BOCC examines roads, waterways

Bonner County commissioners voted to approve a road standards waiver and a grant application in a Tuesday business meeting centered on roads and waterways.

Idaho launches new camping reservation system

The system, known as Idaho Time, includes a fluctuating price model in which reservation costs at state campsites may drop for low-demand dates and rise when demand is high. The platform also provides additional content about facilities, features, options and availability.

Statistics show how Sandpoint, Bonner County differ from the nation

With the end of 2024 approaching, the nation is halfway between the 2020 and 2030 censuses. Between the official counts, the U.S. Census Bureau continues to analyze trends on the national and local levels; examining these statistics gives context to issues our communities face.

Donated books arrive for students

After a vote from members to select a beneficiary, Hatley’s program prevailed; in the three years since, Rotary has contributed a total of $257,000 to the program, enabling four grade levels of local students to participate.

District 1 lawmakers visit WBCSD

Sen. Jim Woodward and Rep. Cornel Rasor answered questions and shared goals for the upcoming legislative session at the Dec. 18 West Bonner County School District board meeting.

Water service appeal hearing to go on

During the hearing, Norman Semanko, an attorney representing the developer, argued that since the development included a proposed looping system of pipes designed to promote fire flow, a new model of the system should have been created and evaluated before the decision to deny service was made.

Sandpoint hotel development gets parking reduction

The project at 56 Bridge Street — which includes a hotel, restaurant, and events space near City Beach — initially required 244 parking spaces under city code. However, developers successfully negotiated to reduce this number to 145 spaces.

City impersonated in attempted scam

According to a city press release, the email stated that the developer must pay a $25,000 “appeal fee” for the project. The city of Sandpoint had recently denied an application for water service for the development; at the time of the scam attack, the developer was appealing the denial.

Developer seeks approval for industrial building — ‘Project Bulldog’ facility could change Sandpoint job market

The proposed building — referred to as “Project Bulldog” in planning documents — would be constructed on a vacant 7.57-acre lot at the corner of Great Northern Road and Woodland Drive and feature a 10-space loading canopy area and five dock positions sized for semi-trucks.

BOCC examines EMS progress, staff compensation

“The consequences between the sheriff, fire and EMS — they're all connected,” Glass said. “You really have a crisis here,” he added. “If that service isn't available, then our citizens suffer for it.”

Santa Sack meets community’s needs

In the spirit of the season, volunteers and city employees dressed as elves, and Mayor Steve Geiger donned the red suit of Santa Claus as residents received gift bags from a festive trolley towed behind a Ponderay Police Department vehicle.

Wheeler resigns, intends to return

Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler announced Sunday he had resigned from his position but intends to return to the role in January 2025.

ITD approves $200K for Long Bridge replacement study

The Idaho Transportation Department announced Wednesday that its transportation board had approved $200,000 for a Long Bridge replacement study.

10,800-acre easement announced

In partnership with Stimson Lumber Company and the Idaho Department of Lands, nonprofit Trust for Public Land announced an easement agreement Wednesday that will protect 10,846 acres of working forests in Bonner and Boundary counties.

LPOSD board considers electronic device policy

“There has been a rising concern that spending too much time on social media or using cell phones may be detrimental to students’ physical and mental health. The Board’s priority is that all students are engaged in learning without distraction,” the proposed policy reads.

Local students among state art contest winners

Both students drew from Sandpoint’s local character in creating their designs. In Davidson’s case, the inspiration came from a chance encounter with one of the area’s quintessential animals. “I saw moose the other day, and I was like, ‘Oh, that's really cool — that reminds me of Idaho,’” she said.

LPOSD declares board vacancy

Eligible candidates are invited to submit applications for the position to board clerk Kelly Fisher until 4 p.m. Jan. 6, 2025; the successful candidate will serve the remainder of Lewis’ term, which expires at the end of 2027.

