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February 2022 |
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News |
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February 28 |
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Let’s talk
grocery sales tax: Sales tax on groceries is an issue
that comes up every legislative session. I believe most folks
agree that we shouldn’t tax food. We require it for our
subsistence. Why would we tax something that is a staple of life?
There are two methods of not taxing food. The first is simply to
not collect the tax when selling food. By Idaho Senator Jim
Woodward Comment added |
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Boundary County
First Judicial District Court dispositions |
 Timber
harvest to begin on Highway 95 at McArthur Lake: A
bit of change is on the horizon for McArthur Lake WMA in Boundary
County. A multi-benefit forest management harvest is planned to
begin on March 1 and will be completed as quickly as possible. If
you are traveling in the area or planning to visit McArthur Lake
WMA during the harvest, please expect big machinery and slowed
traffic. |
 U.S.
doesn't discount Putin's nuclear escalation: U.S.
officials don't doubt reports that Russian President Vladimir
Putin has placed Russia's nuclear deterrence forces on high alert,
a senior defense official said at a press briefing Sunday. This is
an unnecessary step for Putin to take because Russia has never
been under threat from NATO and certainly not from Ukraine, the
official said. |
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Avalanche
warning issued for North Idaho, northwest Montana:
The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center has issued an avalanche
warning for the mountains of the Idaho Panhandle and northwest
Montana, including Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai and Shoshone
Counties in Idaho and Lincoln, Sanders and Mineral Counties in
Montana. |
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Power outage
affecting Northern Lights customers: A widespread
power outage is affecting Boundary, Bonner and Lincoln Counties in
the Northern Lights service area, with 3,956 customers without
power as of 7 a.m. There is an issue with a Bonneville Power line
near the Idaho/Montana border and crews are working to reroute
power. |
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Flood watch issued
for North Idaho: The National Weather Service,
Spokane, has issued a flood watch for North Idaho from this
morning through Wednesday morning. The area includes Boundary,
Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah and Latah Counties. Moderate
to heavy rain and snowmelt will result in increased runoff that
could cause minor flooding on creeks, streams and rivers as well
as in low-lying areas and in urban areas with poor drainage. |
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February 27 |
 Birrell's
'Walking with Fay' set for Mother's Day release: In
2012, Carolyn (Testa) Birrell, Bonners Ferry, flew to Georgia to
kidnap her mother. Fay had been living by herself since her
husband’s death in 2000 and clung fiercely to her independence.
She went to church on Sundays, paid her bills on time and
volunteered at Vacation Bible School every summer. Now Carolyn is
celebrating the publication of her debut memoir, "Walking With Fay
– My Mother’s Uncharted Path into Dementia." |
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February 26 |
 Boundary
County at 'medium' for COVID, per CDC: Under new CDC
COVID prevention and masking metrics that look at conditions at
the county level, Boundary County is listed as medium, meaning
those at high risk for COVID should talk to their health care
provider about whether you need to wear a mask or take other
preventive measures. The new recommendations come as pandemic
statistics in the nation improve. |
 Ukrainian
resistance holding: Ukrainian resistance to invading
forces is stiffer than Russia expected, as the U.S. and NATO
continue to supply security assistance to Ukraine, a senior
defense official said. The Russian invasion of Ukraine over the
last 24 hours has been observed to occur over three main axes:
from the south, including an amphibious assault from the Sea of
Azov, from the north central and from the northeast, a senior
defense official said. |
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Snow expected Sunday
night into Monday: The National Weather Service has
issued a winter storm watch for snow in North Idaho above 3,000
feet and a winter weather advisory for snow in the
Kootenai/Cabinet Region. In Boundary and Bonner Counties, heavy
snow is forecast at elevations above 3,000 feet Sunday evening
through Monday afternoon, with 10 to 15 inches possible. |
 Sandpoint
woman sentenced in Hurst murder: Cantrip Velite
Gatens, a Sandpoint woman born in 1992, will serve at least seven
years in prison for her role in the November 21, 2020, murder
Brandon Hurst, 38, a good-hearted man from Bonners Ferry who
didn't always make the best of decisions but who forever put
friends ahead of himself. He died expecting to help the woman whom
he thought once loved him. |
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February 25 |
 Commissioners
to oppose Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act:
After receiving an email from U.S. Representative Russ Fulcher
alerting them of a proposal introduced in the House last year by
New York Democrat Carolyn Maloney that would designate huge tracts
of land in the Northern Rockies, including Boundary County, as
wilderness, Boundary County Commissioners on February 7 agreed to
draft a letter in opposition. |
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Bonners Ferry City Council meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesday,
March 1 |
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Boundary County Commissioners' agenda, week of
February 28 |
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Boundary County School District 101 board meeting, 6
p.m. Monday, February 28, District Office, 7188 Oak Street,
Bonners Ferry. |
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Boundary County Commission minutes, week of February
7 |
 Russians
facing stronger opposition than expected: Ukrainian
service members are fighting bravely — and effectively — for their
country against the massive Russian onslaught, a senior defense
official said at the Pentagon today. The official, speaking on
background, said Russian forces attacking toward the Ukrainian
capital of Kyiv are going slower than they anticipated. "They are
meeting more resistance than they expected," the official said.
