10 YEARS AGO (2016)

Oneida County School District will have a new superintendent beginning July 1. Dr. Rich Moore, currently the superintendent of the Livingston (Montana) School District, was the unanimous choice of the search committee and School Board. Written input from teachers, staff, and community members was assessed by the search committee after the four candidates made presentations to approximately 75 people who gathered in the Malad Elementary School Auditorium to hear them. Dr. Moore received the votes of all but three of those who provided feedback to the search committee.

At the January Stake Conference of the Malad Idaho Stake, a new Malad Stake Primary Presidency was announced. This Presidency includes President Lori Blaisdell, First Counselor Sherry Wangsgard, Second Counselor Wendy Thomas, and Secretary Annette Hess.

Malad High School Juniors are busy planning the Junior Prom, which will take place on Saturday, March 12. Pictured in The Idaho Enterprise are Chet Potter, Chairman Kassy Love, Shaylynn Ward, Sydney Webster, Rhett Daniels, Hazen Smith, Sami Williams, Emmah Peterson, Hanah Peterson and Rachel Green.

Fifteen local Boy Scouts went to the BYU Merit Badge PowWow on Saturday, February 27. The PowWow offers 35 merit badge options and has been run for more than 58 years and is one of the largest Boy Scout PowWows in the United States. Those attending were Jed Pedersen, Lance Zabriskie, Ben Ward, Jaimen Dugger, Clayton Howard, Devin Sands, Riggin Rawlings, Kari Pedersen, Gavin Reel, Walker Olsen, Conner McClain, Tanner Olsen, Trayson Jones, Riley Cluff, Hunter Olsen, Jamie Olsen, Lars Pedersen, and Kyler Horsley.

Malad High School’s Chapter of FCCLA qualified all members to compete at the State STAR Events in April. Those qualifying include Ashlyn Price, Lindsay Sorensen, Braxton Allen, Hannah Ryver, Mackenzie Walton, Natalie Jensen and Caitlyn Marshall.

15 YEARS AGO (2011)

15 YEARS AGO (2011) Cristin Watkins (right) will represent Malad High School as valedictorian for the Class of 2011. Tyrell Hubbard (left) was selected as the class’s salutatorian.

Christin Watkins and Tyrell Hubbard have been selected to represent the Malad High School Class of 2011 as Valedictorian and Salutatorian at Commencement Exercises in May. Both will speak at graduation. Christin is the valedictorian and Tyrell is the class salutatorian.

The Top 10 percent academically for the Class of 2011 was announced by Malad High School they are Tyrell Hubbard, Christin Watkins, Ashley Richards, Jayson Slater, Nathan Eliason and Josh Stevens.  Representing Malad High School as the Top 25 percent for the Class of 2011 are Samuel Hotchkiss, Brayden Cottle, Anthony Atkinson, Cody Hess, Hilary Stayner, Paige Moeller, Chris Hess, Beth Blaisdell, Sadie Sweeten, Elsie Thomas and Heather Origer.

There were some sad faces as the last of the dairy producers in Oneida County shipped the last of the dairy herds, most to new owners in Twin Falls, and some to be sold privately on February 24. The end of an era? Perhaps, but as we see so often with our local farmers and ranchers, there was also optimism and the spirit of “everything is going to be all right”.

Nathan Eliason claimed the State Wrestling Championship, defeating the top seeded wrestler, Ebben Kane of Kamiah, by a close 4 – 3 decision.

20 YEARS AGO (2006)

The Oneida School Board has set a date for taking public comment on a proposal to implement a four-day school week. Patrons will be able to voice their opinions one way or the other in the Malad Elementary auditorium.

Members of the Malad 1st Ward sustained a new bishopric February 22. Kim L. Hess accepted the call to serve as Bishop. He is assisted by Robert O. Kent, 1st counselor and Dustin W. Smith, 2nd counselor. Nick Gugelman will serve as  Ward Clerk and Bob Sorenson as executive secretary.

Handicap All-Events winner for the Malad Men’s Bowling Championship Tournament was Ken Williams with a total score of 1891, Second place, Billy Peabody, 1850, Third place, Dennis Thomas, 1833, and Fourth place, Rex Williams, 1780. Scratch All-Events winner was Dennis Thomas.

