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Personal Blog: cloudywater

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Talks continue on 'Curve'

Sides confident compromise possible for road project

SANDPOINT — Time is a factor in reaching a compromise for the U.S. 2 Curve design.

Have you heard of the Common Core?

The Common Core State Standards program.

Laws are already on books to stop crime

I wrote this letter more than 30 years ago, but I still believe the same is true today. Below is my letter.

Bombing suspect deserves nothing

Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense:

Alamillo wins discus at Inland Empire League meet

COEUR d’ALENE — Nikole Alamillo threw a season-best 122-5 in the discus, winning the event by more than 12 feet on Friday to lead the Bulldogs at the Inland Empire League track championships at Lake City High School.

City: Transition to Diamond is steady process

SANDPOINT — The transition to parking enforcement by Diamond Parking has been a steady, if occasionally contentious, process, according to city department heads.

Court: Rights violated during traffic stop

SANDPOINT — First District Judge Barbara Buchanan is suppressing evidence supporting felony and misdemeanor drug charges against a Ponderay woman because it was gained in violation of her constitutional rights.

We all must improve our driving skills

Very soon it will be tourist time in North Idaho. It also is time for many of us to improve our driving skills. Now that the byway is an established way of travel, we need to use our directional signals in our vehicles. When we are exiting the byway coming into Sandpoint from both the north and south — signal when we are merging and exiting the byway; coming to and from Sandpoint — signal. Even if the byway is on the left, the vehicles on the byway have the right of ay.

Story, Durfee brothers lead Bulldogs past Bears

MOSCOW — Freshman Cassidy Story notched a straight set win at No. 2 girls singles, and Spencer Temple and Nicolette Jessen won a third set tie-breaker 9-7 at No. 1 mixed doubles, leading the Bulldogs to a big 7-5 win over the Bears on Monday in a 4A Inland Empire League match in Moscow.

Bulldog golfers fifth at Sandpoint Invitational

SANDPOINT — The nine-hole Elks Golf Course in Sandpoint doesn’t appear too difficult when looking at the layout or scorecard, but traditionally it yields higher than normal scores for those who don’t play it often.

Panhandle State Bank names boardroom in Parker's honor

SANDPOINT — The IMCB Board of Directors has announced that they wished to recognize the long service of retiring Board Chairman Jack Parker by naming its executive boardroom in his honor.

Choir wins big in California

SANDPOINT — Jasmin Foley, Danielle Capelli and the rest of the Sandpoint High School Chamber Choir had something to prove when they performed in San Diego, Calif., on Saturday.

Kootenai Community Church to shear youth leader on May 11

KOOTENAI — The congregation at Kootenai Community Church has become accustomed to outgrowing the physical spaces that house its worship services.

Senior center in need of support

I’m writing this letter on behalf of the Sandpoint Senior Center. We need help! At the present time we are serving more than 24,000 meals a year to area seniors. This is often the only daily meal some of these seniors receive.

Further jail in question in accessory to murder case

SANDPOINT — It remains unclear if a young man from Clark Fork will face any additional incarceration for his involvement in the killing of Michael Wyatt Smith.

Six elections set for May 21

SANDPOINT — Bonner County is conducting six elections on behalf of library, sewer and school districts on Tuesday, May 21.

Stevens, Dooley, Vogel lead Wampus Cat golfers

BIG CREEK — Wyatt Stevens carded a 54 to lead the Clark Fork boys to a fourth place finish on Thursday at the Wallace Invite, played at the Shoshone Golf Course.

Accused pot grower pleads

SANDPOINT — A Rathdrum man accused of operating a productive indoor marijuana growing operation in southern Bonner County pleaded guilty Monday to amended felony drug charges.

MickDuff's expansion on tap

SANDPOINT — MickDuff’s Brewing Company is excited to announce the expansion of the brewery in the spring and early summer of 2013.

Stangel no-hitter leads T-Wolves past Bulldogs

SANDPOINT — It’s never fun to lose 14-0, but Sandpoint can at least take some solace after being shutout by Lake City in a nonleague softball game on Thursday at Sandpoint Middle School.