The invasion, launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin on
February 23, is designed to "decapitate" the Ukrainian government. |
 Bridges
Home returning to the Pearl Theater: Bridges Home
will return to the Pearl Theater at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 19, and
tickets are on sale now! This show will most certainly sell out,
so don't wait -- get your tickets now. Bridges Home is Tami Belzer
Gunter and Dave Gunter - two talented vocalists and
multi-instrumentalists whose passion for music shines through like
no other. |
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February 24 |
 U.S.
Treasury announces unprecedented sanctions against Russia:
The United States took significant and unprecedented action to
respond to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine by imposing severe
economic costs that will have both immediate and long-term effects
on the Russian economy and financial system. |
 U
of I offering principal program for North Idaho educators:
A principal training program for educators in Boundary, Benewah,
Bonner, Kootenai and Shoshone counties will run from Fall 2022
through Spring 2024, facilitated by University of Idaho’s College
of Education, Health and Human Sciences. |
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February 23 |
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Library board
meets in executive session to discuss whistleblowers:
The Boundary County Library Board met in special session today via
Zoom to hold executive session to "consider the evaluation,
dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges
brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or
individual agent, or public school student" as regards four
employees who have been on paid administrative leave since July,
2021. |
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"All Things Bond"
events slated: Boundary County School District
officials and board members are hosting an “All Things Bond”
discussion and tour at Valley View Elementary School from 5 to 7
p.m., Thursday, February 24. As people arrive, they will be met at
the front door and given a brief overview of the bond and its
impact to maintenance needs across the district, and then take a
walk through and discussion of issues at Valley View and why the
facility needs replaced. |
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Special commissioners meeting set: Boundary
County Commissioners will meet in special session in commission
chamber in the Boundary County Courthouse at 2:30 p.m. Friday,
February 25 to discuss matters pertaining to legal public defense. |
 Three
more Oregon Counties to vote on joining Idaho:
Josephine County, Oregon, voters will have their chance to vote on
the Greater Idaho idea this May. The Board of Commissioners of
that county voted unanimously today to refer a non-binding
advisory question regarding Greater Idaho to the county’s May
ballot. The question reads “In your opinion, should Josephine
County, along with other rural counties, separate from Oregon and
become part of Idaho?” |
 House
send inane "anti-discrimination" bill to Senate: The
Idaho House on Monday declared an emergency and passed HB 581,
called the Employee Medical Information Protection Act though it
applies solely to the majority of the state's employers and only
addresses measures specifically designed to slow the spread of
coronavirus. The legislation, headed now for the Senate, comes as
the pandemic shows signs of easing and COVID-19 becomes just one
more viral illness to afflict man. |
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February 22 |
 Lincoln
County kids can get free books from Dolly Parton's Imagination
Library: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book
gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children
from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income, in
participating communities. Today, Zero to Five Lincoln County and
the Lincoln County Library announced that Lincoln County, Montana,
has been approved, and parents can now sign up to receive free
books each month for their children ages birth to five years old. |
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February 21 |
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Boundary County First
Judicial District Court dispositions |
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Chilly temperatures
ahead: The National Weather Service, Spokane, has
issued a wind chill advisory for North Idaho and northeast
Washington in effect from 9 p.m. today through 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Bitterly cold temperatures are forecast for tonight in Bonners
Ferry, with overnight lows of five to nine degrees expected,
accompanied by sustained north northeast winds of 10 to 20 miles
per hour, gusting to 40 miles per hour and driving wind chill
values from, zero to 15 below. |
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February 18 |
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Vote "Yes" for the BCSD
bond March 8: The past few years have been tough for
journalists, especially those who dedicate theselves to covering
the small towns in which they live. Once listened to, heard if not
trusted. We've been effaced by the politics of the day, our
