Enterprise The Idaho
Oneida County's News Since 1879 Malad City, Idaho
March 23, 2023 |Vol. 143 No. 12
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NEWS IN BRIEF
President Russell M Nelson wins Morehouse Peace Prize
Jon Abrams spoke with the Oneida County Deputies the week before the bond election
School Bond Passes with 86% of Vote in Favor After months of lead up, and two previously failed bonds beforehand, a vote to approve the Bond Equalization for Malad School District 351 was passed by Oneida County voters by 1270 votes in favor to 195 votes against. Despite the fact that the vote had been relocated to the high school from the Event Center due to muddy conditions, voter turnout was reported to have been steady throughout the day, and the high interest level in the issue was reflected in the numbers. The bond had been heavily promoted by the School District, the PTO, the City and County, and other concerned parties. During the lead up to the vote, Superintendent Jon Abrams held many meetings with groups to spread information and answer questions about the bond funding, the need for a new school, and
plans for the future timeline. In addition to a public hearing on the bond, Abrams spoke to the Oneida Deputies, seniors, parents groups, and many others. During the meeting with the Oneida Deputies John Williams, director of the Nell J Redfield Memorial Hospital, stressed the point that the condition of the current school created issues that a lot of people didn’t think about but which affected the community negatively. Highly skilled health care workers, he noted, had decided not to move to Malad in the past, based on the school facilities among other factors. Mayor Hawkins echoed those sentiments, and further suggested that it was also a reason some businesses had elected not to move into town. “I don’t think people realize how important a good school building is to a town in
so many ways,” she said following the election. “I’m just thrilled that this happened. This is going to be a great thing for our community!” Following the election, Abrams spoke with the Enterprise about the results. “I am thrilled with the high percentage of voters supporting the bond,” he said. “I hope that it's a reflection of our efforts to educate the voter. I enjoyed meeting with the different groups. I also appreciate the many groups that came together to help the educational process—a big shout-out to the newspaper to the Malad Elementary PTO for spreading the word about the election.” Although the relief of having the bond pass is still settling in, Abrams is clear that the next steps are already being undertaken. “The Idaho division of building safety is currently reviewing the plan.
Once the plans have been reviewed and approved, we will bid all the different scopes of the project. Every aspect of the project will be bid. Our construction manager works with us to oversee the bidding process,” Abrams said. As to the ultimate timeline for the construction of the school, the weather has created some delays in the ability to plan some of the steps, as it has for many other activities in the valley. Spring outdoor sports season, for instance, have also been impacted by frozen and snow-covered ground. Still, Abrams predicts the delays will not be hugely significant in the long run. “In meetings, I mentioned that the timeline was very aggressive,” Abrams said. “This much-needed snow and rain have already SCHOOL BOND On Page 2
Troop 1776 Fills Sand Bags Boy Scout Troop 1776 performed service when they filled sand bags for Oneida County citizens. Scouts do service as they advance through the ranks toward Eagle Scout. These young men met at the Fire Station and filled sand bags that are available at the Fire Station parking lot. More bags are available by the sand pile as filled bags run out.
Possible Trump Indictment The Manhattan D.A.’s office has indicated that it will likely proceed with an indictment and arrest of former president Donald Trump in the financial fraud case involving money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. As of press time, no official date had been announced, though rumors of an arrest early in the week had led to some scattered pro-Trump protests in various locations. Given the potential for crowd violence, there is some speculation that the process could be handled remotely, or at least discretely. There is also a chance that the D.A. will choose not to proceed with an indictment.
NCAA Brackets dominated by upsets As March Madness heads into its second week, the statistical chances of any brackets out there remaining “unbroken” is now very remote. During the first day of competition, Number 1 Seed Purdue was eliminated by the relatively unknown Farleigh Dickinson, a 16 seed. 15 seed Princeton beat 7 seed Missouri; 8 seed Arkansas beat 1 seed Kansas; and 7 seed Michigan State beat 2 seed Marquette. Purdue’s loss is being called the “greatest bracket upset in the history of the tournament.” FDU went on to lose the Florida Atlantic in the next round after its historic win.
Cowboy Poetry this week at Iron Door
Left to right, Luke Schow, Cruz Carter, Dawson Jones, Tyker Hamilton, Keith Hamilton, Jace Call, Maverik Lewis
INSIDE THE ENTERPRISE THIS WEEK Evening of the Arts--Joan Hawkins.....Pg.3 Obituaries..............................................Pg.4 Lions Club 100 years...........................Pg.5
Russell M. Nelson, 95 year old President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was selected as this year’s recipient of the Gandhi-King-Mandela Peace Prize given out by Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. In a press release from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Morehouse stated that President Nelson would be receiving this award for his global efforts in “abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice against any group of God’s children” through nonviolent ways. Nelson himself will not be attending the ceremony, though representatives of the church leadership will be on hand to accept the award on his behalf.
Spring Sports Calendar..................................Pg.6-7 Puzzles...............................................................Pg.9 Baseball Begins...............................................Pg.12
This Friday (24) and Saturday(25) the Iron Door Playhouse in downtown Malad will be host to the Cowboy Poetry Festival. Over 20 Cowboy Poets, musicians, and storytellers from around the West will keep audiences entertained with heartfelt, humorous, and unexpected works both traditional and original. Daytime shows on Friday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. are free. The evening show 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. is $15. Call 208-851-8781 for reservations. The event is sponsored by the American Legion, Cowboy Poets of Idaho, and the International Western Music Association.