Enterprise The Idaho
Oneida County's News Since 1879 Malad City, Idaho
Sept. 7, 2023 |Vol. 143 No. 36
$1.50
NEWS IN BRIEF Capitol Physician says McConnell did not suffer stroke
The Capitol’s attending physician, Brian Monahan, said in a new letter that Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell did not suffer a stroke or seizure – and is not suffering from Parkinson’s disease – after the 81-year-old Kentuckian was evaluated by a group of neurologists following two recent health scares in front of TV cameras. The letter, released by McConnell’s office Tuesday, comes after he froze in front of cameras for the second time in as many months, raising questions about whether the GOP leader could continue to hold his powerful position atop the Senate GOP Conference. McConnell’s symptoms were noted to sometimes occur in concussion victims. The Senator did experience a concussion within the last few months. A column of students make their way around the temporary path to the buses past the construction area
Malad Elementary settles in for the new year As students, faculty, staff, and parents have been aware for the last several months, this year at Malad Elementary School will be a bit unusual. Construction on the newly bonded school building began over the summer, and is now in full swing. The footprint for the new school has been laid out and the foundation is beginning to be poured. While the goal of the construction project is to exert as small an effect on the daily lives of students and teachers as possible, some unavoidable dislocation goes along with any project of this size. The construction is scheduled to continue throughout the year, with a hope of being finalized in time for next year’s 2024-2025 school opening. As the equalization bond begins to be paid off, further projects such as a field house for athletics and oth-
er items will begin to become possible.
Office Relocated
In order to manage the daily business of the school while ensuring that safety can be kept at a high level, the primary school office has been moved to a mobile building on the school’s east side entrance. Those entering the school will need to gain access through this office. Phone and internet connections are being established to allow the front office to fully function as the primary entrance point, though some technical hiccups are still hampering the process. Principal McIntyre will be at both the front entrance location as well as her main office during the day, in order to meet with parents MALAD ELEMENTARY On Page 2
and students as needed. Updates on some of the day to day issues related to this situation are often included in the principal’s “McIntyre Minute,” which is posted during the week to the Malad Elementary School’s Facebook page. Initially, it was hoped that the principal’s office could temporarily be moved to a classroom on the east end of the building, but this was deemed to cause too many problems with regard to security. So far, the school reports that the situation is working fine. As the school year rolls on, everyone will certainly become more accustomed and familiar with the setup and student routines. “Once we get the whole who’s where when figured out, it will be even more better,” McIntyre laughed.
Dropoff and Pickup
The main issue so far with the construction arrangement has been the pickup and dropoff schedule and procedures. As parents are getting used to the new process, some confusion is still in place. McIntyre advises parents that “in the afternoon, please wait in the pickup line, rather than across the street.” Because the traffic on the roads surrounding the school is busier than usual, children crossing the street to meet parents at areas other than crosswalks creates some safety concerns. This is doubly so as many parents U-turn along the roads, rather than circle the block. Visibility and distractions are concerns, and there have been some reports of dangerous situations as a result.
Principal Sarah McIntyre is ready for a great year
Crisis Center/Food Pantry a focus of Day of Service
One of the focal points for this year is Carol’s Pantry, the community food relief program run by the Oneida Crisis Center. Volunteers will be collecting donated food items from homes and drop off points in town to be sorted at a number of locations. The donations will then be taken to Carol’s Pantry and sorted and stocked onto shelves. The drive comes at a very helpful time for the Pantry. According to Holly Llewellyn,
Crisis Center director, food stocks right now are “Low, extremely low. We currently have no meat or canned pasta. We have little peanut butter, pancake mix, oatmeal, shelf stable milk, syrup, crackers, instant potatoes, chili and pork and beans.” The pantry relies for its operation on donations, food drives, and volunteers to stay operational. A recent safety and FOOD PANTRY On Page 3
The Gala event earlier this year, celebrating 25 years of service
INSIDE THE ENTERPRISE THIS WEEK Rare Sights in Night Sky.......................Pg.2 Puzzles..................................................Pg.4 Looking Back........................................Pg.5
Dragon Doings...................................................Pg.9 State Fair................................................................Pg.10 Sports................................................................Pg.11-12
Burning Man attendees now free to leave
Thousands of people were stranded in muddy and rainy conditions at the Burning Man Festival, the country’s most well-known alternative arts gathering. Burning Man attracts artists, musicians, and many others to a temporary “city” erected near Black Rock in the Nevada desert. The festival typically ends with the bonfire destruction of a large burning man structure. This year, rains pre-empted the festival’s normal operation, as massive precipitation made the desert a mud-soaked mess. A ban on trying to drive out of the area was in place until the ground dried enough to allow for it. Over sixty thousand people remained in the location until the driving ban was lifted. No serious incidents or injuries were reported.
Ancient bone jewelry found in Mexico
Archaeologists working in the ruins of Palenque, an ancient city in the southeastern Mexican state of Chiapas, have found a centuries-old, intricately carved Mayan nose ornament made of human bone. The curved artifact, which measures just over roughly 2.4 by 2 inches, offers insight into ancient funerary traditions; it is believed to have been worn by priests during ceremonies in which they embodied the Mayan deity K’awiil, also known as God K, who is associated with lightning, fertility and abundance. The site where the ornament was found was said to be dated to between 1,200 and 1,400 years ago. This is the first object of its age and kind to be found in Mayan ruins.
Special Needs Fair coming to Idaho Falls
It Takes a Village in Idaho will host a free event called “Special Needs Fair 2023.” It will be on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Connections Therapy Centers off Elk Creek Drive in Idaho Falls. The event will provide information about programs and resources available to families with special needs individuals in the region. There will be several different organizations at the event, including Camp Hayden, The Children’s Adventure Center, Idaho Parents Unlimited and WIC. In addition, at the same time and location as the event, there will be an “Adaptive and Assistive Product Swap.” Organizer Anastassia Rogers says, “It is a time that families–if they have any technology, things like walkers or magnified readers to help kiddos who are vision impaired read — any kind of that technology that their child no longer uses, they can bring it to the swap and look around and see,” she said. All donated products need to be in good working condition, clean and ready for immediate use. She said the event is not limited to just children with disabilities. It’s for everyone of all ages.