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| February 2023 | |||
| News | |||
| February 28 | |||
| Day after Senate nixes ESA bill, three spring up in House: The Senate killed the session's first Education Savings Accounts (ESA) bill of the session on the floor Monday afternoon. House Education Committee members heard presentations on three draft bills today morning, all with the same goal — to use public education funds to establish education savings accounts. Each draft would siphon money into accounts for tuition or fees at nonpublic K-12 schools. By Kevin Richert and Sadie Dittenber | |||
 Witnesses
sought in fatal Moyie, BC, collision: At about 4:45
p.m. Sunday, February 26, a collision between two vehicles on
Highway 3 south of Moyie, British Columbia, left one passenger
deceased. BC Highway Patrol, along with Cranbrook RCMP, responded
to a collision between a Subaru and a commercial tractor trailer
south of Moyie. |
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 Risch
introduces DAIRY PRIDE act: Following the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration’s proposed guidance last week allowing
nut, oat, soy, and other non-dairy products to use the name
"milk,” Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Tammy Baldwin
(D-Wisconsin) today introduced bipartisan legislation to combat
the unfair practice of mislabeling non-dairy products using dairy
names. |
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| February 27 | |||
|
Senate education savings account bill fails Senate Bill 1038, the "Freedom in Education Savings Accounts" to create education savings account for Idaho students in grades K-12 to allow parents the choice as to where their children should be educated, be it public, home, private religious or charter school, fell today on third reading, 12 voting "aye," including First District Senator Scott Herndon, to 23 "nay." |
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 Idaho
schools ranked from best to worst: A quality
education can be tricky to quantify, but the State Department of
Education has done just that — ranking Idaho’s schools from best
to worst. The data provided tells many stories about Idaho schools
— purportedly, where the best and worst schools are. The latest
ranking also highlights the most notable gains and slides since
2018. And it shows a stark difference among Idaho’s top and bottom
schools. |
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| Boundary County First Judicial District Court dispositions | |||
| February 26 | |||
 Holy
Myyhrbearers parish raising funds for Turkey, Syria:
On the morning of February 6, 2023, two earthquakes of magnitudes
of 7.8 and 7.5 rocked southern Turkey and northern Syria. To date,
the death toll has surpassed 41,000 people in both countries and
tens of thousands of people are homeless. Holy Myrrhbearers
Orthodox Church, Bonners Ferry, has already collected and sent
$3,180 from our parish. |
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| February 24 | |||
 BFHS
Robotics Team Alpha+ is energized for its 17th season:
As we enter the 17th season as a team, we are more excited than
ever to head down to Nampa, Idaho, and compete with our robotics
friends from across the state. Since our first kickoff in 2007,
Alpha+ has made some amazing strides, and we have our dedicated
mentors to thank for that. Many of our current mentors have been
with us since the beginning of the team, and we wouldn’t be here
if it wasn't for our mentor, sponsor and community support. By
Grace Hopkins |
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 Taken
for granted: A seemingly endless array of items go
either on us, or with us, each time we leave home. A quick
accounting of just clothing alone will provide the average male
with a sizable inventory. The typical businessman will need the
following: Two socks, one set of skivvies (hopefully just one),
one undershirt, one shirt, one pair of pants, one pair of shoes,
and for a good number of males, a dress coat, a tie and a kerchief
to stick out of the breast pocket of said suit coat. By Mike
Ashby |
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| February 23 | |||
 Superintendent
proud of how students acted Wednesday: On Wednesday,
February 22, Boundary County School District, Boundary County
Sheriff’s Department, Bonners Ferry Police Department, Fish and
Game, Kootenai Tribal Police, and Border Patrol worked
collaboratively to respond to a potential threat received via
telephone. |
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 Game
Warden Ellsworth Teed accepted into law enforcement memorials:
Nearly 90 years after his death, North Idaho Deputy Game Warden
for Idaho Fish and Game, Ellsworth Arthur Teed, was accepted into
both the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Idaho
Peace Officers Memorial. The honors are significant and certainly