Bulldogs fall short against Timberwolves

SANDPOINT — It will go in the books as a loss, but considering two freshman did all of the pitching and the final margin of victory was the smallest of the season, Sandpoint’s 9-2 loss to 5A Lake City marked a step in the right direction in nonleague baseball action Thursday at Pine St. Field.

Work begins to replace bridge decking

SANDPOINT — Work has begun to replace decking on the bridge over Sand Creek at the confluence of U.S. Highway 2/95 and state Highway 200.

Corps, tribe mull experimental drawdowns

SANDPOINT — Although a pre-Labor Day experimental drawdown of Lake Pend Oreille is not anticipated this year, there is still a chance that an experimental drawdown could occur after the holiday, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Senior center working to boost revenue

SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint Senior Center’s budget has seen better days.

Sandpoint Club Lacrosse team falls to Lake City

COEUR d’ALENE — C.J. Goggin scored seven goals as Lake City defeated Sandpoint in a North Idaho Lacrosse League game.

Why are we yielding to mouthy minority?

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof …”

Obamacare hurting nation's seniors

How to go from happy to heartsick in a moment. Both my wife and I had appointments recently with our primary care doctor for necessary not critical reasons. We are in our 80s, on Medicare and we pay a supplement to cover almost all that Medicare doesn’t.

Legislation prompts assessment changes

There are some changes coming this year in certain assessments that will affect some taxpayers and we wanted to take this time to discuss those changes.

Get hooked on spring derby

SANDPOINT — The Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club is looking to burnish the lake’s reputation as a trophy rainbow trout fishery as it gears up for its 68th annual spring derby.

Frazier, McMullen lead Wampus Cat harriers

SILVERTON — Seamus McMullen won the 100 and high jump to lead the Clark Fork track team at the Wallace Invitational, a North Star League Meet held Tuesday at the Sather Field Athletic Complex.

Wahl, Aylward notch wins for Bulldogs at IEL JV meet

COEUR d’ALENE — Lani Wahl won the long jump and triple jump, and Janis Aylward won the shot put and was second in the discus to lead Sandpoint at the Inland Empire League JV track meet on Tuesday in Coeur d’Alene.

LPOSD ponders all-day kindergarten

SANDPOINT — School district officials hope that by helping kids start learning earlier, the entire district will benefit for years to come.

Lewd conduct suspect jailed

SANDPOINT — A Sagle man was arrested last Thursday on allegations that he repeatedly molested a preteen girl in Bonner County.

Normal vitamin D levels critical to good health

“Drink your milk or you’ll get rickets,” mothers and grandmothers have been able to say since the 1930s.

Rockwell victory leads Bulldogs past T-wolves

COEUR d’ALENE — Senior Megan Rockwell notched a tough three-set win over Hailey Little at No. 1 girls singles, leading the Bulldogs to a 9-3 win over the Timberwolves in a nonleague tennis match on Tuesday at Lake City High School.

Team Laughing Dog races to help curb autism

SANDPOINT — Local efforts helps families affected by autism are about to get a significant financial boost.

Swanson pleads guilty to murders

SANDPOINT — A Priest River man pleaded guilty Tuesday to murdering his wife and their unborn daughter last December.

Farrell collects three hits in defeat for Bulldogs

SANDPOINT — Senior Zac Farrell ripped three hits as the Bulldog bats showed some life, but once again errors proved costly as the Bulldogs lost 14-2 and 13-0 in a 4A Inland Empire League baseball doubleheader on Tuesday at Pine St. Field.

Bottomley, Baldree help Bulldogs sweep Bears

SANDPOINT — A rock-solid performance by their emerging ace and clutch hitting throughout the lineup propelled Sandpoint to a rare 7-2, 7-6 sweep of Moscow on Tuesday in 4A Inland Empire League softball at Sandpoint Middle School.

Commissioners balk on improper loan repayments

SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners voted Tuesday not to repay $3.1 million in inter-fund loans because they were likely illegal.

Reeves brothers shine in junior golf opener

SANDPOINT — A pair of local golfers kicked off the 2013 golf season in style, winning their divisions at the Junior Golf Northwest tournament last weekend at the Creek at Qualchan in Spokane.

