5 YEARS AGO (2020)

Fire Prevention Week was October 4 through October 10, and October is National Fire Prevention month. This is a perfect time to teach youngsters about fire safety. Traditionally, the Malad Volunteer Fire Department has held classes for Malad Elementary students, Kindergarten through third grades. On Thursday, October 8, firemen gathered at the Malad Fire Station to once again teach these children.

Joining with many hospitals nationwide, Nell J. Redfield Memorial Hospital held their annual Brake for Breakfast on Wednesday, October 7 in front of Nell J Redfield Memorial Hospital to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Because of COVID-19, the Oneida Crisis Center has changed how they are celebrating Domestic Violence Awareness Month for Oneida County. Volunteers from the Crisis Center will be at the City Park by the airplane today starting at 4:30 p.m. to hand out a pie!

10 YEARS AGO (2015)

October 4 through 10, was National 4-H Awareness Week. During the week, more than  6 million young Americans and 22,000 volunteers celebrated the 4-H program in a variety of ways.

The Oneida County Extension Office celebrated the Week by honoring the 45 leaders who worked during the year in the local 4-H program. A delicious hamburger/hotdog barbecue picnic was held at the Extension Office on Wednesday, October 7, so that leaders could stop by during a two-hour period and enjoy lunch.

Students at Malad Elementary had the chance to raise money for the school, as well as earn new books for themselves by participating in the Reach for the Stars fundraising program.

“Reach for the Stars” is a pledge-based program that rewards the children for reading by giving them new books, as well as new books for the school and cash for the PTO. This read-a-thon returns 100% back to the school and the students.

Organizers from the Malad Crisis Center were dressed in purple on Thursday, October 8, to sponsor the annual Purple Picnic in the Park, to raise the awareness of domestic violence.

15 YEARS AGO (2010)

Six alumni of Malad High School Bands from 1939, 1940 and 1941 responded to invitations from the Hall of Fame Committee to be honored during Homecoming October 8. Maladites Clarence Kent, Hope Price and Royce Jones, along with Bill Anderson, of Downey; Ross Benson, of Pleasant View, Utah; and Betty Wight, of Bountiful, Utah, were recognized during the Homecoming Parade, during a noon luncheon hosted by the Hall of Fame Committee at the Dude Ranch Café, and during the Homecoming Game that evening.

Oneida County Hospital/Long Term Care and Home Health sponsored the annual “Brake for Breakfast”.  Held in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, community participants received a breakfast, pink cooler bag, and information about breast cancer.

The Malad High School girls’ volleyball team competed against West Side in Malad and came out strong to celebrate a win. 

The Malad High School football team defeated the Soda Springs Cardinals in Malad, 41 – 14 to celebrate Homecoming.  By defeating the Cardinals they secured a 1 – 0 records in 2A Fifth District play.

The Malad High School junior varsity football team defeated Soda Springs 52 – 20 in Malad.

20 YEARS AGO (2005)

When Rod Wangsgard went out to build a fence a month ago, the last thing on his mind was archeology, least of all something as old as 1838 (or 1939, depending on how you look at it). So imagine his surprise when Rod dug up a rock that had that date engraved on it. Wangsgard pulled up a rock with the inscription: “July 1838 (or 1939 if the nines are inverted) David Johnson, Malad, Ida.” Sherry checked the land records at the courthouse and found nothing for 1838 – a date that is extremely early for the Malad Valley since the Mormon Pioneers didn’t arrive in the Salt Lake Valley until 1847, and David Johnson doesn’t sound like an Indian name. The name “Malad” hadn’t even been conceived by that early date.

A delegation of administrator and professors from Utah State University in Logan spent Thursday, October 6, at Malad High School for USU Day.

The stop at Malad High School was part of Utah State’s Road Scholar Tour. This year, the tour headed for Southeastern Idaho where the USU delegation hoped to reconnect with prospective students and alumni.

The Malad Middle School Seventh Grade Football team and the Malad Middle School Eighth Grade Football team finished their year undefeated. 

