5 YEARS AGO (2020)

Recognized for her work with special education at Malad Elementary School, Charlene Rose was honored as the Employee of the Month at the October 20th meeting of the Oneida School Board.

Dr. Rich Moore, Superintendent, presented Charlene with a gift card and a copy of the “Starfish” poem. Her plaque will hang in the School District Office for the next month.

Two Malad boys recently participated in the Professional Miniature Bull Riders (PMBR) finals held in Ogden, Utah, on October 8, 9 and 10.

Jaxon Purser and Bridger Barnes, both 9, are starting their bull riding careers early under the tutelage of Chad Casperson of Casperson Miniature Bulls out of Bancroft, Idaho. Young bull riders, ages seven to 14 years of age, (rookie to advanced) ride Casperson’s bulls in rodeo competitions all summer long. The riders accumulate points and are able to qualify for the PMBR. This year, because of COVID, riders were able to accumulate points or draw out.

The PBMR finals were held at Weber County Fairgrounds. Jaxon, the son of Josh and Shannon Barnes and Josh and Celisa Purser rode in the peewee division. He rode one bull each night for a total of three bulls. He was bucked off twice and rode one for a score of 52. 

Bridger, the son of Joey and Shenise Barnes, rode in the junior division. He rode one bull each night for a total of three bulls. He was bucked off twice and rode one, scoring a 50.

This year 2020 has held a lot of changes. One of those changes was the closing of school in March due to COVID-19 concerns. For the fifth graders at Malad Elementary, this also brought up the question regarding the traditional bikes given to those students with perfect attendance. The regular donor was unable to buy the bikes this year, so our generous community stepped up and provided enough to buy bikes and helmets.

The students receiving bikes were the following: Trevor Allen, Jaxon Blaisdell, Abbie Cox, Hudson Daniels, Easten Green, Kayson Neal, Kailey Pickett, and Cameron Seamons.

The organizers expressed thanks to “our awesome, supportive community!”

10 YEARS AGO (2015)

The Oneida County community is lucky to have two dedicated volunteer fire departments that spend countless time in training and on fire calls to protect our communities. The Malad Volunteer Fire Department consist of 16 men and the Stone/Holbrook Volunteer Fire Department has 11 firemen and 1 woman.

The Malad volunteer Fire Department recently reorganized, naming a new Chief, Assistant Chief and Secretary/Treasurer. Serving for the past two years as Fire Chief has been Chris Jensen, with Rob Hess as Assistant Chief and Donny Hunt as Secretary/Treasurer. Rob Hess has been named as the new Fire Chief, with Donny Hunt as Assistant Chief and Zack Blaisdell as Secretary/Treasurer. Other members of the Malad Department are Jerry Thomas, Todd Jones, Ed Jones, Gary Shepherd, Ceylon Reeder, Geoff Green, Ray Davis, Doug Crowther, John Blaisdell, Lynn Price, Casey Woodmancy, John Williams and Chris Jensen, past Chief.

Members of the Holbrook Volunteer Department are Chief Brayden Eliason; Secretary/Treasurer Blaine Bird; Members; Quinn Eliason, Lance Bird, Dallan Nalder, Shane Willie, Steve Hess, Casey Hill, Tim Keller, Lyle Steed, Janice Eberhardt, Ray Hubbard.

On Wednesday, October 21, a health fair was held at the Curlew Valley Community Center in Stone. Of special interest to residents in the Curlew Valley was the introduction of Dr. James Pickett D.O., who along with Dr. David Teeples D.O. will be conducting a Curlew Valley Rural Medical Clinic sponsored by Nell J. Redfield Memorial Hospital. The Health Fair was the kick off for the new clinic.

The Malad High School volleyball team will get the chance to defend their 2014 2A Idaho State Volleyball title after dominating the 2A Fifth District Tournament, claiming the title for the fourth year in a row. Members of the team heading to state are Kenna Cummins, Lindsay Sorensen, Paityn Tripp, Taber Paskett, Taya Thorpe, Bailey Wise, Cassidy Willie, Hallie Hannah, Brittlyn Hubbard, Abby Goddard, Sami Williams, Hanah Peterson, Emmah Peterson, Rylee Tripp, Natalie Jensen, and Coaches Alicia Seamons, Gia Thorpe and Camie Tripp.

