The Idaho Oneida County's News Since 1879 Malad City, Idaho
June 25, 2026 | Vol. 146 No. 26
$1.50
NEWS IN BRIEF British PM Starmer announces Exit
A scene of the current state of Bannock street. A meeting was held last week to discuss the city’s Local Improvement District plan
LID hearing for Bannock Street project held
Attendance at City Council meetings anywhere in the country tends to vary on the basis of how much the proceedings directly affect residents of the city in question. While there are rarely city council meetings that are unattended, the guests usually include those on the agenda, or who serve on a relevant committee. In the case of last week’s hearing on the LID (Local Improvement District) which is being discussed as part of the Bannock Street Project, interest was such that the proceedings were moved to the Event Center in order to accommodate those who wanted to speak. In short, an LID is a way of placing residents whose properties will be involved in an improvement project under, essentially, a taxing zone that is used to partially finance the project. The idea is that because the project adds quality of life and asset value to the property in question, it benefits the homeowner in a way that warrants the charge. During discussions of the LID, it was stated that the cost for services (curb and gutter, infrastructure) to the homeowners would be markedly cheaper than it would cost for them to pursue the services on their own. For many residents, the ultimate
goal of improving the streetside and utility elements of Bannock street was a worthy one, but there were concerns about what many people expressed they felt was unclear communication on the part of the city, as well as costs that potentially created a financial strain, especially on fixed incomes. To open the hearing, Mayor Joan Hawkins noted, “This is a hearing where the city council hears from the citizens to help them make a decision on the issue.” Prior to opening the floor up to comments, Mayor Hawkins provided the council’s reasoning, and the background to the project. “Cities are the lowest form of government, and yet, their mayor and council members are the closest to those that they serve,” Hawkins said. “We live in the same town and in your neighborhoods. Our decisions affect us too. I know that none of us live on Bannock Street, but we recognize that what we are asking of you is a huge financial request. It has not been a decision made lightly and without consideration. We care about each one of you and your welfare, and we know that times are hard.” Hawkins recounted the history of LIDs in Malad. “What we are requesting from you is something
Honored Pioneer is one of the most exciting roles at Malad’s Independence Day parade, because it is generally presented to someone who is an indelible part of the Malad Valley, and someone who has in many ways done things earlier or in a different way than most others. For Helen Lewis Peterson, those are definitely both true. Helen raised six children here in the Malad Valley – Bill Lewis, Bonnie John, Lucinda Sweeten, Sid Lewis, David Lewis, and Tiffany Lewis – and that has turned into 29 grandkids, 60 great grandkids, and even 3 great great grandkids. Like her, many of her descendants have become very actively involved in life around the Oneida County area, with son Bill Lewis finishing the last half year of his time as a County Commissioner, as one example. But Helen also has a record of doing some less common things that require a leap of faith and a supply of courage. For instance, she has traveled much more extensively than you might at first guess, having spent time in Bermuda, Singapore, Vietnam, Spain, Wales, and even Russia, just to name a few places. At the time she visited Russia, the
country was still relatively newly broken up (from the Soviet Union), and she tells some fascinating stories about how even those Americans living near the U.S. Embassy were under constant observation by the Russian government. Even today, it’s an exotic situation to imagine, but more than twenty years ago it was certainly not something that everyone could easily manage. And that’s just one of her traveling adventures! It’s also the case that her travel has not often been of the travel-bus tourist variety. She seems to get to work wherever she goes, and that was especially true when she served an adult mission to West Virginia in 2001, which she enjoyed a great deal. During her time, she has served in many callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which she has been a lifelong active member. And while, as mentioned, she has lived in a number of locations, she still prefers to note that she was born in Malad, and “attended all the schools in Malad, Idaho”. It’s not just her, but her family that has deep routes in the valley. On her dad’s side, the Hawkins and Griffith
that has been asked of others in our city at various times in the past. In 1989, sidewalks, curb and gutter were paid for by the homeowners through an LID on South Main. In 1991, sidewalks in the blocks north of Bannock Street, around the elementary school, were paid for by the homeowners through an LID. And in 1991, downtown sidewalks, curb, gutter and flower beds were paid for by business owners through an LID. Because of that, improvements have been made to resident properties that otherwise may not have been made. An LID is a mechanism put into place by our State government to help cities make improvements to city infrastructure that directly benefit the property owner.” She also outlined the specifics of the LID ask. “Of the over $7 million dollars received in grant money, most of the grants require a 7.34% match and one requires a 10% match. At the end of the project, the total cost to the city will be approximately $750,000. That includes a new waterline from 1st to 2nd West, which we did not get a grant for, plus the matches for LID On Page 3
Honored Pioneer Helen Lewis Peterson
Water Restrictions in France
France has implemented public water restrictions in response to recurring droughts, rising temperatures, and increasing pressure on water supplies caused by climate change. The restrictions are designed to conserve water during periods of low rainfall and are applied at local and regional levels depending on the severity of drought conditions. During lower alert levels, residents are encouraged to reduce water consumption voluntarily. As conditions worsen, mandatory restrictions are imposed, including limits on watering gardens, washing cars, filling private swimming pools, irrigating crops, and using water for decorative fountains. At the highest “crisis” level, only essential water uses— such as drinking water, sanitation, and emergency services—are permitted. The French government monitors river levels, groundwater supplies, and weather conditions to determine when restrictions should be implemented or lifted. Local prefects have the authority to tailor measures to the needs of their departments based on available water resources
ICE warehouse in SLC with uncertain future
Helen Lewis Peterson
families were among the early settlers, with connections back to the Homestead Act. She notes that “they were pioneers in their way,” and settled in Holbrook, where her grandmother was the Postmaster of the Holbrook Post Office, when such a thing existed. HELEN PETERSON On Page 3
INSIDE THE ENTERPRISE Susan Wittman retires.........................Pg. 2 School Board Report...........................Pg. 4 Puzzles................................................Pg. 6
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation Monday after nearly two years in office, citing the need to put “party unity and the national interest” first. His decision followed months of mounting pressure within the Labour Party after poor local election results, declining public approval, and growing concerns that his leadership could not reverse the government’s political fortunes. An emotional Starmer reflected on leading Labour back into government in 2024 after 14 years in opposition. He defended his government’s achievements, including efforts to reduce NHS waiting times, manage immigration, and restore economic stability, but acknowledged that public confidence had diminished. He said every decision he had made was intended to serve the country and concluded that stepping aside was in Britain’s best interests. Starmer confirmed he would remain as caretaker prime minister while Labour selected a new leader, with the transition expected to conclude before Parliament returned in September. Former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham quickly emerged as the leading candidate to succeed him, marking the beginning of a new chapter for both Labour and the UK government.
Looking Back.......................................Pg. 7 Ranch Rodeo.................................... Pg. 11 Rodeo Queen Contest....................... Pg. 12
The status of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) warehouse in Salt Lake City remains uncertain following a major policy shift by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In March 2026, DHS purchased the 833,000-square-foot warehouse near Salt Lake City International Airport for approximately $145 million with plans to convert it into Utah’s first large-scale immigration detention center. The proposal drew immediate opposition from local officials, community groups, and residents, who raised concerns about transparency, environmental impacts, infrastructure, and the potential detention of up to 10,000 people. New reports indicated that DHS now plans to sell or transfer the warehouse rather than proceed with the detention center. The agency stated it is prioritizing the use of existing detention facilities while reviewing its broader detention expansion strategy. Meanwhile, Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the original project, arguing that it violated environmental review requirements and bypassed local input.