The Idaho
ECRWSS Local Postal Customer
Periodical U.S. Postage PAID Malad, ID 83252
Oneida County's News Since 1879 Malad City, Idaho
July 2, 2026 | Vol. 146 No. 27
$1.50
NEWS IN BRIEF
“Heat Dome” expected this week
One of the MHS-student created murals that now decorates the downtown area of Malad between the courthouse and Veterans Memorial. It’s only one of many America 250 standouts for this year’s celebration!
Malad celebrates America 250 this Fourth! It’s not only the 4th of July – one of Oneida County’s premier holidays – but also the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, making it the biggest patriotic celebration in memory for those younger than 50, and maybe even some who aren’t! While events commemorating America 250 are planned throughout the year, July 4th will represent the primary national day of celebration for it, and Malad has big plans in that regard, with a number of amazing events during the week of the Fourth. Malad’s Fourth of July celebration runs from July 2–5 and features community activities, entertainment, competitions, races, family events, and fireworks. Thursday, July 2 The festivities begin on Thursday, July 2, with a Street Dance and free watermelon from 8:00–10:00 PM. Friday, July 3 Friday’s events begin with the Kids Parade, with lineup at 5:00 PM and the parade starting at 5:30 PM. This year, the route has changed due to Bannock Street Construction, and will take place along the walking path in the city park. The starting line is in the gravel parking lot in the south side of the 2nd/5th ward church, alongside Highway 38. At 6:00 PM, the community will recognize the Volunteer of the Year
and hold a Flag Ceremony in the park itself. Malad’s Got Talent tryouts begin at 6:15 PM (pre-registration required). Additional evening entertainment includes the Iron Door Theater production of “We The People” at 7:00 PM, followed by the Bed Races at 8:00 PM (pre-registration required). Saturday, July 4 Activities The Fourth of July begins early with a Cannonade and Fun Run at 6:00 AM, followed by the Search and Rescue Breakfast from 6:30–9:00 AM. A Flag Raising Ceremony will take place at 7:30 AM, and the annual Parade begins at 10:00 AM. The main parade route has also changed for this year as a result of construction. Float lineup will still take place at the elementary school area, but the route will avoid Bannock street by turning north the block before the hospital and alternating north and west turns on the route back to the elementary school. A map is included at the end of this story. Afternoon activities include a Time Capsule ceremony, Kids Races, Water Balloon Fight, America 250 Birthday Cake/Cupcakes, Softball Tournament, Foam Fire Truck, Dunk Tank, Apple Pie Eating Contest, Kickball Tournament, and more! Entertainment continues with performances by the MHS Drill Team and Cheerleaders, the finals of Malad’s Got Talent at
5:00 PM, a Drum Line at 6:30 PM, a Beatles Tribute Band from 7:30–9:30 PM, and concludes with Fireworks at 10:00 PM. Sunday, July 5 Activities The celebration concludes on Sunday at 6:00 PM with the Stars, Stripes and Small Town Pride Patriotic Program held in the Malad Elementary Gym. The Iron Door Theater production of We The People will also continue on July 6 and 7 at 7:00 PM. Find more information on the program on page 4. Malad’s Got Talent Competition The community talent show is open to participants in three age groups: 0–12, 13–18, and 19+. Tryouts will be held on July 3 at 6:15 PM, and the Finals take place on July 4 at 5:00 PM. Prizes will be awarded to the top three performers in each age group. Participants can register through the event QR code, and questions may be directed to Trissa at (208) 705-8032. Bed Race Competition After a long hiatus, Bed Races are back! For those too young to remember, the bed races are a team event featuring five-person teams, consisting of four runners and one rider. Teams must switch riders at the halfway point, and the rider must remain lying on the bed throughout FOURTH On Page 9
The Enterprise presents “Welcome to Malad” for 2026
Each year, the Idaho Enterprise prints a visitor’s guide to the Malad area featuring local businesses, events, and destinations. In past years, the Welcome guide has been issued in conjunction with local stories of interest (such as Outlaws, Western Legends, Pioneer history), celebrated local events (such as the Malad Car Show, and the Malad Valley Welsh Festival), and local communities (such as Malad City, Samaria, and Cherry Creek). This year, we present an overview of many of those topics with a specific focus on Malad’s celebration of the America 250 semiquincentennial! During a recent visit to Malad to present the city with a flag that had flown at the capitol, representatives from Idaho’s national legislative offices noted that of all the towns they had visited in preparation for the upcoming America 250 celebration, Malad was a town they had been especially impressed by. Some of those America 250 preparations and events are profiled here –