well-deserved, especially given the unusual circumstances
surrounding his death in 1934. |
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| February 22 | |||
 Legislature
continues legacy of the Anti-Vaccine Society: The
Idaho 67th Legislature, particularly the GOP side, seems bent on
expressing its lack of scientific acumen, sending to the Senate
legislation that prohibits requiring a coronavirus vaccine long
after that once novel virus has fully entered the lexicon of
pathogens afflicting humans, and compounding that by introducing
legislation to make it illegal to provide or administer an mRNA
vaccine, which helped minimize the death toll of a pandemic, in
any human or mammal in the state. Comment added. |
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| Threatening phone call received at Middle School: At 9:41 a.m. Wednesday, staff at Boundary County Middle School received an anonymous threatening phone call, warning of a school shooting about to happen. The Middle School reported the call to law enforcement and locked down the school, while the Boundary County School District implemented precautionary measures at other county schools. By Andrew O'Neel | |||
|
Neighbor needs help Sam Rose is seven months into a high risk pregnancy and supposed to be on bed rest, but she has just about a week to pack, load, clean and haul stuff from her Moyie Springs home to the dump. She's been doing it herself, but doesn't think she'll be able to get it done without help. If you can help, please message her on Facebook or call (208) 625-1997. |
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| Wind chill advisory issued: The National Weather Service, Spokane, has issued wind chill advisory for North Idaho, north central and northeast Washington and the Palouse, in effect from 10 p.m. today through 10 a.m. Friday. Wind chills of 10 to 25 below zero expected, with the coldest wind chills over North Idaho Thursday and Friday. | |||
 Chritchfield
bill introduces Bill of rights for parents:
Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield has
introduced legislation that will establish a Bill of Rights for
parents of students enrolled in Idaho’s K-12 public schools. The
bill, HB 163, is being sponsored by Representative Judy Boyle and
Senator Ben Toews. Once adopted, the legislation will amend Idaho
Code 33-6001 to protect parental and guardian rights not currently
addressed in Idaho law. |
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| Schools locked down after 911 call: Boundary County School District 101 Schools were placed on lockdown at about 9:42 this morning after a sheriff's dispatcher received a 911 call about an active shooter in a Boundary County public school. Police have checked and cleared all district schools as safe. | |||
| February 20 | |||
| Boundary County First Judicial District Court dispositions | |||
| Winter storm warning issued for Kootenai/Cabinet region: The National Weather Service, Missoula, has issued a winter storm warning for the Kootenai/Cabinet region for heavy snow and high winds, in effect from 5 a.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. Wednesday. Total snow accumulations of six to nine inches are expected, with winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour. | |||
 Winter
weather advisory for North Idaho, NW Washington: The
National Weather Service, Spokane, has issued a winter weather
advisory for far North Idaho and northeast Washington for snow and
wind, in effect from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday. Between one and
four inches of snow are expected in the valleys with five to 10
inches expected at higher elevations. |
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| About halfway through the 2023 legislative session: The Idaho Legislature does not have a scheduled last day but based upon previous sessions, we are about halfway through our time in Boise for 2023. At this point, we have introduced legislation in committee, passed it on to the full House and on to the Senate. The Legislature moves at breakneck speed and operates at a standstill all at once. By Mark Sauter | |||
| Avalanche warning for North Idaho high country: The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center, Sandpoint, has issued a backcountry avalanche watch for North Idaho mountains, in effect through 6 a.m. Tuesday. Heavy snowfall and strong winds are predicted over the next 48 hours. Large avalanches at upper elevations and smaller avalanches below tree line will be likely by Tuesday. | |||
| February 18 | |||
| From the state capitol: For the last six weeks at the legislature I have sat on the Senate Education Committee and have listened to a multitude of presentations related to education in Idaho, K-12 and beyond. Presenters have included the new state superintendent of public instruction, superintendents of public schools, principals from charter schools, university and community college presidents and representatives from various career technical programs. By Scott Herndon | |||
