Enterprise The Idaho
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Oneida County's News Since 1879 Malad City, Idaho
January 23, 2025 |Vol. 145 No. 4
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NEWS INIdahoBRIEF Professor
convicted of exploitation
Temperatures across Southeast Idaho sank well below freezing to start the week. The regional lowpoints were in Caribou and Bear Lake Counties, with Oneida close behind.
“Rare winter storm” blankets country; temperatures sink across Southeast Idaho
What has been called a “generational weather event” by the National Weather Service is covering more than two thirds of the country, with extreme cold watches and advisories blanketing the map from Maine and Louisianna to…well, what do you know? A map shows the western reach of the weather system is a few counties in Montana and most of Southeast Idaho. Lucky us. Of course, if you live here that should come as no surprise. Residents woke to below zero temperatures in many towns across the area on Monday, with the coldest local temperatures being observed in parts of Caribou and Bear Lake Counties. Early morning temperatures in the double digits below zero (down to as much as -15) were reported in Bancroft and Grace at the beginning of the week, leading to district wide school closures. School closures were also in effect in Fremont County, Blackfoot, and other areas. The wind chill in many locations brought to temperatures down to even more severe numbers, with -24 being reported at the Conda Junction on Monday. “Milder” temperatures were seen along the I-15 corridor, with Malad, Pocatello, and Lava Hot Springs reporting temperatures just below zero
in the same time frame, and Downey reporting a balmy 1 degree positive to start the day. The frigid landscape is shocking no matter how accustomed to the cold you are, but a look at the event map shows just how widespread it is. While Florida has escaped the brunt of it (other than the panhandle), Texas and the other Gulf Coast states have not. Neither has the South nor the Southwest. Snow and ice are in force in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, and New Mexico, in addition to the entire eastern seaboard and the Midwest. Latest estimates suggest that 220 million people are affected by bitterly cold air and record lows. While Idaho residents are used to extreme cold at times during the winter (complaining about it is, after all, a local sport), these temps do represent a more significant threat to health and safety than the run of the mill frozen car seats. The normal cold temperature precautions to facilities and homes apply—leave faucets dripping to prevent freezing, check batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, carefully monitor indoor space heaters, and avoid using cookstoves for heat if possible. Make sure pets are accounted for and not
left outside in the extreme temperatures. Make sure that children are adequately dressed before sending them outside, and monitor them for any signs of distress. Make sure that cars are equipped with standard emergency supplies, including blankets and charging bricks for communication devices in case a vehicle becomes disabled. Exposure to temperatures near the zero mark, especially when combined with wind, can lead to hypothermia within minutes. This effect is exacerbated by medical conditions such as lung and heart issues, circulation problems, and general poor health. Residents are advised to stay out of the cold and wind as much as possible, and to remain as warm as possible. Heating assistance is offered through most cities in the area, and can be checked by calling the relevant city offices. Temperatures are predicted to moderate somewhat as the week progresses, with daily highs inching into the twenties in many locations, though night time lows will continue to be frigid. On the one hand, it certainly could be worse—just ask North Dakotans who saw -55 on Monday. On the other hand, that doesn’t really help move the mercury as much as you’d think.
Trump begins historic second term Grover Cleveland had been the only president in United States history to serve two non-consecutive terms until the election to a second term of newly re-sworn-in President Donald J. Trump, the 45th and now 47th president of the country. In some ways, Cleveland’s second term shares some similarities, as it was undertaken with a fractured congress that presented significant opposition through the course of the four years. In the current president’s case, the congress is actually under Republican control, but it would still not be a stretch to call it “fractured.” The House has seen its margins narrow as a number of serving members have been tapped to participate in the incoming administration. At present, the difference is 217-216, with the Vice President representing a potential tie. The small margin of error for vote defections, as well as the jockeying for position ahead of the 2028 election which will be inevitable after the midterms, make it likely that contention will be a factor of major decisions moving forward. While how the country may be fundamentally changed by the second Trump term remains to be seen, it is widely agreed that the first day moves of the new-old administration (and awkward adjectives like that are one thing that is sure to be a feature of coverage for the next four years) provided evidence of a
45th and 47th President Donald J. Trump was sworn on Monday, January 20, 2025. This file photo does not reflect the temperature in the 20s yesterday.
