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.

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.”

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 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’s Advanced Opportunities fund

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sagle woman wins $10K sweepstakes

When Samantha Lawson bought fireworks this summer, she had no idea she’d have more to celebrate than Independence Day.

A lifelong sport — local organizations make skiing attainable

Local organizations make skiing attainable

The program is supported by community donations and is sponsored largely by Schweitzer itself. Kids ages 7–17 are eligible to apply before the Oct. 15 deadline each year, and successful candidates receive free ski gear for the winter, a season pass and lessons if they need them.

Sandpoint’s sweet tooth tour

Craving candy? Look no further than Sandpoint’s assortment of Oct. 31 activities that are sure to scare you silly and satisfy your sugar needs.

Question, persuade, refer — community takes the reins on suicide prevention

Suicide has been a longtime problem for Idaho; Idaho’s 2022 rate of 22.64 suicides per 100,000 residents significantly outpaced the national rate of 14.91 per 100,000. Idaho’s Public Health District 1 — which comprises Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone and Benewah counties — mirrored the state rate at 22.30 per 100,000.

West Bonner explores middle school options

The building hasn’t hosted students since school let out last spring. Staring down a budget crunch, trustees voted in June to consolidate 7–12 graders at Priest River Lamanna High School for the 2024/2025 year.

County hosts ag land ordinance discussion

According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Idaho’s population expanded 6.8% between 2020 and 2023 — a rate outpacing the 1% national average for the same period. Legislators passed the law to give landowners a tool to control residential sprawl into working lands as houses are built to accommodate Idaho’s growth.

BOCC approves baby box agreement

“This has been a many months-long project,” said Bonner County EMS Chief Jeff Lindsey. “It’s a safe way for someone who’s thinking of giving up their baby to be able to do it with anonymity.”

Seniors balance budgets at finance fair

“Our high school seniors, they’re hungry for this knowledge,” said Jeralyn Mire, post-secondary transition counselor at SHS. “We’re hoping students just start to learn some financial literacy.”

Sandpoint Council welcomes advertising

If accepted by the standards committee, the agreement would “basically relieve the city of $40,000 worth of equipment purchases that we would otherwise have to do” at the soon-to-be-open James E. Russell Sports Center, Welker said.

ITD debuts new Sagle highway plan

As ITD plans the expansion, the department is gathering feedback to inform its decision. Ultimately, the department must balance the needs of U.S. 95’s 2,400 commercial vehicles that pass through the corridor each day with those of residents and local business owners.

WBCSD approves continuous improvement plan

All state districts are required to develop an improvement plan annually to create a roadmap for promoting student performance. The district’s administration team met twice to determine realistic, achievable goals for students before a draft came before trustees at a Sept. 24 special meeting, where community input was incorporated.

BOCC examines appointment practices, audit

According to Zoeller, the Groomer Advisory Board automatically brings reappointment requests before the BOCC if existing members with expiring terms express interest in serving again. Williams suggested posting open positions at the end of terms to ensure community members are aware of the opportunity to get involved.

IDE fields grad requirements input

“It’s a monster,” Kemink said of organizing the program. “It’s an amazing experience, but there's some work that goes into pulling it off.”

Camp Bay easement tabled after calls from public

The decision to table came after members of the public and commissioners scrutinized language in the easement document regarding use conditions for the trail, and after commenters at the business meeting urged commissioners to visit the site before signing off on the easement.

WBCSD declares emergency, preps for new boiler

The defect was found by a technician during a routine cleaning on Sept. 26. According to a report to trustees from Ryan Carruth, district operations director, flames were escaping from a gap near the return line when the boiler was turned on.

From family business to industrial operation: Neighbors fight against PDI's expansion in Naples

After community members voiced concern about air quality and other factors, Boundary County commissioners will consider whether to revoke a conditional use permit issued to a Naples furniture manufacturer.

New mural to brighten Sagle school’s hall

“Crisp, dark lines on a bumpy, lighter wall is a challenge,” Soderberg said. “My nose is pretty much on the wall when I’m doing it,” she added with a laugh.

Commissioners examine HR, compensation

“If you look at Bonner County, we have a lot of litigation, and some of that has to do with employee to board or elected official-related issues,” Williams added. “This would allow us to start doing a better job of improving the overall employee relationship within Bonner County, and to help mitigate some of those risks.”

Sliding high — land trust buys $1.9 million sled hill

On Tuesday, Sandpoint nonprofit Kaniksu Land Trust purchased a 48-acre Dover property for $1.9 million. The move ensures a historic sledding hill enjoyed by residents for nearly a century will remain an asset to the community long into the future.

LPOSD board approves facilities contract, policies

“It was clear that that firm had some really good ideas on how to move forward with that building and similar types of work,” Wallace said.

Residents condemn proposed Trestle Creek development

Commenters cited concerns that the development catered to a wealthy subset of part-time residents at the cost of environmental and water quality risks, and that Trestle Creek’s role as a spawning ground for kokanee salmon and protected bull trout merited protection from further commercial infrastructure.

Sandpoint Fire to host open house

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