Amphibious plane speeds into town

Experimental craft capable of cruising along at 240 knots

SANDPOINT — It’s unlikely you’ve ever seen a plane quite like the one Dean Rickerson flew into Sandpoint Monday morning.

Sandpoint Chamber welcomes 2nds Anyone?

SANDPOINT — The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome 2nds Anyone? Thrift Store to their new location!

New golf course is taking shape in Clark Fork

CLARK FORK — Pebble Beach it’s not, but with the help of Clark Fork High School teachers and students and a host of community members, a new nine-hole Par 3 golf course is starting to take shape in Clark Fork.

Banner shows need for more education

Judging from the ditches and sidewalks around the Sandpoint area, picking up any amount of trash would be an improvement, but it would be ideal if people did not litter at all and prioritized recycling.

DeAragon earns All-American wrestling honor

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint wrestler Lily DeAragon went 4-2 in matches at 139 pounds, earning a fourth place finish and All-American honors at the recent Folkstyle Nationals wrestling tournament in Oklahoma.

Project is destroying special, sacred spot

I have been working on a story about an 89-year-old Kalispel Indian woman who remembers the last, sacred time giant salmon leaped the roaring waters of Kettle Falls on the Columbia River. This was before the blasting of the landscape, which created Grand Coulee Dam, silenced not only the river and its abundant life, but tore the very fabric of numerous indigenous cultures who had drawn both physical and spiritual sustenance from its richly created existence. Such losses are difficult to fully grasp.

Kootenai River among nation's most threatened

Group: Coal mining poses pollution threat

The Kootenai River, the lifeblood of Libby, has been named one of the nation’s 10 Most Endangered Rivers, primarily because of pollution from coal mining in southeastern British Columbia.

Bring troops home to patrol our borders

Another senseless cowardly attack by a terrorist. I think that word should never be used when referring to those idiots who hide, kill and injure innocent people. The only word for these scum should be cowards.

Time now for Scotchman Peaks Wilderness

Springtime is a period of renewal and rebirth so it seems very natural that our connection to this planet, Earth Day, would be celebrated every April. As we renew our connection to the natural landscape each spring we benefit from recognizing that each one of us is part of a larger community, a community of people and a community of connections to each other and to the natural world.

Road warrior

Taking the road less traveled

SANDPOINT — Maybe you’ve seen him. In his bright riding gear, he’s hard to miss. But what really makes Woody Aunan stand out on the road is that he rides his bike to work throughout the school year. Eight miles, each way, in all kinds of weather.

Risch, Crapo bow to the gun lobby

Prior to Bob Wynhausen’s recent letter, I called both Sens. James Risch and Mike Crapo’s offices urging them not to sign the filibuster, but to back the bipartisan proposal expanding background checks to cover gun shows — which is supported by most Americans and a majority of Republicans. But they bowed to the gun lobby again.

Lewd suspect waives hearing

SANDPOINT — A Clark Fork man accused of repeatedly molesting a Bonner County girl and documenting the abuse with videos and photographs waived his right Wednesday to a preliminary hearing.

Priest Lake lessees push back against new rates

SANDPOINT — A cascade of legal actions is trailing in the wake of the Idaho Department of Lands’ plan to boost lease rates at cottage sites on Priest Lake.

Area residents deserve kudos for film work

Re: “Area Resident Works on Film” article in the Thursday, April 11, edition.

Have some pride and keep community clean

Have you noticed all the trash along the roadsides throughout Bonner County? Why not get out and clean up a stretch of the road in your neighborhood?

Walkington on a quest for second softball World Championship

SANDPOINT — How much does Sandpoint’s John Walkington love softball?

Bulldog relay teams shine at Lakeland track meet

RATHDRUM — Six girls relays and three boys relays each took first place on Thursday at the Lakeland Relays on Thursday at Corbit Field.

Basin board meets Monday

DOVER — The Pend Oreille Basin Commission will take up a range of topics when it meets on Monday at City Hall.

East Hope looks at water rates

EAST HOPE — The several years’ long process of metering all residential and commercial properties in the city were completed late last fall and now the council is prepared to bring proposed new water rates to the residents.

ITD, city differ on Curve construction options

SANDPOINT — Clear differences in priorities between city officials and U.S. 2 Curve planners slowed discussion over a construction project Thursday.