After making a mark last year in the world of paintball competition, the Malad Elites are at it again and having the same great fun. So far this year, the local paintball team has competed in two tournaments. It goes without saying that the Malad Elite Paintballers continue to have a lot of fun with their sport and are looking forward to further competitions. The players on this year’s team are Terry Davis, John Blaisdell, Brett Panting, Dave Richards, Tyler Richards, Alex Lewis, Bowdrie Price, Ray Hubbard, Shane Willie and Tony Hernandez. Others trying out for the team were Jake “Merv” Hess, Challis Sweeten, Donny Hunt and Jeff Helmondollar.

Malad Wrestlers placing at state are pictured in The Idaho Enterprise with their coach RonDell Skidmore. They are Robin Bullcreek, 4th, Kamas Reel, 5th; Jonny Blaisdell, 2nd; Bowdrie Price, 4th; and Devin Skidmore, 5th.

30 YEARS AGO (1996)

30 YEARS AGO (1996) TROPHY WINNER! Wendy Jones holds her National Hot Rod Association Oscar in her left hand and a trophy for winning the National Track Operators’ Drag Race in her right. Pictured with her is husband, Ed.

The opportunity of serving as a page in the Idaho State Legislature was an experience Kim Wittman thought had passed her by when her application arrived too late for consideration. So imagine her surprise when on the first day of the legislative session she received a call to pack her bags and head for Boise. Kim’s surprises weren’t over. On the second day of her five-week term of service, she met Republican candidate Senator Bob Dole when he addressed the Idaho Legislature. And if that wasn’t enough, on Valentine’s Day she met and shook hands with president Bill Clinton on his trip west to survey the flooding in northern Idaho. 

 After 24 years of following her husband, Ed, around to racetracks all over the country, Wendy Jones finally got behind the race wheel herself. And what’s more, she won! At one point it looked as if Wendy and Ed might compete against each other in the finals because Ed endured to the last five races before going out. In the end, however, it was this year’s U.S. National Indianapolis Super Stock Champion, Dick Kinkaid that Wendy beat in the final race. For her efforts she was presented a trophy as well as an NHRA “Oscar” – a prized award in the track world.

Gearing up for the District Wrestling Tournament are Dragon Varsity graplers. Pictured in The Idaho Enterprise were Jared Robbins, Victor Hernandez, Bryan Seamons, John Blaisdell, Eric Buehler, Clint Price, Brian Schow, Erick Griffiths, Tim Moon, Kirk Ward, Layne Richins, Riley Jones and Brent Schow.  Junior Varsity Wrestlers are Bob Ray, John Mustos, Kade Price, David Jeppsen, Victor Hubbard, Bryce Robbins, Jesse Wakley, Trevor Neal, Steve Ward, Kevin Stockwell, Platt Price, Justin Scott, Teddy Bennett, Jimmy Reeder, Kenny Moss, Rusty Tubbs, Trevor Reel and Jacob Jeppsen.

Malad is taking its 13th consecutive trip to the A-3 State Boys Basketball Tournament this week, the result of winning the SEIC District Crown February 21 – the 12th in thirteen years.

40 YEARS AGO (1986)

Friday, February 28, Sheriff Ken Wharton stepped down to take an early retirement. During a reception in the Conference Room downstairs in the Courthouse, valley residents gathered to say thanks for his many faithful years of service and to honor him for a job well done. County Clerk Joyce Friedenberger administered the Oath of Office to Deputy Lee Pfeiffer. The ceremony officially transferred the reins of authority and gave Deputy Pfeiffer the title of Sheriff of Oneida County, which he will hold until the next election.

Open for business again, the all-new Corner Bar is ready for customers, now owned and operated by the fourth generation Ralph and
Ed Jones.

Claiming the district trophy for the third consecutive year, the Malad Dragon boys’ basketball team stomped over the Grace Grizzlies in the district A-3 Southeastern Idaho Conference at Marsh Valley February 26. Members of the squad are Steve Gunnell, John Williams, Boyd Roberts, Erick Knutsen, Bracken Budge, Rod Sweeten, Kevin Archibald, Brett Horsley, Clint Rohner, Troy Hubbard and Jones Nelson.

Graduating from the University of Idaho in the summer session in the College of Business was William
D. Tovey.

Ren Edwards of Pocatello has been voted number one referee of the 5th District by the coaches. He will be officiating at the State Basketball tournaments for his eighth consecutive year.

50 YEARS AGO (1976)

The 1976 winner of the oratorical contest sponsored by the Ernest W. Jones Post of the American Legion is Wendy Thomas. Second place honors in the annual event went to Kelly Allen and third to Jana Jensen.

