Ellington

Get lucky, bet on this pot of gold

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint Area Seniors Inc. (SASi) food services coordinator Mary McGinnis has donated a "pot of copper" for the SASi parking lot fund.

Plant-powered athletes finding success

By now we all ought to know what a well-balanced meal looks like, but there still seems to be so much misinformation, even by those who either are in the health care field or claim to be nutritionists, not to mention the misleading advertisements and news reports. A recent article on a healthy breakfast just about floored me. Bacon and eggs as a good breakfast as well as sausage, geez that sounds like a prescription for a heart attack. Talk about fat and cholesterol, oh my!

Chamber announces community health fair

SANDPOINT — C’mon and get healthy.

Sharks compete at regional meet

A trio of Sandpoint Sharks competed at the Northwest Age Group Regional Swim Meet recently in Federal Way, Wash.

No background check? More guns? No thanks

Sounds patriotic. Our sheriff is in favor of it.

The satisfaction of a job well done

Area dogs: Tell owners to clean up after you

Calling all Sandpoint dogs,

Accused child killer waives extradition

SANDPOINT — A convicted sex offender charged in connection with disappearance and death of 6-year-old California boy waived his right to extradition on Monday.

Aggressive drivers causing near-misses

An issue of traffic safety is foremost in my thoughts. Recently the warmer weather has brought out an abundance of families strolling through town with baby strollers and young ones on bicycles. A wonderful sight to see.

Wrangling continues in Careywood post office closure

SANDPOINT — The battle over the closure of the post office in Careywood is heating up.

There's nothing like snow business

Grooming, snowmaking kept Schweitzer’s season alive

SANDPOINT — Manmade snow and creative grooming techniques are credited with keeping Schweitzer Mountain Resort’s winter season from evaporating any sooner than it did.

Individual effort making a difference in Idaho

I would like to start my final column by describing a part of the legislative process of which I am pleased to have been a part.

Sex offender arrested in 1981 killing

SANDPOINT — A convicted sex offender who has been living in Sandpoint was arrested Friday in connection with the abduction and killing of a 6-year-old boy in California in 1981.

Geophysicist shares finds from red planet

Friends of Library host Mars rover team member

SANDPOINT — The colonization of Mars might still be a long way off, but, for one noted geophysicist with family ties to Sandpoint, trekking around the red planet is all in a day’s work.

Humanity never learns from past experience

Even over my 94 years, humanity has repeatedly revealed that it never learns from experience. World War II showed us how to get rid of sovereign insanities.

Conservatives deliver lots of misinformation

Where to start. There is so much misinformation given out by so-called conservatives, that it is just astounding. I guess they believe if a lie is repeated often enough it’s the truth.

Be very aware and watch your numbers

There are big problems with the Internet and some business staff members who apparently don’t know what’s going on with some of the billing problems I’ve encountered. It appears to be global, not local.

Stevens, Dick set to lead Wampus Cat golf team

CLARK FORK — If the first round of the season is any indication, the Stevens brothers are primed for a solid year while leading the Clark Fork golf team in 2015.

Bell engineers a successful career

SANDPOINT — Commencement, University of Colorado, 1969. The post-war American economy is at its peak. Millions of barrels of oil had just been discovered in northern Alaska. NASA would be delivering the first human to the moon that summer, and the aerospace industry was in full swing. Nuclear energy is on the rise.

Firm vows to mine responsibly at Rock Creek

Rock Creek Alliance dubious of claims

SANDPOINT — Hecla Mining Co. is embracing the prospect of developing the proposed Rock Creek mine in northwestern Montana and contends it can do so without jeopardizing the environment or wildlife.

Hecla to acquire Revett Mining, Rock Creek Mine

Companies report $20 million stock deal

OSBURN — Hecla Mining Co. has agreed to acquire Revett Mining Co., of Spokane Valley, in a merger announced Friday, and the Coeur d’Alene company intends to continue efforts toward eventually developing Revett’s Rock Creek Mine.

Wolf People seeks review of IFG order

SANDPOINT — Counsel for Wolf People filed a petition for review Thursday in a bid to overturn its pending license suspension.

Petrino happy with play of Vandals at first spring scrimmage

MOSCOW — More speed, more depth and more playmakers made for a practice that drew praise from coach Paul Petrino as the Idaho Vandals opened spring football with a spirited Wednesday afternoon session at the Kibbie Dome.

Schweitzer set to close Sunday

SANDPOINT — Schweitzer Mountain Resort is bidding adieu to the winter season on Sunday.

Bonners Ferry finds way onto ISIS 'hit list'

BONNERS FERRY — Boundary County once again caught a flash of the national spotlight for a dubious and unenviable reason this week when Bonners Ferry was listed on an Islamic State in Syria and Iraq “hit list.”