Post Falls downs Sandpoint

SANDPOINT — Grayson Ludiker laced two doubles among his three hits, and scored three runs to help lead Post Falls to a 15-5 win over Sandpoint in nonleague boys baseball Thursday at Pine St. Field.

Currie, Cooke pace Bulldog golfers in Pullman

PULLMAN, Wash. — David Currie shot 84 and Christian Cooke 90, but once again putting woes plagued the Bulldog boys, who finished 18th out of 24 teams on Thursday at the Palouse Ridge Golf Club in Pullman.

LPOSD mulls budget cuts

SANDPOINT — There were no easy choices in a series of cuts district superintendent Shawn Woodward recommended to the school board Wednesday afternoon.

Bottomley, hot hitting lead Bulldogs in rout

SANDPOINT — Jordan Speelmon, Jessica Strickland, Lucy Calvert and Topi Elsfelder each had two hits to lead resurgent Sandpoint to an 11-1 win over Post Falls on Thursday in nonleague softball action at Sandpoint Middle School.

Judge orders jail in pill theft case

SANDPOINT — A pharmacist who succumbed to the occupational hazard of abusing the drugs he was dispensing was ordered Thursday to serve 30 days in jail.

Warrant executed in battery case

SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint woman accused of battering a city official last year was arrested late Tuesday night for failing to appear in court.

SMS principal named Idaho's best

SANDPOINT — For Sandpoint Middle School principal Kim Keaton, being named the middle school principal of the year is an endorsement of his entire staff.

A political time-out is needed in America

I admit to being only half-smart, and obviously opinionated, but I just don’t understand how the leftie loosies can accuse us rightie tighties of obstructing and not compromising. Our compromising has moved the country so far left that we don’t even recognize socialism. And now, everyone is entitled.

More questions than answers at meeting

The Wednesday, April 10, meeting of the board of the Laclede Water District drew an unusually large crowd for there had been rumors of aggressive annexation, sizable rate increases, users not being notified of meetings and a complete revision of the governing ordinance of The Laclede Water District.

Bulldogs split IEL tennis doubleheader

SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint tennis team split matches with Inland Empire League foes Lewiston and Post Falls on Tuesday in a doubleheader at Post Falls High School.

Scout, family thank community for help

I would like to extend a huge thank you to family, friends, and the community in supporting my son, Tyler Sears, in helping him on his journey to earn his way to the Boy Scout National Jamboree camp. The camp is two weeks in West Virginia in July where 40,000 scouts are expected to attend. Tyler and another scout from Cocolalla are the only ones from North Idaho attending.

Speelmon, Bottomley lead Bulldogs in defeat

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint came out with some offensive energy to take an early 4-1 lead, but Lakeland managed to claw back and earn a 9-5 win in 4A Inland Empire League softball on Tuesday at Sandpoint Middle School.

Man gets life sentence in murder case

SANDPOINT — First District Judge Barbara Buchanan sentenced a Cocolalla man on Tuesday to life in prison for luring a romantic rival to his home and executing him.

Suit targets seat slasher

SANDPOINT — Who has been slashing dozens of chair lift seats at Schweitzer Mountain Resort the last two winter seasons?

BGH lab provides excellent local care

When you get your annual physical, undoubtedly your health care provider performs laboratory tests and then provides you with numbers with an indication if those numbers are normal or not. Recently, a friend said that instead of sending her to BGH for her blood draw, she was told that it would be done right there in the doctor’s office.

McMullin, Brooks post wins to lead Wampus Cats

HARRISON FLATS — Seamus McMullin won the 100, long jump and the high jump and Brennan Brooks won the pole vault and finished third in the 100, leading the Clark Fork boys to a fifth place finish on Tuesday at the Kootenai Invitational.

Hawks blank Bulldogs

SANDPOINT — Troy Carr and Justin White combined on a one-hitter, and Lakeland plated eight first inning runs en route to a 15-0 blanking of Sandpoint in a 4A Inland Empire League baseball game Tuesday at Pine St. Field.

Curve, contracts occupy city's attention

SANDPOINT — Emergency response contracts, insurance policies and the U.S. 2 Curve project will occupy city officials’ attentions this week.