| Winter storm watch issued for northwest Montana: The National Weather Service, Missoula, has issued a winter storm watch for the Kootenai/Cabinet region of northwest Montana for heavy snow, in effect from 5 a.m. Tuesday through 5 a.m. Wednesday. Around four to eight inches of snow is possible over the region, with up to a foot possible in the Yaak and on Highway 2 from Happy's Inn to Kila. | |||
| February 16 | |||
 Open
house set on Tribe's Sturgeon Station: An open house
on the Kootenai Tribe's Sturgeon Station Travel Plaza road design
will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 22, and the
Boundary County Annex, 6566 Main Street, Bonners Ferry. Presented
by HMH Engineering, Coeur d'Alene, the event will be in an open
house format, with guests able to stop in at any time during the
three-hour presentation, view the display boards outlining the
proposed improvements and question or discuss issues and concerns
with project staff. |
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| Boundary County First Judicial District Court dispositions | |||
| February 15 | |||
| Bonners Ferry option tax proposal under legal review: Bonners Ferry City Administrator Lisa Ailport presented a review of a resolution of a local option tax at a special city council meeting Tuesday. While the draft isn't available pending legal review here is an overview of what will be presented to Bonners Ferry voters in May. "Shall the City of Bonners Ferry, Boundary County, Idaho, adopt an ordinance providing for a local option tax of 1%, effective on July 1, 2023, and extending the period of the tax until December 31, 2033," the draft reads in part. | |||
 House
votes 'aye' on Greater Idaho bill: The Idaho House of
Representatives voted in favor of the “Greater Idaho” bill today.
The bill, numbered HJM 1, authorizes Idaho legislators to begin
talks with Oregon about relocating the state line they share.
During debate on the floor of the House, proponents of the bill
cited the desirability of applying Idaho law to eastern Oregon as
a way to push Oregon drug laws farther away from Idaho’s current
population. |
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| Nine B Strong PAC formed in our community: Are you concerned about the direction our great state and our community are going? Do you remember when people were friendly and respectful even when they disagreed? Do you remember when we put a premium on independence and had the sense to know when to mind our own business and when to come together to build schools, libraries, hospitals, and infrastructure? | |||
| February 14 | |||
| County commission minutes, week of January 16 | |||
| February 13 | |||
| Bonners Ferry City Council special meeting, local option tax workshop, 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 14, city hall. | |||
| Bonners Ferry City Council special meeting, comprehensive plan review, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 16, city hall. The Bonners Ferry Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 5:15 p.m. | |||
| February 11 | |||
| House approves reducing school elections to twice per year: The Idaho House voted to approve House Bill 58 on February 10 to eliminate March and August school district bond indebtedness and property tax elections, limiting school elections to two days a year for bond measures M&O and supplemental levies; the primary on the third Tuesday in May and the general on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. | |||
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| February 10 | |||
 Life
coach has amazing capacity for living: An
unanticipated near-death experience is always traumatic,
especially when you're young and vibrant. A King Salmon, Alaska,
woman with a passion for the outdoors returned home yesterday
after five days in intensive care at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
following a routine visit to her local clinic. Her mother, Darlene
Schneider, Bonners Ferry, is with her. And this wasn't her first
brush with death. Copy edited 11 a.m. February 11. |
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| Boundary County Commission agenda, week of February 13 | |||
 Gun
& Horn Show off to a great start: The 2023 Kootenai
Valley Sportsman's Association's 30th annual Gun & Horn Show is
underway, and it is off to a rousing start. A long line stretched
back from the Fairgrounds Memorial Hall entrance, people chatting
and visiting, waiting for the doors to open at noon. In the first
half hour, more than 250 people were inside, amazed at the number
of vendors and the variety of wares on display. |
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 North
Idaho Republicans condemn MTG invite: North Idaho
Republicans issued a statement today condemning the Kootenai
