychloroquine were just as likely to get COVID-19 as those who received a placebo, according to a preliminary data analysis from a large randomized, controlled trial. Researchers at the UW School of Medicine in Seattle led the study. “This is a rigorous large-scale randomized, controlled clinical trial proving whether or not hydroxychloroquine is effective in preventing COVID-19, adding to less rigorously controlled studies,” said lead researcher Dr. Ruanna Barnabas, associate professor or medicine and of global health at the UW School

of Medicine. “The additional data we have today provides strong evidence that hydroxychloroquine offers no benefit in preventing people from developing COVID-19 with a 14-day treatment course.”

2010

For the third year in a row, Caribou Memorial Hospital has worked with the other hospitals in the Hospital Cooperative to sponsor “Brake for Breakfast,” which provides breast cancer prevention education to Caribou County. The annual event was held in Soad Springs on Wednesday, Oct. 6. A total of 300 free breakfasts in pink, re-usable lunch bags were handed out to the people who drive past CMH’s main entrance.

Landon Mark Steele, the son of Justin and Shannon Steele of Soda Springs, has been called to serve in the Tucson Arizona Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Landon is a 2009 graduate of Soda Springs High School, where he was active in football, track and basketball. He attended college at Southern Virigina University in Buena Vista, Viriginia, where he played football.

On Sept. 25, at the Idaho State High School Four Scholarship Tournament held Pocatello, four Soda Springs High School students placed at Tough Guy Lanes. Representing Geyser Bowl were Haiely Call, Mariah Stephens, Davis Bowles, and Dallin Skinner. They rolled four games each with a total of 3,528 pins. Each bowler was awarded a $100 scholarship for their excellent efforts. Dallin Skinner also had the high series of 824 in the boys Division B scratch event.

2000

Deanne Dye, principal of the Thirkill Elementary School in Soda Springs, and her two adopted children, Mai Leigh and Kelby, accompanied by Deanne’s parents from Firth, attended a meeting Wednesday in the Immigration Office in Idaho Falls, where Kelby received his citizenship papers and officially became a United States citizen. Deanne and her parents pent two weeks last January in Wuhan, China in the Hubei Province where they picked up Kelby on Jan 12. They spent two weeks going through the court system arranging for his adoption and were able to return to the US.

Mary Alice Lester Bischoff, daughter of Orval and Drue Lester of Bancroft, has received the 2000 Outstanding Homemaker Award at the Oneida County Fair. The third time was a charm for Mary. Two times in the past, Mary has tired for the award—ever since she moved to Malad, but she has always finished runner-up. This year she achieved her goal.

Thirkill Thunderbirds School Report: 1st Grade—We are working hard in our room. We are learning the sounds of the alphabet and how to write them correctly. We like to use the cubes in math to help us learn about numbers. We got to go on a bus to Kerr-McGee. We saw neat things and best of all, we had cookies and punch.

2nd grade—We have been having fun going to the Homecoming Parade. We did the Olympics. We have made

a leaf man. Now we are working on an apple man. We say the pledge of Respect right after the Pledge of Allegiance every day. We have had a fun time at school. In out class we learned about Australia and the Olympics. We learned lots of things about Australia. We made a frilled lizard, played Australian bingo, and had Olympic games.

1970

Announcement was made Friday by representatives of J.C. Penney stores that the Soda Springs store would be closed upon the expiration of the their lease in the town. The date for the actual closing will be February 13, and the store will be open for business until that time. The reasons given for closing the store were that the volume of businesses had not kept pace with the rise in expenses, and that the local store was no longer considered profitable by the Penney chain.

