Enterprise The Idaho
Oneida County's News Since 1879 Malad City, Idaho
April 11, 2024 |Vol. 144 No. 15
$1.50
NEWS IN BRIEF Developments in Gaza
The 11th Evening of the Arts fundraiser and auction began to fill the Oneida County Event Center early as the silent auction began. The night is the largest public fundraiser for the hospital during the year.
Evening of the Arts Raises Funds for the hospital The annual Evening of the Arts fundraiser and auction for Nell J Redfield Memorial Hospital hosted a crowded Event Center full of supporters last week, as a number of talented local artists took center stage against a backdrop of silent auction tables, and a fun live auction session. The event is the largest single fundraiser of the year for the hospital, which uses the funds raised for a variety of projects throughout the year. In recent years, the funds raised have been used to upgrade patient facilities, acquire patient monitoring equipment, wheelchairs, eye testing equipment, and many other items. This year’s Evening of the Arts fundraiser, the 11th overall (2 years were missed due to COVID restrictions), had two major purposes: to provide a venue for some of Oneida County’s exceptional artists to display their works and to raise funds to benefit the local Hospital. Although the event is held every year, visitors never know what to expect as the nature of the artists themselves change every time. In the past, such arts as bonsai trees, metal anthill sculptures, leatherwork, and taxidermy have
been featured. This year was no different, as a range of various media and styles were on display. Acting on a suggestion from Shara Olsen last year, the Hospital Foundation invited the Oneida Quilters to exhibit some of their members’ exquisite quilts as works of art. The variety of and skilled construction of the quilts on display were truly impressive, and certainly put to lie the idea that quilting is anything but a fine art. The Oneida Quilters holds monthly meetings where over 30 members gather to display and discuss their latest work, teach each other techniques, and share ideas for future projects. The Oneida Quilters began nearly 40 years ago, and includes members from Northern Utah, Marsh Valley, and all around Oneida County. The Quilters host their annual Quilt Show and Bake Sale during the Malad Valley Welsh Festival on the last weekend of June. Allison Eliason, who lives in Holbrook with her husband Brayden and her four kids, displayed a selection of her photographic art. Ranging from a beautifully captured sunset over a familiar barn and a picture of her husband on horseback (which
Body discovered at Willard Bay
Shelby Gunter Blackner displayed a number of her watercolor pieces at the Evening. She placed a batch of her cards and an Easter-appropriate painting in the Live Auction. EVENING OF THE ARTS On Page 2
Legion Auxiliary pays off lunch balances for local students
Local American Legion Post 65 Auxiliary President Erin White and other members of the organization visited the Oneida School district offices to present Lunch Services Director Jean Coburn with a check for $2,000 to be used to pay off the unpaid lunch balances across the school district. According to White, who has been in the position of President for the last two years, “While our unit was brainstorming ways to help impact the local community, our Secretary Sheila Huggins mentioned that she had recently seen another unit from another state speak on the issue of the cost of lunch programs within school districts and how financial hardship is truly a public issue right now. We decided to reach out to the Oneida School district to find out what the balance was for those in the negative within our town for their students’ lunch. From there it was a given that we had a way to help and we would do it.” Jean Coburn was clearly thrilled by the donation, and expressed sincere thanks to the Auxiliary, and stating that “when they approached me about wanting to donate to the lunch program, I thought it was amazing!” Coburn estimates that the donation, which will pay off the current balance of $1,600 carried by the district, will end up affecting somewhere around a full half of the students in SD #351. While there are many important causes to be supported, White explains that “Our children are our fu-
Sunday marks six months since the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel, which killed about 1,200 people. Since then, Israel’s campaign in Gaza has left more than 33,000 dead and triggered a humanitarian crisis. Israel says it has withdrawn its forces from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, but that a “significant” force remains elsewhere in the strip. Israel announced that it would attend negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal in Cairo. A Hamas delegation is also taking part. Ahead of the talks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there would be no truce without the release of hostages. In further developments, new details have emerged about Thursday’s phone call between US President Joe Biden and Netanyahu. A source told CNN that Biden demanded Netanyahu do more to allow in aid.
The Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that the medical examiner has identified the human skeletal remains found in Willard Bay on March 30 as Elijah Peck, 42, of Garland, Utah. Deputies are investigating the death as suspicious, because the cause of death was not immediately clear. Chief Deputy Sheriff Cade Palmer said on Facebook that investigators believe Peck was last seen in May 2023 and was not reported as missing. “However, as this is an ongoing investigation, these details are subject to change,” Palmer wrote. Peck’s remains were found in a remote wetland area within the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge on the northwest side of Willard Bay last Saturday. Anyone with any knowledge of the case that could help the investigation is asked to call 435-734-6530.
Absentee Ballots Mailed out
Back: Sgt at Arms Chey Wilson, Vice President Merla Womack; Front: Secretary Geneal White, President Erin White, Food Services Director Jean Coburn
ture—our country is theirs to inherit and grow. By supporting education and our youth we are helping our country’s future.” The donated funds were raised by the Auxiliary during the many activities they participate in during the year, including staffing the food booths for the Horse races and festival of trees. The Auxiliary also conducts various Food Drives, and in the past they have also sponsored a Veteran and or local family for Christmas, in addition to collecting donations for the Veterans home in Pocatello during the holidays. The funds the Auxilia-
INSIDE THE ENTERPRISE
Bull Rider Trace Redd................................. Pg.3 Eclipse.......................................................... Pg.4 Puzzles......................................................... Pg.6
ry raises are given back to the community to support causes such as the school lunch donation, as well as towards projects that support Veterans directly. As part of the national effort, Unit 65 of Malad spreads awareness of Veteran Support through our sale of Poppies during Memorial Day weekend, with the poppy chosen to represent those lives that were shed in the service of the country for the freedom its citizens enjoy. LEGION AUXILIARY On Page 3
Looking Back................................................Pg. 7 Candidates..............................................Pg.10 Sports.................................................... Pg. 11-12
Idaho county election offices are starting to mail absentee ballots ahead of the May 21 Idaho primary election. Voters who requested an absentee ballot should receive it in the mail within a week, the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office announced in a Friday news release. The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the May primary is 5 p.m. May 10. Voters can request absentee ballots at VoteIdaho.gov, a website of the Idaho Secretary of State. “Whether you plan to vote absentee, vote early, or vote on Election Day, have a plan to vote in the Idaho May primary,” Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane said in the news release. “The Idaho primary includes races for Congress, state legislators, and local races that impact your community. Every vote counts, so ensure your voice is heard by participating in this important election.” All 105 Idaho legislative seats are up for election this year. More than 14,000 absentee ballots have been issued initially, according to an absentee ballot tracker on VoteIdaho.gov. More than 9,700 ballots were issued to Republicans, according to the tracker.