stock-in-trade, trust, disparaged. |
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Winter storm expected in
Kootenai/Cabinet: The National Weather Service,
Missoula, has issued a winter storm watch for heavy snow in the
Kootenai/Cabinet Region, Flathead/Mission Valleys, the
Butte/Blackfoot Region and the Potomac/Seeley Lake Region, in
effect Saturday afternoon through Monday morning. |
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Winter isn't over yet ... |
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| The National Weather Service, Spokane, says it
probably isn't the best idea to pack away your winter
clothes quite yet ... it looks very likely the entire
Inland Northwest will be faced with the coldest
temperatures since the beginning of the new year. This
wintery visit includes bitter wind chills and possible
record cool high temperatures for Tuesday. The cold is
expected to stick around through much of the week, with
moderating temperatures after that. |
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 SH3
to be closed north of St. Maries: The Idaho
Transportation Department will partially close State Highway 3
north of St. Maries to prepare for spring construction. Unless
winter weather causes a delay, the closure will start on Monday,
February 28, and continue for two weeks. The plan is to close at
least one lane of the highway from milepost 89.9 to milepost 92.5,
with traffic detoured onto Goosehaven Road. During the closure,
crews will remove vegetation along three miles of highway to make
room for widening this spring. |
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February 17 |
 Books,
STEAM, chicks and more at Mt. Hall Elementary: Here
we are - three weeks into February! The time has flown and our
students at Mt. Hall are flying through their year! We have some
exciting events coming up this spring! One of the events to look
forward to is our Scholastic Book Fair! By Principal Kylie
Guthrie |
 U.S.
Senate Republicans continue to kowtow: U.S. Senators
Mike Crapo and Jim Risch joined 44 Republican colleagues in
continued party pandering to former president Donald J. Trump
today, sending a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland
seeking assurances "that the U.S. Department of Justice will
continue to respect the prosecutorial independence of Special
Counsel John Durham and his staff, while also ensuring he is
provided all resources necessary to fully, thoroughly and
completely pursue the investigation for which he was appointed"
regarding the 2016 presidential election. |
 What
a new Valley View Elementary might look like: If
voters approve the $16.4-million bond being requested by Boundary
County School District 101 March 8, needed upgrades will be made
at each of the district's schools, but work will begin so that in
2024, kids attending elementary school in Bonners Ferry will enter
a safer and much more efficient new building to replace the
several that have served the community well for over 70-years but
are now doddering along on last legs, the clay pipe and galvanized
steel plumbing gurgling and dripping toward imminent failure, the
lath and plaster walls tinder in buildings with no fire
suppression systems. |
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BCSD answers questions
on the proposed bond: Boundary County School District
continues to make presentations and provide additional information
concerning the upcoming bond election on March 8. As we have made
presentations and heard concerns, we want to answer some of the
questions that have been asked and provide additional
opportunities for you to ask us questions. |
 Bundy
blasts GOP, will continue bid for governor as an independent:
Idaho gubernatorial candidate Ammon Bundy issued a statement this
morning announcing his withdrawal from the May primary, saying he
is changing his party affiliation to independent to enable him to
continue his bid in the November general election. |
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February 16 |
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NIC seeks Woman of the
Year nominations: Nominations are now being accepted
for the Women of the Year Awards presented annually at the North
Idaho College Day of Dialogue, which is taking place April 13 at
noon via Zoom. The Zoom meeting link and other Day of Dialogue
details will be announced closer to the event date. In its ninth
year at NIC, the Day of Dialogue celebrates women of leadership. |
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February 15 |
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Boundary County First
Judicial District Court dispositions |
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February 14 |
 ISP
accepting applications: The Idaho State Police is
looking for exceptional candidates to join a team of professionals
dedicated to protecting and serving the people of this great
state. ISP is Idaho's only statewide full-service law enforcement
agency with commissioned positions specializing in criminal
investigations, highway safety and traffic enforcement, commercial
vehicle safety, and alcohol beverage control. |
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Fair board seeking bids
to raise the roof: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
