2020 in review: July had a lot going on

On July 1, an article by the Daily Bee reported that the West Bonner County School District had approved a $1.9 million budget for the school year, a roughly $200,000 increase from the year before. However, most of that additional money was already spent to offset unexpected costs accrued as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, said board clerk Jennifer Anselmo.

“The budget that we are looking at was $175,000 short after cutting everything that we could,” Anselmo said. “I really searched through every pocket that we had here in the district.”

Another article that day covered the WBCSD board’s denial of a request by the teachers union to use Zoom video conferencing. That decision, the school board said, was based on Idaho law and the necessity of meetings being public record, thus required to be held on a public forum.

On the second, a feature on the restoration of the “ArtC” bear at the Sandpoint Library by Artist Mary Levy and her six students took the front page.

The fiberglass molded bear had fallen into disrepair, according to the article, so Levy and her students went to work with a design incorporating works from some of the great masters including works by Van Gogh, Salvador Dalí's and Édouard Manet.

“No one student is responsible,” Levy said. “We flowed back and forth, paint in hand, weaving in and out of each other’s work. I do remember saying something like “as you paint, you are the artist you portray … i.e., you are Van Gogh dripping star flurries over his shoulders.”

On that same day, the Bee reported that Sandpoint’s city council chambers reached maximum capacity for the second time in a row, with dozens filling overflow and standing up to three hours for their chance to speak on First and Second Amendment issues.

Most, according to the article, were concerned with a letter from the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at the Georgetown University Law Center.

According to that article, ICAP offered the city a third-party specialized service for free to explore potential legal action related to paramilitary activity in recent local events and protests. Rongstand said he had a phone conversation with ICAP, but decided to forgo additional recommendations made by the group.

“I educated myself as best I could through that. In consulting with our legal counsel, I determined that what we saw that happened didn’t rise to the level requiring legal enforcement,” he said.

Another report on the second detailed the continued spread of COVID-19 cases in Bonner County. Panhandle Health District had confirmed 26 new cases, which brought Kootenai County to 283 cases, Bonner to 32 and Benewah and Boundary to 13, with 12 patients whose county of residence was unclear.

On the third, an article covered the final plans for the city’s Fourth of July celebrations. Some locals had been concerned over an increase in outside visitors as other celebrations were canceled, however as some city council members pointed out, many were already in Sandpoint.

“In case you were wondering, they are already here,” Councilman Joel Aispuro said, laughing with the other council members. “They just came early.”

To minimize health risks, the organizers made some changes such as eliminating the watermelon seed spitting contest, and requiring volunteers to have their temperatures checked and sign a release form that affirms they have not been in close contact with an infected COVID-19.

On the fourth, an article featured the “booming” firework sales at area fireworks stands, many of whom saw roughly twice their usual sales.

On July 5, an article covered a grant by the county to expand rural broadband, and a photo gallery from Fourth of July festivities.

On the sixth, the Bee featured Jay Graham, a local man who discovered the sport of turtle racing during Clark Fork’s Fourth of July celebration.

Graham, despite not having a turtle and being above the age limit for the contest, wanted to try competing, according to the article. His family found a turtle near a roadside minutes before the race, which he dubbed “V8” after the engine.

In other news that day, the Bee reported that a Spokane man had died after drowning in the Pend Oreille River, and another noted the continued rise of COVID-19 cases. As of that Monday, PHD had seen 90 new cases, according to the article.

On the eighth, the Bee reported on the cancelation of the annual Priest River Timber Days event due to COVID-19. On the same day, the Bee also reported on a fundraiser for an Oldtown woman whose husband was killed in a fire the month before, and PHD’s report of 25 new COVID-19 cases.

The Bee also reported that a Bonner County man was being charged with insurance fraud after submitting a false claim that was revealed in a closer inspection of photographic metadata.

On the ninth, an article reported that County Commissioner Steven Bradshaw had joined Sheriff

Daryl Wheeler in calling for Gov. Brad Little to roll back COVID-19 restrictions.

The Bee also reported on a 10-year-old named Aiden (Den) Dyer, who became a Jacy’s race recipient. Den had glioblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer, in his brain.

“There’s really nothing else they can do,” said Helen Hubenthal, Den’s guardian. “He’s already gone through radiation. We’re just in a holding pattern and trying to get as much time as we can with him.”

Although the event itself was canceled, the article reported, community members could still walk or run and participate in the event virtually.

Also on the ninth, an article reported that PHD had announced 56 new COVID-19 cases, and another reported that the health district was endorsing community-wide use of face masks to curb the spread of the virus.

On the tenth, the Bee reported that the Idaho State Board of Education had released its recommendations regarding in-person learning for K-12 students. The Bee also reported on an additional 97 COVID-19 cases reported by PHD.

Also on that day, the Bee reported that a methamphetamine user the day before had led authorities on a high-speed chase after executing a burglary.

On July 11, the Bee reported that the Forrest M. Bird Charter School had drafted its first reopening plan.

“I’ve been working on this plan for about two months, looking at research, looking at recommendations coming out of different organizations, speaking to lawyers as well as our insurance companies,” Mary Jensen said.

Also in the eleventh, an article reported that the Highway 200 bridge had reopened after being closed on June 1 for repairs.

On the twelfth, an article reported that residents of Bayview were worried for their local economy after the exit closest to the city from Farragut State Park closed.