The Grand Opening for Wards Catalog Sales Agency located across from the post office in Soda Springs will be Friday and Saturday, Oct 9 and 10. Specials include: Big 18 lb Signature Washer—was $249.95, now $199. New Cinema Screen Color TV—was $589.95, now $539.88. Signature Upright 16 cu ft. Freezer as low as $189. Blankets $7.99. Electric Alarm Clock $4.99. 4 piece Luggage set $29.99. Cardinal Corner: Next week is scheduled as Homecoming Week. Monday starts off with the hanging of the dummy, which is a tradition. Tuesday will lead off with a funeral for the dummy. Everyone is asked to wear black since it will be a morning of mourning. Wednesday is Cardinal Pride Day. Students and teachers are asked to dress a little nicer for this day. The day will be centered around building pride in the school. Thursday is the traditional Red and Black day. Everyone is requested to wear red and black. The seniors will be given the final two periods to whitewash the “S” and change the 70 to 71. On Friday night the football team will play against American Falls.

-INDOOR-

Thursday, November 5

Friday, November 6

Saturday, November 7

Predator: Badlands (PG-13)

A young Predator outcast from his clan finds an unlikely ally on his journey in search of the ultimate adversary.

Thursday, Friday & Saturday 6:00 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

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

Wednesday, November 12 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. (All seats $5) 208-547-3282

Jim Spinner, Esquire (ISB #3417) SPINNER, WOOD & SMITH

P.O. Box 6009 - 1335 East Center Pocatello, Idaho 83205-6009

Email: spinjim@pocatellolaw.com

Telephone: (208) 232-4471

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE SIXTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF THE STATE OF IDAHO, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF CARIBOU

Case No. CV15-25-0258

WADE HOPKINS AND KRISTY HOPKINS, husband and wife, Plaintiffs, vs.

JOYCE S. BANKS, heir of Leo J. Banks, and JOHN and JANE DOES I-X, as unknown but possibly interested parties,

TO: JOHN AND JANE DOES I-X, as unknown but possibly interested parties or heirs of Leo J. Banks.

A Complaint to quiet title has been filed in the above named court. The nature of the claim is to quiet title in real property to the Plaintiffs.

Any time after 21 days following the last publication of this summons, the Court may enter a judgment against you without further notice, unless prior to that time you have filed a written response in the proper form, including the case number, and paid any required filing fee to the Clerk of the Court at the Caribou County Courthouse, 159 S. Main, Soda Springs, Idaho, 83276; (208) 547-4324, and served a copy of your response on the Plaintiff’s attorney, Jim Spinner, of Spinner, Wood & Smith, 1335 East Center, P.O. Box 6009, Pocatello, Idaho 83205-6009; (208) 232-4471.

The real property to which this Summons pertains is described as follows: All that part of the Southwest quarter of the Southwest quarter (SW1/4, SW1/4) of Section Two (2), Township Nine (9) South of Range Forty (40) East of the Boise Meridian in Caribou (formerly Bannock) County, State of Idaho, LYING AND BEING NORTH OF THE NORTH BOUNDARY LINE OF THE OREGON SHORT LINE RAILROAD COMPANY’S RIGHT OF WAY (Union Pacific System). Said Tract of Land being triangular in shape, the North and East Boundary Lines thereof forming a right angle, and containing approximately 10.43 acres, more or less. A copy of the Summons and Amended Complaint can be obtained by contacting either the Clerk of the Court or the attorney for Plaintiff. If you wish legal assistance, you should immediately retain an attorney to advise you in this matter.

DATE: 10/10/2025 4:39:40 PM. (SEAL) By: /s/ CLERK OF THE DISTRICT COURT

E. H. Lau, Deputy Published ________,______

#1170-10-23-30-11-06-1325-T4

PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENT TO PROPOSE OR PROMULGATE NEW OR CHANGED AGENCY RULES

The following agencies of the state of Idaho have published the complete text and all related, pertinent information concerning their intent to change or make the following rules in the latest publication of the state Administrative Bulletin.

The proposed rule public hearing request deadline is November 19, 2025, unless otherwise posted.

The proposed rule written comment submission deadline is November 26, 2025, unless otherwise posted. (Temp & Prop) indicates the rulemaking is both Temporary and Proposed. (*PH) indicates that a public hearing has been scheduled.