Boundary County Fair Board of Boundary County, Idaho will be
accepting bids for the replacement of the GOAT BARN ROOF, SIDING &
DOOR at the Boundary County Fair Grounds located at 6567
Recreation Park Road, Bonners Ferry. |
 Counterfeit
fentanyl rips apart more local lives: A brother
concerned for his sister's welfare called Boundary County dispatch
for help at about 12:15 p.m. Thursday, reporting that her
boyfriend, not welcome, was in her home at the Jenny Lane
Apartments and refusing to leave. He'd been inside to clean out
drugs and paraphernalia she may have had, he told officers who
responded, when he heard someone trying to force open the front
door, which he'd locked. His sister, he said, had a terrible drug
habit she was fighting to overcome, fed by the man he suspected
was now in her apartment. |
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February 8 |
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Boundary County First
Judicial District Court dispositions |
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Little signs teacher
health insurance bill: Governor Brad Little signed
House Bill 443 into law at a teacher appreciation rally at Melba
Elementary School this morning. His “Leading Idaho” teacher health
insurance bill seeks to extend better health insurance benefits to
teachers across Idaho. |
 License
plate brings help to Hope House: Sheriff Dave Kramer
on Monday presented a check for $640 to Amy Christopherson and the
non-profit Hope House in Moyie Springs to help meet the needs of
some local youth. The funds came from a portion the America's
Promise license plates. In 2000, Idaho became the first state in
the nation to create America’s Promise Youth license plates. For
every America’s Promise license plate sold, $25 of the $35 fee
goes directly to the fund. |
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February 7 |
| Trew Lammers wins
state! |
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| The Boundary County Farm Bureau extends
congratulations to Trew Lammers for winning the 2022 Farm
Bureau state high school discussion meet in today in
Boise! Trew competed in the Idaho capitol building and was
able to meet with our lawmakers Sage Dixon and Jim
Woodward. Idaho Farm Bureau president Bryan Searle
presented her the grand prize check for $1,400. |
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February 5 |
 Ft.
Carson soldier dies in Syria: The Department of
Defense announced on Friday the death of a soldier who was
supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. Specialist Alex J. Ram, 20,
Rancho Cucamonga, California, died February 1, 2022, at Tell
Beydar, Syria, as a result of a non-combat related incident. The
incident is under investigation. |
 Making
progress on the plan: A few weeks ago, I provided an
outline of the Governor’s budget and policy proposals for the 2022
legislative session. We are now one month into the session and
making great progress. In the last two weeks, significant tax
relief and a major investment in our public school system have
passed through both bodies of the Idaho legislature. By Idaho
First District Senator Jim Woodward |
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February 4 |
 We
have to work together to break cycle of substance abuse:
We have a lot of people who come into our jail for different
reasons. It is unfortunate that we currently have a separate
combination of a mother and daughter and a father and son, all
being held in our jail. They are being held on unrelated charges
and were arrested at different times. I think everyone would agree
that this is not quality family time. Their names are not
important, but what is important is trying to break the cycle.
By Sheriff Dave Kramer
Comment added |
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February 3 |
 UPDATED
-- A challenge to make the
Museum Portrait Hall a living monument: I must issue
an apology, make a retraction of sorts and say thank you; I issued
this challenge of my own volition, but without thinking it
through. In so doing I blindsided the Boundary County Historical
Society members and board, for which I apologize, and I give
thanks for the gracious way president Cal Russell let me know that
while the concept is appreciated, there are considerations that
must be addressed by the board and museum staff to see if the idea
is viable and, if so, how it might be set up and administered. The
historical society board has asked that those interested in
donating (some of whom already have) please wait and allow them
time to consider these ideas, and Cal has offered me the
opportunity to be included in the discussions to be held. ~
Mike Weland, Publisher |
| Congratulations,
Trew! |
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| Trew Lammers is the winner of the 2022 Farm Bureau
District 5 high school discussion meet in Moscow! She will
represent Bonners Ferry and North Idaho at the state level
in Boise on Monday, February 7. |
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February 1 |
 Alleged
Vazquez-Estrada drug circle shrinking: Jessica Hart,
26, Bonners Ferry, told Bonners Ferry Police Officer Brandon
Johnson last month that she knew her boyfriend was an abusive and
violent man, that she couldn't leave her young son alone with him.