County Republican Central Committee for hosting Marjorie Taylor
Greene at their annual Lincoln Day event. North Idaho Republicans,
according to their website, is a regional association of longtime
Republicans with traditional conservative Republican values, like
those embodied by Ronald Reagan. |
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| February 8 | |||
| Boundary County First Judicial District Court dispositions | |||
| Border Patrol seeking agents, pilots: U.S. Customs and Border Protection is currently accepting applications for Border Patrol Agent GL-5 pay grade positions as part of its ongoing efforts to increase BPA hiring. In addition, CBP is seeking to add 200 Air Interdiction Agents this year through direct-hire authority, despite a drop in candidates due to a national shortage of pilots. | |||
 Bonners
Ferry native will support Super Bowl flyover: During
the 2023 Super Bowl National Anthem performance three Navy
tactical squadrons will conduct a unified flyover. Petty Officer
First Class Zackary Ray, a Bonners Ferry native, is one of the
sailors maintaining the aircraft for Electronic Attack Squadron
129. Zack serves with VAQ -129 in Oak Harbor, Washington. |
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| February 7 | |||
| Boundary County School District 101 special board meeting (executive session), 1 p.m. Thursday, February 9, district office. | |||
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| February 5 | |||
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| February 3 | |||
| Risch, Crapo push for concealed carry reciprocity: U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo (both R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), along with 42 of their Senate colleagues, recently introduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to exercise those rights in any other state that allows concealed carry, while still abiding by that state’s laws. | |||
 Pearl
Theater keeping the lights on ... but barely: After
being driven to the verge of insolvency through the COVID years,
this winter's icy chill has prolonged the arduous work of the
board of the historic Pearl Theater back from the fiscal brink,
and if you've ever considered donating, now would be an auspicious
time. The last utility bill for the venerable old building was
just over $700, the one before that not much better. |
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| Boundary County Commission agenda, week of February 6 | |||
| Bill introduced to limit who could vote by absentee ballot in Idaho: The Idaho House State Affairs Committee introduced a bill Thursday that would limit the number of people eligible for an absentee ballot. Representative Joe Alfieri, R-Coeur d’Alene, pitched the bill, saying the recent popularity of absentee ballots is detrimental to the voting process and opens the door to fraud. He did not cite any examples of voter fraud in Idaho. | |||
| Idaho delegation condemn decision on Idaho grizzlies: U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and U.S. Representative Russ Fulcher, all Idaho Republicans, are condemning the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to keep Endangered Species Act protections for Idaho’s grizzly bears. | |||
| February 2 | |||
| Curley Creek Water awarded grant: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality recently announced the award of $191,300 to six drinking water and wastewater systems to help the facilities evaluate system deficiencies and determine necessary upgrades, as part of Governor Brad Little’s “Leading Idaho” plan. | |||
| February 1 | |||
 Load
restrictions going into effect on area highways: In
recent days, Idaho has experienced above average temperatures and
precipitation which can lead to significant damage to highways,
prompting state and local transportation agencies to enforce load
restrictions. In an effort to reduce damage to roadways, the Idaho
Transportation Department has made the decision to restrict
several routes in North Idaho. |
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| Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative meeting, 7 p.m. Monday, February 13 | |||
| Senators seek to ease National Firearms Act burden: U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) on Tuesday introduced the Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act, which will remove the taxation, registration and regulation requirements in the National Firearms Act. |
|
9B.News Mike Weland, Publisher mike@9b.news 6931 Main St. P.O. Box 1625 Bonners Ferry, ID 83805 (208) 295-1016 |
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| Business | |||
| February 7 | |||
 Murdocks
take over campground and RV park: On November 1, the
owners of the Bonners Ferry Log Inn sold five luxury log cabins, a
log cabin-style bathhouse building and 21 RV sites situated on 3.7