IDAPA 02 – DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PO Box 7249, Boise, ID 83707

*02-0609-2503, Rules Governing Invasive Species and Noxious Weeds. (*PH) Proposed changes remove prohibition of watercraft from the Quagga mussel treatment area on the Snake River and add Golden mussel to the Emergency Detection Rapid Response Invasive Species list to ensure adequate prevention and response efforts in Idaho.

IDAPA 24 – DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES

11341 W Chinden Blvd, Bldg. 4, Boise, ID 83714

*24-2601-2501, Rules of the Idaho Board of Midwifery. (*PH) Rulemaking adjusts permit fees downwards to address the Board’s cash balance, while simultaneously reducing costs for licensees.

*24-3101-2501, Rules of the Idaho State Board of Dentistry. (*PH) Language is added that allows the Board of Dentistry greater capability to reduce fees temporarily to address the Board’s existing cash balances and to lower costs for licensees.

*24-3401-2501, Rules of the Idaho Board of Nursing. (*PH) Amendments allow the Board of Nursing greater capability to reduce fees temporarily to address the Board’s existing cash balances and to lower costs for licensees.

*24-3930-2501, Rules of Building Safety (Building

Code Rules). (*PH) Proposed edits decrease permit fees to achieve Board solvency, while simultaneously reducing costs for licensees.

*24-3931-2501, Rules for Factory Built Structures. (*PH) To address the Board’s cash balance, this rulemaking lowers permit fees while simultaneously reducing costs for licensees.

*24-3950-2501, Rules of the Public Works Contractors License Board. (*PH) Language is added that allows the Board greater capability to reduce fees temporarily to address the Board’s existing cash balances and to lower costs for licensees.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS OF THE GOVERNOR

2025-06, Creation of the Idaho Advanced Nuclear Energy Task Force 2025-07, Deferred Compensation Program for Employees of the State of Idaho 2025-08, Making Rural Idaho Healthy Again Act

NOTICES OF ADOPTION OF TEMPORARY RULE

IDAPA 02 – DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

02-0609-2502, Rules Governing Invasive Species and Noxious Weeds

IDAPA 18 – IDAHO

DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE

18-0415-2501, Rules Governing Short-Term Health Insurance Coverage

Please refer to the Idaho Administrative Bulletin November 5, 2025, Volume 2511, for the notices and text of all rulemakings, proclamations, negotiated rulemaking and public hearing information and schedules, executive orders of the Governor, and agency contact information.

Issues of the Idaho Administrative Bulletin can be viewed at www.adminrules. idaho.gov/

Office of the Administrative Rules Coordinator, Division of Financial Management, PO Box 83720, Boise, ID 837200032 Phone: 208-334-3900; Email: adminrules@dfm.idaho.gov

#1180

DEADLINE to submit items for CARIBOU COUNTY IS FRIDAY AT 4:00 P.M.

NEWS OF RECORD

CARIBOU COUNTY SHERIFF

Taylor Ballard, Rexburg, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

Jauncee Louise Bennett, Bancroft, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

Shengyi Cui, Tianlingdong, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50; fail to yield or stop upon approach of emergency or police vehicle, $33.50, costs $56.50

Joshua Hirsbrunner, St Charles, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

Kent Garth Johnson, Mantua, fail to use safety restraint, $10.00

Nancy Jeanette Mabey, Bancroft, windshield and/or window view to be unobstructed, $10.50, costs $56.50

Patrick James Ramey, Pocatello, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50

Hans T Redd, Sugar City, fail to register vehicle annually, $10.50, cost $56.50

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

The Idaho Enterprise - Caribou County Edition is published weekly at 76 South Main Street, Ste. 207, Soda Springs, Idaho. Postmaster, please mail address corrections to:

The Idaho Enterprise, P.O. Box 331, Soda Springs, Idaho 83276.