She stays with him, she said, in part because he supplies her the
fentanyl Mexi pills to which she's addicted. She is now in jail,
not far from boyfriend Miguel Vazquez-Estrada, facing up to seven
years in prison and/or a fine up to $15,000 on each of two counts
of possession. Two others are also facing possession charges. |
An
Elmira landmark enters an eclectic new phase: Once
renowned for the best burgers in North Idaho, the grill at the
Elmira Store on Highway 95 just south of the Bonner/Boundary
County line was turned off in January, 2017, after the death of
proprietor Ed Cook Jr. The grill remains cold, the post office
closed, but that unprepossessing old building is open once again,
now as Mountain Traders, and with a vibrancy that is sure to grow
both the legacy and the legend of the way station between Bonners
Ferry and Sandpoint.
Seven
county students earn spots on NIC dean's list: North
Idaho College recently announced its Dean’s List for the fall 2021
semester. Students eligible for the NIC Dean’s List must be
enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits and obtain a grade point
average of 3.75 or above.
Glenda
Poston honored for 25 years on fair board: During its
February 7 meeting, the Boundary County Fair Board honored one of
its own, helping member Glenda Poston, who joined the board in
January, 1997, celebrate 25 years of volunteer service. She was
honored with an engraved mantle clock in recognition of her valued
service.
Petesch
signs to play volleyball with the Bucs: Dawson
Community College, Glendive, Montana, is excited to announce the
signing of Siera Petesch, Bonners Ferry, to their volleyball
program. Petesch is a 5’9” middle All-League volleyball player and
captain for the Badgers. She is a three sport athlete who has had
success not only in athletics, but in the classroom, earning honor
roll recognition and being a part of National Honors Society. 
FWP
forming elk management advisory group: As elk
populations continue to be a concern across the state, Montana
Fish, Wildlife & Parks is convening a citizens advisory group to
address the future of elk management. The 12-member group will be
tasked with developing new and creative ideas and recommendations
and helping build new relationships among stakeholders passionate
about elk management in Montana.
Idaho
legislators follow agendas rather than constitution:
Sometimes you wonder if certain members of the Idaho Legislature
have even read the Idaho Constitution. For all their
pronouncements about honoring and faithfully following the U.S.
and Idaho Constitutions, they pay precious little regard to them
when passing legislation that fits their agenda. Legislators have
ignored their duty under the Constitution to adequately fund
public education, while proposing to divert public funds to
private and parochial schools. By Jim Jones and Rod Gramer
American
ideals remain ours to uphold: For more than a
century, the U.S. Senate has carried out the annual tradition of
reading George Washington’s Farewell Address in recognition of the
birthday of our country’s first president, who led our country
during the American Revolutionary War and helped form our
government as a Founding Father. By U.S. Senator Mike Crapo
Lila
Kaye Cox, 64, passed away peacefully at her Bonners
Ferry home on February 14, 2022. Lila was born in Streator,
Illinois, on July 20, 1957, the daughter of James and Ruth Majeski
Cox. Lila was very family oriented and loved spending time with
her children and grandchildren.
Cathy
Pease-Briggs, 64, passed away suddenly on February
15, 2022, in Bonners Ferry from natural causes. The second of five
children, Cathy was born April 11, 1957, to Lonny and Jo Chapel.
There will be a Funeral Service at 1 p.m. Mountain Time Saturday,
February 26, at Troy Community Baptist Church, 725 East Missoula
Avenue. A potluck reception will follow.
Bernadean
Fern Barrett, 89, of Centralia, Washington, passed
away peacefully at St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington, on
January 25, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was born in
Bonners Ferry October 15, 1932, to William “Bill” and Ruth
(Thompson) McLaughlin, the middle of three children.