Republicans' letter was very ill-advised

Idaho’s two U.S. senators, James Risch and Mike Crapo, joined 45 of their Republican colleagues in signing a letter to Iran’s ayatollahs trying to undermine their nation’s negotiations aimed at limiting Iran’s capabilities to develop atomic weapons.

Idahoans should be allowed to control their own destiny

Jonathan Oppenheimer, with the Idaho Conservation League, wants us to believe that “…out-of-state ideologues pushing their own agenda.” are behind the effort to return to Idahoans its’ federally controlled land. He should talk, as one of ICL’s biggest contributors ($190,000) in 2014 was the Wyss Foundation, headquartered in Washington, D.C. and founded by Hansjorg Wyss, of Switzerland. Their stated purpose is “...to place large swathes of land under government protection.”

Selkirk Association of Realtors honored as month's top business

SANDPOINT — The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce has named the Selkirk Association of Realtors as its March business of the month.

Iron lungs now gone, thanks to vaccinations

When I was a child, one of the biggest fears during the summer was that I would get polio. Every hospital had rooms full of iron lings for those who were unlucky. These are all gone now thanks to vaccinations which we received in school. I don’t think organic foods, no matter how hard you throw them, will kill the polio virus.

SHS, CFHS to get gold footballs from NFL

(AP) — The trophy cases at Sandpoint and Clark Fork High Schools will be getting shiny new gold additions in the future.

Sheriff's office hit with another tort claim

SANDPOINT — A former sheriff’s lieutenant who alleges he was effectively demoted without cause before being unjustly fired is seeking $6 million in damages from Bonner County.

Bill would limit eminent domain

Senate Bill 1044 has passed the House and Senate after considerable debate and has been sent to Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter to sign.

Hopefully, lessons have been learned

When a very depressed woman in Spirit Lake with a knife lunged at the police yelling, “kill me, kill me,” the officers involved did not hesitate and used their Taser to subdue this poor disturbed woman.

Suspect files tort claim

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man fighting extradition to California to face forgery charges is seeking $500,000 in damages from the county and the city.

Asphalt plant backers sue to overturn denial

SANDPOINT — The backers of a proposal to permanently establish an asphalt plant in Sagle are suing to overturn Bonner County’s denial of a rezone.

Woman facing assault charge

SANDPOINT — A man’s online date was arrested early Monday morning after she allegedly attacked him with a butcher knife at a Priest Lake cabin.

Reeves, Creighton lead Bulldog golfers in Lewiston

LEWISTON — Freshman Jack Reeves made his varsity debut, carding an eight over par 80 to lead the Sandpoint golf team on Monday at the Lewiston Invitational at the Lewiston Country Club.

County: Give area wilderness designation

SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday calling on Congress to designate the Idaho portion of the Scotchman Peaks area as wilderness.

New coach ready to guide Clark Fork track team

CLARK FORK — First year Clark Fork head coach Nellie Lutz Wolf admits she’s got some big shoes to fill in taking over the Wampus Cats track program from longtime coach Frank Hammersley.

Museum's wonderful tea really hit the spot

Just a few well-deserved kudos to our wonderful Bonner County History Museum for hosting a “high tea” on Saturday afternoon, where the “guests” were treated to tea time delicacies and an enlightening and entertaining introduction to the new historical fashion exhibit, “Tales from the Wardrobe.”

Wampus Cats open season

The Clark Fork Wampus Cats tennis team opens the season today at Libby, Mont.

City has turned parking into a profit center

Mr. Ben Tate asked some great questions of our City Council regarding parking enforcement on March 4. He got the honest response from Mayor Carrie Logan: Diamond Parking is only doing what the council told them to do — aggressively fine all visitors (and locals trying to shop or eat downtown) at any opportunity, with absolutely no warnings issued or exceptions made.

Sagle student launches newspaper

SANDPOINT — Twelve year old Sagle Elementary student Brent Howerton walked boldly into the Daily Bee front office on Monday with his aunt, Marcy Johnson, off the street and without an appointment, and politely asked to speak to a reporter.

Problems are worse under Barack Obama

It seems a bit paradoxical. We elected a black man as a two-term president, yet racial issues, and racism, in my opinion, are worse now than they were in 2009.

Schools report on broadband contract costs

All 129 Idaho school districts previously covered by the Idaho Education Network have negotiated new broadband Internet contracts to carry them through the rest of the current school year.

Firefighters compete in stair climb

SANDPOINT — Firefighters from Selkirk Fire, Rescue & EMS completed the 24th annual Scott Firefighter Stair Climb in Seattle on March 8, coming 91st out of 190 teams.

Temple, Search to lead deep Sandpoint tennis team in 2015

SANDPOINT — It’s quality over quantity for the Sandpoint tennis team in 2015, with 27 players turning out, a drop from past number.

Different people, different realities

I saw a bumpersticker the other day that said “Democrats treat dogs like people — Republicans treat people like dogs.” It made me wonder how people perceive the same events or philosophies so differently.

