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Boundary County Archives ~ December, 2012 |
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News |
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December 31 |
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County
loses a quiet icon: Darvie McAbee, age 90,
passed away in his humble home north of Three Mile on
Saturday. He was a waif, a little guy few of us had the
privilege to know. He didn't draw attention to himself,
though he had claim to fame. Many of us older folks grew up
with him, and didn't even know it. |
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December 29 |
Deadline Monday for CNA
scholarship: Boundary Community Hospital is providing one
scholarship for the Certified Nursing Assistant
class that is starting in January. You will need
to act fast; the application for the scholarship
needs submitted by Monday, January 7.
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City council to
meet Wednesday: Due to the New Year's Day holiday,
the regular meeting of the Bonners Ferry City Council has been
postponed until 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 2.
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Naples
community watch meeting set: With
a recent spate of burglaries and incidences of
malicious mischief raising concerns in the south
half of Boundary County, a preliminary meeting
to establish a Naples Community Watch program.
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Accident disrupting traffic |
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10:10 a.m.: A multi-vehicle accident has just been reported on
Highway 95 near the Kootenai River Inn and southbound traffic is
blocked. Emergency crews are responding. 10:47 a.m.: Emergency
units are clearing from the scene of the accident on Highway 95
near the Kootenai River Inn. No injuries were reported. |
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December 28 |
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Highway 95 closed |
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5:40 p.m. Dec. 28: Emergency crews are responding to a injury
collision on Highway 95 near MacArthur Lake that occurred at
about 5:15 p.m. It is reported to be a two vehicle head on
collision with at least three people with minor injuries. If
driving in that area, use extreme caution. Traffic is moving in
one direction with traffic control as of 5:45 p.m. None of those
involved are requesting medical treatment. |
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December 24 |
We need
the joy that Christmas brings: This
is the time of year we gather with our loved
ones to share the joy of the season. Many of us
have long-held traditions such as singing
Christmas carols with friends or taking our
children and grandchildren to see Santa. We meet
at the table for Christmas dinner and exchange
gifts with one another. By U.S. Congressman Raul
Labrador.
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Have a safe New
Year's Eve on Idaho Roads: The Idaho Transportation department joins Idaho
law enforcement agencies statewide to make
Idaho’s highways safer by funding education
campaigns and high-visibility impaired driving
patrols through New Year's Day.
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 Senator
Crapo facing DUI charge: U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, representing Idaho's
First District, is facing a charge of DUI after
being arrested Sunday morning after running a
stop sign in Alexandria, Virginia. Crapo, 61,
was arrested at 12:45 a.m. December 23 by an officer on
routine patrol, who saw a vehicle go through a red light at
the intersection of Hume and Mount Vernon Avenues without
stopping.
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Court records and
sheriff's log |
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December 23 |
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Christmas bird
count coming Friday: The National Audubon Society's 113th annual
Christmas Bird Count takes place Friday, and
once again Bonners Ferry birders are pitching
in. |
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December 21 |
Spirit Lake man
arrested for local sex crime: The Spirit Lake Police Department has arrested
Joseph B. Herbst, age 38, from Spirit Lake, for
several counts of lewd conduct with a minor
under the age of 16 and one count of delivery of
a controlled substance to a minor in Boundary
County.
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Villelli
seeking zone map amendment: The Boundary County Planning and Zoning
Commission will hold public hearing at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, January17, to accept public comment on
Zone Map Amendment application 12-042 by Richard
A. Villelli to change the 12.65 acre parcel,
RP64N02E152111A, current zoning
Agriculture/Forestry to Suburban.
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January to be busy at
Valley View: The first half the school year has come to an
end! Our focus this year has and will remain
keeping Valley View Elementary School safe,
civil and productive! Compared to last year at
this time, we have shown great progress.
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Search for child
pornographer ends with arrest: The nationwide search for a "Jane Doe" suspected
child pornographer, by U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security
Investigations, ended Wednesday with the arrest of
an Okaloosa County, Florida, woman on federal
charges for child pornography production.
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Climate change
effects speeding up: Plant and animal species are shifting their
geographic ranges and the timing of their life
events – such as flowering, laying eggs or
migrating – at faster rates than researchers
documented just a few years ago, according to a
technical report on biodiversity and ecosystems
used as scientific input for the 2013 Third
National Climate Assessment.
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Idaho
unemployment below seven percent: Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in
November dropped below seven percent for the
first time in three and a half years as more
than a thousand idled workers found new jobs.
