Enterprise The Idaho
Oneida County's News Since 1879 Malad City, Idaho
September 5, 2024 |Vol. 144 No. 35
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NEWS IN BRIEF Grizzly bear attack in Island Park
Kelly Sorensen provides some last minute advice to Shelby Sorensen at Saturday’s Horse Show.
State Fair Underway; local kids bring home ribbons
The Eastern Idaho State Fair kicked off on Friday for its yearly surfeit of fried food, sugar, motor sports, rodeo, and music, as well as the 4-H and Open Class competitions that are at the heart of the event. As always, some of the 4-H participants from the county will make their way to Blackfoot for a variety of pursuits. By the time this edition hits the stands, a number of the major events will have taken place, though a number of livestock shows will still remain for Thursday and Friday. We will bring you results when they are finalized at the end of the week. This year’s featured concert is the band Journey, which is just one of the many potential draws to Bingham County. 4-H and FFA entries from all the county’s participants are on display in the exhibit halls, and many local participants also have photogra-
phy, art, baking, handcraft, quilting, and other displays throughout the fair. During the first days of competition at the Fair, several 4-H kids from Malad had amazing results in both the Horse show and Dog show events. Eva Coleman took first place in Junior Showmanship, as well as first place in Phase II Pre-Novice Obedience, which is an outstanding result. Kennadee Thomas had a top tier run as well. After placing third in the Rally Novice Class, she moved on to take first in Phase I Beginner Class A Obedience, and ultimately Grand Champion overall in Obedience. She also took first place in Intermediate Showmanship for her class, as well as Reserve Champion Showman. Congratulations to Eva and Kennadee on a fantastic job executing at such as high level!
In the Horse events, Shelby Soresen took sixth place in junior Showmanship, and Samantha Schrenk took third place in snaffle bit second year. BriElle Ferree successfully auctioned her mustang Oscar at the BLM Wild Mustang auction. Congratulations are also in order to all the participants of the contests so far, as well as those to come later in the week. Summoning the courage to compete in front of large, unfamiliar crowds is impressive enough, but Oneida county’s kids have once again proved that they are at the top of the pack when it comes to their skills. The other main draw of the fair is of course the food, and here are this year’s winners of the Best Fair Food Competition, judged by local media, ahem. STATE FAIR On Page 4
First round of OSD vs. State lawsuit a mixed result The Oneida School District #351 has a glimmer of hope in its lawsuit against the Idaho State Department of Education and the State of Idaho. The headline in Idaho Education News -- “Judge rejects $7.7 million Oneida appeal for state money” – oversimplifies the judge’s action. Idaho Education News goes on to state that “The Oneida School District suffered an 11th-hour loss in court late Thursday afternoon, as an Ada County judge rejected an appeal to set aside $7.7 million in state money.” While that statement is true, it does not fully reflect the judge’s decision, which leaves Oneida School District with some options. The case was heard on Thursday, August 29, 2024, in the Idaho 4th District Court in Ada County before Judge Jason Scott. Oneida School District sought an injunction to require the Department of Education to set aside the disputed $7.7 million that the District claims it should receive from the former Bond Levy Equalization Support Program. The District wanted the State to keep
the $7.7 million back from the $203 million allocated in H.B. 521 until the lawsuit is settled. H.B. 521 supersedes the Bond Levy Equalization Support Program and provides funds to offset bonds and levies. The urgency to have the lawsuit heard was because the State Department of Education was required by law to divide up the $203 million among Idaho’s 113 (all but Oneida) school districts on Friday, August 30, to meet the August 31 deadline. All school districts but Oneida will receive a share of the $203 million. Attorneys from State Attorney General Raul Labrador’s Office represented the State and asked for dismissal of the suit, claiming it is premature. However, Judge Scott was willing to hear the claims by Oneida School District, which was represented by attorneys from Hawley Troxell Ennis and Hawley of Boise. The issue is not dead as the judge said he is unlikely to dismiss Oneida School District’s case entirely. Judge Scott encouraged the School District
to attempt to negotiate a settlement as he thought Oneida School District could be entitled to half of the $7.7 million. Although the District may be able to claim at least half of the disputed funds, once the funds are distributed among the other school districts on August 30, it would take legislative action to get any funds for Oneida School District. The lawsuit is not over; another court date is set for September 5. According to Jon Abrams, Superintendent of Oneida School District, who was present during the proceedings, Judge Scott encouraged the School District to continue to pursue the lawsuit as he thought half of the $7.7 million (the part that is being taken away retroactively) should be allocated to the District. Also in attendance in court were Oneida School Board members Brent Evanson, Brandon Ward, and Shane Howard as well as District Office staff members Brandi Warren and Kelsie Daniels. Darlene Abrams and Rhett Daniels accompanied their spouses.
INSIDE THE ENTERPRISE Quilt Exhibit.........................................Pg. 2 Fair Schedule......................................Pg. 3 Puzzles................................................Pg. 6
Looking Back.......................................Pg. 7 Deer and Elk Season preview.............Pg. 9 Sports................................................ Pg. 12
According to East Idaho News, on Sunday morning, an archery hunter was attacked by an adult male grizzly bear west of Henrys Lake in Island Park. The man had been elk hunting with a friend in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest when the attack occurred. One of the hunters was knocked down and bitten by the bear. Both men used their sidearms to shoot the bear, stopping the attack and killing the bear. The hunters were able to call 911 and the injured individual was transported by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. After coordinating with Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Caribou-Targhee National Forest and Emergency Medical Service teams, Fish and Game responded to the scene. Conservation Officers investigated and determined that the hunters acted in self-defense. Fish and Game Regional Supervisor Matt Pieron said, “I am extremely grateful that both of these individuals survived this encounter…I have had the opportunity to speak with the injured hunter and his family, and they are truly wonderful people. I wish him a speedy recovery from his injuries and the trauma these two hunters experienced”.
Accidental shooting in Utah results in one boy critically injured
An 8-year-old boy was taken to a hospital in “extremely critical condition” after accidentally shooting himself in the head, on Monday evening, police said. Lehi police responded to a call of a shooting inside a parked car at a Maverick convenience store. An on duty officer performed life saving measures with help of bystanders until the boy was taken to a nearby hospital and then flown to another hospital. The boy’s mother said he found a gun that was under her seat and pulled the trigger. The incident still remains under investigation and no further details have been released.
A nonprofit is making future plans after purchasing Chad Daybell’s property
The property where Chad Daybell lived in Fremont County is now owned by a nonprofit organization. SJ Healing Crossroads took over ownership on Friday. The home was listed for $350,000 in June. According to East Idaho News, a local couple created the SJ Healing Crossroads with intentions to purchase the property and support those affected by traumatic loss. The couple told East Idaho News, “Such a horrible tragedy happened there and we wanted to be sure the right thing was done with the property…This is all about respecting JJ, Tylee and Tammy and the victims”. The couple plans to tear down the home and other buildings on the property. Nothing has been set in stone yet as they want to discuss future plans with family members affected by the tragedy. They said, “We want to transform this site from one of sorrow and tragedy into a place of peace, healing and hope for the community”.