LPOSD levy's approval hurting county's poor

To all our county voters who approved the Lake Pend Oreille School District supplemental levy, I hope and pray that you are all happy.

Hope runner recounts bombing

SANDPOINT — Wracked by exhaustion after completing the Boston Marathon, Mike Ehredt’s first reaction was confusion when he heard an explosion blast through the streets.

Hamilton, Lang, Roos claim handball titles

SANDPOINT — A host of Sandpoint handball players more than held their own, claiming six championships during the Idaho State Handball Tournament at the SWAC last weekend.

Car crashes into Di Luna's Sunday

SANDPOINT — Sunday diners at Di Luna’s Cafe had an abrupt surprise when their lunch was interrupted by a car crashing through the front window.

Charge modified in double killing

SANDPOINT — A modified criminal charge against a Priest River man accused of stabbing his wife and their unborn child to death allege a desire to torture or satisfy sadistic urges could have factored into the slayings.

Levora shines at Pasco Invitational

PASCO, Wash. — Racing against an elite field of high school distance runners, Sandpoint junior Sam Levora more than held his own, breaking his own school record in the 3,200 and nearly breaking the record in the 1,600 on Saturday at the Pasco Invitational.

Money better spent on schools instead of guns

Several years ago, our county commissioners spent millions of dollars (taxpayer dollars) to build a kiddy jail. Seems I keep hearing of studies that indicate that early child intervention, school and teachers can dramatically reduce the need for jails. With some of our county leadership’s disdain for education and its preference for incarceration, along with our police promoting guns and then trying to protect themselves with expensive armored cars from those guns.

Program is special to veterans, families

When I read the article about the Sandpoint High School students who organized the Sandpoint Honor Flight Club, I remembered that my uncle, who lives in Wisconsin, had gone on an honor flight last year. I asked him to write and tell me about his experience, and I am including his letter here. I also went to the high school to share hi letter and some pictures with the Honor Flight Club.

News of Record 4-5-13

04/05/13 Bonner County 9-1-1 814

News of Record 4-1-13

04/01/13 Bonner County 9-1-1 520

News of Record 4-6-13

04/06/13 Bonner County 9-1-1 806

News of Record 3-28-13

03/28/13 Bonner County 9-1-1 755

News of Record 4-2-13

04/02/13 Bonner County 9-1-1 755

News of Record 4-4-13

04/04/13 Bonner County 9-1-1 814

News of Record 3-31-13

03/31/13 Bonner County 9-1-1 667

News of record 3-30-13

03/30/13 Bonner County 9-1-1 676

News of Record 4-3-13

04/03/13 Bonner County 9-1-1 814

News of Record 4-7-13

04/07/13 Bonner County 9-1-1 747

Wolf harvest lower than last year

In the Panhandle Region, wolf harvest was slightly lower than last year after the season closed on March 31. Between hunting and trapping, 70 wolves were harvested during the 2012-2013 season (reported as of April 3) versus 76 wolves during the 2011-2012 season.

Senators' loyalty belong to NRA, not Americans

Although I’m not surprised, I was disappointed to see Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch as signatories to a letter threatening to filibuster a universal background check bill.

Waldorf brings 'Fiddler' to big stage

SANDPOINT — To take on a large-scale Broadway musical and perform it in its entirety with a main cast of just 10 eighth graders, you’d have to be either very brave or completely bonkers. Sandpoint Waldorf School instructor Michael Seifert admits he might be a little bit of both.

Wolverine status still under watch

Coming back from the brink of extinction in the Lower 48, the wolverine has made a remarkable recovery in the past 50 years.

Secrets have their place in local hunting

I read with amusement Jim Daniel’s comments on the most popular hunting attire in North Idaho.

Never give out computer info

Residents should be on alert to a “scam” once again raising its specter in the area.

Public education should operate on volunteerism

The “march of gratitude” held by parents and schoolteachers over the successful school levy vote, reported in a recent Daily Bee, struck a jarring note.

Where do you stand on the upcoming legislative debate over universal background checks for gun purchases?

Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail treks forward

SANDPOINT — While the Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail is making progress, there’s still plenty of work ahead.