Thirty-six of the 44 counties posted declines in
their jobless rates from October and all but
Custer County had rates lower than a year ago. |
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December 20 |
Snow Day II
Tonight's Moose Madness matchup has been cancelled,
according to school board trustee David Brinkman, as both
schools are closed today due to snow. The match against
Sandpoint will be rescheduled sometime in January.
The National Weather Service says there is a 100% chance of
snow today with additional accumulations of three to seven
inches; an 80% chance tonight with one to three more inches,
and an 80% chance of snow Friday with the possibility of one
more inch. |
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December 19 |
 After
devastating illness, Beyond is on its way back! When Beyond closed its doors in the fall of
2011, many people in Boundary County were sad to
see it go, and none more so than owners Tom and
Theresa Stahl, who were forced to make the
agonizing decision for the sake of Theresa’s
health. Now, more than a year later, Theresa’s
debilitating condition is slowly improving, and Beyond is
back, via the Internet.
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Annexation talk
over for now: After a long and often bitter attempt to annex
over 70 parcels into the City of Bonners Ferry,
the attempt ended last night in a tie breaker.
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 ICE
seeking child pornographer: U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland
Security Investigations urgently needs the public's help to
identify an
unidentified woman for producing child
pornography and the rescue of a four- to
five-year-old victim of sexual exploitation.
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Woodbury lends
voice in national discussion: With the tragic killings of 20 innocent children
last Friday, the subject
of mental illness is the hot topic affecting
many families, schools and professionals across
the United States.
Lon Woodbury, Bonners Ferry, an independent
educational consultant and President of
Struggling Teens.com, was among a panel of
guests discussing it Tuesday on Huffingtom Post
Live. |
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December 18 |
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More winter on
the way: Enjoy today's relatively mild conditions ...
according to the National Weather Service,
Spokane, another round of winter is on the way,
and a winter storm watch goes into effect
Wednesday afternoon. |
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December 17 |
Christmas Lights winners named:
The first
News Bonners Ferry Boundary County Christmas
Lights contest is now over, and despite only
three entrants, all three are winners! Renee Clarkson, who
lives at 216 Flintlock Lane, is the first place finisher,
earning her a $100 gift certificate from Huckleberry Variety
Christmas Store and one wild huckleberry pie from Artisan
Bakers.
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 Mourning
the loss of a great doctor:
Dr. Lucero was part of the medical community in
Boundary County for over 33 years. Arriving in
Bonners Ferry in 1971, he worked with Dr.
Edwards as a Physician Assistant. He left the
community to continue his education and obtain a
degree as a medical doctor from the University
of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City,
Utah. He then returned to Bonners Ferry setting
up a solo practice.
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 Thinking
the unthinkable:
In the wake of another horrific national
tragedy, it’s easy to talk about guns. But it’s
time to talk about mental illness.
Three days before 20 year-old Adam Lanza killed
his mother, then opened fire on a classroom full
of Connecticut kindergartners, my 13-year old
son Michael (name changed) missed his bus
because he was wearing the wrong color pants. An
article by Liza Long.
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Court records and sheriff's log
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| Falen and Joziah
Eberhardt wasted very little time this morning,
getting outside on the North Hill and enjoying the
very reason they had a snow day at school. |
| Photo by Marsha Eberhardt |
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| A picture of the
overnight snow in Bonners Ferry taken early today by
Deborah Youngwirth, whose husband, John, has been
going since 1:30 a.m. leading the Bonners Ferry road
crew in plowing city streets. State and county crews
also got an early start today. |
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Boundary County public schools have been closed
today due to snow.
Up to a foot of new snow
now blankets Boundary County. Bonners Ferry crews were
called in to begin plowing at about 1:30 a.m. today. County
and state crews are also working to clear roads. Use extreme
caution driving in this morning! The Boundary County
Sheriffs Office reports that there are no particular trouble
spots on the county's roads this morning; they're icy and
slick everywhere. Please drive safely during your commute to
work this morning; it's still snowing and visibility is
limited. Give yourself extra time and remember that everyone
you share the road with is just getting re-used to snowy
driving conditions. Lake Pend Oreille and West Bonner County
School District schools are also closed today due to snow.
Troy, Montana schools are open.
The Bonners Ferry Senior Center is closed today as well. |
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December 16 |
Dr. Ernie
Lucero passes: News Bonners Ferry is saddened to report the
sudden passing of long-time Bonners Ferry
medical practitioner Dr. Ernie Lucero, who died
at his home Saturday of an apparent heart
attack, his wife, Carol, at his side.