15 YEARS AGO (2010)

The Malad High School football team cinched the district championship spot at West Side last week, defeating the Pirates, 48 – 12. With a 8 – 0 season record, the Dragon will go into the state play-off’s as the top seeded team in the district.

Christin Watkins will represent Malad next week at the first Distinguished Young Women of Idaho Program.

For her talent, Christin will be performing a piano piece entitled “Shine” by William Joseph.

PRAA Justin Stevens will be returning home to Malad this week after serving in the United States Navy for the past four years. He has been stationed in Lemoore, California, with the VFA 146 squadron.

In an effort to curb vandalism, Malad City officials recently had cameras installed in key areas at the Malad City Park. Signs are up informing the public that the park is now under surveillance.

The students in the Eight Grade at Malad Middle School explored the history of their home through a field trip around the Malad Valley. The history of the Malad Valley came alive for the students as they spent an entire school day learning about and exploring the local communities that make up the Malad Valley.

20 YEARS AGO (2005)

The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office responded to the rest area on the Malad Summit to help with the investigation of a possible bomb on a Rimrock Stages Trailways passenger bus. 

Karalee A. Waldron has been awarded a full-ride scholarship and graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) from the Kasiska College of Health Professionals, Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences at Idaho State University.

Oneida School students enjoyed an unexpected two-day vacation last Thursday and Friday due to flooding and electrical problems at Malad High School.

Oneida County has a new Crisis Center director. Carol Caulford took over the position October 8 after Marla Jones took another job.

The Oneida County Extension Office honored community 4-H leaders who have put in over 25 years of service to the youth in Oneida County. Honored were Bonna Anderson, Jean Showell and Bernice Weeks with over 30 years each as 4-H leaders. These leaders were presented with special certificates for their service.

Malad High School had three coaches this year claim Coach of the Year Honors – two on the state level and one at the district level. Terry Jones was named Idaho’s Coach of the Year for 2A Boys’ Basketball. Scott Ray earned the Idaho Coach of the year for 2A Girls’ Softball. Dennis Evans earned 2A Fifth District Coach of the Year for Baseball.

25 YEARS AGO (2000)

Superintendent Lynn Schow told Oneida County School trustees that a fuel spill under the parking lot at Malad Elementary is bigger than was originally anticipated. Last week the county road crew dug out the contaminated soil and hauled it to the “Two-Mile Landfill to “air” out. The hole got larger and larger as the men worked. When through, it stretched the full distance of the Old Gym and completely blocked off entrance to the Auto Shop except by foot.

The gasoline spill was discovered in 1997 when, out of compliance with federal mandate, the school district removed two underground diesel fuel tanks. Though the diesel tanks were not leaking, gasoline was found in the hole.

Utah Power and Light presented the Oneida County Ambulance Unit with a check for $2,500 with which to purchase another defibrillator.

The Malad High School Volleyball team will get their shot at the state title this weekend when they compete in the Idaho State A-3 Volleyball Tournament at Bonneville High School in Idaho Falls.

The Malad High School cross-country teams successfully defended their district titles. Both teams are headed off to compete at the state tournament held, October 28, at Eagle Island Stake Park, west of Boise.

40 YEARS AGO (1985)

Oneida County Emergency Medical Technicians were on hand at the Malad Elementary School on October 22, to conduct a fingerprinting clinic. Throughout the day a total of 475 school children from throughout the valley received cards on which their fingerprints were recorded along with a swatch of their hair.

Last spring 16 year-old Lara Knutsen was chosen as Malad’s Junior Miss and will now represent Oneida County in the Idaho Jr. Miss Scholarship competition, which will be held during the week of November 10 – 16 in Moscow. In last spring’s contest, Miss Knutsen was high-point winner in three of the five categories on which the contestants are judged – scholastic, creative & performing arts, and poise and appearance.

