The Idaho Oneida County's News Since 1879 Malad City, Idaho
May 7, 2026 | Vol. 146 No. 19
$1.50
NEWS IN BRIEF
Spirit Airlines grounded
Kaycee Venable (2) the moment her name was called as 2027 DYW.
Miss Kaycee Venable Named Malad’s Distinguished Young Woman 2027 Malad’s Distinguished Young Women program held their annual program on Saturday night at the Marsh Valley Performing Arts Center. Supporters enjoyed watching six talented young women from the county showcase their physical fitness, talent, poise, and public speaking skills. Emcees for the evening were Christie Schow and the 2026 Distinguished Young Woman Braylee Price. At the end of the night, the topline result was that The Malad County Distinguished Young Woman title was awarded to Kaycee Venable. She received a scholarship and will have the opportunity to represent Oneida County in the state Distinguished Young Women program held in Idaho Falls in October. If named Idaho’s DYW, she will travel to Mobile, Alabama to take part in the DYW National Finals. It was an emotional evening and the crowning of Kaycee as the 2027 DYW was a truly celebratory culmination of a night that recognized the accomplishments and talents of all the women involved. The night also served as an amazing benchmark in time, as in addition to the 2027 DYW participants, many of the women who competed for 2026’s DYW, now Seniors, returned to share the stage with their underclassmen. They were further supported by the hostesses who guided and supported the women through the competition
process, with countless hours of advice, preparation, tears, and smiles. And to put an even finer point on the continued importance of DYW going forward, they were all joined by a energetic group of aspiring DYW young girls who took to the stage in what was likely the first but not the last time. With skits, forget-me-not performances, a spotlight procession with Braylee Price and her family, the comedy stylings of Christie Schow, and an excited audience projecting their goodwill at the participants, 2027’s DYW contest was another amazing one for the books. We look forward to seeing Kaycee at the State DYW competition in the fall. Malad’s DYW 2027: Kaycee Venable 1st Alternate: Emree Hanks 2nd Alternate: Paityn Ward Spirit of DYW: Delanie Walton Be Your Best Self: Delanie Walton Scholastic Winner: Kaycee Venable Scholastic Finalist: Abbie Cox Scholastic Finalist: Kelty Thomas Interview Winner: Paityn Ward Interview Finalist: Kaycee Venable Interview Finalist: Emree Hanks Talent Winner: Emree Hanks
Rudy Guiliani hospitalized
Kaycee was also a winner of several categories, including Scholastic, and Fitness.
Talent Finalist: Kelty Thomas Talent Finalist: Kaycee Venable Fitness Winner: Kaycee Venable Fitness Finalist: Paityn Ward Fitness Finalist: Emree Hanks Self Expression Winner: Abbie Cox Self Expression Finalist: Paityn Ward Self Expression Finalist: Kaycee Venable DYW On Page 2
Another year at MES nears the finish line!
The Malad Elementary School end of year program was fun in the way it usually is, with a celebration of accomplishments over the course of the year, musical performances, and a changeover of the Lighthouse team. There was also a bittersweet aspect to the proceedings, as beloved music teacher Christine Smith announced recently that she will be leaving Malad for the southwest, and MES will have a new teacher next year. “I keep pretending this isn’t happening,” Principal McIntyre laughed. “I have thought about locking you in your classroom.” We will bring you some of Smith’s reflections on her time at Malad Elementary School in future editions, but for now, suffice it to say her final program was a joy for parents and students alike. During the course of the program, the MES class performed a series of musical numbers, including singing, recorders, ukuleles, and more.
Christine Smith (Mrs. Music!) leads the kids in her last school program for MES.
Interspersed between the class numbers, Dragons presented their 8 habits for success, and explained some of what the school had done over the year. The new Lighthouse team will include the following students: Prezli Ball, daughter of Coby and Nanci Ball; Ridge Berry, son of Ty and Jennifer Berry; Haize Davis, daughter of Josh and Ryan Davis; Morgan Blaisdell, son
of Sonny and Whitney Blaisdell; Macie Bennett, daughter of Hadley and Hailey Bennett; Barrett Burbidge, son of Anthon and Jennifer Burbidge; Vera Rell, daughter of Kamas and Elise Reel; Weston Evans, son of Patrick and Tamra Evans. Stage managers are Kimber Phillips, daughter of Kyle and Heather Phillips; and Carol Ferree, daughter of Samuel and Amanda Ferree.
INSIDE THE ENTERPRISE City Newsletter....................................Pg. 2 Voter's Guide.......................................Pg. 3 Puzzles................................................Pg. 6
Spirit Airlines abruptly shutdown operations last week after years of financial instability. The airline ceased operations on May 2 following failed efforts to secure a government bailout and ongoing struggles with debt, weak demand, and rising costs. A sharp increase in fuel prices, partly linked to tensions involving Iran, dramatically raised operating expenses for the low-cost carrier. The airline had also faced setbacks from earlier decisions, including a blocked merger with JetBlue in 2024. The shutdown disrupted thousands of travelers, with about 4,000 flights canceled and other airlines stepping in to cap fares and accommodate passengers. Around 17,000 employees were affected, and competitors such as JetBlue and Frontier have begun expanding to fill the gap in service. Following the closure, Spirit has moved into liquidation, seeking to sell assets and wind down operations while issuing customer refunds. The airline’s collapse has sparked political debate over regulation and consolidation, as well as broader concerns about airline competition and ticket prices in the U.S. market.
Looking Back.......................................Pg. 7 Obituaries............................................Pg. 9 Sports..........................................Pgs. 11-12
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalized in critical but stable condition as he recovers from pneumonia, according to his spokesperson. A statement from spokesperson Ted Goodman said Giuliani, 81, required mechanical ventilation after the illness was complicated by a preexisting restrictive airway disease. He is now reported to be breathing on his own. Giuliani had recently appeared on his online program, noting he was not feeling well and showing signs of illness, including coughing. President Donald Trump described Giuliani as a “True Warrior,” while former New York City Mayor Eric Adams offered well wishes, stating the situation “rises above politics.” Giuliani, known for his leadership after the September 11, 2001 attacks, has faced legal and financial challenges in recent years related to his actions following the 2020 election. He was disbarred in New York in 2024 and has been involved in multiple legal cases, some of which are still ongoing.
Antelope revival hoped for Colossal Biosciences has announced a new project to genetically recreate the extinct bluebuck, an antelope that disappeared around 200 years ago in southern Africa. The effort marks the company’s first focus on an African mainland species and its first work involving bovids, a group that includes cattle and goats. Scientists began the project in 2024 by extracting DNA from a preserved specimen to reconstruct the bluebuck’s genome. Using this data, researchers are editing the DNA of the roan antelope—its closest living relative—to approximate the bluebuck’s traits. The company plans to use a roan antelope as a surrogate mother, with a potential birth anticipated within the next several years. Executives say the goal is to address human-caused extinction and develop technologies that could aid conservation of endangered species. However, some experts question the project’s practical value, arguing resources may be better spent protecting species currently at risk.