including the impressive downtown mural painted by Malad’s talented high school artists, and its extremely successful “Race for Independence” team-based skill competition – with more events to come this weekend. 2026 - 2027
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While the America 250 celebration nationally culminates with this year’s Independence Day celebrations, the pioneering and revolu-
tionary spirit that animates the Malad Valley ensures that the feeling of that celebration will continue long past the signal date of July 4. Please enjoy the Welcome to Malad edition, as well as this complimentary, countywide mailing of the paper, which we continue to compose here in Malad, keeping local. This week, we have the official schedule of events for the Independence Day celebrations, the most recent county commission report, updates from Malad’s city government, news about a new playground in Stone, the Ag writing of our own Allison Eliason, “Looking Back” at stories from past years, and more of the local news and obituaries that you can’t find elsewhere. If you are a subscriber, we thank you for your support and we will continue our efforts to bring you Oneida County news, information, and local features. If you are not currently subscribed, please enjoy these copies, and consider adding us to your weekly reading!
INSIDE THE ENTERPRISE 4th of July Schedule............................Pg. 2 County Commission Report................Pg. 3 Stars and Stripes Program..................Pg. 4
Looking Back.......................................Pg. 7 Obituaries............................................Pg. 9 Community Notes.............................. Pg. 11
A powerful heat dome is expected to bring dangerously hot weather to much of the central and eastern United States over the coming week. A heat dome forms when a strong area of high pressure settles over a region, trapping hot air near the ground and preventing cooler air from moving in. This pattern allows temperatures to climb day after day while also reducing cloud cover and rainfall. The hottest conditions are forecast across the Great Plains, Midwest, Mississippi and Ohio valleys, Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, and East Coast. Many communities are expected to see daytime temperatures in the 90s and low 100s, with heat index values reaching 105–115 degrees due to high humidity. One of the greatest concerns is the lack of overnight cooling, as nighttime temperatures may remain in the upper 70s or low 80s, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses. The heat dome is also expected to contribute to dry conditions and elevated wildfire danger in parts of the western United States, while thunderstorms may develop around the edges of the high-pressure system, producing localized heavy rain and strong winds. Forecasters expect the pattern to persist through much of the Independence Day week. Our part of Southeastern Idaho is expected to experience a pleasant start to the week followed by a gradual warming trend into the Independence Day weekend. While much of the central and eastern United States will be under an intense heat dome, southeastern Idaho is forecast to remain considerably cooler through midweek before temperatures climb closer to seasonal averages.
Bomb Threat closes Zoo Idaho Zoo Idaho in Pocatello was evacuated Sunday after authorities received a report of a possible bomb threat. Police safely evacuated all visitors and staff while officers began investigating the incident. As a precaution, the zoo was closed for the remainder of Sunday. The bomb threat also prompted the cancellation of the Pocatello Municipal Band concert scheduled for Sunday evening at the Ross Park Bandshell. A growing number of bomb threats and “swatting” incidents have targeted zoos across the United States in 2026, prompting evacuations, temporary closures, and large law enforcement responses. Beginning in the spring, zoos in states including Florida, Kentucky, Arizona, Ohio, California, and Minnesota and now Idaho received threats that required visitors and staff to be evacuated while authorities searched the facilities. In every publicly reported case, investigators found no explosives or credible danger, determining the threats were hoaxes. Law enforcement officials believe many of the incidents are connected or are copycat acts designed to disrupt operations and create fear. Local officials have not confirmed any specific connection between the threats, and the investigation into the threat remains ongoing.