The most important story of the year is
From elections where challengers, for the most part, dominated, to the economy and jobless rates hitting double digits to more personal stories, graduations, weddings or a new baby, it has been a year packed with news.
It has been our pleasure to bring all of these stories to you, keeping Bonner County residents informed and engaged — as well as, hopefully, more connected. But what stories in 2010 have had the most impact? What are the most important stories of the year?
Where does the flap over the county’s flood plain ordinance that could have impacted more than 200 homeowners benefiting from the National Flood Insurance Program fit? How about hometown snowboarder Nate Holland’s return to the Olympic games?
There is the opening of Super 1 Foods in Sandpoint. A new playground was built at Travers Park accessible to all children of all abilities to play. There is the story about a local family’s efforts to adopt a child they had fostered since his birth.
2010 also saw the city of Kootenai celebrating its centennial, the passing of “Panida Mom” Laurel Wagers, the approval of the mega-development Clagstone Meadows, ongoing efforts to replace the county’s juvenile detention center and the selection of a site to replace the troubled Green Owl dump site.
The year also saw the closure of Bonner County Humane Society after 25 years, the continued debate of the listing, and then delistng of wolves, high unemployment mixed with a sluggish economy, and adoption of a bed tax in Ponderay, with money targeted to a free bus system and other improvements.
In the past 12 months, the Sandpoint Charter School expanded with the opening of its $3.3 million, 20,000-square-foot high school; the Dover City Council debated and subsequently rejected a permit for the Talus Rock Retreat; Sagle attorney Edgar Steele was arrested on charges he tried to hire another Bonner County man to kill his wife; an iconic landmark in Priest Lake — the “shoe tree” was destroyed in what authorities said was a suspicious fire;.
2010 also saw the death of a participant in the Spokane-to-Sandpoint rally; an announcement by Quest Aircraft that it would furlough all its employees for three weeks after several rounds of layoffs; and widespread arrests amid allegations of criminal activity by the Hermanos Motorcycle Club as well as seizure of a local restaurant following an investigation into criminal activity in Boner County.
As you can see, it’s been a busy year from start to finish. While the Bee staff plans to put together our own list of what we feel are the biggest stories of the year, we’d love to know what you think are the most important.
Send me a letter or e-mail with your list to clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and share your thoughts. All submissions will be compiled into a story that will run in late December.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.