High winds fan forest fires in region
100 Years Ago — 1918
Priest Lake notes
While rowing up Bear Creek one evening, Harry Angstadt saw a big char lying close to the bank. Harry hit it with an oar, and after a sharp tussle grabbed the fish. It measured 32 inches in length.
Put on your rubber boots and come on up, the cranberries are getting ripe, and even though you can’t get sugar to put them up with at the present time, you can keep them until sugar comes in again.
90 Years Ago — 1928
Disastrous fire averted
What might have been a very disastrous fire was started by a Great Northern freight train near the McChord place on the west side of town. The fire started in dry grass along the right of way and the wind drove it toward the McChord place, stopping a few feet from the house. The Beardmore lumber yard adjoins this property.
80 Years ago — 1938
Theater changes name
The management of the Rex Theater in Priest River has now changed the name of the show house to “Roxie,” a new neon electric sign announcing the change to the public. Heavy rugs upon the lobby and aisle floors give one a metropolitan air upon entering.
70 Years Ago — 1948
Water emergency over
Frank Anselmo, who has so generously furnished water to local residents during the emergency, has finally turned his customers over to the city, the city water now being pure.
60 Years Ago — 1958
Forest fire plagues area
Fanned by high winds, a forest fire raged through timber lands in Bodie Canyon eastward toward Cuban Hill about five miles north of town Tuesday. Cause of the fire has not been determined at this time.
It is rumored that lightning struck during an electrical storm accompanying strong winds and great clouds of dust that blew in from the southwest Monday night. Another version is that an electric light pole blew down in the storm setting grass on fire. A light rain, the first in many weeks, began falling at 10 a.m. Wednesday, which proved beneficial in getting the fire under control.
50 Years Ago — 1968
Burglars hit
two businesses
Priest River IGA and Parsons Marina, two business firms located on Albeni Highway, were burglarized in the early morning hours Tuesday, Aug. 20. At the IGA, entrance was made through a ventilator in the roof. An undetermined amount of cash, cigarettes, beer and pop were taken. At Parsons Marina across the highway, the intruders jimmied the lock on the front door. Cash, guns and shells were taken.
40 Years Ago — 1978
Grade football program launched
About 40 boys registered for the 7th and 8th grade tackle football program, which was launched in an after-school practice Wednesday, Del Johnson said. Coaches are Ivan Benson and Ed Washburn. Jim Martin is the football commissioner,
30 Years Ago — 1988
Cooke to be on ballot
Karen Cooke, the new Democratic candidate for Dist. 1 state senator, said she is already busy redefining her campaign strategy after being picked to replace Sen. Steve Herndon on the November ballot. Cooke listed areas such as education, roads, and economic development among her areas of concern.
20 Years Ago — 1998
Mercer gets key to city
Diane Mercer received the key to the city Monday night. Presented by Mayor Tom Hartliep at the city council meeting, the key came with a certificate and will be joined by a plaque.
The presentation honored Mercer for her several years of hard work and dedication that resulted in Priest River’s first museum, the Keyser House. The building was formerly dedicated Saturday.
10 Years Ago — 2008
Best place for lunch
Have you ever had lunch at Priest River’s soup kitchen? The brainchild of Priest River Senior Center director Fred Charland, the soup kitchen began as a way to provide a good meal for people in need — and has expanded into a good thing for the community. Every Monday at 11 a.m. one of 14 different businesses or organizations serves up a lunch of soups, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. Those who can, donate to the program — and those who can’t eat for free.