Remains found in Bayview identified

BAYVIEW — The human skeletal remains found near Bayview on Feb. 4 have been identified as those of Billy Vaughn Davis, 44, Coeur d’Alene, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release Tuesday.

Ban on instant horse-racing in the homestretch

BOISE (AP) — Legislation that would ban Idaho’s lucrative slot-like instant horse-racing betting terminals, has only one more hurdle to clear before reaching the governor’s desk.

Food For Our Children tackles childhood hunger

SANDPOINT — For families who are struggling to put food on the table, the talk of an economic turnaround is just that — talk. A new non-profit organization called Food For Our Children (FFOC) has been formed to tackle the issue and get at the root of childhood hunger in Bonner County.

Thank you all for supporting schools

It is with gratitude that I write to members of our community on behalf of the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Just recently our supplemental levy election passed with almost 70 percent of voters supporting the levy. This overwhelming level of support is a vote of confidence that we do not take lightly

'Let's play two'

SANDPOINT — The great Ernie Banks uttered that headline more than a half century ago, excited to play a baseball doubleheader.

House committee passes sunshine for schools bill

BOISE (AP) — A House panel has approved a bill requiring school board candidates in roughly half of Idaho’s school districts to reveal money given to their campaigns.

Why aren't we going after the scammers?

I just received my third “scam” call in three months, this time claiming to be from the IRS saying they were suing me unless I called a number they provided immediately. I had just read your article on the Avista scam in the community

The facts speak for themselves

There is a lot of misinformation given about the naturopathic physician licensing act HB181. Please read the bill before you belief or make false statements. The Smith decision (a very unusual ruling in Idaho) is specifically protected in HB181 making sure naturopaths who are not getting licensed are still allowed to practice as in the past. The current amendment is a compromise (achieved after intense negotiation) between the two main factions who want licensing as primary health care physicians. A medical doctor can still practice naturopathy as they are licensed already!

Can anyone help us rescue our cats?

Over a decade ago, daughter Olivia Rue began feeding two stray cats - a beautiful Abyssinian (whom she called “Lovely,”) and a dapper Tuxedo - (“Bright”), an inseparable couple. They appeared to be well-cared for, but after time it was obvious they were abandoned and dependent on Olivia’s handouts.

Sea change in effect at Laclede Water District

LACLEDE — A sea change has taken hold at the Laclede Water District.

Legislature needs to approve 'price lock' legislations

There appears to be a misperception among some Idaho lawmakers that the Fish and Game Commission has ignored prior legislative directives to raise revenue and improve habitat and access.

Voters' support is appreciated

Every time school board members set out to work on the budget we find ourselves trying to balance our upward trajectory in student achievement against the monetary request and impact on our local community. How far can the budget be scrubbed, trimmed and streamlined and still maintain the good work of the staff and students?

Warrior for social justice speaks out

Pavesic speaking in Sandpoint today

COEUR d’ALENE — On July 30, 1961, a 21-year-old archaeology student from the University of California, Los Angeles, was arrested in Jackson, Miss.

Assessing the Need

• While there has been nominal growth in the population of Bonner County since the early-2000s, the Bonner Community Food Bank has seen an increase of more than 310 percent in food bank use in that time.

Patrons appeal closure of Careywood post office

CAREYWOOD — The Postal Regulatory Commission is taking up an appeal of the U.S. Postal Service’s plan to close the Careywood post office.

Laundromat fire is quickly extinguished

PONDERAY — The smell of acrid smoke hung in the air, and white dusty material, black soot and ashes trailed out of the two glass doors of The Loggers Daughter Laundromat Thursday afternoon, after a fire that erupted suddenly from a large, natural gas-operated commercial dryer, was extinguished.

Sales tax plan eyed for Memorial Field fix

Funds would replace aging grandstands

SANDPOINT — It was the means to the end, and not the end itself that was cause for concern Wednesday when the City Council considered the possibility of a taxing resolution intended to generate money to replace the aging grandstands at Memorial Field.

Bulldogs notch rare win over 5A Bengals

LEWISTON — Freshman Bri Baldree struck out eight batters in a complete game effort, and added an inside-the-park home run, leading the Bulldogs to a 9-7 win over Lewiston in the opener of a nonleague softball doubleheader Thursday at Lewiston High School.

This is the wrong place for double train tracks

A while back, there were only a couple of short trains daily that came through Ponderay, and they would often park across the highway from the Hoot Owl while the crew went to lunch.

Scotchman should be designated wilderness

Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society, with 120 members in North Idaho, has been a strong supporter of Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness since that group started working a decade ago to make Scotchman Peaks a Wilderness. Based in Bonner County, KNPS is an active and vigorous organization, providing a clear, positive voice for the plants and plant habitats of our area; striving to educate all about the value and uses of native plants and promoting native plant conservation on public lands.