Entered as “periodicals” at the Soda Springs, Idaho Post Office. Subscription rates are strictly in advance -- $55.00 per 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 Editor brandon.h@idahoenterprise.com Bryan Dean Scott Publisher bryan.s@thecityjournals.com

Hope Green Advertising hope.g@idahoenterprise.com

Phone: 208-766-4773 www.cariboucountynews.com

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held before the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Soda Springs, Idaho, on the 11th day of November 2025 at 6:05 P.M., at City Hall located at 9 West 2nd South, Soda Springs, Idaho, for the purpose to consider a proposed Zoning Amendment and Reclassification Application for one (1) land parcel from R-2 to C-2 for more appropriate zoning classification to suit the property better. The property involved in this request is as follows:

Parcel No. 09S41E124800 TR SE1/4NW ¼, TR NE1/4SW1/4, SEC 12, T9S, R41E APPROX 10.46 ACRES

All persons present at the public hearings shall be allowed to be heard. Written comments or objections may be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Secretary at 9 West 2nd South, Soda Springs, Idaho 83276, or email pandzpermits@ sodaspringsid.com.

Any person needing special accommodation to participate in the above hearing should contact Soda Springs City Hall at 208-547-2600 at least seven (7) days before the hearing.

Dated this 24th day of October 2025.

Melissa McDowell, Planning & Zoning Secretary Publish on Oct. 30th and Nov. 6th

#1178-10-30-11-06-25-T2

Mitt Michael Tingey, Grace, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

Michael Adam Westmoreland, Montpelier, fail to use safety restraint, $10.00

Kellee A Wright, Thatcher, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

Dongyan Zhang, Hamden, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

SODA SPRINGS POLICE

Levi L Steed, Soda Springs, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

Cherysh Hubbard Stock, Soda Springs, fail to obey traffic control devices, $33.50, costs $56.50

Molly Elizabeth Whisenant, Jackson, speeding, $33.50, costs $56.50

IDAHO STATE POLICE

Derek Robert Hill, Grace, speeding (16 mph or over), $98.50, costs $56.50

cost for a standard obituary: $89 500 words with one color photo

cost for an ultimate obituary: $159

Halloween around Caribou County

Soda Springs

Halloween is a busy day no matter who or where you are, but it was an especially busy day in Soda Springs, as both young and old were treated to a range of activities. The major event of the day for many kids was the Trunk or Treat event inside the friendly confines of the Liberty dealership in town, which has become the premier place for community events that require a lot of room and a hedge against the weather.

The evening was a costume parade on both sides of the aisle, as kids pa-

raded through the giant bays of the dealership, excited to show off their costumes to the businesses who were excited to do the same thing.

Heritage Senior Living was also the site of Halloween festivities, as the residents were visited by young trick or treaters as well.

Thirkill got in the act too, with a traditional Halloween parade held the day before at the school. We bring you pictures of those events here, with thanks to Kate Lauck and Laura Lind for some of the images.

Bancroft

In Bancroft, Halloween doubles as the Sophomore Carnival. With the assistance of a few parents (who humbly explained that of course the kids did it all), the sophomore class at North Gem put together a great night of fun and games, as well as a potato bar for the hungry, pre-Halloween crowd. The Class officers were largely in charge of the events, which included the aforementioned potato bar, costume contests, extremely popular Bingo games, a bouncy house, cake walk, and a bunch of individual game stations for visitors to enjoy. Axe throwing and ring toss were especially popular during the night.

Grace

Downtown Grace was filled with its own share of goblins, superheroes, cowboys, and those on straightforward quests for candy. A Plus Automotive was the mecca for the evening, with photo booths, games, a spook house, and all kinds of entertaining sights and sounds inside. Up and down the city’s main street, businesses and ad hoc trunks were arrayed to dish out the sugary stuff.

From Callie Hamp at the library on one end of town, to 3C Grill on the other, it was a fun and crowded night.