acres to Bonners Ferry residents Munro and Rachel Murdock. The
Murdocks have since rebranded the business as North Haven
Campground and are working on implementing various property
improvements and amenity upgrades. |
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| Social | |||
| February 20 | |||
 70th
anniversary of John Alt's arrival in Bonners Ferry:
It was 70 years ago Wednesday, February 15, that John Alt and his
brother, the late Al Alt, got off the train at the depot in
Bonners Ferry, neither speaking a word of English, meeting two
people they didn't know except from pictures and letters; their
aunt Rosie Neumayer and her step-grandson, Arnold Fessler. |
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| February 15 | |||
| Nine local students on NIC Dean's List: North Idaho College recently announced its Dean’s List for fall semester 2022. 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. | |||
| February 14 | |||
 Four
Badgers graduate University of Idaho: A total of 567
degrees were awarded to 558 students in December in the University
of Idaho's fall 2022 commencement. Four were presented to students
from Bonners Ferry. |
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| February 7 | |||
| BCMS honor roll released: Boundary County Middle School's first semester honor roll has been released, with 29 students earning high honor for maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average. To earn recognition, students had to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better. | |||
| February 1 | |||
| 12 local students on U of I Dean's List: A total of 2,787 students qualified for the Dean’s List for the University of Idaho's Fall 2022 semester, including 12 from Boundary County. The semester ended December 16. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must maintain at least a 3.5 GPA on a minimum of 12 graded credits during the semester. | |||
| Sports/Outdoors | |||
| March 1 | |||
 IDFG
'Learn to Hunt & Fish' day camps slated: If hands-on
learning is your thing, look no further than our
Learn-to-Hunt-and-Fish day camps in the Panhandle Region! Not only
do participants leave hunter education certified, but they also
leave with more specialized hunting and fishing know-how compared
to a standard hunter education class. During summer 2022, staff
from the Idaho Fish and Game Panhandle Regional office hosted
these camps at the Farragut Shooting Range Center. Participants
raved about their experience. |
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| February 27 | |||
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| February 23 | |||
 Duke's
Claybusters shotgun raffle underway: The Bonners
Ferry High School trapshooting team Duke's Claybusters is once
again selling raffle tickets to purchase safety equipment, targets
and ammunition. Prizes are a $100 gift certificate at Super 1
Foods, dinner, spa and a night's stay at the Kootenai River Inn
and a Mossberg shotgun. |
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| February 16 | |||
 Nik
Bertling sets LC indoor pole vault record:
Lewis-Clark State College's Nik Bertling, Bonners Ferry, was named
the Rize Laboratory Men's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week on
Monday. Bertling, a senior pole vaulter, broke his own school
record in the indoor pole vault when he cleared a height of 4.67
meters (15.3 feet) at the Whitworth Invite February 10-11 in
Spokane. |
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| Sheila Benson rocks week 21 of Tuesday's Trouble: Sheila Benson ran the lanes in week 21 of Tuesday's Trouble women's league bowling at AJ's Lanes February 7, taking high scratch game 173, high scratch series 470, second high handicap game 235 and high handicap series 656. Elaine Wheeler got second high scratch game 166 and third high scratch series 424. | |||
| February 13 | |||
| Tuesday's Trouble, weeks 18 and 19: In week 18 of Tuesday's Trouble women's league bowling at AJ's, Alice VanGundy took high scratch game with 178, third high scratch series, 444, and tied for second high handicap game, 238. Regina Colby took second high scratch game, 177, high handicap game 246, and second high handicap series, 645. Elaine Wheeler took third high handicap scratch game, 161, second high scratch series, 448, and third high handicap series, 634. | |||
| February 9 | |||
 Apply
now for spring turkey controlled hunts: Turkey
hunters looking to apply for 2023 spring controlled turkey hunts
have until March 1 to apply. Information on the spring 2023
controlled turkey hunts can be found in the 2022-23 Upland Game,
Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules book. |
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| February 5 | |||
 Local
shooters do well in Junior Olympic state championship:
The North Idaho Junior Olympic Rifle Championship took place on
the weekend of January 17 at the Kootenai Valley Rifle Range.
