Enterprise The Idaho
Oneida County's News Since 1879 Malad City, Idaho
January 5, 2023 |Vol. 143 No. 01
2022 Year in Review
$1.00
NEWS IN BRIEF NFL Player Collapses during game Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin collapsed after a tackle during Monday’s broadcast of the game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals on January 2. After what appeared to be a routine tackle, Hamlin walked several steps before falling onto his back on the field. He was immediately attended to by on-site medics and given CPR for several minutes before being taken off the field in an ambulance. There is no official diagnosis being given out by officials at the local Trauma 1 hospital where he is currently listed in critical condition. The game has been suspended by the NFL, and there are no clear plans for when or if it will be completed.
Kevin McCarthy fails to win Speakership after 3 ballots
Malad City, as viewed from above
State
Another year of drought and low water levels were reported across the state. After a higher than average spring season of precipitation, the summer dried up and led many locations across the state to report drought conditions in over 80% of the state. Oneida county specifically was declared to be in extreme drought conditions. The second-largest MegaMillions drawing in history brought constant traffic into Malad throughout the summer. The jackpot drawing did not result in a winner until August, when it had reached nearly a billion and a half dollars. While the winner was ultimately located in Des Plains, Illinois, the excitement brought significant crowds into Malad’s lottery retailers. State elections in 2022 spanned both a raucous primary season, as well as a November election inflected by the In-
Members of the American Legion meet with the governor
dependent campaign of Ammon Bundy for governor. Lt. Governor Janice McGeachin, who made national news over the last year and a half for criticizing Governor Little over his policies related to COVID, Federal relief funds, and immigration issues, launched a primary challenge against him. Similar to the fates of a number of more conservative, Trump allied candidates over the election season, McGeachin ended up having fierce support, but not enough of a base to win the nomination. Ammon Bundy, another major factor in the state’s political system, ran as an Independent rather than a Republican, which allowed him to skip the Republican primary. Later in the fall, many of the main Republican nominees for the 2022 visited Malad in a Q and A night at the Event Center. Governor Brad Little, Speaker of the House Scott Bedke (running for the Lieutenant Governor position), State Controller Brandon Woolf, and Debbie Critchfield (running for State Superintendent of Schools. The event was well-attended, and gave Malad residents a chance to directly interact with state leaders, all of whom would win their elections. The evening was introduced by Mike Hess, and the questions, taken from the audience, were moderated by County Attorney Cody Brower.
Local government
voted by supporters of Brian Jeppsen, who will be sworn in as the new County Commissioner at the beginning of 2023. During the final election, the local county officers ran unopposed, and retained their seats. Later in the fall, Oneida County was randomly chosen to be one of the counties to undergo a vote audit under Idaho’s new Voting Integrity act. A representative of the Secretary of State’s office, along with representatives of both parties, matched the physical ballots with the electronic tabulations. At the end of the audit, Oneida County was found to have conducted an accurate election count. Following 2021’s City Council election, Jaime Olsen and Tyrell Neal completed their first full year as commissioners in 2022. Both have been very actively involved in city business, including the Impact Zone and Economic Development boards, the Fourth of July celebration planning, and more.
New council members Tyrell Neal and Jaime Olsen were sworn in to start the year
Wastewater Plant
Cody Brower moderates a discussion with state candidates 2022 County Commissioners at a campaign event leading up to the primaries
The second largest Mega Millions jackpot brought hundreds into Malad over the summer
During the primary elections for county offices, both Ken Eliason and Bob Christophersen faced challenges for their positions. After a robust campaign season, Ken Eliason retained his seat against a challenge by Andee Parry, and Bob Christophersen was out-
The new Malad City Wastewater Treatment Plant, a project undertaken by contractor Whitaker Construction, officially began in 2022. Tons of dirt have been moved to create the four ponds that will become the city’s new wastewater plant. The construction is anticipated to continue through the winter into the new year, when the wastewater liners will be laid and the pipes connected. The cost of the project has largely been paid by grants, and several government agencies. As a result, the sewer rates should not have to be raised to account for the expense, other than a minimal maintenance fee 2022 YEAR IN REVIEW On Page 2
INSIDE THE ENTERPRISE THIS WEEK 2022 Year in Review cont'd.............Pg. 2-3 Year in Pictures.....................................Pg.4 State of the City.....................................Pg.5
State of the County............................................Pg.6 Puzzles..............................................................Pg.8 Sports Year in Review.................................Pg.10-12
A much anticipated vote on the Speaker of the House position sought by current majority leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has failed to reach consensus after three votes, as of press time on Tuesday. A vocal minority of the House Freedom Caucus has refused to vote for McCarthy for a variety of reasons, and shows no sign of relenting as the voting continues. Because Democrats also vote on the Speaker’s position, McCarthy has not been able to achieve a majority of the votes in the House and take the gavel for the incoming Republican majority. Voting will continue until a resolution is reached. Most observers believe that McCarthy will eventually find the needed votes, but that isn’t guaranteed.
Suspect Arrested in University of Idaho murders A suspect was arrested in the murders of four University of Idaho students which have transfixed the country since November. Bryan Kohberger was apprehended by officials in Monroe County, Pennsylvania after law enforcement traced the suspected Elantra to his parents’ home, where he had traveled for the holidays. Kohberger is a PhD student in the Criminology program at Washington State University, which is roughly 8 miles from Moscow, Idaho, where the murders took place.
Jeremy Renner undergoes surgery after plow accident “Hawkeye” of the “Avengers” movies Jeremy Renner suffered blunt trauma to the chest and other injuries in a snow plow accident over the weekend while plowing driveways in Reno, Nevada. Renner had relocated to the area because he loved the skiing and the scenery. The details of the accident are not fully available, but Renner was plowing snow at the time. He was the only person involved in the accident, and was sent to intensive care, where his condition has been upgraded to stable.
Kenneth Block dies in snowmobile accident Pro rally driver and founder of Hoonigan Racing died Monday in a snowmowbiling accident near Mill Hollow in Wasatch County. Allegedly, the snowmobile Block was driving upended on a steep slope and landed on top of him. While he had been riding with a group, he was alone at the time of the accident. Search and Rescue crews responded to the scene.