Hikers find suspected human remains

Jawbone found on exposed lakebed

CLARK FORK — A jawbone that appears to be human was found on the exposed bed of Lake Pend Oreille earlier this month.

Officer was polite and professional during stop

I was at the teller’s counter doing business at my bank in Ponderay while, completely unknown to me, the March 6 attempted bank robbery was in progress. The perpetrator exited the bank, unnoticed by me, and I followed a few seconds later.

Free sailing improvement workshops offered

SANDPOINT — Once again, Sandpoint Parks and Recreation and the Sandpoint Sailing Association are combining to offer free Saturday Sailing Workshops.

Mediation continues in vandalism suit

SANDPOINT — A resolution remains elusive in a civil suit against a man accuse of slashing scores of chair lift seat covers at Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

Life is not fair for former county clerk

“If the accusations in Paragraph 4 are true, they show that Ms. (Ann) Dutson-Sater exercised poor judgment and made a serious mistake under Idaho’s elections laws, in particular Idaho Code §34-1705. That mistake, in my view as the state’s chief election officer, is not a felony, particularly when Idaho Code §35-1704(2) provides that all recall petitions that fail to obtain the required number of signatures are “declared null and void ab initio.”

House OKs mental health crisis center funding

COEUR d’ALENE — Funding for a $1.7 million mental health crisis center for North Idaho passed the full House, with three area legislators voting against it.

Kummer tosses no-hitter

LEWISTON — Sophomore pitcher Patrick Kummer tossed a seven inning complete game no-hitter, leading the Bulldogs to a 9-0 shutout win over Orofino as part of a nonleague baseball doubleheader on Tuesday at Lewiston High School.

Event hopes to spark interest in science

SANDPOINT — Tables and elements. Both were in abundance, along with a lot of enthusiasm and curiosity at Sandpoint High School Tuesday when honors students hosted an inter-school “science circuit” event geared toward generating enthusiasm for the sciences in up-and-coming area elementary school students.

Sentence in case upheld

SANDPOINT — The Idaho Court of Appeals is affirming the sentence imposed against a Post Falls man who stabbed his estranged wife at her home near Priest Lake in 2013.

Petition calls for fresh look at Rock Creek Mine impacts

SANDPOINT — Conservation groups are petitioning the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to take a fresh look at the impacts the proposed Rock Creek Mine could have on endangered grizzly bear and bull trout.

Get screened for colon cancer

Charles Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, died at age 77 just 60 days after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer (aka colon cancer). Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, developed colon cancer at age 66 and died when she was 101 years old. What was the difference? Oh, you know the answer. It’s early detection.

Bulldog track and field team strong in all phases in 2015

SANDPOINT — With more than 90 athletes making it the biggest Sandpoint track team in nearly three decades, and a renewed emphasis on team unity, the Bulldogs are hoping for a banner track and field season in 2015.

#3465 PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Everyone should be allowed to speak out

All should be allowed, nay, encouraged to speak out.

Homeowner's exemption sees increase

Now is the time of the year when we are busy studying the sales from last year to set the 2015 assessments.

Asian clam project resumes

EAST HOPE — University of Idaho researchers will be headed back to Lake Pend Oreille’s Ellisport Bay this week to install barriers that have shown effectiveness in killing Asian clams.

Deductions available for service animals

Many disabled persons with service animals are unaware of the tax deductions for them. IRS Pub 502 for guide dogs or other service animals.

Search for bank robber continues

PONDERAY — The suspect in the failed March 6 attempt to rob a Ponderay bank remained at large Monday, according to law enforcement.

Senate OKs bill banning local knife laws

The Idaho Senate is endorsing legislation banning local government regulations on carrying or using knives.

What have railroads actually done for us?

Another train of oil tank cars recently derailed, this time in Illinois where three of the oil tank cars exploded. People were evacuated around that area for one mile. There were no injuries in this derailment.

Former Bulldog Rosholt scores third-round win

DALLAS — It took former Sandpoint state champion wrestler Jared Rosholt a little while to get the confidence to impose his will on his former training partner, Josh Copeland.

Accused forger jailed in county

SANDPOINT — An accused forger wanted by authorities in California was arrested by Sandpoint Police on Tuesday while attempting to access misappropriated funds at a local bank.

Bill eliminates legislators' special PERSI privilege

It has been a busy past few weeks and there is a lot to report. A few highlights include the following:

Trio deserve thanks for stand on Hindu prayer

I applaud Idaho state Sens. Sheryl Nuxoll, Steve Vick and Lori Den Hartog for refusing to attend the invocation led by a Hindu at the Senate opening, and I also applaud former Congressman Bill Sali for his objections to it. Shame on the Episcopal bishop, the Catholic official, the Jewish rabbi and the United Church of Christ pastor (all unnamed) who want Sheryl Nuxoll to apologize for her comments — they should know better!

