Dover shines spotlight on 'Hidden Heroes'
City officials want to shine a spotlight — as well as say thank you — to all of the community's military caregivers.
Soup's on
Empty Bowl fundraiser raises awareness and funds for food bank
Soup was on Friday as the Bonner Community Food Bank held its annual Empty Bowl fundraiser to raise awareness of food insecurity and help those in need.
Dover celebrates new post office
Facility returns to historic post office site
Just like the agency's motto, a little rain didn't stop the city of Dover from celebrating its new post office at a Thursday grand opening. When threatened rain made good on its promise, the city and the post office went ahead with the ceremony. Albeit with the help of a couple of portable canopies that were quickly put together and carried into place and placed over the audience.
Legislators seek help on lake level, dam repairs
Lake Pend Oreille took center stage before the Senate Resources & Environment Committee Wednesday as District 1 legislators appealed for support on a longer summer pool — and a faster timeline on fixing defective gates at the Albeni Falls Dam.
Dover to celebrate new post office
Dover will welcome the city's post office back home with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday. The celebration will be held from 12-1:30 p.m. at the post office, 306 Roosevelt Ave., Dover.
Man allegedly stabs self, forces Walmart closure
An unknown male surrendered peacefully after he allegedly walked into the Ponderay Walmart early Sunday afternoon with a knife and made unspecified threats.
Boundary County fugitive arrested in Indiana
A Boundary County man who fled the state after his conviction for unlawful possession of destructive devices or bombs was arrested in Fort Wayne, Ind., on Thursday.
Drought persists in North Idaho
A cold and wet February may have boosted the state's snowpack, but North Idaho’s mountains remain below or near normal.
'The Sled Hill'
Special event takes short film on the road
While many were able to attend the Feb. 20 premiere of "The Sled Hill," a documentary about the history of the historic sledding; many were not. Among them, his friends and fellow residents at Alpine Vista Senior Apartments.
Benefit set to aid local man
A fundraiser is being held today, March 2, to help Isaiah Livingston, 30, in his battle against Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
West Bonner to run $4.7M levy
West Bonner County School District trustees approved putting a two-year $4.7 million levy on the May 20 ballot in a 3-2 vote during a special meeting Thursday. Split over two year, the levy amounts to $2,353,440.50 per year. If approved by voters, the levy would amount to 43 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
WBCSD trio honored with Apple Awards
Honored were Marsha Cork, Sonja Sheck and Daisy Sjostrom for their contributions to West Bonner students, staff and community. The awards were created to honor those in the community who contribute to student growth and education.
West Bonner ponders future, possible levy
Financial concerns, delays in completing audits and a need to detail future operating expenses have prevented the West Bonner County School District from deciding whether to put a levy on the May 20 ballot — or, if it does, for how much.
Dogs, cat have fun at annual keg pull
Dozens of dogs, at least two youth and a cat took part in this year's Winter Carnival Keg Pull.
Annual luncheon offers a 'Ray of Hope'
Local event scheduled for March 20
North Idaho CASA is hosting its annual Ray of Hope luncheon this spring. Money raised at the program, and other held by the association, is used locally to help youths like the brothers and the other 19 teens — as well as other youths who have a CASA advocate.
BCSO seeks approval for app
The Bonner County Sheriff's Office is going mobile as the department is seeking approval for funds to create and build an app to help it connect to the community and provide a secure place to share information and tips.
Winter Carnival sparkles as parade lights up the weekend
Now in its 52nd year, the annual event is set as a "sure antidote to cabin fever," as the 2025 iteration features both old favorites and new soon-to-be traditions. While Eichardt's annual K-9 Keg pull caps the annual celebration of all things winter, the annual Winter Carnival celebration is kicked off with the always colorful and delightful Parade of Lights.
Bette, beloved
Family, friends celebrate longtime resident's 90th birthday
Bette Stepek credits her longevity to the power of positive thinking. That, and a healthy lifestyle.