Randles claims middle school title at FloNationals

SANDPOINT — A pair of Top Dog wrestlers helped lead Idaho to a 7th place finish at the recent FloNationals wrestling championships, held at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex at Indiana University in Pennsylvania.

Sandpoint chamber welcomes The Pottery Bug

SANDPOINT — The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome The Pottery Bug.

Stevens leads Wampus Cats

WALLACE — Wyatt Stevens shot a 107, good enough for 13th place among 37 boys, to lead the Clark Fork golf team on Friday at the Wallace Invitational.

Earth Day events set

SANDPOINT — It’s never too early to show the earth a little appreciation.

'I love capturing a moment in time forever'

Jason Duchow honored by national publication

SANDPOINT — If you’ve been to a sporting event in Sandpoint in the last few years, chances are you’ve seen Jason Duchow, camera in hand, capturing the action with a skilled and deft eye.

NIC surpasses goal to fund local science lab

SANDPOINT — In just a few short months, locals will be able to earn an associate’s degree without ever setting foot outside town.

Local winery, brewery plan expansions

SANDPOINT — Local beer and wine enthusiasts will have plenty to celebrate this year with both Pend d’Oreille Winery and MickDuff’s Brewing announcing expansion plans.

Eberth pleads not guilty to assault charge

BONNERS FERRY — A Priest River man pleaded not guilty recently to charges he pointed a gun at and threatened two people at the Kootenai River Inn in early February.

Be safe and keep an eye out for each other

Spring is back in town, which means bikes on the roads again.

Trio to hit the road to end hunger

Local teacher looks to aid Sandpoint Backpack Program

SANDPOINT — For Sandpoint teacher William “Mac” Hollan, riding his bike for a good cause is something he’d do in a heartbeat — charity or not.

Area resident works on film

SANDPOINT — Perhaps more than anything else, horror and thriller movies depend on sound design to be effective.

Dooley, Stevens lead Cats Clark Fork boys

PRIEST RIVER — Junior Eric Mortensen carded a seven-over-par 40 to win boys medalist honors for the host Spartans, who defeated Clark Fork and Cusick to open their season Wednesday at the Ranch Club Golf Course.

Pair owed thanks for fiscal management

The printed minutes of the June 5, 2012, meeting of the Bonner County Board of Commissioners shows that Commissioner Rich stated “He had made a few phone calls to people in the construction field and was told it might have been more cost efficient to demolish the courthouse and start from scratch , but since we have come this far it would be wise to finish what was started.”

SURA looks to help airport, aviation industries soar

SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency wants to help the Sandpoint Airport and its associated industries soar.

Obama blames others for his bad decisions

No shame of guilt, President Obama.

Students give animal shelter dogs a helping paw

SANDPOINT — Dogs at Panhandle Animal Shelter have a new ally in their efforts to find a home.

Tribe working to put land into reservation trust

COEUR d’ALENE — The Coeur d’Alene Tribe is working to place roughly 370 acres of land it owns on the reservation back into its reservation trust.

Hawks down Bulldogs in league opener

SANDPOINT — Jesse Marks tossed a one-hitter, and Jeremy McKinney had four hits and scored three runs to lead Lakeland to a decisive 13-0 win over Sandpoint in the 4A Inland Empire League opener on Tuesday at Pine St. Field.

Currie, Presnell and Faude pace Bulldogs

MOSCOW — David Currie led the Bulldog golfers with an 89 at the Moscow Invitational on Tuesday at the University of Idaho Golf Course.

Youth rides to aid of Survivors Rescue

SANDPOINT — Birthdays usually mean getting presents — not giving them.

Bottomley sharp for Bulldogs in loss to Hawks

SANDPOINT — Kristin Klopatek tossed a two-hit gem, striking out 12 and leading Lakeland to a 2-0 win over Sandpoint in the 4A Inland Empire League opener for both teams Tuesday at Sandpoint High School’s brand new field.

Multiple sclerosis symptoms, treatment are varied

Those of you old enough to have watched the early days of television will understand when I say that my favorite Mouseketeer was Annette Funicello because I thought she was talented and my brothers wouldn’t miss an episode because they were in love with her.