Swiss music therapist opens local practice

SANDPOINT — Sometimes, a name just doesn’t translate to a new country. The business moniker long used by Rainer Michaelis is, for most Americans, both hard to spell and hard to say: Klangsphäre.

Don't force beliefs on anyone else

Kudos to Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll, R-Cottonwood, for not attending the start of the workday Tuesday in the Idaho Senate chamber because a Hindu leader, Rajan Zed, was giving the invocation prayer. How many Hindu senators does the state of Idaho have anyway?

Sometimes, it is far better to remain silent

To all state and federal legislators: It’s better for people to think you a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Mental health center funding gets key approval

COEUR d’ALENE — Funding for a $1.7 million mental health crisis center for North Idaho passed through a key committee Friday and will soon go before the full House and Senate.

Sandpoint officer earns CIT honors

SANDPOINT — It was first thing in the morning, the beginning of his shift, when most calls are traffic related. Not so one morning last April when Sandpoint Police officer Michael Aerni responded to a call of a woman threatening to jump from a local bridge.

Former clerk obtains new legal counsel

SANDPOINT — Former Bonner County Clerk Ann Dutson-Sater has obtained new legal counsel, according to court documents.

Angler pulls in husky northern pike

CLARK FORK — A Bonner County angler hauled in a massive northern pike Tuesday while fishing for trout on Lake Pend Oreille near the mouth of the Clark Fork River.

S.T.E.P. gymnasts fare well at meets

SANDPOINT — February may have been a short month, but the gymnasts at S.T.E.P. (Seeking To Encourage People) were busy performing at Sandpoint’s Winter Carnival and competing at Monkey Madness and Great West Gym Fest in Hayden and Coeur d’Alene.

East wins district All Star game

MULLAN — Post Falls senior Shayna Allert was named the District 1 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player after scoring 12 points to lead the East past the West 57-53 at the Mullan Pavilion Thursday.

Sharks bring home titles at Shamrock Shakeup

SANDPOINT — Seven Sandpoint Sharks claimed titles recently at the Shamrock Shakeup swim meet at the Whitworth University Aquatic Center in Spokane.

Vikings sweep Bulldogs in pair of home openers

SANDPOINT — Breana Burke threw a perfect game, striking out 11 and only allowing one ball to be put in play, and provided her own run support with a big day at the plate, leading Coeur d’Alene to a 23-0 win over Sandpoint in a nonleague softball opener at Sandpoint Middle School.

SURA details activities and finances

SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency has published its draft 2014 annual report for public review ahead of a scheduled special public meeting later this month.

Man charged with witness tampering

SANDPOINT — A Vay man implicated in the shooting death of his wife in Washington state in 1997 faces additional an charge of tampering with witnesses.

Troy mine bond concerns Rock Creek Alliance

Company, agencies say bond will be further negotiated

SANDPOINT — Further negotiations are pending to recalculate the amount of the reclamation bond for idled Troy Mine, according to the U.S. Forest Service and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

P&Z approves Blanchard waste site

SANDPOINT — A proposal to construct a full-service solid waste collection site in Blanchard is in the bag.

Voters pass WBCSD levy

PRIEST RIVER — The West Bonner County School District will be able to conduct business as usual for the next two years after voters approved a $3 million levy proposal on Tuesday by a margin of 1,023 votes in favor to 743 against, or 58 percent.

Sagle center changes prompt reflections

I grew up knowing a thing or two about sustainable living. I was one of five siblings, but this wasn’t all that made up a household. The numbers added up to parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents.

Research proves shots are not safe

One response to the recent measles outbreak is demonizing parents who have not immunized their children. Most parents who make this choice are educated and informed; the adjuvants used in these vaccines (often derived from aluminum and mercury) are the primary concern. While these adjuvants may improve the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, they also increase the risk of potentially severe side effects, especially in very young children who receive multiple vaccines in a single office visit.

Political correctness eroding our security

I am disgusted by things today. By the way we have retreated from our duty to keep the world safe. By the disappearing freedoms here at home that people just seem to accept without a fight. By a federal government that has ballooned into a suffocating octopus preying on those who love the country and work hard to support her.

Better late than never to thank community

I would like to apologize to all those who played a part in the benefit for myself, Ed Brown. I normally would not consider myself a procrastinator but it now takes me as long to put my socks on as it used to take to get completely dressed.

Labrador: Leadership 'got us into this mess'

COEUR d’ALENE — Congressman Raul Labrador is no fan of leaders. At least not those in Congress.

First-year coach seeking improvement from Bulldogs

SANDPOINT — First year Sandpoint softball head coach Elizabeth Hawkins has set a modest-sounding, but realistic goal for her team this season: to reach .500.

A couple crazy guys ski and snowshoe Scotchman Peak

SANDPOINT —

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Bulldogs hoping to 'catch on fire' and make run to state

SANDPOINT — Despite winning just two games last season, the Bulldog baseball team laid a lot of groundwork for a better future under first year coach Scott Fitchett.