Many Idaho parks had seen an increase in visitors during the pandemic, and residents of Bayview said they feared being cut off from that route would negatively impact their tourist-reliant economy.

“We were seeing in April and May a greater increase in day use numbers than what we typically see in the middle of summer,” said David White, the regional director of Parks and Recreation. “With that, we saw a lot of new people coming to the park who didn’t know where our visitor center was, our rules and regulations, and what they could and couldn’t do to adhere to social distancing.”

Another article that day featured Lillian Lassen and her young daughter Pearl, who combined hiking and art in a series of series of “happy paintings” entitled “Sandpoint Mountain Flora Paintings” that displayed two locations at the Pend Oreille Arts Council’s ArtWalk show.

“I wanted to make good memories with her,” Lillian said.

The project had started the summer before, she said, after she and Pearl had taken sketch pads out on their hike, making sketches as they came across different flowers and plants before taking them home and painting them.

“I have always valued the silence and breathtaking glory of the wilderness,” Lillian said. “I wanted to share my love of the wilderness with my daughter.

Another article by the Bee reported that in 2019, Bonner County saw an increase in crime, according to the Idaho State Police. Those crimes included sexual assaults, burglary, narcotics and homicide.

On July 14, the Bee reported that the city of Sandpoint had decided to accept state’s conditions for property tax relief. The plan offered coverage of local public safety personnel salaries to participating cities and counties and professionals who were largely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Another article reported on road work that was underway to connect Highway 200 to Selle Road, and a report noted the continued rise in COVID-19 cases, with an additional 97 new cases reported by PHD.

Additionally, a man pleaded guilty to vandalism after tearing down closure signs and caution tape at the City Beach playground during the pandemic.

On July 15, an article reported on the cancelation of the Bonner County Rodeo, as well as the Sam Owen Fire District’s annual pancake fundraiser.

Another article featured the graduation ceremony for Priest River Lamanna High School seniors. Principal Joseph Kren gave his last commencement address, following his 35-year education career, and advised students to exude leadership and strive for excellence.

On the seventeenth, the Bee reported that Bonner County had filed a suit against the state for its conditions to COVID-19 relief funding. Also that day, an article reported that the 2020 CHAFE (Cycle Hard for Education) 150 bike ride had been canceled due to the rise in COVID-19 cases.

A different article that day reported that a Blanchard man serving up to 50 years in prison for shooting and wounding two Bonner County Sheriff’s deputies was seeking post-conviction relief.

On the eighteenth, the Bee reported on the continued work at War Memorial Field, where turf installation was nearing completion.

Another article covered a crowd of roughly 200 people who protested outside the PHD board meeting in defiance of a potential mask mandate, which failed to come to a vote.

On the nineteenth, the Bee reported on the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s meeting to discuss whether they would commence in-person classes, and another article noted that the Federal Aviation Administration had ordered an inspection of Daher Aircraft’s Kodiak 100 airplanes after receiving reports of cracks found in certain nose landing gear and forks.

Further, another article reported that Dan Rose announced a write-in campaign for the Legislative District 1B seat.

On the twenty-first, an article reported on the challenges City Council faced with overcrowding in its chambers given the need for social distancing during the time of COVID-19.

The Bee also reported yet another increase in COVID-19 cases, with an additional 110 new cases reported by PHD.

On July 22, an article reported on the PHD board of health issuing a statement urging the public to remain peaceful and not disrupt meetings.

“Obstructive behavior will not be tolerated,” the public health district said in a Tuesday statement. “Protest signs are allowed outside, but will not be allowed inside the meeting room or building. Entrances and exits will be clearly marked for the public’s convenience and we ask that everyone behave with courtesy.”

On July 23, an article reported a then-first-degree murder suspect who had fallen ill had been cleared to be examined by her physician while awaiting trial, another reported on Devin Beach, a Republican candidate for Pend Oreille County commissioner, contending that supporters of his political rivals were trying to frame him for illegal campaign donations.

A third feature the same day covered the new addition of new timber frame arbor crafted by Collin Beggs at the heart of KNPS’ arboretum.

On the twenty-fifth, an article covered the city of Sandpoint’s newly added interactive budget platform, which took site visitors through past and present city initiatives and expenditures.

The same day, another article covered the statement released by county commissioners Dan McDonald and Steven Bradshaw detailing opposition to Idaho’s administration of federal Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security Act funding.

Dan McDonald and Steven Bradshaw released statements Friday detailing their opposition to Idaho’s administration of federal Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security Act funding.

On the twenty-sixth, the Bee featured a mask giveaway held by the city, which boasted a line of roughly 50 people in its second round.

On July 27, the Bee featured comedians Richie Minervini and Kristi McHugh’s visit to the Panida Theater, as well as an article on a skydiver being injured after being blown off course and landing on a Larch Street home.

On the thirtieth, an article covered an anti-mask protest in which members of the public attempted to enter the Sandpoint Library in defiance of a requirement for facial coverings to be worn inside the building. In a different article that day, the Bee covered the WBCSD plan for reopening.

On July 31, the Bee covered plans for a “Back the Bonner Blue” rally, as well as updated reports on LPOSD’s re-entry plan, which was tabled to allow for public responses.

“This is just a guideline. There are going to be changes to this, probably before school even starts, so we need to be flexible,” Board Chair Cary Kelly said.