Dia de los Muertos at the Library

While very much associated with skulls and skeletons, Dia de los Muertos is not at all a scary holiday. As storytime host Noelia Christensen said, “On this day, we remember the memories of our ancestors—isn’t that wonderful?” Along with children’s librarian Dorajo Messerly and other helpers from the library, Christensen hosted a Dia de los Muertos party for Monday’s storytime to both honor the traditional celebration day, and introduce it to students who may not be familiar.

For the morning’s session, the two leaders took turns reading through a series of books on the holiday. As a way of allowing kids to practice both their Spanish and their English, Dorajo and Noelia took turns reading in both languages. For a number of months, the library has offered a storytime block that provides library storytime to young Spanish speakers who are becoming more acculturated to their English language peers, and vice versa. Dia de los Muertos is a perfect chance to bring the two groups together and provide cross-cultural, as well as linguistic, opportunities for learning.

Throughout the reading, students had a good time practicing new words and sounds, especially the rolled R that can be difficult for those who have never had cause to use it in English. “There’s some great rolling of the tongues going on!” Miss Dorajo noted, after explaining that she would leave most of the Spanish pronunciation to Noelia.

It is well understood that the earlier a speaker can begin to practice the essential sounds of a language, the more natural and fluent their speech will become. Some sounds, like the rolled R or the double L, actually depend on a certain amount of physical

training to become comfortable with. While children exercise the necessary muscles early on to a point where it becomes unconscious, approaching new sounds later in life can be very challenging for adults. For this reason, second language practice represents an irreplaceable advantage to students who partake in it. Along with the giggles and grimaces, the pride in accomplishment for students getting better at pronouncing what might be considered challenging words in Spanish was palpable.

In addition to the language learning that went on among the students, those who were unfamiliar with the traditions of the holiday were introduced to concepts like the “ofrenda,” which essentially means “offering.”

The Ofrenda is something like an altar or memorial shrine to a deceased loved one. “This could be a grandparents, a friend, even a mother or father. Anyone who has passed,” Christensen said. “You place their favorite things, and food they liked for them to remember them.” The library set up a ofrenda of its own, where employees and other placed pictures of their own venerated relatives, along with some of the items they enjoyed during life, as a way of respecting and honoring their memories.

The bilingual storytime is one of the many programs that the library hosts. Programming at the library is supported by the Friends of Library, who are the 501c3 wing of its endeavors. The Friends are hosting a Storytime with Santa event the morning of the Festival of Trees on November 22 as well. All kids who would like to attend a special storytime event on that day are asked to make reservations with the library from 9:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. Contact sslibraryfriends. com for more details.

RAISE THE STEAKS: 5 tips and styles for processing your deer and elk meat a new way

BY CONNOR LIESS, IDFG

It’s hard to beat a well-prepped, perfectly cooked steak – especially after all the time and effort you spent hauling it out of the mountains. But other methods of preparation can be just as satisfying. All it takes is a little bit of work and some kitchen ingenuity.

Now, if you’re as devout a steak snob as Ron Swanson then this article probably ain’t for you. And it’s understandable; that deer or elk lying in your freezer is finite, like an annual birthday cake. There’s no quick trips down to the supermarket to replenish your supply when your recipe runs short. So ensuring you make the most of your animal and process it how it fits your menu best is the most important part.

With that said, here are five prep tips and styles to help get the most out of that fall big game harvest.

1. Be your own butcher

At this point in the game, your time in the field, gutting and quartering the animal, might be all the knife-wielding you’re willing to spend. Many hunters have their big game animals processed by professional butchers. But processing your own deer or elk can actually be a fun learning experience and a chance to call the shots in how you want your animal cut up.

With a large, sanitary cutting surface, sharp knives and ample patience, prepare your cuts of meat one at a time. Processing a whole hindquarter is more time consuming than folks realize, so don’t get caught leaving the rest of the meat out too long at room temperature. Bacteria grows most rapidly between 40 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes.