LPOSD evaluating safety protocols

SANDPOINT — School halls are set to be a little safer with both immediate improvements and planned upgrades to facilities and technology in place.

Chamber hosting NIC president Thursday

SANDPOINT — The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome area residents and businesses to its general membership luncheon Thursday.

Distress over guns shows hypocrisy

In response to Georgia York’s letter (Daily Bee, March 19) titled, “Don’t take guns into stores”:

CARE barbecue unites community

SANDPOINT — There’s no better way to bring people together than a delicious meal.

A vision for modern immigration reform

A consensus has been building about the need to reform and modernize our immigration system. While I am optimistic that Republicans, including “tea party” members, will support reform, it must be done right. We must create a system for the 21st century and beyond, one that honors the rule of law, provides a fair path for those seeking to come to the United States and fixes our broken borders.

TOPSoccer program now open for spring registration

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint Soccer Association is now accepting registration forms for the Spring 2013 TOPSoccer program. 

Gun support, purchase seem like job security

OK, let me try to understand this. Our county sheriff states his support for gun rights, let everyone have a gun. Next, he is telling us that his department needs to purchase, using taxpayer money, a quarter-million dollar armored vehicle to protect his personnel from the guns that he thinks we should all be able to have.

Education task force announces regional meeting

COEUR d’ALENE — The statewide Task Force for Improving Education will hold a series of community forums across the state in April.

Expanding Medicaid won't benefit Idaho

In the March 23 Daily Bee, there was an Associated Press article that stated in part, “Expanding Medicaid to cover more low income Idaho residents could save state and local taxpayers tens of millions over the next decade, according to a state-financed report released this week …”

Is underwear the most common hunting gear?

Is underwear the most common hunting apparel in North Idaho?

Decide to live your life like a Pilobolus

The first thing that comes to mind when you see the title of this letter is: What in the world is a Pilobolus and why would I want to live like one? For those that are entrenched in their ideological ways, this is where you want to move on but those are the very individuals who need to read this.

Why does nothing meaningful happen?

Here are some questions that I believe really need answers. I would like to see the difference in what the left and conservative readers have to say.

Local UI campus packed with activity

SANDPOINT — It’s looking to be a sunny summer for those invested in the University of Idaho’s local property.

Governor wins with exchange, tax repeal plan

BOISE (AP) — After the 2013 session ended, Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter joked that he grew confident his proposal for a state-based health insurance exchange would succeed only “when that bill hit my desk.”

Young musicians make international connection

SANDPOINT — The Music Conservatory of Sandpoint took another step toward establishing itself as a national-caliber arts school last month when four of its students traveled to Mexicali, Mexico, from March 16-25 to take part in a cultural exchange program. Young musicians from Mexico will return the favor this summer, as they venture north to perform for Sandpoint audiences.

Columbia River Treaty impacts region's farmers

BONNERS FERRY — Even though dikes line the Kootenai River through the valley, they cannot keep all the flood waters at bay. Last summer was a prime example with farm fields being flooded because of the high water table.

Idaho lawmakers adjourn, settle education budget

BOISE (AP) — The 2013 Idaho Legislature adjourned Thursday, nearly a week later than expected, after lawmakers finally completed the $1.3 billion education budget.

IMCB awarded top FIA honors

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — GoBankingRates awarded first place in its Financial Institution Awards to Intermountain Community Bank for exceeding its industry peers in all categories. America First Credit Union was chosen as runner-up.

Tourism key part of state's economy

SANDPOINT — As time goes on, tourism will only become more important to the state’s economy, according to speakers at an economic summit Thursday.

Blue-ribbon effort leads to indoor soccer training facility

M-o-o-o-oving.

City welcomes new prosecutor

SANDPOINT — Council members logged one of the shortest council meetings in recent memory Wednesday, taking only six minutes to pass the consent calendar.

Babs' Pizzeria named month's top business

SANDPOINT— Babs’ Pizzeria has been named the “Business of the Month” for March by the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce.

Judge won't relocate Knapp trial

SANDPOINT — First District Judge Barbara Buchanan declined on Thursday to shift a Sandpoint woman’s trial for leaving the scene of a deadly crash out of Bonner County.