Shooters from the Bonners Ferry (KV), Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene
clubs represented. Their scores of shooters were combined with
competitors from southern Idaho and the 2023 Idaho Junior Olympic
Champions declared. |
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| Letters | |||
| February 28 | |||
 A
glimpse inside the Idaho Freedom Foundation: Last
year we were up in the majestic mountains of Idaho, in a tiny town
way off the beaten path. We were attending a Republican event with
several speakers. This was not a fancy dinner in plush
surroundings, it was a sandwich in an old wooden grange hall. Much
to my surprise, Wayne Hoffman, President of Idaho Freedom
Foundation (IFF) got up to speak with great pride and said IFF
analyzes every bill so you don’t have to. Not true! By Mary
Souza |
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| February 27 | |||
| Good work in House due to in part to character of freshmen: Though 24 separate bills were passed on the House floor last week, I'd like to highlight one which may have the broadest effect on Idahoans in the coming year. House Bill 138, passed on Friday, would consolidate Idaho's Presidential Primary voting with current State Primary election dates. By Idaho Representative Sage Dixon | |||
 Halfway
to nowhere: The 2023 session is theoretically half
over (the target date to finish is March 24) and not a single bill
has made it to the governor’s desk that addresses the top issues
most Idahoans care about: public education funding, property tax
relief, infrastructure, healthcare, keeping up with the cost of
living, and access to public lands. However, all sorts of dubious
bills are popping up like mushrooms – and some may not be safe to
consume. By Idaho Representative Steve Berch |
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| Legislature bent on moving back in time: The Greater Idaho movement seems like the first step to completely incorporate the more conservative, angry and hate filled areas of Oregon state into a permanent border move that would enlarge Idaho just to further a political agenda purposes. Idaho in particular and America in general are truly becoming more militant in nature and stepping on many people’s toes to forward their radical agenda. Anonymous | |||
| The left uses nonpartisan municipal elections to push dangerous policy: The most radically liberal politicians in America run for office under the protection of nonpartisanship. Once in office, these same “unaligned” officials raise money for the Democrat Party and push extreme policies that harm small businesses and working people. By Dorothy Moon | |||
| February 22 | |||
| Boundary County’s school levy and why I love basketball ... or do I? As a fifth grader, I remember looking through an old trunk in my family’s basement and coming across photographs of a young man wearing a basketball uniform. I knew instantly who it was and being a naturally inquisitive young man, I was compelled to ask my Dad what it was like to play basketball “back in the day?” By Darrell Kerby | |||
| Getting a west coast vibe: Gotta love the new and improved Idafornia legislature now seated in Boise. Mexican cartels running parts of Canyon County, openly tagging “their” territory. Idaho HHS is running non-stop vaccination ads in English and Spanish urging everyone to vaccinate themselves and all those around them. A proposal to issue driver’s licenses with nothing more than a utility bill and a foreign ID card as proof of identification. By Rosanne Smith | |||
| February 20 | |||
| Do your best ... lifelong: I'm 64. In years, I've far outlived a sister, my mother. My grandparents, my dad. my stepson, my daughter. Two cousins. Some of the kids with whom I went to school, some my comrades at arms, though we were never thrown into the fray. I had a stroke at age 53, a second two years later, each taking away parts of me, but neither taking the life of me. I still don't know whether it's been a blessing or a curse. But it's not for me to decide. All I can do is trudge forward. By Mike Weland | |||
| February 18 | |||
| Bonners Ferry city council has been AWOL: Two special city council meetings were held on February 14 and 16, respectively. These were held to discuss a local option tax and a land use planning map. Both were urgent items of great significance, requiring action. A golf event in Oregon was scheduled at the same time. Our council scheduled these meetings, in advance, knowing that some members would be absent from the conduct of this business. By Gerald B. Higgs | |||
| February 16 | |||
| Who is really protecting Idaho’s children? Recently, several Idaho legislators introduced bills that would protect Idaho children from adults bent on using our children as vehicles for a radical gender ideology. Gender dysphoria is a controversial mental health condition that has seen a recent spike in diagnoses. While there are many contributors to this spike, some experts believe that growing levels of childhood and adolescent depression are contributing to this spike. By Dorothy Moon | |||