Ponies gallop to add Winter Carnival fun
“Celebrate Romance with the Ponies” will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, at “The Stable,” 502 Church St., the new centralized home for the carousel. An open house will be held from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., with a special concert held from 2-5 p.m. There is no charge to attend, but donations will be accepted to continue restoration of the carousel and toward the purchase and renovation of the facility.
Pair charged in alleged sex abuse case
Police arrested a Bonners Ferry couple amid an ongoing investigation of alleged sexual offenses against a minor. Arrested were Richard Gerald Cowell III, 54, and Katherine Christine Cowell, 50, both of Bonners Ferry. Richard Cowell is charged with criminal conspiracy and is being held on a $1 million bond. Katherine Cowell is charged with lewd conduct with a child under the age of 16.
Big dreams
PSNI outlines plans for new campus
Panhandle Special Needs has big dreams for the future. The dream? A modern, state-of-the-art facility, one that encompasses PSNI's varied services aimed at helping those with developmental disabilities in Bonner and Boundary counties. As part of the first steps along the road to making that happen, PSNI recently unveiled plans for a multi-phase project that would expand both the number of clients it can serve and the services it can offer.
USPS relocating Ponderay post office
The U.S. Postal Service has announced it plans to move the Ponderay post office, currently located at 296 Fourth St., to the old Horizon Credit Union, 480 Bonner Mall Way. The new location is about a mile away from the current post office.
LEAP project nets workforce housing grant
A Priest River affordable housing project has received a $30,000 grant from a regional credit union and its partners. Working with partners, STCU helped secure nearly $200,000 in late 2024 for critically needed workforce housing projects in Spokane County and North Idaho. Among them is LEAP Housing, which received a $30,000 grant for The Village at River View Ridge, a six-unit workforce housing project in western Bonner County.
NIBJ: Creating conversations and keepsakes
Brim & Band bring customized flair to hats
Kenzie Holland's creations start with a conversation. What is their favorite color? Do they have a particular style profile or favorite activity? What makes them happy and captures their personality? She then works with her clients to create one-of-a-kind, unique creations that are works of art as much as they are hats celebrating the Western lifestyle.
Hearing continued in fatal crash case
An arraignment hearing involving a Boundary County man charged in connection with a fatal crash on Highway 95 has been postponed until next month.
County OKs library boundary changes
A boundary line adjustment between the county's two library districts was formally approved by Bonner County commissioners at a meeting last week to approve the issue. The proposal realigns the boundary line between the East Bonner County and West Bonner library districts to match those of the Lake Pend Oreille and West Bounty County school districts. While the measure was unanimously approved by the two library districts on Aug. 20, 2024, that decision needed to be codified by the commissioners. The Board of County Commissioners approved the measure in a unanimous 3-0 vote.
IPUC approves Stoneridge water rate increase
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission recently announced that it would allow a northern Idaho water utility to increase the rates it charges customers to provide water service. While CDS Stoneridge Utilities initially asked for a rate increase that averaged 261 percent, the commission approved a general rate increase of 18.6 percent. The utility serves approximately 384 residential and commercial customers in the Blanchard area.
WBCSD elects board leaders
West Bonner County School District's new board chair and vice chair are familiar faces in new roles after trustees voted to install Ann Yount in the top post and Margaret Hall as vice chair. Hall was previously the chair and Yount was the vice chair of the board prior to the vote at Wednesday's annual meeting.
Panida exploring lobby renovations
Potential scenarios include everything from keeping the lobby as is with no changes, moving the concessions to the adjacent retail space, using the retail space for a bar, integrating the lobby space into the Little Theater and using the foyer area to expand the lobby.
Legislators host trio of town hall talks
Sauter, Woodward address concerns, issues
Education, Medicaid expansion and the initiative process were among the top discussion points at a trio of Saturday town halls held by a pair of District 1 legislators. With just the first week of the session under legislators' collective belt, Idaho House 1A Rep. Mark Sauter and Idaho Sen. Jim Woodward told the several dozen people gathered at the Sandpoint town hall that education was shaping up to be a big issue during the 2025 legislative session.
