Enterprise The Idaho
Oneida County's News Since 1879 Malad City, Idaho
March 14, 2024 |Vol. 144 No. 11
American Legion Building officially listed in National Register of Historic Places The American Legion Hall Post #65 in Malad was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on January 25, 2024. The Oneida County Historic Preservation Committee, working with Kirk Huffaker of Huffaker Preservation Strategies in Salt Lake as a consultant and with Gene Caldwell of the American Legion, nominated the American Legion Building in fall 2022 after working on the nomination for over a year. All nominations to the National Register of Historic Places must go through an official local committee that operates under the direction of a Certified Local Government (CLG). Oneida County is recognized by the State of Idaho as a CLG. Members of the Oneida County Historic Preservation Committee are Jean Thomas, Chair, D.L. Evans, Dotty Evanson, J.D. Thomas, Larry Thomas, and Luke Waldron with Bill Lewis as liaison to the Oneida County Commission. Paid by a grant from the Idaho State Historical Society, Kirk Huffaker came to Malad several times to collect the required documentation to support the nomination; he went through minutes of American Legion and Legion Auxiliary meetings, scrapbooks, pictures, and newspaper clippings, and documents related to the construction of the building, and met with Gene Caldwell and other members of the American Legion. After the Idaho State Preservation Office approved the nomination, it went to the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior of the federal government for final approval. The American Legion Hall was dedicated in 1935 in a two-day celebration. The entire town closed during the event so that everyone could enjoy concessions, carnival rides, side shows, picture shows, dances, and ball games. Idaho Governor C. Ben Ross gave the dedicatory address. Since then, the Legion has been used by the American Legion, Legion Auxiliary, and Gold Star Mothers and has been the site of countless community events, including Christmas bazaars, dances, weddings, boxing matches, class reunions, family parties, weekly Bingo games, and programs of all types. The official notification letter received last week from the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office stated: “The National Register is America’s official list of historic properties considered important in our past and worthy of preservation. Listing in the
NEWS IN BRIEF President delivers State of the Union
The American Legion Building in the location it has occupied since 1935. The building has served countless functions over the decades, and been a central community gathering place in Oneida County.
A group of Legion members, as well others who made the listing a reality. From L to R: Max Huggins, Gene Caldwell, Kay Caldwell, Jean Thomas, Russ Wilson, Bob Stokes, Julie Stokes, Mandy Hess, Garry White.
National Register provides recognition and assists in preserving our Nation’s heritage. This listing does not affect private property rights but does recognize that the property is of historic significance to the State and community.” In other words, ownership of the building remains with the American Legion, which can remodel and update the building as needed. Being listed on the National Register provides additional opportunities for grant funding to keep the building usable by the owners and the public. A celebration of this recognition of the historic importance of the Ameri-
can Legion Hall will be held later this spring. Other buildings in Oneida County on the National Register of Historic Places are the Co-Op Block and J.N. Ireland Bank, the D. L. Evans Sr. Bungalow on North Main, the Jedd Jones House on North Main, the Malad Second Ward, the United Presbyterian Church, and the Oneida County Courthouse. Samaria is listed as a National Historic District. All of these sites except the Courthouse were listed on the National Register in 1979; the Courthouse was listed in 1987.
PACT Act Expanded for Veterans The PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances as a result of service in the armed forces. The law “helps provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.” The Department of Veterans Affairs also announced that starting March 5, health care expansion to millions of veterans would go into effect, years earlier than originally called for by the PACT Act. The Department further states that “This expansion of care means that all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. Additionally, Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or
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hazards while training or on active duty in the United States will also be eligible to enroll. And it includes Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty here at home - by working with chemicals, pesticides, lead, asbestos, certain paints, nuclear weapons, x-rays, and more.” The Veterans Affairs Department is interested in making everyone who might qualify for the expanded benefits aware of their eligibility, and is encouraging local Veterans group representatives to spread the word as much as possible. Because many of the health consequences of toxic exposure had significantly better outcomes if diagnosed early, participation is suggested even for those without any symptoms or diagnoses at present. As the program materials relate, “Even if you don’t need this care today, you might need it tomorrow, or the next day, or
30 years from now. It’s quick and easy to apply. And once you’re in, you have access for life.” Program administrators state that it is “quick and easy to enroll. You don’t need to be sick or file a claim to become eligible; all you have to do is show that you served in one of those locations or operations – or participated in one of the activities that could have exposed you to toxins or hazards.” Veterans can apply at any time. This expansion of care is a permanent change – there is no deadline, or expiration date. However, the VA encourages Veterans to apply today so they have access to care when they need it. Nationally, information about the benefits available under the program can be found at www.va.gov/PACT or by calling 1-800-MyVA411. Locally, please call Bob Stokes, Veterans Service Officer, at (208) 7567352 for help with paperwork.
INSIDE THE ENTERPRISE Evening of the Arts Spotlight........................Pg. 2 Obituaries.................................................. Pg. 3-4 Spring Sports Calendar .......................... Pg. 6-7
Puzzles..........................................................Pg. 8 Looking Back...........................................Pg. 9 Sports.................................................... Pg. 11-12
The annual State of the Union address was delivered by President Biden last week, and was accompanied by the usual rounds of commentary and response. Overall, the speech was received well by members of the president’s party and less well by members of the opposition, as is almost always the case. A survey of the national press shows that the main takeaways were that Biden looked energetic and forceful, that the speech was more political than is often the case, and that the response from Alabama Senator Katie Britt was…odd. There were no major policy announcements or program rollouts during the speech, which are often eschewed during election years.
Alarming report on AI potential released
(CNN) A new report commissioned by the US State Department paints an alarming picture of the “catastrophic” national security risks posed by rapidly evolving artificial intelligence, warning that time is running out for the federal government to avert disaster. The findings were based on interviews with more than 200 people over more than a year – including top executives from leading AI companies, cybersecurity researchers, weapons of mass destruction experts and national security officials inside the government. The report concludes that advanced AI could, “pose an extinction-level threat to the human species.”
Deputy Attorney General added to Daybell prosecution
A request was made by Fremont County prosecutors in the case against Chad Daybell for additional assistance. The State of Idaho Attorney General’s Office has agreed to appoint Deputy Attorney General Ingrid Batey to the team. The case has received an enormous amount of national attention, and has been in progress for over three years. Special Prosecutor Rachel Smith recently stepped down for the case, for unspecified reasons, creating an immediate need for further prosecutorial assistance and expertise. Batey is also involved with the prosecution of Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of murdering four students at the University of Idaho in 2022. Jury selection is set to begin on April 1.
Come Support the Jones Family
Kadence has Diamond-Blackfan-Anemia and has been traveling to Salt Lake every 3 weeks for blood transfusions. She is now preparing to be able to get her Bone Marrow transplant from her big sister, Brynnlee. Join them for a Fundraiser Monday, March 18 at the High School commons 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. There will be shirts for sale, bake sale and Dinner (provided by The Hungry Heifer. If you would like to donate, text or call Andrea 208-851-1103, Emily 208-479-1923 or Lacey 208-821-0907