Pictured in The Idaho Enterprise were the members of the 1985 Malad High School State Volleyball Championship Team. The team members are Heidi Peterson, Staci Ekstrom, Lara Knutsen, Camille Williams, Shannon Hyer, Lori Thomas, LaRee Jensen, Gia Thorpe, Jennifer Hawkes, Vicky Jenson and Alina Marble. Coach Van Hutchinson’s Malad High Dragons closed their season with an impressive second half performance to completely throttle the Tigers at Aberdeen, Friday night with a score of 28 – 6.

50 YEARS AGO (1975)

Members of the Malad Volunteer Fire Department are shown in The Idaho Enterprise at one of their recent practice sessions. The Department is urging Oneida County residents and business people to check up on their heating systems for potential fire hazards. Those pictured in The Idaho Enterprise were Ren E. Thomson, LaVar Bowen, Parry Jones, Mont Thomas, Department Song Leader Bob Treasure, Mike Broadhead, Keith Jones, Gordon South and Tom Thorpe. Members not present when the picture was taken were Keith Evans, Varsel Christophersen and Verl Williams.

District Judge Frances Rasmussen ordered schools in Oneida County to open in last week’s hearing and set future hearings on the teacher-school board contract dispute for November 6 and 7.

“Unheralded, unsought and unknown,” Malad’s Kirk Allen walked onto the football field at the University of Idaho in Moscow and asked if he could try out for the team. It was a lucky day for the Vandal coaching staff because the 18-year-old accounting major is now the only freshman playing for the varsity and doing very, very well as a wide receiver.

60 YEARS AGO (1965)

Plans for remodeling and renovation of the Oneida Hospital to meet standards set by the Idaho State Department of Health have been submitted to the state Board of Health for approval, according to Golden Willie, hospital board chairman.

A draft quota of 45,224 men in December, the biggest quota since the Korean War, has been requested by the Defense Department in Washington.

Looking all summer long for the big one to strike, patience and perseverance paid off for one of Oneida’s ardent fishermen as Thomas D. Evans landed a whopping 6 1/2 pound trout on Chesterfield Reservoir Monday evening. Accompanied by his long-time fishing partner, W. E. “Bill” Thomas and fishing from a boat, Mr. Evans battled the big fish for 20 minutes after luring him onto a hook with a blue tail fly. The fishermen also brought home a couple of two-pounders and some small ones to complete a very satisfying day.

A third quarter safety broke a 13-13 tie and gave Malad High its second football victory of the season as Coach Ralph Harding’s Dragons won 15-13 over Rigby High on the Malad field Friday night.

70 YEARS AGO (1955)

A farewell testimonial for David D. Nielsen, who will serve an LDS Mission, will be held at the Malad Third Ward, October 30. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Nielsen.

With Luanna Kay Hughes reigning as queen of the events, students of Malad High School will hold the annual Homecoming celebration at Malad  on Friday, October 28. Miss Hughes’ attendants are Sue Jones and Alice Neal. The queen and her attendants were elected by the student body. 

Lamont Thomas, F/P., U.S. Navy, arrived home from San Diego, California to spend a 12-day leave at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Morris Thomas, Jr.

Mrs. William G. Jenkins and daughters, Cheryl and Diane, visited at the home of Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Jenkins last week. They are leaving for San Francisco where they will sail for Japan to join Captain Jenkins who is stationed at the Yamato Air Base, 18-miles from Tokyo.

80 YEARS AGO (1945)

With Infantry Division in Philippines – Captain Phil L. Peterson, has been awarded the Bronze Star medal for heroic achievement against the Japanese. 

During an attack against heavily fortified enemy positions that were causing numerous casualties among our troops, Captain Peterson maneuvered his platoon through mine fields to advantageous firing positions in order to give the assaulting troops quick and close support. Although Peterson and his M-7’s were constantly under heavy fire, he kept them in position, destroying and neutralizing enemy pillboxes and emplacements.

Clair J. Davis S 1/c who has been aboard the U.S.S. Bowie in the Pacific for the past nine months participated in both the Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns. At the time the war ended he was at Pearl Harbor in practice operations, preparing for the invasion of Japan. Since that time he was in the occupation of Seaseba Naval Base at Kyushu Island. Last word heard from him by relatives he was in Manila, Philippine Islands, where preparations were being made for another occupation which he believed to be in some part of Asia.