Residents express concern over rink noise
Several city residents appealed to the Ponderay City Council on Monday for assistance with noise control at the new ice rink on Kootenai Cutoff Road.
Housekeeping tops BOCC agenda
The final meeting before new Bonner County officials officially take office on Monday, Jan. 13, includes a slate of housekeeping items.
EMS, arson and park dominate year's news
From a financial crisis enveloping Bonner County EMS to at least one defective gate at Albeni Falls Dam to an arson fire that destroyed the Sandpoint Army Surplus store, 2024 had no shortage of news.
BOCC declines to act on resignation
Two of the county's three commissioners abstained from voting on a measure to act on Bonner County Sheriff Darryl Wheeler's resignation, effectively ending the motion.
Plungers jump into 2025
Annual event proves fun way to kickstart the new year
In all, 309 people braved the cool temperatures, cloudy skies and scattered snow to jump into Lake Pend Oreille to kick off the new year with a plunge into its freezing waters. Another 300 or so people — warmly dressed in thick winter coats, boots and gloves — cheered from the nearby shoreline of Sandpoint City Beach.
'Tots' drive falls short of goal
While close, the final total for the Sandpoint Lions' Toys for Tots drive has fallen short of its $75,000 target.
'Tots' drive enters final day
That gift of human kindness, of helping others have a merry Christmas is exactly what the Sandpoint Lions do every Christmas through their Toys for Tots drive. With the community's help, the magic of Christmas comes to life.
BOCC to discuss Wheeler resignation
Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler's resignation and the county's updated compensation policy highlight the county commissioners' final meeting of the year.
Jump into the new year at Polar Bear Plunge
The annual event — held Jan. 1 as a cooperative event by Boy Scout Troop 111 and the city of Sandpoint’s Parks & Recreation Department attracts dozens — or more — area residents.
Donations critical to help 'Tots' meet goal
If additional funds do not come in, for the first time, the Lions will not hit its goal.
12 days of Christmas; 12 chances to help 'Tots'
If you haven't donated and would like to do so, please do. Every penny, every dollar adds up and if we all pitch in, we can make this, once again, a successful Toys for Tots campaign. To help the Lions reach their goal — as additional donations help the Lions buy ahead and make the most of the community's generous donations.
'Tots' blankets community in love
If you haven't donated and would like to do so, please do. Every penny, every dollar adds up and if we all pitch in, we can make this, once again, a successful Toys for Tots campaign.
'Tots' drive creates smiles
If you haven't donated and would like to do so, please do. Every penny, every dollar adds up and if we all pitch in, we can make this, once again, a successful Toys for Tots campaign.
Christmas magic creates special memories
For students at Sandpoint Waldorf, the list of what they are grateful for is as varied as the students themselves. Some find the spirit of the holiday in their families and friends, others through the love of the family pet.
Christmas joy comes through 'Tots'
If you haven't donated and would like to do so, please do. Every penny, every dollar adds up and if we all pitch in, we can make this, once again, a successful Toys for Tots campaign.
'Tots' add magic, wonder to Christmas
If you haven't donated and would like to do so, please do. Every penny, every dollar adds up and if we all pitch in, we can make this, once again, a successful Toys for Tots campaign.
'Tots' donations show community's heart
Each year, the club partners with the community's residents and businesses to ensure every youth in the community has a merry Christmas through its Toys for Tots drive.
Domke declines early appointment to BOBC seat
If he's appointed, Brian Domke made it clear Friday that he will not serve — at least until he is slated to be officially sworn in as Bonner County District 1 commissioner on Jan. 13.
Donations give 'Tots' needed boost
If you haven't donated and would like to do so, please do. Every penny, every dollar adds up and if we all pitch in, we can make this, once again, a successful Toys for Tots campaign.
'Christmas Carol' finds new vibe in LPO production
Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20; 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21; 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21; 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 22; and 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 22. Donations are being accepted at all performances for the Bonner Community Food Bank.