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Winter storm warning
issued for snow: The National Weather Service, Spokane, has
cancelled a winter weather advisory and replaced
it with a winter weather warning in effect from
8 p.m. today through 4 p.m. Monday, calling for
heavy snow. |
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December 15 |
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Boundary County Airport office manager Ashley Glaza at
the controls of Northern Air's new Redbird FMX Flight
Simulator. |
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Technology lands at
Northern Air: Since early November, there have been several
serious incidents at the Boundary County
Airport, but no one’s read about them until now.
Pilots flying in severe weather beyond their
experience or ability and crashing, numerous
incidences of equipment malfunction or failure.
All right at our small airport at Three Mile.
The Federal Aviation Administration knows all about it; instead
of being alarmed, they’re glad to see it.
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Flags at half staff
for Connecticut victims: As a mark of respect for the victims of the
senseless acts of violence perpetrated on
December 14, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut, by
the authority vested in me as President of the
United States by the Constitution and the laws
of the United States of America, I hereby order
that the flag of the United States shall be
flown at half-staff at the White House and upon
all public buildings and grounds, at all
military posts and naval stations, and on all
naval vessels of the Federal Government in the
District of Columbia and throughout the United
States and its Territories and possessions until
sunset, December 18, 2012. |
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December 14 |
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First half property
taxes due by December 20: Boundary County
Treasurer Jenny Fessler would like to remind all Boundary
County taxpayers that the deadline for paying the first half
of this year’s taxes without penalty is Thursday, December
20. |
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December 12 |
Community choirs
set to brighten Christmas: For over 40 years the Bonners Ferry Community
Choir has been ushering in Christmas for
Boundary County. This year 90 singers in the
combined Bonners Ferry Community Choir and Swingin' on a Star Children's Choir have worked
since October to prepare "Christmas Across
America."
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 Looking
for host at Snyder Guard Station: The Bonners Ferry Ranger District is seeking
volunteers for the Snyder Guard Station Host
Position starting in the spring 2013. This is an
ideal position for friendly, high energy folks
looking for an inexpensive, quiet setting in
return for host responsibilities on a National
Forest treasure.
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Drive safe
for the holidays: The Idaho Transportation Department reminds
motorists to make this holiday season safer for
everyone by choosing to not drive impaired.
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Moyie Springs City Council minutes, Nov. 7 |
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December 10 |
Valley View Student
Council minutes: The December 6th meeting began at 11:45 in Mrs. Funkhouser’s classroom. Katie took role; all
members were present. After a review of the
November Minutes, a change in the spelling of
Rikki’s last name was made. Cameron made a
motion to approve the minutes. This was seconded
by Katie and approved.
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Court records and
sheriff's log |
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December 8 |
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Raffle to raise
funds for ISP trooper fighting cancer:
An Idaho State Police sergeant is facing the
fight of his life against a serious form of bone
cancer, and his fellow peace officers from
throughout the region are rallying to help him
and his family. |
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December 7 |
Sturgeon spill
tests end in failure: A controversial experiment affecting northwest
Montana and northernmost Idaho has ended by
legal edict after failed attempts -- using large
surges of water -- to draw white sturgeon
farther up the Kootenai River to the most
desirable spawning habitat.
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Tribe gets
go-ahead on new hatchery: The Northwest Power and Conservation Council on
Tuesday gave the go-ahead for the Kootenai Tribe
of Idaho to proceed with final design and begin
construction on a $16.2 million project to
upgrade an existing white sturgeon hatchery at
Bonners Ferry, and build a new hatchery upstream
to support both sturgeon and burbot restoration
goals.
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Forest Service
warming hut burned: Forest Service law enforcement officers are
investigating the destruction of the Skitwish
Warming Hut, which was discovered this morning
to have been destroyed by fire sometime during
the past 48 hours. |
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December 6 |
Flags at
half-staff Friday: On Friday, December 7, all U.S. flags at federal, state
and public facilities in the United States will
be flown at half-staff in commemoration of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
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Moscow Boys Choir
to perform: The Moscow Boys Choir is a careful blending of
heavenly soprano voices with the rich resonance
of bass, tenor and baritone sound that brings a
distinct Russian flavor to the choral
experience, and they're coming to Bonners Ferry
at 7 p.m. Sunday, December 16, at the Bonners
Ferry High School Becker Auditorium.
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 Bondurant
sentenced on weapons charge: George
J. Bondurant, 35, Bonners Ferry, was
sentenced Monday in United States District Court
to ten months in prison followed by three years
of supervised release for felon in possession of
a firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson
announced.