Try to keep the on-deck meat in the fridge until you’re ready to process it. It’s better to take your time on one slab of the animal knowing the rest is kept cool.

HOT TIP: The colder the meat is, the easier it is to cut.

2. Trim, trim, trim

Few things determine a cut of meat’s palatability more than sloppy knifework. Deer and elk meat is mostly lean to begin with, but fat and membranous tissue left attached can definitely ruin an appetite, depending on who you ask.

Deer and elk fat is different than beef or pork fat. Typically deer and elk fat tastes gross, but that’s just general consensus and one writer’s opinion. The goal when processing your deer or elk (or really any red meat for that matter) is to get rid of as much fat, stray hairs and dirt, and membrane as you can. It may feel like you’re wasting bits of your hard-earned animal, but with some patience and skillful knifework, you can ensure your freezer will be filled with the best-tasting cuts of meat.

3. Low and slow

Some cuts lend themselves better to roasts than others. While steaks hog all the glory, roasts are an overlooked approach to serving up big game –and perhaps the simplest.

One of the best perks of being your own butcher is determining how much of one cut you set aside, then fill your freezer accordingly. Then when Sunday morning rolls around, all you have to do is pull a roast out of the freezer and pick up only a few ingredients from the store.

Roasts are not only simple, but they can feed a lot of people – or one person for several days. Slow-cooking for longer periods, whether in a crockpot or oven, keeps the meat tender and savory.

With nothing more than a crockpot, a can of stock and some root vegetables, you can have a cheap and easy supper cooking in the background while you go about your day. There is no shortage of roast recipes, including ones for wild game meat specifically. Do some digging and find one that takes the traditional “potatoes and carrots” to a whole other level.

HOT TIP: You’ll hear the dish osso buco thrown around a lot these days. Meaning “bone with a hole,” making osso buco can be a creative, new way to slow cook the bone-in shanks and impress your friends with your fluency of Italian.

4. Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em Setting aside some meat for the smoker is a classic move in many a hunter’s playbook. There are tons of ways to smoke wild game meat, but some of the most popular include summer sausage and pepperoni sticks. Both options are delicious, portable foods that can help fuel next year’s hunt with this year’s hunt.

Of the two, sausage can be a little more difficult with the added step of stuffing the meat into casings. After grinding a mixture of venison and pork then stuffing the casing, you smoke the sausages at low temperature for several hours. These make fantastic appetizers and camp food, and you can freeze them for later use.

Pepperoni sticks, also portable, are the perfect pocket snacks next to jerky (more on that next). Like summer sausage, they do require some extra work grinding the meat and incorporating the right amount of spices. You can find pepperoni-size casings at specialty stores, sporting goods stores or online, as well as whole kits for making pepperoni sticks.

5. Last but not least: Jerky

Ever the crowd-favorite, making jerky can be a fairly simple process and doubles as a reward when your stomach starts growling 4 miles from the truck. Jerky easily finds a home in your hunting pack and stays edible for a long time (if frozen).

The key with making jerky lies in the thinness of the meat. You’ll want to thinly slice the larger chunks of meat into strips. Then, you soak the slices in a marinade for several hours or overnight, before smoking or drying them.

Drying is most commonly done in a food dehydrator, but smokers or even your oven at its lowest setting with the door open ajar can do the job just fine. The key is just low, low heat for a long, long time.

There are many jerky recipes available in cookbooks or the internet. Remember when making jerky the pieces should be dry, but still supple. Too dry and it will be brittle and crunchy, which is overcooked. Although jerking is a method of preserving, it’s still best to store it in the refrigerator or freezer.

FUN FACT: No, the word “jerky” does not get its name from the act of ripping dried meat with your teeth. Instead, the word comes from the Quechuan (Incan) word ch’arki, meaning “dried flesh,” and didn’t come into the American English vocabulary until 1850.