YMCA takes small step closer to reality

SANDPOINT — It’s not in town, at least not yet. It’s really not much more than a dream at this stage. But the possibility of a YMCA community recreation facility finding its way to Bonner County recently got one small step closer to reality.

Monthly pain may be from endrometriosis

“In light of March being Endometriosis Awareness Month, I wanted to share my experiences,” wrote a woman named Lyn from Kansas on www.fightlikeagirlclub.com.

Garfield Bay breakwater removed

SAGLE — The breakwater at Lake Pend Oreille’s Garfield Bay is history.

LPOSD voters approve supplemental levy

SANDPOINT — After a full court press by Lake Pend Oreille School District officials, the game is finally over. Who won or lost is a matter of opinion, but in the end it’s the score that matters.

Who really believes railroad will listen to Sandpoint?

Does anyone actually believe the railroad will listen to anyone from Sandpoint? I don’t care as much about the noise as I do about the safety of the trains that go through Bonner County every day. The railroad says there are 42 trains that go through our area daily, which is not true.

Trio of Wampus Cats earn all-league honors

CLARK FORK — Three Wampus Cats were honored on the All-North Star League boys basketball team, as voted on recently by the league’s coaches.

Wolf People appealing suspension of license

COCOLALLA — Wolf People intends to appeal the Idaho Department Fish & Game’s suspension of the wolf advocacy company’s wildlife exhibition license.

Tougher penalties needed on thefts

Regarding the story, “Athol mayor details discovery of embezzlement scheme (Daily Bee,Jan. 31, 2015), Mayor Darla Kuhman of the city of Athol, I take my hat off to you. Your courage and integrity are noted.

Mayor's address failed to address shooting

What was glaringly absent from Sandpoint Mayor Carrie Logan’s recent “State of the City” address was any mention of a change in training and policy as to how the police will handle any future confrontations with a mentally disturbed 100-pound woman with a knife so she and, if pregnant, her unborn baby are not shot to death.

Today's levy vote will determine district's direction

SANDPOINT — It’s D-Day for the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

Bulldog golfers show big improvement in opener

CLARKSTON — Dylan Dufenhorst shot 87 and Damien Fitzpatrick 94 to lead the Bulldog boys golfers to a team score of 383 in the season-opening Clarkston Invitational on Monday.

Perhaps, one day, the public will awaken

“The public be damned!” statement by a 19th century robber baron apparently has become the rallying cry of our Republican legislators.

Careywood post office faces closure

Petition drive launched to try and keep it open

CAREYWOOD — Don Duhart has lived in Careywood for a decade and said he should have moved to the rural Bonner County town 20 years earlier.

College Power Hour planned

SANDPOINT — Are you a high school student weighing your options after graduation? If so, there’s an upcoming event you’ll want to attend.

It's time to put area on wilderness map

We live here because it is beautiful — mountains, lakes, wildlife, meadows and forests. Getting into the backcountry or even enjoying nature from town enriches our lives. Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness has, since almost the turn of the century, catalyzed support for a piece of wilderness in our “backyard.”

Police urge prompt calls on crimes

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint Police are urging residents to report crime in their neighborhoods in a timely manner.

LPOSD talks dollars, taxes and schools

SANDPOINT— The numbers are out there and have been for some time. But when you start talking in terms of millions of dollars — especially when those millions come from taxpayer dollars — some of the finer points of the message can get lost.

Designation needed to protect local treasure

We would like to lend our enthusiastic and wholehearted support to the position expressed by Phil Hough in his guest opinion (Daily Bee, Feb. 19) endorsing wilderness designation for the Scotchman Peaks. This position is fully consistent with the Forest Service’s new land management plan, which recommends the Scotchman Peaks for wilderness.

Legislature working to protect parental rights

Last week, The House of Representatives heard HB113, a bill dealing with parental rights.

Police seek would-be bank robber

PONDERAY — Ponderay experienced its first bank robbery in 13 years Friday morning.

Former Sandpoint resident qualifies for wrestling nationals

SANDPOINT — Jack Hathaway, who attended Forrest Bird Charter School and wrestled for Sandpoint Middle School before moving to Iowa, recently won a championship at the Pac 12 Wrestling Championships, punching his ticket to nationals.

Religious leaders demand Nuxoll's apology

Religious leaders of various faiths are seeking a public apology from Idaho Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll for a statement she made regarding the Hindu faith.

Firefighters battle Athol fires

ATHOL — Dry and breezy conditions Friday and a homeowner torching weeds accidentally set in motion a fast-moving wildland fire that burned roughly 50 acres.

Home invasion suspect seeks pro se status

SANDPOINT — A North Idaho man implicated in a home invasion robbery attempt is moving to act has his own legal counsel.

'Avista scam' targets local businesses

SANDPOINT — Utility customers beware: there’s a sophisticated scam going around like a nasty virus, and they sound convincing.