25 YEARS AGO (2000)

Last week, at Idaho’s Junior Miss program in Coeur d’Alene, Joan Hawkins was name “Chairman of the Year” by the state Junior Miss Committee. Joan served as chairperson of the 2001 Malad Junior Miss Program, the theme of which was “Junior Miss Goes to Oz – Believe in Yourself.” Her program merited four-star status.  

Captain Erik B. Knutsen was promoted to Commander of A Battery 1-148th Field Artillery located in Blackfoot and Preston, Idaho.

Morgan Jones has verbally committed to play volleyball for Syracuse University after graduation from high School.

Morgan is the daughter of Arne and Cathie Jones.

Torrey L. Christophersen, a Malad native now working for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources as a District Conservation Officer, was recently awarded one of the top honors given to Utah State Wildlife Officers. Christophersen was selected as winner of the Outstanding Field Office/Damn Good Job Award by the Division Chief of Law Enforcement.

The Malad High School Football team took their season record to 4 – 2 with their win against West Jefferson on Wednesday, October 4. The win was the final home game for the Dragons this season.

40 YEARS AGO (1985)

Mayor Terrill Schwartz and members of the City Council met in an executive session at City Council Meeting Wednesday, October 9, to consider names for the replacement of J. Wesley Crowther as city attorney. They appointed David L. Evans to this position.

In an early morning meeting Tuesday, October 15, legal documents were signed that finalized the purchase agreement between Oneida County and Mr. and Mrs. Gerald K. Goodenough for the property known as the Malad Valley Living Center. 

Pictured in The Idaho Enterprise is Sue Evans with the head of the prize bull elk that she brought down in Harold John’s Canyon on Wednesday, October 2nd.  The 7-point elk measures 51 1/2 inches wide. 

The ‘ever busy’ Pink Ladies are combining their energies and talents getting ready for the Sixth Annual Christmas Country Store to be held at the Senior Citizens Center.

A blender has been presented to the Hospital Kitchen, and also a check toward a medicine cart was given to the hospital. All monies earned by the Pink Ladies is used for the hospital and nursing home. To date the Pink Ladies Auxiliary has given over $6,500.00, which is “Darn Good” for a small organization!

50 YEARS AGO (1975)

The possible cattle mutilations were not the only peculiar occurrences recently happening in the Malad area. A large, glowing, upright object was spotted in the skies over Oxford Mountain the night of September 23rd by a number of people.

Forty-two Oneida County teachers set up picket lines outside of the Malad and Stone schools Wednesday, October 15, closing down the school system here.

The strike action came after teachers met last week and decided in a near-unanimous vote to withhold their services beginning Wednesday,

In response to the teachers’ strike decision, the School Board called a special meeting Monday, October 13 and unanimously voted to instruct their attorney to “initiate the appropriate action to discharge for breach of contract all teachers who participate in any strike or walkout.”

David S. Hill has been temporarily appointed to the Oneida County School Board as a representative from Zone 2 to fill the position left vacant by the resignation of Board member Janet Harding.

Terry M. Williams, former Malad resident and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dan C. Williams, has been promoted to loan officer in the Roosevelt office of First Security Bank of Utah, according to Wesley R. Dickerson, senior vice president and supervisor of the Bank’s Central Division.

60 YEARS AGO (1965)

Barbara L. Deschamps of Malad has accepted a bid from the Sigma Kappa sorority at Utah State University. Barbara is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Deschamps of St. John.

On October 17, 1965, PFC Ralph T. Jones, 17 years old, son of Isabel (Line) Jones former nurse at Oneida County Hospital, arrived in Pung Tau South Vietnam for his first tour of duty in the Vietnam War.

Farrell Christoffersen and Alden Neal left Tuesday for Fort Douglas, Utah where they will be inducted into military service. They are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Clair Christoffersen and Mr. and Mrs. George Neal, respectively.