More tips for processing game meat

Pay attention to sanitary guidelines and cooking temperatures. Use a meat thermometer to ensure meat has reached the proper temperature when smoking or drying.

You know what flavors you like and dislike, so learn the basics of a recipe and adjust to suit your tastes. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

If it’s your first attempt with a new recipe, start with a small batch. If it doesn’t turn out how you like, you can change it for your next batch.

If you’re making patty sausage, cook some as soon as it’s done. Put a small, thin patty in an oiled frying pan, cook it a few minutes and taste it, then add more seasoning if needed. When freezing, don’t put too much meat into one package. Aim for each package to hold enough for one meal. Take advantage of prepackaged seasoning mixes. They take a lot of the hassle out of figuring out which spices to use and how much, and many are created for wild game, not domestic meats. Get a kitchen scale that will weigh about 10 pounds of meat. It will ensure you get the right ratio of game meat to pork, pork fat, or beef fat.

Last Men Standing: A Grace Playoff Preview

BY JODY REEVES

With the fall sports season coming to a close we are down to just one local team left still competing. The Grace Grizzlies football team finished the season with an impressive eight and one record and a district championship. Their record was good enough to earn them a first round bye in the playoffs but their strength of schedule only secured them the number four seed in the playoff bracket. After sitting out last week for their bye the Grizzlies learned that their opponent for their quarterfinal match up will be the Prairie Pirates out of the Whitepine league. Prairie is one of those teams that seems to find themselves in the playoffs every season. In fact the two teams met last November in the same round of the playoffs. That game was played in Cottonwood on the Pirates home field but the Grizzlies came out on top winning by ten points in a competitive game. The two teams match up well with one another and are similar in style. Coach Draper commented, “They look a lot like us. They’re not huge but they sling it all over the place. They’re solid and like us can run and throw it.” When asked what will give his team the advantage in this year’s match up Draper first pointed to the fact that Prairie will be the ones traveling this time. “Being in the dome is going to be an advantage to us. It’s basically a home game for us and our fans.” Draper went on to say, “What a great opportunity for high school kids. It’s cool to play in the dome and it feels like you’re big time. Also our pep band and cheerleaders are going to be there so they’re excited about that.”

One of the great advantages for the Grizzlies this year is their depth in the skill positions. Bryant Moss

who plays multiple positions for the Grizzlies and has been one of their most prolific players on both sides of the ball. When asked about what has driven his success this season Moss responded, “A big part of it is last year I missed half of the season with a broken collarbone but also this year we love each other and we’re all good friends. We support each other and are just trying to win a championship.”

Another one of the Grizzlies top performers is quarterback Gavin Draper. Draper is a two year starter for the Grizzlies and has seen his numbers explode this year com -

pared to last season. Draper attributed his improved play to his coaches, “We have some great coaches on our staff with Jason Kimball as our offensive coordinator and Millward stepping in and helping us. Gavin also talked about the offseason, “Getting everyone together during the summer working on those little things like catch and tuck and also just trusting my teammates. Knowing that they’ll do their job and then it allows me to do my job.” When asked about what he wants to get out of this week’s game Gavin responded, “I just want everyone to have fun. When you have fun you

The Cardinals Add More Hardware To XC Legacy

It’s something that has become as regular as the sun rising in the morning and setting in the evening, the Soda Springs Cardinals cross country teams competed at state again this season. While some may say that it was not their best season the Cardinals kept pushing, never quitting, and came home with two trophies to add to an already overflowing number of cross country accomplishments on display.

The Cardinals faced some extremely tough competition last weekend in Lewiston and still managed to finish among the top teams in the state.

