Recent news only adds to community's 'cool' factor

It's a pretty cool time to be living in Bonner County.

In just the last week or two, a number of pretty awesome things have taken place. Among them:

? The nonprofit, Bonner County-based Wild Rose Foundation is proposing to spend a minimum of $30 million for construction of a University of Idaho and North Idaho College campus on Boyer Avenue across from Sandpoint Airport.

? The Panhandle Animal Shelter received permission from the Ponderay City Council to build a 27,000-square-foot no-kill facility on land donated by The Wild Rose Foundation. Instead of 60-70 dogs, the new shelter would be able to house almost 200.

? The state of Idaho banned grass growers from burning their fields to stimulate growth, ending the annual practice which send clouds of toxic smoke into Bonner County.

Bonner County already is a pretty special place to live — friendly people, beautiful spaces and enough items in the plus column to fill the paper 10 times over. Yet, recent news will only serve to make a great place even better.

The chance to get a college education at home?

A top-notch shelter to give pets a chance for a new, loving home?

The ability to breathe smoke-free air year-round, not just on days when conditions aren't headed straight for Bonner County?

The future of Bonner County was already bright. Now it's off the charts and it's exciting to imagine all the possibilities for the future. Here's to the future.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.