Council to talk pump track, dog licensing

In the report, Coon shared the possibility of creating a new free licensing program aiming to increase participation and help connect lost dogs with owners more effectively.

Kegs slide, kids fly at Neighbor Day

In the “keg battle,” teams faced one another and aimed fire hoses at the keg to push it along the wire. When it reached the pole on the opposite end, one team emerged victorious — but both were soaking wet.

‘Reconnect, repopulate, and recover’

Biologists talk grizzly bear ecosystems

“They're great animals,” said Bader of grizzlies during the presentation. “They're just fascinating. To be feared, for sure, but they're generally pretty peaceful animals.”

LPOSD enters voluntary resolution agreement after Title IX complaint

The complaint originated in July 2021 when Mark Rossmiller alleged LPOSD failed to provide equal athletic opportunities to female students by not accommodating their interests and abilities.

Council approves preliminary plat for eight-home subdivision

With the approval, the applicant Double Penny Partners LLC will proceed with a project designed to ultimately create a new public street and eight new single-family homes.

SHS senior named National Merit Scholarship semifinalist

“It's so easy for parents a lot of times to say, ‘look at our amazing kids. Look what we've done,’” said Vaughn Hughes, Jenna’s father. “Jenna is Jenna. She's the one who's motivated and who works hard,” he added.

Spacepoint to host rocket engineer Saturday

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WaCanId riders kick off 395-mile trek

Zehr is no stranger to long days in the saddle. In 1976 while in college, he cycled coast-to-coast from Oregon to New Jersey: a 2,500-mile odyssey. Nearly 50 years later, he continues to put miles under his belt.

Enrollment, enthusiasm up after first week of school

“I don't know if it's the nice weather or if students are just excited about the school year, but I think it's going to be a really fantastic year,” Meyer added.

County unveils new EMS headquarters

“This was sorely needed — for the EMS department particularly,” Ferguson said.

1% city sales tax headed to November ballot

In two months, Sandpoint residents will decide whether to adopt the tax, which aims to create a long-term funding source for repairing and maintaining streets, alleyways, sidewalks, and paths.

'A true Renaissance man' — FBCS remembers principal

“Eric was more than a colleague. He was a friend,” Holly Walker, FBCS art teacher, told the crowd. “I had the honor of working alongside Eric for 10 years, and he continued to inspire me year after year.”

BOCC approves Lakeland deadline extension

Lakeland requested the extension to allow the district time to accurately determine its enrollment during the first three days of school before deciding if it needs to run an emergency levy in the Nov. 5 election.

Riding for reading

Rotary donates $100K for literacy support

In this year's CHAFE 150, riders braved a surprise front of unseasonable weather that battered cyclists as they pedaled around the Cabinet Mountains east of Lake Pend Oreille. Thanks to the help of many volunteers, 199 participants across the six distances crossed the finish line.

Kaniksu Land Trust receives largest easement in organization history

“It’s a big deal,” said Regan Plumb, Kaniksu Land Trust conservation director. “To be able to protect almost an entire watershed and make sure that this stream is safe forever is really unique.”

Commissioners approve Oldtown, Dover law enforcement deals

Under the newly approved agreements, the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office will provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, and supervision to protect the towns at a cost of $100 per month to each community.

Generosity on display inside the ‘Resource Closet’

Farmin-Stidwell principal believes academic success starts with the necessities

At the end of a long hallway, past more than a dozen classrooms, lies Lake Pend Oreille School District’s Resource Closet — a free inventory of shoes, clothing, backpacks, toiletries, and anything else a student could need to show up to school ready to learn.

Final business meeting for commissioner trio Tuesday

The board of commissioners is headed toward a shakeup following Commissioner Luke Omodt’s Aug. 20 resignation, effective Sept. 7.

SPD conducts search, arrests man on substance charge

According to a press release from the department, the search yielded substances suspected to be cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana, and mushrooms, along with drug-related paraphernalia.

Three-month project to begin at Fifth and Pine

In an effort to improve traffic flow, Sandpoint will move the stoplights at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Church Street one block south.

City, county examine stray dog responsibilities

All three municipalities have stated that they don’t intend to renew their contracts at the proposed rates and have begun to explore alternative options and assess their legal obligations.

BOCC approves seventh change order for Colburn solid waste improvements

The original $6,285,393 price of the contract — awarded to S & L Underground Inc. in April 2023 to modernize the decades-old Colburn solid waste facility ten miles north of Sandpoint — has now grown to $6,610,575.

Bonner County finalizes $75M 2025 budget

The budget, which was collaboratively developed by commissioners and department heads, totals $75,213,004 — a 0.4% reduction from 2024.

Council mulls sales tax for November ballot

When Mayor Jeremy Grimm campaigned last year for the highest leadership position in Sandpoint, one of his core tenets was simple — to rehabilitate Sandpoint’s roads. Now, he’s one step away from bringing a proposed solution to voters in November.