| February 15 | |||
| Don't hold kids hostage, vote yes on M&O: I remember the first time I walked into the old high school some 25 years ago. I thought I was walking into a school in the early 70s like my old grade school. Yes, I am 62, but my point is, it was 1998 and the school was like it was 1973. But, this was a high-school in the year cell phones with cameras and laptops were beginning to dominate modern culture. I thought to myself, how can this be? By Tim Dougherty | |||
| February 13 | |||
 Idaho
legislature derelict in addressing public school funding:
On Tuesday, March 14, pursuant to Idaho Code, Boundary County
School District 101 will ask Boundary County voters to approve a
two year,$2.4-million maintenance and operations levy, a biennial
chore of decades necessary to keep Naples, Valley View and Mount
Hall Elementary Schools, Boundary County Middle School and the
Home of the Badgers, Bonners Ferry High School, open. It's an
exhaustive and expensive routine in school districts state-wide,
unfortunately. By Mike Weland |
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| Doesn't take an outsider to compel board to its duties: In 1972, with urging from the public, U.S. Representative Patsy Mink’s bill to bring equity opportunities in education and activities for girls and women, Congress passed Title IX, signed into law by President Nixon. This was a game changer for the nation’s girls and women. I, along with others, served on a committee to assist our school board with implementing the new law. By Elsie Hollenbeck | |||
| February 11 | |||
| They say Idaho is a 'red' state, but is it? I started my chairmanship of the Idaho Republican Party by reminding our party members of the central message in Lincoln’s “Lyceum Address.” In a contentious and morally-troubled time, Lincoln took great pains to remind his fellow citizens that the alternative to a “love of law and order” was the wild and unruly passions of mob rule. By Dorothy Moon | |||
| February 9 | |||
| Thank you, GROW! I'd like to extend a very warm and heartfelt thank you to our Bonners Ferry GROW! Community Garden, both the organization and the wonderful people who make GROW! the great community asset it is. I was quite surprised and overwhelmed to have been singled out at the recent annual meeting. By Marciavee Cossette | |||
| Vote 'Yes' on M&O: Unfortunately, our state legislature has underfunded education for years. As a consequence, local school districts have had to make up the difference in order to continue adequate funding for a variety of essential programs. That’s really what our Maintenance and Operations (M&O) levy here in Boundary County is all about. By Robin Lundgren | |||
| February 8 | |||
| The MAGA GOP ... their lips move, but to what purpose?: “Tonight, Governor Sanders showed that while Washington is filled with chaos and crisis, Republican Governors are delivering on promises made to our constituents," Idaho Governor Brad Little said of Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabe Sanders' Republican response to the State of the Union. By Mike Weland | |||
| February 6 | |||
 We
are one: The next Isaac Newton ... Albert Einstein?
This is David Balogun, nine years old of Pennsylvania. He just
graduated high school and has already earned a few college credits
as he pursues his dream of being an astrophysicist specializing in
the study of black holes and supernovae. By Mike Weland |
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| February 4 | |||
 In
the education debate, words matter: While delivering
his State of the State speech in January, Governor Brad Little
used the word “public” eleven times in reference to K-12 education
funding. Many lawmakers have a far different vocabulary when
discussing Idaho’s education budget. Words like “choice,” and
“scholarships for private school tuition,” and “education savings
accounts.” By Mindy Cameron |
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| February 1 | |||
| I'm just down the street: A dear friend sent me a beautiful photo and a few lines of explanation regarding an amazing and inspirational Boundary County neighbor and volunteer, Marciavee Cossette, honored at the recent annual meeting of our local GROW! Boundary County Community Garden organization. And she thanked me for publishing. That she felt the need broke my heart. By Mike Weland | |||
| Events/Entertainment | |||
| February 28 | |||
 Improv
classes and show coming to the Pearl Theater: On
Saturday, March 11, improv is coming to Bonners Ferry, not only on
the Pearl Theater stage with the Pearl's favorite comedian,
Michael Glatzmaier, but in improvisation classes at the Pearl
that'll not only teach you how to think on your feet and deliver
the wholly unexpected hilarious retort, but help build your
confidence and communication skills in ways that can benefit
myriad aspects of everyday life. |
|||
 'The
Play That Goes Wrong' proves hilariously right: In
case you've wondered, "The Play That Goes Wrong," taking the stage
at the Pearl Theater at 7 p.m. this Friday and at 3 and 7 p.m.
