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Boat slams into island in freak Priest Lake accident

by Compiled
| July 22, 2020 1:00 AM

20 Years ago — 2000

Vanek injured at Olympic trials

Miss Ennis Vanek’s Olympic dream ended in a hurry on July 14. The former Priest River High School star was injured when she hit a hurdle and crashed in the 100-meter hurdles.

Running in the second of three heats, Vanek hit the fifth hurdle and suffered a bruised ligament in her left knee and banged her right elbow and shoulder.

The University of California star had to withdraw from the competition and undergo an MRI.

30 Years Ago — 1990

Boat slams into island

A freak boating accident at Priest Lake Sunday morning nearly ended in tragedy when a motorboat slammed into a nearby island while traveling from Hills Resort to Grandview Resort.

There were no fatalities or serious injuries, but several passengers were taken to area hospitals as a precautionary measure.

Deputy Tom Holman said the boats operator, Dave Kopp of Spokane, did not see Kalispell Island in darkness ahead of him when he struck land, traveling between 35-40 mph.

40 Years Ago — 1980

Visitors enjoy logging events

Mr. And Mrs. Walter Geissler and sons, Robby and Michael, and Mr. And Mrs. Franz Tschunner, all of Munich, Germany, were the guests of the Ken Lobdell family last week.

Mrs. Geissler is a cousin of Marge Lobdell and Marie Duncan, both of Priest River.

The visitors enjoyed the Loggers Parade Saturday, and Michael won second place in the watermelon-eating contest.

50 Years Ago — 1970

What a raft race!

One of the new events of the Loggers Celebration, the Jaycees raft race, was probably one of the funniest, longest, thirstiest and most enjoyable in the long history of the community’s celebrations.

Every imaginable type of raft was entered: styrofoam, rubber, wood and even rubber tires tied together.

60 Years Ago — 1960

Boys started young

Two young boys, 9 and 11 years old, were taken into custody by city police Sunday just a few hours after they had broken into Bud’s Inland Empire Market, gaining entrance by breaking windows in the rear of the building.

A small amount of cash and merchandise favored by kids was taken.

Roland Naccarato, store owner, reported the break-in to police at 7:30 p.m., and the boys were soon picked up by investigating police officers.

70 Years Ago — 1950

Land Board impressed

The three-day entertainment sponsored by the Priest Lake Timber Protective Association for the State Land Board was without question one of the greatest boosts the Priest Lake country has ever had. The 50 guests were thrilled with the beauty of the Priest Lake area.

Arrangements for the program and party were in charge of Roger Billings, president of the Priest Lake Timber Protective Association, and Maurice Kelly, state fire warden.

80 Years Ago — 1940

Hotel refurbished

The St. Elmo Hotel, one of the oldest landmarks of the town, has been re-shingled and painted, taking on the appearance of a new building.

90 Years Ago — 1930

New bridge to be celebrated

A complete program of activities for the two-day bridge celebration will be announced soon. The celebration will mark the dedication and official opening of the final link in the Park to Park highway consisting of a 10-mile link of new road and a splendid new steel span across the Priest River.

100 Years Ago — 1920

Good weather, good wheat

Hans Kjolseth of the Peninsula was in town and said the ranchers in his district have the best stands of wheat that he has ever seen.

Because of the ideal soil and favorable weather conditions, the wheat has grown so freely that it would take a tall man to keep from getting lost in the middle of the field.