Priest River Lumber Co. suspends operations indefinitely
100 Years Ago — 1920
Pool hall ownership changes hands
The ownership of the Star Pool Hall, located on Main Street in the Presta Building, passed from the hands of George J. Naccarato to Gus A. Naccarato.
90 Years Ago — 1930
The Doolittle thresher crew has moved from the Italian Settlement up to Blue Lake. They have finished threshing at the Doolittle, Trainer and Frank Baker ranches and are now threshing at Mr. Reed’s place.
80 Years Ago — 1940
From up East River Way
Surveyors are laying out the course for the Rural Electrification line that is coming out this way and across the Dickensheet.
70 Years Ago — 1950
Mullaley makes thrilling run
On a hair-raising finish West Valley High school came from behind in the last 12 seconds to score a touchdown and tie Priest River in a football game played before a good crowd at the Priest River field. Priest River scored their only touchdown in the first quarter when Alva Mullaley ran 75 yards for the score without a man touching him. The try for points was no good. From then on the game was a defensive battle until West Valley recovered a fumble on the 50-yard line and advanced down the field for the score in the final seconds. The try for the extra point was wide and left the game tied up 6-6.
60 Years Ago — 1960
Lumber company halts operations
The Priest River Lumber Co. suspended operations indefinitely this week. Manager Robert Doolittle said, “The high cost of stumpage and production, the lack of orders, and the depressed selling prices of lumber make it impossible for us to continue.” He said operations would continue as soon as conditions permit.
50 Years Ago — 1970
Call for help heard through chip pile
A near miraculous rescue of a man trapped beneath a load of chips took place Friday, Oct. 2, at 4 a.m. at the Diamond stud mill at Albeni Falls.
Lee Shepard of Coeur d’Alene had driven his truck-trailer rig under the chip bin for loading, but the chips would not release. He climbed into the trailer and prodded the jammed chips with a stick. The chips released suddenly and the massive dump filled the 8-foot trailer, pushing Shepard against the rear gate several feet above his head in chips. He was able to breathe through mesh material at the end of the trailer.
His calls for help, though muffled, awoke Lyle Skinner’s wife in their home about 100 yards away. Skinner investigated and succeeded in opening the back of the trailer and releasing Shepard, who was bruised and shaken but otherwise unhurt.
40 Years Ago — 1980
Soccer debuts in Priest River
Youth soccer kicked off its inaugural season Saturday with a full slate of games at Priest River Elementary school... Youth Soccer League officials said they would like to thank several persons who helped to prepare the fields and build goals: Tim Chamberlain, Larry DeMent, Ken Lund, and Leonard Salisbury. Also, officials would like to thank Priest River Elementary School for its help.
30 Years Ago — 1990
Student returns home to teach
When Patty Naccarato came to Priest River Elementary School this year to teach the fourth grade, she started a new career in a familiar place. Just 15 years ago she was a fourth-grade student in the dame school... “This is a good time to come back and spend some time with my family,” Naccarato said.
20 Years ago — 2000
Law officers investigate break-in
Law officers are looking into the theft of a 1,200-pound safe from the Priest Lake Ranger District office sometime last weekend. Ranger Kent Dunstan said the theft was discovered early Monday morning. Dunstan declined to say what was in the safe, other than items that would normally be in a safe.