School board candidates announced

SANDPOINT — Unless someone files as write-in candidate today, there will only be one contested seat in the upcoming school board elections.

County shouldn't repay illegal 'loans'

The county used the solid waste fund as a bank to finance the courthouse remodel project, which the voters never approved, and the juvenile detention center, which the voters rejected.

Claims allege hostile environment at dispatch

SANDPOINT — Current and former dispatchers at the Bonner County 911 Center have filed tort claims alleging a hostile work environment.

Histrionic approach to gun control must end

I would like to thank Congress, the White House, and segments of the American public for their histrionic approach to “gun control.”

Loans don't warrant prosecution

SANDPOINT — Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall is flatly rejecting demands for county commissioners to be criminally prosecuted for effecting $3.1 million in inter-fund loans that appear to be illegal.

Local skiers have strong showing at Spring Series

Exercise Institute helps clients chart success

SANDPOINT — The Exercise Institute is all about bringing people the fitness they need in the form that best fits into their lives.

Nation's conservatives are N. Idaho's liberals

On Feb. 7, 2013, the Bee published a letter warning us to not let the liberals destroy North Idaho.

Packing guns in stores doesn't make us safer

When I was growing up, my family lived in rattlesnake country, I wasn’t afraid of snakes, but I can tell you seeing a snake of any kind would give you a start no matter what kind of snake it was. I guess the same goes for finding yourself in a store and seeing a man packing a gun; it gives you pause, is this friend or foe?

Trial looming in lewd case

SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint man accused of molesting two children and felony drug possession is scheduled to be tried next month.

Don't brush off the risk of strep reoccurrence

Here’s a tidbit of information that you may not have known before. If you or your child has been diagnosed with strep throat (streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A streptococcus) you should get a new toothbrush after you’re no longer contagious and before you finish your prescription for antibiotics.

24 Hours of Schweitzer top finishers, awards announced

SANDPOINT — The hills were alive with record-breaking performances at the “24 Hours of Schweitzer” fundraiser March 22-23. The fifth annual event brought in over $123,000 that will directly benefit cystinosis research — bringing the 24 Hours for Hank fundraising total to more than $600,000 in just five years.

Prosecutor urges against transfer repayments

SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners continue to warily circle the knotty dilemma of $3.1 million in long-term loans amid a growing body of legal research that deems the transfers illegal.

CFHS grad soaring on movie sets

SANDPOINT — Locals heading out to see the latest Superman flick or Stephenie Meyer adaptation might be surprised to see a familiar name in the credits.

Panel needed to review gun ownership

I want to throw an idea out for public reaction. Being a firm believer in Second Amendment rights, mine and others, I still would like a mechanism to deny those rights to people of unsound mind. We have had too many horrific cases of what can happen when mentally ill people get their hands on guns.

Man jailed on lewd conduct, child porn charges

SANDPOINT — Bail was set Monday at $100,000 for a Clark Fork man accused of molesting a Bonner County girl over a three-year period and documenting the sexual abuse with videos and photographs.

Four readers still alive in Final Four Challenge

SANDPOINT — And then there were four.

Open meeting needed prior to APC purchase

Briefly, we would like to address the purchase of the new Lenco BearCat armored personnel carrier. We feel the plan to make this lease/purchase was not well thought out to say the least.

Hearing in murder case to remain open

Defense sought to protect privacy

SANDPOINT — First District Judge Barbara Buchanan denied a defense motion Monday to bar the public from attending a sentencing hearing in a Bonner County murder case.

Besslers earn kudos for act of kindness

I read the story of Chris and Sandy Bessler’s heartwarming rescue of the beautiful Husky in the March 21 Bee, and was very moved — but not at all surprised. It took me back to the mid-’80s when Chris was editor of the Bee and I was a reporter there. I lived in a big log house up off Wrenco Loop Road on Smith Creek, and Chris, then unmarried, was renting a little cabin I had on the property.

Kathy Chambers named top volunteer

SANDPOINT — The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce honored Kathy Chambers as March’s Volunteer of the Month for her service to the community and area non-profit organizations.

Elks dish up help for others with fish fry

SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint Elks Lodge filled bellies and bank accounts Friday evening with their annual fish fry on Friday.