Revenue officers arrest man for making whiskey
10 Years Ago — 2009
PREP graduates biggest class
With the largest graduating class in PREP history, 17 students were honored at a graduation ceremony May 21 at the PRJS auditorium. A large crowd was on hand. PREP teacher Liz Cork said the class had worked exceptionally hard to reach their goals and create a happy life for themselves.
20 Years Ago — 1999
Fire called suspicious
A former city shop, now abandoned, was destroyed in a fire last Wednesday. Authorities are investigating the fire as a possible arson. The Priest River Volunteer Fire Department, the city crew, and West Pend Oreille Fire Department were able to keep the fire from creeping out towards flammable brush and dry grass, but the building was lost in less than 20 minutes.
30 Years Ago — 1989
Suspect arrested
Bonner County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Garfield Bay man Friday night in connection with the shooting of a Laclede Store owner Tuesday. Blaine Aaron Wood, 28, is being held at the Bonner County Jail on a charge of robbery. He is accused of shooting Donald W. Rabe and taking more than $300. Rabe, although seriously wounded, was able to describe the alleged assailant.
40 Years Ago — 1979
Fire destroys mill
The mill at Mountain Gem Log Homes in Laclede burned to the ground early Friday. The fire was discovered when a crew came to work at 5:30. Dennis Needs, owner of the mill, estimated the damage at $25,000. He guessed that a bearing on the conveyor belt overheated and set sawdust smoldering.
50 Years Ago — 1969
Area men participate
Participating in the organizational meeting of the Idaho Commission on Federal Land Law were Russ Bishop of Coolin and Bob Doolittle, Priest River. The new commission will review Public Land Law Review Commission studies to present Idaho views on studies to be considered in the federal commission’s final report seeking to update land laws. Bishop represents outdoor recreation and Doolittle the forest industry.
60 Years Ago — 1959
Thinclads stand alone
Priest River tallied 26 points to stand alone for Class B honors in the state thinclad (track) meet at Boise Junior College May 23.
70 Years Ago — 1949
Author writes
The Priest River Chamber of Commerce received the following telegram from Geoffrey King of London, England, the author of the article on the log drive which was published last January in London Magazine: “With all good wishes for a successful drive celebration.”
80 Years Ago — 1939
School consolidation coming
Prospects for an enlarged and greatly improved school year are much in evidence as five petitions for consolidation are being circulated in the Peninsula, Jackson, Megan, Stewart and Sunny Glen districts. The required number of signers in each district have been secured and the petitions are now in the office of the county superintendent awaiting the actions of the county commissioners.
90 Years Ago — 1929
Stolen car claimed
Standing by the roadside about 11 miles out on the West Branch Road for several days, a Buick Coupe aroused the suspicions of officers here, and Sid Ragan and Bob Halla drove out and brought the machine into town. Previous to this time no one could be found who had lost a car. It was later found that the car had been stolen from the Bismark Ranger Station and belonged to Ted Sebesta, who is working at the Diamond Match and came into town and claimed the car, which was only slightly damaged. No trace of the parties taking the car have been found.
100 Years Ago — 1919
More than whiskey
A man well known around Newport was arrested by revenue officers at his home near Bead Lake and charged with illicit manufacture of whiskey. A full-grown still in operation was found near his cabin with all the paraphernalia to go with it. After taking him to Newport, the officers returned to the cabin to make a more thorough search and discovered 600 bottles of beer, a case of patent bottle caps, and other brewing material.