Lightning storm produces quite a kick
20 Years Ago — 2000
Spartans whip Griz 34-8
The Priest River Spartans on Friday moved within two victories of securing at the very least a winning season, knocking off interstate rival Newport, 34-8. The Spartans, who face Spokane’s Central Valley JV this Friday in a hastily put together contest to replace the Clearwater Valley, took advantage of Newport’s season-opening jitters and nearly a half-dozen turnovers to stay perfect on the year. Priest River’s Zach Mack accounted for two Spartan touchdowns, set up a third, and was on a 200-yard pace before a 10-yard gain was called back on a holding penalty. Mack finished the game with 178 yards on 30 carries.
30 Years Ago — 1990
Fire destroys 100 acres
A forest fire which began Saturday afternoon and charred 100 acres in the Hunt creek area near Priest Lake was contained Sunday at 6 p.m. The blaze, on public school endowment lands, involved an active logging sale, Ray Green, Department of Lands Priest Lake supervisor said. One log loader was destroyed and one crewman injured.
40 Years Ago — 1980
Athletes of the Week
Senior tailback Gary Stewart is this week’s fighting Spartan for his 98 yards total offense against Lakeland, including one 62-yard touchdown run, and made four tackles to help keep the Hawks at bay. Lynne Johnson wins for volleyball on the basis of her overall play against Clark Fork and Coeur d’ Alene. She was praised by her coach for her hustle and leadership.
50 Years Ago — 1970
Awarded Air Medal
Army Pfc. John E. Doolittle recently was awarded the Air Medal near Bien Hoa, Vietnam, where he is serving with the 190th Aviation Company. A door gunner, Doolittle earned the award for meritorious service while participating in aerial flight in support of ground operations. He is the son of Marion Burns and Norman Doolttle.
60 Years Ago — 1960
Outlet residents improve road
The residents of the Outlet district at Priest Lake are justly proud of their newly paved road from the main highway to the lake. The project was made possible through the combined efforts of all the residents adjacent to the area and the county who furnished the crushed rock. The county benefit comes in the elimination of frequent grading.
70 Years Ago — 1950
Injured and robbed
Robert C. Burgan, who has been living on the J. S. Miller ranch, was slugged and robbed Sunday night on the highway between Priest River and Newport. Burgan was flagged down by another motorist who asked to borrow a jack in order to fix a tire. As soon as the unknown assailant had the jack, he brought it down on Burgan’s head. Burgan was taken to the Newport Hospital for treatment.
80 Years ago — 1940
Lightning had a kick
In the electrical storm that hit this section Monday, a large pine tree was struck at the Storro place in Bodie Canyon. Erling, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Storro, was sitting near a stove at the time and was knocked completely off his chair. He was fortunately not injured.
90 Years Ago — 1930
Winds spread airport fire
Frank Long, who has the contract for pulling the pines on an additional six acres of the airport field, finished the job last week with the exception of a few pines that had been cut off but later missed. High winds Sunday afternoon picked up a stacked brush fire from Saturday evening, carrying glowing embers into the standing pine at field’s edge. While the fire was quickly trenched and held, it caused considerable anxiety.
100 Years Ago — 1920
Commercial & real estate activity
Frank E. Hoffman, lately of Sprague, Wash., took possession of the business of the Kaniksu Drug Company on Monday of this week, having purchased it from A. R. Tiss.
R. M Mears moved from the M. S. Lindsay house on Wisconsin Street Tuesday. This house was recently purchased by Paul Mears, who intends to do extensive remodeling of the residence for his home.
E. J. Peterson purchased the house formerly owned by P. H. Redmond. Mr. Redmond, in turn, bought the A. R. Tiss home on the hill.