Legislature nears filing deadline

COEUR d’ALENE — The pace is quickening in Boise this week as the Legislature approaches the end of the session.

Schoening breaks 4A Idaho state tournament scoring record

SANDPOINT — She torched the nets of north Idaho all season, and nothing changed when Sandpoint junior guard Madi Schoening traveled south for the state basketball tournament recently.

MickDuff's Brewing Co. helps non-profits tap support

SANDPOINT — It’s all about non-profits at MickDuff’s Brewing Company’s Beer Hall and Brewery on Tuesdays.

Golf team sets sights on state

SANDPOINT — It would be easy for opposing teams to look at the Sandpoint boys golf team, see a lineup full of freshmen and sophomores, and think it might be easy pickings.

Rosters announced for District 1 All-Star hoops game

MULLAN — A host of Sandpoint and Clark Fork seniors will get to play another game, as rosters for the annual District 1 All-Star Game, scheduled for March 12 at the Mullan Pavilion, have been announced.

Limit distractions, be aware of surroundings

Every moment our children spend with us, they are learning how to become citizens of Sandpoint. We are teaching them how to be attentive or inattentive drivers, as well as safe or thoughtless pedestrians. Both walkers and drivers need to be seen. It is our simple duty to acknowledge and respect one another.

More dangerous climate change

I think we should file suit against the District of Columbia for causing severe financial damage to our economy. Due to the extreme blowing of hot air from Congress and especially our president, the resulting rise of the hot air has pulled in the cold air from Canada. This disruption in the jet stream has caused our snow to be pulled in to and deposited in the eastern states. The resulting loss of our snow has created great financial loss to our recreational income.

City chastised over parking fines

SANDPOINT — Parking fines can get people riled up. Especially if it’s unclear what the fine structure is and how it works.

Chamber honors Festival as month's top business

SANDPOINT — The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce has named the Festival at Sandpoint as its February business of the month.

Crash injures woman

ATHOL — A Bonner County woman was injured Wednesday in a rollover crash on U.S. Highway 95.

Ski or ride to make a difference at Vertical Express

SANDPOINT — Winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy the best Schweitzer Mountain has to offer, all while benefiting lifestyle empowerment programs for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Opposition to program needs to be clarified

After reading Bill Berg’s guest opinion about the efforts by state Reps. Heather Scott and Sage Dixon to kill the education tax credit for donors to the Panhandle Alliance for Education, I went back and re-read the “Notes From Boise” column written by Rep. Scott.

Inaccuracy was not a comparison

It was disappointing to read the article by Lee Hughes (Daily Bee, Feb. 26) stating that I was comparing “apples and oranges” with regard to his previous article on Clark Fork.

LPOSD must manage its finances better

On Feb. 26, the Bee devoted a huge article to what it called an “apples and oranges” comparison by Sandra Rutherford, who wanted the record set straight on the school levy, namely that it is the seventh highest in the state. Lake Pend Oreille School District’s levy promotion flyer merely says the levy is 50 percent below the state average of school tax rates.

Fish & Game suspends Wolf People's exhibition license

State alleges agreement was violated

COCOLALLA — Wolf People’s alleged disregard for conditions of an Idaho Department of Fish & Game agreement is coming back to bite the wolf advocacy and education enterprise.

Railroad to close Eastgate Drive mall access

Access to the Bonner Mall may soon be a little more challenging if railroad officials follow through with plans to close the Eastgate Drive crossing at Highway 200. Although studies show that traffic will improve on the highway when the crossing is closed, that’s about the only good news.

School levy isn't needed right now

We will very soon be asked to vote on another levy. Why?

Support LPOSD's replacement levy

Have you benefited from a taxpayer-supported public education in your life? Where would you be without it? Lake Pend Oreille School District continues the public education legacy of this community and country by providing our youth with an excellent education at a reasonable cost.

Spokane man jailed for deadly crash

SANDPOINT — A Washington state man was ordered to serve 210 days in jail Tuesday for accidentally killing a motorist in a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 2 near Oldtown last year.

Bulldog JV girls cap season with a win

SANDPOINT — Playing a schedule laden with strong 5A programs from arguably the toughest girls basketball league in the state, the Bulldog JV team posted a record of 2-15, but more than held its own against Moscow and Lakeland in league play, which in the grand scheme of things is what matters most.

Ponderay adopts study calling for impact fees

PONDERAY — The City Council formerly adopted a study Monday that, if added to city code, will lead to uniform impact fees assessed against any new development within the city.

Taxation without representation

Over $6,000,000 of LPOSD’s levy will be paid by property owners not allowed to vote; denied homeowner exemptions; cannot send their kids to LPOSD. They live outside Bonner County. This is stealing.

District filled with dedicated teachers

Over my 28 years of teaching at Sandpoint High School, I have had the distinct pleasure of interacting with several thousand fine young minds.