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State educators
seek to help guide K-12 policy: Leaders in education assembled Thursday,
November 29, to begin finding solutions for
immediate and long-term issues facing the future
of K-12 education in Idaho.
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Winter weather
advisory issued: The National weather Service, Spokane, issued a
winter weather advisory including Boundary
County for possibly heavy snow today and Friday.
The advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
today.
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School district offers
to explain M&O: Boundary County School District 101
Superintendent Dick Conley extends an invitation
to talk with any group or organization that
would like additional information on the
up-coming Maintenance and Operations levy (M&O)
that the School District will be running in
March. |
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December 3 |
IPNF
snowmobile guide available: As snowmobiling season arrives on the Idaho
Panhandle National Forests (IPNF) snowmobilers
are strongly encouraged to obtain a copy of the
2012-2013 Snowmobile Guide for the Priest Lake,
Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint Ranger Districts.
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Court records and
sheriff's log |
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December 1 |
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Winter storm watch
upgraded: A winter storm watch issued yesterday by the
National weather service has been upgraded to a
winter storm warning, which is in effect
from 10 p.m. today to 4 p.m. Sunday above 3,500
feet. |
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Obituaries |
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Darvie Charles McAbee,
May 27, 1922 ~ December 29, 2012 |
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Edward
Raymond Jennings,
April 11, 1925 ~ December 25, 2012 |
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Phillip
Eugene Justus, Jr.,
April 23, 1925 ~ December 21, 2012 |
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Ernest
Anthony Lucero, MD,
October 21, 1947 ~ December 15, 2012 |
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Frances Marie Colby,
January 21, 1930 ~ December 16, 2012 |
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Eric
William “Chris” Christenson
January 31, 1924 ~ December 11, 2012 |
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Gladys 'Toni'
Esther Dale, February 19, 1923 ~ December 10, 2012 |
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Donna
Mae (Melander) Sanders, November
25, 2012 |
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Tyler R.
Piper, May 20, 1948 ~ December 5, 2012 |
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Lester
'Les' Herbert Richardson, March 21, 1939 ~ November
25, 2012 |
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Mary M.
'Penny' Taylor, October 20, 1946 ~ November 25,
2012 |
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Robert
Bruce Aitken, September 12, 1962 ~ November 22,
2012 |
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Social |
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Courtney Tucker nominated for Naval Academy:
Senator Jim Risch has announced his nominations
to the United States Military Academies for the
2013 school year, including Courtney Tucker,
Moyie Springs, nominated for attendance at the
U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. |
 Klaus,
Riebli exchange vows: Rachel Klaus and Luke Riebli, both of Bonners
Ferry, were married October 6 at Mountain
Springs Church. After a honeymoon in Park City,
Utah, the couple returned to make their home in
Bonners Ferry. |
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Sports |
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Badger wrestlers
fall to Libby: In their first dual meet of the season, the
Bonners Ferry Badgers wrestling team fell to a
dominating performance by the Libby Loggers,
61-24. |
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Letters |
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Rosanne Smith: The Big Picture ...
Step 1: Close Riverside School ... |
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Congressman Raul Labrador:
Last week, the Business Roundtable, an
association of some of America’s largest
multinational corporations, sent a letter to
Congress suggesting that tax hikes on individual
taxpayers and small businesses should be
considered to avert the ‘fiscal cliff.’ |
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Amanda Fairchild: The audacious hypocrisy of a public school board
insuring that they will fund a school for
another school year, then voting to close it
mid-year, with only six weeks' notice leaves my
mouth hanging open! |
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Congressman Raul Labrador:
Last week, the Business Roundtable, an
association of some of America’s largest
multinational corporations, sent a letter to
Congress suggesting that tax hikes on individual
taxpayers and small businesses should be
considered to avert the ‘fiscal cliff.’ |
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Amanda Fairchild: The audacious hypocrisy of a public school board
insuring that they will fund a school for
another school year, then voting to close it
mid-year, with only six weeks' notice leaves my
mouth hanging open! |
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Congressman Raul Labrador: Last week the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
announced the final critical habitat designation
for woodland caribou. Under this designation,
30,010 acres in Idaho’s Boundary County and
Washington’s Pend Oreille County will be
designated critical habitat for woodland
caribou, which have been listed as an endangered
species since 1984. |
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Dennis
Watson: On Friday, October 26, I picked up my daughter
for the weekend. I noticed she had a deep hoarse
cough. |
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