In their regular monthly meeting, Oneida County School Board members will consider appointing an advisory Ad Hoc Committee to the Superintendent to help him work on the School District’s 1976-77 budget proposal. Supt. Lloyd Sorensen will ask the Board to approve a seven to nine member committee composed of teachers, community people, Board members and school principals. Noting that he wants all points of view represented in the Ad Hoc committee, the superintendent explained that members would provide input into budget-making decisions, also learn about some of the problems involved. If the proposal is approved by the Board, this would be the first such advisory committee on the budget established in the district.

Del Martin has been selected as deputy for the Oneida County Sheriff’s department and replaces Mickey Jeppsen, Sheriff Ken Wharton announced. 

Wayne E. Jones was sustained as second counselor in the LDS Second Ward bishopric at services Sunday evening. Wayne is replacing Dee Burrie who recently moved to Boise. He joins Bishop Wesley Crowther and first counselor David Hill in his new assignment.

60 YEARS AGO (1966)

Airman Howard Brent Vanderwood, son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard E. Vanderwood, has been selected for training at Keesler AFB, Miss. as an Air Force communications-electronics specialist. The airman recently completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas. A 1964 graduate of Malad High School, he attended Idaho State University.

Miss Sandy Bowen, Miss Malad City, will present an original reading during the 17th Annual Pageant scheduled here on Saturday night.

After a lot of competition, the winners in the local declamation contest were announced this week. Winners and the divisions are as follows: Suzanne Harrison, dramatic reading; Duel Wuthrich, interpretive oration; Ron Bjorkman, extemporaneous speaking; Tim Thorpe, original essay; Tom Colton, radio speaking; Margo Thomson, after dinner speaking; David Evans, poetry.

A former Malad resident, Mrs. Florence Bowman, formerly Florence Ipsen, had one of the lead parts in the Ricks College production of the opera, “La Boheme”. Mrs. Bowman, a member of the music faculty at Ricks, played the part of Mimi in the faculty cast. Mrs. Bowman is a member of the music faculty in the voice division.

70 YEARS AGO (1956)

Verl Williams, son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Williams, has been promoted to A/M/2C. He is stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Japan.

With the theme, “Apple Blossom Time”, the Malad Second Ward M.I.A. held its annual Gold and Green Ball on Saturday evening. Three debutantes presented during the activities were Gloria Harris, Sue Jones and June Wade. 

Larry D. Howell, Malad, was elected vice president of Beta Chapter of Lambda Delta Sigma, LDS Church fraternity, at Utah State University, at a recent meeting. He is a freshman majoring in agricultural education. Another Malad student, Val Hess, is president of the same chapter.

Championship of the Malad LDS Stake Explorer basketball league went to the First Ward team as they defeated the second Ward squad by a 40-25 score in the final game. Coached by Wayne Stevenson, the First Ward team is comprised of Dallas Neal, Captain; Brent Williams, Lamon Cottam, J. Golden Ward, Robert Lund, Ned Lewis, D. J. Williams, Brent Mills, Lamont Hess, Spencer Ward and Bert
Marble, Jr.

Friday, March 2, will be the date of the FFA dance. “Moonlight Serenade” will be the theme. The Starlighters of Logan will furnish the music. The student body cast votes for the FFA Sweetheart, who will reign over the dance with her attendants. Six top girls were selected and the queen and her aides will be chosen from this group. The names will probably be kept a secret until the night of the dance. The six girls competing for the honor are Carolyn Call, Rosalind Ward, Colleen Dives, Caryle Blaisdell, Erma Jean Dorius and Karen Thorpe.

80 YEARS AGO (1946)

At a meeting of the Oneida Community Center Committee held Tuesday evening the site of the former Metcalf garage was definitely decided upon for the place to build the proposed $50,000 recreating center. The project, initiated by the Oneida County Farm Bureau, is for the purpose of furnishing, as far as possible, recreation and leisure time amusement for the people of this community, especially the youth.

With the 8th Army in Japan – Dean L. Williams, a wireman with the Headquarters Battery, 89th Field Artillery battalion of the veteran 25th Infantry (Tropic Lightning) Division of the 8th Army, has been promoted to corporal. Corporal Williams is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Williams. Corporal Williams entered the army on January 24, 1945, and trained at Camp Roberts, California. He sailed overseas in July 1945, joining the 25th Division on Luzon. Now stationed in Japan, the 25th Division is engaged in the demilitarization of the Nagoya area, formerly a center of aircraft production.