Support community with a 'yes' vote

Many recent letters to the editor have expressed the urgency for why we must pass the upcoming Lake Pend Oreille School District replacement levy. Most people are now aware of what is funded by this levy. Most realize how devastating it would be to our schools should it fail. What many people have forgotten are the days gone by prior to our levies getting passed, prior to our community having fiscally responsible school administrators and board members and prior to our student achievement being the best in the state. It wasn’t all that long ago.

'No' voices need to be heard Tuesday

Our voices need to be heard on March 10. Pease vote against the school levy. The amount of money the levy is asking for does not reflect the declining student population since 2000 and the depressed economy in this area.

Renters need to contribute on levy

Lower gas prices, not cheap, remember the Arab oil supply and price fixing for years?

It's hard to believe district wants more

It’s hard to believe LPOSD is requesting another $15.7 million levy from taxpayers. This is the same amount as in 2013. Since the last levy they had an infusion of a million dollar grant for the alternative high school and an additional $600,000 of state appropriation, which LPOSD chief financial officer Lisa Hals calls “a little extra breathing room.”

Sandpoint named best place to retire in Idaho

SANDPOINT— Sandpoint is the best place to retire in Idaho, according to the financial question-and-answer website, SmartAsset, which ranked it number one with a rating of 92.73 out of 100.

Silver Cup organizers to get major permit

COEUR d’ALENE — The Idaho Department of Lands today plans to give the Coeur d’Alene Silver Cup hydroplane race organizers an important permit for races on Lake Coeur d’Alene near Silver Beach in July.

North Idaho legislator objects to Hindu invocation

COEUR d’ALENE — Sen. Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens, said he tried to stop a Hindu invocation at the Senate opening today, but Senate leadership was allowing it anyway.

Illegal elections for the school levies

All present elections for the levy on schools should be classified as a illegal. Why? Because anyone who is registered to vote and lives in the district for the election can and actually cause taxes to go up on all properties.

Vote 'no' and send message to LPOSD

We’re reading a lot about how absolutely essential the upcoming $15,767,484 levy is to Lake Pend Oreille School District’s frugal existence.

Efforts show more can be done to cut costs

I would like to acknowledge all of those engaged citizens who are helping to keep our republic. They are researching information, questioning and sharing this information with others.

Our students need our support

“Students who are loved at home, come to school to learn, and students who aren’t, come to school to be loved.” (Nicholas A. Ferroni)

Vote 'no' to enforce fiscal responsibility

With some letters claiming that there’s “zero fat” in the levy being sought by Lake Pend Oreille School District, I decided to peruse the school board minutes. This revealed some interesting information.

Too much room taken to explain levy issues

In the Feb. 26 edition of the Bee, Lee Hughes takes 30 paragraphs explaining something that should have taken one.

Common sense needed on levies

Is there the slightest possibility that any one besides myself might feel that these proposed school levies in the state of Idaho are being handed out to the voters prematurely? On Jan. 12, Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter said he was going to give more money to the state schools than has ever been given. He said, it represents a “new high-water mark for K-12 spending in Idaho.” This was only a few days after West Bonner County School Board voted Jan. 7 to approve sending their levy to the voters.

Randles, Brown pace Bulldogs at state wrestling

SANDPOINT — It’s been a steady climb back to the upper echelon of the state wrestling ranks for Sandpoint, which posted its strongest showing at state in years last weekend in Pocatello, with one champion and three runners up. For the program, long one of the best in the state, it could just be the start of things to come.

It's not the potatoes, it's the school district

“I think we should eat more potatoes.”

Tax credit program benefits entire community

Many readers may remember our area’s longest serving legislator, Rep. Jim Stoicheff, and his entertaining columns that would highlight various bills under consideration during the legislative session. While I can’t claim to have Jim’s excellent writing skills or his sense of humor, I will endeavor to list some bills in front of us and the possible connection to our area.

Outdoor Gourmet rides growth trend

Local product rocks national brands

SANDPOINT — In business, less really can be more. One local company rides that adage like a rocket as it finds new ways to create more products out of the same basic resource.

Cast a vote for a promising future

I want to say thank you to the community of Sandpoint for valuing a quality educational and extracurricular environment for our students and funding the school levy for the past two years.

DOJ says tribes can legalize pot

TULALIP, Wash. (AP) — The Justice Department’s December announcement that it would allow the nation’s Indian tribes to legalize and regulate marijuana on their reservations brought notes of caution — if not silence or opposition — from many tribes.

District must better manage its money

I find it interesting that the cost of educating students in Bonner County has gone from $8,500 per student in 2008 to $9,500 per student in 2013. That is a 12-percent increase during tough economic times. (Idaho Department of Education website.)

Wheeler backs constitutional carry legislation

SANDPOINT — Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler is voicing support for a House of Representatives bill that would make it a constitutional right in Idaho to carry a concealed weapon.