WBCSD board votes to allow junior high building use

In a Dec. 9 special meeting, West Bonner County School District trustees voted against a facilities committee recommendation to close the Priest River Junior High building to all use on Jan. 1, 2025.

Memory Bear Maker an instant hit — stuffed animals keep loved ones close, cozy

Creating memory bears and gifting them to community members has offered Sebern a fulfilling way to express her creativity — a driving force for her craft. “I really like doing art and things, but art with purpose is really much more meaningful to me,” Sebern said. “I really have to have purpose behind it, or I lose steam. So, this really is the perfect outlet for me.”

Council votes no on staff-wide sports center membership

“It seems to me like it's a bit of a lose-lose,” he added. “If we're going to search for ways to improve the quality of life for our employees — which I think we should — this doesn't appear to be it.”

Tree of Memorial Lights recognizes missed loved ones

During the ceremony, members of the hospice team lit candles and placed them within a wreath before attendees. They then read names submitted on the hospice service’s website; attendees were also invited to speak names in remembrance of companions.

West Bonner seeks junior high input

The district recently launched an online questionnaire for stakeholders on the WBCSD website. In it, respondents are invited to share ideas about how the building — which has not hosted classes for six months — should be used going forward.

Sandpoint High AcaDeca prepared to defend title

Sandpoint High School’s most dominant team doesn’t play at War Memorial Field. Its members don’t run, jump or throw a ball, and their only item of equipment is a 1,000-page binder packed with a dizzying amount of information about an array of academic subjects.

Outdoor ice rink opens in Ponderay

Eventually, Ponderay and NIICE hope to add an additional indoor facility at the Field of Dreams that includes a full-size hockey rink capable of hosting competitive games at every level. A venue like that would allow the complex to hold sports tournaments that bring athletes and spectators to the area — and an economic boost from their food and lodging purchases.

Clark Fork suffers $480K scam attack

“We are waiting for confirmation from the bank to tell us whether we were successful in stopping the payment,” White said, adding that city officials were “guardedly optimistic” about recovering the funds.

City, Grimm resolve flooding

“I think it was all unplugged by noon. The guys came right out and took care of it for us,” Dunn said. “Thanks to their efforts, our parking lot is draining again.”

City dedicates James E. Russell Sports Center

“This has been a dream of my father's that started more than 20 years prior to his passing,” Russell said. “He wanted to give back to the city where he was born and raised and provide a venue where families and friends could meet, where sports could be played year-round.”

Getting into gear — SHS senior takes advantage of state funds

SHS senior takes advantage of state’s Advanced Opportunities fund

“Owen is a great example, because he is super talented academically. He could go down either path,” Mire said. “I think it's very honorable to be in a trade, and I think sometimes we don't give credit to people who are interested in the trades and going to work.”

Snow, excitement grace Schweitzer opening

“This is like February from last year’s season,” longtime Schweitzer skier Dave Mertz said Friday. “It’s outstanding snow for the middle of November.”

WBCSD continues junior high, facilities talks

“When we discussed closing schools last year, Mr. Kren said that we needed to raise a million dollars to function this year. We have not raised a million dollars,” Yount said. “We've raised almost one-tenth of that. We have got to make some cuts.”

Council considers employee policies, perks

The proposal to give city employees free memberships to the Russell Center, which houses tennis and pickleball courts and is scheduled to open in early December, was brought forth as a potential incentive to help the city recruit and retain employees.

Students share kindness, blankets with community

“I just saw it on Instagram and said, ‘We could totally do this,’” Lorden said.

James E. Russell opening approaches

$7.5M racquet sports center receiving finishing touches

Sandpoint’s Community Planning and Development Director Jason Welker described the gift as “the biggest donation that any city in Idaho has ever received for a park project.” After receiving the funds, the city constructed the center over the course of 13 months, along with an inclusive playground, a splashpad, public restrooms, new pathways, a resurfaced parking lot and vegetation improvements.