The Soda Springs boys team had to fend off a hard charging Nampa Christian team to secure a fourth place finish. All but one of the Cardinal men ran a personal best time in

the race showing their preparation for the big show paid off. The Cardinals were led once again by Landon Moldenhauer. The junior Moldenhauer finished in fourteenth place in the race just edging out his freshman teammate Reuben Uskoski who finished in fifteenth place. Filling out the rest of the Cardinals team was Kage Kirby, Dre Lloyd, Jaxson Horsley, Johnathan Beutler, and James Birch. With Dre Lloyd being the only senior on the team and the Cardinals finishing with their best times yet Soda Springs is primed to make another run next season.

The Lady Cardinals also had a terrific meet with all seven girls running personal best times in the state meet. To no one’s surprise senior Ellie Wood was the top finisher for the Lady Cardinals. Ellie has been

BY JODY REEVES

The Grace Grizzlies sent seven boys and one girl to the state cross country meet in Lewiston last weekend. The lone Lady Grizzly to qualify for state was Lily Coleman. Lily finished her sophomore season placing sixteenth out of sixty-eight runners in the state meet. Lily also ran a season best time in the race. Lily will no doubt be returning next season to make anoth-

er run at qualifying for state. The Grizzly boys team had a little different road to state. Only two of the seven runners automatically qualified for the state meet. Colt Coleman and Adrian Mejia were the two Grizzlies that qualified. Colt has led the team all season long putting up some of his best times during his senior campaign. Adrian, called AJ by his friends, suffered an unfortunate injury early in the season and missed most of the year

on a mission all season to compete at state and leave everything on the course. Wood ended up with a top ten finish coming in sixth place. Wood and her teammates completed their season with a third place finish as a team. Filling out the rest of the team for the Lady Cardinals was a mixture of experience that included Brinley Kunz, Mollie Renfroe, Rosie Harris, Madilyn Kempe, Courtnee Gronning, and Mylee White. This year’s team was very senior heavy with five of the seven competing girls set to graduate. Coming back for Soda Springs will be the phenomenal freshman Kunz and the junior White but there will be some big shoes to fill next season. Many of this year’s team will get very little time off as several of them will be hitting the hardwood for basketball season.

play good. When you play good you win games. I just want to keep the energy up and make everyone feel included.”

In their post practice huddle the word “love” was frequently used. That’s not a word that you hear a lot from teenage boys in reference to their teammates and coaches unless you are listening to a team that is confident in one another and has success. The Grizzlies have both in spades. The Grizzlies hope to continue their season with a win on Friday night. Kickoff is slated for 8:15 and the game will be played in the ICCU Dome in Pocatello.

Boys Team Results Malad 54pts Ririe 70pts North Fremont 90pts Soda Springs 106pts Nampa Christian 109pts

Cardinals Boys Results Landon Moldenhauer 16:21.8, Reuben Uskoski 16:22.3, Kage Kirby 16:42.3, Dre Lloyd 16:44.2, Jaxson Horsley 17:10.0, Johnathan Beutler 18:33.0, James Birch 19:21.4

Cardinals Girls Results Ellie Wood 18:55.6, Brinley Kunz 19:50.1, Mollie Renfroe 20:05.0, Rosie Harris 20:11.5, Madilyn Kempe 20:30.3, Courtnee Gronning 20:47.6, Mylee White 22:25.4

Girls Team Results North Fremont 143 Malad 60pts Ririe 71pts Soda Springs 75pts Nampa Christian 110pts

but recovered just in time to compete in districts and qualify for state. The other five members of the boys team had to wait and see if the state would allow their petition to qualify for the state meet. Based on their times the petition was granted and the Grizzly men got to take a full team to the meet. The team as a whole performed very well in the meet with each and every runner setting either a new season or personal record. The Grizzlies came up just short of

earning a trophy as they finished fifth out of the twelve teams in attendance proving it was justified to have them at the meet. The other five members of the boys team included veteran runners Brock Johnson and Jonah Wilkerson as well as a trio of sophomores in Cutler Andersen, Carter Mecham and Treyson King. The Grizzlies will lose a lot of experience with four seniors graduating this year but have enough youth to put together another run next season.