A farewell testimonial will honor Elder Lloyd E. Hughes, at the Malad LDS Fourth Ward. Elder Hughes has been called to serve in the Central German Mission with headquarters at Duseldorf.

The Malad High Dragons football squad had a 14-6 victory over the Preston Indians Friday night. One of the highlights of the Malad-Preston game Friday night took place when Student Body President Lonny Gleed saved the Preston Indian pumpkin from fiery destruction. The pumpkin was decorated as an Indian and placed at the head of the football field by MHS’s Delta Chi. A candle was placed inside to signify a fiery Malad victory. Toward the end of the game the pumpkin became too hot and burst into flames. He then brought the smoldering pumpkin back to the cheering spectators. The pumpkin is now being saved in remembrance of the game and Lonny s waiting for his burns to heal.

From Our Files: 45 Years Ago (1920): Debates between Elder R. L. Fulk of the Reorganized LDS Church and the Rev. J. D. Nutting, a “wagon missionary”, at the First Ward Tabernacle have been attended by large audiences.

According to the 1920 census, Malad Village population had grown to 2,598 from 1302 in 1910. Samaria had gained 13 residents for a total of 379 in the same period.

70 YEARS AGO (1955)

Verl Williams arrived Saturday from the Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, Colorado, to spend a leave at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William J. Williams. He will report November 15, at Parks Air Force Base, California prior to being transferred to Japan.

Veteran halfback Larry Kent of Malad continues to set a strong rushing pace for the Idaho State Bengals as they move toward the conference championship. The only backfield returnee from 1954’s starting lineup, Kent is having his best of three seasons as a regular. He pulled into a tie with halfback running mate Bill Hardy in touchdowns at Greeley, Colorado last week crossing the goal for the third time this season. Kent’s rushing average is well up among the conference leaders at more than five yards per carry. 

On September 1, 1955, the District President met with the L.D.S. brothers stationed at Schwaebisch Gmund, Germany and formally organized a group. Elder Royal Jay Swenson, of Malad was sustained by the group and set apart as Group Leader by Chaplain Theodore E. Curtis. The affair was a spiritual feast and big things are expected from the new group.

Five couples, all married in 1930, observed their silver wedding date at a dance party Thursday evening at the Third Ward recreation hall. Celebrating were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ward Jr., Mr. and Mrs. A. LaVen Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Eph G. Hawkins, Mr. and Mrs. Lester T. Jones and Mr. and Mrs. Jesse R. Dredge.

80 YEARS AGO (1945)

Tokyo, October 8 – Old Glory flies today from Fujiyama – planted there September 21 by a valiant band of ten officers and enlisted men of the 28th Infantry division after a torturous climb in snow, wind, hail, fog and rain. They included Pfc. David Williams of Malad City, Idaho. The rare atmosphere at the top of Japan’s 12,365-foot sacred mountain played tricks on their vision, the climbers said. Stones and shoes appeared green-blue. Eyeballs burned. Heavy fog cut their vision to arm’s length.

An important part of the Homecoming celebration of the Malad High School was the parade, which featured a number of good floats, headed by the M.H.S. pep band. At the dance in the evening, Miss Ila Mae Williams was chosen homecoming queen with Alma Lew Chivers, Klea Mae Nielsen and BelvaLene Jones as her attendants.

First Lt. James P. Blaisdell, Corps of Engineers, 937th engineer aviation camouflage division, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The citation accompanying the award follows:

“For meritorious conduct in performance of service from October 1, 1944, to May 1, 1945. In command of a platoon of men who had received no prior training in depot supply operations, Lt. Blaisdell operated and developed engineer construction materials in direct support of engineer command operations. This was done in face of adverse weather conditions, lack of adequate equipment maintenance facilities, and other problems requiring ingenuity and iniative to combat them. By his personal leadership, energy, and single minded devotion to his job and duty, Lt. Blaisdell accomplished his mission in a manner worthy of the high traditions of the armed forces of the U. S. Entered military service from Utah”.