WBCSD finance director resigns

At about midnight Wednesday, West Bonner County School District trustees voted to accept the resignation of finance director Dean Davis, effective Aug. 27.

Council approves 2025 budget, fee changes

City councilors were unanimous Wednesday in votes to approve a final 2025 budget and changes to Sandpoint’s slate of fees.

WBCSD to run one-year, $1.13 million levy

The levy’s largest single item is a $395,300 allocation to wholly fund all extracurricular and cocurricular activities, including all sports.

Local wastewater treatment plants get 2023 report card

Last year’s infractions at the local plants included excess E. coli and suspended solids, as well as a failure to reduce biological oxygen demand — a proxy metric for the level of organic matter.

Commissioners talk severance payment, Camp Bay trail, and Proposition 1

After the Bonner County commissioners completed a short list of action items in a meeting Tuesday, members of the board provided updates on ongoing issues and concerns.

BOCC approves waste collection contract

Under the agreement, Bonner County will pay the contractor $47,735 per month, with the additional per-ton fees of $11.01 for transfer station operation and $95.78 for transportation and disposal.

Council to vote on final budget, new fees

The budget represents a 4.7% reduction from 2024’s $52.97 million total, thanks in part to the elimination of 16 full-time city staff after the July 1 dissolution of the Selkirk Fire Joint Powers Agreement.

Nerds summoned to library for Sandemonium

According to Hilton, SCA groups practice “experimental archaeology” by engaging in blacksmithing, soap making, garment weaving, and other traditional activities to gain a better understanding of how people in the past lived.

LPOSD enrollment requests rise

“Unless there is chronic absenteeism or chronic behavioral issues, we are not going to deny any seventh through twelfth grader at all,” Meyer said.

A gateway to learning

LPOSD sees literacy as an unavoidable stepping stone

“Traditionally, you learn to read from K-3,” said McElroy. “From fourth grade and beyond, you’re reading to learn.”

LPOSD receives career readiness grant

The district proposed the facility as a place for students to develop tangible career skills in sectors including forestry, hospitality, carpentry, and automotive repair.

Commissioners approve detention agreements

The detention agreements will allow Boundary County and Montana’s Lincoln County to house inmates at the facility through September 2026.

Stray animal services uncertain as final budgets approach

The annual contract amounts proposed by BTAA in March are $19,184 for Ponderay, $65,773 for Sandpoint, and $169,913 for Bonner County. The $254,870 total represents a 1,285% total increase from the 2023 combined amount.

Council approves wastewater plant evaluation contract

“This is a really exciting step for us,” said Grimm of the preliminary report. “It’s monumental, actually.”

Sandpoint departments present budget needs

The council is seeking to approve Sandpoint’s fiscal year 2025 budget at an Aug. 21 meeting, which will also include a public hearing to facilitate community input for the budget.

Sandpoint building to be recognized as 'orchid'

According to Upton, preserving historic structures is critical because once they’re gone, they don’t come back.

Shakespeare in Sandpoint

MSIP brings love, loss, forgiveness — and sword fighting

As a result, MSIP is bringing forth the humor in “Hamlet.” “We’ve really mined the comedy and the lightness in it,” said O’Toole. “To find the ‘jester Hamlet’ has been fun.”

BOCC talks budget items

“If the county were giving out money, it needs to be spread across the entire county, not to an individual community center,” said Williams. The commissioner encouraged community members to make their voices heard at the Aug. 26 hearing, during which the county will aim to adopt a budget.

WBCSD gives fundraising update, approves SRO contract

“We are deeply grateful for the incredible community members who are stepping up and finding creative ways to raise money for our district,” said Kenny. “It's commendable that all the fundraising efforts being paid are being paid for out of people’s personal pockets at no cost to the district.”

Sandpoint to dig into 2025 budget, discuss local sales tax

Wednesday’s meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1123 Lake St., and livestreamed on Zoom.

West Bonner considers levy options

The deadline for submitting a November ballot question is Sept. 6. If the board wants to ask voters to pass a levy this election season, it will need to bring forth and approve a ballot resolution at its last regular meeting Aug. 21 or schedule a special meeting before Sept. 6.

WBCSD seeks trustee applicants

Once appointed, the new Zone 3 trustee will serve for the remainder of Reinbold’s term, which expires in January 2028.

BOCC approves easement, discusses budget

SANDPOINT — The Bonner County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve an easement that will enable the county to improve and maintain a section of Sunnyside Road.

Making music

A backstage look at how the Festival at Sandpoint hosts 20,000 concertgoers every summer

“It’s similar to the airport — if the airport has done things correctly, you should just fly through TSA, have your ticket ready, and go on your plane,” Roget explained. “But of course, things happen.”

WBCSD to hold special meeting

The special meeting will be the first board event since the resignation of trustee Troy Reinbold was announced on July 17.

Reptile Man slithers into Sandpoint

As the zookeeper held up “Lucy,” the young American alligator suddenly became nervous and relieved itself over the front row of spectators.