Idaho Hill Elementary receives book grant

“During Governor Little's very first Capital for a Day, our director was approached by the director of the Idaho Commission for Libraries,” said Workman. “They told us that about 28% of schools had $100 or less for new book acquisition.”

Local challenges spotlighted in ‘Cost of Poverty Experience’

“It's really intended to put yourself in the shoes of somebody who's not able to make ends meet and to learn empathy,” Katie Begalke, CREC executive director, said. “It's not meant to make you feel good, necessarily. It's meant to give you a big dose of reality of what people are facing.”

West Bonner considers school closures

“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” said Operations Director Ryan Carruth. “I just don't see how we can operate in the footprint that we have with the funding that we have.”

LPOSD stakeholders give middle school input

“If we were in Washington, this building would be torn down,” Trapp said. “In Idaho we don’t get that kind of funding.”

LPOSD board chair resigns

“Since May of 2015 when I was elected, we've seen some amazing and challenging times,” said Lewis. She listed onboarding two superintendents, passing an indefinite term $12.7 million per year levy in 2019 and navigating the COVID-19 pandemic as examples.

Friends, coworkers rally to support local father

Benefit concert will offset treatment costs

“It’s been tough on the family,” said Paul Carelli, Breneman’s coworker and organizer of the concert. Carelli recently completed his own cancer treatment and leaned on Breneman during the difficult time.

Folklife in the Panhandle — exhibit spotlights art, tradition

His works on display in the exhibit include a forged portrait of slender bird stepping through a marsh and a steel hummingbird probing the splayed leaves of a metal flower.

Middle school hosts veteran celebration

“I did a poll recently, and I found that in our school, on our staff, more than half of them have somebody very close to them who's a veteran,” Principal Geoff Penrose told attendees. “It’s a part of the Bullpup community. It’s a part of who we are.”

Local food in the modern era

Panhandle growers share successes, challenges

Perhaps the greatest challenge of all for small agriculture operations is the current food market. In the modern era, local food producers must compete with mass industrialized operations that can drive prices down and create cost expectations for consumers that are difficult to meet.

Priest River to host benefit dance

The event is slated to include a live DJ set, princess-themed treats made by community members and a shop selling tiaras, necklaces, rings and wands to benefit core programs in the school district.

Voters reject local taxes, levy

“It’s certainly a disappointment,” Ponderay Mayor Steve Geiger said. “It puts the brakes on a lot of great projects for a while.”

Ballot measures uncertain after early count

With ballots left to be counted at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Bonner County voters were split on a trio of local measures.

Commissioners work toward trail easement agreement

After Bonner County commissioners examined a revised version of the document Tuesday, the Camp Bay Trail easement agreement appears to be approaching finalization.

Local schools trade screens for skies

Kerrigan’s passion for educating shines brightly. He recently approached the Forest Service to acquire thousands of tree seeds, which he plans to help students germinate and plant in the community. He envisions a similar program for native fish in the future and is collaborating with local bike club Pend Oreille Pedalers on an ambitious initiative to collect unused bicycles in the community and get every student in Sandpoint riding.

WBCSD answers community questions

Throughout October, West Bonner County School District Superintendent Kim Spacek visited communities across the county for a series of meet and greets to share information about the district’s goals and field questions from stakeholders.

Cedar Street Bridge to host inaugural charity event

“During the day of the event, every member gets to choose who they're giving back to,” said Mueller. Recipients of the donations will include Bonner County Food Bank, 7B Care Clinic, Bonner County Human Rights Task Force, Sandpoint High School’s volleyball team and other local nonprofits.

Sandpoint’s specters — classic buildings may house more than just history

Classic buildings may house more than just history

After walking south past the second light post on the platform, the photographer stepped back to line up the shot and bumped into someone. “I turned around and said, ‘excuse me’ before I realized there was nothing there,” the photographer told the Gunters.