different course. Marco Rubio, former Senator from Florida, was the first Trump official to receive confirmation. Rubio will serve as the administration’s Secretary of State, and passed confirmation easily. Among Trump’s picks, Rubio is also probably the least controversial, and the most familiar to the congressional body that confirmed him. Other confirmation hearings will continue during the first weeks, including some that have already caused a stir on both sides of the aisle, like former Fox news personality Pete Hegseth for Defense, and RFK Jr. for Health and Human Services. An executive decision saved the social media app TikTok from being banned in the United States for at least
INSIDE THE ENTERPRISE
Sen. Anthon Legislative Report...........Pg. 2 Kacey Keller is new branch manager..Pg. 4 Puzzles................................................Pg. 6
another few months. It has been a target of many on the political right who see it as a vector through which the Chinese government is potentially data mining users around the world. It had been set to be banned through legislation until its U.S, operation was sold to a domestic owner. Trump’s executive order provides a 90 day extension to that ban, which at present would still require the sale to take place. No buyer has come forward, though Elon Musk has been suggested as a possible player in the purchase. It is worth noting that Marco Rubio has offered a dissenting opinion on the subject. Elon Musk himself has been added to the Trump team as one of the leads TRUMP On Page 2
Looking Back.......................................Pg. 7 Event Calendar..................................Pg. 10 Sports........................................... Pg. 10-12
Former Spokesman-Review editor and University of Idaho journalism professor Steven Smith was convicted of multiple counts of possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of minors as a result of his online activities. Originally arrested 18 months ago on possession charges, the 74 year old has been unable to adequately explain the reason for his criminal acts, which included enticing minors—some as young as ten— to send him explicit images and content. Given Smith’s age, a ten year sentence is significant, though it possibly pales next to the lifetime effect on those who were victimized as well as those who placed their trust in Stevens as an advocate for truth. Smith apologized to his former students and colleagues, none of which appear to be involved in his crimes. The case does highlight the fact that predators can be found among those presumed to be least the likely offenders, and vigilance is important.
“Laken-Riley Act” passes Senate vote
In a 64-35 vote, Democrats joined Republicans to pass Senate Bill 5 of 2025, which requires the expansion of detention for immigrants charged or arrested for property crimes. The bill will go back to the House as a result of amendments which will add “assault on a law enforcement officer” and “crimes that result in death or serious bodily injury” to the list of mandatory detention triggers. The bill is named after Laken Riley, who was murdered by a man who entered the country illegally and was charged with shoplifting but not detained.
Snow White production cancelled
The planned Missoula Children’s Theatre production of Snow White, which we told you about last week, has been cancelled, according to Callie Werk. In an email received by Werk, the following was stated: “I have the unfortunate job of sharing with you that we’ve had some unexpected changes in our Missoula Children’s Theatre director staffing which has resulted in their inability to visit your community the week of January 27-February 1, 2025. Unfortunately, we will have to cancel this year’s MES play Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs. We plan to have it again next year Jan 26-31, 2026, with the title being unknown at this time. I am so sorry for this unexpected, and unfortunate development.” The staffing change mentioned apparently relates to an unexpected passing away.
Baseball equipment sought
Recently, the old Malad Elementary School was opened to allow residents to place bids on items left within the building. During that time, an upstairs janitor closet was left unlocked, and contained baseball equipment that was not intended to be part of the material auction. Elizabeth Kent of the Oneida School District posted the following: “We need whoever took the baseball equipment from the Elementary School that was in the Not locked upstairs janitor’s closet across from the old gym to return that to the MHS Office. Those materials belong to the MHS Athletic Department and the Baseball Program. Please Contact MHS Vice Principal & Athletic Director Joshua Smith.” The school district can be contacted at 208-534-6080.