Levanduski, Blanchard lead LPOIC derby
The sun is shining and the region's anglers are catching plenty of both rainbow trout and mackinaw as the Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club spring derby wraps up its sixth day.
Annual event celebrates prayer, faith, community
Established by Congress in 1952, the annual observance is held the first Thursday in May to encourage all Americans to exercise their religious freedom by gathering publicly to worship and pray.
Community to gather for Day of Prayer
The community-wide National Day of Prayer will begin with worship at 11:30 a.m. at Farmin Park. The National Day of Prayer observance begins at noon.
Corps closing Springy Point for summer
Additional area recreation sites face reduced services
USACE officials said recent staffing and other challenges could impact the Corps' ability to manage Springy Point with visitor safety and resource protection in mind, as well as several others on Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River.
LBD fundraiser aims to help homeless
Making Bonner Homeless Transitions' programs possible are events like Thursday's Little Black Dress Cocktails & Conversation Party at the Idaho Club. The event begins at 5 p.m. at The Idaho Club Clubhouse and features a night of savory drinks, gourmet appetizers and conversations aimed at helping Bonner Homeless Transitions make a difference. The evening is dedicated to raising awareness and support for women and families transitioning out of homelessness.
Time travel
Group brings past to life at living history event
The Living History event gave the fourth graders a chance to pretend that they're living in 1810 and need to learn everything they need in order to survive as a fur trader, Haynes said of the event.
Gala celebrates Panida's past, sets stage for future
Set for May 9, the inaugural Panida Moms Red Carpet Gala celebrates both the Panida Moms — Susan Bates-Harbuck, Jane Evans and Laurel Wagers — and raises operating funds for the almost 100-year-old theater in downtown Sandpoint.
Anglers set to hit the lake in annual spring derby
Spring sunshine and fishing. It's the perfect combination. With the start of Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club's annual spring derby at 6 a.m. today, April 26, area anglers will have a change to catch plenty of both.
Priest River does well in annual audit
The city received a clean bill of financial health during its latest audit. Representatives from Magnuson, McHugh & Dougherty presented their findings to the Priest River City Council on Monday, April 21, for the 2024 fiscal year budget.
Small group makes big impact at annual cleanup
About a half dozen volunteers braved the cold, drizzly weather Saturday morning as part of an effort to clean the community's shoreline.
Banquet to benefit SHS Grad Night
Friday's Grad Night fundraiser is going to celebrate "Red, White and Bulldogs" as the Sandpoint High School Grad Night committee is bringing about a return of the annual banquet and auction. The event, set for Friday, Aug. 25, will kick off at 5:30 p.m. at the Heartwood Center, 615 Oak St. The fundraiser will feature an evening of fine dining and drinks, dessert raffles, door prizes, live music and a silent and live auction.
Live Give 7B raises $192,000 for local nonprofits
Organizers were hoping for $70,000. After all Bonner County's license plate designation is 7B, the fledgling Live Give 7B fundraising campaign features 70 nonprofits and organizers Dig Chrismer, Kate Begalke and Katie Cox figured the amount was achievable given the community's generous spirit. They ended up raising $192,000. By Monday, the trio expend the total to top $200,000.
Baby box installed at EMS building
After years of work and effort, the county's Safe Haven baby box was being installed Saturday near the front of the Bonner County EMS building.
Volunteers help Healing Garden bloom
Community key to keeping garden a peaceful oasis
Among the roughly half-dozen volunteers getting Bonner General Health's Healing Garden ready for the season was Sharon McCormick, dressed warmly against the chilly spring morning.
The Write Stuff
Sandpoint Writers announce contest winners, celebrating writing
The Sandpoint Writers on the Lake's annual writing contest, held March 22, attracted people of all ages to the Sandpoint library community rooms. There the roughly 80 to 90 people who turned up to listen to the several dozen works were tasked with judging the participating writers who read for five minutes from their own unpublished works.
Concerns bring hundreds to Saturday protest
Concerns ran the gamut — health care, Social Security, veteran support — as roughly 800 people turned out Saturday for the local iteration of the national "Hands Off" protest. While organized by Sandpoint Indivisible and the local chapter of 50501, a grassroots political movement, the event spanned a four-block area near the Bonner County Courthouse with supporters on both sides of the street — and throughout the political spectrum.
Affordable housing project nears completion
Work underway to help families through loan approval process
After six months of work since a September groundbreaking, the Village at River View community land trust housing initiative is nearing completion and setting the stage for families to move into the homes. Construction went smoothly with project contractor Daum Construction meeting all milestones and aided by a mild winter to keep the project on track.
Community garden set to bloom at 'The Woods'
Effort underway to create garden near sled hill
Plans are blooming to create a community garden at the base of the Pine Street Woods sled hill.
Mitchell named DYW Sandpoint 2025
Mackenzie Mitchell has been named Sandpoint's Distinguished Young Woman 2025. Mitchell, a junior at Sandpoint High School, was selected for the honor at a March 22 program. She receives a $3,000 scholarship.
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.
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.
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.
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.