Saturday, is a play about a play where everything ... you guessed
it ... goes wrong. But for the audience, this farce proves that
any number of wrongs can turn out just right. |
|||
| February 11 | |||
 Donkey
basketball coming to BFHS Wednesday: The Bonners
Ferry FFA Chapter is hosting donkey basketball at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, February 15. A total of six teams will come together
and leave it on the court riding donkeys dueling for the title of
donkey basketball champions. Come enjoy a night with basketball,
donkeys and fun! The Bonners ferry FFA chapter will be outside
Safeway selling tickets until 6 p.m. today. |
|||
| February 1 | |||
 Birds
of Play to play the Pearl Theater: The Pearl Theater
is thrilled to host Colorado-based Birds of Play for the first
time at 7 p.m. Sunday, February 19. With a dynamic mix of
sentimentality and playfulness, Birds of Play's original music
will take you on a joyous journey filled with tales of love lost
and found, ballads of wild places, and the radical idea that being
happy for no reason at all is reason enough. |
|||
 Graham
Nash to perform at the Panida: Legendary
singer/songwriter Graham Nash will perform 60 years of songs and
stories at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint at 8 p.m. Friday, July
7. A founding member of both the Hollies and Crosby, Stills and
Nash, he is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee who has
seen rock history unfold at some of its seminal moments – from the
launch of the British Invasion to the birth of the Laurel Canyon
movement a year later. |
|||
| Obituaries | |||
| February 28 | |||
 Daryl
R. Anderson, 77, Libby, passed away at his home
Sunday, February 19, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was
born April 29, 1945, in Bonners Ferry to Garland and Belle
(Cummings) Anderson. Services for Daryl were held February 25 at
Libby Christian Church, 100 Kootenai River Road. |
|||
 Michelle
Ann Colaianni, born April 28, 1989, to William
Colaianni and Diane Gialombardo left her worldly body February 17,
2023, and is now wrapped in the arms of our sweet Jesus. Michelle
loved Montana, loved her family, her dogs, chickens, turkeys, and
friends. Being outdoors and riding in her side-by-side, fishing in
the Kootenai, under the old bridge, or at Alvord Lake, is where
she could be found most times. Side-by-side rides to Spar Lake,
China Mountain, or even back roads to Bonners were her quiet peace
rides. |
|||
| February 27 | |||
 Barbara
Jean Brown passed away peacefully February 22, 2023,
with her family and friends surrounding her. She was born to
Madeline and John Kaus on November 26, 1945, in Newport,
Washington. The Priest River Mortuary, 43 Wisconsin Street, Priest
River, will hold a viewing at 10 a.m. Friday, March 3, with
graveside services at 11 a.m. |
|||
| February 22 | |||
 Alice
Katherine (Fox) Sandaker, 92, passed away peacefully
at home in Bonners Ferry with her family by her side on Feb 12,
2023. At her request no services will be held. |
|||
| February 20 | |||
| Darrell Dean Chronister, 88, passed away February 16, 2023, at his home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho was an only child, born on January 25, 1935, to John and Ella Mae (Hazelrigg) Chronister in Savannah, Missouri. He spent most of his life in the Kansas City, Missouri, area. He worked for a Ford dealership for 19 years as a service writer and assistant manager, until his diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa. | |||
| February 18 | |||
| Alice Wright passed away on February 15, 2023, at The Schneidmiller House in Coeur d'Alene. She was born on June 28, 1939, in California, the daughter of Joseph and Evelyn Silviera. No services are planned at this time. | |||
| February 14 | |||
| Lillian Brackebusch died February 14, 2023, in Bonners Ferry, at Sunset Home Assisted Living. Lillian was born on March 8, 1930, in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, the daughter of Phillip and Margaret Jurek Rau. | |||
| February 12 | |||
| Sharon Burney, 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family February 3, 2023. Services and a Celebration of Life are pending and will be announced at a later date. A full obituary will follow. | |||
| February 7 | |||
| Douglas Leroy Shaffer, born April 4, 1950, in Paso Robles, California, danced into the arms of Jesus on January 16, 2023, at the age of 72, after a long battle against cancer. He passed away at his home in Bonners Ferry, surrounded by family. | |||
 Steven
Ray Gorton died suddenly on February 4, 2023. He was
born to Ray and Alene Marie Gorton on February 21, 1961 in San
Jose, California, where his father worked for Qantas Airlines. A
memorial service will be held at Mountain View Mennonite Church in
Bonners Ferry at 2 p.m. Friday, February 10. Out of town family
and friends can call (208) 427-2040 to listen to the service. |
