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SUGAR CITY, Idaho — The average person will have 12 jobs during their lifetime, according to the Bureau of Labor statistics. However, there are those who find the perfect job, and stick with it their whole career. Fortunately, for the Sugar-Salem School District, Mark Seare found his perfect fit when he accepted a job as the band director back in 1993. “To be honest, when, I was in college I didn’t want to be a band teacher,” said Seare.  “I thought, 50 kids with noisemakers in their hands—I don’t want any part of that.”  “I was a computer science major in college. I found myself doing my homework as fast as I could so I could go do music, compose, and practice. I couldn’t run away. So I decided to go back and get a teaching certificate,” said Seare. Retired Sugar-Salem Choir Director Joe Cherrington was the assistant principal responsible for hiring Seare. “I was the one that hired him,” said Cherrington. “I’m sure glad we found him and brought him up here. One of the things...

  REXBURG — At first glance, the Family Fun Fireworks stand at 545 North Second East in Rexburg is just like all the others you see on the 4th of July. But this one becomes a bit more unique when patrons learn it has been operated by the same family for 22 years. Nadine and Walter Bell operate the firework stand, and they say it’s been a fun venture for their family to be involved in. “A family member that owns Family Fun Fireworks asked us if they brought a stand up here to Rexburg if we would run it for them,” Walter tells EastIdahoNews.com. “We love fireworks. We love being together as a family, so we decided we’d do it.” The stand is part of a larger franchise of Family Fun Fireworks. Brooke Taylor, who owns the business with her four brothers, says her parents, Don and Brenda Pollard, started Family Fun Fireworks more than 40 years ago in Pocatello. There are now 17 locations throughout the state, stretching from the Boise-Nampa area to Pocatello, Blackfoot and Rexburg. Walt...

    ST. ANTHONY – A 90-year tradition in St. Anthony made a rousing comeback Saturday as thousands attended the Pioneer Day celebration. After last year’s event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Volunteer Parade Coordinator Mari Ann Birch wanted this year’s parade to be the best one ever.   “After COVID, we need it,” Birch tells EastIdahoNews.com.  The exact amount of people who attended isn’t clear, but organizers were anticipating a crowd of at least 20,000 throughout the day. Former mayor and city councilman Neils Thueson served as the parade marshal for this year’s event. He explains the significance of Pioneer Day and why it’s celebrated in eastern Idaho.  “Pioneer Day celebrates the (Latter-day Saint) pioneers who settled this whole western area from Salt Lake all this way. We’re just really glad to be able to do this in St. Anthony,” Thueson says.   Back in 1929, leaders from St. Anthony and Rexburg met to decide what to do for th...